The Body Politic — Carol Ericson

When Dane Deverall's ex-wife is murdered, it pretty much puts a lid on his political ambitions to be the next governor of California. When it turns out that his ex was turning tricks as a high-priced call girl, it pretty much puts a nail in that lid. Dane returns to the small town of Sea Crest to protect his son from the fall-out of the scandal only to discover one of the homicide detectives is Samantha Walsh, the one woman he'd loved and lost.

Sammi is thrilled to get her first homicide investigation…until she learns the victim is the ex-wife of her former lover, the current lieutenant governor of California. As the murder investigation unfolds, Sammi discovers Dane's ex-wife was into some risky business and kinky relationships. Did she do it all to ruin her ex-husband's political career or just for the thrill of it?

When Sammi goes undercover to infiltrate the call-girl ring, she becomes the killer's target. Dane can't help acting as his sexy cop's personal bodyguard, but as he and Sammi navigate a minefield of sex, politics, and deceit, will their love grow stronger or will the betrayal and intrigue blow their new beginning to bits?