Downeast SWAT Series by L.J. Vickery

Mason Sothard, captain of the Orono PD in Maine, has long aspired to building a SWAT team in the northern part of the state. To bring his dreams to fruition, he needs the help of a woman he left behind; a woman who was once his best friend, but who scared the life out of him when she wanted more than he could offer... moreMason Sothard, captain of the Orono PD in Maine, has long aspired to building a SWAT team in the northern part of the state. To bring his dreams to fruition, he needs the help of a woman he left behind; a woman who was once his best friend, but who scared the life out of him when she wanted more than he could offer. Can he face his past as fearlessly as he confronts danger? Mase has one shot at getting things right, and if he blows it, he knows his failure will haunt him for the rest of his life. Everlee Jalcourt, or Ever as she’s known to her friends, has a broken life-compass. For as long as she can remember, it’s always pointed straight to law enforcement, but… After fourteen years on the PD in Chicago and a five-year member of her local SWAT team, she’s suddenly, and unfairly cut loose and set adrift. Not knowing what else to do, Ever agrees to stay with her recovering aunt in Orono, Maine. But is that the only reason Ever is moving east? If she’s honest, it doesn’t hurt that it happens to be the hometown of someone she once thought might play a huge part in her life. Now she has a decision to make. Will she hide until she discovers what her next career move should be, or should she put herself out there, contact her old friend, and hope he sees her differently this time? less

On the outside, Fleet Eggers looks like an extremely competent and highly successful business man. After all, he’s run his own sound recording studio for over a dozen years. But on the inside, his confidence is nothing more than cookie crumbs. He’s been running scared from having relationships because…? Oh, yeah. There was that time, sixteen years ago, when he almost went to prison because of the woman he dared love. He’s vowed never to let that happen again... moreOn the outside, Fleet Eggers looks like an extremely competent and highly successful business man. After all, he’s run his own sound recording studio for over a dozen years. But on the inside, his confidence is nothing more than cookie crumbs. He’s been running scared from having relationships because…? Oh, yeah. There was that time, sixteen years ago, when he almost went to prison because of the woman he dared love. He’s vowed never to let that happen again. Talia Spires is thrilled to be part of Downeast SWAT. She’s been honing her skills for almost her entire life, first as a champion for her sister, then as a valued member of the Old Town PD. What she doesn’t expect to find in her course of work is a man who rocks her world but clearly has problems with her being an alpha female. Can she change his mind about falling for a woman he obviously thinks is overbearing? She has no choice but to attempt it. She’s already half in love with him, but she’s also not about to change her true stripes for anyone. Even a luscious man conflicted. less

Kyle Sothard hasn’t had a vacation in a very long time. He’s saving for a house, and nothing besides the practical jokes he constantly pulls, is in his budget. When his brothers gift him a trip to Vegas for his thirty-eighth birthday, Kyle is blown away. But nothing in his wildest imagination prepares him for what happens once he gets there. Is this real life?If what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, he’s all in... moreKyle Sothard hasn’t had a vacation in a very long time. He’s saving for a house, and nothing besides the practical jokes he constantly pulls, is in his budget. When his brothers gift him a trip to Vegas for his thirty-eighth birthday, Kyle is blown away. But nothing in his wildest imagination prepares him for what happens once he gets there. Is this real life?If what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, he’s all in.Rowan Philips is a stuntwoman by trade, but the latest writers’ strike has seen her paychecks dry up. When she agrees to take a very unorthodox job, she’s in no way prepared to deal with the man she meets, nor the fallout that occurs. Guilt eats away at her normal kick-ass confidence, and her motives are conflicted.Can she please have a do-over? less

Doug Lumous has ghosts. Horrifying, invasive ghosts that have held dominion over his life for far too long. They’ve stunted his growth for years, almost costing him his job on the SWAT team any number of times. But he’s rolled with those punches because, well, he always has his Orono PD career to fall back on. And he knows that exorcising his demons will take a huge amount of effort, and he’s never been motivated to try... moreDoug Lumous has ghosts. Horrifying, invasive ghosts that have held dominion over his life for far too long. They’ve stunted his growth for years, almost costing him his job on the SWAT team any number of times. But he’s rolled with those punches because, well, he always has his Orono PD career to fall back on. And he knows that exorcising his demons will take a huge amount of effort, and he’s never been motivated to try. But now…the impetus is suddenly right in front of him in the form of an angelic, fairy-like sprite who makes him think about…more. He’s never wanted “normal” so badly before in his entire life.Pixie has been burnt, but she’s managed to cobble along, at least outwardly looking like she has her life in order. She’s a teacher. She has a best friend. She adores her family. But she longs for the one thing that’s always been missing. A love she can call her own. It shouldn’t be so hard, but Pixie has a difficult time trusting men due to the horrific incident that changed her both inside and out, when she was young. Can the handsome, troubled officer in blue be the one who finally ends her long, self-imposed isolation from the opposite sex? It’s possible, because she not only trusts him—an anomaly in itself—but he makes her feel more alive than she has in years. Now if she can just convince him to take a chance. less

Mike Carlese, a lieutenant with the BPD and second in command of the Downeast SWAT team, has it all. A career he cherishes, a loving wife, and two wonderful children… Or so his colleagues and friends think. In reality, his wife walked out on him and the kids a year previous for a much younger guy, and Mike has been wallowing in self-doubt ever since. His ex-spouse’s parting shot? He was a failure as a husband, prioritizing his kids and his job over her... moreMike Carlese, a lieutenant with the BPD and second in command of the Downeast SWAT team, has it all. A career he cherishes, a loving wife, and two wonderful children… Or so his colleagues and friends think. In reality, his wife walked out on him and the kids a year previous for a much younger guy, and Mike has been wallowing in self-doubt ever since. His ex-spouse’s parting shot? He was a failure as a husband, prioritizing his kids and his job over her. Which is why he’s never told his team that she left. The whole incident has left him mortified; a sour taste in his mouth over his failures. So what does it even matter if no one knows he’s single again? It’s not like he plans, or even dreams of finding another woman…until a feisty DEA agent enters his life and turns his well-ordered world upside-down.Joelle Pikens, or Joe as she’s called, has been in Maine for months trying to uncover the players behind a fentanyl ring. While working her undercover DEA job as a server at the Local Moose—a dive bar on the outskirts of town—she overhears something nefarious that is completely outside her current job description, and she can’t ignore it. As much as her Chief of Operations has warned her not to get sidetracked—which she’s been known to do from time to time—Joe follows her instincts and looks into the plot against one Mike Carlese. What she finds is a man so intriguing, she’s ready to break cover to not only seek his help with her current assignment, but more importantly, to end her long, self-imposed dry spell. less

Cisco Andera has watched all his close buddies find true love, and rather than scoff at their loss of freedom, it makes him reevaluate his own life. At thirty-three years old, he’s tired of playing the bar scene, and wants some permanency of his own. But is he a good bet? He has a few awkward secrets, along with some fairly annoying habits that aren’t exactly mainstream... moreCisco Andera has watched all his close buddies find true love, and rather than scoff at their loss of freedom, it makes him reevaluate his own life. At thirty-three years old, he’s tired of playing the bar scene, and wants some permanency of his own. But is he a good bet? He has a few awkward secrets, along with some fairly annoying habits that aren’t exactly mainstream. Will the woman he’s set his sights on—who’s constantly giving him very confusing and mixed signals—agree to be saddled with Cisco’s baggage for the long term?Hilly Duncan, owner and operator of Camp Venture, has worked long and hard to build her self-esteem after a childhood full of bullying and mocking. She’s been determined that nothing will derail her newfound confidence, but…how cruel is fate? After all this time shoring up her inner strength, her sad little middle-school crush has come back to haunt her in the form of one hot-bodied motorcycle cop. She might have been able to ignore his reappearance in her life, if he wasn’t going to be teaching self-defense courses to her campers twice a week.Maybe it’s a good thing Cisco hasn’t recognized the pathetic Hilly of the past. less

Welker Vestore, an officer with the Bangor PD and a member of Downeast SWAT, has a reputation as a player. But is it justified? Sure, he’s sought continuous validation for his damaged ego since being medically discharged from the Navy, but he’s never led any of his female conquests on with false declarations of “forever after”. Now, however, the stakes are suddenly high... moreWelker Vestore, an officer with the Bangor PD and a member of Downeast SWAT, has a reputation as a player. But is it justified? Sure, he’s sought continuous validation for his damaged ego since being medically discharged from the Navy, but he’s never led any of his female conquests on with false declarations of “forever after”. Now, however, the stakes are suddenly high. Welker has to prove his sincerity to the one woman who’s become important to him, not only in hopes that they may have a future together, but because she’s being targeted by a notoriously dangerous motorcycle club. The big question is, will she listen? What can Welk do to persuade her she needs to take him seriously because her life is in grave danger?The best thing deputy Moira Bliss ever did was join Downeast SWAT. Never quite feeling like part of the sheriff’s department where she’s worked for a decade, she realizes her luck when threats to her life aren’t taken seriously by her PSD superiors, and she turns to SWAT for help. Of course, the man who has intrigued her for months—her squad leader—is the one who steps up and designates himself as her primary protector, which is a hard pill to swallow. Even though the handsome officer is undeniably captivating, accepting his help goes against everything Moira has learned in her painful past. Still, the man is determined, so what choice does she have? less