So Kit is already in a lousy mood when a washed out bridge forces him to struggle on foot to the gathering of chick lit ladies in pink. He gets even grumpier when he finds writer Peaches Sadler dead in the dirt.

His fictional geriatric Miss Butterwith and her cat can't help Kit find the murderer. It doesn't help that he is a prime suspect. Another body, a few red herrings -- and Kit is in danger himself. He's having trouble thinking clearly.

Possibly because of his penchant for gin and tonics, but mainly because of the presence of thriller author J.X. Moriarity. J.X. used to be a cop. And he had a brief affair with Kit. His current success -- and memories of the past -- do not put Kit at ease.

Kit is a likable hero, unsure of himself, afraid of change. The story is told in the fist person, often with humor and snide sarcasm. It is perhaps too talky, and the sequence of storms isolating the lodge goes on unbelievably long.

But Author Josh Lanyon knows how to develop his characters and reveal the secrets of his cast. He clearly shows that a M/M romance is often as fraught with misunderstandings and missteps as any traditional love story. This is the first in a new series, and I look forward to reading more about the oddball, yet totally believable, characters Layton does so well.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Lynn Bushey
July 30, 2009