We’re so pleased to welcome author Rhys Ford to The Novel Approach today, and to be closing out the Dirty Heart blog tour with the ninth and final Dirty Bit. And, not only are we bringing you the last scene from Jae’s point of view, but there’s also a special Surprise Giveaway to bring the tour to a close, in addition to the tour-wide giveaways, so be sure to check out the details below.
Good luck!
I’ve written the start of this post about five times and I still don’t know what to say. Some writer, huh?
How do I put into words the whole of this journey? This series was the start for me. These characters—Cole and Jae—have taken me to places I never thought I’d go, met people I am so very thankful to have known and most importantly, enriched my life beyond measure.
So how do I say goodbye to the beginning?
I can’t. And honestly, I won’t. As this story arc ends, I am grateful for so many readers joining me along the way. I can promise that as we close out this series, Cole and Jae will be back some time in the far future. But for now, this is goodbye.
And yet a hello of sorts… to a happiness and a life these characters deserve to have.
Because God knows, I’ve run them through the ringer.
So please enjoy this final Dirty tour as I present short scenes from Jae’s POV. Many are from instances in the books and a couple are in-betweens, but I tried to find places where Jae really needed to speak. I hope you enjoy them.
And a tour cannot be a tour without a giveaway! So…. Here goes.
Click on the Rafflecopter widget below and be entered to win a $20 gift certificate from an e-tailer of your choice, BUT that is not all. From these winners, I will randomly select ONE person to be a character in my other Los Angeles series, Murder and Mayhem. So hit up every blog, enter to win! ONE winner per blog!
In addition, as an exclusive Final Tour Date Giveaway, one reader will also be in the drawing for the chance to win all SIX PRINT books in the Dirty series—Dirty Kiss, Dirty Secret, Dirty Laundry, Dirty Deeds, Down and Dirty, and Dirty Heart—autographed and shipped worldwide (none of those pesky residency restrictions apply).
Don’t I sound like I’m trying to sell you a used Buick? *grins*
Most of all, and please know this comes from the bottom of my heart where I keep my love for coffee and music, thank you. Thank you for reading the books and thank you for supporting me along the way. I cannot come up with the words strong and deep enough to express my gratitude.
Saranghae-yo.
Dirty Bits 9
If there was one thing Cole McGinnis was good at, it was squeezing his way out of tight spaces.
Considering he and Bobby were trying to get an antique armoire I’d bought in San Diego up the Craftsman’s main staircase, he was going to need every bit of flexibility he could muster. Especially since it looked like Bobby had him wedged up against the top post. There was a lot of swearing, nothing I hadn’t heard before and oddly enough, it was comforting to hear.
They were brothers in their own way. A brotherhood I never had. Not until I’d met Cole’s younger brother, then suddenly I understood. There were people you loved with all of your heart, and soul and then there were people who simply were a part of you because where else would they be?
“They’re going to break the stairs,” Claudia muttered under her breath as she passed behind me to get to the kitchen. “Then they’re going to break their fool heads open and it’ll be matching ambulances to the hospital.”
“Pretty sure he gets bonuses or something. Like other people have airline miles, Cole gets ambulance points.” Ichi wrestled his way through the front door, carrying a box of my equipment. “Where do you want this, Jae-chan?”
“In the back. Through that door. Cole’s converted it to a studio for me.” I eased out of the way just as Mike wiped his feet on the stoop. His box was marked kitchen and for the life of me, I don’t know why I’d marked everything in hangul. “Those are pans. I’m hoping the stove won’t die in shock at being used every night.”
“The stove?” Mike chuckled, a deeper version of Cole’s playful laugh. “Cole’s going to die from the shock of eating actual food every day. He’s made up of Twinkies and pizza.”
“And burgers!” Cole shouted from his pinned in position. “Bobby, swear to God, you’re going to cut off my dick with this thing if you shove it again. Move it to the right.”
“Does this really have to go upstairs?” Bobby complained for the tenth time. “What’s wrong with the living room? Or the foyer?”
“Upstairs,” Cole and I said at the same time. He winked at me and mouthed I love you before grabbing the armoire again. “To the right, Dawson.”
“This better be worth it.” Bobby grunted, putting his shoulder into lifting the armoire up over the stair. “I expect food and beer.”
“I’ll put the ribs on the grill as soon as you are done,” I promised.
Half an hour later, the smell of grilling ribs filled the back yard and I was sharing a wicker love seat with the man who’d showed me how happy felt. He was listening to a story Scarlet was telling about a hairy man in pink high heels trying to dance the salsa, laughing heartily when she pantomimed the faces of the firemen who’d shown up to extract the man from the wrought iron railing rods he’d somehow gotten stuck in.
It was odd to be leaning against a man who held me at night, loved me body and soul and held my hand out in the open where everyone could see. It was hard for me to be touched but Cole’s touch…Cole’s hands… Cole’s mouth… felt right on me. I knew in that moment of sunshine, cut grass and sweet smoky pork aromas, I’d found where I would live forever…in Cole’s heart.
We would grow old together, probably in the same Craftsman house he’d rebuilt after his own life crashed and burned. He would hold me during every storm and laugh when my heart jumped in shock at the crash of thunder against the sky. There would be days when we would sulk at one another before one of us would seek the other out, wrapping around each other as if nothing happened because our lives were too short to be spent apart.
I would feed him food he wouldn’t want to eat but would anyway because I made it, and he would insist I tell him where I was going on a shoot so he’d know where to go if I needed to be bailed out for trespassing. He would be at my side during any of my shows, a sleek beautiful creature in a black suit and smiles, and I would always remind him khaki and bright green did not go together.
I looked forward to the mornings where I would be kissed awake or shoved out of bed with a gentle plea for bacon and coffee. Our lives would be spent together, knitted into one another and our odd, patchwork family and I would never ever have any regrets answering the knock on my aunt’s door because I hadn’t truly lived until Cole breathed life into me with his kisses.
And I would one day find him forever asleep in a chair, silver haired and wrinkled but with that damned smile on his handsome face, always beckoning me to take another step forward with him. I would cry on that day. It will break me, but that single moment would be nothing compared to the star field of memories we’d have already hung in the sky.
“Whatcha thinking about, babe?” Cole whispered into my ear. “Ready to make everyone a plate of food and kick them out? Or would that be rude?”
“Very rude,” I conceded. “But doable. They wouldn’t mind…much. If we gave Bobby the ribs, he would go willingly. Maddy’s already said all she wants is the potato salad.”
“Hey, salad’s mine. So’s the pie.” He cocked his head, green eyes slightly out of focus. “Okay, they can order pizza when they get home. They get none of this.”
“We promised we’d feed them,” I reminded him. “Promises are never to be broken, Cole-ah. Remember?”
“Yeah, I know.” He gave me a playful grimace then sighed. “Besides, it’s kind of nice to just sit here, you know. Being here is kind of…everything. Like these little moments make up the best part of life, and I kind of like having everyone here with us. Today. With us.”
“Here is to the us, agi,” I murmured, toasting him with my beer bottle. “May we have many more of these little moments.”
Cole kissed me, hard enough to steal my breath then he said, “And everyone to share them with.”
Dirty Heart: Former LAPD detective Cole McGinnis’s life nearly ended the day his police partner and best friend Ben Pirelli emptied his service weapon into Cole and his then-lover, Rick. Since Ben turned his gun on himself, Cole thought he’d never find out why Ben tried to destroy him.
Years later, Cole has stitched himself back together. Now a private investigator and in love with Jae-Min Kim, a Korean-American photographer he met on a previous case, Cole’s life is back on track—until he discovers Jeff Rollins, a disgraced cop and his first partner, has resurfaced and appears to be working on the wrong side of the law.
As much as Cole’s fought to put the past behind him, he’s soon tangled up in a web of lies, violence, and death. Jeff Rollins is not only trying to kill Cole’s loved ones, he is also scraping open old wounds and long-forgotten memories of the two men Cole loved and lost. Cole is sure Rollins knows why Ben ruined all their lives, but he isn’t looking for answers. Now Cole is caught in a cat-and-mouse game with a cold-blooded killer with the key to not only his past but his future.
Purchase Dirty Heart at: Dreamspinner Press || Amazon || And other fine ebook retailers.
Follow the Dirty Bits Tour at these fantastic blog sites:
Mar 16 — Boy Meets Boy
Mar 17 — Love Bytes
Mar 18 — MM Good Book Reviews
Mar 20 — The Blogger Girls
Mar 21 — It’s About The Book
Mar 22 — Sinfully Gay Romance
Mar 23 — Joyfully Jay
Mar 24 — Prism Book Alliance
Mar 25— The Novel Approach
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 a red Hamilton Beach coffee maker.
My Blog || Facebook || Twitter
My books can be purchased, folded and first chapters read at Dreamspinner Press.
The Giveaway
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The Fine Print:
*Entrants must be 18 years or older to qualify
*All comments must be relevant to the author’s prompt to be eligible (when applicable)
*The Novel Approach will not be held liable for prize delivery unless otherwise specified
*Void where prohibited by law
I have loved reading these snippets. Thanks for sharing them with us.
tkronenw1@gmail.com
It’s always sad when a series you love ends: It’s not because of having to say goodbye to the characters you love (I’m the type of reader who likes to re-read books and whole series as many times as I feel like) but because you know there is no more on the way… I love the feeling of expectation when you are waiting for some new book on a series, the happiness when it is finally out and you get it, settle down with your new book and know you are in for a treat with some of your favourite characters…. But all character deserve their HEA, and I’m really happy Cole and Jae are finally getting theirs. Thank you for an incredible series, Rhys!
susanaperez7140(at)gmail(dot)com
I loved these so much, and Jae really made me tear up with today’s snippet. Thank you so much for sharing these.
Rhys, thanks for sharing all these snippets (I think this one was my favorite) and thank you for writing such a great series with so many wonderful characters. Now I’m off to finish reading Dirty Heart. :)
This has been a fun tour with all those snipets. Now that the series completed, I’m gonna start reading book one!
Thank you for the post and generous chance at the giveaways, Rhys. :)
This is one of those series that I hate to see end, but will be more than happy to finally find out what it was all about. These characters have been so great to us over the years. Luckily that make for good rereading.
Oh, no, this one made me weepy. I don’t want to think about them dying, even of old age. One good thing about them being characters in a book is that they’ll be forever young. :(
Even with these Dirty Bits you can break my heart and warm my soul. Thank you for taking us with you on your journey.
sigh So sad this journey is over. But it was so satisfying. Thank you for sharing their story. One of my all-time favorite series. <3
Thank you so much Rhys for Cole & Jae. Dirty Heart was the perfect book to finish the series. I love those guys. <3
OMG — you pulled out all the stops with this last one. So sweet, so dear, so loving. Sigh.
Love Cole and Jae so much.
That was wonderful. So sweet. Thank you so much Rhys.
Such a lovely snippet today. It had me tearing up. Thanks for sharing these with us. I finished Dirty Heart last night. I loved it but I was sad for it to end too.
I can’t wait to read this book! Altohugh it makes me a little sad to know it’s the last one. Thanks for the giveaway!
Oh my goodness. By far the best giveaway ever. I don’t even care about the gift certificate. I just want the collection of books. I love this series so much. Rhys will always have a special place in my heart. I live for Cole!!!
tamikamclaurin(at)hotmail(dot)com
I started drinking Vietnamese coffee because of Jae. I will forever be grateful.
Thank you for these extras having just finished the book it was lovely to grab a few extra visits and I enjoyed seeing from Jae’s pov.
Loved this series, it’s be a fun journey and feels sad to have it come to an end.
Sorry to see this series come to an end. I love it so. Thanks for the snippets!
Omg ambulance points! Cole really does get hurt too often.
Jae and Cole are the best!
Love love love! No words!!!
Thank you Rhys for creating this characters to fall in love with. Going to miss reading more about them. Dirty Heart was perfect as a closure to the series, gave me all the feelz.
This series is one of my favorites of all time. It is so sad that the series is ending . . . but I will read and listen to them again and again.
Thanks Rhys for the wonderful series.
Best one yet. Smiling and crying at the same time saying goodbye to these guys. Thank you for such wonderful characters and the stories you have shared with us.
A perfect sum up of the series in this last snippet.
Thanks for giving us Cole and JaeMin – and the generous give aways!
Littlesuze at hitmail.com
Your the best. You really need to put all your snipets from all you books together in their own book for your for hard fans. Would love to hold these in my hands as they warm my heart.
Awesome selection of shorts! They round out the entire experience. I love getting more insight directly into Jae. He is also (an amazingly) clear as seen through Cole’s thoughts and experiences in the book. Love the Series!
As much as I love the Sinners (especially Miki & Kane) and other stories, Cole and Jae have carved themselves into a special place in my heart.
They are the ones I return to time and again, and though I’m happy their journey has brought them to this point where old loose ends are tied up and they can just be, living and loving each other within their chosen family, well… I’m sad too. For me, anyway. I’ll miss them terribly.
This snippet was like a warm hug. You could feel the love between the people gathered around. It is sad that the series has ended but I have almost completed the audio version so I will be listening throughout the Spring.
Does this have to be the end of the tour? :-( I have enjoyed reading the snippets each day. And this last one…Jae’s thoughts were so beautiful. I am impressed how you showed his arc through these shorts.
Awwwwwwwwww I love Jae and Cole so much!! They are so cute. I am going to miss following them!
A perfect and sweet last blog post of the tour!
martereads at hotmail dot com
Twitter: MarteTonder
awwwww. and i finallyyy have Dirty Heart to read. imma get on that todayyy!
Just finished Dirty Heart in a marathon read and I cannot find the words for how much I loved this perfect conclusion to the story of Cole and Jae and their friends. The passion written into the love scenes was extraordinary compared to some of the “slot A and B” books out there. I was about to order all of the books in paperback (I have them on Kindle) but perhaps I will be lucky! I love you, Rhys!
Is it possible to love this series anymore than I already do?
Thanks for the bits, they were all great.
I love Cole and Jae and I am excited and a little sad to read Dirty Heart this weekend. I never liked mystery books, but when you add a great romance/love story, I think they are my favourite books.
Nice. Sorry that’s the last one.
Dirty Heart was phenomenal, of course. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading these bits from Jae’s point of view, but Rhys!! You’ve gutted me with this last one.
Love these snippets! Don’t want to say goodbye to this series!
sniffles Thank you for all the snippets, I always enjoy your blog tours. This was a beautiful ending to the tour.
Totally speechless. Thank you Rhys for creating such amazing characters and sharing them with the world, you are absolutely brilliant!
Sigh! Loved seeing Jae’s POV! Great last installment.
Well didn’t that destroy what was left of me after finishing Dirty Heart. Took and Dante had better be invited to some of those BBQ’s!!!
It’s been a great ride.
Today’s stop made me teary. Loved the tour thanks for sharing with us.
I really enjoyed all these blog posts and seeing through Jae’s eyes.
This has been an AWESOME series and I can’t wait for the last audio. But I’m glad we’ll revisit these boys again sometime. Thank you for sharing your talent with us all.
Love the snippets. Thank you so much for all the wonderful blog posts =D
Thank you for the extra peeks into Jae’s head. Just so you know, I was awake all night reading Dirty Heart. I tried to put it down and go to sleep. But… I am weak. I gave up and turned the light back on. Didn’t go off again til 5 am. Soooo worth it!
Cherryinor@gmail.com
I enjoyed the excerpt its kind of sad to read the end of the series but it’s great to see Jae and Cole so happy together.
ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk
I love these. Thank you Rhys for a wonderful series and for all the other books you write. Thanks for being so generous in your giveaways too! Sorry to see this series end.
Thank you so much for sharing this exerpt. It is always sad to see a series come to an end though even if it is a happy ending!
I love the family these characters have built together. They are always there for each other, laughing and crying and living together. And that’s just the sort of friends and family one should have~
Print books? OMG yes please!!! I love this series so much, and I really loved those Jae’s memories, and I hate to see it end. Though, one more novel is promised so i’m good for now. I have all the ebook and most of audiobooks but I would really love to get the paper books. They are by far my favorite type of reading. There is something so therapeutic when reading a great book with real emotions and real people, as this series gives. So, please, i would love, LOVE to get them. Feel free to give other gifts to other people, if I win :). I just want the books. And a word on a new Rhys’ book. I love her writing in general.
a perfect ending snippet for the tour :) thanks.
Thank you for all the snippets! They’ve been fantastic!
jczlapin@gmail.com
this has been a really interesting tour!
Made me cry :'( Sad it’s over, but glad Cole and Jae have their happy.
Thanks for the snippet and the chance to win.
Totally sounds like you are selling a used Buick!
Loved these so, so much. I logged in yesterday, completely forgetting weskipped a day! Am almost caught up with my re-reading, and will start Dirty Heart soon. Thanks for an awesome series!
God Rhys you kill me!….what a beautiful peek. Made me freaking cry.😭
Thank you so much for such a wonderful series! My absolute favorite of all time!
I have loved all the snippets. Can’t wait to add them to my Dirty Library. Absolutely loved Mike’s guard at the hospital. Love his day job even more.
Thanks for the wonderful series and the great contest.
dejamew@centurylink.net
Ahhh. I can’t believe it’s over! I almost don’t want to read the last book because of that.
But I’ve really enjoyed the journey, so thank you, Rhys.
I have loved this series from the first time I read the description on Dreamspinner. I’ve also loved reading the snippets from Jae’s point of view. Thanks Rhys for a great series.
Sweetest snippet yet. I am glad the guys get their happy ending, but sad we won’t see them any more after this last book. Thanks for an amazing series.
I love this series – will be sorry to see it end, but I think I’ll be rereading it many times!
So so so excited (and sorta sad) about this book!
Haven’t had a chance to read the last book yet, so excited ( and a little sad) to see how it is going to end. Such an awesome blog tour!
Another great post and thank you for the giveaway!
I bought Dirty Kiss the other day as not only was it a bargain but I’ve been loving the posts on this book tour. Can’t wait to get stuck in this series! :D
Enjoying the series thus far. Shame that when I discover the series, it is coming to an end.
Such a sweet excerpt this was! I’m still a few books behind in this series, but now when it is all complete I will make sure to begin with it again.
Looking forward to read this series
Rhys Ford is a NATIONAL TREASURE!
I just bought the first book, and cannot wait to get started!
<3 Cole and Jae <3 I love them so freaking much. Its a bitter sweet thing when a favorite series ends, but I know I can always go back a visit them again. ;) Thank you so much for sharing your boys with us! <3
Grnidgirl21@gmail.com
Jae may live in Cole’s heart, but the pair of them continue to live in the hearts of a lot people <3
Love the whole series and your other works
I can’t wait to read this book
Great giveaway!Thanks for the snippet!
I’m listening to these so I can’t wait for DH to be on audio :)
I really love this series I don’t want it to end! Cole and his misadventures sure are entertaining,LOL
So excited for this WANT WANT WANT!
Wow this sounds amazing!!!! Thanks for sharing and I can’t read to dive into this one!
Last book was wonderful ..just keep writing please…
Wow, it finally comes to an end? I am sure it is bittersweet for you. But congratulations for this series!
These snippets are so wonderful. I loved all five books that gave us Cole’s perspective and I absolutely adored Bobby and Ichi’s story. Getting Jae’s Point of view so powerful and adds to the beauty and majesty that encompasses the series.
The audiobooks make it even better and my alarm in the morning is Bobby and Cole saying Goodnight Princess.
I love Cole and Jae. Thanks for these extra glimpses into them.❤️
I’m sorry to see the series end, but have enjoyed the ride. This series led me to your other books. Love the Sinners Gin series and Hellsinger series. Look forward to what you have in store for us readers in the future.