His Wicked Ways By Joanne Rock

NYPD Detective Vanessa Torres heads to her old neighborhood in the Bronx seeking to find millionaire realtor Alec Messina. His partners including his Mafia tied Uncle Sergio insists he embezzled from their firm McPherson real Estate. Vanessa tracks him to a gym where he gives lessons in self defense under the name Al Perez. Vanessa volunteers to fight Al with everyone feeling each hit that lands..

After the kids leave, Vanessa informs Messina that she is a cop and taking him in. He pleads with her that he is innocent and can prove it. When she explains that she read and understood the firm's finances, he asks for her help insisting he has evidence that the books were cooked to make him look like the felon. Though knowing she should refuse and follow police procedural, Vanessa agrees to help Messina with the caveat that if she finds him guilty he goes to prison. As they work together with the mob in pursuit they fall in love, but neither know if they will live long enough to prove his innocence.

Though readers will question Vanessa's disregard of official procedure that could cost her the job she cherishes to assist Alec on proving his innocence, fans will appreciate this fine police procedural romance due to the strength of the female protagonist. The story line is action-packed from the moment Vanessa challenges Al in the gym and never slows down until their respective hearts dares the other to vow their love. Fans will enjoy this solid tale as the cop and the realtor with mob connections try to confirm that Uncle Sergio cooked books.

Harriet Klausner