Virtual Book Tour: Tested in Fire by E.J. Russell (Review + Giveaway)

About Tested in Fire

Six months ago, Stefan Cobbe was at rock bottom: grief-stricken, guilt ridden, debt laden, artistically blocked, and living on charity in an isolated mountain cabin. But after reconciling with his first love, Luke, and moving to Sarasota with him, Stefan is preparing for his first major show. Yes, he still has debts, and no, Luke doesn’t understand Stefan’s desire for independence. But compared to last year? No contest.

Luke Morganstern ought to be happy. After all, his art-investigation business has recovered and he’s got his boyfriend back. But Stefan stubbornly refuses to move in with him or accept Luke’s financial help, and it’s really starting to bug him. Who knew that the biggest test of their relationship wouldn’t be time or distance, but his own insecurities? After Luke’s next job—a trip to Italy to retrieve a mysterious artifact—he plans to convince Stefan that it’s time to totally commit.

But when Luke returns, he changes, and Stefan begins to suspect that the person in Luke’s skin isn’t Luke at all. He can hardly go to the police and claim his lover is the victim of a supernatural hijacking though. He needs alternative help to find Luke and get him back, because he refuses to let anyone—or anything—come between them again.

Amazon 

4 Stars!!!

Tested in Fire is book 2 in the Art Medium Series by E.J. Russell and it needs to be read in order to be better appreciated. 

In this installment, Luke and Stefan are living in Sarasota, Stefan is preparing for his first show, Luke's art investigation firm is doing great and even if Stefan isn't ready to move in with Luke yet, their relationship is working... somewhat.

After Luke returns from a 5-week long business trip to Italy, though, things start to change and soon Stefan realizes the man in Luke's body isn't Luke and he'll need help to get him back.

This book was so much better than book 1 for me, I really like Stefan and it was nice seeing him doing so well, even if he was being a tad stubborn about moving in with Luke. And Luke wasn't as annoying as in the first book, although, he was still a bit so at the beginning. *slaps Luke* Still, it was really great to see how this experience made them both realize what they have and what is really important. I'm not sure if there are more books after this one, but I really wouldn't mind reading more about them and see how different their dynamic will be after this second hijacking. 

I loved Rudy and really, I wouldn't mind reading a whole book just with him. He was fabulous! And I liked Peg and Hootie, they were too much fun and helped move the plot along.

The only reason why I didn't give this book a higher rating was because of how the whole Di Bartolo-Antoinette arc was handled. While Jacques' ending was somewhat fitting, I feel like Antoinette got off too easy. I get that she wasn't fully evil, but she wasn't completely good, either.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was very entertaining and fast-paced and I have no trouble recommending it. 

*** Copy provided to the reviewer via NetGalley for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

About the Art Medium Series

Artists use all manner of materials to express their vision, to interpret the world around them, to affect the hearts and minds of their audience.

But what if the artist himself were the medium? And what if artistic inspiration weren’t the only force at work?

If painter Stefan Cobbe and art investigator Luke Morganstern don’t answer those questions fast, they stand to lose their reputations, their relationship—and their lives.

About E.J. Russell

E.J. Russell holds a BA and an MFA in theater, so naturally she’s spent the last three decades as a financial manager, database designer, and business-intelligence consultant. After her twin sons left for college and she no longer spent half her waking hours ferrying them to dance class, she returned to her childhood love of writing fiction. Now she wonders why she ever thought an empty nest meant leisure.

E.J. lives in rural Oregon with her curmudgeonly husband, the only man on the planet who cares less about sports than she does. She enjoys visits from her wonderful adult children, and indulges in good books, red wine, and the occasional hyperbole.

Connect with E.J.:

Website: ejrussell.com

Blog: ejrussell.com/bloggery/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/E.J.Russell.author

Twitter: twitter.com/ej_russell

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ejrussell/

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of both books in the Art Medium series, E.J. is giving away a $25 Amazon credit and an ebook copy of both titles in the Legend Tripping series! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Contest closes at midnight, Eastern time, on April 7, 2017 and is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Don’t forget to leave your contact info!