Last week, Rhys Ford stopped by as an Honorary Blogger and rambled away about a few topics. She also graciously offered up a $20 gift card to Amazon (or other e-tailer) to, OF COURSE, purchase her newest title, Dirty Deeds, with 😛 Now, it’s time to pick that winner!
Without further ado, the winner of a $20 gift card is…
The winners of Nothing Special by A.E. Via are… Continue reading
TBG: Rhys Ford is here today talking about…well, a variety of things. Plus, she has a new book releasing this week from Dreamspinner Press, Dirty Deeds, which is book 4 of her very popular Cole McGinnis Series. Anyone remember the crazy ending of Dirty Laundry??!! She’s also here to give away a $20 Amazon gift card (or other e-tailer). Thank you, Rhys, for all that you do!
I’ve always told stories.
Even as a little kid… a very grubby little kid… I told them to my friends. Friends who were more often than not, stuffed animals and dolls. I would read things and pretty much act them out with my fuzzy companions. Sometimes, on the rare occasion when there was a live flesh friend to play with, we were superheroes or pirates or samurai. Ninja sometimes. Secret Ninja Circus was on television… KIKU was the Japanese station and it’s the only clear one we got. Most of the television I watched had subtitles and well, reading was a good skill to have if you wanted to keep straight who the hell was whom in a black mask.
I watched Kikaida, Kamen Raida and Princess Knight. Most of my role models were male or in the case of PK, a female who went around pretending to be male as a disguise.
None of that made me feel like being female was to be weak. I never connected the two. Life just was what it was and if I wanted to be Kikaida that day, I was just male in my head.
Some people have said this is a gender fluidity. I’m all… nah, it’s just that I don’t cleave to stereotypes. Boxes marked boy and girl were never comfortable so I never wore them. I began to feel uncomfortable later when people started saying things like; oh she’s very butch so she’s a lesbian. Which was confusing because I’m about as attracted to another female as a gay guy. For me, the feminine bits were never exotic and beautiful. They were kinda odd looking and for God’s sake, couldn’t we have gotten the pee standing up thing? What was with this squatting shit?
My brain often took a left turn at logic. Because, you see, there were other things to be interested in than what box I could fit in.
Stories unfolded. Emotions were felt. Things explored and re-explored if it made me feel good inside. As the world outside of me crumbled and turned to pain, I hid in the words in my head, cloaking myself in other bits and pieces I knitted myself. Because I could live in my own head if need be.
And I did for quite a long time.
But time passed. And I passed different points in my life where I no longer needed to shut down and realized, I was okay with who I was. Who I’d made as this person. There were things to work on. God so many things but the word… the world building… the stories…the personalities shouldn’t be shoved aside like a child’s box of broken crayons.
This was something I’d done all my life. I’d watched people and made up stories about what they did or who they loved. I’d read what people did with one another; in a store while they walked about with tight body language or even sometimes a brief glance of affection when having dinner. Most often I watched as people lived around one another instead of with each other. And while that made me sad inside, it made me realize that sometimes, people just existed.
You see, I never wanted to just exist. I kind of wanted to wade into life and remain…that little grubby kid.
I write like how I want to live. I want to be armpit deep in the filth and beauty of the human being. I want to hear the arguments and wear the laughter. And that’s what I hope to bring the reader. Sometimes not the prettiest of stories but definitely the most… grubby.
I think the best stories are the grubby ones. Really. When the reader isn’t too certain that things are going to be okay. Where there has to be faith in the writer. Where sometimes a little blood might be spilled in order for the story to go forward.
But most of all, they should be fun.
In Dirty Deeds, I’m definitely going to get the reader a bit grubby. I get Cole very grubby. This is a book where he’s had to take a step back and look at where he is. He’s… happy. Really. But there are things out there that are a bit… unsettled and Cole being Cole, he’s got to go out there and see why. And to uncover the things he’s got buried in his own back yard.
But oh, best part about getting a character grubby? He can take a hell of a long time getting clean again.
It’s also a hell of a lot of fun showing how he gets clean. And isn’t that a big part of why we write or read about two men in love? The showers? Okay and other things—but the showers. *grins*
So I imagine I’ll continue to tell stories. For a while still. For as long as I can imagine worlds and personalities and well, for as long as anyone continues to read them. Maybe even beyond.
Dirty Deeds by Rhys Ford(Book 4 in the Cole McGinnis Series)
Blurb: Sheila Pinelli needed to be taken out.
Former cop turned private investigator Cole McGinnis never considered committing murder. But six months ago, when Jae-Min’s blood filled his hands and death came knocking at his lover’s door, killing Sheila Pinelli became a definite possibility.
While Sheila lurks in some hidden corner of Los Angeles, Jae and Cole share a bed, a home, and most of all, happiness. They’d survived Jae’s traditional Korean family disowning him and plan on building a new life—preferably one without the threat of Sheila’s return hanging over them.
Thanks to the Santa Monica police mistakenly releasing Sheila following a loitering arrest, Cole finally gets a lead on Sheila’s whereabouts. That is, until the trail goes crazy and he’s thrown into a tangle of drugs, exotic women, and more death. Regardless of the case going sideways, Cole is determined to find the woman he once loved as a sister and get her out of their lives once and for all.
Rhys Ford’s Dirty Deeds releases March 28th and can be pre-ordered at Dreamspinner Press!
About Rhys Ford
Rhys admits to sharing the house with three cats of varying degrees of black fur, a black Pomeranian puffball and a ginger cairn terrorist. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep a 1979 Pontiac Firebird, a Toshiba laptop, and a purple Bella coffee maker.
You can find me on my Blog, Facebook, & Twitter
And at the Starbucks down the street. No really, they’re 24/7. And a drive-thru. It’s like heaven.
My books can be purchased, folded and first chapters read at Dreamspinner Press.
In honor of Rhys’ upcoming release, Dirty Deeds, she’s offering up a $20 gift card to Amazon (or other e-tailer)! Yay!
The giveaway starts now and will end next Monday, March 31st, 2014, at 11:59 pm EST. After which the lucky winner will be randomly picked.
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below with your email address and you’re in!
Make sure to follow the blog for the winners’ announcement post or check back next Tuesday, April 1st, 2014, to see if you’ve won.
Don’t forget, Dirty Deeds is available for pre-order and will be releasing from Dreamspinner Press on March 28th, 2014! Check out Nikyta’s review to see what she thought of it!
Good luck!
Reviewed by Nikyta
Title: Dirty Deeds
Author: Rhys Ford
Series: Cole McGinnis #4
Heroes: Cole & Jae
Genre: M/M Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: 228 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: March 28, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Sheila Pinelli needed to be taken out.
Former cop turned private investigator Cole McGinnis never considered committing murder. But six months ago, when Jae-Min’s blood filled his hands and death came knocking at his lover’s door, killing Sheila Pinelli became a definite possibility.
While Sheila lurks in some hidden corner of Los Angeles, Jae and Cole share a bed, a home, and most of all, happiness. They’d survived Jae’s traditional Korean family disowning him and plan on building a new life—preferably one without the threat of Sheila’s return hanging over them.
Thanks to the Santa Monica police mistakenly releasing Sheila following a loitering arrest, Cole finally gets a lead on Sheila’s whereabouts. That is, until the trail goes crazy and he’s thrown into a tangle of drugs, exotic women, and more death. Regardless of the case going sideways, Cole is determined to find the woman he once loved as a sister and get her out of their lives once and for all.
The Blogger Girls: Heather and Nikyta first met Rhys Ford at GRL 2012 in Albuquerque. For those who don’t know her, you are definitely missing out because not only does she tell some wickedly hilarious stories but she’s an awesome person who just loves chatting with her readers. We are extremely excited she was willing to let us interview her and even was willing to answer a few some-what personal questions! What personal questions, you ask? Well, keep on reading and you’ll find out 😉
Q&A with Rhys FordTBG: Hi, Rhys! Welcome to The Blogger Girls!
Rhys: First, thank you for having me here! Really appreciate it!
TBG: Okay, let’s get the ball rolling. Where did you get the inspiration for Clockwork Tangerine and how did that influence your naming of the book?
Rhys: The inspiration for Clockwork Tangerine? Oh man, no idea. I was probably lacking sleep and brushing my teeth or something. Apparently the bathroom is where I have most of my ideas. I should just move a computer table in there. Storylines come to me while I’m washing my hair. Go figure.
The story originally started off much shorter and with the intention of being in a steampunk anthology but after I submitted it, the decision was made over at Dreamspinner Press to turn it into a novella—for which I am grateful because it allowed me a larger word count so I could go in and explore some things at greater depth. While I didn’t have time for a full length novel, it was good to be world building and try to produce something within a novella framework.
I actually named the book outside of the story itself. One of the main themes from Clockwork Orange is Order in Society versus Freedom of Choice, which I knew I’d be exploring in this yet unnamed and half-written novella. Robin came out of the idea of a discarded toy, one abused by an uncaring child then handed to another child then finally tossed away. He was a thrown out teddy bear whose fur was used to soak up the tears from nightmares but too many people felt he actually represented those nightmares and had to be destroyed.
Marcus serves as a symbol of not so much redemption but hope and trust. He’s rather an arch-angel of sorts—at least for Robin. Robin didn’t need saving as much as he needed protection from the storm around him. Marcus has a choice of being the man his father wanted him to be or the man the ton expects him to be. No one would blame him for demonizing Robin Harris. After all, the man killed Marcus’ father in a fashion.
Robin would continue as he was with or without Marcus. Marcus’ character would be determined not only by his actions but his lack of action. It was an interesting angle to write.
TBG: Wow, that’s really deep and insightful. Do you have plans for anything else in this world?
Rhys: I would love to. It all depends on how this does and if I have time. Writing a full length fantasy-ish novel takes a hell of a lot more time than practically anything else. Go figure. You’d think it would be easier. But then I guess, my brain’s just wired off. Okay, time to move into that bathroom!
TBG: Haha. Okay, you’ve written contemporary mystery. You’ve written ghosts and steampunk. You’ve even written an urban fantasy. When are you going to write Heather a historical? And Nikyta wants a Sci-Fi.
Rhys: Funny you should say historical. Something came to me while I was in the bathroom today. No seriously. I would love to have the time to write it. It was all so clear. Victorian London even. So much research and the language changes but oh, so much fun.
Sci-Fi? Oh man, wow. Shit. Hell. I dunno about that one. Maybe a short.
Nikyta: Whaaa?? A short?! THAT’S IT?! How rude! LOL
TBG: Back to the urban fantasy genre, when do you plan to give us another Kai Gracen story to follow up Black Dog Blues? I know he is self-pubbed and harder to write…but he has fans too!
Rhys: Kai. I have no intentions of abandoning Kai. I plan on writing his adventures in serial format… maybe 40K each or so. He also takes a bit of time and brain. I might have to break my cardinal rule of not writing two things at once in order to get more Kai done. But yes, I do have one started.
Now on to the more personal questions.
TBG: Hehe. We know you love your fur-babies, you’ve even made Neko famous. What’s the weirdest pet you’ve ever owned?
Rhys: A boyfriend? Um… wow. Oh! I had a pet crayfish! We’d bought a bunch of them…they were alive… to use in a crab boil and he escaped then fought off the tongs. So, I bought him a fish tank and he lived in it for three years. Which apparently is a good long time for a domestic-raised crayfish. He shed his shell a couple of times and scared the shit out of me because it comes off all in one piece! It was like.. suddenly two crayfish! He knew when you were close to the tank because he would wave his claws. This would get him food. Should have named him Pavlov. He was by himself in that tank. Anything else would have been food.
TBG: Ummm. Wow, okay. Moving on lol. Some may not know that you have a certain love for tattoos, you even wear some of your own art. Do you mind sharing with us if you have your next one planned and what will it be? (Ignore question if it’s too personal)
Rhys: I would absolutely love to get an Alice in Wonderland themed tat. I also need to finish up the peony along my shoulder. I haven’t planned anything per se. Usually the idea for one hits and I ruminate on it before sketching something out. Or looking for something. All but one of the pieces on me is my own art.
The one that isn’t is a custom design done for me by Rob Benavides who owns Flying Panther down here in San Diego. He asked me one day—after inking me for 15 years—when I was going to let him put his art on me. We were in his shop to make appointments for my sister and her friends and fell into talking. I told him sure, let’s do it. I needed to work on my trust issues and if anyone was going to put their art on me, it should be Rob since well, he’s my guy.
Blew him away. Fifteen years and now I say yes? He was all… fuck. Shit. Now it’s gotta rock. He gave me a hapa dragon—both Eastern and Western—done in traditional style. Long sessions on it. It goes from my right knee up to my hip. Hurt like a fucking bitch but I’d do it again.
TBG: Jesus. That sounds intense! Now, you promised Nikyta and Heather to a Korean dinner at GRL 2013 in Atlanta, instead they got fried chicken and waffles, although they say it was scrumptious. They even forgive you for getting them lost…mostly. Please give us a quick and easy Korean for Dummies recipe…something even Jen couldn’t screw up.
Rhys: I wasn’t the one with the directions, if you recall. *grins*
Easy? Okay. Go here: http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/category/noh-quick-easy-seasoning
Look for Korean BBQ Mix and buy some. Follow the directions. They sometimes go out of stock but it’ll be back. If it is out of stock, grab some char siu mix. Or even the kimchee mix. Really. Best dollar and change you’d spend.
I will have to write down recipes because I cook by feel and taste. Hell, I have no idea what proportions things are. I had to break down the fried rice recipe for people. I’ll promise you one later.
This is also a good deal: http://www.amazon.com/NOH-Korean-Barbecue-1-5-Ounce-Packet/dp/B0001IOSEA/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1392533740&sr=1-1&keywords=noh+korean
TBG: We’ll hold you to that promise! Okay, one last question: What does your workplace where you write look like? Are there any weird or interesting things you surround yourself with? Any quirks you have that gets the inspiration flowing?
Rhys: My work place is my living room. Usually I’m fighting to keep Yoshi the cat off of my computer table and wow, mostly I surround myself with quiet. The house tends to be quiet when I write. I take the dogs out in the morning, stab the cat (he’s diabetic and needs insulin), pour some coffee, brush my teeth and then start the writing after I’ve done cleaning out my emails.
Inspiration usually is music. I cannot write without music. It helps me focus and drowns out anything else in the way. Usually what I’m listening to depends on the mood for the scene. I have a pretty wide range of tastes and have playlists. Most of Fish and Ghosts was written to dance, electronica and Gorillaz. It all varies.
Coffee. Coffee is always good.
TBG: Yes, coffee is ALWAYS good! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Rhys: Thank you for having me! I said that. Yeah I know. Heh. But really, thank you. Smooches and please really, try the kal-bi mix from Noh’s. They rock and it is so easy!
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, a black Pomeranian puffball, a bonsai wolfhound, 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
I’m Rhys Ford. I am an author and also a reader. You can find me at the following places: My Blog, Facebook & Twitter
And at the Starbucks down the street. No really, they’re 24/7. And a drive-thru. It’s like heaven.
My books can be purchased, folded and first chapters read at Dreamspinner Press.
The British Empire reigns supreme, and its young Queen Victoria has expanded her realm to St. Francisco, a bustling city of English lords and Chinese ghettos. St. Francisco is a jewel in the Empire’s crown and as deeply embroiled in the conflict between the Arcane and Science as its sister city, London—a very dark and dangerous battle.
Marcus Stenhill, Viscount of Westwood, stumbles upon that darkness when he encounters a pack of young bloods beating a man senseless. Westwood’s duty and honor demand he save the man, but he’s taken aback to discover the man is Robin Harris, a handsome young inventor indirectly responsible for the death of Marcus’s father.
Living in the shadows following a failed coup, Robin devotes his life to easing others’ pain, even though his creations are considered mechanical abominations of magicks and science. Branded a deviant and a murderer, Robin expects the viscount to run as far as he can—and is amazed when Marcus reaches for him instead.
Clockwork Tangerine releases tomorrow, February 19th, 2014 at Dreamspinner Press and is currently available for pre-order so make sure you buy your copy now! Also, check out Nikyta’s review to see what she thought of this little steampunk short.
Reviewed by Nikyta
Title: Clockwork Tangerine
Author: Rhys Ford
Heroes: Marcus Stenhill & Robin Harris
Genre: M/M Steampunk/Fantasy
Length: 90 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: February 19, 2014
Available at: Dreamspinner Press
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: The British Empire reigns supreme, and its young Queen Victoria has expanded her realm to St. Francisco, a bustling city of English lords and Chinese ghettos. St. Francisco is a jewel in the Empire’s crown and as deeply embroiled in the conflict between the Arcane and Science as its sister city, London—a very dark and dangerous battle.
Marcus Stenhill, Viscount of Westwood, stumbles upon that darkness when he encounters a pack of young bloods beating a man senseless. Westwood’s duty and honor demand he save the man, but he’s taken aback to discover the man is Robin Harris, a handsome young inventor indirectly responsible for the death of Marcus’s father.
Living in the shadows following a failed coup, Robin devotes his life to easing others’ pain, even though his creations are considered mechanical abominations of magicks and science. Branded a deviant and a murderer, Robin expects the viscount to run as far as he can—and is amazed when Marcus reaches for him instead. Continue reading
…today’s the last day to sign up for the giveaway to win an eBook copy of Rhys Ford’s newest release, Fish and Ghosts!
The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST TONIGHT so don’t forget to go to the giveaway post and comment with your email address to be put into the drawing.
Winner will be picked after the giveaway closes and announced tomorrow morning (Sunday, January 12, 2014).
So, what are you waiting for? Go sign up!
And good luck!
The Blogger Girls are very excited to host our very first giveaway and grateful for the awesome Rhys Ford for offering up one eBook copy of her newest release, Fish and Ghosts, which is the first in her Hellsinger series!
About Fish and Ghosts:
When his Uncle Mortimer died and left him Hoxne Grange, the family’s Gilded Age mansion, Tristan Pryce became the second generation of Pryces to serve as a caretaker for the estate, a way station for spirits on their final steps to the afterlife. Tristan is prepared for challenges, though not necessarily from the ghosts he’s seen since childhood. Determined to establish Tristan’s insanity and gain access to his trust fund, his loving relatives hire Dr. Wolf Kincaid and his paranormal researchers, Hellsinger Investigations, to prove the Grange is not haunted.
Skeptic Wolf Kincaid has made it his life’s work to debunk the supernatural. After years of cons and fakes, he can’t wait to reveal the Grange’s ghostly activity is just badly leveled floorboards and a drafty old house. More than a few surprises await him at the Grange, including its prickly, reclusive owner. Tristan Pryce is much less insane and much more attractive than Wolf wants to admit, and when his team releases a ghostly serial killer on the Grange, Wolf is torn between his skepticism and protecting the man he’s been sent to discredit.
The giveaway starts now and will end next Saturday, January 11th, 2014, at 11:59 pm EST. After which the lucky winner will be randomly picked.
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below with your email address and you’re in!
Make sure to follow the blog for the winner’s announcement post or check back next Sunday, January 12th, 2014, to see if you’ve won.
Check out Nikyta’s review of Fish and Ghosts to see what she thought of it. Or if you can’t wait to read it, you can always buy it at Dreamspinner Press.
Hope everyone has a great Sunday and good luck!
Reviewed by Nikyta
Title: Fish and Ghosts
Author: Rhys Ford
Series: Hellsinger #1
Heroes/Heroine: Tristan Pryce & Wolf Kincaid
Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance
Length: 240 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: December 30, 2013
Available at: Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, All Romance eBooks, & Barnes and Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads & Booklikes
Blurb: When his Uncle Mortimer died and left him Hoxne Grange, the family’s Gilded Age mansion, Tristan Pryce became the second generation of Pryces to serve as a caretaker for the estate, a way station for spirits on their final steps to the afterlife. Tristan is prepared for challenges, though not necessarily from the ghosts he’s seen since childhood. Determined to establish Tristan’s insanity and gain access to his trust fund, his loving relatives hire Dr. Wolf Kincaid and his paranormal researchers, Hellsinger Investigations, to prove the Grange is not haunted.
Skeptic Wolf Kincaid has made it his life’s work to debunk the supernatural. After years of cons and fakes, he can’t wait to reveal the Grange’s ghostly activity is just badly leveled floorboards and a drafty old house. More than a few surprises await him at the Grange, including its prickly, reclusive owner. Tristan Pryce is much less insane and much more attractive than Wolf wants to admit, and when his team releases a ghostly serial killer on the Grange, Wolf is torn between his skepticism and protecting the man he’s been sent to discredit. Continue reading
One of my most favorite people on earth just had her book go to audio.
Congratulations Rhys, I am so happy for you!
Sinner’s Gin is now an audiobook! It’s been released first on Audible and will be out on iTunes and Amazon in a bit.
It’s kind of a shock to hear someone reading what you’ve written. And kinda cool.
I’ve been listening to audiobooks during the plague because I tend to get cross eyed when I’m tired. They’ve been lovely and I’ve been enjoying them.
So if you’re into them and wanna hear Kane and Miki go at in in the comfort of your ears, grab a copy. I’ve listened to the sample. I really like his intonation.
Now, this is really a cool thing and so much of it is because of you guys. I thank you so so much for liking the series and the boys. Thank you for your support.
I’ve got to see what promo I could be running with this. *grins* And Whiskey and Wry will…
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