Double Indemnity by Maggie Kavanagh: #Review #GuestPost #Giveaway @maggie_kavanagh

Cover Artist: Maria Fanning

Double Indemnity

by Maggie Kavanagh

Expected publication: January 26, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense, M/M, Romance

Sam Flynn dreamed of being a journalist until a car accident killed his parents and put his brother into a long-term coma. Now Sam spends his days as a landscaper toiling in the New England sun and his nights drunk in bed with the closest warm body. In his limited spare time, he writes about Stonebridge’s local crime and politics on his blog “Under the Bridge.”

Then Sam’s favorite client is found dead in her home—shortly after telling him someone has betrayed her trust. Sam can’t believe her grief-stricken husband Nathan would be a suspect, but the investigation hones in on him. Sam has always admired handsome Nathan from afar, but now he puts his libidinous feelings aside to help clear his name. However, the closer he gets to Nathan, the more he’s told to keep away from him and the investigation—by the fatherly police chief, by an officer on the case who's hated him since school, and by Nathan himself.

Sam’s determined to expose the real reason his friend died and clear Nathan’s name—even if it’s the last thing he does. Which, considering how fast the death toll is increasing in Stonebridge… it might be.

First of all, I’d like to thank Carly for kindly hosting me today on her blog. Double Indemnity, my first full-length novel, releases on Monday, January 26. Since I’m a new author for most of you, I thought I’d take this opportunity to introduce myself as well as give you a preview of the novel.

While I’ve been writing fiction regularly for nearly eight years, I only recently began to consider publishing an option. For me, writing has always been about the love of creating memorable characters (first) and interesting plots (second). I prefer writing contemporary M/M romance, but I’m also kicking around some ideas for historical and dystopian fiction. Thematic elements are generally more important to me than genre. Flawed, human characters who are at times misguided, but who ultimately learn from their mistakes, fascinate me.

As far as romantic tropes, I’m interested in investigating how couples communicate—or don’t—both in and out of the bedroom, and the way personal histories—shared and secret—affect the formation of relationships. Sex is of course deeply important to this exploration. My goal is to entertain, entice, and maybe provide a little food for thought along the way. You may find my work deals with political and social issues as well as romantic ones—and this is true of my upcoming release.

Double Indemnity is a murder mystery/crime novel as well as a romance, and it was quite a learning experience to write within both genres simultaneously. The frame mystery and the gradually developing romance give Sam Flynn, the point-of-view character, a chance to grow and recognize certain truths about himself and others close to him.

When the novel begins, Sam has been using sex and alcohol to cope with the pain of his parents’ deaths. He’s settled for a job he doesn’t particularly enjoy, and he refuses to date any of the men he sleeps with for fear of growing too attached. If anyone calls him out on these things, he gets incredibly defensive. When he meets Nathan, Sam’s carefully constructed walls threaten to come crashing down—but is he simply trading familiar addictions for another, far more dangerous one? You’ll have to read to find out . . .

What are some of your favorite themes and tropes in M/M romance? Sound off in the comments for the chance to win a free eBook copy.

(Author’s note: This scene occurs early on in the novel and gives a little insight into Sam’s character.)

Sam nursed his pint for a few more minutes, trying to decide what to do. He had to get back to work, but the thought of his apartment wasn’t very appealing. It was only ten, after all—plenty of time to finish the article later on. His eyes drifted back to Cowboy Boots.

The crowd parted as he advanced in the general direction of his mark. There was a good chance the guy had already found another hookup and left while Sam was distracted, but no—there he was, sitting in the same place with his friends. He looked up and raised an eyebrow when Sam approached the table.

Sam mustered his most seductive smile. “Hey. I’m Sam.”

“Xavier,” Cowboy Boots said. “And these are my friends so-and- so and so-and-so.”

Sam nodded at the other guys but kept his eyes focused on Cowboy Boots. Actually, now they’d been introduced, the name seemed too formal. Boots, then.

“You want to join us?” Boots asked.

“Actually, I’m thinking of heading out.” Sam scratched the back of his head.

Boots drew his lips into a knowing smile. He had the kind of handsome, nondescript face that belonged in a menswear ad, Sam mused as they made their way out of the bar. He had an incredible ass, though.

Boots’s apartment was on the other side of town in an area that had been recently gentrified, but Sam didn’t care about the gigantic flat screen or the saltwater fish tank. Luckily, Boots cut the tour short.

“Bedroom’s back here.”

Sam found himself in a room with a bed, which was good enough for him. His cock was already pushing against the seam of his jeans. They didn’t waste time on preliminaries. Boots backed Sam up against the bed until his knees buckled, then crawled on top of him and kissed him. His stubble scraped Sam’s chin. He was a good kisser, and Sam was only hazily aware of the guy kicking off his boots. Sam had forgotten his name—something unusual. Didn’t matter.

When the guy pushed Sam’s hands overhead and held him down as they kissed, Sam groaned his approval.

“So, what do you want to do?” the guy asked. “I don’t fuck on the first date.”

Sam nodded, oddly relieved. “I wanna suck your cock.” He grabbed the guy’s ass and urged him forward to straddle his chest.

The guy smirked and reached for his zipper. His erection sprang out and grazed Sam’s bottom lip. Sam licked the slit with the tip of his tongue, testing the waters before finally opening his mouth to take it in. The guy fed his meat deeper until it hit the back of Sam’s throat, and still Sam wanted more. He moaned as the guy withdrew and started to slide in and out, his salty precome coating Sam’s tongue. Sam wanted to suck out every last drop.

It was a good thing they had all night.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mystery, murder and mayhem combine into the adventure of a lifetime for Sam Flynn. His life took an unexpected turn for the worse when Sam began caring for his younger brother, Tim, who was left in a coma after the accident that claimed their parent's lives.  His dreams of becoming a journalist are set aside and he now works as a landscaper.

Consumed with guilt and dedicated to his brother's care, Sam doesn't have time for a real relationship and instead makes do with casual hook-ups... and drooling over the very married Nathan from afar. When Nathan's wife is unexpectedly murdered, and all signs point to Nathan as the killer, things don't quite add up to Sam's way of thinking. After all, a part of him never stopped hungering for that unique high that investigative journalism provided, and he can't stop worrying over this case.

The plot thickens and the two men are continuously thrown together during the course of the investigation. Sam can't seem to shop his initial infatuation from growing into caring, and maybe something more, while Nathan, consumed by his grief, sends mixed signals.

Despite the evidence that implicates Nathan in his wife's murder, Sam just can't believe it was him. Are his emotions overtaking his common sense? Sam takes matters into his own hands, seeking out the truth once and for all, but quickly discovers that the recent crime spree in their small town is just the tip of a dangerous iceberg of malicious intent.

DOUBLE INDEMNITY is a fast paced murder/mystery with a well developed plot that twists and turns from start to finish.  The characters are engaging, the setting is perfect, nothing is as it seems, and the balance between danger and romance is sharp as a knife. Kavanagh's writing style is well honed delivers an adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. DOUBLE INDEMNITY is an exceptional debut novel with attention to detail that equals that of well established authors. I'm thrilled to give it my highest recommendation and am eagerly anticipating future releases.

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Maggie Kavanagh writes gay romances that explore flawed, human characters finding love. A recent Yankee transplant to Los Angeles, her heart still resides in New England. She went to graduate school for English literature and reads and writes voraciously, whenever she can get a moment alone. You can find her in the wee morning hours typing away with coffee at hand and cat in lap, happily embodying the romance writer cliché.

While she focuses mainly on contemporary romance, don’t be surprised if a historical or supernatural tale slips into the mix, as she’s always eager to discover different genres. More fiction is forthcoming soon, so stay tuned!

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Goodreads Giveaway (Jan 12 - Feb 09, 2015)

What are some of your favorite themes and tropes in M/M romance?

Sound off in the comments for the chance to win a free eBook copy!

*Don't forget to leave your email address so we can get in touch*

Ends Friday January 30, 2015 CST.