Dirty Bits Blog Tour & Giveaway: Dirty Heart by Rhys Ford


Rhys Ford visits the blog today to celebrate her final release, Dirty Heart, from her much beloved and bestselling Cole McGinnis series. Rhys takes over the blog today and has an AMAZING GIVEAWAY. And BONUS GIVEAWAY for the winners of Dirty Bits Blog Tour!

Take it away Rhys!

I’ve written the start of this post about five times and I still don’t know what to say. Some writer, huh?

How do I put into words the whole of this journey? This series was the start for me. These characters—Cole and Jae—have taken me to places I never thought I’d go, met people I am so very thankful to have known and most importantly, enriched my life beyond measure.

So how do I say goodbye to the beginning?

I can’t. And honestly, I won’t. As this story arc ends, I am grateful for so many readers joining me along the way. I can promise that as we close out this series, Cole and Jae will be back some time in the far future. But for now, this is goodbye.

And yet a hello of sorts… to a happiness and a life these characters deserve to have.

Because God knows, I’ve run them through the ringer.

So please enjoy this final Dirty tour as I present short scenes from Jae’s POV. Many are from instances in the books and a couple are in-betweens but I tried to find places where Jae really needed to speak. I hope you enjoy them.

And a tour cannot be a tour without a giveaway! So…. Here goes.

Leave a comment below and be entered to win a $20 gift certificate from an e-tailer of your choice BUT that is not all. From these winners, I will randomly select ONE person to be a character in my other Los Angeles series, Murder and Mayhem. So hit up every blog, enter to win! ONE winner per blog!

Don’t I sound like I’m trying to sell you a used Buick? *grins*

Most of all, and please know this comes from the bottom of my heart where I keep my love for coffee and music, thank you. Thank you for reading the books and thank you for supporting me along the way. I cannot come up with the words strong and deep enough to express my gratitude.

Saranghae-yo.



Dirty Bit 1

My life ended on the doorstep of my aunt’s house.

Death came to me, digging into my flesh and leaving a mark I couldn’t wipe away. He arrived holding an orchid plant, white paper thin scallops bobbing from fragile verdant threads along a brown stalk. His eyes were gold and hemlock green, filled with a wicked humour cocky enough to lift his smile from sweet to sensual. There was enough Asian in him—Japanese, I found out later—to ghost his skin with a rich golden undertone and pull the edges of his eyes into a curve. His thick brown mostly straight hair was too long to be professional and it fell forward, a sweep of mink across his strong, handsome face.

I knew I was dead when he spoke, a rolling melodic baritone with a splash of brightness sharp enough to make me forget the house of mourners at my back and the guilt I carried in my belly because I survived where my cousin Hyun-Shik did not.

Death says odd things. In this case, Death handed me a business card then said, “I’m Cole McGinnis. My brother Mike said he called ahead. It’s about Kim Hyun-Shik. Are you a relative?”

Who names the end of the world Cole? And more importantly, why did Uncle need to hire a private investigator? Digging into Hyun-Shik’s death would only open wounds just beginning to close. I was already on the outs with Auntie and Grace. Adding a handsome, sexy broad-shouldered man to the mix was only going to damn me further. I didn’t need to know how many levels Hell had but if I was around him for much longer, I knew I’d find out.

I wanted him—this investigator into death. I wanted him in ways I’d not felt ever before and I handed him off to Grace as soon as I could, hoping to get lost in the bowels of the large house. There was no reason for him to affect me. I hadn’t touched another man in years, hoped to not touch another man for…ever. I’d come to an understanding about who I was. Who I needed to be. And up until I looked into Cole McGinnis’ green eyes.

“Food. They will need food.” Talking to myself seemed silly but in the emptiness of Aunt’s house, it was comforting. The kitchen was tucked away into the back, framed in by French doors that opened up to a pool no one used. I needed something to calm me down and while I’d been trying to break the habit I’d formed when dancing at Dorthi Ki Seu, my lungs itched for a hit of clove-scented smoke.

I slipped outside to light the kretek, knowing Aunt wouldn’t want the smell in her house. She didn’t want me in her house but there I was, about to make sure her guests had food and something hot to drink while they cried over Hyun-Shik’s death. I was too numb to feel anything. I wasn’t sorry Hyun-Shik was dead, another source of my guilt but I’d lost so much…he’d hurt me too much… for me to forgive him, even in death.

The sound of a faucet turning on told me someone was in the kitchen and I took one final drag of my cigarette and glanced behind me, expecting to see Grace or possibly one of Aunt’s friends who’d come to make tea.

Instead, I found Uncle’s investigator staring at me through the partially open doors and the look on his face told me everything I didn’t need to know.

Cole McGinnis wanted me. In a way I couldn’t risk. In a way I wanted so much the buried part of me cried out for his touch.

In a way we could never ever let happen.

***
Former LAPD detective Cole McGinnis’s life nearly ended the day his police partner and best friend Ben Pirelli emptied his service weapon into Cole and his then-lover, Rick. Since Ben turned his gun on himself, Cole thought he’d never find out why Ben tried to destroy him.

Years later, Cole has stitched himself back together. Now a private investigator and in love with Jae-Min Kim, a Korean-American photographer he met on a previous case, Cole’s life is back on track—until he discovers Jeff Rollins, a disgraced cop and his first partner, has resurfaced and appears to be working on the wrong side of the law.

As much as Cole’s fought to put the past behind him, he’s soon tangled up in a web of lies, violence, and death. Jeff Rollins is not only trying to kill Cole’s loved ones, he is also scraping open old wounds and long-forgotten memories of the two men Cole loved and lost. Cole is sure Rollins knows why Ben ruined all their lives, but he isn’t looking for answers. Now Cole is caught in a cat-and-mouse game with a cold-blooded killer with the key to not only his past but his future.

Purchase Dirty Heart at:

Dreamspinner Press: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7553
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Heart-Cole-McGinnis-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B01CNW7604/
And other fine ebook retailers.




Follow the Dirty Bits Tour at these fantastic blog sites:

Mar 16 — Boy Meets Boy (www.boymeetsboyreviews.com)
Mar 17 — Love Bytes (http://lovebytesreviews.com/)
Mar 18  — MM Good Book Reviews (https://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/)
Mar 20  — The Blogger Girls (http://thebloggergirls.com/)
Mar 21  — It’s About The Book (http://itsaboutthebook.com/)
Mar 22  — Sinfully Gay Romance (http://sinfullymmbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/)
Mar 23 — Joyfully Jay (http://joyfullyjay.com/)
Mar 24 —  Prism Alliance (http://www.prismbookalliance.com/)
Mar 25— The Novel Approach (http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/)


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 of varying degrees of black fur, 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.
My Blog: www.rhysford.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhys.ford.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhys_Ford

My books can be purchased, folded and first chapters read at Dreamspinner Press. http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com


To enter the $20 gift certificate from an e-tailer of the winner's choice giveaway, leave a comment below and a valid way to contact you (email address, twitter handle, Goodreads link, etc.)

From the group of tour winners, Rhys Ford will randomly select ONE person to be a character in her other Los Angeles series, Murder and Mayhem. BONUS!

The $20 giveaway is open until 9 PM PST March 23, 2016. Shortly thereafter, we will contact a winner whom we will select using a highly scientific "names in a hat" method (or, you know, an internet randomizer). Please respond to the winning notification within 48 hrs or we will choose another winner.

Good luck!

67 comments:

  1. Awww, I just listened to this scene where they first meet in my re-listen of the series in audio. I loved this. Looking forward to hear more of Jae in the coming tour days.
    Twitter atMarteTonder

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  2. I'm so excited for this book! Thanks for the look at their meeting from Jae's point of view.
    Toni violet817(at)aol(dot)com

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  3. I've enjoyed the entire series and have re-read them when no other books have caught my attention.

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  4. Wow - that took me right back to the beginning. So good to get Jae's side, though he has so much pain here. I will miss both Jae and Cole and am glad to hear that we may get some more of them even after (sob) the series is over.

    jen(dot)f(at)mac(dot)com

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  5. You've tortured me for months regarding Mad Dog's past. I hope all is revealed in this epic! Can't wait! #urevil (ptkat@live.com)

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  6. So excited, so sad. I don't want it to end... but seeing things from Jae's view... Priceless.

    Thank you again for all you write!!!

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  7. "Cole McGinnis wanted me. In a way I couldn’t risk. In a way I wanted so much the buried part of me cried out for his touch.

    In a way we could never ever let happen." -- yea, just wow :)

    gamistress66 (at) aol (dot) com

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  8. I am so excited about the release of this book! I really need to know why Ben did what he did!

    Can't wait for the audio too!

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  9. as much as i am dreading that this is the end...i couldn't be more excited to read it and see how the story unfolds. plus, Rhys always does the best blog tours...ever! <3

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  10. A re-read of the series is in order so one can be in the proper frame of mind for the last book!
    JengardenATgmailDOTcom

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  11. Wow - that's something you almost never get in a first person POV - the first meeting through the other's eyes. And I always want it:) Thanks Rhys

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  12. Oh, this makes me super happy. I never knew I wanted to know what Jae was thinking, but I'm so glad you figured it out for me.

    allesonl@gmail.com

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  13. I am so looking forward to this book. I have almost all of the series in audio now as well as e-book. Now I have to read the first meeting between Cole and Jae again with this little snippet going through my head. Thank you.

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  14. You have no idea the joy you just brought to my heart with this - Jae's thoughts process so differently from Cole's, and it's wonderful to see his internal reaction then compare it to what he shows Cole. Thank you!

    angel(DOT)tilton(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  15. Love this series so much! Doing a reread to get ready for the final book!

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  16. oh man i cannot wait for this book. and i'm so glad we get Jae's POV in these lil snippets :D trinielf82@hotmail.com

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  17. God... I can't even deal with the excitement and sadness!
    Amazing amazing job Rhys... AH.MAZING

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  18. Sounds so awesome!! Thanks for chance

    Oorjanie at yahoo dot com

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  19. Thank you so much for these insights into Jae, they add so much to their story!

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  20. So many feelings about this. I'll try not to cry when my beautiful shiny paperback arrives ;) Thanks for the wonderful stories and everything you do for your readers.

    sxswann(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. Wow, Jae's pov took me back to that moment. I loved reading how it affected him.

    penumbrareads(at)gmail(DOT)com

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  22. God tears! This goodbye is going to kill me I know it....

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  23. Omg Jae!! ;-; I love his pov of their first meeting.

    lirasylira(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. So excited that the book is almost here! Love this series. 😀 kjpattersonrn@yahoo.com

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  25. I love this series. Cannot wait to read this one.
    Debby236 at gmail dot com

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  26. So happy to read and new book in the series but sad that it will be the last one.

    ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk

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  27. I am so not ready for this series to end. I love Jae and Cole so much. They kept me company with the audiobooks on long rides. They are part of the reason I want to visit the Korean district in LA one day hopefully with no one trying to murder me

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  28. These two made me an instant fan and I've read everything of yours I can get my hands on :)
    Keep writing :)

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  29. I can't wait until Monday!! I'll miss them so much!!Excellent series my favorite couple ever!!!

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  30. Can't wait to find out the ending to this great series.

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  31. How lucky am I that I haven't started the series yet so I'll get to read it or listen to it in its entirety? I am listening to the Sinner's Gin series, however & greatly enjoying it. So I know I'll love this one too. Thanks for contributing to my addiction! legacylandlisa(at)gmail.com

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  32. "humour" with an "our" -- very classy! The POV change-up is a brilliant idea for the tour.

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  33. Who names the end of the world Cole? Sigh...this was fantastic! Thank you, Rhys.
    truelavender(at)yahoo.com

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  34. These are going to be great. This book is one of the most anticipated. I'm sad that the journey is sort of ending, but I will always have the books and audiobooks to comfort me.

    ineztey@yahoo.com

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  35. Thank you for the post and excerpt! I can't wait to read this one.
    jczlapin@gmail.com

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  36. I'm in & I'm ready; Dirty Heart on pre-order, cleared the TBR behind some dusty shelves; definitely ready.
    batchelorboy55 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  37. That's an awesome giveaway! Thank you, Rhys!
    susanaperez7140(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. This book sounds deep and intriguing. my email is anthonytaylor121@hotmail.com

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  39. This was a good scene to see through Jae's point of view.

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  40. *makes weepy face for Jae* i love these two so much, i don't want to ever lose them! dogwitch@gmail.com

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  41. Super excited time - release day nearly here!
    I'm going to have to go look over the books again, may even have me a Cole and JaeMin reading weekend! The exceprt making me wonder what else I've forgotten!

    Littlesuze at hotmail.com

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  42. Can't wait...

    shellirie@gmail.com

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  43. Man is it Monday yet! I love these books! 😊 Listening to the audio books right now! Can't wait to get my hands on the last book.
    Svalentineocasio1019@yahoo.com

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  44. Thank you so much for these. I have to go start a re-read right now.

    waxapplelover (at) gmail (dot) com

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  45. I'm so excited to read this scenes from Jae's POV, and how affected he was by Cole in their first meeting.
    strive4bst(AT) yahoo(DOT)com

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  46. Great way to start the blog tour. Thanks, Rhys. :)
    lkbherring64(at)gmail(dot)com

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  47. Love this series. I will miss the boys. Diane S.
    momsdesk at Verizon dot net

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  48. There will be a lot of ugly crying during this book, I can just feel it.
    Congratulations on completing the series. I have loved every book. Jae - so complex. Re-read is looking very tempting right now.

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  49. I am so sad this is the last full novel. Love seeing Jae's viewpoint.

    dejamew@centurylink.net

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  50. Congrats on the new release! Sad and excited to read this book.
    serena91291@gmail.com

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  51. Cherryinor@gmail.comMarch 21, 2016 at 7:06 AM

    I have my copy but I'm not going to read it until I refresh my memory by rereading the other books. I want to have everything in order in my mind. And maybe the tour finished so I can include the new information. Do you get the feeling I'm trying to stretch the end out? Lol. Cherryinor@gmail.com

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  52. I am so sad that it is ending but so happy to find out the answers to all my questions. I am also hopeful in that Rhys may revisit Cole and Jae again in the future.

    Thank you so much for a wonderful ride!

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  53. Jae is so private, so enigmatic, I love seeing glimpses into how he sees the events he and a old have been through and what he's thinking.

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  54. Love, Love, Love this book and series. I have always wished for just a bit more from Jae's POV. I really enjoy Greg Tremblay's voice for him.

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  55. contact info, just in case :) spiderbluekellie@yahoo.com

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  56. It's nice to see their first meeting from Jae's POV. :-)

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  57. Wha... A goodbye to the series when I haven't even started on #1 (please don't hit me, promise I'll start soonish...) O_o;;
    Digging into my TBR stash now...
    puspitorinid AT yahoo DOT com

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  58. Woot Dirty Bit!
    @juleslovesbooks

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  59. Loved this book and the whole series. Always enjoy Jae's side of things

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  60. I can't wait to get this book! Payday is tomorrow. Yeah!

    Also I love the perspective from Jae

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  61. First I have to say congrats on the release. I've been looking forward the this book, but hate to see the series end. I haven't gotten to pick this up yet, but payday is just around the corner. Thanks for a chance in the giveaway.
    flutterfli01 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  62. BMBR would like to thank everyone for commenting, participating and sharing their love of Dirty Heart.

    A winner has been selected and will contacted briefly. Congratulations, Miranda!

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  63. I've listened to book 1 a couple times. Reading how Jae saw the want in Cole's eyes like this.... oooooh. Love that! Thank you for switching POV :)

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