Code of Conduct

Starred review from July 13, 2020
A security agent and a private investigator find love in White’s magnetic series opener. Denise Quimby hires pseudonymous PI Shane to recover funds she considers due to her from her cheating husband, Dane. Though Shane, who’s had a leg amputated and whose skill set is now enhanced by her wide array of prosthetic legs fitted with different “Swiss Army-type gadgets,” is successful in pilfering the money from Dane’s account, she lands in hot water when Denise goes missing and Dane discovers Shane’s part in the ruse. Gabriel Eze is an agent for Cipher Security, the firm hired by Dane to recover his money and locate his wife. When Gabriel and Shane inevitably collide, Gabriel is attracted to Shane despite knowing she stole money from his client. While searching for incriminating evidence on Shane, Gabriel moves into her apartment building, forcing their paths to keep crossing. But when Shane uncovers the surprising truth behind how Dane made his money, she and Gabriel go from enemies to allies and Gabriel offers her a consulting job with Cipher to dig further. Working the case brings up moral issues and forces Shane to confront her troubled past, adding emotional weight to the story even as the slow-burn romance between Gabriel and Shane becomes delicious torture. This is a winner.

October 11, 2019

PI Shane has a passion for chasing cheaters, most likely owing to a painful past breakup. She is also a below-the-knee amputee, which doesn't affect her investigations. Rather, a wide selection of prosthetics provides options in different, dangerous situations. When her path collides with Gabriel, a black British soldier-turned-investigator, there's an instant attraction. Gabriel is handsome with a droll sense of humor. The banter between the two is playful and tantalizing, but each grapple with inner demons and trust issues. As they work together to bring down a bad guy and find his wife and a missing half-million dollars, their walls slowly come down. VERDICT In a pulse-pounding story featuring a captivating interracial couple paired with a riveting adventure, this strong series launch from White (An Urchin of Means) casts equally original and intriguing supporting characters, who will hopefully headline future entries. A thrill for readers of Sandra Brown or Kristen Ashley.--Maureen Roberts, Baltimore Cty. P.L.

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