One City… Countless Stories.A new series begins with two full length books by two USA Today AuthorsBrock – Book 1It had taken five years for Detective Kallie Redman to become emotionally and psychologically available after her cop-husband devastated their marriage and her career. The Hope City Police Department offered her a new beginning and over a thousand miles between her old life and her … between her old life and her new. Being partnered with Brock King didn’t hurt either. He was smart, generous—and too sexy for words.
Placed under a microscope and intense pressure to solve a high-profile murder, homicide detective Brock King didn’t need or want a new partner. He managed his stress-filled life via sleep deprivation, a metabolism fueled by sugar and caffeine, and an all-consuming passion for his job. He had little time for anything else—and he was soul-tired of that wash-rinse-dry-repeat cycle. He’d written off finding a woman who’d put up with the odd hours, physical danger, and emotional stress of his job—until Kallie Redman. The woman was wicked sharp, ran on caffeine, and rocked one smoking hot body.
Unfortunately, the profession they chose had a way of grinding people into the ground, and the high-profile nature of this murder case guaranteed scrutiny from the press, the victim’s extremely wealthy family and politicians at the highest levels. He’d begun to question if he’d have a job at the end––or a shot at a life with Kallie.
Sean – Book 2
The last thing arson detective Sean McBride expected while entrenched in the ongoing investigation of a serial arsonist was to meet a feisty insurance company fire investigator. But when she landed at his feet, breaking her wrist, he had more on his mind than just finding the elusive fire-starter. Picking her out of the ashes was easy. Needing to work with her…not so much.
Harper Walsh was stunned when the handsome detective insisted on taking her to the ER…even more stunned when he suggested they work together. But the stoic detective gave mixed messages…did he want her arson experience or something more?
Finding a woman who understood the demands of his job quickly had their partnership grow into love. He even introduced her to his large, crazy, but loveable family. But the arsonist was not as hidden as they suspected, and Harper gets too close to danger before Sean has a chance to smoke him out.
Will Sean be able to save Harper before the arsonist goes up in flames, taking her with him?
Scenes and language similar to an R-Rated movie. 18+ readers only.
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I absolutely loved this duet to start the Hope City Series!! Both books are jammed packed with action, mystery, and crazy chemistry. Brock and Sean are definitely 5 star worthy!
Brock by Kris Michaels is about Detectives Brock and Kallie on the hunt for a murderer. Their crazy chemistry and alpha attitude make them a perfect match. I enjoyed the strength of these characters.
Sean by Maryann Jordan is about Detective Sean finding a serial arsonist and meeting his match is fire investigator Harper. This story has the craziest twist and turns I honestly was completely surprised by the ending.
Can’t wait to read more from Hope City!!
What a great start to a new series! Very family driven with interconnected families and many new characters introduced. The series takes place in Maryland in a city that sounds a lot like Baltimore. (I’m from Maryland so this series is exciting to me for that reason alone!)
Brock – Brock is a homicide detective working a very high profile murder. He is a tough as nails and hardened cop who is the oldest of 6 kids and best friends with Sean since they were 2! He is assigned a new partner that he isn’t all that happy about and even less so when finds out the new partner is a woman! Kallie, the new partner, has an interesting backstory and just wants a fresh start. She is tough, determined, smart and kind. She was my favorite character in this story because she is smart and doesn’t take any crap from anyone. These two fall almost in instalove which I’m usually not a fan of, but it seems to organically work for them. The plot line was very intriguing and kept me interested by trying to determine who the ‘bad guy’ was! Lots of characters with many possibilities! Nicely done!
Ms. Michaels is a new author to me so I was excited to read her. This story had great characters and a super plot line with an exciting mystery! I look forward to seeing how more of the story plays out in future stories. The next story, Brody, had an awfully enticing intro and I cannot wait to read that one! Great hook, Ms. Michaels!
Sean – Sean is a police officer with a specialization in arson, so he works in the arson department. He is the oldest of 5, ex marine, mid-30s and very alpha. He is strong, loyal, smart, determined and sweet, though his initial encounter with Heather isn’t sweet at all! He has been around the block enough to know that casual sex isn’t for him anymore and someone with substance is what he wants, though he’s not currently looking for it. He meets Heather at a work site where he doesn’t think she belongs and yells at her which startles her into falling and breaking her arm. (Not sweet at all!). Heather is smart, loyal, sweet and ambitious. She is working hard to find herself and her new career path seems a perfect choice for her. As a fire investigator for an insurance company, her path crosses with Sean’s several times and they begin to date. They have great chemistry and become friends while both deciding to explore more. You can’t help rooting for them because they seem so sweet together.
The story is typical Maryann Jordan with romance and suspense. She does a fabulous job of creating characters that you root for and a story line that you can’t help but want to delve more into. I LOVE the fire explanations, the constellation explanations and the Greek mythology reference. I couldn’t wait to see where it would end up and who the ‘bad guy’ was. Bravo to a job well done! Can’t wait to meet more of her new characters!
I received an ARC for this book and this is my unbiased review.
Wow when 2 great authors get together you know you’re in for a treat! You definitely won’t be disappointed. These two books were amazing. Once I started I didn’t want to stop! The characters are vivid, dynamic and compelling. The storyline is awesome. The complexities are diverse and entertaining. I won’t give any spoilers, needless to say I Can’t wait to read every book in this series.
Kris Michaels & Maryann Jordan are two favorite authors and when they decided to team up I was truly excited to read what they came up with. I have to say Hope City Duet exceeded all my expectations. A couple of intriguing stories filled with solid, genuinely interesting and likeable characters that mesh well in both stories. It all starts with one crime scene and each story diverges from there. You will have some hmmm, aha and wow I didn’t see that one coming moments in both books.
Brock
Brock King is married to his job and makes no apologies for that. Being a homocide detective just does it for him. Now he’s caught a case that may just be the most important of his career or at least the one with the most notoriety. He also has a new partner, Kallie Redman. They are cut from the same cloth. She just gets his devotion to the job because that’s the way she is too. Just one flaw in this whole thing; their instantaneous and palpable attraction to one another. Acting on it may be a mistake and one they both have to be willing to take.
There’s a lot at play in this murder mystery romance that will capture your interest and definitely keep you guessing. Some great twists, a couple of crazies and a huge loving family round out this entertaining story.
Sean
Sean McBride is a man on a mission; catching a serial arsonist. It ties up his days and at times invades his nights. He needs to catch a break but all he manages to do is cause insurance fire investigator, Harper Walsh, to break her wrist. But it may be his lucky day because she “gets him.” Harper not only provides a different perspective on the fires she also is a refuge amidst all the insanity. Her kindness, empathy, compassion and generosity speak to him on every level.
The suspense of identifying the arsonist will keep you turning the page. Maryann is able to steer you several different ways as she cleverly drops clubs about who may be the culprit. As with Brock, family plays an important role in this romance. Great reading!
Loved the interactions between the Brock & Kallie! Hot, hot, hot. Lots of great action, twists and turns. A superb read!
Brock and another detective Kallie try to find out how a man died in a burned building lots of action and the mystery was good too they have sizzling romance even through they work together they want to be together always they have a happy ending
Sean a detective dealing with arson cases Harper works gather evidence for the insurance company she works for even through they are busy they find time to date and have sizzling romance they want to be together every day she meets his family and she accepts his schedule to do his job He finally figures out who the arsonist is and its Harper’s next door neighbor his brother a firefighter rescues her from her apartment they move in together and have a happy ending
I have read the first 5 books in the series and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. It will be great when the pre-orders come in.
very good story
Brock by Kris Michaels
As this series opens we will meet many people with roles in future books. Brock King is a homicide detective and is called to the scene of a fire that is suspected to be arson. The body discovered didn’t die from the fire, he was already dead, his wallet nearby and though devoid of cash and credit cards contained his driver’s license.
The victim, identified as one Samuel Treyson. His family owns half the city, ensuring a media circus that would involve both the homicide and the arson. While Sean McBride the arson investigator calls his Captain, Brock calls his Lieutenant, then his father, Chauncey King, the police commissioner. While the brass head off the media, both Brock and Sean finish collecting evidence to go to the lab. Neither one of them happy with the pressure that was sure to be put on this case.
Brock’s partner, Jordan Wyatt had been working vice when the call came in, now he’s with Brock to follow some leads until the feds decide to pull him into a different mess of a case. They had just begun tracking Samuel’s day by receipts found in his wallet when that call came. Now Brock would be getting a new partner for the duration. He’d been assured his new partner would be a good fit but that remained to be seen.
I like the way we’re introduced to this partner. Not at the station but at the diner across the street. It’s a peek at the thoughts flowing through Kallie Redmond’s mind prior to reporting for duty. It also gave a glimpse her past prior to moving to Hope City.
Brock says goodbye to Jordan and assures him he will take care of his cat Fester, and check on his apartment and car while he’s working with the Feds. Then heads inside to meet his new partner.
There are many ups and downs in this investigation, Kallie is sharp and as they work together they also find an attraction. It’s a good thing they wouldn’t be permanent partners and that their isn’t a policy in place to prevent them from seeing each other outside of work.
We meet the King family in this one, since it’s all about the police investigation and their family is mostly police. I anticipate seeing all these folks in future books of the series.
This is an edge of your seat tale and just when things are wrapping up, the past looms up to bite Kallie. Lots of action, suspense, a simmer to sizzle romance and a whole lot more!
I’m just going to keep reading now with ‘Sean’. I like that the first two books are together in one.
Sean by Maryann Jordan
In this book we go back to the fire scene we saw in ‘Brock’. Detective Sean McBride is with the Arson Division. Hope City is one of few places fortunate to have that special unit of detectives. Especially now with a serial arsonist on the loose. This warehouse fire was different though. We get a bit of a replay as Brock, Sean’s best friend arrives at the scene before we settle into the Arson investigation.
After the initial evidence collection the lab requests some additional samples in different containers. When Sean gets to the site he’s stunned and angry to see a woman there.
Harper is the fire investigator for the insurance company, just like Sean she needs to collect evidence. She brings it to an independent lab for analysis and adds those results to her findings for or against policy payout.
Sean yelled at her causing her to startle and fall injuring herself. He immediately offers assistance and insists on accompanying her to the hospital to be checked out.
Not exactly the best way to meet someone, but one that quickly spread to colleagues and friends providing a never ending source of amusement.
With the results in on the warehouse proving it wasn’t their serial arsonist, Sean and Jonas get back to work sifting through possible suspects.
Harper and Sean have an attraction that only grows as they continue to cross paths in there investigating. As much as he may try to avoid it, Sean can’t help but admire Harper’s tenacity and investigative instincts.
In spite of or perhaps because of the intensity of the investigation, Sean falls in deeper and deeper with Harper. Their attraction sparks into flame as things heat up with the arsonist. Yes, pun intended.
I enjoyed this book immensely and since I’ve already read and reviewed ‘Carter’, I have to wait for the release of ‘Brody’ later this month.
Fabulous start to this new series
A Hope City is a fantastic start to a new series by Kris Michaels and Maryann Jordan. This is the first time I’ve read anything by Maryann and Kris is one of my automatic one click authors….suffice to say I’m loving this series To start us off we have Brock and Sean’s stories which overlap slightly.
Brock is called to a warehouse fire when a body gets discovered and crosses paths with Sean while he’s investigating the fire and whether or not it should be included in a string of arsons across the CityBrock partners up with Kallie to investigate this high profile murder and they soon find themselves in a relationship while Kallie tries to forget her ex and her past. Sean while investigating his arsonist, stumbles upon Harper – a fellow fire investigator with a private insurance company and soon find their own chemistry
Can’t wait to read more and should not be missed
This is going to be a great series of standalones with interactive characters from two family’s the Kings and the McBrides
Sean McBride is a detective with Special Investigations Unit Arson Division who’s been tracking a arsonist, he’s also from a big loving family growing up beside the King family and his best friend Brock.
Harper a fire investor for a insurance company is sent out to the fire Sean is investigating, their first meeting ends up with Harper in the ER.
Their story is filled with heat coming both from the arsonist and from Sean and Harper, some family involvement and a ended you’ll never see coming.
We get just enough peak of family that’ll becoming in the series that I for one can’t wait for. Maryann Jordan writes strong but sweet alpha males that Sean definitely is and heroines that are just strong enough to hold their own.
The first book in the new Hope City series is a duet with two complete stories. It is a wonderful start to a new romantic suspense series!
Book one is Brock.
Though he loves his job, Brock King has begun to despair of ever finding a woman who could deal with the rigors of his job as a Hope City homicide detective. That is until he is temporarily partnered with Detective Kallie Redman.
“Brock leaned down and kissed her cheek quickly.
“Boundaries, Detective King.”
“Nobody was watching, Detective Redman.” He wrapped his arms around her.
“Well in that case, kiss me like you mean it, and then let’s go get us a murderer.”
Together Brock and Kallie navigate a very high profile case, the stresses of their dangerous job and the unexpected connection they feel for each other.
This is my first book by Kris Michaels and I loved her storytelling. Lots of suspense, and romance without unnecessary angst or drama.
*****
Sean’s story is the second part of this duet. He is an arson detective with Hope City PD.
Sean McBride has little social life and is working long hours. He is surviving on caffeine and little sleep. He is at a point in his life that he wants more than a superficial one or two night fling.
Sean’s first encounter with insurance arson investigator Harper Walsh does not go well, but Sean is determined to get a second chance.
“Then let me get you home, and I’ll warm you up even more.”
The idea of Sean’s way of warming her caused tingles to move throughout her body. “Is that a promise?”
“Babe, that’s a guarantee.”
I loved the suspense and mystery to this story. It kept me guessing till the very end!
I am loving the start to this new series and really look forward to more Hope City!
-5 Stars!-
A Hope City Duet actual 2 full books that are the beginning of a series of books by two awesome authors, Kris Michaels and Maryann Jordan. The tie-in is the two families who grew up together – the Kings (who you’ll love and are cousins to the Kings of Guardian Security who fans of Ms. Michaels know and adore) and the McBrides (who you’ll quickly come to love also) – who have 11, yes ELEVEN, kinds between them.
BROCK by Kris Michaels – Brock King is a hot, smart & sexy homicide detective with the Hope City PD. He gets called out to what turns out to be a very high profile case. His partner gets tagged by the FBI to help with a case, so Brock gets a temp partner who is new with HCPD, is smart, sexy and has an ex that is harassing her and she has an interesting background. They have to work together to find the killer and figure out their attraction. There are plenty of twists and turns and family interaction. Kris Michaels is amazing at this kind of book – there are so many twists and turns, and you just know you’ve figured it out, but did you? Ms. Michaels is a master. It’s an awesome book and I can’t wait for her next installment.
SEAN by Maryann Jordan – Sean McBride is quiet, hot and smart, he ask a detective with the HCPD working arson cases. He runs into his best friend of 30 yrs at a fire scene with a dead body, but the case takes them in different directions. The db isn’t from the fire (so Brock follows that since he’s Homicide), and Sean takes the fire. But it’s not his serial arsonist, and that’s his major case right now. However going back to check a crime scene he comes across Harper Walsh, an insurance agency fire inspector, and inadvertently startled her, causing her to break her arm. This starts a chain of events that causes them to spend more time together and discuss the case and follow up on their attraction. Maryann Jordan is fabulous at writing in a way that gives clues and breadcrumbs, but keeps the answer just out of your reach. It’s such a great book and I can’t wait for the next McBride Hope City Book!
The thing with this Michaels-Jordan Hope City World is that the way they write it, the characters cross into each book, the cases cross over, and it is seamless. It’s definitely a world you want to be in, you’ll love it. And who knows maybe some other names you might recognize from their other worlds might come up, who knows with these two amazing ladies…
What do you get when two award-winning authors band together to start a new series? You get a whole new world of murder, mystery, intrigue, love, and family. Each book is separate but connected to each other. In Kris Michaels Brock, there is a fire and a body is found on the scene. Brody is the homicide detective who has to solve a high profile case while working with a new partner who is a female version of himself. Sparks fly.
In Maryann Jordans Sean, we see that same case but from the fire investigation side. In true M.J. style, just when you are sure you know who did it she surprises you with something you never saw coming.
Each book is a standalone but together they are amazing with well thought out characters and plenty of action. I am eagerly awaiting the next books in this series.