Genre: Contemporary, Domestic Discipline, Mystery & Thriller, Suspense
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
When your only goal is to save the world, who’s there when you need to be rescued?
Boss
For most of my life, I’d been the savior and sought after when anyone found themselves in trouble. It could be to atone for sins of my past or because I was a natural caregiver. Whatever it was, I didn’t understand how to do anything else. My Outreach program cared for everyone in the city who needed help, and I wouldn’t say I hadn’t made enemies, but when the protector needed protection, I wasn’t prepared for Dolan Sharp.
Dolan
No one did anything for free or out of the kindness of their hearts. That wasn’t how the world worked, and it was always survival of the fittest. I didn’t care what anyone said about the man named Boss. When I witnessed Boss in action, what I thought I’d believed shattered, and I didn’t know how to handle that.
There are always threats at every turn. It’s just a matter of when they catch up to you, but when one jaded man and another with a seemingly deep death wish have to work together, who’s going to survive the aftermath?
(TW: Mentions of childhood sexual, physical, and mental abuses. Passive Suicidal Ideation, self-harm, and mental illness. These are mainly off-page, but there are details flashbacks and conversations of said acts. Yet if these are triggering for you, please feel free not to read the story. Your self-care and mental health are more important. Thank you.)
The Review
For Dolan Sharp, life is starting over at the tender age of forty-nine. He’s divorced, moved from Huston to Winston Harbor, and has adjusted to leaving his old life behind. He’s got his first house with his forever companion, Jupiter.
Dolan is a S.W.A.T. Commander and a K-9 handler, but he has expertise in other areas of law enforcement too. Even though Dolan has worked hard to start his new life, his ex Chance has followed him. He also works with S.W.A.T. and has his own team. And he wants Dolan back.
Dolan still doesn’t know what he wants with this new life, but he knows it’s not Chance, with his lies and hiding in the closet.
Not only does S.W.A.T keep Dolan busy, but he’s now a member of the crazy, tight knit team of the Cold Case Unit. He not only gets involved with the cold cases they investigate, but now, even with all the kicking and screaming, he’s on their direct social line. There’s a fund raiser coming up for the Outreach, a much needed facility for anyone in need, and of course the Cold Case team wants him to volunteer.
Boss White is sixty-one, and has had more than a rough life, but it doesn’t matter. For thirty years he has kept the Outreach up and running, and cares for all that need help. From the homeless to those just down on their luck, to those who have suffered the unspeakable. It seems no matter the age, once you come into Boss’ world you become one of his “kids”.
In his younger years, he had an open relationship with an older man, Juan. He loved Juan, but even after decades, his loss has left Boss needing something special.
Dolan and Boss met one, very briefly, and rubbed each other the wrong way.
Dolan has some insights into Boss. He irritates Dolan. He wants to take on the world and there’s a haunting sadness about him. And Boss sees in Dolan a surly, hateful, smirking man.
With helping Boss rescue a young girl and the resurrection of a CCU decade-old serial rapist case, lives are in danger. Dolan becomes immersed in the case. Boss and his raw feelings for all the kids who put their trust in him take center stage.
J.M. Dabney does it again, making Dolan Sharp, Boss White and Jupiter three of the most unforgettable characters of the Cold Case Unit series. With Cold Cases and Bruised Hearts, Dolan and Boss bring their deepest needs to the table. Don’t look for “normal” here, because it doesn’t exist.
Dolan is quick to recognize what Boss needs and he’s willing to fulfill those needs the right way. This novel is very emotional, as Boss is an advocate and speaks for those who have faced unbelievable trauma. On the bright side, there’s lot’s of teasing, banter and a lovable dog.
In line with the cold cases, the author presents a plot that is dark themed and psychological. They also take readers deep into the devastating case of over a hundred victims and the lingering after effects of trauma. And the victims’ recounted memories have an effect on the CCU team, as they utilize their expertise and technology to track down the diabolical perpetrator.
With this story, the author brings us new characters and a deeper look at some earlier ones: Gabby, adopted daughter to Boss; Florence, Boss’s twin sister; Seamus Finnegan, 43, bar tender; Bart, who works the kitchen for Outreach; Chance, ex to Dolan; and S.W.A.T Commander Claxton, interesting and surprising.
Of course, there’s the CCU team too: Robert & Remy, Doc & Stevenson, Marcel & Simon, Vega and Zero, the IT guru.
For a good, solid mystery, I highly recommend the “Cold Case Unit” series. I was so glad to see Dolan Sharp and Jupiter finally get their own story, And so far, Cold Cases and Bruised Hearts. is my favorite! Dabney brings such interesting characters to each story, and I’m curious to see who will be next in book five, Cold Cases and Sweet Redemption.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
