Book two in the series finds Jericho caught between two warring factions, bikers who smuggle drugs across the border with Canada, and some out of town criminal gangs who have arrived from Chicago hoping to cut into the biker's smuggling network.

As Jericho works to prevent fighting in the streets of Mosely he also has to navigate the difficulties and politics with the FBI, DEA and his sheriff boss Kayla. Everyone is on edge and he doesn't know who he can trust. All Jericho knows is that he has to rely on his wits, and he can't take sides because he doesn't know the whole truth about what has happened in town and who suddenly killed three criminals from out of town.

And some how his childhood friend and first love Wade is mixed up in all of this but Wade is just as secretive and manipulative as the DEA, hiding secrets about who burnt his bar to the ground.

This was a good book two, although not as gripping as book one, but there is intrigue here and some kind of secret and mystery about Wade. Who is he really and is he really manipulating the gangs and masterminding crime? I think this is the question that shapes the entire story arch and it will be exciting to see how it ends.

And so there is an underlying momentum in this story that seems to be slowing building up and this obviously leads nicely to book 3. This is definitely a good series with more mystery to come.

Copy provided by Riptide Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

4 Stars!!

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Riptide Publishing via NetGalley
Genre: MM Romantic Suspense
Part 2 of 4

I adore this serial series. There are so many great characters and elements to this book.

All the main characters: Nikki, Wade, Kayla, Jericho, Elijah, and Nicolette the feds are great and this series has a great balance of humor and suspense.

"Hi, Nikki. How do you plan to complicate my life today?"

I'm so hooked on this series It was so hard to wait between the releases as I couldn't wait to see if Wade and Jericho could find their balance between right and wrong.

Wade has a knack at showing up at the right times but is it coincidence or is Jericho missing something big?

Can't wait for Darkness!!

Post live May 25th at 12am CST

I’m just going to address this with every single installment: I swear the sexiness jumps off the covers of the books in this serial, and I love them. They’re so damn hot, and that lanky frame just makes me salivate. I had planned to read the first two back to back, but alas. The intrusion of life happened. So, we’re back in Mosely with Jericho, and man did I miss him. I forgot just how laconic and sarcastic he is, and in these books that are fairly serious, it’s those parts of his personality that make me chuckle. Because there is really not a lot to smile about in this small, dysfunctional town. I love all the characters in this story, and there are a few surprises in this one that I didn’t see coming, one of which has inspired a theory that hasn’t been confirmed yet. But I’m anxious to read the final two installments to see if I’m right. The sexual tension between Jericho and Wade is taken up a notch. (Who knew that was even possible?) Their attraction is sizzling, and I love every scene they have together. But I’ll just say – the fact that Wade is always one step ahead of Jericho gets my goat, because I’m so far gone for Jericho, and since he’s so far gone for Wade (even though he’s fighting it,) I want him to have him! But Wade is going to have to take a few steps away from that dark side for that to happen. But Wade is still a mystery to us, and I think there’s a lot we don’t know, including Jericho. I like that they’re well matched. Wade may be slyer than Jericho (by Jericho’s own admission,) but Jericho is good at improvising and finds ways to hold his own. I think the suspense part of this series is so well done, and things are coming out at a molasses pace that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. I’m loving this serial, and Embers was a solid installment. I can’t wait to dive into the next installment!

The first book in the Common Law series was Long Shadows, and it was one that I really loved. There was a slight hint of romance but it was mostly focused on the mystery. With Embers, we get a bit more physical romance but again, it focuses more on the overall mystery. This doesn't bother me because it's nice to have an m/m book that's not strictly about the romance. I also love that this is an actual series and not just companion novels. Each book focuses on Jericho Crewe who is now back in Mosely, Montana to help the local police force. He also has Wade Granger to worry about - a career criminal who used to be Jericho's lover. Jericho knows him and Wade aren't a good match, but he can't get the guy out of his head...and Wade definitely plays with that.

Despite Wade's criminal reputation, it's hard not to like the guy at least a little bit. He seems to have some sort of conscience on what he will or will not do and I don't believe his affection for Jericho is a complete act. Embers really shows how hard he tries to keep Jericho safe, giving him clues to help further the investigation of a possible biker war.

This is a great series and I'd definitely recommend it. If you're fairly new to m/m romance, this might be a good place to start!

I am loving this series! Jay and Wade have so much chemistry and I just eat up every scene they are in together. Wade is so smart. He is so sneaky and strategic. Jay has such a pure heart. He wants to keep his town safe at all costs, even at the expense of Wade. I just love these two together...so much. We get more of them in this book. We have some kissing! A little bit more than kissing... Just a little but I still need a cigarette.

The plot of this book is no slouch either. It is short. Things happen and we don't delve into the plot too much but are given just enough to satisfy our want of something happening in the story. I mean really, the real stars of the book are Jay and Wade. Their romance is forbidden. They are on opposites sides of the law but oh do I want one of them to turn and I don't care which one! They make a great team!

Now that he’s temporarily relocated back home to Mosely, Montana, Jericho Crewe has a lot to sort out. Between working for his old friend and former lover at the sheriff’s office, dealing with the family he didn’t know he had, and recovering from a recent gunshot wound, he’s been busy. His inability to keep his mind off his other former lover, Wade Granger, isn’t helping matters, either—especially when buildings start exploding and bodies begin turning up.

While I liked this story very much, I did have a little more difficulty connecting with Jericho. Having been a patrol cop in LA for five years, and a marine for eight years before that, Jericho’s clearly no fool. That he had the determination to reinvent himself after escaping from Mosely also speaks to a strong will and notable resourcefulness. But, he always seems to be a step or two behind here, and his ongoing confusion wasn’t as understandable to me now that he’s been back home for a while. Regardless, it was extremely interesting to watch him try to balance between his own past and present, and Jericho is likable enough that I was pulling for him all the way through.

Wade, on the other hand, is still my favorite character, and his role as a “mastermind” is the best part of this series to me so far. Now that Jericho is back home, Wade seems to be shifting gears on the fly and the suspense that’s constantly generated by his actions kept me glued to every scene. It looks as if Wade had shaped his life around a missing puzzle piece, only to discover that that same piece had somehow changed its shape during its absence. Now, things are different in his world, too, and I couldn’t help but appreciate both Wade’s aptitude, as well as his frustrations.

Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed about Embers is that the author has taken the traditional notion of the “prodigal returned” and turned it into something else entirely. Jericho didn’t just leave home. He changed. But, not as much as he thinks he did, which is pretty entertaining. Not really an outsider, he’s able to maintain a level of credibility with the “locals” that he’s very willing to use to help him solve the crimes being committed—even though he seems surprised that he still has any. One of the older deputies puts it well when he tells Jericho:

“You’re a punk, but you’re our punk.”

The different varieties of tension that exist between Jericho and Wade also increase dramatically in Embers. Despite his constant reminders to himself that getting involved with Wade is a bad idea, Jericho (thankfully) can’t seem to help himself. I did feel sorry for Wade, however, when Jericho’s internal conflict over the situation leads to some undeniably mixed messages. Wade is spinning Jericho in circles in other ways, though, so it’s not really surprising that Jericho has his doubts. That same sense that they complement each other nicely is still very much present, and is one of the most enjoyable components of the entire story.

On the whole, I think Embers is a great addition to the Common Law series. While it slowed down in one or two places, the action and suspense made this story a lot of fun to read. Wade and Jericho continued to grow on me, and several times I wanted to scream at them both—in all the good ways. Regardless, this series is going to be a keeper for me, and I’m very much looking forward to whatever Ms. Sherwood has in store for them both next.

Jericho Crewe’s story continues with the second installment to Kate Sherwood’s Common Law series, Embers, and picks up soon after the events in the series starter. Now the under-sheriff for his hometown of Mosely, Montana, Jericho is heading up the investigation with regards to the corruption going on within the department. He’s also got a bit more going on with his late father’s widow plus his half-siblings, none of whom seem all too thrilled to have him around, especially with him being on the other side of the law. Then there’s Wade Granger. The man seems to show up whenever and wherever he pleases, more often than not, right beside Jericho. With a biker war in the offing and the feds looking at him like a dirty cop, Jericho needs to make sure whether or not his association with Wade is on the up and up. A past like theirs complicates things, but for how long can Jericho hold off wanting to engage Wade on everything they’ve both long desired?
Ooh! I’m certainly liking the direction the story’s going in. Jericho is a man straddling the line between what he knows is right and what he knows isn’t. Being around someone like Wade blurs that line even further, but Jericho’s history tells you that it doesn’t take as much as you think it would for Jericho to cross the line. There’s a bit more kissing between the two men, thank goodness, but I believe in delayed gratification, and at the rate we’re going, my expectations are going to be really high when these two FINALLY give in to their needs and wants. The book has Jericho as the main character with Wade as more of a supporting one, which leaves me quite curious about the man, especially since he’s clearly got a cache bursting with secrets and you never really know what his prime motivations are for doing what he does. The ending left me itching to crack open the ARC for Darkness, but I’ll wait closer to the release date. Four stars for Embers! ♥

Det. Jericho Crewe's had his life turned on its ear in the past few weeks. He learned his no-good criminal father was murdered when he was summoned back to Mosley, Montana after a 15 year absence. His previously unknown step-mother, Nikki, and two half-siblings are in danger--probably of their own making--due to the high likelihood that Nikki (and Jericho's father) were running drugs over the border for Wade Granger. Wade is Jericho's high school boyfriend, though that was all kept undercover way back when.

Doesn't mean that Jericho's forgotten the pull toward Wade in the intervening years. Wade's a slick guy, though, and while he's surely a criminal, no one can get anything to stick. In the last book Wade helped Jericho save his half-siblings from people who'd been sworn to serve and protect. The sheriff, Jericho's other childhood bestie Kayla, asked Jericho to stick around, work for her to help root out the corruption and he agreed.

Since then, it's been one fire after the next--and I mean that literally. Wade's bar and the local biker gang's hangout have both been hit by arsonists, and three Chicago-native drug runners have been found killed execution-style. The DEA is nervous to deal with Jericho, after learning about his familial and emotional ties to Wade Granger--but their also nervous to deal with Kayla because her father might be leaking information to the biker gang. Meanwhile, someone keeps moving drugs over the border, and Jericho's being used by Wade to establish an alibi--not just for Wade by for Nikki. And the Bikers are ready to demonstrate their might in a show that could kill innocents. Jericho's at the center, even if he doesn't want to be. His decisions to forge links between the factions puts him in a precarious place, and leads to his ultimate discipline when one too many of his cowboy antics can't be tolerated.

And Wade keeps coming around with all his sexy eyes and sexy moves and Jericho's really a sucker for Wade. Expect some low level sexytimes for these two. But is Wade's interest just another manipulation? The book's really fast-paced, and the intrigue level is high. Being part of a series, I think you need to read it in order, and let the story build all it's layers. I'm really anxious to read the third book, now, seeing that Jericho's got a fight on his hands to clear his name, and establish whatever relationship he can with his family...and Wade.

3.5*

This is the second book in the Common Law series and it's more of the same, Jericho is back in Mosely as under-sheriff trying to sort his way through the police corruption to help his friend and sheriff Kayla while trying to ignore his ever present interest in Wade Granger, dealing with his father's widow and kids plus yes you've guessed it the DEA and Feds are back.
This is a great little book and there's so much here to like, interesting characters, humour, small town feel plus a good story holding the book together and Wade, let's not forget Wade because he's the highlight of this book for me, well him and Elijah and his gun obsession.
I settled into this quicker than I did with the previous book which is what you'd expect since I'd already been introduced to the town and nearly all the characters.
It starts with Wade's bar being burnt down and it goes from there, we have bikers, out-of-towners, smuggling, sexual tension (yes yes yes at last) and a gun obsessed six year old boy.
Elijah is a delight.

“Can I shoot your gun?”
"No,” Jericho said with a scowl.
Elijah turned to Wade. “Can I shoot yours?”

I shoot your gun?” the boy asked.

A blond head poked around the kitchen door. “If I eat broccoli, can I shoot your gun?”
“What? No. I don’t care if you eat broccoli. I was thinking burgers or something. No shooting.”
"If I tidy my room, can I shoot it?”
"I don’t care if you tidy your room. No shooting.”
It clearly wasn’t the answer Elijah was looking for. “Maybe tomorrow?”

My rating may seem low and honestly this is a nice little book but I just didn't enjoy it as much as I'd expected or hoped.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Riptide Publishing.

"You can think what you want about my business, my character, any damn thing. But don’t be stupid enough to think I don’t care about you.”

Embers is the second book in Kate Sherwood's engrossing Common Law series. Jericho continues working for the sheriff's department, Nikki and her semi-feral children are still thorns in Jericho's side, and Wade remains as enigmatic as ever. A triple murder - Chicago thugs perhaps killed by the Mountaineers (Mosely's biker gang) in a turf war - starts off the mystery but as always, the real heart of the series is the sexual tension between Wade and Jericho:

But while you’re living your righteous life, all respectable and proper? You should remember me. You should remember how it feels to have my hands on you, my mouth on you. You should remember me fucking you, and you fucking me, all the ways we took care of each other back when we were kids. You should ask yourself: if it was that perfect then, when we didn’t know what the hell we were doing, how much better would it be now?

Wade continues his Machiavellian maneuvering and it's glorious as he messes with the DEA, the FBI, but especially with Jericho, as he continues to manipulate him with tips and helpful "suggestions" that always lead Jericho into trouble:

“What are you up to? Are you— Fuck, Wade, are you doing your fucking reverse-psychology thing? You want me to go somewhere so you’re acting like you want me to stay? Or is it another double reverse, and really you want me to stay?”

This series keeps getting better and better and I highly recommend it. The third book in the series - Darkness will be published in March with the fourth book - Home Fires - coming in April.

Embers (Common Law Series, Book 2) by Kate Sherwood continues the story of Jericho as he returns home and re-enters a world he never planned to be a part of again.

FULL REVIEW posted via enclosed link on January 10th.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
I have to award this five stars because after this second book, I’m completely hooked on Jericho and his dysfunctional hometown. This series has a gritty, claustrophobic feel to it that reminds me of TV’s True Detective or the film Winter’s Bone.

Mosely, Montana is a grim place and big city homicide cop, Jericho finds himself unable to trust any of the locals. Jericho is caught between the local police, federal agencies, a biker gang, a mob family, and whoever is moving things across the American/Canadian border. The second book only adds to the complexity of this crime story – I’m expecting the many threads will eventually come together by the end of the series.

This series carefully explores the grinding rural poverty in a small northern border town. Good and bad blur as Jericho pushes at motivation and comes to a new understanding of the bleak hopelessness he left behind in his hometown. I love the ambiguity and thoughtfulness of these books.

Jericho’s relationship with Wade adds another layer to the complexity of this story. Old lovers and childhood friends, the chemistry between them crackles – even as Wade’s involvement in the crimes Jericho is investigating becomes increasingly obvious but almost impossible to prove.

I have loved the first two books, but I’m slightly annoyed that the series is marketed as m/m romance because there is very little romance or sex in this story. If Jericho or Wade were female, the same book would be marketed as gritty crime or suspense writing.

I love these books but this is not a standalone. After reading Embers, it seems that the central story will span the whole series. It is definitely worth reading – just remember to start from the beginning and read them in order. I’ve already signed up for books three and four...

Okay, now we are getting somewhere. I was little bummed in book one when the “relationship” between Wade and Jericho remained a little tame, but I got my fix in this book. No, they are not riding off into the sunset, and no happy ending in this series yet, but the promise is there and that was what I needed.

Jericho is still an ethical lawman, and Wade is still walking on the wild side. But I saw something that gives me hope. I am not sure if I want Jericho to flinch or Wade. One thing’s for certain, some things have got to change and I am looking forward to watching that play out. The part I loved the most was when Wade showed Jericho his ‘angry” face. I was like “whoa”, didn’t see that coming. But still, these boys are playing a game of good cop and criminal in real life, but the feels between them are tangible.

But, we must remember that there is more to this series than the renewing romance between these men. The mystery, the murders, the FBI, the good cops-bad cops, the crazy family, and small town America. I am so glad the books are already written because I want to move right along to book 3.

My second outing with Jericho Crewe one month after he captivated me in Long Shadows and I’m a fair way down the road to being addicted to his coming home- style suspense story. Okay his story, Wade’s, Nikki’s, and the sheriff’s.

As I said, this installment, Embers, is book two of the Common Law series that read like serial installments in a romantic suspense story about a hero who was an LA detective and a Marine before that when he is called home to the small town in Montana where he grew up to set his deceased father’s affairs in order. Since his dad lived on the shady side of the law, this is not easy and involves a surprise. His dad had a wife and two kids- Jericho’s young half sister and brother. The return home brings him back between two friends who pull him in two different directs just as they always did and then there are the Feds who rile up Jericho with their prods at him and lack of interest in solving what he sees as the disturbing and dangerous elements of his dad’s case.

Embers, which really should be read after Long Shadows for optimal enjoyment and understanding, picks up right where book one left off. Surprising developments occur and now Jericho is working for Kayla in the county sheriff’s department. A fire bombing, murders, smuggling, and a local biker club on the prowl have things more than stirred up, but Jericho still is inclined to divide his attention to ponder his old flame, Wade, who is always several steps ahead of him.

This second installment was just as engaging and exciting as book one except now it was quite evident that there is more going on than was at first thought. I enjoyed the sensation of being settled into Jericho’s life and observing him dig through all the confusing and conflicting clues while predators move nearby in the shadows.

Jericho is so cut and dry that he struggles when all those around him- law enforcement and others- know more about what is going on than he does as he struggles to do the right thing by everyone. And these everyones are all shades of gray types that leave the reader uneasy and yet intrigued because they may or may not help or harm Jericho as he sifts through evidence.

In Embers, as the reader, I felt there were reveals, but still so much more to come. I like how the author is pacing out this series and keeping the reader right there in the thick of things. The friendship between Jericho and Kayla is really tested, but the more interesting wary relationship between Jericho and Wade is what really has me fixated.

All in all, I am left in an addicted state needing my next Jericho Crewe series installment. I can whole-heartedly recommend this slow-burn m/m romantic suspense series.

My thanks to Riptide Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

So good! I was unsure about the series at the end of the first book. Embers has me craving books 3 and 4. Much improved.

Review on Just Love on 2/5/17

I love it when the second book in a series is just as good as the first - in this case, maybe even a little better ;)

In Embers, Jericho has agreed to support Kayla (his best friend from youth and the current sheriff) as her under sheriff. If things aren't complicated enough, the FBI is back along with Jericho's favorite DEA agents. All of them are locking Kayla and Jericho out of their investigations, so of course, Jericho takes things into his own hands. As expected, it all goes pretty much down hill from there.

There are so many twists and turns in Embers, it's hard to keep up. Unexpected allies are made, secrets are revealed and even more mysteries are thrown into the mix. And as expected, Wade is in the middle of it all, as well as Jericho's new found family.

There was even more sexual tension between Wade and Jericho in Embers. At times it seemed like they were taking two steps forward and five steps back. Sometimes it was hard to tell who was playing who. Since readers were only let in on Jericho's POV, it's hard to tell. My guess is that there is more to Wade than meets the eye, but that's just a guess... a hopeful one. :)

The next book in the Common Law series is Darkness. There were enough things left unsolved at the end of Embers, I can't wait to find out where things go from here.

3.5 stars for this second installment of the police procedural Common Law.

While we read and try to figure out who did what, Jay and Wade burn up the pages with their UST.

Who's the bad guy? Who can be trusted? Is everyone playing Jay? He certainly has more courage than I do because I'm biting my nails and shaking my head no at some of the situations he walks into. I think Wade has his back. I think...or maybe it's just hope.

In any case, don't miss out as their story continues to unravel in the middle of crime, drama and mystery of small town Mosely.

This was really good. the story was fun and interesting. it kept you on your toes wondering what was going to happen next and the mystery parts were awesome and kept you guessing. i enjoyed it a lot and im glad i got to review it

Embers is the second book in the Common Law series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the storyline and the character interaction. I look forward to seeing what comes next.