Detective Kyle McBride battles to get drugs off the streets of Hope City and is sure someone at Kilton Pharmaceutical Company is key to the thefts of prescription fentanyl.

Bored in the marketing department of Kilton Pharma, Kimberly Redman gets to use her journalism background to write human-interest stories about the employees. But her digging turns up more than she bargained for.

Working together, Kyle wants her information without involving her in his investigation, but never expected his heart to become involved.

Taking down the drug dealers is Kyle’s job… and that includes keeping Kimberly safe.

HOPE CITY… ONE CITY… COUNTLESS STORIES.

I fell totally in love with this series from reading the duet. Then I totally missed the release of Brody. Now I’ve read the fourth book and have to go back before the next one comes out.

This book opens with Kyle and his partner Alex going to the scene where three bodies were found in the early morning hours. It occurred in the ‘Cardboard Cottages’ section of Hope City. The homeless make their home in cardboard creations and more recently some actual tents have popped up courtesy of local churches.

The real story for Kyle begins a week prior to the events in the first chapter. Although it was the end of that chapter that kept me turning the pages to see what was what.

This is a favorite scene.

“I’ll take you up on that offer and, dude, mini-you is a great kid. Sorry I couldn’t stay longer.” He jerked his head to the side toward Alex and added, “We had a call out.”

“No worries. I’m glad you made it over.”

“Hell, I wouldn’t have missed it. You were getting pretty close to Amber. That on again?” Brody had reconnected with a girl from his past and they were all shocked to find out that he had a son.

“It is.”

Brody’s words held a hint of regret, and he met his friend’s intense gaze. “Be careful.”

“Man, not you, too,” Brody huffed.

Shaking his head, Kyle chuckled. “You’re my best friend. Yeah, I’m going to tell you to be careful, but I’m also going to tell you to go for it because that woman and that kid are worth the effort. I tried to kick your ass into going to see her after the accident.”

“Yeah, I remember. Wish like hell I’d taken your advice then.”

Brows raised, Kyle shot a glance over to Alex before turning his attention back to Brody. “So… you’re saying…”

Brody huffed. “Fine. You were right.”

“Damn, that hurt, didn’t it?” Just as he was finished ragging on Brody, a flash of color to the side caught his attention.

“It did. I’m leaving now.” Brody tossed a wave to Alex and turned toward his vehicle.

Kyle glanced around, his brow furrowed. “Yeah, okay.”

“What did you see?”

“Someone that doesn’t belong, which makes me edgy. Let’s go to the Celtic Cock this week. You owe me a drink or ten for being right.”

“Deal, take care.”

Focus now zeroed in on what captured his attention, he tossed a wave toward Brody and said, “Alex, circle around to the other side and see if you see that woman who just passed by over there. She’s either fuckin’ nuts if she thinks this is a place to cross through, or there’s something in that backpack that we need to check out.”

It was not hard to follow the girl as she skirted around the outside of the Cardboard Cottages. Her red sweatshirt hoodie stood out like a beacon. Dark jeans and flat leather shoes were another giveaway that she didn’t belong. As he approached from behind, it was evident the small backpack slung over one shoulder was a leather purse, and his suspicions heightened at the idea of what she carried in that bag.

Another gust of wind snapped the hoodie back, allowing tendrils of long, honey-blonde hair escaping a sloppy bun to whip about her head. Her steps hastened and he glanced ahead, seeing a small car parked near the end of one of the exit ramps leading back up to the highway.

She held a cell phone in one hand, talking low and steady, and didn’t appear to hear him approach as he gained ground. “Stop! Police.”

She screeched as her hand jerked up when she whirled around, eyes wide, shooting pepper spray wildly into the air. Her aim sucked, but before he could duck, the wind whipped it around both of them. It wasn’t a direct hit, but it was enough that he felt the sting in his eyes and burn in his throat.

“God dammit!” he yelled, rushing toward her. Their bodies collided, and as she flailed about, he wrapped his arms around her and maneuvered her to the ground. “Stay down!”

He had not taken a direct hit from the irritant, but his eyes teared and he sucked in a ragged breath. He pinned her to the ground with one hand on her back and swiped his hand over his eyes and nose, blinking to clear his vision. Hearing rapidly approaching footsteps, he looked up and saw Alex approaching, weapon drawn.

The girl continued to wiggle and sputter, and he flipped her over. A streak of dirt mixed with a trail of tears on her cheek marred her otherwise flawless complexion. Coughing, trying to catch her breath, she blinked rapidly. Finally, her eyes stayed open, and he gasped when staring into the familiar green orbs.

For a few seconds, the underbelly world of Hope City disappeared as the two stared at each other. “You?” he growled, recognition hitting him, barely aware that she had uttered the same word in equal disbelief.
Maryann Jordan. Kyle – ARC copy – not for sale: Hope City (Kindle Locations 151-184).)

Now the reason Kyle knows this girl becomes clear in the following chapters. It seems Kyle made a bit of mistake, not getting a phone number or even a last name from the woman he thoroughly enjoyed one night with. She was gone when he woke, and it seems he can’t get her off his mind. Even going back to the Celtic Cock, where they met, to see if the owner knows who she was.

Kimberly has the same problem and it’s as she’s delving into a new project that she sees Kyle again. He’s not happy about the situation and her explanation frustrates him as she bounces around the facts.

There are more than a few twists and turns in this book along with the sizzling relationship they begin or rather continue. I really love how we see everyone from the previous books and see how they are faring.

I’m going to catch up with Brody and then wait impatiently for the next book!

5 Contented Purrs for Maryann!

Maryann Jordan

I have always been an avid reader. My early memories were of my mother taking me to the library and allowing me to check out as many books as I could carry. My favorite books were checked out numerous times and read over and over. I would use my Barbie dolls to play out the scenes in books (such as Nancy Drew!).

I have written as a hobby for many years (probably since childhood). I have written devotionals, autobiographical writings about having a severely handicapped, medically fragile child, about my mother’s Alzheimer’s, and other subjects that interest me.

I joke that I “cut my romance teeth” on the old historical romance books. In 2013, I started a blog to showcase wonderful writers. In 2014, I finally gave in to the characters in my head pleading for their story to be told. Thus, Emma’s Home was created.

I worked as a counselor in a high school and was involved in education for the past 30 years, until retiring in 2015. I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for 35 years and have 2 adult, very supportive daughters. When writing, my dog or one of my cats will usually be found in my lap!