Former Atlanta homicide detective “Tick” Kelly turned his back on the world the day his wife and children were murdered. Abandoning the city life and his career, he now lives in a beach house on Mango Key, Florida.  After drowing his grief in Jack Daniels, he finally manages to sobered up to become a bestselling author.  However, Tick would gladly stay a recluse forever, that is, if his brother Peter will let him. 

After years of sacrificing her personal life in favor of her DEA job, specialist Kate Rush has resigned from her job and moved back to her native Miami.  When an unofficial assignment  comes her way, it is to much for her to resist and she has to investigate it. She and a fellow ex-DEA agent relocate to Mango Key to keep their eyes on a mysterious fortress that is believed to house part of a human trafficking ring.  At first they think Tick and his brother are involved, but evidence soon points elsewhere.  She finds herself being drawn to Tick, falling hard and fast for him. Tick is also equally fascinated with Kate's courage and kindness.  When they team up, can Tick risk his heart again, not to mention find the bad guys before it is too late?

Fern Michaels has written a crime drama with a sprinkle of romance in Southern Comfort.  When we first meet him, Tick has literally stopped living. He has lost everything dear to him and has hit rock bottom.  Finally pulling himself out of the depths of despair, he just wants to be left alone. The very last thing he wants to do is risk his heart again. But then he meets Kate, a woman who has worked hard all her life. She has come to a point where she sees she needs more in her life than work. But her job just keeps pulling her back in, though this time it just might lead her to love.

The drama and suspense of this story kept me glued to the pages to the very end.  The romance made me cheer for Tick; he so deserved to have his second chance at love, and I am glad he got it. I think anyone who likes a little suspense and drama and a happy ending will love Southern Comfort as much as I did.