Author: Andrew Grey
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Length: 200 Pages
Category: Contemporary
At a Glance: Fire and Hail is another favorite for me from the Carlisle Cops series. Andrew Grey brings some serious issues to the forefront: child abuse and endangerment, drug abuse and mental illness.
Reviewed By: Maryann
Blurb: Brock Ferguson knew he might run into his ex-boyfriend, Vincent Geraldini, when he took his first job as a police officer in Carlisle. Vincent’s attitude during a routine traffic stop reminds Brock why their relationship didn’t last.
What Brock doesn’t expect is finding two scared children in the trunk of a Corvette. He’s also surprised to learn the kids’ mother is Vincent’s sister. But his immediate concern is the safety of the two children, Abey and Penny, and he offers to comfort and care for them when their mother is taken into custody.
Vincent is also shocked to learn what his sister has done. For the sake of the kids, he and Brock bury the hatchet—and soon find they have much more in common than they realized. With Abey and Penny’s help, they grow closer, until the four of them start to feel like a family. But Vincent’s sister and her boyfriend—an equal-opportunity jerk—could tear down everything they’re trying to build.
Review: Being the newest member of the Carlisle PD, Brock Ferguson gets stuck with the fun job of watching for speeders. One driver he happens to pull over is Vincent “Vinny” Geraldini. Brock and Vinny were in a relationship when they were younger that didn’t work out—both were just too young and had different views of what was important. At the Hanover Grille, while having a meal with Carter, Brock finds himself reminiscing about Vinny, and even more so when Vinny shows up at the grille. Just before Brock’s shift ends a call comes in, and with backup from Carter, they pull over a car. The driver happens to be Rhonda Geraldini, sister to Vinny. But what’s worse is that Rhonda’s two children, Abey and Penny, are found in the trunk of the car.
With Vinny and Rhonda being estranged, and not seeing each other for almost four years, he’s shocked to learn he has a niece, Penny. But regardless of the dysfunctional family situation, Vinny opens his heart to both Abey and Penny. Vinny has to face that his sister is unstable, has drug problems, and will be serving a prison sentence for her crime.
Brock and Vinny are both really great guys. They have made some mistakes in their personal lives, and it takes time for them to build trust between them. Abey and Penny become a big part of Brock and Vinny reconnecting. As Brock watches Vinny trying to do so much all at once, he becomes protective and starts to care for Vinny again. But Brock tries to keep his feelings for Vinny hidden. He doesn’t want to chance being hurt again. Brock puts his life on the line for Abey, Penny, and Vinny to keep them all safe and together.
Donald, Alex, and Carter play a big part in the story. Carter and Brock work as a team, and Alex makes friends with Abey. Donald is especially important in his expertise with Child Protective Services, advising Vinny.
Fire and Hail is another favorite for me from the Carlisle Cops series. Andrew Grey brings some serious issues to the forefront: child abuse and endangerment, drug abuse and mental illness. What I also picked up from the storyline was the contrast of control, from a mother who thinks she means well to a homophobic employee to drug dealers. Grey also brings back those oh so familiar characters from the series, and shows what a solid family unit this caring group of guys makes. Along with the heartbreak and sorrow of the storyline, there’s lots of love all around, and a special surprise.
You can buy Fire and Hail here:
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