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Books By Cari Z
Word Count: 91000
Character Identities: Bisexual, Gay
Summary: Detective Sawyer Villeray has his hands full. He’s got a mercurial partner whose personal life is deteriorating, a semi-estranged family whose drama he can never fully escape… and now a series of murders whose only connection is their sheer weirdness. A serious crush on the county medical examiner doesn’t exactly simplify things, but at least it’s fun. Or, well, it would be if said M.E. didn’t adamantly refuse to date cops. Or if his assistant wasn’t quite so hostile to anyone who looked his way. Dr. Bashir Ramin would very much like to catch a break. A date that isn’t interrupted by death. A fellow pathologist who isn’t a cranky jerk. A forensic assistant who doesn’t gnash her teeth any time Bashir is interested in someone. And maybe, if he’s lucky, an autopsy that isn’t such a baffling puzzle, it leaves him wondering if he’s as good at his job as he thought he was. At this point, the annoying but cute detective is the one good thing in his world. Too bad Bashir doesn’t date cops. Right? But there’s no time for romance. As the bizarre murders keep piling up, Sawyer and Bashir need to work together to stop a killer. Ideally before one of them becomes the next target.
Word Count: 75000
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: Marek Stetina is so close to getting called up to majors, he can taste it. Maybe he wasn’t a number one draft pick like his brother, and maybe he’ll never be a Hall of Famer like his father, but he’s almost made it. Right up until a serious injury puts his hockey dreams—major league or otherwise—on ice. Up-and-coming MMA star Carson Wrede’s career—hell, his entire life—has been off the rails ever since a mishap during a fight put him in the hospital. Now he’s trying to find his balance again, both literally and figuratively. With each passing day, his chances of returning to the cage grow slimmer… as do his chances of paying that growing pile of medical bills. Maybe a TBI support group isn’t the most romantic place to meet someone, but Marek and Carson can’t complain. While their worlds seem to be crumbling around them, they lean on each other through endless setbacks and frustration. But is this just two guys helping each other through a tough time? Or is the connection between them real, honest love? And is that love enough to see them through some unavoidable decisions about the careers they once lived for? The Games We Play is a multi-author minor league hockey romance series! All titles run concurrently through the same hockey season, and the books can be read in any order, so jump in anywhere!
Word Count: 81000
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: The job is as simple as they ever are for members of the Collective: get in, fool the marks, and commit some devastating corporate espionage. For Miroslav Antanasijević—an expert at faking identities—it’s a high-stress gig, but one he’s used to. At least that’s how it starts. When it all goes wrong, Mirko barely escapes with his life… and only because a ride share driver comes to his rescue. Arlen Tate is just trying to finish his doctorate, help his sister through school, and leave his turbulent family life in the past where it belongs. His schedule is packed tight, and it does not have room for “help an organized crime syndicate rescue one of their own.” Too bad the minute he hauls that stranger into his car and takes off, he’s on a one-way trip down a rabbit hole of crime, corruption, and a very strange gray area between moral and illegal. And maybe he doesn’t want to go back. Especially the more time he spends with the enigmatic chameleon he rescued. But someone is coming for the Collective. Someone ruthless and powerful. And they will happily murder anyone who gets in their way.
Word Count: 29500
Character Identities: Bisexual, Gay
Summary: Really, guys? Seriously? A fifth book after we said you were getting a standalone? Oh, and now you want a wedding. Because you’ve made it through four books and— You know what? Fine. But we’re not going easy on you. Bet you wish you’d just gone to Vegas don’t you, August and Ricardo? In-laws vs. Outlaws is the final—so help us, it really is the final—book in the Hitman vs. Hitman series.
Word Count: 67000
Character Identities: Bisexual, Gay, Pansexual
Summary: Wherever August Morrison and Ricardo Torralba go, chaos is sure to follow. The authors certainly know this, since their “standalone book” has now turned into a series with no end in sight, because…UGH. These two. We give up. Anyway. Detective David Chandler had no clue what he was getting into when he and his partner decided they were going to nail August for murder. They didn’t realize it was one of the few murders August didn’t commit, or that their homicide investigation would lead them into the middle of a mob war. Cavalcante underboss Pedro Silva knew asking August and Ricardo for help was a terrible idea. Just mentioning their names is bad for Pedro’s blood pressure. Owing them a favor? Oh Lord. He still asked, though, because he was out of options, but he can’t say he didn’t know he’d regret it. Neither man expected things to blow up this badly. Now they’re both on the run from the mafia, the cops, and everyone in between… except for August and Ricardo. On one hand, that means they have two expert assassins in their corner. On the other, it means they have the biggest troll on the planet heckling them at every turn. And sticking them in a safehouse together. With only one bed. And if August or Ricardo make one more comment about how Dave and Pedro should just hook up already… Cop vs. Capo is 67,500 words long, and is book 4 of the Hitman vs. Hitman series. CW: combat PTSD, alcoholism, on-page violence, discussion of abuse of a sex worker
Word Count: 68000
Character Identities: Bisexual, Gay
Summary: August Morrison and Ricardo Torralba would really like to live a quiet life—as quiet as life can be for a couple of eccentric hitmen, anyway. Unfortunately for them, they pushed their luck with the authors and demanded a second book. So now, whether they like it or not, they’re getting a third installment. Yes, this is a revenge book. Because we’re the authors, that’s why. This time, August and Ricardo are in way over their heads, because there are few things more dangerous than owing a favor to the mafia. When that favor gets called in, though, it’s not to kill anyone—it’s to save them. Time is running out to find the source of tainted street drugs poisoning innocent people. Now they’re caught in the middle of a deadly war between rival families, all while trying to dodge suspicious police and merciless drug cartels. Maybe this time, August and Ricardo will learn their lesson and not demand another book… assuming they survive this one. Killer vs. Kingpin is book 3 in the Hitman vs. Hitman series that seems to have evolved from an alleged “standalone” to “yeah, we don’t even know.” They’re just too much fun to torture! Err, write. Too much fun to write.
Word Count: 78000
Character Identities: Bisexual, Gay
Summary: Mortal-enemies-turned-furniture-breaking-lovers August Morrison and Ricardo Torralba have found a groove that suits them both. They’ve teamed up as hired guns, they live together, and by some miracle, they haven’t killed each other. It’s the closest to normal they’ll ever have, and they love it. But their guns-and-roses future is thrown into chaos when Ricardo’s past comes crashing into their present. What begins as a favor for an old friend—well, “friend,” but don’t tell August—quickly spirals into something far bigger than they anticipated. Now they’re in way over their heads with powerful people on both sides of the law, and it’s going to take more than snark and explosions to see them through. Nevertheless, there will be plenty of snark and explosions, because this is August and Ricardo, and no one would expect any less. In between the smoke and sarcasm, though, they are determined to bring an evil operation crashing down… no matter who they have to work with to get the job done. And no matter who they have to kill. Sniper vs Spotter is the sequel to the apparently-it-doesn’t-want-to-be-a-standalone Hitman vs Hitman, which absolutely was supposed to be a standalone, but August and Ricardo (predictably) refused to be contained. Our audiobook narrator also shares some of the blame, Michael. So here we are.
Word Count: 73000
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: Nikita Ravenov It was supposed to be a simple job—tail the Italian for an evening, see if he was up to anything shady, and report back to the Bratva. But I didn’t expect him to go into gay bars. Is someone trying to out me to the Bratva? Am I being set up? And what the hell do I do now that my mark knows I’m following him? Lorenzo Ferrari It’s insulting, really. My organization wants to do business with the Russians, but they’re putting tails on me? That’s just bad manners. But when that tail get a beating from his own for failing to tell them everything he knows about me, I know something is up. Now we’re both in way over our heads. Our only hope is working together. And even then, I’m not so sure we’re getting out of this. CW: On-page drug use, active addiction, graphic violence, suicidal ideation, domestic abuse.
Word Count: 74000
Character Identities: Bisexual, Gay
Summary: Ricardo Torralba and August Morrison don’t agree on much besides the fact that they hate each other. According to Ricardo, August is a spoiled brat who really needs to knock off the sass once in a while. August insists that Ricardo needs a sense of humor, a good lay, or a well-placed bullet. Maybe all three. Fortunately, the assassin’s profession is a solitary one, and they can go about their lives without getting in each other’s way. Usually. When a contracted hit turns out to be a setup for both of them, they narrowly escape with their lives. Now, even if they don’t like it (spoiler: they don’t), August and Ricardo have to work together if they want a shot at survival. In between firefights and questionable interrogation methods as they hunt down their would-be killer, the cranky assassins discover that under all that mutual loathing is a spark of chemistry they can’t ignore. They want to ignore it, they probably should ignore it, but August can’t help flirting to annoy Ricardo, and Ricardo can think of at least one way to shut him up for a while. But they need to focus, damn it, and figure out who’s gunning for them and why. Assuming they don’t kill each other first. Hitman vs Hitman is a standalone gay romantic suspense featuring two men who’d rather chew glass than fall for each other, a whole lot of inappropriate comments, and some buttons that will need resewing.
Word Count: 14900
Character Identities: Bisexual, Gay
Summary: Detective Andreas Ruffner is less than thrilled when his husband and partner, Detective Darren Corliss, announces they’ll be cat-sitting for a couple of weeks. He’s even less pleased when he realizes the cat in question is a large grumpy thing with razor-sharp claws and no regard for personal space. When Darren deploys the puppy dog eyes, though, Andreas is powerless to say no, so they’re on kitty detail… and despite his best efforts, Andreas is a sucker for the critter shedding all over his apartment and stealing his husband’s affection. It’s only for two weeks. Plenty of time for the cat to get on his nerves, but not nearly enough for her to trick him into falling in love with her. Right? This 15,000 word short story is Bad Behavior book 6, and is best read after Protective Behavior.
Word Count: 75000
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: Detective Mark Thibedeau is perfectly happy doing his job in Internal Affairs and going home to his cat. Still, when his assistant wants to set him up on a blind date, he can’t help but be intrigued. Dr. Ryan Campbell loves the frenetic pace of working in an emergency department. He likes his life and doesn’t need anyone. But that guy his colleague wants him to meet does sound pretty interesting. It’s instant chemistry when they meet—and instant chaos. That chaos isn’t just phone calls interrupting dates. When a patient comes into the ED rapidly bleeding out from a gunshot wound, Ryan suddenly finds himself in possession of evidence that could very well put two white cops in jail for killing an innocent black man in cold blood. Not sure what else to do, Ryan takes the evidence to the only cop he can trust—Mark. Now Mark is investigating a delicate case, and Ryan is a material witness, and putting their fledgling relationship on hold is the least of their problems. Dirty cops stalk Ryan and his colleagues. Higher-ups question Mark’s investigative integrity at every turn. Worse, he’s tugging at threads of a citywide systemic problem of cops getting away with racially motivated murder. And there are cops with blood on their hands who will gladly kill to keep that system running. CW: Racially motivated violence, white cop-on-black civilian violence
Word Count: 77000
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: Rich Cody joined the U.S. Marshals to hunt down bad guys, not babysit witnesses. Orders are orders, though, and now he’s protecting a hacker with ties to the Albanian and Sicilian mobs. It’s just another exciting day in WITSEC. Leotrim Nicolosi was born into a world of crime and bloodshed. When that bloodshed hits too close to home, taking down Leo’s boyfriend—the son of a notorious mob boss—Leo is determined to destroy the Grimaldi family. He’s got evidence that will send every last Grimaldi to prison, he’s got the family’s wealth in an electronic chokehold, and he’s got a vendetta that can only be settled with the blood of the man who killed his lover. When a routine transfer to a safehouse goes horribly wrong, Rich and Leo narrowly escape with their lives. With the Marshals compromised and Leo being framed for murder, he and Rich are on the run from criminals and law enforcement alike. They have no one to trust except each other, and nowhere to go that their enemies can’t reach. And the only way out might mean making a deal with the Devil. This novel is approximately 77,000 words.
