Gabriel Sandalini is an undercover SFPD Detective who has finally infiltrated the group of the West Coast crime boss, Ricco. One night, while he is at a gay club looking for one of his snitches, he catches the eye of one of the club goers. Gabriel doesn’t think much of it, even though the stranger is quite the looker. Gabriel has other things on his mind such as helping take down Sanchez, the boss of the Mexican Mafia. As Gabriel makes his way around the club, he finds an empty office, and is soon caught. Gabriel proceeds to have some hot and sweaty sex with the stranger, whose kisses make Gabriel hunger for more.

Gabriel is in for quite a shock when he comes face to face with this stranger again. Miguel Ortega is Sanchez’s second in command. He also still has a very deep interest in Gabriel, but Gabriel tries his hardest to stay away from Ortega because they don’t have any chance of a future with one another. But since both of the crime families they work for will become business associates, Gabriel has no choice but to be around Ortega.

Ortega must go down to Mexico on behalf of Sanchez to meet some drug runners and Gabriel has been volunteered to also go. When both men arrive in Mexico, danger is all around them. And when Gabriel is almost blown up, Ortega is there to protect him. Gabriel can’t help but give into Ortega’s seductive techniques, and they spend a passionate night together in bed. All too soon, morning comes and reality sets in. Gabriel still has a job to do and Ortega is still the enemy, or is he?

Laura Baumbach and Josh Lanyon are quite the writing duo, and it definitely shows here with Mexican Heat. Not only is this an excellent and suspenseful action packed story, but a romance that singes the pages with its heat. The attraction both Gabriel and Ortega have for one another is smoking hot, and one of the best romances I have read this year.

Gabriel is very tortured and can’t see how special he has become to Ortega. These two are surrounded by the possibility of death wherever they go and the fact that they may not have a future with one another, makes their relationship very poignant and emotional. You will be on the edge of your seat wondering if Gabriel and Ortega will be safe and happy.

Josh Lanyon is known for his superior writing skills featuring gay characters, and along with Laura Baumbach, they have written one of the best books I have read this year. Mexican Heat is one of those reads that grab you by your throat and will not let go.

Reviewed by: Katie