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Zero Hour #1-3
Zero Hour Series Boxed Set: Books 1-3
Aimee Nicole Walker presents Books 1-3 in the Zero Hour series.
Contains mature themes.
Contains mature themes.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published March 17, 2020
191 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Aimee Nicole Walker
71 books2,009 followersI'm a wife and mother of three teenage kids. I've been married to the same wonderful man for twenty years. I've decided that if I can survive raising three kids then I can survive anything!! I haven't uttered the Mama's curse yet, but it could happen any day now. You know the one..."I hope you have a child just like you someday."
I'm an avid reader and lover of all things romance. I've spent my entire adult life waiting to follow my dreams of becoming a writer. One day this past summer, I decided to just do it. No more wishing and hoping. I haven't quit my day job, but that is my ultimate goal...make a living telling stories of love.
I write contemporary gay fiction. I hope you will love reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them.
I'm an avid reader and lover of all things romance. I've spent my entire adult life waiting to follow my dreams of becoming a writer. One day this past summer, I decided to just do it. No more wishing and hoping. I haven't quit my day job, but that is my ultimate goal...make a living telling stories of love.
I write contemporary gay fiction. I hope you will love reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 14, 2022
Story: 4.5 almost 5 stars.
Narration: I want to say that I am not from the south, although my mother was born in New Orleans and I have family in the south. I have been to a lot of southern states. My ear and brain told me that the accents used by Tristan James was not quite authentic. Which knocked off a number of points for this audible book. Also I think Mr. James does not do any favors to female characters whatsoever. Some male narrators can convince me a female is speaking with how they modulate their voice without resorting to falsetto and convey a feminine quality. Not so in this book.
Nice to have all 3 books in a boxed set as the first two definitely do not even aim to be stand alone stories. Your basic enemies to lovers story and each book takes the guys to the next level of commitment. All kinds of calamities occur to them and yet their solid, innate character and devotion to each other get them through every event. Some of their cases seem very far fetched, yet real life is so bizarre that almost anything is believable nowadays.
There is a fair amount of sex, some of which was really good to listen to, and some I wanted to skip because the story was more interesting than another sex scene. This could also be my own mood in just not wanting to hear about sex at the moment.
The ending chapters tie most things up and you know there is a HEA to be had, although it doesn't spell it out in black and white.
If you can get past the questionable southern accents, I thought it was good entertainment.
Narration: I want to say that I am not from the south, although my mother was born in New Orleans and I have family in the south. I have been to a lot of southern states. My ear and brain told me that the accents used by Tristan James was not quite authentic. Which knocked off a number of points for this audible book. Also I think Mr. James does not do any favors to female characters whatsoever. Some male narrators can convince me a female is speaking with how they modulate their voice without resorting to falsetto and convey a feminine quality. Not so in this book.
Nice to have all 3 books in a boxed set as the first two definitely do not even aim to be stand alone stories. Your basic enemies to lovers story and each book takes the guys to the next level of commitment. All kinds of calamities occur to them and yet their solid, innate character and devotion to each other get them through every event. Some of their cases seem very far fetched, yet real life is so bizarre that almost anything is believable nowadays.
There is a fair amount of sex, some of which was really good to listen to, and some I wanted to skip because the story was more interesting than another sex scene. This could also be my own mood in just not wanting to hear about sex at the moment.
The ending chapters tie most things up and you know there is a HEA to be had, although it doesn't spell it out in black and white.
If you can get past the questionable southern accents, I thought it was good entertainment.
March 8, 2023
I've started this last year and had been pushed back so many times by other shiny reads. I never got passed a few of the early chapters and took my time with this title. I really did enjoy this series. I loved Sawyer and Royce. Their chemistry was spot on and I liked the character growth the two had throughout the books.
It was nice to see their relationship evolve during the course of the stories. It was fun reading their interactions and banter. The cases and the mysteries were interesting and had enough twists on their own to keep one interested.
Overall, this was a fun series to read and I do recommend giving it a try.
4 stars for me.
It was nice to see their relationship evolve during the course of the stories. It was fun reading their interactions and banter. The cases and the mysteries were interesting and had enough twists on their own to keep one interested.
Overall, this was a fun series to read and I do recommend giving it a try.
4 stars for me.
January 9, 2023
Loved it
I love Locke and Key.....their story has kept me hooked from page 1! Can't wait to see what else is in store for them! Will definitely be searching out more books by Aimee Nicole Walker
I love Locke and Key.....their story has kept me hooked from page 1! Can't wait to see what else is in store for them! Will definitely be searching out more books by Aimee Nicole Walker
October 27, 2022
The romance isn’t perfect but great for fans of a mystery series.
September 5, 2022
Sweet, charming, gets better over time. As with any series, the relationship grows over time and honestly gets better and better. This is a slice of-life story about 2 detectives falling in love. We have some police work and crime scenes but a bulk of the story is about their daily lives, friends and families.
Royce starts out thinking that he’s not good at loving someone, but his penchant for honesty and talking things out, lead to some super sweet tender moments. I squee when Sawyer says “…you’re so good at this”. Sigh. Those moments are so good. The on page smexxy times is hot and plentiful. The friends and co-workers blend to make a very rich tapestry of main stories and side stories. There is LOTS to love about this couple and you should continue their story and read their next trilogy, Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem.
This is the same author is the Curl Up and Dye series, and has a similar style where the police work is sorta light, no huge cliffhangers or super fast car chases, but realistic, solid police work based on interviewing.
Reviewing as a series since all 3 books are on the same couple. While each book may range a 4-5, the series in the whole is a solid 5.
Royce starts out thinking that he’s not good at loving someone, but his penchant for honesty and talking things out, lead to some super sweet tender moments. I squee when Sawyer says “…you’re so good at this”. Sigh. Those moments are so good. The on page smexxy times is hot and plentiful. The friends and co-workers blend to make a very rich tapestry of main stories and side stories. There is LOTS to love about this couple and you should continue their story and read their next trilogy, Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem.
This is the same author is the Curl Up and Dye series, and has a similar style where the police work is sorta light, no huge cliffhangers or super fast car chases, but realistic, solid police work based on interviewing.
Reviewing as a series since all 3 books are on the same couple. While each book may range a 4-5, the series in the whole is a solid 5.
May 16, 2024
I hoped the story would get better in the last installment, but the convoluted plot made me delete one star. I felt sorry the romance took a back seat as the investigations unfolded. The narration was excellent.
February 18, 2022
Outstanding series, fantastic characters
This is my first time reading a trilogy compilation on Kindle and I’m absolutely sold on the format. It especially suits me as someone who loves to binge read a series.
The trilogy , which consists of Ground Zero, Devil’s Hour, and Zero Divergence , is well suited for this format in that the stories flow almost seamlessly, one into another. Had it not been for the title and brief description inserted between the books, it would read like one huge novel. A fantastic one at that.
I’m not going to rate individual stories. One doesn’t excel or deserve a lesser rating than another. They are all exceptional.
The trilogy tracks the relationship, both professionally and personally, of Detectives Sawyer Key and Royce Locke, starting from the moment Sawyer Key joins the MCU of the Savannah PD and becomes the unwanted partner of Royce Locke.
Locke, is still grieving the loss of
a partner who was his best friend , and who committed suicide. A tragedy that’s still having major ramifications for Locke and his partner’s family.
They meet on the crime scene of a sensational murder with little time to adjust to the new situation or each other.
Walker immediately gives us an intense situation and two incredibly complicated men. And let’s the sparks fly. For three books.
Each man has a realness to him. Sawyer is a widower who is still coming to terms with the loss of a beloved husband to cancer. His grief is visceral. And yet very private. It works so well to pair him with Royce who has not come to terms with his grief and confusion over the death of his friend and partner. That issue will take him three books to work through.
Neither man stands alone. They are surrounded by incredible family members, dynamic characters from their precinct, and people we will come to know and love even more dearly in the series Sinister in Savannah.
Here we see Royce and Sawyer meet and introduce Rocky, Jonah, and Felix to each other. We meet Kendall Blakemore for the first time as well as Avery and see how he was pulled into Jonah’s orbit. Even the Marshals make their appearances here. This trilogy is our roadmap to all the series and single stories that come afterwards.
But the best and heart of the books is the growing relationship between Sawyer and Royce. The developing feelings, the situation about their relationship on the job, Royce’s closeted status, so much that evolves over the course of three complex cases and engrossing storylines.
Walker’s got the police procedural down, the hard work, the questions and paperwork. The long hours and the excitement when it looks like it might pay off. The author had me on the edge so many times here , the suspense was overwhelming!
However the joy of reading all the books right through is that you get your payoffs . You see the characters evolve, the relationship grow and deepen. And then become utterly gratified when at the end, you’re as happy as they are when the author writes The End.
Plus you have the added satisfaction of knowing there’s a second trilogy called Matrimony to come.
Be still my heart.
Are you a binge reader like me? Or just like to have all your books ready to go? This is a must have, must read! I’m definitely recommending this trilogy! And the author if you haven’t found her already!
This is my first time reading a trilogy compilation on Kindle and I’m absolutely sold on the format. It especially suits me as someone who loves to binge read a series.
The trilogy , which consists of Ground Zero, Devil’s Hour, and Zero Divergence , is well suited for this format in that the stories flow almost seamlessly, one into another. Had it not been for the title and brief description inserted between the books, it would read like one huge novel. A fantastic one at that.
I’m not going to rate individual stories. One doesn’t excel or deserve a lesser rating than another. They are all exceptional.
The trilogy tracks the relationship, both professionally and personally, of Detectives Sawyer Key and Royce Locke, starting from the moment Sawyer Key joins the MCU of the Savannah PD and becomes the unwanted partner of Royce Locke.
Locke, is still grieving the loss of
a partner who was his best friend , and who committed suicide. A tragedy that’s still having major ramifications for Locke and his partner’s family.
They meet on the crime scene of a sensational murder with little time to adjust to the new situation or each other.
Walker immediately gives us an intense situation and two incredibly complicated men. And let’s the sparks fly. For three books.
Each man has a realness to him. Sawyer is a widower who is still coming to terms with the loss of a beloved husband to cancer. His grief is visceral. And yet very private. It works so well to pair him with Royce who has not come to terms with his grief and confusion over the death of his friend and partner. That issue will take him three books to work through.
Neither man stands alone. They are surrounded by incredible family members, dynamic characters from their precinct, and people we will come to know and love even more dearly in the series Sinister in Savannah.
Here we see Royce and Sawyer meet and introduce Rocky, Jonah, and Felix to each other. We meet Kendall Blakemore for the first time as well as Avery and see how he was pulled into Jonah’s orbit. Even the Marshals make their appearances here. This trilogy is our roadmap to all the series and single stories that come afterwards.
But the best and heart of the books is the growing relationship between Sawyer and Royce. The developing feelings, the situation about their relationship on the job, Royce’s closeted status, so much that evolves over the course of three complex cases and engrossing storylines.
Walker’s got the police procedural down, the hard work, the questions and paperwork. The long hours and the excitement when it looks like it might pay off. The author had me on the edge so many times here , the suspense was overwhelming!
However the joy of reading all the books right through is that you get your payoffs . You see the characters evolve, the relationship grow and deepen. And then become utterly gratified when at the end, you’re as happy as they are when the author writes The End.
Plus you have the added satisfaction of knowing there’s a second trilogy called Matrimony to come.
Be still my heart.
Are you a binge reader like me? Or just like to have all your books ready to go? This is a must have, must read! I’m definitely recommending this trilogy! And the author if you haven’t found her already!
September 29, 2022
WOW!!!!
This was my very first adventure with this author and I was BLOWN away! The two main characters were instantly likeable and the chemistry between them was delish. The storyline’s were also fabulous and maintained the suspense of the story, flowing beautifully with the ebbs and flows of the MC’s storyline’s. Often books of this genre nail one component better than the other: sizzling storyline or sizzling sexy times.. this series did BOTH!!! Add a dash of humour and a fabulous cast of side characters, and I was sold. Have already filled my Kindle library with other novels by this author and can’t wait to become engrossed all over again. Loved it!!!
This was my very first adventure with this author and I was BLOWN away! The two main characters were instantly likeable and the chemistry between them was delish. The storyline’s were also fabulous and maintained the suspense of the story, flowing beautifully with the ebbs and flows of the MC’s storyline’s. Often books of this genre nail one component better than the other: sizzling storyline or sizzling sexy times.. this series did BOTH!!! Add a dash of humour and a fabulous cast of side characters, and I was sold. Have already filled my Kindle library with other novels by this author and can’t wait to become engrossed all over again. Loved it!!!
January 18, 2022
Love Locke & Key
Love the chemistry between the main leads and the crimes they solve are entertaining as well. Really happy I stumbled across this trilogy. On to the next set now.. the Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem series...
Love the chemistry between the main leads and the crimes they solve are entertaining as well. Really happy I stumbled across this trilogy. On to the next set now.. the Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem series...
June 29, 2022
Great story! Great Mystery and lovable and adorable characters!
I thoroughly like this book series and recomend it to all! Was fun , upbeat and plenty of plot twist to keep you reading
I thoroughly like this book series and recomend it to all! Was fun , upbeat and plenty of plot twist to keep you reading
January 29, 2022
Zero Hour Trilogy
I love this trilogy and wanted to do a reread before the new one is released in February. This a great combination of mystery and romance.
I love this trilogy and wanted to do a reread before the new one is released in February. This a great combination of mystery and romance.
May 15, 2023
Sawyer and Locke are goals
October 9, 2022
Awesome!!
I loved Royce and Sawyer from the first book! Each book, I found myself loving them even more! Can't wait to see what they get into next! Whew, what a ride!!😊
I loved Royce and Sawyer from the first book! Each book, I found myself loving them even more! Can't wait to see what they get into next! Whew, what a ride!!😊
November 20, 2022
5 stars
Fantastic romantic suspense series! It gives you love, laughter and lots of twists. I'm hooked! I hung on every word. I want more!
Fantastic romantic suspense series! It gives you love, laughter and lots of twists. I'm hooked! I hung on every word. I want more!
Read
June 25, 2023Dnf. I don't think this author is for me. The writing is just a little too basic and cliche.
August 28, 2024
This was my favorite series by ANW so far. Several other titles branch out from this series, but Royce and Sawyer are my favorite couple from all of the Savannah related books. Royce and Sawyer have the type of personalities that make an interesting dynamic.
The author has a tendency to keep the reader distanced from the characters so the romance feels more like mutual lust generated by close proximity rather than two people getting to know one another. I enjoyed the handfull of tender moments that did happen. The bedroom/shower scenes were not to my liking. The language describing the scenes was a bit too crude for my taste.
The plots had some interesting moments. I appreciated the mysteries. I was skeptical of some of the details involving police procedures.
I enjoy listening to Tristan James' voice. His narration was performed well with the exception of a few awkward pauses and pronunciations that I notice because i am very familiar with the author's writing style, and the narrators quirks.
Overall, this was an entertaining read/listen. If you are looking for a police detective romance with some twisting mysteries, this will be an interesting read/listen.
The author has a tendency to keep the reader distanced from the characters so the romance feels more like mutual lust generated by close proximity rather than two people getting to know one another. I enjoyed the handfull of tender moments that did happen. The bedroom/shower scenes were not to my liking. The language describing the scenes was a bit too crude for my taste.
The plots had some interesting moments. I appreciated the mysteries. I was skeptical of some of the details involving police procedures.
I enjoy listening to Tristan James' voice. His narration was performed well with the exception of a few awkward pauses and pronunciations that I notice because i am very familiar with the author's writing style, and the narrators quirks.
Overall, this was an entertaining read/listen. If you are looking for a police detective romance with some twisting mysteries, this will be an interesting read/listen.
July 27, 2023
First of all, Lio is in this book - he hardly features, but his being here makes "Just say when" easier to understand. The author should've done a better premise on that book, letting new readers know it's part of a series.
Okay, so, as a newbie to M/M romance - I've gotten over the level of corn spice -BUT, is it normal in m/m relationships to speak with such crass about their sexual desires for each other? It's so yucky to read how Sawyer and Locke describe each other's desires when they're talking. Is this because I am a girl? It's so bizarre to me that one would speak to their partner and refer to their intimacy as "releasing a load", etc. - I can't get more into it because it won't be appropriate. I found it so distasteful in an otherwise cute romance story.
Nothing more to say on the book. The investigations make it seem like there is a plot of some sort - there really isn't. It's essentially hot-looking men lusting after each other, adoring each other, and working their insecurities out while falling increasingly in love.
Okay, so, as a newbie to M/M romance - I've gotten over the level of corn spice -BUT, is it normal in m/m relationships to speak with such crass about their sexual desires for each other? It's so yucky to read how Sawyer and Locke describe each other's desires when they're talking. Is this because I am a girl? It's so bizarre to me that one would speak to their partner and refer to their intimacy as "releasing a load", etc. - I can't get more into it because it won't be appropriate. I found it so distasteful in an otherwise cute romance story.
Nothing more to say on the book. The investigations make it seem like there is a plot of some sort - there really isn't. It's essentially hot-looking men lusting after each other, adoring each other, and working their insecurities out while falling increasingly in love.
August 29, 2024
After a hostile reception from his new partner, DS Royce Locke, Det Sawyer Key settles into life in the Major Crimes Unit at the Savannah PD. As the men tackle murderers, serial killers, blackmailers, and arsonists, they also grow closer romantically and physically.
This police procedural / romance trilogy got better with each book: the cases got more complex and gripping, and Locke & Key’s relationship moved from instalove to a more established falling out and making up dynamic as they cherished each other more and more. I also liked the longer subplot arcs that stretched over the series, especially the police mole and Locke’s best friend’s suicide—they made this trilogy a richer experience. This is Hazard & Somerset lite, there’s some relationship angst and job-related danger, but it’s much less traumatic. Overall, this is a very enjoyable series! 🎧 I’ve spent many, many hours with US voice actor Tristan James and he’s definitely at his best in police procedural romances like these (the series book bundle is currently free on the Audible Plus catalogue).
This police procedural / romance trilogy got better with each book: the cases got more complex and gripping, and Locke & Key’s relationship moved from instalove to a more established falling out and making up dynamic as they cherished each other more and more. I also liked the longer subplot arcs that stretched over the series, especially the police mole and Locke’s best friend’s suicide—they made this trilogy a richer experience. This is Hazard & Somerset lite, there’s some relationship angst and job-related danger, but it’s much less traumatic. Overall, this is a very enjoyable series! 🎧 I’ve spent many, many hours with US voice actor Tristan James and he’s definitely at his best in police procedural romances like these (the series book bundle is currently free on the Audible Plus catalogue).
April 22, 2025
I listened to the entire trilogy in one go and it worked really well. The story grabbed me straight away, the dynamic between the two main characters was just delicious - both totally stubborn at the beginning, but that's what makes it so entertaining. And yes, of course everything comes together nicely in the end.
What I found particularly good: The narrative perspective changes with each part. The first book is told entirely from Sawyer's POV, in the second Royce narrates, and in the third they share the narration. This fits in really well with the overall plot and adds real depth.
The plot itself was also really well structured - not just one case or one big storyline, but several smaller cases that are sometimes connected and sometimes not. This showed really well that not everything always leads to one point, but that sometimes things are worked on in parallel or some things simply take longer. It felt totally realistic and I really liked it.
And yes - the romance. Exactly my thing! Emotional, likeable and with a lot of heart.
May 21, 2022
Releí los libros por que quiero leer la nueva trilogía que salio de ellos y no me acordaba mucho como terminaba la serie. Debería leer también los spin off pero no soy fan de los personajes después de haber leído el primero.
Amo estos libros con una pasión que no tiene mucho sentido. Locke y Key son tan hermosos y amo su relación mucho, amo cuanto confían y se aman el uno al otro. La historia en si no es muy original y en el transcurso de los tres libros se va repitiendo un poco todo, pero los personajes valen la pena.
Me descargue este formato para no tener que bajarme los tres por separado pero recién caigo que no van a contar para mi challenge acá...
Amo estos libros con una pasión que no tiene mucho sentido. Locke y Key son tan hermosos y amo su relación mucho, amo cuanto confían y se aman el uno al otro. La historia en si no es muy original y en el transcurso de los tres libros se va repitiendo un poco todo, pero los personajes valen la pena.
Me descargue este formato para no tener que bajarme los tres por separado pero recién caigo que no van a contar para mi challenge acá...
November 28, 2025
Wunderbar!
In the world of MM romance, this trilogy is a winner. It has a strong mystery, great leads, humour, family, multiple interesting characters, tension, sex and a cliffhanger ending. Our heroes clash then bond. They are attractive and different enough to send out sparks which burst into almost immediate flame. One has a wealthy harmonious family, the other a collection of misfits, including a father who hates gays and a brother who is heavily into drugs. So I would say, get this and know that you have the pleasure of about a 1000 pages ahead of you to enjoy. And, the cover matches the story beautifully.
In the world of MM romance, this trilogy is a winner. It has a strong mystery, great leads, humour, family, multiple interesting characters, tension, sex and a cliffhanger ending. Our heroes clash then bond. They are attractive and different enough to send out sparks which burst into almost immediate flame. One has a wealthy harmonious family, the other a collection of misfits, including a father who hates gays and a brother who is heavily into drugs. So I would say, get this and know that you have the pleasure of about a 1000 pages ahead of you to enjoy. And, the cover matches the story beautifully.
July 11, 2022
A good series. I wasn't as sure how much I liked the series but by the end I really enjoyed it. It was very sweet. I thought the two men could really relate to each other in the circumstances. At least once Royce got over his intimacy issues. I honestly didn't think everything involved with Marcus would turn out like it did. The ending was perfect though. Royce is a totally different person and Sawyer has let his grief go and come to grips with Vic being gone. Now both men are embracing the future.
April 21, 2022
This was a great series to binge. Two detectives who are partners on and off the job. Crimes, mysteries, thrillers. Heartache and heartbreak, but with a satisfying HEA ending.
This series reminded me a lot of Mary Calmes Marshals series so if you liked Zero Hour Trilogy you'll probably enjoy that series too.
4 stars.
This series reminded me a lot of Mary Calmes Marshals series so if you liked Zero Hour Trilogy you'll probably enjoy that series too.
4 stars.
September 12, 2025
💜💜💜💜💜
This is a modern mystery series with romance, involving Sawyer Key and Royce Locke who are made to be partners. There is something simmering under their collars as the detectives try to break through one case after another! This has a HFN ending and is completely worth the time to read but also listen!
Read “Sinister in Savannah” next before hitting the next trio of books, “ Matrimony, and Mayhem” series!
This is a modern mystery series with romance, involving Sawyer Key and Royce Locke who are made to be partners. There is something simmering under their collars as the detectives try to break through one case after another! This has a HFN ending and is completely worth the time to read but also listen!
Read “Sinister in Savannah” next before hitting the next trio of books, “ Matrimony, and Mayhem” series!
July 2, 2023
When you get a book or series that worth the read or reread!
Detective Locke is building walls because he is not rising his heart. New partner Detective Key is just the sunshine to crumble the walls. Each book has a case to solve but together the series solves "the case". The partnership on the force closes cases, off the force is better then fairy tales. MM Romance
Detective Locke is building walls because he is not rising his heart. New partner Detective Key is just the sunshine to crumble the walls. Each book has a case to solve but together the series solves "the case". The partnership on the force closes cases, off the force is better then fairy tales. MM Romance
April 11, 2022
First one is the best.
These are nice easy reads. The first one I liked best. The second one has one of the MC hurt so I smoked through that portion. The third book improved by the end.
These are nice easy reads. The first one I liked best. The second one has one of the MC hurt so I smoked through that portion. The third book improved by the end.
April 21, 2022
Good read!
“These days, he was all about happily ever after.”
I loved both Royce and Sawyer and what a fantastic trilogy this turned out to be.
“These days, he was all about happily ever after.”
I loved both Royce and Sawyer and what a fantastic trilogy this turned out to be.
March 20, 2023
Enjoyable mystery boxset with likable characters, narration is good too.
June 20, 2024
Love the story, audiobook was well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews