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Side Effects
Detective Jordan Bishop is tasked with protecting Neela Sahjani, abortion doctor, stem-cell researcher, and member of the new conservative state government—a walking contradiction and a complication Jordan can’t afford. When Neela seeks an emotional connection, Jordan tries to distract her from the darkness of her past with the only thing she has to offer—sex.
Neela is struggling to keep her job in an administration that no longer supports her vision while also caring for her aging mother and researching a cure for her mother’s disease. The last thing she needs is a detached, risk-taking police officer looking over her shoulder.
Neela is struggling to keep her job in an administration that no longer supports her vision while also caring for her aging mother and researching a cure for her mother’s disease. The last thing she needs is a detached, risk-taking police officer looking over her shoulder.
264 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2015
18 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
V.K. Powell
21 books113 followersAs a thirty-year law enforcement veteran, VK Powell brings a rare level of authenticity to her novels of romantic intrigue. Her career spanned numerous positions including beat cop, homicide detective, vice/narcotics lieutenant, and assistant chief of police. Now retired, VK infuses her writing with the wealth of experience she gained in police work.
VK is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Rainbow Romance Writers, and the Golden Crown Literary Society. She has penned several novels and short stories featuring strong women who struggle with the timeless question: can you really have it all?
VK is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Rainbow Romance Writers, and the Golden Crown Literary Society. She has penned several novels and short stories featuring strong women who struggle with the timeless question: can you really have it all?
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 18, 2017
Amazing read! the storyline dealt with today's social and political issues: abortion rights,the healthcare system plus every shadiness of lobbyists in The U.S. Government There was the topic about orphanage:- which involves cruelty,bullying,raped,sex trafficking etc ..... then the author dove into more interesting topics like sexual disorders,promiscuity,commitment issues and relationship problems which was an added bonus to this book and also to the readers..enjoyable writing and storytelling,erotic & explicit sex scenes which contributed to Jordan's sexual issues and problems but during their talking Neela helped her overcome it in the end ..encourage outcome at the end...highly recommend to everyone
August 16, 2018
Didn’t really enjoy the book and I can’t connect with the storyline, characters, plot, etc.
September 18, 2017
This book really surprised me. I seriously thought about putting it down and not finishing, and that would have been a huge mistake. VK Powell took on some very tough subjects - sexual abuse and sexual dysfunction and made a heart-warming (and sexy) story out of it. I am putting her on my favorite-author shelf even though I am not a big fan of mystery or cop-procedurals.
September 23, 2015
You know what you're going to get with a VK Powell novel. This is true of SIDE EFFECTS too, only more so. The sexual and psychological intensity have ratcheted up several notches from previous books. But in addition to the erotic scenes and the police characters readers have come to know and love, Powell adds a couple of nice touches here that make this different from most other books I've read.
One is that the police main character, Jordan, has issues. Yes, cops in romantic intrigue always have issues but Jordan has *issues*. Something is seriously wrong in her backstory and it manifests itself in her present in disturbing ways. As a reader, I found myself shielding my eyes at first, but I was rewarded by reading an honest depiction of someone for whom lots of aspects of sex are complicated, or at least not smooth sailing. I don't usually see that in romances, but it happens.
The other main character, Neela, is the high achieving daughter of immigrants to America. The political situation in her state, and the complexity around her medical research, mean that Neela has plenty of issues of her own. Sometimes it seems like the threat of crime is almost the least of her worries.
The other thing Powell does nicely in SIDE EFFECTS is draw an unusual secondary character with whom I challenge readers not to fall in love. Bina's dialogue is pitch perfect, and Powell is confident enough to write it without ever once resorting to gimmicky dialect--not even an apostrophe. As a writer, I really appreciate that.
This story is not for the fainthearted, but it rewards the read.
One is that the police main character, Jordan, has issues. Yes, cops in romantic intrigue always have issues but Jordan has *issues*. Something is seriously wrong in her backstory and it manifests itself in her present in disturbing ways. As a reader, I found myself shielding my eyes at first, but I was rewarded by reading an honest depiction of someone for whom lots of aspects of sex are complicated, or at least not smooth sailing. I don't usually see that in romances, but it happens.
The other main character, Neela, is the high achieving daughter of immigrants to America. The political situation in her state, and the complexity around her medical research, mean that Neela has plenty of issues of her own. Sometimes it seems like the threat of crime is almost the least of her worries.
The other thing Powell does nicely in SIDE EFFECTS is draw an unusual secondary character with whom I challenge readers not to fall in love. Bina's dialogue is pitch perfect, and Powell is confident enough to write it without ever once resorting to gimmicky dialect--not even an apostrophe. As a writer, I really appreciate that.
This story is not for the fainthearted, but it rewards the read.
August 11, 2015
Having read several of Ms Powell’s books, I had a fair idea what to expect here and I wasn’t disappointed. Jordan Bishop is an excellent lead character with a full set of baggage to carry around with her. There’s the childhood and the anger and the fact that her answer to most things is sex but in a way that suits her. (No spoilers here). Although this is a crime novel, it is also about family and acceptance and the plot is credible and moves nicely. I wanted to like Jordan even though she was so damaged and antagonistic (to the point of rude and aggressive) and I wanted her to calm down and try to change. The book wouldn’t have worked if we didn’t invest in Jordan and we do.
Neela Sahjani is a well-drawn and sympathetic second lead and we feel her pain when her personal politics clash with the new leads in her government post but she can’t leave because she needs the health plan. Neela can’t understand Jordan’s attitude towards her and really doesn’t want police protection.
The money and power elements are well handled and the friendships and ‘minor’ characters are fitted to the narrative. I especially liked Bina and wish she lived near me… A perfect summer read in the garden with a glass of something cold. I enjoyed the writing style and smiled several times – “She wore a muted red suit and white blouse that fit her snugly and made Jordan want to shred it with her teeth.”
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
December 18, 2017
Once in a while you read a book that moves your insides. Not only it was extremely hard to put this one down, but the whole story was amazing! Honestly I have nothing bad to say about it. Not a single thing, well I do wish it was longer!
September 30, 2015
Great story. I really enjoyed reading this book, and getting to know the characters. Jordan and Neela make great couple. lots of action, Love and adventures
October 31, 2015
Nice pacing and character development. You could feel the tension build throughout the book. I like that there was current social event content, and an actual story to it. Well done!
December 9, 2015
If I could I would give this 2 1/2 stars. It was OK. An easy beach read but I instantly forgot the plot and the people and I only finished reading it a few hours ago.
April 24, 2021
I’m honestly not sure how I feel about this book. Parts of it were interesting enough, but other parts didn’t feel earned.
Jordan is a detective with serious issues stemming from her past. She doesn’t really make personal connections. She and three other cops are made to watch over Neela when she is seemingly threatened. Neela is the state health director in her state which has recently become more conservative-led. She’s not happy about having people watch her every move and Jordan isn’t happy about having to babysit a doctor. The two clash, a lot, but there seems to be something else lingering just under the covers.
At first I found it hard to like either of the characters. At the beginning Neela came off like someone trying too hard to hide who she was and what was going on in her personal life. Jordan was trying to hide her past from people and it made her quick to anger and reckless. Eventually things were explained and revealed and I began to like the two characters more, but it took some time.
I don’t feel like the romance in this book worked. The two were physically attracted to each other, sure. But the two felt emotionally drawn to each other even though they knew next to nothing about the other person. Eventually things began to get revealed and they opened up more to each other but seemingly only about the serious things. I’m not saying that serious discussions can’t fuel a relationship, I’m just saying there should have been more. It felt rushed and clumsy and forced, and I didn’t like the relationship. If it had ended where the two were in physical relationship moving to an emotional relationship it might have been better, but it didn’t.
I quite liked the plot actually. I felt that it might have been a bit underdeveloped, but the ideas were good and for the most part they were executed nicely. The side characters were nice enough, especially Bina, and they helped prop up the main characters more. Liz was a bit combative at certain parts, but it made sense in the context. Bex was too nice to Jordan when she was pulling some of her reckless antics. Jordan is a cop who should have been treated harsher than she was.
This book did discuss several things that are important. Abortion, abuse, being raised in an orphanage, sexual dysfunction. These and other topics were discussed, usually not to a long-detailed degree but enough where you understood what was going on, and I thought they were handled pretty well.
This book was a decent read. It’s nothing amazing but it’s interesting enough, especially with the threat plotline.
Jordan is a detective with serious issues stemming from her past. She doesn’t really make personal connections. She and three other cops are made to watch over Neela when she is seemingly threatened. Neela is the state health director in her state which has recently become more conservative-led. She’s not happy about having people watch her every move and Jordan isn’t happy about having to babysit a doctor. The two clash, a lot, but there seems to be something else lingering just under the covers.
At first I found it hard to like either of the characters. At the beginning Neela came off like someone trying too hard to hide who she was and what was going on in her personal life. Jordan was trying to hide her past from people and it made her quick to anger and reckless. Eventually things were explained and revealed and I began to like the two characters more, but it took some time.
I don’t feel like the romance in this book worked. The two were physically attracted to each other, sure. But the two felt emotionally drawn to each other even though they knew next to nothing about the other person. Eventually things began to get revealed and they opened up more to each other but seemingly only about the serious things. I’m not saying that serious discussions can’t fuel a relationship, I’m just saying there should have been more. It felt rushed and clumsy and forced, and I didn’t like the relationship. If it had ended where the two were in physical relationship moving to an emotional relationship it might have been better, but it didn’t.
I quite liked the plot actually. I felt that it might have been a bit underdeveloped, but the ideas were good and for the most part they were executed nicely. The side characters were nice enough, especially Bina, and they helped prop up the main characters more. Liz was a bit combative at certain parts, but it made sense in the context. Bex was too nice to Jordan when she was pulling some of her reckless antics. Jordan is a cop who should have been treated harsher than she was.
This book did discuss several things that are important. Abortion, abuse, being raised in an orphanage, sexual dysfunction. These and other topics were discussed, usually not to a long-detailed degree but enough where you understood what was going on, and I thought they were handled pretty well.
This book was a decent read. It’s nothing amazing but it’s interesting enough, especially with the threat plotline.
March 15, 2022
A Political Thriller
Written by a former police officer who knows the inside of law, crime and political situations. Dr. Neela Sahjani is a stem cell researcher who is head of the Department of Healthcare in the newly elected conservative government in North Carolina. Detective Jordan Bishop is assigned to be part of the protection detail when her life is threatened. Immediately clashing the tension and sexual attraction builds to a volcanic eruption. A marvelous thriller with erotic romance added.
Written by a former police officer who knows the inside of law, crime and political situations. Dr. Neela Sahjani is a stem cell researcher who is head of the Department of Healthcare in the newly elected conservative government in North Carolina. Detective Jordan Bishop is assigned to be part of the protection detail when her life is threatened. Immediately clashing the tension and sexual attraction builds to a volcanic eruption. A marvelous thriller with erotic romance added.
October 29, 2019
Hands down an amazing book. Once I started it I had a hard time putting it down.
September 3, 2022
I enjoy VK's writing style of mixing real life/crime issues with complex characters and a good dash of well written sex and then the falling in love........this book therefore did not disappoint; what it did do though was to throw into stark reality what someone is prepared to accept which impacts their morals [Neela needing health care compared to her political view] over their critical needs and I would suggest many of us readers have been in that or close to that through this Covid pandemic.
February 13, 2025
This book was underwhelming. I have read numerous VK books and some are just ok, while others are blah. The law side of the narrative is not that intriguing. Leaves me disappointed and wanting more. As a cop, if I ever had sex in my patrol car, I would have been fired! This was so unrealistic. I do think that VK wrote a very good story about Jordan and the sensitive nature of it. I think this was well done. I also was dumbfounded about the poor dog. Did they just leave the poor thing outside all day, while they traipsed around all day? Did they even feed it? These details were a bit lacking. I am a huge dog lover! Anyway, this book obviously was not one of her best. The relationships were just not believable for me, for either Jordan or Bex. They both seemed more interested in bedding whoever they could instead of doing their jobs seriously. I have had this book in my library for a long time and just got around to reading it recently in 2025!
June 30, 2016
Originally posted @ http://readaholiczone.blogspot.com/20...
I found both good and bad characteristics in this book, but truthfully, I wish I had skipped reading it all together. Here is why. Some sex in a book I have no issue with but the foundation of the plot is dominated by graphic sex & sexual abuse taking it completely overboard. Therefore, it might have been a better fit in the erotic genre. In addition to that, there is no focus on stem-cell research it is if the author put it in as an afterthought.
None the less, I did discover several positive aspects. Such as, one of the main characters was able to face a traumatic past and start overcoming her demons making a better life for herself. Also, it is well written, the prose flows smoothly, and is grammatically favorable.
“ “I’m bound by the super-secret code of cop conduct not to repeat anything you tell me in the course of this investigation.” “you’ve already violated several codes of conduct.” Neela laughed as Jordan crossed her heart and saluted in some made-up pledge of silence.”
"I would like to thank, Netgalley & Bold Strokes Books, for allowing me to give an honest review"
I found both good and bad characteristics in this book, but truthfully, I wish I had skipped reading it all together. Here is why. Some sex in a book I have no issue with but the foundation of the plot is dominated by graphic sex & sexual abuse taking it completely overboard. Therefore, it might have been a better fit in the erotic genre. In addition to that, there is no focus on stem-cell research it is if the author put it in as an afterthought.
None the less, I did discover several positive aspects. Such as, one of the main characters was able to face a traumatic past and start overcoming her demons making a better life for herself. Also, it is well written, the prose flows smoothly, and is grammatically favorable.
“ “I’m bound by the super-secret code of cop conduct not to repeat anything you tell me in the course of this investigation.” “you’ve already violated several codes of conduct.” Neela laughed as Jordan crossed her heart and saluted in some made-up pledge of silence.”
"I would like to thank, Netgalley & Bold Strokes Books, for allowing me to give an honest review"
January 25, 2016
Loved the inclusion of a brown main character - lesbian romances are often so whitewashed.
Other than that it read much like old-school fanfiction - brooding, troubled lead and the beautiful, caring, patient woman who saves her. Not that this is a bad thing. This would have been one of the good fics. Enjoyable beach read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
Other than that it read much like old-school fanfiction - brooding, troubled lead and the beautiful, caring, patient woman who saves her. Not that this is a bad thing. This would have been one of the good fics. Enjoyable beach read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
September 21, 2015
I liked the premise of the story, but did not really like the characters and how they were written.
Last part of the book was a little better so 2 1/2 stars.
Last part of the book was a little better so 2 1/2 stars.
quit-reading
March 9, 2017I read the first two chapters and didn't find the characters or plot appealing.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews