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No Good Deed
They say no good deed goes unpunished. Two men are about to find out if that old saying is true...Captain Daniel Chan works for the Riceland Police Department. It’s a small town in Texas and he’s the only Chinese American on the force. He considers himself bisexual, but when he meets Mark Montgomery, a gay man, he falls hard. But being with Mark means he’ll have to commit to being gay. Mark won’t have it any other way.
Mark’s a man with a terrible past and he’s in hiding from it and the man who tried to kill him so long ago. When he meets Dan, it’s a chance at healing old wounds and finding a new life. But it also means exposure, and that’s something Mark’s avoided for years. When he’s thrust onto center stage after a shooting, he turns to Dan for protection.
But even in a small town, things can get complicated. Political maneuvering, shady real estate deals, and men’s ambitions all collide, catching Dan and Mark in the middle. Will the forces they encounter destroy them and their new found love, or will it bind them together?
Gay / Mystery / Detective / Suspense / Thriller / Action / Adventure / Interracial / Multicultural / Contains Some Heterosexual (M/F) Content
Mark’s a man with a terrible past and he’s in hiding from it and the man who tried to kill him so long ago. When he meets Dan, it’s a chance at healing old wounds and finding a new life. But it also means exposure, and that’s something Mark’s avoided for years. When he’s thrust onto center stage after a shooting, he turns to Dan for protection.
But even in a small town, things can get complicated. Political maneuvering, shady real estate deals, and men’s ambitions all collide, catching Dan and Mark in the middle. Will the forces they encounter destroy them and their new found love, or will it bind them together?
Gay / Mystery / Detective / Suspense / Thriller / Action / Adventure / Interracial / Multicultural / Contains Some Heterosexual (M/F) Content
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2009
6 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Lorenz
68 books316 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)gay romance
I’m from New Orleans, that’s N’awlins for those of you who speak the language. I grew up in the Riverbend, or Carrollton, for the old timers, but was a Quarter rat from the age of 11, taking 3 buses to go to art class on Burgundy Street at the Cabrini Doll Museum and NORD center. I attended University of New Orleans and have a BA in Fine Art. My mother worked at Tulane University, six blocks from our house and when we were kids my brother and I parked cars in our driveway for the Saints games at Tulane Stadium. We could get six cars down the drive, two on the front lawn, and two on the street and we only charged $2 a car. We made enough to buy a coupla roast beef po’boys at Comeaux’s on Hickory St. and a snowball over at Williams Snow Ball Stand. We lived 1/2 a block from a cemetery, but doesn’t everyone in N’awlins? We used to watch jazz funerals from our front porch.
Now, my family lives in Katy, Texas. I have a “real” job, a truly supportive and understanding husband, two incredible kids, and a slightly neurotic dog. We used to have a guinea pig, but the dog killed it. Did I say slightly?
My son is 15 and has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning Autism) and Crohn’s Disease, and is a constant lesson in patience, acceptance and managing expectations. He’s super smart, loves video games, fencing, movies, building with legos, and hanging around the house. Like me, he believes that it’s all about him. Sometimes, I wonder if I don’t have Asperger’s, too. Oh, and he’s very handsome.
My daughter, 13, is so creative it’s scary- she loves to paint, draw manga and anima, build dioramas with any box she can get her hands on, create worlds with legos and then make movies with them, sculpt people, animals and objects with those little twist ties from the grocery store, does pottery, and wants to be a lifeguard. And she’s smart, too. And
beautiful, inside and out.
I write for a few hours in the evenings and on weekends as much as I can, without neglecting my family. (That laughter you hear is my husband) I attend a critique group, and do whatever the kids are into at the time.
(1)gay romance
I’m from New Orleans, that’s N’awlins for those of you who speak the language. I grew up in the Riverbend, or Carrollton, for the old timers, but was a Quarter rat from the age of 11, taking 3 buses to go to art class on Burgundy Street at the Cabrini Doll Museum and NORD center. I attended University of New Orleans and have a BA in Fine Art. My mother worked at Tulane University, six blocks from our house and when we were kids my brother and I parked cars in our driveway for the Saints games at Tulane Stadium. We could get six cars down the drive, two on the front lawn, and two on the street and we only charged $2 a car. We made enough to buy a coupla roast beef po’boys at Comeaux’s on Hickory St. and a snowball over at Williams Snow Ball Stand. We lived 1/2 a block from a cemetery, but doesn’t everyone in N’awlins? We used to watch jazz funerals from our front porch.
Now, my family lives in Katy, Texas. I have a “real” job, a truly supportive and understanding husband, two incredible kids, and a slightly neurotic dog. We used to have a guinea pig, but the dog killed it. Did I say slightly?
My son is 15 and has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning Autism) and Crohn’s Disease, and is a constant lesson in patience, acceptance and managing expectations. He’s super smart, loves video games, fencing, movies, building with legos, and hanging around the house. Like me, he believes that it’s all about him. Sometimes, I wonder if I don’t have Asperger’s, too. Oh, and he’s very handsome.
My daughter, 13, is so creative it’s scary- she loves to paint, draw manga and anima, build dioramas with any box she can get her hands on, create worlds with legos and then make movies with them, sculpt people, animals and objects with those little twist ties from the grocery store, does pottery, and wants to be a lifeguard. And she’s smart, too. And
beautiful, inside and out.
I write for a few hours in the evenings and on weekends as much as I can, without neglecting my family. (That laughter you hear is my husband) I attend a critique group, and do whatever the kids are into at the time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 4, 2013
^^NO GOOD DEED IS GOOOOOOOD!^^
I am in all kinds of love with this book. If Daniel Chan wasn't a gay man I would want him for my own, but hahahah he is bi-sexual, yeh I know...this man is all kinds of awesome. I am now a huge fan of Lynn Lorenz she is a definate buy when purchasing my m/m loving. This book was surprisingly funny, angsty and just a sweet sexy fest. LOVED IT!!
Daniel Chan is the captain of a police force in a small town he is also chinese and if that don't blow all out the water. He loves his job, he has great friends and only a few years until his retirement. One problem, no one in town knows about his sexual preferences, sometimes he likes the ladies other times he wants a man. No reason to go spreading this around until there was Mark and all his homosexual tendencies are coming out in full force and everyone seems to be noticing.
The meeting between Mark and Chan is no gumballs and lollipops, you see Mark was just caught in some serious business involving a dead man, a wounded police officer and Mark being arrested. To save the police force ass Chan has to some smooth talking and that comes easy because he wants Mark naked. The instant attraction has some road blocks, because both our heroes have wounded souls and a whole lot of healing is required.
I loved Chan's humour he makes being an asshole a true talent, but man is he sweet. His internal dialogue is hilarious, his dialogue with other characters is a laugh out loud kinda thing, and I did. He is a complex character with true worries and it proves the darkside that most cops without a doubt carry. Mark is a beautiful character, all the shit that man has been through he deserves his happy ending.
It was great to see a interrracial couple, I love when the people of the world come together and just love, and it makes for just hot good times. Though the sex did not come till later it was worth it, so sweet and beautiful. These men aren't perfect and they make mistakes. There are scenes involving a woman, but it works in this story line. An enjoyable story with well written characters, a solid 4.5!
I am in all kinds of love with this book. If Daniel Chan wasn't a gay man I would want him for my own, but hahahah he is bi-sexual, yeh I know...this man is all kinds of awesome. I am now a huge fan of Lynn Lorenz she is a definate buy when purchasing my m/m loving. This book was surprisingly funny, angsty and just a sweet sexy fest. LOVED IT!!
Daniel Chan is the captain of a police force in a small town he is also chinese and if that don't blow all out the water. He loves his job, he has great friends and only a few years until his retirement. One problem, no one in town knows about his sexual preferences, sometimes he likes the ladies other times he wants a man. No reason to go spreading this around until there was Mark and all his homosexual tendencies are coming out in full force and everyone seems to be noticing.
The meeting between Mark and Chan is no gumballs and lollipops, you see Mark was just caught in some serious business involving a dead man, a wounded police officer and Mark being arrested. To save the police force ass Chan has to some smooth talking and that comes easy because he wants Mark naked. The instant attraction has some road blocks, because both our heroes have wounded souls and a whole lot of healing is required.
I loved Chan's humour he makes being an asshole a true talent, but man is he sweet. His internal dialogue is hilarious, his dialogue with other characters is a laugh out loud kinda thing, and I did. He is a complex character with true worries and it proves the darkside that most cops without a doubt carry. Mark is a beautiful character, all the shit that man has been through he deserves his happy ending.
It was great to see a interrracial couple, I love when the people of the world come together and just love, and it makes for just hot good times. Though the sex did not come till later it was worth it, so sweet and beautiful. These men aren't perfect and they make mistakes. There are scenes involving a woman, but it works in this story line. An enjoyable story with well written characters, a solid 4.5!
October 28, 2012
This was a really good story. This story really had everything in it for me. It was funny at times, loved the banter with Dan and basically everyone he talked to, those he liked and even those he didn't, there was angsty parts and of course there were the romance parts. Even though it was pretty easy to figure out who was causing all the problems, seeing how that unfolded added to the overall story. I know this story has been out for awhile, so I guess any hope of getting a follow up on the future of Dan and Mark is probably not gonna happen.
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February 1, 2010I suppose that, when you start a cop themed story, violence and danger is what you are expecting, and probably the cops in question to not have a particular deepness, macho man sure, but nothing more. Plus if the cop is also bisexual, you lift your brows with a bit of scepticism, bisexual men usually are not so well welcomed in romance, they have give the idea to be undecided. Actually this is a point that would be worthy of more attention, why bisexual men, or women for that matter, aren’t allowed to be hero, but maybe this is not the time, and it would distract people from the book in question, and it’s a too good book to have it.
Anyway Daniel Chan, the Chinese-American captain of a small police department in an even smaller Texan country town, is probably the first bisexual man I like in a romance. He has always known to prefer men, if he can choose, but sometime he couldn’t, like when is ultra-conservative family wanted him to marry a good Chinese girl, or when he moved in a small town USA where being gay was not an option, but a calling for bashing, and so he had his share of women in life; and then he is also honest with himself, and he can recognize when a woman is attractive, and he has even an ideal when speaking of them. Daniel has quite a straight mind, no pun intended, he likes men and women, more men than women, but he knows that he can love only men, and since for him it’s not allowed to love men, so he is alone. If asked he replies that he is bisexual; but when he falls in love for a man, and that man is gay, and he wants a monogamous relationship, than that means that Daniel is gay, simple like that, no sweat on it.
It’s so simple for Daniel, as it is simple for him to admit that he is in love for Mark, the man he met in the line of duty and that now seems to be the only important thing for Daniel. All right, Daniel knows that it can’t be simple for them to openly live their relationship, that they will have to face some cold attitude, but again, balancing the pro and cons, to have or not to have Mark, for Daniel again the solution is simple, Mark comes before anything else. And if with Mark come also all his trouble, a very traumatic past experience that left him broken, first in body and now in soul, Daniel, with all his patience and love, is ready to patch him up. It’s like dealing with a skittish horse, but if someone is up to the task, Daniel is the man.
Daniel is really a wonderful character. He is not a brooding cop, so deep in the closet to have lost the feeling to be free. The people who are really near him, like his best friend Jeff, know what he is and who he likes, only that Daniel is not making of it a public question. Probably there is not even a reason, he has not a special someone in his life; but when that special man makes his appearance, then Daniel has no doubt that, to love him, he has to do the right thing. But it’s not even a question of sacrifice, there is not tortured decision, not beating himself on the bad fate, it’s again, the simplest thing to do, smooth like that, simple like that. One glance in the deep pools that are Mark’s eyes, and Daniel knows that the time is arrived.
I also like that Daniel is not a self-righteous man, sincerely that type of man are boring and sometime even nasty. Daniel has his weak points, he sometime is even depressed, and if it’s convenient, and not dangerous for any living souls, he is also able to forget the book and stretch the law a bit. Basically Daniel is a good man, with all his faults that make him even more good.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/160272816X/?...
Anyway Daniel Chan, the Chinese-American captain of a small police department in an even smaller Texan country town, is probably the first bisexual man I like in a romance. He has always known to prefer men, if he can choose, but sometime he couldn’t, like when is ultra-conservative family wanted him to marry a good Chinese girl, or when he moved in a small town USA where being gay was not an option, but a calling for bashing, and so he had his share of women in life; and then he is also honest with himself, and he can recognize when a woman is attractive, and he has even an ideal when speaking of them. Daniel has quite a straight mind, no pun intended, he likes men and women, more men than women, but he knows that he can love only men, and since for him it’s not allowed to love men, so he is alone. If asked he replies that he is bisexual; but when he falls in love for a man, and that man is gay, and he wants a monogamous relationship, than that means that Daniel is gay, simple like that, no sweat on it.
It’s so simple for Daniel, as it is simple for him to admit that he is in love for Mark, the man he met in the line of duty and that now seems to be the only important thing for Daniel. All right, Daniel knows that it can’t be simple for them to openly live their relationship, that they will have to face some cold attitude, but again, balancing the pro and cons, to have or not to have Mark, for Daniel again the solution is simple, Mark comes before anything else. And if with Mark come also all his trouble, a very traumatic past experience that left him broken, first in body and now in soul, Daniel, with all his patience and love, is ready to patch him up. It’s like dealing with a skittish horse, but if someone is up to the task, Daniel is the man.
Daniel is really a wonderful character. He is not a brooding cop, so deep in the closet to have lost the feeling to be free. The people who are really near him, like his best friend Jeff, know what he is and who he likes, only that Daniel is not making of it a public question. Probably there is not even a reason, he has not a special someone in his life; but when that special man makes his appearance, then Daniel has no doubt that, to love him, he has to do the right thing. But it’s not even a question of sacrifice, there is not tortured decision, not beating himself on the bad fate, it’s again, the simplest thing to do, smooth like that, simple like that. One glance in the deep pools that are Mark’s eyes, and Daniel knows that the time is arrived.
I also like that Daniel is not a self-righteous man, sincerely that type of man are boring and sometime even nasty. Daniel has his weak points, he sometime is even depressed, and if it’s convenient, and not dangerous for any living souls, he is also able to forget the book and stretch the law a bit. Basically Daniel is a good man, with all his faults that make him even more good.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/160272816X/?...
December 4, 2013
I did enjoy reading this book very much actually: I liked the main characters, political intrigues and action scenes but there were parts in book that bothered me so much that I had to drop stars down.
Few of the things that made me lower rating. Contains SPOILERS
*Mark had abusive ex-boyfriend who beat him and left him to die. OK, 100% believable. But why Jeff the Bastard should be such an idiot as trying to shoot Mark in public place? If person is cruel it doesn’t mean s/he is unbelievably stupid.
* I didn’t have problem Dan blackmailing St Romaine but I was disturbed that Dan not once thought about the teenage boy with whom St Romaine had sex. Dan is supposed to be good guy, he is policeman shouldn’t he know that in most cases teenagers are forced into prostitution?
*Dan and depression/suicidal thoughts. Almost for twenty years Dan is supposed to have been struggling with depression but he was remarkably unaffected by it. Sometimes suicidal thoughts and self guilt, that’s all? Not even his libido affected, lucky Dan.
*I was surprised how well Mark after like ten year celibacy and trauma(he had dated after Jeff but as I understand his after Jeff relationships didn’t work at all) could have so hot and trusting sex with Dan. Yeah, right.
*Why Dan’s parents didn’t call/visit when their son was in hospital and yet they came all friendly and loving at his and Mark’ house? Did his parents heard rumours that Dan get a lot of many now?
*It was often mentioned how difficult it could be for a man coming out from closet but miraculously Dan didn’t have any. Entire town was more or less OK?
Few of the things that made me lower rating. Contains SPOILERS
*Mark had abusive ex-boyfriend who beat him and left him to die. OK, 100% believable. But why Jeff the Bastard should be such an idiot as trying to shoot Mark in public place? If person is cruel it doesn’t mean s/he is unbelievably stupid.
* I didn’t have problem Dan blackmailing St Romaine but I was disturbed that Dan not once thought about the teenage boy with whom St Romaine had sex. Dan is supposed to be good guy, he is policeman shouldn’t he know that in most cases teenagers are forced into prostitution?
*Dan and depression/suicidal thoughts. Almost for twenty years Dan is supposed to have been struggling with depression but he was remarkably unaffected by it. Sometimes suicidal thoughts and self guilt, that’s all? Not even his libido affected, lucky Dan.
*I was surprised how well Mark after like ten year celibacy and trauma(he had dated after Jeff but as I understand his after Jeff relationships didn’t work at all) could have so hot and trusting sex with Dan. Yeah, right.
*Why Dan’s parents didn’t call/visit when their son was in hospital and yet they came all friendly and loving at his and Mark’ house? Did his parents heard rumours that Dan get a lot of many now?
*It was often mentioned how difficult it could be for a man coming out from closet but miraculously Dan didn’t have any. Entire town was more or less OK?
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August 4, 2012In trying to clean up my TBR pile, I really have to chop this book. It's a shame, because it's wonderfully written and I loved the character of Daniel Chan. He's very three dimensional. I've definitely never read a better depiction of a bisexual, depressed Chinese-American high-ranking police officer in small town Texas! And like the other Lorenz book I've read, the dialogue is very smooth and realistic.
Unfortunately, I can't finish it because the narrative took a turn—not a sharp or jarring turn, but a turn nonetheless—into h/c territory, and I couldn't follow it there. Readers who don't have my issues with h/c will probably greatly enjoy this book.
Unfortunately, I can't finish it because the narrative took a turn—not a sharp or jarring turn, but a turn nonetheless—into h/c territory, and I couldn't follow it there. Readers who don't have my issues with h/c will probably greatly enjoy this book.
March 3, 2012
Good story!
Daniel, I had my doubts about in the beginning, I mean really, you're a cop, prostitutes, really? But then I figured, sure of course! Why not? ;)
I was a little suprised that after so many years Mark hadn't had any real kind of relationship,but I guess it worked for the story.
The politics was a nice bonus!
The ending was nice and pat, maybe a bit too perfect, but that's how I like my romance, happy, healthy and all that!
Daniel, I had my doubts about in the beginning, I mean really, you're a cop, prostitutes, really? But then I figured, sure of course! Why not? ;)
I was a little suprised that after so many years Mark hadn't had any real kind of relationship,but I guess it worked for the story.
The politics was a nice bonus!
The ending was nice and pat, maybe a bit too perfect, but that's how I like my romance, happy, healthy and all that!
January 1, 2014
I just couldnt get myself to like Daniel Chan. I gave it two stars because I liked the general idea of the story and the start was exciting. Other than that it just wasnt for me.
March 20, 2011
3.5 stars
No good deed is a first person POV story told by Dan Chan. At times I struggled with the POV. While it doesn’t usually bother me to read this point of view, there was so much waffling about what he should do and so much self doubt and recrimination that it would have been more compelling if I had been able to break some of that up and get some perspective from other characters in the book. Sometimes I just wanted to get away from Dan.
Mark is still an emotional mess 7 years after a severe beating and has not been able to connect with anyone on any physical level since the attack. He is forced into a situation that throws him and Dan together. Despite the fact that he has never had an emotional relationship (except a very short unsatisfactory marriage), Dan instantly falls for Mark.
There were several things that held back my full enjoyment of this book. First, Mark doesn’t enter the picture until quite far into the book. We are just following Dan around and listening to his internal dialogue for much too long before he meets Mark. Even after he meets Mark, they really don’t spend a lot of time together for another length of time. We are still following Dan around and listening to him mind-fuck himself over and over about his past mistakes, depression, failed marriage, strained relationship with his parents, the hooker he can’t seem to say no to (there is some m/f sexual interaction in this story) and other things going on in his life. Next, Mark is much too fragile. After all these years he is still a mess and it is frustrating to watch Dan dance around him and worry constantly that he is going to say or do the wrong thing. Dan’s passivity, insisted upon by Mark’s psychiatrist, was just not erotic to me. Last, the wrap up at the end was very convenient. Everything that has been bothering Dan, even problems that go back 20 years, were resolved. After all the problems that Dan has been chasing around in his head for 40 years are gone…what is he going to be depressed about and contemplate killing himself over now?
It starts off as an unflinching and angsty story that takes a realistic look at how we think ourselves in circles and the long term ramifications of events that can haunt us forever. There is a lot of room for contemplation and empathy for the characters that many will find compelling. In the end, I think this book had too little balance and resorted to an unrealistic and Pollyanna style ending that did the readers a disservice. Dan is still going to battle with depression and Mark is not “cured” of his issues and yet everything is tied up with a nice pretty bow that seems to imply that these guys are going to skip down life’s path with flowers popping up in their wake from now on.
No good deed is a first person POV story told by Dan Chan. At times I struggled with the POV. While it doesn’t usually bother me to read this point of view, there was so much waffling about what he should do and so much self doubt and recrimination that it would have been more compelling if I had been able to break some of that up and get some perspective from other characters in the book. Sometimes I just wanted to get away from Dan.
Mark is still an emotional mess 7 years after a severe beating and has not been able to connect with anyone on any physical level since the attack. He is forced into a situation that throws him and Dan together. Despite the fact that he has never had an emotional relationship (except a very short unsatisfactory marriage), Dan instantly falls for Mark.
There were several things that held back my full enjoyment of this book. First, Mark doesn’t enter the picture until quite far into the book. We are just following Dan around and listening to his internal dialogue for much too long before he meets Mark. Even after he meets Mark, they really don’t spend a lot of time together for another length of time. We are still following Dan around and listening to him mind-fuck himself over and over about his past mistakes, depression, failed marriage, strained relationship with his parents, the hooker he can’t seem to say no to (there is some m/f sexual interaction in this story) and other things going on in his life. Next, Mark is much too fragile. After all these years he is still a mess and it is frustrating to watch Dan dance around him and worry constantly that he is going to say or do the wrong thing. Dan’s passivity, insisted upon by Mark’s psychiatrist, was just not erotic to me. Last, the wrap up at the end was very convenient. Everything that has been bothering Dan, even problems that go back 20 years, were resolved. After all the problems that Dan has been chasing around in his head for 40 years are gone…what is he going to be depressed about and contemplate killing himself over now?
It starts off as an unflinching and angsty story that takes a realistic look at how we think ourselves in circles and the long term ramifications of events that can haunt us forever. There is a lot of room for contemplation and empathy for the characters that many will find compelling. In the end, I think this book had too little balance and resorted to an unrealistic and Pollyanna style ending that did the readers a disservice. Dan is still going to battle with depression and Mark is not “cured” of his issues and yet everything is tied up with a nice pretty bow that seems to imply that these guys are going to skip down life’s path with flowers popping up in their wake from now on.
May 2, 2017
3.5 Stars ~ For a woman who never wants to live in Texas, I sure do love the stories that are set there. Especially if it involves police and that's exactly what Lynn Lorenz brought me in 'No Good Deed'. Captain Daniel Chan of the Riceland Police Department and Mark Montgomery, a broken and beat down man with a lot of pain in his past. This is an author whose work I frequently enjoy so I knew this book would be no different.
Daniel has heard every joke, some of them multiple times, about being a Chinese cop in Texas and having the last name of Chan. He's forty-two and set to retire in three years. He's waffled about his sexuality through the years, and now he admits to being bisexual with a preference for men. Hmm. Daniel has struggled some throughout his life with bouts of depression and now he's at a point in his life where he figures he'll be alone for the rest of it.
Responding to an unusual 911 call which results in a shooting of one of his officers, Daniel meets Mark. There are instantaneous sparks between the two and because of one of Daniel's officers jumping to the wrong conclusions, Daniel is given the task of smoothing over ruffled feathers and ensuring that Mark doesn't sue the department. Mark has some bad stuff in his past. Ten years before his boyfriend beat him half to death and with Mark's testimony, the guy is currently serving time. Mark sees himself as broken and not good for Daniel in a relationship. Of course, Daniel has no clue how to have a relationship, so it's sort of like the blind leading the blind.
This was an intriguing story with just the right amount of mystery, political maneuverings, backstabbing, betrayal, and a good chance at love for two men who really deserved it. The political machinations from the mayor and his election campaign manager were just low-down and sleazy, making the book even more exciting. There is nothing quite like this amount of backstabbing to get the heart pumping although I felt bad for Mark a few times as he kept getting thrown into the middle. The romance between Daniel and Mark was really sweet and they were two guys who definitely deserved a happy ever after. I enjoyed this book and can easily recommend it.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
Daniel has heard every joke, some of them multiple times, about being a Chinese cop in Texas and having the last name of Chan. He's forty-two and set to retire in three years. He's waffled about his sexuality through the years, and now he admits to being bisexual with a preference for men. Hmm. Daniel has struggled some throughout his life with bouts of depression and now he's at a point in his life where he figures he'll be alone for the rest of it.
Responding to an unusual 911 call which results in a shooting of one of his officers, Daniel meets Mark. There are instantaneous sparks between the two and because of one of Daniel's officers jumping to the wrong conclusions, Daniel is given the task of smoothing over ruffled feathers and ensuring that Mark doesn't sue the department. Mark has some bad stuff in his past. Ten years before his boyfriend beat him half to death and with Mark's testimony, the guy is currently serving time. Mark sees himself as broken and not good for Daniel in a relationship. Of course, Daniel has no clue how to have a relationship, so it's sort of like the blind leading the blind.
This was an intriguing story with just the right amount of mystery, political maneuverings, backstabbing, betrayal, and a good chance at love for two men who really deserved it. The political machinations from the mayor and his election campaign manager were just low-down and sleazy, making the book even more exciting. There is nothing quite like this amount of backstabbing to get the heart pumping although I felt bad for Mark a few times as he kept getting thrown into the middle. The romance between Daniel and Mark was really sweet and they were two guys who definitely deserved a happy ever after. I enjoyed this book and can easily recommend it.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
February 18, 2011
I really liked this one. It was sweet, slightly suspenseful and funny.
I liked Dan because of his smart aleck attitude. Even when faced with someone threatening to out him as gay and take away his pension, he counters it with smart-ass questions and answers which basically annoyed and frustrated whoever he was talking to, to no end. It was hilarious. Of course, I found it extremely funny when he'd go back and worth with his friends or boss and they'd just keep saying ridiculous things. It was kinda like pong. Lol.
I loved Mark, though. Probably because of what he goes through in the book and what he's been through in his life. It made me sad reading about what happened to him and how he can't take people touching him. Then he has to deal with the shooting and it just about messes him up worse then he already is. He's a really sweet guy, though, and kind. It's quite touching seeing how Dan handles Mark and what's he's willing to do to be with Mark.
The beginning of the book is a bit slow. The MCs don't actually meet each other until about a quarter of the way in but from there it picks up and that's when I got hooked. It was interesting to see all the pieces fall into place and seeing Mark and Dan get a happy ending. Also, there's very little sex between Mark and Dan and what sex there is, is at the end so that appealed to me even more. I liked that there was a lot more plot than sex.
Honestly, the only thing I didn't like about the book was the scenes with the woman. I could have gone without those. I mean, it's valuable to the story but I just don't like m/f in my m/m. So, I skipped over any scene with her that led to sex. Thankfully, there's only about three short scenes with them together but still, girly bits! Come on! Lol
Overall, this was a great book and I hope one day we get to see more of Mark and Dan. Without the girly bits. ^_^
I liked Dan because of his smart aleck attitude. Even when faced with someone threatening to out him as gay and take away his pension, he counters it with smart-ass questions and answers which basically annoyed and frustrated whoever he was talking to, to no end. It was hilarious. Of course, I found it extremely funny when he'd go back and worth with his friends or boss and they'd just keep saying ridiculous things. It was kinda like pong. Lol.
I loved Mark, though. Probably because of what he goes through in the book and what he's been through in his life. It made me sad reading about what happened to him and how he can't take people touching him. Then he has to deal with the shooting and it just about messes him up worse then he already is. He's a really sweet guy, though, and kind. It's quite touching seeing how Dan handles Mark and what's he's willing to do to be with Mark.
The beginning of the book is a bit slow. The MCs don't actually meet each other until about a quarter of the way in but from there it picks up and that's when I got hooked. It was interesting to see all the pieces fall into place and seeing Mark and Dan get a happy ending. Also, there's very little sex between Mark and Dan and what sex there is, is at the end so that appealed to me even more. I liked that there was a lot more plot than sex.
Honestly, the only thing I didn't like about the book was the scenes with the woman. I could have gone without those. I mean, it's valuable to the story but I just don't like m/f in my m/m. So, I skipped over any scene with her that led to sex. Thankfully, there's only about three short scenes with them together but still, girly bits! Come on! Lol
Overall, this was a great book and I hope one day we get to see more of Mark and Dan. Without the girly bits. ^_^
February 24, 2010
Yeah it deserved the 5 star it got and anything to contradict it I'd never hear the end of it from Lynn. :laughing: Just yanking! Firstly Lynn, to confirm that the girlie bits were 2 miniscule scenes only since you had warned me that there were 2 or 3. I have to appreciate it and say thanks M'lady.
The story has a great plot to it. Lynn kept it real which was most important to me and kept me eager to see where it would lead to next. The details are superb and I couldn't have asked for a better cop story than this one from her. She gave her all and I wasn't disappointed.
Fantastic story Lynn! Two thumbs up! Now what's next in store for us? :winks:
The story has a great plot to it. Lynn kept it real which was most important to me and kept me eager to see where it would lead to next. The details are superb and I couldn't have asked for a better cop story than this one from her. She gave her all and I wasn't disappointed.
Fantastic story Lynn! Two thumbs up! Now what's next in store for us? :winks:
January 24, 2010
I can give or take 'love at first sight' stories, but, imo, the author made this aspect a convincing one.
November 23, 2021
loved this story of a closeted Chinese gay police officer,Daniel Chan. He meets Mark in a crime scene and the connection is instantaneous. Dan helps out Mark, who has a traumatic past and it takes awhile for the relationship to develop.
The story is certainly different because of the first person POV. That brought a certain clarity and uniqueness to this story. Daniel is a macho sort of guy and I liked his interactions and thoughts except for the occasional depressive episodes. But we do get his background and history as an explanation for that, so its fine.
I enjoyed the action scenes and devious machinations in play here. But I was surprised and disappointed to see the main villian get off without an arrest or proper punishment. I was not expecting a negotiation between him and Daniel.
Otherwise a good romance with crime background. Liked the author's writing style and am going to check out more of her books.
The story is certainly different because of the first person POV. That brought a certain clarity and uniqueness to this story. Daniel is a macho sort of guy and I liked his interactions and thoughts except for the occasional depressive episodes. But we do get his background and history as an explanation for that, so its fine.
I enjoyed the action scenes and devious machinations in play here. But I was surprised and disappointed to see the main villian get off without an arrest or proper punishment. I was not expecting a negotiation between him and Daniel.
Otherwise a good romance with crime background. Liked the author's writing style and am going to check out more of her books.
not-for-me
May 1, 2024Too many girlie scenes. Just no. Please no.
December 31, 2009
More 3 1/2 stars. It had a good start and I took to Dan Chan's character immediately. I didn't even mind the first person telling and felt it suited.
Mark's vulnerability was a little overdone which had Dan running around in circles trying not to frighten him off yet getting mixed signals. While it made Dan a very nice guy, it lessened Mark IMO. He came across too emo, too sensitive and needed people walking on eggshells around him.
Dan, despite suffering from bouts of depression which caused him to contemplate eating his gun a few times, is fun, witty and didn't take himself too seriously. And that was at odds with the narratives describing his depression and his problems. I felt as if the author was telling me Dan is depressed yet the character as played out in the story, is anything but.
Still, it didn't bother me that much and I was able to finish NGD. One thing that *did* bother me was: (Spoiler alert)
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St Romaine blackmails Dan by producing photos of him and a prostitute to get Dan to sell his property to the consortium but Dan has his own set of incriminating photos of St Romaine in a menage and demands double the amount. St Romaine protests against the blackmail but pays up, anyway, and Captain Dan Chan of Riceland Police Dept is half a million dollars richer.
Maybe things work differently in the US but I would have thought blackmail is blackmail anywhere in the world and when the police do it, it's even more heinous. I'd rather someone else do the blackmailing. Mark, for instance, or Dan's friend, Jeff. But for the police captain to outright blackmail someone in order to enrich himself and his friend, Bert, doesn't sit well with me.
Mark does get better by the end of the story. At least well enough to want to live with Dan permanently. This is no heavyweight M/M love story and I didn't mind it despite Mark's insipid personality and that blackmail bit.
Mark's vulnerability was a little overdone which had Dan running around in circles trying not to frighten him off yet getting mixed signals. While it made Dan a very nice guy, it lessened Mark IMO. He came across too emo, too sensitive and needed people walking on eggshells around him.
Dan, despite suffering from bouts of depression which caused him to contemplate eating his gun a few times, is fun, witty and didn't take himself too seriously. And that was at odds with the narratives describing his depression and his problems. I felt as if the author was telling me Dan is depressed yet the character as played out in the story, is anything but.
Still, it didn't bother me that much and I was able to finish NGD. One thing that *did* bother me was: (Spoiler alert)
>
>
>
St Romaine blackmails Dan by producing photos of him and a prostitute to get Dan to sell his property to the consortium but Dan has his own set of incriminating photos of St Romaine in a menage and demands double the amount. St Romaine protests against the blackmail but pays up, anyway, and Captain Dan Chan of Riceland Police Dept is half a million dollars richer.
Maybe things work differently in the US but I would have thought blackmail is blackmail anywhere in the world and when the police do it, it's even more heinous. I'd rather someone else do the blackmailing. Mark, for instance, or Dan's friend, Jeff. But for the police captain to outright blackmail someone in order to enrich himself and his friend, Bert, doesn't sit well with me.
Mark does get better by the end of the story. At least well enough to want to live with Dan permanently. This is no heavyweight M/M love story and I didn't mind it despite Mark's insipid personality and that blackmail bit.
July 31, 2012
4.5 stars
Wow, this was good. Really good.
Dan Chan. Gotta love it.
Daniel is a Chinese American police captain in a small town. He's bisexual though he keeps that to himself. Mark is an openly gay man who Daniel meets at the scene of a police involved shooting that was precipitated by someone going after Mark on the road. Mark has secrets that any kind of publicity can bring to the forefront so it is Dan's job to keep Mark out of the spotlight. They form an instant bond but Mark's past has made him into a frightened, sheltered man. Dan has to have a lot of patience in order to gain Mark's trust so that he can love again. There are hookers, sleezy politicians, past domestic abuse, an ex with an ax to grind, and one very disturbed police captain.
Dan is perfect. His sense of humor is hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud during some of his internal (and external) conversations. With Mark, you just want to hug him and protect him from the big, bad world.
Normally if I read m/m, I don't want any females honing in on my male hero. In this case, it was necessary in order for the story to unfold. Did I like that part of the book? Nope. I didn't like it one bit. But without this particular female, no way would the rest of the story have happened. And that would have been a total waste because this is one hell of a story.
Like other readers, I would love to see a quickie in regards to Mark and Daniel just to see them a little bit down road. The ending of this was perfect, but I would love to see where they are later.
Overall, an excellent story by an author I don't think I've read before. I will definitely be checking out her back list.
Wow, this was good. Really good.
Dan Chan. Gotta love it.
Daniel is a Chinese American police captain in a small town. He's bisexual though he keeps that to himself. Mark is an openly gay man who Daniel meets at the scene of a police involved shooting that was precipitated by someone going after Mark on the road. Mark has secrets that any kind of publicity can bring to the forefront so it is Dan's job to keep Mark out of the spotlight. They form an instant bond but Mark's past has made him into a frightened, sheltered man. Dan has to have a lot of patience in order to gain Mark's trust so that he can love again. There are hookers, sleezy politicians, past domestic abuse, an ex with an ax to grind, and one very disturbed police captain.
Dan is perfect. His sense of humor is hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud during some of his internal (and external) conversations. With Mark, you just want to hug him and protect him from the big, bad world.
Normally if I read m/m, I don't want any females honing in on my male hero. In this case, it was necessary in order for the story to unfold. Did I like that part of the book? Nope. I didn't like it one bit. But without this particular female, no way would the rest of the story have happened. And that would have been a total waste because this is one hell of a story.
Like other readers, I would love to see a quickie in regards to Mark and Daniel just to see them a little bit down road. The ending of this was perfect, but I would love to see where they are later.
Overall, an excellent story by an author I don't think I've read before. I will definitely be checking out her back list.
June 4, 2011
Daniel Chan is a captain with the Riceland, TX police department. Hearing a 911 call from a man he goes out to help his officers only to find him cuffed and in the back of a police cruiser. With an officer down and a dead man, only the fact that the wounded officer had his video taping can Captain Chan discover the truth of what happened. The mayor and the chief of police are at odds with each other and the mayor's reelection campaign manager is out to get rid of the chief. He will do whatever it takes to make the chief and the department look bad. Daniel also is attracted to the former prisoner, Mark. But Mark has a secret and is afraid to allow a man into his life. Mark's therapist visits Daniel to get a commitment from him. Daniel agrees and he and Mark begin to see each other. When the story of the murder is leaked to the media Mark moves in with Daniel to keep the media away. Mark and Daniel's relationship is threatened by the campaign manager. Mark's ex also shows up threatening Mark with death. This is a good tight story. It moves along quickly and kept my interest. I couldn't put it down. I liked Daniel although there were times I wanted to smack him up alongside his head for some of the things he did, I could understand why he did them while waiting for Mark to commit. Mark had been abused and his fear of a repeat occurance was realistic. I'm glad the campaign manager couldn't break their relationship and I'm glad Mark listened instead of running away. An excellent m/m read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2011
I was already a huge fan of Lynn Lorenz' medievaal-themed M/M books, so I was curious to see what she'd do in the contemporary realm. I was so not disappointed here. I love the fact that she doesn't commit racefail by exoticizing Daniel Chan. He's a Texan who just so happens to also be of Chinese descent. He's also wry, self-conscious and an adrenaline junkie. He's a good cop with three more years on the force before he retires, so he's doing everything he can to stay under the radar. He's also a man straddling the fence when it comes to his sexuality living in a small town--Richland--where being straight is par for the course. I have little patience with unncessary angst and thankfully didn't find that here. This is a great love story about finding love in the least likely place and with the least likely of people. It's about acceptance.
Unlike most female readers who for some bizarre reason balk at even the mention of sex between the male character and a female one, I got what it was about and it didn't bother me. It just made Daniel more sympathetic and human.
The best reason to love this book was its length. Too many M/M novels are far too short for the story they want tell. There's very little room for character development. I didn't have this problem. I got to see Daniel, Mark and the entire cast of bigger-than-life Texas characters in all their glory.
Unlike most female readers who for some bizarre reason balk at even the mention of sex between the male character and a female one, I got what it was about and it didn't bother me. It just made Daniel more sympathetic and human.
The best reason to love this book was its length. Too many M/M novels are far too short for the story they want tell. There's very little room for character development. I didn't have this problem. I got to see Daniel, Mark and the entire cast of bigger-than-life Texas characters in all their glory.
August 20, 2013
3.5 Stars
First and foremost I LOVED Dan's humor! He was cracking me up with the things he would say.
However, I thought Dan was a little too emo. How was he stable enough to be a cop? I have no idea. WOW.
Then we meet Mark. He's so sweet, however, a little too...I hate to say it, but vulnerable? I guess that's the right word? To the point of having his shrink make decisions for him? A little too much for me. I also needed his POV at times.
Now to the politics:
I loved Jeff and Dan's relationship (and how they met). I liked how Mark was integrated into their weekly meetings without it being a big deal.
Sooo....
Overall, good story!
First and foremost I LOVED Dan's humor! He was cracking me up with the things he would say.
However, I thought Dan was a little too emo. How was he stable enough to be a cop? I have no idea. WOW.
Then we meet Mark. He's so sweet, however, a little too...I hate to say it, but vulnerable? I guess that's the right word? To the point of having his shrink make decisions for him? A little too much for me. I also needed his POV at times.
Now to the politics:
I loved Jeff and Dan's relationship (and how they met). I liked how Mark was integrated into their weekly meetings without it being a big deal.
Sooo....
Overall, good story!
January 10, 2014
I enjoyed this more than I have any of the author's other books. I liked the balance of the story between relationship and plot. I don't know enough about police procedurals to know how much was realistic, but it felt real to me. So good to get an Asian protagonist too.
Even the heterosexual scenes served their purpose and the fact that when the couple finally had sex, the expanded detail and emotions made the comparison all that more obvious than if the others had just been referred to.
I've been amused by the reviewers who criticise Mark as being too weak or insipid. I suppose having your arms and ribs broken, being beaten to a bloody pulp and left to die by your boyfriend is not going to affect you in any way? I felt that his vulnerabilisty was very believable.
If it hadn't been put in, no doubt other reviewers would be complaining about the fact he hadn't been more emotionally scarred. Writers can't win in this respect and it's probably best if we don't try.
Even the heterosexual scenes served their purpose and the fact that when the couple finally had sex, the expanded detail and emotions made the comparison all that more obvious than if the others had just been referred to.
I've been amused by the reviewers who criticise Mark as being too weak or insipid. I suppose having your arms and ribs broken, being beaten to a bloody pulp and left to die by your boyfriend is not going to affect you in any way? I felt that his vulnerabilisty was very believable.
If it hadn't been put in, no doubt other reviewers would be complaining about the fact he hadn't been more emotionally scarred. Writers can't win in this respect and it's probably best if we don't try.
February 27, 2011
3.5 stars
The love interest doesn't appear until about 1/5 of the story, so the story starts a bit slow for me. However, Dan Chan intrigues me though, his account telling of the life he is living as the Chinese American Captain keeps me going on. I also enjoy the set up for the relationship.
The only niggle for me, I guess, will be Mark's point of view. That is the problem with 1st person telling, sometimes you don't get enough of the other person. The truth is, I am intrigued with Mark too. Since he is a survivor, I want to know his story from him. The longest he talks is when he tells the story of him shooting the guy to help Hagan and well, that's not really enough.
Oh, the other problem will be the blackmail. That just doesn't work with me since Dan is a cop.
But other than that, this one is pretty good!
The love interest doesn't appear until about 1/5 of the story, so the story starts a bit slow for me. However, Dan Chan intrigues me though, his account telling of the life he is living as the Chinese American Captain keeps me going on. I also enjoy the set up for the relationship.
The only niggle for me, I guess, will be Mark's point of view. That is the problem with 1st person telling, sometimes you don't get enough of the other person. The truth is, I am intrigued with Mark too. Since he is a survivor, I want to know his story from him. The longest he talks is when he tells the story of him shooting the guy to help Hagan and well, that's not really enough.
Oh, the other problem will be the blackmail. That just doesn't work with me since Dan is a cop.
But other than that, this one is pretty good!
March 3, 2011
I loved it! Although being Chinese in Australia, one thing I found strange was how traditional Dan's parents were. I'm first generation, and very traditional compared to other Asians - but I could never imagine myself (or any of my friends) to be like said parents who were supposed to be bloody fourth generation!
As for Dan character, I've never experienced depression before so it was very hard for me to relate to his suicidal tendancies. That said, it was mainly the emo-ranting that almost made me give the book 4 stars. Fortunately the mental condition was an important aspect of the story so I ended up giving it 5 anyway :D
Lastly, doctors don't go visit patient acquaintances. That was strange.
As for Dan character, I've never experienced depression before so it was very hard for me to relate to his suicidal tendancies. That said, it was mainly the emo-ranting that almost made me give the book 4 stars. Fortunately the mental condition was an important aspect of the story so I ended up giving it 5 anyway :D
Lastly, doctors don't go visit patient acquaintances. That was strange.
March 5, 2012
4 ½ Stars! ~ Any story penned by Ms. Lorenz is pure pleasure and this her latest release does not disappoint. Daniel, at 42, is a man still searching for the person to complete his life. Mark, at 32, is a man in hiding from his life. From their meeting there's a connection neither man can deny. I loved how Daniel instantly knew that he couldn't afford to screw up with Mark, that Mark was the one. The small town intrigue and drama keep the tension taunt, and is balanced with quick wit and tender moments. If you like a little male / male romance with your murder mysteries, you'll love this book!
December 2, 2013
It's kind of cool the MC was Asian, except it kind of felt like his Asian-ness was mostly incidental.
The story itself isn't bad, even if the MC did rather annoy me. I thought he was still too...into the whole machismo thing.
Another thing was the the MC's self-diagnosis seemed oddly...I dunno, a bit too self-aware? Either that or he found his diagnosis, so he completely quantified it as such, ignoring other subtleties and nuances, and sometimes using that as an excuse, even if he didn't do so consciously. Like he knew how to make himself pitiable, and thus forgivable. Not exactly to that quantified extent, but it gave off that impression at times.
The story itself isn't bad, even if the MC did rather annoy me. I thought he was still too...into the whole machismo thing.
Another thing was the the MC's self-diagnosis seemed oddly...I dunno, a bit too self-aware? Either that or he found his diagnosis, so he completely quantified it as such, ignoring other subtleties and nuances, and sometimes using that as an excuse, even if he didn't do so consciously. Like he knew how to make himself pitiable, and thus forgivable. Not exactly to that quantified extent, but it gave off that impression at times.
January 12, 2010
I would say 3.5, a couple of things niggled at me.
March 26, 2010
4.5 stars.
January 6, 2011
3.5 stars. It was a good read but they didn't meet until a quarter of the way into the book. I guess i just didn't click with the guys this time around
September 25, 2011
Took me ages to finish this... I'm still not sure I liked Dan. I think I just feel a little meh about it.
July 8, 2011
This one was just ok for me. Nothing bad and nothing that stood out to be great. Dan's sense of humor was good, but not enough to make the story too memorable.
August 20, 2011
Upgraded from two to three stars after rereading it. My niggles are still there though, see for ex. review by Anna Matsuyama
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