Cover Artist: Meredith Russell |
Black & Blühe
(Out of the Blue, Book Two)
By RJ Jones
Release Date: July 31, 2015
Length: 57,000 words
Genres: Contemporary, Gay (M/M), Bisexual, Romance, Erotica
Grayson Black has never forgiven himself for not saving his identical twin brother, Jet, from a savage beating at their father’s hands ten years ago. Jet’s near-death never would have happened if Gray hadn’t been so focused on his boyfriend at the time. He has sworn to take care of his brother ever since. Gray can’t afford a distraction from his self-imposed mission, the type of distraction presented by the gorgeous blond showing up at their gigs.
Kris Larson is a firefighter with the San Francisco Fire Department. Since splitting from his girlfriend, his favorite way to spend nights off is watching the Black Brothers play in the bars of the Bay Area, especially the guitarist. But it’s not until the brothers are left homeless after a fire at their apartment building that Kris has the opportunity to know the real person behind the brooding façade.
Gray fights his attraction to Kris, but with a meddlesome twin who just wants him to be happy, it’s a losing battle. Before Gray and Kris can have a lasting relationship, though, Gray must learn to forgive himself, let go of the past, and lay more than one demon to rest.
"HEY, YOU’RE here,” Jet chirped as he walked in the rear entrance to our new basement home. We had moved out of Jeremy’s last week. His small apartment became crowded quickly, but luckily we only needed to stay for a few days.
“Yeah, where did you think I’d be?” I asked as I stirred the pot of pasta I was making for dinner.
Jet stood behind me, resting his chin on my shoulder. “Just thought you’d be with Jeremy. You making dinner?”
“No. Where’ve you been?”
“Um, at Kris’s?”
“Are you telling me or asking me?”
“Sorry.”
I slouched over the pasta. “Did he ask about me?” Needy much?
Jet sighed. “No, he didn’t, but he was having a conniption not asking about you. It was like your name was in neon lights flashing across his forehead.”
I remembered what he looked like when he wanted to talk and ask questions but wasn’t allowed to, and it made my chest hurt.
“Are you okay with me being friends with him?” Jet asked, as he moved to my side, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“Yeah, I told you this already. I’m glad you’re friends; he’s a good guy,” I said, patting his hand.
“And he’s perfect for you.”
“Jet.”
“I know, I know. I’ll shut up now.” Jet kissed my cheek. “I’ll take a shower and get changed for dinner. I’ll let you live your life in abject misery and loneliness because you can’t or won’t let yourself be happy.” Despite his words, he sounded more chipper than usual.
“How can you say that with a smile on your face?”
“Because you’re cooking pasta!” Jet grinned and swished his way to the tiny bathroom.
My pasta was pretty fucking awesome.
“Yeah, where did you think I’d be?” I asked as I stirred the pot of pasta I was making for dinner.
Jet stood behind me, resting his chin on my shoulder. “Just thought you’d be with Jeremy. You making dinner?”
“No. Where’ve you been?”
“Um, at Kris’s?”
“Are you telling me or asking me?”
“Sorry.”
I slouched over the pasta. “Did he ask about me?” Needy much?
Jet sighed. “No, he didn’t, but he was having a conniption not asking about you. It was like your name was in neon lights flashing across his forehead.”
I remembered what he looked like when he wanted to talk and ask questions but wasn’t allowed to, and it made my chest hurt.
“Are you okay with me being friends with him?” Jet asked, as he moved to my side, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“Yeah, I told you this already. I’m glad you’re friends; he’s a good guy,” I said, patting his hand.
“And he’s perfect for you.”
“Jet.”
“I know, I know. I’ll shut up now.” Jet kissed my cheek. “I’ll take a shower and get changed for dinner. I’ll let you live your life in abject misery and loneliness because you can’t or won’t let yourself be happy.” Despite his words, he sounded more chipper than usual.
“How can you say that with a smile on your face?”
“Because you’re cooking pasta!” Jet grinned and swished his way to the tiny bathroom.
My pasta was pretty fucking awesome.
4 of 5 stars
I loved the emotional connection between Jet and Grey, their commitment to each other, and how they are both willing to make personal sacrifices for the good of the other. It's a very well written co-dependent relationship that contrasts who the brothers are as individuals with how they depend on each other. That being said, I loved Jet and loved to hate Gray. Jet is the kind of guy I'd like to have as a friend, but Grey is much harder to like. They have both had a rough road in life so far, but Grey allowed his past to embitter him to the future. For a good portion of the story Grey acts like a spoilt brat who needs to get over himself much faster than he does.
Kris is a sweetheart of a guy who develops a crush-at-first-sight on Grey. Even in the face of Grey's hot and cold emotional responses Kris keeps coming back for more, looking deeper and pursuing the caring guy Grey could be. Personally, I thought that Kris deserved a steadier and more compassionate lover but the heart wants what it wants in the end.
Jones's character are interesting and strangely likeable, despite their obvious flaws. The story is unique, and I loved the fact that she brought previous characters back to life in book two. I'm glad that Kris, Jet, and Grey were able to depend on each other to work through their issues and hope that they will continue to do so long after where the story ends. These guys have been through a lot and they all deserve a happy ever after ending.
Book 1, Out of the Blue, is 2.99 for the duration of the tour!!
I started as a reader and eventually made the progression to reviewing. It wasn’t until two men popped into my thoughts, insisting on telling me their story that I started to write. It started with one scene. A hot and dirty one in the shower.
My initial thought was if I could write their scene then they’d shut up and allow me to concentrate on other aspects of my day. That shower scene was 3000 words long and three hours of work. But they didn’t shut up. They told me their entire story and I didn’t sleep for days. Sometimes I couldn’t keep up with what they were telling me and I had to keep a notebook by my bed.
Whilst I was writing their story a side character decided he needed his story told too. Then other characters followed suit.
You see the problem? If I ever want to sleep again then I need to write.
I’m a wife and a mother to two boys. Even my dog is a boy. I am surrounded by males.
Tour Dates & Stops:
27-Jul
Prism Book Alliance
28-Jul
Hearts on Fire
Bayou Book Junkie
29-Jul
Jessie G. Books
30-Jul
Carly’s Book Reviews
The Hat Party
31-Jul
Love Bytes
3-Aug
Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
4-Aug
My Fiction Nook
5-Aug
The Novel Approach
6-Aug
Just Love Romance
7-Aug
Molly Lolly
Parker Williams
Hello RJ. Congratulations on your new release!!
ReplyDeleteHi RJ!! Congratulations on your new book!!! Can't wait to read!
ReplyDeleteHi and congrats on your new release RJ! I'm looking forward to reading Black & Blühe.
ReplyDelete