Excerpt Only Tour: M/M ~ Black & Blühe by RJ Jones ~ (ARC Review, Excerpt + Giveaway)
Author Name: RJ Jones
Book Name: Black & Blühe
Series: Out of the Blue
Book: Two
Book can be read as a standalone, but characters from book one do make an appearance
Release Date: July 31, 2015
Publisher: Vivid Blue Press
Cover Artist: Meredith Russell
Buy The Book:
Buy Book One, Out of the Blue, At a discounted Price through the end of the blog tour!!
Blurb:
Grayson Black has never forgiven himself for not saving his identical twin brother, Jet, from a savage beating at their father’s hands ten years ago. Jet’s near-death never would have happened if Gray hadn’t been so focused on his boyfriend at the time. He has sworn to take care of his brother ever since. Gray can’t afford a distraction from his self-imposed mission, the type of distraction presented by the gorgeous blond showing up at their gigs.
Kris Larson is a firefighter with the San Francisco Fire Department. Since splitting from his girlfriend, his favorite way to spend nights off is watching the Black Brothers play in the bars of the Bay Area, especially the guitarist. But it’s not until the brothers are left homeless after a fire at their apartment building that Kris has the opportunity to know the real person behind the brooding façade.
Gray fights his attraction to Kris, but with a meddlesome twin who just wants him to be happy, it’s a losing battle. Before Gray and Kris can have a lasting relationship, though, Gray must learn to forgive himself, let go of the past, and lay more than one demon to rest.
Pages or Words: 57,000 words
Categories: Bisexual, Contemporary, Erotica, M/M Romance, Romance
Excerpt:
BLONDIE OPENED his front door and headed straight for what I assumed was his bedroom. I took in his apartment from where I stood near the front door. It looked like he lived with his grandmother.
Floral curtains hung in the window, and the mantel was loaded with lots of framed pictures. Piles of pink pillows loaded the floral-print couch, and doilies covered the back and arms. It appeared very grandmotherly. The furniture was old and worn, yet looked comfortable. Some might say well-loved. I’d say old.
Turning to Jet, I saw his expression held the same confusion as mine.
What have we stumbled into?
I have no fucking idea.
I didn’t need words to communicate with my twin. We knew what the other was thinking just by looking.
Our silent conversation was interrupted when Blondie—Kris—returned with some clothes.
“Here, I grabbed what I thought would best fit you two.”
Was this guy for real? He didn’t know us from Adam and he was giving us the full use of his apartment and his closet?
I was instantly distrustful and skeptical. Surely people like him didn’t exist in real life. Add that to the creepy grandma apartment, and we were going wake up with our throats slit.
“Thanks, Kris, that’s generous of you,” said my way-too-trusting brother as he took the bundle from the hot blond psycho. “We’ll go out after breakfast and buy some clothes to get us through the next few days. That way you can get some sleep. We’ll get some groceries as well if that’s okay. We don’t want to mooch off you too much.” Why my brother was going along with this was anyone’s guess.
I rolled my eyes and got an elbow jabbed into my ribs.
“Gray and I really appreciate this so while we’re here, we’ll cook for you. Just let us know if there’s anything you don’t like or can’t eat.”
“Ah, man, that’s nice, thanks. I don’t know what’s left in the fridge. I’m not around much when I’m on shift, but I’d never say no to a meal.” He patted his hard, flat stomach, and I couldn’t take my gaze away from his hand as it lingered near his belt.
“I’ll give you some money for the groceries, though. I eat a lot, and you guys are already put out.”
Blondie reached behind and pulled his wallet from his back pocket, taking some bills out. He thrust them into Jet’s hand, and as my brother started to protest, Blondie held his hand up.
“You’ll need it for the groceries. Now go take a shower, both of you…” Turning his attention to me, he gave me a smile that made my blood hum. “Second door on the left, spare towels are on the shelf. I’ll get breakfast started.”
And with that parting comment, he padded into the kitchen, leaving Jet and me staring at each other. Jet grinned. “I’m in the shower first, little brother.”
Tracy's Review:
3.75 stars rounded to 4 stars
*copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by author/publisher via Pride Promotions in exchange for an honest review*
Gray and Jet Black are identical twins, that play music at clubs in their spare time. They are both full time teachers. Kris has been following them to different gigs, but has never really met them. When Kris, a firefighter responds to a fire at their apartment building, that leaves the twins homeless, he makes the impulsive decision to offer them his spare room. He is attracted to Gray, and would like to get to know him, but Gray is closed off, and even though the attraction is mutual, he is rude and mean to Kris, to push him away.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I really disliked Gray for a good portion of the book, and I felt that Kris was too much of a pushover. He was way too understanding of Gray's actions and I felt he forgave too quickly.
I liked the relationship between the twins, but I found it was TOO much. I have 21 year old twin daughters and they might love each other dearly, but even they wouldn't hug and kiss as much as Gray and Jet did. I know it was nothing sexual, but at times their relationship was too mushy.
The story at times was uninteresting and kind of boring. This was a good storyline, but it needed some more excitement. But I have to say, even though I was kind of bored at times and craved something more, I couldn't put it down. I had to see what was going to happen next, or if anything was going to happen.
A major problem with this book is at times, was things were told more than once. If you have explained to me the reader, through inner dialogue what happened, when that person tells the story to another character(s), don't rewrite the whole thing. Sum it up. I felt done stories were repeated, and I just wanted to skim ahead.
I thought the ending was nice, but it felt a bit rushed. I would have liked to have more closure in the end. The story was drawn out, and then suddenly it was over.
I would love to see Jet's book, I just hope the relationship between the twins isn't as mushy in his story.
I feel like this review is all negatives, and I'm sorry. I did enjoy the story, I just wish it had been more exciting.
About The Author:
RJ started as a reader and eventually made the progression to reviewing. It wasn't until two men popped into her thoughts, insisting on telling her their story that she started to write. It started with one scene. A hot and dirty one in the shower.
RJ's initial thought was if she could write their scene then they'd shut up and allow her to concentrate on other aspects of the day. That shower scene was 3000 words long and three hours of work. But they didn't shut up. They told her their entire story and she didn't sleep for days. Sometimes she couldn't keep up with what they were telling her and she had to keep a notebook by the bed.
Whilst RJ was writing their story a side character decided he needed his story told too. Then other characters followed suit.
You see the problem? If RJ ever wants to sleep again then she needs to write.
RJ is a wife and a mother to two boys. Even her dog is a boy.
She is surrounded by males.
RJ writes emotionally charged, character driven romances. Her guys will always get their HEA, but it will never be easy.
Where to find me
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/robyn.j.jones.1711Twitter - https://twitter.com/rjjonesauthor
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/rjjonesauthor/
Blog - http://rjjonesauthor.com
Email - rjjonesauthor@gmail.com
Tour Dates & Stops:
27-Jul
28-Jul
29-Jul
30-Jul
31-Jul
3-Aug
4-Aug
5-Aug
6-Aug
7-Aug
Rafflecopter Prize: $10 Amazon Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congratulations on the release and so looking forward to reading Black & Blühe!
ReplyDeletehi RJ and congrats
ReplyDelete