"Fine police procedural romance"

In Clarion Heights, Michigan, Yetta Radonovic calls police officer Nick Lightner informing his she is his biological father's cousin and that his blood family who abandoned him as an infant need his help with a matter in Vegas. He was going to ignore his Romani ties until she mentioned the name of attorney Charles "Lucky Chuck" Harmon who looks at her daughter Grace like he rolled a series of sevens. Though not fully understanding the Romany ties, having a chance to nail Lucky Chuck sends Nicolai to Vegas pretending to be an out of work ex con family member.

However, the undercover case takes a twist when Nicolai and Grace meet as both are attracted to one another. Still he tries to stay professional and not lose sight of finding evidence of Lucky Chuck's wrong doing while also protecting Grace from this dangerous man. Adding to the churning in his stomach is his father wants to meet him and finally explain why he was abandoned. Only with Grace at his side can he deal with this, but how will she react when he reveals the truth about who he really is and then again does he want ties with the side that abandoned him.

BETTING ON GRACE is a fine police procedural romance starring two likable characters who see Romani DNA quite differently as Grace grew up in a flood of love while Nick did too but by his adopted parents and their daughter. The story line works on two levels as a family drama and as an undercover cop thriller connected by a warm romance. The eccentric support cast augments a fine contemporary tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 15, 2005