RELEASE BLITZ
Book Title: Blood Red Roses
Author: S. J. Coles
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Release Date: February 2, 2021
Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance, Mystery, Thriller
Trope/s: Valentines, Opposites Attract, Love Triangle, Fake Relationship, Rich v Poor
Themes: Accepting yourself, Aspiration, Learning what’s important, Trust
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 47 220 words/192 pages
It is a standalone story.
It is part of a collection being released by Pride Publishing,
the ‘My Bloody Valentine’ Collection,
that will all get released at the same time.
Buy Links
Pride Publishing | Universal Amazon link
Rick feels like he’s finally getting his life on track…until a dead body in his flat threatens to derail more than his new career.
Blurb
Things are finally looking up for Rick Bennett. He’s landed a job with Swanson and Gerrard, one of the top finance firms in London and, with it, a chance to pay off his father’s debts and finally make something of his life.
When he’s put in charge of brokering the biggest deal in the company’s history, he knows he can’t lose, even though his boss, Cecily Swanson, clearly wants more than just a professional relationship.
When a rich, handsome stranger, Kim Bailey, introduces himself to Rick at the Swansons’ New Year’s Eve party, Rick is thinking he can definitely get used to rubbing elbows with the upper set. He feels everything is finally working out, despite Cecily’s increasing interest that only seems to strengthen as they approach her high-profile Valentine’s Day wedding.
When someone is murdered in his flat, Rick is shocked but still determined to hold on to his dream. Cecily believes he’s innocent and, more importantly, so does Kim. Though he’s beginning to suspect that there’s more to the guy than meets the eye, Kim’s belief in Rick keeps him strong.
As the investigation continues and Rick finds himself buried deeper in a mess of conspiracy, betrayal and intrigue, he will come to wonder whether the life he’s dreamed of could ever be real.
Excerpt
He’d deleted and re-phrased the text three times by the time he’d got his keys in the front door. He shook his head to himself. He was acting like a teenager again. But everything else was coming together just right. He may be working ten-hour days for a woman he would eventually have to let down, and still couldn’t entirely stop thinking about the envelope in his desk drawer, but it finally felt like his life was coming together.
He wanted to make dating Kim part of that life. He’d never felt the potential of something so early on in a relationship before, especially when he knew so little about the person. But when he thought of Kim’s light, easy manner and the way he treated Rick like an equal without appearing to even have to think about it, something that wasn’t just lust stirred under his belly.
Of course, the striking, beautiful face, devilish smile and sleek, toned body didn’t hurt matters. He tantalised himself with the thought that tonight they might get to—
Rick switched on his living room light and froze. The new sofa was positioned at right angles to his glass coffee table and smart TV. His boxes of vinyl were stacked against the far wall and his running shoes were by the front door. Everything was as he’d left it that morning, but something was…off. There was a chill in the air. And an odd smell.
He moved forward, trying to identify what was causing unease to snake up his spine. A draught brushed against his face. He moved to the balcony door and found it was open a crack. He frowned. Had the handyman left it open? Why would he even open it on this freezing January day? He slid it shut, turning the key in the lock.
The smell was stronger in the kitchen. He frowned. His breakfast plate was in the sink but he’d only had time for toast so that didn’t explain the sickly-sweet, almost meaty, smell in the air. It was then he noticed his block of chefs’ knives was on its side, the knives spilling out onto the counter. He righted it and returned the knives to their slots. There were two missing. He turned, scanning the kitchen and froze.
3.6 bloody secrets
This was a steady breadcrumb event mystery
What do I mean?
There was a consistent undercurrent that was present throughout the story. It kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had an idea of where things were going I ended up hitting a wall or another clue sent me in a different direction - only for me to find I was back where I started with the Who's and Why's.
I am not a patient person and it took everything I had not to peek at the ending
I do wish the author had spent a touch more time however when it came to the unveiling and wrapping up - That is me however each of us will feel differently
The physical relationship between Kim and Rick was smoking -
but something was missing -
Kim kept himself emotionally just a fingertip out of reach and as a reader I felt it
I questioned some of Rick's reasoning skills at times but when I looked at the whole picture I probably would have made the same choices. He was so close to having nothing. He had a closet full of (perceived and real) skeletons that he was afraid of having exposed. He was gifted this life-altering opportunity and like most he was a bit wary of rocking the boat.
Then there was Cecily - the woman is thirsty!
Oh and Cooper - who I was a bit irked with but I understood - didn't say I was happy with him but...
And Sis - you do what you think is right
If you are looking for an even-paced mystery that has a low angst level yet still packs a few punches with its twists -
Oh and yes, plenty of steamy romance
Then give Blood Red Roses a whirl
This was a steady breadcrumb event mystery
What do I mean?
There was a consistent undercurrent that was present throughout the story. It kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had an idea of where things were going I ended up hitting a wall or another clue sent me in a different direction - only for me to find I was back where I started with the Who's and Why's.
I am not a patient person and it took everything I had not to peek at the ending
I do wish the author had spent a touch more time however when it came to the unveiling and wrapping up - That is me however each of us will feel differently
The physical relationship between Kim and Rick was smoking -
but something was missing -
Kim kept himself emotionally just a fingertip out of reach and as a reader I felt it
I questioned some of Rick's reasoning skills at times but when I looked at the whole picture I probably would have made the same choices. He was so close to having nothing. He had a closet full of (perceived and real) skeletons that he was afraid of having exposed. He was gifted this life-altering opportunity and like most he was a bit wary of rocking the boat.
Then there was Cecily - the woman is thirsty!
Oh and Cooper - who I was a bit irked with but I understood - didn't say I was happy with him but...
And Sis - you do what you think is right
If you are looking for an even-paced mystery that has a low angst level yet still packs a few punches with its twists -
Oh and yes, plenty of steamy romance
Then give Blood Red Roses a whirl
About the Author
S.J. Coles is a Romance writer originally from Shropshire, UK. She has been writing stories for as long as she has been able to read them. Her biggest passion is exploring narratives through character relationships.
She finds writing LGBT/paranormal romance provides many unique and fulfilling opportunities to explore many (often neglected or under-represented) aspects of human experience, expectation, emotion and sexuality.
Among her biggest influences are LGBT Romance authors K J Charles and Josh Lanyon and Vampire Chronicles author Anne Rice.
Author Links
Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter
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