RELEASE BLITZ
Book Title: Storm Warning
Author: Thom Collins
Publisher: Self-Published
Cover Artist: Designerans
Release Date: October 12, 2020
Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance
Trope/s: Cruise ship romance, moving on
Themes: Widower finding love again,
international travel, emotional healing
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 52 000 words/208 pages
It is a standalone story.
Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
The trip of a lifetime is far from smooth sailing
Blurb
Jamie Johnson is going to sea for the first time in his life. Atlantic Star is one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world, and a two-week trip to Iceland offers Jamie the perfect escape. His life has been on hold since the death of his husband and a working holiday onboard a state-of-the-art ship is an opportunity to explore the world he’s been hiding from. A chance to think about his future and decide what he wants to do with the rest of his life.
When Dexter Fordyce steps onboard, all he wants is a good time. The cruise is his first holiday in years, and workaholic Dexter is ready to relax and enjoy himself. If he can manage a little fun with someone like Jamie, even better. Jamie is flattered by the attention. Dexter is handsome, charming and great fun and proves impossible to resist.
Jamie’s hopes of romance died with his husband. The prospect of a shipboard passion is attractive, but Jamie’s heart has been broken for too long and he can’t take the risk of falling in love. With stormy weather ahead, the two men are set for a voyage they will never forget.
Excerpt
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he said, gazing into the night. Straight ahead he could see nothing but dark, the blackness was complete, but leaning on the balcony and looking down, he saw the moderate swell of the ocean and the white-capped waves hitting the side of the ship.
“We’re moving at a fair speed,” Jamie said, glancing at the wake they gave off.
“I suppose we have to, to cover the miles.”
Jamie stepped near to him, their upper arms touching as they stood against the railing.
He’s regaining his composure, Dexter thought.
Somewhere inside Jamie was a desire to be loved again, Dexter was sure of it. To be desired and wanted and not to spend the rest of his life alone. His love for Tyler could never be doubted, but Jamie was too young, had too much of his life remaining, to be on his own forever.
Dexter took a mouthful of champagne and swallowed, choosing his words. “I know this is new for you, and that it can’t be easy. I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to, or aren’t ready for. What I’m trying to say is this is all up to you. How much or how little we do together, you decide. I won’t push you into anything.”
Jamie took a deep breath and sighed. He moved his hand from the railing and put it on Dexter’s waist. “I know what I want. And he’s standing right here.”
Dexter turned to face him. How handsome, how striking he looked, in the early hours of the morning, so far out to sea. He caressed Jamie’s face with the tips of his fingers, along his cheek and the lean length of his jaw. “You’re taking my breath away right now; I hope you realise that.”
Jamie put his own hand on top of Dexter’s. “Let’s go inside.”
My Review: I had read a previous book written by Thom Collins and I quite enjoyed it. I found I didn’t connect with this one as well.
Jamie Johnson is embarking on a working-cruise with his sister-in-law. He’s still mourning the tragic loss of his husband. This is the first time he has tried to have a pseudo vacation since his loss and faced the possibility of getting out in the world again.
I think my frustration with this novel lies in the fact that the backstory for Jamie and his husband was super interesting and maybe that was the story I wanted to read about. In comparison to the love that Jamie had with his husband…the connection that he felt to the man he met on the cruise ship felt really vague and fragile. The instant that Dexter didn’t get the connection with Jamie that he wanted he was drinking and having sex with other men. I just found that a little difficult to process given how obsessed he seemed with Jamie.
When Jamie and Dexter meet – sure – Jamie is on the cusp of venturing back out into the world of dating and relationships. But I found the way that he was instantly attracted to Dexter and then almost immediately fell in love with him to be quite unbelievable.
Davina (Dexter’s mother) was a great supporting character. At first, I thought she was going to be an entitled songstress, but she was lovely. She was probably my favorite character in the book. She was super-supportive of her son, his dating-life, and was such a straight talker.
The epilogue was intriguing and points to future installments of this novel changing direction. Now, I really enjoyed “North Point” Jagged shores #1 – and that novel was essentially a crime novel. It was one of the most dramatic novels I have read in a while… I was on the edge of my seat. I have high hopes for the continuation of this series if it goes that route!
About the Author
Thom Collins is the author of Closer by Morning, North Point and the Anthem Trilogy. His love of page turning thrillers began at an early age when his mother caught him reading the latest Jackie Collins book and confiscated it, sparking a life-long love of raunchy novels.
He is currently working on a new series.
Thom has lived in the North East of England his whole life. He grew up in Northumberland and now lives in County Durham with his husband and two cats. He loves all kinds of genre fiction, especially bonk-busters, thrillers, romance and horror. He is also a cookery book addict with far too many titles cluttering his shelves. When not writing he can be found in the kitchen trying out new recipes. He’s a keen traveler but with a fear of flying that gets worse with age, but in 2013 he realized cruising is the best way to see the world.
Check out his website for news updates and a free ebook The Night.
Other links
Twitter: @thomwolf | Instagram: thomcollinsauthor | Newsletter Sign-up
Giveaway
Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to win
one of 5 ebook copies of Storm Warning
Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts and reviews here
Kinzie Things 