Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Detective Graham Craig has been having an affair with R.N. Darren Sanford for nearly a year, a secret affair. Graham doesn't want anyone to know. When Darren's emotions become too deeply involved, Graham knows he has to break things off, even if it feels like he's cutting out his own heart.

When separation from Darren becomes more than he can stand, Graham goes back to Darren, begging for another chance. He sets out to prove to Darren that what they have together is special. Then Graham learns some terrifying news that changes everything. Someone has put a hit out on him and everyone he loves. Graham knows what he has to do. As much as it pains him, Graham tells Darren they are over, again. He knows that this time, Darren will never give him another chance, but at least the man will be alive to hate him. Graham goes into protective custody along with other members of the drug task force he works on and his family.

But when well-meaning friends interfere, can Graham save the man he loves before an assassin's bullet gets him, or will he lose Darren before he has a chance to tell him and the entire world of his love?

Note: This book was previously published with another publisher and has been extensively revised and expanded.

 

Book Review

Anyone who feels they cannot come out, for whatever reason, has my sympathy. There comes a point though, when living your own life has to be more important than “keeping up appearances”, or pacifying a demanding parent, and this story is about Graham, a cop who struggles with both. Needlessly, and stupidly, and he makes some idiotic mistakes on the way, but in the end, he gets the point. Poor Darren, who had to walk through hell getting ignored and dumped, is a saint as far as I am concerned, for taking Graham back. Twice!

I have to admit that I didn't like Graham at first. He was so clearly mistaken about his own feelings and following someone else's idea of what sort of a relationship he should be in. And he isn’t just trying to conform to what he thinks his cop buddies expect (two of them are, after all, openly gay and with partners of their own, but listening to is mother’s idiotic demands. I mean, really! It is his life, and he is clearly deeply in love with Darren, and miserable without him. But he redeems himself when he finally admits that he loves Darren and goes after him. Not that it's easy - there are a few obstacles still for them to overcome.

Darren is a nurse, and getting rally fed up about having to hide his relationship with Graham. And then the man dumps him. It almost kills Darren, but he manages to survive. When Graham comes back to him, he makes it very clear he cannot go through that again. And what does Graham do? After a very sort time he dumps Darren again. He may think he has his reasons, but does he explain them to Darren? No. Poor Darren is ready to end it all, when help comes from an unexpected angle. It changes everything, and Darren finally finds his stride. Enough so, that when Graham appears again, Darren ends up having more than a say in what happens!

The depth of Darren's emotions (and Graham's once he admits them) was wonderful and the twists and turns of the plot certainly held me captivated. If you like “bullheaded detectives who think they know best” and the men who love them but are helpless to make them see reason, if you like reading about “destined” couples, and if you’re looking for a read that is heartwrenching and  has a few interesting twists, then you will probably like this novella.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Siren Publishing for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 48768 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	19-June-2014
Price	$5.50 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.bookstrand.com/his-dirty-little-secret