Amy's 5 star ARC review of Coup De Grace (Code-11 KPD SWAT #7) by Lani Lynn Vale

Michael was that guy.
The one that everyone was cautious of. Maybe it was the tattoos. Maybe it was the way he gave off a ‘don’t screw with me’ vibe. Maybe it was because he just told them to leave him the hell alone.
Regardless, people gave him his space.
He was screwed up, and everyone knew it.
He got tattoos because he liked the pain. He was standoffish. He didn’t have many friends outside of work. And the only thing he had going for him was that he was a good cop.
Everyone wondered about him, but no one asked.
The only one that didn’t treat him as if he was screwed up was Nikki Pena, a woman that he couldn’t have.
Nikki was that girl.
The one that everyone loved.
The one girl that he’d destroy if he let her have her way. What did she want?
Him.
But, he couldn’t give her him. She didn’t deserve what it would take to be with him.
So Michael would suffer in silence…or so he thought.
The woman who loved him had different ideas.

5 stars 

Okay friends yes we know this is the last KPD Swat book .. BUT … we are getting two new series! YES! They are the Kilgore Fire Department (giggles like an idiot) and a spin off series of all the Free Kids. WHAT ?!?!?!?! -- Wait there is more --- you will see our boys (whatever with their wives .. I'm kidding … ) in these books. 

Lets chat about the cover shall we? Lani is brilliant in her cover choice. Myself, I would click the book just to have that on my screen to keep for myself. Yes .. I'm that person. As I read everything including the dedications, etc I can tell you this mesmerizing man is Andrew England ... waving! Hi Andrew! I'm a book lover, that means the cover, the snippet, everything .. LOVE IT! 

This is my man Michael and Nikki’s story. As we know, Nikki is Nico’s sister. First of all Nico and Nikki are hilarious in this book. I laughed so hard at these two and their back and forth banter. There is a wrestling scene that I read over more than a dozen times because it was so dang funny. You also are blessed of course with the “words of wisdom” prior to each chapter … Love that! 

We head into the book with Michael being expected at a family dinner which includes his ex wife Joslin and his arrogant brother Dean. Michael’s mom much less his family has no idea that he divorced Joslin because she couldn’t keep her legs closed. Michael's mother, in an attempt to keep Joslin around in the family, includes her in everything.

Nikki is a phlebotomist on the IV team and studying to be a midwife. Nikki and Michael were obviously in love and had four wonderful months together that were destroyed with a few small sentences out of Michael’s mouth. Nikki, the girl is sassy and full of fire. She is awesome. Marvelously written and thank the lord not a skinny blonde she is a female lead that you can connect with; a tough woman, bottom line. 

Michael has some heavy things going on and I applaud Lani for writing about these “issues.” I use that word because I don’t want to divulge anything to anyone that hasn’t read the book or any of the others. I will tell you these things play heavily into who Michael is and how he handles his life. He is damn good at his job but walking in on the horrific suicide of a husband, small child and pregnant wife turned his stomach. Michael’s nightmare has just begun. Do I need to describe Michael. We know his past; quit medical school to go into the Navy; medically discharged and now carries a badge. He is one emotional man, beautiful even with all his self inflicted demons and fears. Fears that he has created in his head not trusting anyone to be able to handle. 

This is a fantastic story. There are so many different things going on. We have Michael battling with his own self, a surprise announcement, and a series of horrific murders all targeting a specific “type” of family. 

We get to visit with some of the guys again of course along with Michael’s sister Hannah and her son Reggie. As normal that’s about all you are getting from me as I don’t do spoilers. What I can tell you is that Lani once again has outdone herself especially since the book handles some serious issues with our guy. You get a fantastic and eye watering recap of the men and their families at the end of the book. It will leave you teary eyed remembering the brilliantly written family unit we have been honored to share with KPD Swat. There is also a new interest … Hannah and Wolf. I love that … really love that. You will see why as you move through the pages of Coupe De Grace. Wolfgang Amsel works for the Karnack Police Department. And then .. its over. But again have no fear. KPD is not gone; its simply growing.

You also are gifted a preview of Counter To My Intelligence coming January of next year. I was provided with an ARC for an honest review. Thank you Lani. Review to appear on Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets.