Suspicion greeted me. It was heartfelt. Nearly palatable in its intensity. Probably because I’d just spoken to the Sinner’s Gin singer a month ago, and he more than likely hadn’t expected me to crop back up so soon.
Personally, I looked upon the interview as revenge for being nibbled on by an irate mallard.
A coffee shop was our chosen dueling field, a recently renovated San Francisco landmark called Marshall’s Amp. Done in a faux Sixties feel with honey oak accents, the place was a riot of soft pinks, lime greens and murmuring conversation.
Oddly enough, Miki St. John seemed quite comfortable here, nursing an enormous bowl of steaming coffee while slouched in a carnation hued swingback loveseat. The glass table in front of him was littered with staff line paper dotted with scatters of black ink confetti and sweeps. A dog-eared notebook lay open on the table, its blue moleskin cover worn nearly to nubby curls on its corners.
The suspicion in the singer’s hooded greenish eyes turned to resignation, and he sighed as I sat down. “Didn’t we just do this?”
“Price you pay for being in the public eye,” I remarked. There might have been a faint tinge of sarcasm in my voice, but I wouldn’t swear to it. I’m sure Miki had other thoughts. “This is quick. Only a few questions.”
“Shit. Fine.” Another heaving sigh and he settled back, sipping at his java bucket as if it were a dram of strong whisky and he was settling in for a long winter. “Shoot, but it’s got to be fast. I’m kind of in the middle of something.”
“Very quick,” I promised. “Mostly it has to do with holidays.”
“Oh God, Valentine’s Day.” He looked as tortured as he probably felt, scratching his temple and shaking his head.
“One of them. Tell me about your Valentine’s Day with Kane.”
“Nothing to tell.” Miki shrugged, tossing his hair back from his face. “I got him some stuff and he got me some stuff. Holidays suck. They’re like little mines set along the year, and I’m never sure if they’re supposed to have presents or what.
“Like Easter. I’m supposed to get Kane a chocolate rabbit or what? And why are we dyeing the fucking eggs? None of us have kids. Not like we’re going to be hiding the damned things, but there we were, smelling like vinegar and crayons on a Saturday night. And you know what’s screwed up? If the egg’s cracked and you don’t see it, you end up with this funky gay pride egg salad because there’s nothing else to do with the fucking things when you’re done all playing dunk the undone chicken.”
I couldn’t follow up any of that so I pressed forward about Valentine’s. “Did you have a good time? Did Kane like his present?”
“Um, yeah,” he grunted, sliding me a look. “Apparently it’s a holiday where if you give a good present, you get laid. So… achievement unlocked.”
“What about you?”
“Did I get laid?” Miki snorted. “Dude, that’s kind of how the whole couple thing works. If there’s only one of us doing it, then it’s masturbation… or cheating. Not something Kane would live through. The cheating. Masturbation he probably could, but why would he need to do that? These questions are stupid.”
“Sometimes they can be,” I concede, trying to hide my smile. “I mean, did you like what he got you?”
“Yeah.” If there was any question about how Miki felt about his lover, it was answered in the softening of his features as he spoke about Kane Morgan. “Hell, I didn’t even think about him getting me something. He’s there. What more do I fucking need?”
A lanky handsome blond ambled out of the kitchen area, and he called out to Miki, pointing to the service counter. The singer shook his head and saluted the blond with his mostly full cup. They exchanged a silent conversation with gestures only they seemed to understand, but whatever ritualistic dance they were planning later, Miki’s attention returned to me and he grinned, jerking his head towards the blond at the counter.
“Gotta finish up. Things we’re doing. Anything else?”
“Just one thing,” I murmured. “How about if we talk about Brigid…and Mother’s Day?”
§§§§§§§§§
Blurb: The Devil’s Brew
Miki St. John’s life has been turned upside down but it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to him.
His best friend, Damien Mitchell, is back from the dead. He has a dog named Dude. And more importantly, he and his lover, SFPD Inspector Kane Morgan, now share Miki’s converted warehouse.
For the first time ever, Miki’s living a happy and normal-ish life but when Valentine’s Day rolls around, Miki realizes he knows next to nothing about being domestic or domesticated. Nothing about the traditional lover’s holiday makes sense to him but Miki wants to give Kane a Valentine’s Day the man will never forget.
Can he pull off a day of wine and roses? Or will his screwed up childhood come back and bite Miki in the ass?
Again.
Available at Dreamspinner Press
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About the Author: Rhys Ford was born and raised in Hawai’i then wandered off to see the world. After chewing through a pile of books, a lot of odd food, and a stray boyfriend or two, Rhys eventually landed in San Diego, which is a very nice place but seriously needs more rain.
Rhys admits to sharing the house with three cats of varying degrees of black fur and a ginger cairn terrorist. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and an overworked red coffee maker.
§§§§§§§§§
The Giveaway: THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED
§§§§§§§§§
Blurb: Lieutenant Connor Morgan of SFPD’s SWAT division wasn’t looking for love. Especially not in a man. His life plan didn’t include one Forest Ackerman, a brown-eyed, blond drummer who’s as sexy as he is trouble. His family depends on him to be like his father, a solid pillar of strength who’ll one day lead the Morgan clan.
No, Connor has everything worked out—a career in law enforcement, a nice house, and a family. Instead, he finds a murdered man while on a drug raid and loses his heart comforting the man’s adopted son. It wasn’t like he’d never thought about men — it’s just loving one doesn’t fit into his plans.
Forest Ackerman certainly doesn’t need to be lusting after a straight cop, even if Connor Morgan is everywhere he looks, especially after Frank’s death. He’s just talked himself out of lusting for the brawny cop when his coffee shop becomes a war zone and Connor Morgan steps in to save him.
Whoever killed his father seems intent on Forest joining him in the afterlife. As the killer moves closer to achieving his goal, Forest tangles with Connor Morgan and is left wondering what he’ll lose first—his life or his heart.
OMG!!! Can’t wait to read this one! Please count me in. Thanks :)
Just finished Devil’s Brew this morning – good stuff. Can’t wait for Tequila Mockingbird! Love this series!
Fun interview. I’m excited to start Devil’s Brew today, and I would love to win Tequila Mockingbird! Thanks for the chance!
Jump up with joy, just like Tigger! Please count me in. Another book with a recipe (hopefully no Kale!) for a successful enjoyable read; a law enforcement officer trying hard to resist his attraction, a bit of a brat rock star needing rescuing; bad guys, the Morgan clan, romance…. sigh! Thank you for this giveaway Rhys, Dreamspinner & TNA :-)
Can’t wait, can’t wait!! Sinners are comin!!!! :)
Count me in! :-)
Thanks for the chance! Count me in please!
Can’t wait to read..
can’t wait to read anything by Rhys – my favorite author!
Yes please, count me in!
I’ve already finished the Devil’s Brew, and I keep having to remind myself there’s not another one for a looooooong time.
Please count me in! Sinners is one of my favorite series!
I’m in the middle of Devils Brew right now it’s Soooooo Goooood. Can’t wait for Tequila Mockingbird. Please count me in.
yoinela48@yahoo.co.uk
Please, please, please count me in! I can’t wait for Tequila Mockingbird (love the word play on the titles) Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait! Pick me, pretty please!
Yay! And I like the sly way you introduced Forest :) Loved Devil’s Brew!
Who wouldn’t want a chance to read Tequila Mockingbird early. :)
EFF YEAH TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD!!!
I’ll take anything you write … any time … any place … :D
Hahaha. Miki and Mother’s Day! He’ll surely have a nervous breakdown.
What can I say, Rhys you are wonderful. I love your style, your characters and your love of fun. Don’t ever stop x
Oh wow, please count me in! I need to reread these then curl up with Devil’s Brew…
Can’t wait, can’t wait! Please count me in!
OMG! !!!!!!!!! Rhys you’ve done it again….yes please enter me.
How exciting please count me in………….thank you
ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk
Please count me in!
Grabby hands!!!
Can’t wait!!
I was introduced to the Sinners series via audio book, and OMG I will never forget those first two stories. The combination of your writing and Tristan James’ Irish accents were explosive.
I just bought Devil’s Brew this morning and really look forward to reading it…hoping it will be on audio soon. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to Tequila Mockingbird!
I love this series (in fact I love all your books) so I would love to read the next one.
Oh Yes!Tell me there will be a story about Mikki and Brigid and Mothers Day! I’m using Debil’s Brew as incentive to get through today.
Want!!!! ;)
I fell for these guys the first time Kane met Miki. Then came everyone else. I’m re-reading “Sinners Gin” again because I get to missing these guys. Now Conner? Oh, wow, put me down for first in line, please!
Love the cute interviews. Looking forward to both books
Count me in.
Love this derides! Count me in.
Just finished reading The DEvils Brew. Awesome update from our boys. Would love to win pretty please!
Please count me in! Must start rereading in preparation for the new release!
Oh baby, count me in! Just lurve those boys!
One word for The Devil’s Brew – AWESOME! Two words for Tequila Mockingbird – GIMME GIMME! :-)
It would make my freaking year to win this. I just started listening to Sinners Gin at work today AGAIN.
I am so excited that this book is coming out!! I read the first two books and couldn’t believe how wonderful they were!!
Please include me too. Thanks!
I would love, love, love, love, love to win this!! :-)
Can’t wait…pick me!!!
I want this one so bad! Since the first time I read it! I have reread it and want to see Connor’s story.
I cannot wait for Connors story! ;)
First of all; may I just say that I love my husband but I HATE Valentine’s Day. The unrealistic expectations tied to a holiday that promotes romantic love, not the real love that carries us through the other 364 days of the year screw up more relationships than should be allowed. I haven’t read this yet, but I’m sure that Rhys will do a GREAT job getting to the heart of the matter! :D
A chance to read book three? Count me in!
I’ll be reading The Devil’s Brew soon hopefully and I can’t wait to read Tequila Mockingbird, I have want to read Connor’s story since the little teaser at the end of book 2!
Count me in for the giveaway! (:
Huge fan of this series and the Cole McGinnis series. Can Not Wait for Tequila Mockingbird – really love the Morgan clan and looking forward to Connor’s book.
lgrant1@san.rr.com
Would love to win a copy. Rhy’s is one of my favorite writers. Always grips me in and you can’t help but fall in love with the characters.
Please add me to the list. I would love to read this early.
Such a fun author, I’d love to win a cop!. Not only is Rhys a talented author, but maintains a charming online presence for her fans (THANK YOU)!
Personally I am of the opinion that chocolate bunnies are required at Easter…even if you have to buy them yourself. nothing quite so satisfying as snapping off a pair of bunny ears and letting them dissolve in your mouth.
..and wow, that sounds really disturbing out of context.
Me! Me! Me!
Looking forward to giving this a read.
OMG I totally would love to win this. I love this series
Please count me in! I absolutely love this series!
sounds wonderful, I’d so love “to read it before anyone else” :)
Thanks for the giveaway! :-)
Miki and Mother’s Day and Brigid? That was cruel of the interviews, very cruel. :D ;) Love this series!
Devil’s Brew was hilarious! It was also sweet and hot! Loved it and I cant wait for Tequila Mockingbird!
CatteibrieATyahooDOTcom
Now let’s talk about Mothers Day… Lol. Fabulous. I LOVED the set up for Connor’s romance at the end of book two and have been trying to be patient with the publishing process. ;). I would be more than happy to read it early.
Your character interviews kill me every time. Loved this.
Please pick me!
I love this series! Can’t wait!
Can’t wait for this one!
Devil’s Brew was awesome, just like the rest of the series. Can’t wait for Tequila Mockingbird. More Kanes, please:)
I love this series and all Rhys’ other books, too!
Well, well, well, we have a Tequila Mockingbird winner in the house this morning, and that winner is…
Nikki Reader
Thanks so much to all of you for stopping in to enter Rhys’s giveaway, and congratulations to you, Nikki! Connor Morgan… Umph… That’s all. <3
Rhys just told me she PMd you on Facebook, so be sure to have a look. :)