Ground Zero
Zero Hours Series
Aimee Nicole Walker
M/M Romance/Mystery
Release Date: 09.22.19
Cover Design: Jay Aheer
Photographer: Wander Aguiar
Model: Jacob
Blurb
Ground zero, noun: the center or origin of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change.
Heat, humidity, and homicide are things veteran detective Sawyer Key expects to encounter on his first day with the Savannah Police Department, but the hostile reception from his new partner catches him by surprise. Sawyer isn’t a stranger to heartache and recognizes that Royce Locke is a wounded man who’s reeling from a devastating loss. Relentless and patient in all things, Sawyer is determined to make the new partnership work.
Savannah, Georgia is known for her quirky people, oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and antebellum architecture. Beneath the Southern charm and hospitality, festering hatred and violence is soaring with the summer temperatures. Locke and Key find themselves at the epicenter when their first case involves the death of a former shock jock who appears to be the victim of vigilante justice.
Opposites in nearly every way, the two detectives set aside their differences to take back their city and restore law and order. From this reluctant truce, an intense attraction grows that will either tighten or shatter their tenuous bond. Falling for his partner spells inevitable disaster, but Sawyer’s always been a sucker for wounded things. Sawyer could be the key to the life Royce has always wanted, if he’s brave enough to trust him. The fuse is lit, the clock is running, and the zero hour is upon them. Tick tock.
Ground Zero is the first book in the Zero Hour series, which follows Locke and Key’s investigations and evolving relationship. Ground Zero has a happy-for-now ending with no cliffhanger. It contains mature language and sexual content intended for adults 18 and older.
“But when you do, you hit it big-time. You should play the lottery.” Locke thought for a minute. “Then again, maybe that café cutie is your prize.”
“Could be.” Sawyer hoped he sounded casual and Locke would drop it. Deciding to take the bull by the horns, he said, “If history repeats itself, you get to tackle Miller.”
“Nah,” Locke said, shaking his head. “I changed my mind. Besides, I’d hate to deprive you of doing something you’re really good at.”
“So considerate,” Sawyer said, not bothering to suppress the shudder that came with picturing himself tackling the disgusting piece of shit also known as Wayne Miller.
“That’s my middle name,” Locke said when they stepped outside the precinct.
“What? Asshole?” Detective Blue asked as he approached them from the parking lot. “I can picture your mom seeing you for the first time and knowing Asshole is a name you would hear often. Why not work it into your legal name. Royce Asshole Locke.” Then he started laughing. “Sounds like a chastity belt for anuses.”
It took Locke a few seconds to stop laughing before he could speak again. “Blue, I’m starting to think your harassment is a sign of deeper feelings for me.”
“You should be so lucky,” Blue retorted as he stopped by the door. “Congratulations, Key.”
“Um, thanks. Can I ask why you’re congratulating me?”
“You lasted longer than a day with this guy,” Blue said, hooking his thumb in Locke’s direction. “It was more than most people picked for the office pool.”
“There’s an office pool?” Locke and Sawyer asked at the same time.
“A bet to see how long I’d last?” Sawyer clarified.
“Yep,” Blue said. “There’s a hundred dollars for the person who wins, and nearly fifty percent have already been eliminated. I got my eye set on a new fishing pole and that money will come in handy.”
“Which means you haven’t been eliminated yet,” Locke said, narrowing his eyes in thought. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Blue.”
Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day. I’d love to hear from you
https://linktr.ee/AimeeNicoleWalker
