A long time ago—okay, really not that long ago—a couple of years at the most, I wrote a book. Slapped a title on it—Dirty Kiss—and sent it off to Dreamspinner Press in the hopes of someone there maybe liking it.
And they did.
And they bought it.
And I squeed.
No, really. I squeed because damn it, I wanted to toss Cole and Jae out there to the shark-infested waters to see how they would do. *grins*. They swam and I’m pretty sure Cole punched a shark in the nose. Hit fast-forward and I’m looking at a Spring 2014 release for their fourth book, but oh, there is always the start of the journey that has such fond memories.
There were several things I wanted to accomplish with the series. One, to get it out of my head and two, to write about two men from different cultures who meet and fall into a relationship. I wanted to explore the personal trials each of them have to endure because they are gay — from an American and a traditional Korean viewpoint.
Most of all, I wanted the reader to have fun. And maybe throw the book at my head, but that kind of thing is going to just happen. *grins*
To celebrate my first novel with Dreamspinner Press, I am offering a giveaway of ALL THREE of the Dirty series books AND a Dirty Kiss short sleeve t-shirt from my CafePress store. Black, white or any of the variety of colours it comes in… including camo. I’m not sure why you’d want it in camo but hey, someone might. Just leave a comment under the excerpt and you’ll be entered!
Contest Ends Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 11:59pm Pacific time. One winner will be chosen by a random number generator on Sunday, the 24th, and notified via email for prize delivery. International entries welcome!
Good luck!
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Cole Kenjiro McGinnis, ex-cop and PI, is trying to get over the shooting death of his lover when a supposedly routine investigation lands in his lap. Investigating the apparent suicide of a prominent Korean businessman’s son proves to be anything but ordinary, especially when it introduces Cole to the dead man’s handsome cousin, Kim Jae-Min.
Jae-Min’s cousin had a dirty little secret, the kind that Cole has been familiar with all his life and that Jae-Min is still hiding from his family. The investigation leads Cole from tasteful mansions to seedy lover’s trysts to Dirty Kiss, the place where the rich and discreet go to indulge in desires their traditional-minded families would rather know nothing about.
It also leads Cole McGinnis into Jae-Min’s arms, and that could be a problem. Jae-Min’s cousin’s death is looking less and less like a suicide, and Jae-Min is looking more and more like a target. Cole has already lost one lover to violence—he’s not about to lose Jae-Min too.
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And now, an excerpt from Dirty Kiss:
Dabbing a new gauze with alcohol, he returned to abrading my skin. “With Hyun-Shik gone, she doesn’t have to bring Will around to the Auntie or Uncle unless they do what she wants. They’re worried that he’s not going to be Korean enough.”
“Not Korean enough?” I cocked my head back to look at him, curious about what he was talking about. “What do you mean? How can he get less Korean?”
“Like you,” Jae said, as merciless as he was about scrubbing my face clean. “You’re Japanese but not Japanese. You don’t know even the simplest things about being Asian. There’s no connection to your mother’s family or blood, is there? They’re dead to you.”
“Hold up,” I protested, grabbing at his wrists and pulling his hands away from my face. “Just because I wasn’t raised by my mother doesn’t mean her family’s dead. They’re still in Japan being as Japanese as they want.”
“They might as well be dead.” He shrugged, the white shirt catching on the rise of his chest. Jae’s nipples poked ridges into the fabric, momentarily distracting me from what he was saying. “It’s not a bad thing, for you. For Will, his family is right here. Koreans live for their children and their grandchildren. It’s what makes the family go on. Having Will was the only reason Hyun-Shik got married; not because he loved Victoria, but because he had to provide family to live on.”
“So he decided he wasn’t gay anymore because he needed a kid?”
“He wasn’t going to stop loving men but couldn’t afford to be that person anymore.” Jae didn’t struggle out of my hold, settling his knees on either side of my legs. “It was time for Hyun-Shik to grow up and have a family. If he was smart, he would have married a Korean girl, but Vicki was good for Uncle’s business. She came with a lot of connections.”
“You couldn’t have told me this before I headed over there?” I let go of one of his arms, holding the other loosely. Putting the bloodied bandage down on a torn wrapper, he shook his head at me.
“Hyun-Shik put that behind him,” he murmured, dropping his eyes. “Hyun-Shik’s son has to be… sheltered from who his father was. It’s better that way.”
I wasn’t sure if the shyness was real, but the contrite glance he gave me from under his lashes did me in. Victoria had nothing on seduction, compared to Jae-Min. If it was artificial, then he was damned practiced at it.
My hands were in his hair before I even thought about wanting to touch him more. Scraping back the black strands, I paused when I saw the small plaster bandage on his temple. Jae’s eyes widened, and he gasped, unsure of what I was going to do. I had to admit, I wasn’t certain myself, but in the middle of trying to figure out if his cousin had killed himself or if he’d had help, I’d tossed aside my feelings for Rick and was falling for a lying, sleek Korean man. Guilt ate at me, worms of censure working through my thoughts as my thumbs ran over Jae’s cheekbones, bringing a blush to the surface of his pale skin.
“Don’t,” he pleaded. There wasn’t much conviction in his voice. It sounded more like a please than a stop. “You don’t want this.”
“Want this or want you?” There’d been other men who’d caught my interest, but none had really made me lust before. Not like this. I needed to push Jae down and make him scream my name. I wanted his hands on my back and to feel him around me. “No one’s made me need them more since Rick.”
Please count me. Thanks for the excerpt and the chance to win!
I absolutely love this series :) And fantastic giveaway :)
Sounds like a great series! Thanks for the giveaway and the excerpt.
jen.f {at} mac {dot} com
Adding this to my to-be-read pile. Just finished the 2 Sinner’s Gin books and loved them.
Dmdkindle at gmail dot com
I love this series and the way you develop the relationship
I love, love, love these boys, and am nearly giddy with anticipation to “meet” them again! Please count me in for the draw!
This sounds wonderful. I would love to win this!!!!
Loved this series. Before I finished each book, I just had to order the next one. Count me in and I’ll be able to get someone else hooked. :-)
I’m so excited!!!! Literally counting down the days until March.
Reblogged this on Zanya Dawn Fritjof and commented:
Favorite author/idol/beloved friend doing give away? Uh heck yea!
Thanks for the chance!! I would love to win this!!
Oh, fantastic! Such an addictive series…
Woot! I am so loving Cole and Jae… I can’t wait until Dirty Deeds hits the store. Thank you Rhys… Throwin a party here. Thanks again for the opportunity.
Awesome books! Fabulous give away! Still jealous that you get to see Hyde next month. :/
I would love to win this! I am such a fan!
Loved Sinner’s Gin and Wiskey and Wry so I would love to have a go at the Dirty series :) thanks for the chance.
I’m so glad the series is continuing. I love Cole and Jae. I credit Jae Min with the start of my raging addiction to K-Drama.
I like that T-shirt! And I love the series – seriously jonesing for more Cole and Jae.
I’ve read several of your other books, but I haven’t tried this series yet. sighs So many books, so few eBook dollars, lol! Thanks for the contest and congrats on book 4! Series are so hard to keep going, while making the plots fresh, so that takes a lot of effort!
Love this series! I can’t wait for the next one!!
oohh oohh meeeeee
Me, me, me!! I love this series!
Oh hey I want this~
I’m adding this to my TBR list! Great excerpt!
So excited for a fourth book. I love these boys!
Awesome tee! LOL
I love your books, I read the 2 Sinner’s Gin books then had to get Dirty Kiss and really need to read the rest. I would love a chance to win this.
Count me in please!
This is a fantastic series Rhys. Love it. <3 I have all the ebooks, but I would love to win the t-shirt. Can you count me in for that?
I want to join in! Me to! I participate, yes? Yes, yess, I shall =) This is good =D
I would so love to win the books :)
I love the DK series, I am keeping track of the body count :-D. Count me in.
I have heard a lot about this series. It is currently on my wish list. Count me in!
Thanks for the excerpt and congratulations on the book! I can definitely relate to some of the issues Jae speaks about. Can’t wait to read more!
Yay, what a great prize! Please count me in. :)
I would love a chance to win these wonderful books. Please count me in!! Thank you =)
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
I loved the series! Love M/M novels and your blog is amazing! This excerpt made me want more and more! Can’t wait too read it!
I would LOVE to have a chance of winning all three books :D kekekeke. Been a fan of Rhys since AGESSS ago >< hehe. Please count me in!!
mochacaramellatte AT gmail DOT come
Yes please! I was so excited to see something with Korean culture in it. Added a nice complication to Cole and Jae. squeal
Both the excerpt and the book blurb got may attention. Please include me in the giveaway, but know that these will be on my purchase list if I don’t win. Thanks for the opportunity.
I just adore this series!! And everything else you’ve published. :D
Please count me in! :-)
I have all the books, but who wouldn’t love, love, LOVE, that t-shirt! It’s so squee-tastics I could squee my pants!
How have I missed this series? It looks so interesting and the T-Shirt is great. Throwing my name in the hat for this one, with thanks for being so generous.
I LOVEEEEE this series! Please count me in :)
I would wear your tee with pride. Love me some Rhys Ford!!
I’d love to have a physical copy since I’ve just got the ebook. I love this series so much ^^
I already own these so I’ve been trying not to enter but the lovely Rhys Ford keeps posting on FB about this and so I finally gave in. I have to admit physical copies would be lovely! Thank you for the givewaway!
Ohhhh!!! Count me in, please!
Please count me in. Thanks!
What a wonderful series, please count me in too.
Sounds great…count me in!
Thank you
Please count me in. I would love to read these books :)
Love your books. Please count me in for this giveaway! Thanks
Oohhhhh…this sounds so good, Rhys! Thanks for the excerpt & the chance to win goodies!!! ♥♥♥
Susie
I’d like your books and a t shirt. Thanks!
I hope I get those books, or I’ll just have to buy them. Soon.
Ready for the next one now! Count me in.
Oh my god, wow, sounds sooo good
I would love to have everything. :) Count me in.
Sounds awesome count me in!
I love this series!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
This is amazing. I’ll be ecstatic if I ever win this! :)
Great giveaway… thanks for the chance to win! !
Okay, everyone, the Dirty Kiss contest has come to a close, and the winner has been selected. The lucky reader going home with the three books in the Cole McGinnis Mystery series and the Dorthi Ki Seu t-shirt is…
Tracey
Congratulations, Tracey! I’ve already emailed Rhys with your contact information, so expect to hear from her soon :)