Sinner's Gin

Sinners, Book 1

De: Rhys Ford

Narrado por: Tristan James

There's a dead man in Miki St. John's vintage Pontiac GTO, and he has no idea how it got there.

After Miki survives the tragic accident that killed his best friend and the other members of their band, Sinner's Gin, all he wants is to hide from the world in the refurbished warehouse he bought before their last tour. But when the man who sexually abused him as a boy is killed and his remains are dumped in Miki's car, Miki fears death isn't done with him yet.

Kane Morgan, the SFPD inspector renting space in the art co-op next door, initially suspects Miki had a hand in the man's murder, but Kane soon realizes Miki is as much a victim as the man splattered inside the GTO. As the murderer's body count rises, the attraction between Miki and Kane heats up. Neither man knows if they can make a relationship work, but despite Miki's emotional damage, Kane is determined to teach him how to love and be loved - provided, of course, Kane can catch the killer before Miki becomes the murderer's final victim.

©2012 Rhys Ford (P)2013 Dreamspinner Press

Dark at times but so worth a listen!

What did you love best about Sinner's Gin?

Everything! The story, the characters, the narration. This book was just so well done all the way around.

What other book might you compare Sinner's Gin to and why?

The Cole McGinnis mystery series by the same author. It's rich with dialogue and culture much like this book.

Which scene was your favorite?

The guest house the night Kane's mom brings Miki home. Wow!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both! Listening to Miki in that interview room, going over all the dirty details of how he was violated as a child made me cry, but then his self depricating sense of humor made me laugh out loud.

Any additional comments?

Miki St.John is a recluse that rarely leaves his house, he even orders in his groceries. After the death of his three bandmates, including his best friend Damien, in a car accident he has withdrawn from society. Living in the huge remodeled warehouse that he and Damien bought before their last tour and had renovated, he hides from the world. Until a serial killer, a stray dog, and a sexy irish detective that just won't go away and leave Miki to wallow in his self misery come along, and turn his world upside down.

Kane Morgan is an openly gay successful inspector with the SFPD to spite his sexuality, no one cares! The second oldest of eight children, he comes from a long line of cops. Half the Morgan clan work for the police dept, as did their father and his fater. ONE brother is a fireman, the black sheep they call him. His irish roots and his family are extremely important to him, they are ingrained in him and make him the man he is. The only thing he's been missing for a while now is someone to love, and then he meets his small but boisterous neighbor and is immediately drawn into thos gold/green eyes that smolder when the young man is angry or defiant. Which is most of the time.

While Kane dances around Miki's troubling past, constant nightmares and a killer that is probably coming after Miki... he starts to fall in love with the broken man. He doesn't just want to protect Miki, he wants to help him heal and show him that it is possible to love and be loved without pain. There are so many obstacles in the way of their happy ever after. Miki misses his best friend something fierce and blames himself a lot for the accident, that coupled with the scars he carries both mentally and physically make it difficult for him to open up and trust anyone. Seriously, its like Kane has to wade through a mine field every time he tries to get close to the young man.

Kane works his way under Miki's skin a while getting on his last good nerve. Just when you think these two may actually be able to love each other and not kill each other, you are reminded of the killer that is stalking Miki's every move and leaving body parts on his front porch in a walmart sack!

This is a very dark story about sins of the past and the inability to bury them. Murder, mystery, intrigue and suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. But then you have this magnetic love story building between Kane and Miki, polor opposites that with one goal in mind. Loving and protecting each other. Kane is large and in charge and refuses to allow Miki to hide from him or push him away. Miki's dry and often self depricating sense of humor add some comic relief to this otherwise very dark and serious storyline. And when these two finally succumb to the attraction it is erotic, explicit, detailed and absolutley perfect.

I'm so happy I found these books and I'm off to start the next one immediately. If you are a fan of murder, mystery and mayhem with some passionate guys tying a big bow around it, then this is a book for you. narrated by Tristan James and he nails every intricacy of the Irish family clans various accents and nuances superbly. And there is this wounded animal aspect to Miki that comes across with such rawness in his voice, that it will almost make you cry. Love the storyline, characters and narration!!

Excellent start, terrific narration

I recently read a few wonderful short stories that Rhys Ford shared during her blog tour for Rebel. She introduced old and new friends and among them were Miki and Kane. These stories made me want to go back and re-read the Sinner's series, as I have such fond memories of the Morgan clan and the band.

I loved this book, a lot. I loved pretty much everything about it. My hart broke so many times for Miki, I had forgotten how gut-wrenching his past was. How utterly alone he was, his only company being a dag he didn’t even dare call his own. And yes, I skipped reading the blurb this time around, figured I remembered the basic s and premise of the book - I was wrong, and it was a bit of a punch in the gut. I hurt so much for him and everything he lost. For everything he never had, but should have had. What many of us takes for granted, and forget to appreciate; someone who truly cares about you. Someone that sees you and loves you unconditionally.

Kane Morgan rents the space next to Miki’s home, for his craft projects when he wants to get away from all the stress that being a police detective can bring. He is less than impressed by the snarly young man next door. He’s even less impressed when he finds a gruesome body in the trunk of Miki’s car. He is still, fascinated by this broken man and can’t stop thinking about him… and he’s not thinking about him as a suspect in his case. And all he wants is to wrap Miki in his arms and protect him from all the evils from his past that threatens to destroy him for good.

Another character that I really enjoyed was Dude. He's just what this grumpy recluse of a rock star needs. The thieving little terrier mix slowly coaxes Miki to care for another living being again. Very reluctantly I might add, but it works. He’s also the one to bring Kane into their lives. He rules them both with his subtle (and not so subtle) paw.

The Morgan clan is just great! They can be an insane and definitely loud and overbearing bunch, but they are wonderful, and just like a true family should be. Unconditional love all around. Solid. And just what Miki needs, but maybe in small doses to start, they can be a bit of a culture shock for someone like him.

Tristan James was a good choice of narrator for this book. I loved his voice for Kane, it was spot on. He knows his accents and portrays them well. Ok, so he slips up a little every now and then, but there are only a handful of narrators out there who never does, so I can forgive him that. I do wish that he performed the book a bit more at times instead of narrating, but then again I am very partial to that type of audio. Again it's something I can forgive and it definitely won't keep me from picking up more books narrated by him. In fact, I'm moving right on to Whiskey and Wry.

The book ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, or well not a cliffhanger per se, just a teaser of what's to come in the next book. One that will make you wish you can start reading book two right after finishing this one, so make sure you have it ready to go.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes Reviews

Such a Great Book

Not only did I read this book, I also listened to the audible version. Tristan James is a great narrator and his performance in this book rocked. He brought the Irish accent in and voiced the characters so well, that I didn't want the book to end. Rhys Ford writes a great story - love, murder, drama and family. It hits all the marks and has all the feels. Don't miss this one, it is well worth the credit.

Sinners Gin

Reminds me detective books written in the 40’fifties! Excellent character development and the man character, Meki and Kane fit perfectly- excellent chemistry! The narrator is superb! Combining Roamance and a crazy Irish family added for more to the overall plot development! Well done and excited more! Highly recommend for a very distinct romance full of excitement! Entertains and keeps you on their toes! Loved this story with characters not soon forgotten!

Tristan James Brings This Book To Life

As the author of this book, I wanted to give a HUGE thank you to Tristan James' work in this narration. His voices for the individual characters was perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed his reading. I have heard nothing but positive reviews from my readers on his performance so thank you so much!

Wow!

One of my very favorite books by Rhys Ford!!! Love the characters... book is steamy... very sexual... satisfying and held my interest. Could be my fave couple! OMG, the narration... swoon... that Irish brogue was beyond hot! This is well worth the credit and a definite 5 star plus!!!

Awesome!!

I was so excited this came out in audio. I loved this book and loved the audio version. The narrator is very good, complete with an Irish brogue. He also brought emotion to the story, which was great. A great love story and murder mystery. I hope the sequel also comes out with the same narrator.

1st Ford book to listen to and not the last!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, great characters, keeps your interest throughout the whole book, never a boring part.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sinner's Gin?

When Miki kicked the crap out of his stalker!

What does Tristan James bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great voices, even the Irish

One of the best narrators I've heard, great story

So, first off the story is good, but the narrator is better. He brought the story to life. Sometimes its hard for me to differentiate between characters when listening to audiobooks but I had no problem this time. When there are similar accents they can often blur together but Tristan James did an excellent job without having to identify each person speaking. I put him in the same category as Scott Brick who is always a delight to listen to.

What a wild ride for the first book in a series

I thought this was an exceptional start to a series. I am certainly looking forward to book 2. This will go on my keep shelf and be enjoyed many times, as a book as well as an audiobook.