So, I periodically stop by here at The Novel Approach to do an update on what is going on with my books, where I’ll be and generally share information, news, and random things. Oh… and drop a cover reveal or two.
This time, I’d like to put to bed a horrible rumour that Sloe Ride was the last in the Sinners series. This is incorrect. That would be Sin and Tonic, which will be out in 2017. However, let’s talk about the FIFTH book in the series which is coming out way before then, Absinthe of Malice which will be out on June 22, 2016 and published by Dreamspinner Press.
Now for Absinthe, I wanted to do something different for the cover because it’s a different type of book than the previous four. This is a novel about a band, its singer and the problems they face as they go out on tour…in a van…to play in dive bars and back alley joints. You see, Damien has this idea that Crossroads Gin needs this kind of experience to create a solid brotherhood between them and while he isn’t wrong, it does lead to a set of challenges and self-discoveries none of the guys are truly ready for. So watch for Absinthe of Malice to be out on June 22 and get ready to hit the road with Miki, Damie, Forest & Rafe. So, here is the cover and the blurb!
About the Book
Title: Absinthe of Malice
Series: Sinners – Book Five
Author: Rhys Ford
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: 22 June 2016
Blurb: We’re getting the band back together.
Those five words send a chill down Miki St. John’s spine, especially when they’re spoken with nearly religious fervor by his brother-in-all-but-blood, Damien Mitchell. However, they’re nothing compared to what Damien says next.
And we’re going on tour.
When Crossroads Gin hits the road, Damien hopes it will draw them closer together. There’s something magical about being on tour, especially when traveling in a van with no roadies, managers, or lovers to act as a buffer. The band is already close, but Damien knows they can be more—brothers of sorts, bound not only by familial ties but by their intense love for music.
As they travel from gig to gig, the band is haunted by past mistakes and personal demons, but they forge on. For Miki, Damie, Forest, and Rafe, the stage is where they all truly come alive, and the music they play is as important to them as the air they breathe.
But those demons and troubles won’t leave them alone, and with every mile under their belts, the band faces its greatest challenge—overcoming their deepest flaws and not killing one another along the way.
More Book News and Future Stuff
As many of you know, the final Cole McGinnis book, Dirty Heart, dropped in March and with it, its companion audiobook was released a short while later. While I am sad to see Cole, Jae, and the rest ride off into the sunset, it was time to answer the questions I’d started asking in the beginning of the series. And not to say I won’t have a one-off or two from Cole but for right now, they’re happy and living well over in Los Angeles.
Kai Gracen Series
Well, there’s the second in the Kai Gracen series! I’m pleased to announce Mad Lizard Mambo, the second Kai book has been written, contracted and blurbed for DSP Publications. It is scheduled to be published around September 2016.
Half Moon Bay Series
And in December 2016, the second Half Moon Bay book will be published. I don’t have a name yet but I can say that Lang’s twin brother, West, is one of the protagonists and he is reunited with a man he’d known in the past…with a bunch of delicious secrets between them. There’s murdery bits and some steam.
Murder and Mayhem Series
What’s on the horizon? Well, after I finish with Half Moon 2, we’ll be heading back to Los Angeles and catching up with Rook and Dante in book two of the Murder and Mayhem series. This one will be called Tramps and Thieves and I’m really excited to get started on it. Rook’s in a bit of hot water. Just a wee bit.
Hellsinger Series
We will be back in San Francisco with Hellsinger Investigations in 2017! The title is Send In The Ghosts and will be picking up where I’d left you… mostly… with the aftermath of what and who was in the Grange’s study.
After Those
I’ve got a few things going on to follow up. As Sinners is winding down, I’ll be starting another San Francisco series AND I will be expanding out Dim Sum Asylum to a full-length novel. Look for Roku to return and with him, a hell of a lot more trouble.
Where Am I Going To Be
Now this year, I’ve already logged in more than a few airline miles and am probably going to log even more. Here’s where I will be as an attending author over the next few months. This schedule is subject to change—I might add an event—but these are locked in. Hope to see you there if you’re around the area.
ThrillerFest XI
July 5-9, 2016
Grand Hyatt • New York City
109 E 42nd St, New York, NY
YaoiCon
Sept 16-18 2016
Hyatt Regency • San Francisco Airport
1333 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, California
Gay Romance NorthWest Conference
Sep 24, 2016
Seattle Central Public Library • Seattle Washing
GayRomLit Retreat
Oct 20-23, 2016
The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center • Kansas City, MO
And In Summary and All That Stuff
Thank you all for coming by and most of all, thank you for all your support these past few years and I am so grateful for all of you who’ve read my series, enjoyed them and wanted more. Please remember, if you find an author whose books you’ve fallen in love with, spread the word. I am a reader first, writer second and I—as well as all of us—count on word of mouth and recommendations to add to our growing reading stacks. Find, Read and Celebrate!
And thank you again! Saranghae-yo.
About Rhys Ford
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
Click here to enter for the chance to win an ARC of Absinthe of Malice
Four lucky readers will each receive an advanced e-copy of Absinthe of Malice. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
The Novel Approach Reviews 
Gorgeous cover! I can’t wait to read it. And no, I won’t be attending any of the events, although I would love to.
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Love the cover and I’m looking forward to all those stories to be released. Unfortunately I live in a place no where near any of those cons and can’t afford the travel and lodging expenses to attend any. Maybe one day in my future I can save enough to treat myself to a little vacation. Would love to meet you and thank you in person.
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I’m so excited about this addition to the series!
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The cover looks so good! I can’t wait to read it when it comes out! I would love to attend one of the events but it’s a no go.
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Hey Ryhs, ( shout out) lol. I’m so looking forward to all the books you have in the works, especially Absinthe of Malice( because it’s the first). Unfortunately retirement and international travel are not happy companions, so conventions are out for me, but I follow all the happenings on good old social media! Have fun at those you attend.
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It all sounds so exciting. Can’t wait for the next Sinner’s Gin book!
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Can’t wait to see you at GRL Retreat – just registered this weekend!!
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So psyched for this one, and all of Rhys’ other goodies coming up!
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So many good things coming our way! I’m thrilled to see Helsinger in the lineup.
Also can’t wait to go on the road with the band. Maybe I can make the northwest meet. Otherwise I don’t get to travel much.
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I can’t believe I’ve so many of Rhys’s books to look forward to! I think this one’s going to be something special, can’t wait to see how the boys get on without their respective other halves.
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Gahhhhh i’m so excited for this! eeeee :D
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Love that cover and how it ties into the title! Also very excited about your list of WIPs. Lots of good reading coming up.
Unfortunately, I will not be at any of the upcoming events, but I hope they are all fantastic.
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Excited for this book!
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Hoping to be in Seattle by Sept, if I make it I will most definitely stop by the GRNWC. Can’t wait for June 22nd, wooot!! :-)
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Love the cover.
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I’d LOVE to attend GRL for so many reasons, but it’s not likely :( Thank you for being the incredibly awesome person you are and for sharing your heart and mind with us through your writing. You’re amazing.
And that cover is FANTASTIC!
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So EXCITED FOR THIS! WOO!!!!!!!!!!! <3
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Looking forward to your books in the coming year. Unfortunately I wont’ be able to attend any cons this year. Maybe in the coming years I’ll get to a con to meet Rhys Good luck with your writing schedule
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Glory be! You’re gonna be at GRNW in September? I was working on logistics and figuring out what I needed to do to attend. Since you’ll be there, screw it! I’ll move mountains and traffic to attend. Woot!
I can’t wait to get my paws on Absinthe of Malice–hurry up June 22! When it’s published, will the audiobook be published at the same time? Gorgeous cover.
Love your books and thank you for all you do.
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Thanks for laying out the coming year, such a lot to look forward to from your fabulous brain! I will spread the word!
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I love the cover! I wish it were June 22 already. Rhys, are you going to write a sequel to Ink and Shadows? Or was that a standalone?
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You know… writing that world sucks a LOT out of me. I’d need like a six month alone time with a lot of whiskey :D
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I’m so excited there’s going to be another book! I thought this one was the last one.
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Unfortunately geography and money dictates I can’t attend any of the meets, but so happy to see Hellsingers and Rook and Dante back on the list! Loved the final Cole, though it made me cry, but always excited for your upcoming projects!
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GAH, squeeeee! I’m ridiculously excited about this. And you are coming to NY!! SQUEEEEEEE
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Really excited for the next part of this series. It was my first by you and it still holds a special place in my heart. Also glad to see GRL is happening… It wouldn’t be the same without you.
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That cover is so different, and so perfect for the tone change! Rhys Ford, you remain a genius! Now about Hellsinger Investigations…can you pinpoint around when in 2017? I need to know!!!!
Anyway, you are a simply stellar author, and your imagination is unparalleled. Thank you for sharing your talent!
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Dunno yet. Soooon!
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So jealous of you lot in the US to be able to attend the conventions and signings.When can we gave our favourite MM writers visit in Europe!Rhys,wishing you and your feline familia a looong life as your books are a permanent safe buy for my feel good on the planet’s-gone -to -Hades icky days.Love your characters-all of (your meals sometimes seem to be more art than nourishment!)Thank you!
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whispers I’ll be in the UK in November and planning on the Paris Book Salon in March 2017 :D
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UK in November! Wow. Maybe this time I will actually get to see you. Would be great to meet you
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Very excited for the future stories. Unfortunately, you won’t be in my area. I’ll keep following you though!
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This does look good, though I’m most excited about the follow up to Black Dog Blues 😊 Not going to make it to any of the events unfortunately.
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Can’t wait..audio to follow as per SOP….?
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Love this series. I cannot wait for the next book.
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Sequel to Black Dog Blues? So looking forward to it! Absinthe of Malice looks like an interesting read.
I don’t attend conventions but my sisters usually attend Yaoicon, although they missed last years.
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love the cover! can’t wait to read this book!
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Great cover, can’t wait to read
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Wow, I never expected there would be more books in the Sinners Series. So YAY! Can’t wait to read more of the guys.
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I love this series! Can’t wait for Absinthe!
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Can’t wait for the book!
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Hi, Rhys! Thanks for the post! I’m looking forward to all of the books, but sadly I won’t be at any of those events.
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I loved this post. Not only did we get to learn more about Absinthe of Malice (with some of my favorite characters ever) but we also learned the fate of so many other series. I wish I could go to these conventions, but sadly life is in the way.
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Great cover. I’m glad to hear there’s more in store for the Ginners & also glad to hear more about the upcoming WiPs. Sadly, I won’t be attending any of those events since none of them are close to where I’m at. Hopefully you’ll have a fantastic time.
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I am looking forward to Absinthe of Malice. Is it available for Preorder yet?
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yea! more books coming :) more sinners, half bay, murder & mayhem & hellsligers — all good things (at least when in the same reference as Rhys) ;)
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Can’t wait for the new stories but unfortunately I won’t be attending conferences.
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Looking forward to this new story a lot! I voted in the polls, but seriously, don’t put too much stock in them, because it was hard to pick just one person or couple.
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I am so excited that I can look forward to a new book in this series in June. Love this series!
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I can’t wait for this book. I wouldn’t be attending th. Any of the event only becuase none are where I live :-(. But I would love to one day to meet you. :-)
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Can’t wait to read it! Sadly I won’t be attending any conventions this year….
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I can’t wait to read Absinthe of Malice. I love Sinners Gin series. I wish I could attend a convention. But not this year.
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So excited about all of this!
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Cannot wait for this book! Thanks for all you write and your characters.
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So much good stuff to look forward to!
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So excited to hear you are expanding Dim Sum!! I loved that novella and wanted more Roku.
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Love the cover for this one! Can’t wait to read about the guys on tour. :) Looking forward to the other books you have planned, too.
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So excited about the new books, especially Sinners. That was such a great surprise and I’m glad I didn’t know earlier. It would have driven me nuts. I can always count on your books to give me a beautiful respite from my homebound life because, for just a little while, you take me to wonderful exciting places to mingle with fascinating people and I stay until the last page. Then it’s back to the reality of 4 walls and looking out the window but while I’m doing it I know that I’ll soon be traveling again with one of your books in my mind. Thank you so very much for sharing your talent with us.
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Congratulations on the release and looking forward to reading it! No cons for me either:(
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I can’t wait to read this! I am looking forward to all your upcoming releases. Thrillerfest is actually near me, so I might check that out.
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I am so glad that the series didn’t end after Sloe Ride. I am excited to read the next two books in the series. Everything you write is wonderful and I especially love the humor that you put into every book. Thank you for sharing your talent with all of us.
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Favorite couple? Miki and Kane with Conner and Forest a very close second!!! :)
I can not wait for this book!
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Whoo hoo! I’m super looking forward to this book!
And I’m looking forward to attending GRL. I’ll be my first time!
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Hi Rhys. I don’t hardly leave my house so I won’t be attending any events you go to lol.
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So excited for the next Sinners book, as well as the next Hellsingers book! Unfortunately, no conventions for me. :( I wish I could.
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Love, love this series. Unfortunatly I’m unable to attend any of the events. Really wish I could meet you Rhys. You’re one of my absolute favorite authors.
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June 22 can’t get here soon enough. I am not currently planning on attending any, but I would love to hit Seattle in September to meet you and the other authors.
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A friend of mine got me hooked on your series and I cannot stop buying your books! Unfortunately I will not be at any of the events as they’re too far away for me to attend.
Love the Sinner’s series and have totally fell in love with the Cole series!
Thank you for all your fabulous books!
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I won’t be able to attend any of them, they’re all to far away from me!😔 I am looking forward to the new sinners book😘
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Lovin’ the cover and hoping to see you at 1, maybe 2 of the events this year! Seattle is within driving distance, and I’m thinking maybe a peek at San Fran close up might be due :-) Thank you for giving us so much to look forward to Rhys ((hugs))
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Love the cover and can’t wait for the new book!!!
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SINNERS, Kai, West, Hellsingers AND a new series happy
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I am so excited! I love all your books
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Love this series and am so happy it is not over yet. Thank you.
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This cover is so gorgeous! I am so excited to read about my favorite book band on tour!
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Fantastic cover! I’m looking forward to all the new Rhys books! I know I will enjoy them all. :D
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Congrats on the release! No, I won’t be attending any conventions this year.
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I am sooooooooo looking forward to more Miki. My snark quota is down.
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I’m ready for this next segment in the lives of Sinner’s Gin! Love this series!
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I absolutely love the cover! I’m excited for all the books coming up but sad for the ending of Sinners next year and having already said goodbye to Cole and Jae. Can’t wait to see you at GRL…that is if I can overcome the introvert in me and say hello. :)
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I really can not wait for this book!!! It stinks that I won’t be able to make it to any of the cons. I would love the chance to meet you in person!
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I’m looking forward book 2 of the Murder and Mayhem series and omg yes I NEED “Send In The Ghosts” I NEED to know what happen in The Grange’s Library. Ack soo many books to look forward to, I wish they were all here! smiles innocently
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There is no way to choose a favorite couple. Seriously. I can name a favorite cat before I name a favorite couple in the Sinner’s Gin series.
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This is one of my top most favorite series, and Rhys is definitely at the top of my auto buy list. Love these guys! :D
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Wow, lots of comments and encouragement. This series deserves every bit of encouragement. Would love to win a copy, but will have to buy it if I miss out.
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Hey Rhys! I wish I could attend the Yaoi Con since it is within driving distance but I am too chicken to go by myself! I have to say I simply love your books!
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I absolutely love your books Rhys and always look forward to reading anything you write! Wishing you much success with Absinthe of Malice!
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Love ALL of Rhys works! Can’t wait for the new books to come out!
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I love the Sinner Gin series. Since you are coming to NY, I would go to Thrillerfest.
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I absolutely love the ‘Sinners’ series. In fact, I haven’t found a book of yours that I don’t love. Are you still coming to Newcastle this year because living in England, I wouldn’t be able to make the other events
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Love the cover! Was lucky enough to meet you at the UKMeet last year – would love to go to GRL but have to win the lottery first ;)
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I can’t wait to see how they get along on the road. Love the cover, it reminds me of a few clubs, were we found great singers.
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Gorgeous cover for Absinthe! I’m hoping to get to attend GRL this year. I’d be thrilled to meet this certain lady who shares both her amazing worlds as well as some seriously incredible music with us!
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Really looking forward to the next installment!
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I have mad love for this series! I will read twenty books about these guys if Rhys Ford writes them. :)
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So excited for this!
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Can’t wait for this book and I’m so excited to hear you’ll be at GRL!! I had the idea you weren’t going to be!
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