Rock Stars Week & Early Review: Tequila Mockingbird by Rhys Ford

Reviewed by Heather C

Title:  Tequila Mockingbird
Author: Rhys Ford
Series: Sinners #3
Heroes: Connor Morgan/Forest Ackerman
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 250 Pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: June 27, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Lieutenant Connor Morgan of SFPD’s SWAT division wasn’t looking for love. Especially not in a man. His life plan didn’t include one Forest Ackerman, a brown-eyed, blond drummer who’s as sexy as he is trouble. His family depends on him to be like his father, a solid pillar of strength who’ll one day lead the Morgan clan.

No, Connor has everything worked out—a career in law enforcement, a nice house, and a family. Instead, he finds a murdered man while on a drug raid and loses his heart comforting the man’s adopted son. It wasn’t like he’d never thought about men — it’s just loving one doesn’t fit into his plans.

Forest Ackerman certainly doesn’t need to be lusting after a straight cop, even if Connor Morgan is everywhere he looks, especially after Frank’s death. He’s just talked himself out of lusting for the brawny cop when his coffee shop becomes a war zone and Connor Morgan steps in to save him.

Whoever killed his father seems intent on Forest joining him in the afterlife. As the killer moves closer to achieving his goal, Forest tangles with Connor Morgan and is left wondering what he’ll lose first—his life or his heart.

Review: 

There’s no denying that I love Rhys Ford and this is just another reason why I will forever read anything she writes.  

After the surprising revelation at the end of Whiskey and Wry, I’ve been impatiently waiting Tequila Mockingbird.  Who saw that coming??  I considered myself “in the know” and I was not expecting that curveball!!!

Forest Ackerman has lived a pretty shitty life: from Dumpster scrounging to prostituting with his druggie mother to becoming the adopted son of a pot smoking hippie…Forest has overcome the odds.  But when his adoptive father is murdered, this time SWAT Lieutenant Conner Morgan is there to soften the fall.  Conner doesn’t know what it is about the blond drummer, but he can’t seem to stay away from the cafe Forest has inherited.  When the killer targets Forest directly, Conner is determined to keep him safe.  

Forest and Conner were sweet together.  There’s some really good sexual tension going on there!  And even though it was very close to insta-love, I’ve become accustomed to expect that when I read this series.  There’s not even really any relationship angst at all.  

I totally cried when Conner came out to his father.  I mean, I knew it was going to happen because the scene is partially told in the previous book, but still, it was an amazingly, emotional moment.  Maybe one of the most emotional moments of the series for me and I’m pretty certain its the only point I’ve cried.  

The GFY plot line wasn’t all that much of an issue. 

There was some gore!  Not quite as gross as that bathtub scene in Whiskey and Wry, but there’s some blood and guts.  

There’s some good Miki and Damie scenes.  Brings back some good memories.   I was hoping for a bit more detail of Forest’s interactions with them, but much of those scenes were told and not shown.  I’m hoping for more “jam sessions” and further expansion of the band in the next book.  

There’s Morgans everywhere!  Such and awesome family and there’s lots of Donal, Brigid (loved her), Kiki, Kane….and even Quinn.

The bad guy, well, there was a killer and Kiki and Conner were trying to figure out who it was, but I didn’t find myself trying to figure it out.  So there was a mystery, but I don’t think it was anywhere near the main focus of the story.  Nah, the first half was more about Connor wrestling with his attraction to Forest.  And the second half was more about Forest becoming part of the Morgan family and joining the band…all the while someone keeps attacking Forest.  

Damn you Rhys Ford for that final line!!  Now I have to wait for book 4!!!

Overall Impression: I Really Liked It

*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*