Hey! I am Rhys Ford and I’ll be taking over this blog today … sort of. There’s really no cool way of introducing yourself on someone else’s blog and honestly, if you’re following this series of shorts, you’re going to be sick of reading this. So… feel free to jump down to the meaty bits of the short if you like. Go on. I won’t mind.
Now, if you’ve been following the Sinners Series, I am happy to say the third book is either on the brink of coming out or out by the time this post hits. It is called Tequila Mockingbird and features Connor Morgan as he discovers he’s in love with a drummer—a guy drummer. Murder, mayhem, sexing, etc. All of those follow. You know the drill. But wooot! I am very happy to announce Connor’s story.
To celebrate, I’ve written a short serialized string of vignettes titled Hair of the Dog. Please enjoy the story as it goes along. The order of the posts is included at the bottom of the short. Hope you enjoy it.
Oh…and Giveaway! Would you like to win…. Drum roll…..
Become a guest star character in my new series—I won’t murder you. Promise! AND a custom Persian chain mail bracelet from Times Combined
THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED
Hair of the Dog • Part Three
My human was useless.
There was no other way to say it but—useless. He couldn’t hunt. Well, hardly any human did these days. Most of them gathered from food places or had other humans come over with food but even these simple things, my human failed at.
The noise he used for me was nice. Dude. I’d heard other humans use it to call one another. Much like saying Pack. It was an acknowledgement of equality, and I bore it with honour. I added it to my other names, gleefully in fact. It was much better than the bulldog’s and so much greater a name than the poor Chihuahua-mix I’d met whose owner called it Boobie-Hamster. But Snuffler of Warm, Soft Flesh liked the name and wore it as a badge.
Of course, he also called himself Terror of Cats, and we both pretended as if it were true.
Sometimes, it’s best to let a dog’s pride remain intact, even as he shivered when passing by one of the Pack’s traditional rivals for affection—the canny feline.
No, my human was useless in so many things. He did not gather food that smelled of anything but salt, grains and chemicals, even though he made sure the sustenance he gave me was primarily protein—even the dried kibble he left in an open bag for me on the floor. He did not walk. He did not stretch his legs. And he hurt. All the time. Inside and out. There were parts of him I could not reach because humans and their frail communication skills meant they had to chatter and chatter nonsensically at each other just to say hello or goodbye.
I would have liked if he chattered to someone—anyone—but he rarely saw another person. If he left to the food place on the corner of the crossway, he spent less than a few seconds talking to the human there.
Useless.
And he also brought home much too much liquid fermented grain. If he intended to drink his food, I’d have to find a new person to live with before long because the one I’d found was too broken to survive.
No, I was going to need help. The problem with my human was too big for just one dog to take care of. I’d need a bigger voice than the one I had, one my human—my Miki— would listen to.
I was tired of my human tasting like tears. Tired of hoping he would find something he’d like to play with in the things I brought to him every day. I was going to have to bring him something—someone—grumpier than he was. I knew I felt better after a good fight. There was something about getting my blood stirred up that lifted the spirit even in the darkest of days.
That is what Miki needed. His blood stirred.
And I knew just the human to do it.
Tequila Mockingbird
Sequel to Whiskey and Wry (and The Devil’s Brew)
Sinners Series: Book Three
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.
Purchase Tequila Mockingbird at Dreamspinner Press
Also available on Amazon, ARe and other online book stores.
Follow all of Hair of the Dog Story at these blog spots:
June 24
Part 1: Rainbow Gold Reviews
June 25
Part 2: Live your Life, Buy The Book
June 26
Part 3: The Novel Approach
Part 4: The Blogger Girls
June 27
Part 5: Joyfully Jay
June 28
Part 6: 3 Chicks After Dark
Part 7: Gay List Book Reviews
June 29
Part 8: Boy meets Boy
June 30
Part 9: Prism Book Alliance
Part 10: Under The Covers
July 2
Part 11: LoveBytes Reviews
Additional Posts and Giveaways:
June 27
Pants Off Reviews
Mercy Celeste’s Blog
Smoocher’s Voice
Sinfully Sexy Books
June 28
Kathy’s place
June 29
Dreamspinner FBChat (8-11 am)
Moon Over Atlanta
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.
Oh I do love your books! Tequila Mockingbird was amazing! To be a character in your book AND NOT BE KILLED? That’s like every mere mortal’s dream come true! LOL! Thanks for the chance
Love the serial story. Thanks for the giveaway and cute story from Dude’s perspective.
I am absolutely loving this. I just discovered your store and I see a Sinner’s Gin shirt in my future. And I have to admit, I’m gaga over that bracelet!
Loving the tour! And thanks for the giveaway.
Dude is a sneaky little thing. Super into these shorts and counting down ’til Tequila Mockingbird at this point!
I am having fun following your blog tour. I would love to guest star in one of your books and not be killed, awesome!! I always figured my alter ego was having way more fun than I am in. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love Dude’s thought process
I’m really looking forward to the new book.
I’m rereading Sinner’s Gin right now to be ready for the new book. (I’ve retread Whiskey & Wry about 4 times). :-) It’s fun getting Dude’s perspective of Miki. Can’t wait to see how he describes Kane!
Love Rhys books! Can’t wait to be able to get TM! Having fun following the tour!
I am really enjoying Dude’s perspective. Looking forward to Tequila Mockingbird.
Love it! I’ve been dying for this book forever!! Can’t wait :-). Love the shiney too.
Dude is the man. Well, not literally. But I love his commentary and his heart. Pretty bracelet, too, by the way.
Love Dude’s thoughts and plot for Miki! As for the bracelet, ooh, shiny & pretty. And the not dying character is indeed awesome.
I love Dude! I loved him before but now I LOVE him. Is there any chance you might put this together as an ebook once the tour is done? I would love to have this in my SG folder.
It’ll be gathered up when it’s all done :D
I am so ready for tomorrow morning to come, so I can download Tequila Mockingbird and begin reading! I have truly enjoyed the interaction between the characters in this series.
thank you,
Chelle
Dude is the best – he has Miki’s best interests at heart
I picked up all of them! Will be part of my summer reading by the pool! Wow, and to have a chance to be in your book??!! Thank you!
AMY! !!!!!!! Dude rocks
these shorts are endlessly awesome, and i love the shout out to Amy Lane’s dog….lol
Aww, I love this installment!
I love this series. I am enjoying reading Dude’s story.
“I was tired of my human tasting like tears.” Awww, Dude is sweet.
Love the Dude! I’m counting down the hours now!!
Dude! I am soooo loving Dude and this amazing story! Thanks so much for this!
Dude the Matchmaker.. It is catchy. The bracelet is pretty. Dude could bring one to Miki.
His human? Funny
Go Dude! Loved the bring in “someone grumpier than he is” to get a fight going. :) Maybe it’s time for a quick re-read before the new one comes out.
I love this tour and seeing Dude’s take on the life he is forging with Miki.
I knew he was setting Kane and Miki up…ha. Wish my Dude would bring me a kane.
Dude makes me so happy.
Seriously loving the story! Can’t wait to read the rest. :)
I love how you’re giving Dude the credit that is due to him! haha. Great stuff! It’s almost time for the next book to get to me so I can devour it. Time needs to move faster! *flail*
Ah! I see–Dude took the wood to get Kane to come see Miki! Great, that makes sense. While I think it would be great to be in one of your books (and not be killed!) my name is just too darn hard to pronounce for everyone.
Dude Rocks!!! As does your writing genius. The bracelet looks lovely and would love to grace my wrist. I can hear it calling me.
And the added bonus of being a character in one of your books! AWESOME! I wouldn’t even mind being killed off, as long as it was a cool and odd way.
Being a character in a Rhys Ford book would be a dream come true!! I’m reading The Devil’s Brew right now so that I’m ready to start Tequila Mockingbird tomorrow :) Can’t wait!!!
Boobie-Hamster??? Bwahahaha! Too funny ^_^
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
Awww! Dude the match maker! *grins* No wonder he seemed so smug every time he interacts with Kane.
Dude is cool!
leetee2007@hotmail.com
Loving the view of the story thru Dude’s eyes.
I love Dude so much! He just wants his human to not be so sad and to quit drinking that liquid fermented grain ;) Can’t wait to read Part IV.
Reading this part of the story from Dude’s very funny point of view is a real treat.
Enjoying following along and reading the parts! Very pretty bracelet too! Thanks for the chance to win!
This is too fun. Dude tiring of bring home things for Miki to play with? Tired of his tears? Aaaw. Dude. I miss Miki and the guys!!
The Boobie Hamster is SO flattered. He thinks Dude is particularly brave to stay with such a broken human!
Love Dude! Can’t wait to read the next book in the Series! Thanks for the chance.
I’m loving this so much! Thanks for the chance to win!
Love him!!
Quite interesting just how the dog’s mind works. LOL. That bracelet is awesome!
Love that snippet, will have to pull up the rest :-) read connor and forest’s story today — am totally enjoying this series and look forward to the next one
Awww! I’m loving these little stories.
“I was tired of my human tasting like tears.”…..had me bawling my eyes out!!!! *sniff* *sniff*
It’s okay – go ahead and murder me.
I am absolutely loving the whole Sinners series, and I’m really looking forward to Sloe Ride!
Dude is obviously the most clever and devious character in this series ;)
Good morning, everyone, and thanks so much for stopping by to enter Rhys’ Hair of the Dog giveaway. The lucky winner of a guest appearance in her new series and the chain mail bracelet is
marbalala
Congratulations to you! I’ve already emailed Rhys with your contact information, so expect to hear from her soon.