The night of the big drug raid, Nikki Steele happened to be in the bar. Taylor really liked her and she had nothing to do with any of the drugs, so when it all went down, he picked her up under one arm and ran with her out the back door. He jumped behind the wheel of his car with her in his lap and peeled out of the parking lot, speeding away into the night, maintaining his cover for later use.

After a night of mind-blowing sex with Nikki, he knew she was the one he wanted to share his dream of a white picket fence and two point five children. He left broken-hearted, because Nikki made it clear she had no intention of settling down. She had plans. Nothing and no one was going to get in the way of fulfillment.

Six months ago, Nikki had been in an accident. Her car had stalled on the tracks and been hit by a train. She should have died, but she didn't. After she recovered, she decided that she was going to live, really live, her life. She was going to do everything she'd dreamed of. No more empty dreams or procrastination. She couldn't let anything get in the way of her goals. But after the night with Taylor, she woke up thinking that the picket fence with him could enhance her dreams rather than prevent them.

She couldn't wait to tell him, but he'd left while she was sleeping. He left a note, "If you ever change your mind." But she didn't even know his last name. She nursed her broken heart. At least she had her new career to take her mind off of what might have been. Next week, she was beginning P. O. S. T. before entering the police academy. She'd always dreamed of becoming a policewoman.

Imagine how shocked they both were when the class started. Taylor tried to hold onto his anger at her desire to play after her rejection of a serious relationship, but he couldn't resist Nikki. Once she told him that she did want happily ever after with him, they couldn't keep their hands off each other. That was so against the rules.

Ms. Neeley is such a talented writer that her characters become like good friends we care deeply about. DERAILED will have you by turns, holding your breath and cheering. Taylor is such a well rounded, firmly grounded, strong, sensitive and very sexy pillar of strength. He was able to recognize right away that Nikki's strength, determination and zest for life, as well as her very healthy sexual attitudes and ability to ask for what she wanted, made her his perfect match. It is fortunate this is an e-book because the sex between Taylor and Nikki is so hot it might have set paper pages on fire!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Karen H.
March 16, 2006