GENTLE ON MY MIND – Susan Fox
A Caribou Crossing Romance
Kensington Zebra
ISBN: 978-1-4201-3192-5
September 2013
Contemporary Romance

Caribou Crossing, British Columbia, Canada – Present Day

Brooke Kincaid's quiet life is shattered one morning when Jake Brannon's Harley crashes through her fence—and her life will never be the same. An injured and unconscious Jake looks like a crazed motorcycle bandit, and one she should avoid at all costs, yet she hesitates to call the authorities. When Jakes comes to, he points a gun at her and tells her to patch him up and not call the police, or he will hurt her family. While Brooke is scared by Jake, there's something about him that doesn't quite ring true. Why is this bad boy biker giving her the vibes that she can trust him, even as there are unknown people after him? Soon she learns the truth: he's an undercover cop from Vancouver, and he's after a lead on a drug kingpin who just may be someone of importance in Caribou Crossing. As Brooke helps Jake establish a new undercover identity which will allow him to remain in her house, she soon realizes she's falling for him. But is she playing with fire?

Jake's life has revolved around his undercover work and bringing down the bad guys. After an attempt to spy on a pot growing operation ends in his being discovered and shot, then a furious ride on his bike has him crashing into Brooke's fence, he has to lay low for a few days, and Brooke's house is just the place to stay while he recovers. At first he pretends to be a badass biker, yet he begins to trust her and opens up to her. A sexual attraction forms between them, despite the fact that she's several years older than he and he'll only be in town long enough to bring down the villain. Yet neither can resist the other, or the ever growing feeling that a future together could be theirs if they want it.

At the age of 43, Brooke has experienced more in life than most women. She got pregnant at the tender age of 14, married the father of her baby because she thought she loved him and followed him when he deserted the military and escaped to Canada. Driven by what happened to her, she soon became an alcoholic and barely raised her son, Evan, who turned out fine despite his upbringing. Now a single woman, Brooke has beaten the drinking but discovered she is bipolar, and also has reconnected with Evan. She's settled into a peaceful life, but that all comes to an end when Jake crashes into her fence. Brooke senses there is more to Jake than his being a dangerous biker dude, and he finally brings her into his confidence. Their elaborate plan to have Jake pretend to be a long unseen cousin who pays a visit to Caribou Crossing works all too well, but it soon becomes hard to hide their sexual feelings from those around them. And as the attraction intensifies, Brooke wonders how she'll be able to say goodbye to the man who seemingly brought her back to life.

Jake isn't sure who the villain is in Caribou Crossing, so he needs to be careful whom he trusts in GENTLE ON MY MIND. Brooke is a big help to him as she knows most everyone in town, and he has confidence in her opinions. As he integrates with the town's inhabitants, Jake begins to experience a sense of belonging, yet tells himself that it is a false feeling. As far as Jake can remember, being an undercover cop is all he's ever wanted, and settling down roots with a family is not part of his plan. Brooke makes him feel contentment, but as soon as the assignment is over, he's leaving town.

Caribou Crossing is a small town where horses are ridden as much as people drive cars. Western wear is standard attire, as is line dancing and being friendly with everyone you meet. Jake, raised in the big city, finds all this to be an adventure that he soon begins to enjoy. He even begins to like Brooke's taste for the country music that she plays on her radio. Yet, even small towns have big city problems, as kids doing drugs are whispered about. Can Jake bring down the bad guy and the operation?

Being in close quarters, Brooke and Jake can't resist the passion that pulls them to each other in GENTLE ON MY MIND. Brooke feels that at her age and suffering from bipolar, that she isn't anyone a man would want. But Jake soon dispels her beliefs. Jake and Brooke's romance is both sweet and fiery, because once they give into their desire, they can barely keep their hands off each other.

Susan Fox delivers up a tale that is deliciously sexy and is pure fun to read in GENTLE ON MY MIND.

Patti Fischer