Time for Last Call at the bar. Well, at least for the Sinners boys. We’re at the final book in the series and I want to say thank you to everyone who’s been with me on this six year journey. Well almost seven for me but I started before the rest of you did.
But man, it’s been a ride.
When I first brought Miki to the page, I never imagined he’d go as far as he has. From the series being picked up and writing a second book to audiobooks then translations, this series has been a labour of both love and hate. I hate to see it go but I loved getting to the end.
Throughout this tour, I’ll be sharing vignettes / scenes I wanted to write about the characters but weren’t really pertinent to the books. Some were suggested by readers in my Facebook group, Coffee, Cats and Murder while others just felt right to include.
I hope you enjoy these slices of life with the characters from the Sinners series and join me on this final stop on this journey I started with Sinner’s Gin.
Oh… and before I forget, there’s a GIVEAWAY. You’ll be entering to win a $25 USD gift certificate to the online retailer of your choice!
**To enter, just leave a comment!! Mandi will choose a random winner on Saturday.**
So, Last Call and I promise you’ll see bits and pieces of the boys as the years go by. We’ll at least drop in to say hello once in a while.
Much love to you all. And thank you…so very damned much.
Miki and Damien
Sinjun liked to take walks.
It was an odd pastime for somebody with a bum knee, but his brother clearly defined odd. Damien was never sure if Sinjun’s need to ramble stemmed from a burning desire to reassure himself he was free of anyone’s chains or if it was a way he gathered his thoughts. The why of it didn’t matter so much as the when because sometimes when he needed Sinjun the most, his brother was nowhere to be found.
This time, however, Damien caught Sinjun at the door.
Despite all the years of knowing Miki St. John, Damien was still amused by his feral brother’s reaction to being told to wait up. His emotions played out over his face, subtle signs of stubborn annoyance then resignation flickering through his eyes and the set of his mouth but only if you knew him well enough to read him. His hazel eyes were always wary, catching every movement around him, and he held himself a bit too tight to be called relaxed.
Damien hated that most of all. He hated how Sinjun lived his life holding his breath, waiting for the next shoe — or fist — to fall. Donal insisted the day would come when Sinjun didn’t scan a crowd for trouble or flinch at a loud noise but Damien wasn’t going to hedge his bets. Maybe Sinjun’s rambles were his subtle way of telling the world to fuck off, of going out and testing his resolve, facing the fears lurking inside of him.
Or maybe his baby brother was simply that fierce, willing to take on any battle thrown at him simply to show the world he wasn’t afraid.
“Let me grab my jacket and I’ll go with you,” Damien offered. “Since it looks like the dog tapped out.”
Dude was as independent as his — Damien wouldn’t say owner but rather companion — Sinjun. Most of the time the dog was more than willing to sit patiently while Sinjun clipped on his leash, something Kane religiously insisted he do. Neither dog nor man cared for the leash but were willing to compromise if only to make Kane happy. Or at least that’s what everyone believed. For all Damie knew, Sinjun took the dog off the leash as soon as he crossed the street. He wouldn’t put it past his brother but he also knew from Sinjun, a promise was a promise, so Dude probably remained leashed for as long as they walked. At the moment, the sound of his leash being jingled didn’t move the dog from his place on the couch nor did he so much as twitch an ear from his upside down position, communicating quite literally had no intention of joining Sinjun that afternoon.
“Unless you don’t want company?” Damien stopped midway of putting on his shoe, glancing up at his brother while he balanced on one foot.
Again, Sinjun was easy to read or at least for Damien. It was a split-second shuffle between desire and expectations. A rapid-fire assessment was going on behind those thoughtful eyes, a brief flick of his lashes then Sinjun murmured, “No, you can come. Just going for a walk to clear my head.”
“Oh those of the best kinds of walks,” he replied, checking to make sure he had his wallet in his back pocket. “How about if we swing by Chang’s and grab a few char siu bao? I’ve been jonesing for those the past couple of days and haven’t grabbed any.”
If there was one way to Miki St. John’s heart, it was through his stomach. The steamed bread dumplings filled with a bright red, savory-sweet pork filling was Sinjun’s favorite food in the world. If he had one thing he could eat twenty-four / seven, it was dim sum and char siu bao seemed to bring out a level of happiness Sinjun only matched by one of Kane’s kisses.
Sinjun’s mouth quirked to one side. “I could totally get down for that. It’s kind of late though. He might not have any.”
“I have faith,” Damien chuckled. “I also gave him a call as soon as I heard you grab your keys and call the dog for a walk. Chang’s got six set aside for us. Just let me get my other shoe on, and I’ll be ready to go.”
They ended up eating their bao at Woh Hei Yuen Park on John street, a few yards away from where Sinjun had been found by the cops wandering aimlessly over two decades before.
It was a small divot of green grass and a children’s play area dotted with swooping park benches and a pagoda gazebo sitting on a hill opposite the arched entranceway. The wisteria was blooming a little bit out of season, and the park was fairly empty with only a pair of little boys and their mothers playing on the miniature Asian sailing vessel built near the jungle gyms.
The walk up the hill had been brutal and more than once Damien almost stopped Sinjun to ask if he was okay, but his brother kept up a steady pace, powering through the incline after they’d grabbed their food from Chang’s. A food truck sat outside the park selling braised pork belly tacos, and they’d grabbed a couple of those along with several bottles of unsweetened iced tea. The picnic benches beneath the wisteria were empty so they sat on a table top with their feet hanging over the edge and unwrapped their food.
“You remember any of this?” Damien asked softly, peeling off the paper from the bottom of the bao. “We’ve never really talked about that.”
“A lot of this wasn’t here. I mean, the buildings were but everything’s different.” Sinjun twisted around, looking about. “Fuck, the street’s name isn’t even St. John. The social worker read the report and it said ST. John for where I was found. So that’s how they got my name. This park wasn’t here. That’s a lot cleaner now. I came down here a couple of times when I could get away from Vega.
“I don’t know why I came here. I don’t know what I was expecting to find.” Sinjun went silent, tearing his bao part then biting into one half. Chewing slowly, he glanced over Damien. “But that day? I don’t remember jack shit.”
“Do you think about it?” Damie cracked open one of the teas and set it down next to Sinjun before opening his own. “I think about shit with my parents all the time. Especially when we’re around Donal and Brigid. I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have parents like that, you know?”
“I figure life is what it’s supposed to be.” Sinjun shrugged, picking out the meat filling with his fingers then tucking it into his mouth. “We’d be different people. Maybe not even people we would like to know. Maybe we would not like each other. I don’t know. I guess I don’t worry about shit I can’t change because even with the fuckery Vega and Shing put me through, I wouldn’t have met you without them.
“And you wouldn’t have pushed yourself to be free of your parents if things are different.” He gestured with the dug-out bread half, catching the attention of a fat pigeon. Sinjun broke off a piece and threw it towards the bird who pounced on it then flew off. “Whatever would’ve happened to me after I got away from Vega probably wouldn’t have been much better than if I’d stayed with him.”
“That’s not true —”
“That’s all the truth,” Sinjun cut him off. “I didn’t have schooling and I was spending my time working to feed myself. There wasn’t anything ahead of me but the next day. You finding me after a shitty gig when you were pissed off and looking for someone or something different than what you had meant you took me with you when you started climbing for the stars.
“I wouldn’t have met Johnny and Dave. And as much as I love music, I wouldn’t have been able to learn the guitar or how to write songs without meeting you.” Sinjun ate the rest of his bread, then said. “You asked me one time why I didn’t get you a headstone like I did them and I keep telling you it’s because I knew you were still alive but mostly it’s because I couldn’t imagine you dead. It’s like if you were gone, I would have to go back to that fire escape and wait for you to return. Because my life couldn’t begin again without you. Because it didn’t begin the first time without you.”
“I’m glad Kane showed up to help you pick up the pieces,” Damien replied, giving his brother a quick one armed hug. “And Dude. I think he went a long way in keeping you grounded until your cop showed up.”
“He did,” Sinjun agreed with a laugh. “I love Kane with all my heart. I never for one fucking moment thought I’d fall in love with him, especially since he chewed my ass out about the dog but he snuck in. Climbed over the wall and set up shop. And then he brought all of the Morgans with him.”
“And then one of them brought me.” Damien teased. “I’m going to remember that moment in the kitchen for the rest of my life. I never thought my heart could stop and race at the same time until the moment I saw you. And fucking Sionn, God I love him but if only he’d gone to meet his fucking cousin’s boyfriend, I would’ve found you sooner.”
“It is what it’s supposed to be, D.” Sinjun nudged Damien’s shoulder with his own, laughing at the disgruntled expression on Damien’s face. “Are there things that I would change? Yeah but I also know how they would alter what’s real for me now. I don’t look back that way. I can’t. I only can look forward and hope you, Kane, and the rest of the entire fucking insanity he and Sionn have dragged us into will be there for the ride. And I’m good with that. I don’t want to live my life any other way. Especially since I found a really good happy with all of you in it.”
Sin and Tonic Tour Dates
Follow the tour! From May 9th to the 15th at these great blogs!
9 Smexy Books: https://smexybooks.com/
10 It’s About The Book: https://itsaboutthebook.com/
11 Joyfully Jay: http://joyfullyjay.com/
12 The Blogger Girls: https://thebloggergirls.com/
13 Ndulgent Bloggers: http://guiltyindulgencebookclub.blogspot.com/
14 Love Bytes: http://lovebytesreviews.com/
15 The Novel Approach: http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.com/
Sin and Tonic by Rhys Ford
Sinners Series: Book Six
Miki St. John believed happy endings only existed in fairy tales until his life took a few unexpected turns… and now he’s found his own.
His best friend, Damien, is back from the dead, and their new band, Crossroads Gin, is soaring up the charts. Miki’s got a solid, loving partner named Kane Morgan—an Inspector with SFPD whose enormous Irish family has embraced him as one of their own—and his dog, Dude, at his side.
It’s a pity someone’s trying to kill him.
Old loyalties and even older grudges emerge from Chinatown’s murky, mysterious past, and Miki struggles to deal with his dead mother’s abandonment, her secrets, and her brutal murder while he’s hunted by an enigmatic killer who may have ties to her.
The case lands in Kane’s lap, and he and Miki are caught in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. When Miki is forced to face his personal demons and the horrors of his childhood, only one thing is certain: the rock star and his cop are determined to fight for their future and survive the evils lurking in Miki’s past.
Dreamspinner Press: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/sin-and-tonic-by-rhys-ford-9595-b
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CQKKTPC/
About Rhys Ford
Rhys Ford is an award-winning author with several long-running LGBT+ mystery, thriller, paranormal, and urban fantasy series and is a two-time LAMBDA finalist with her Murder and Mayhem novels. She is published by Dreamspinner Press and DSP Publications.
She’s also quite skeptical about bios without a dash of something personal and really, who doesn’t mention their cats, dog and cars in a bio? She shares the house with Harley, an insane grey tuxedo as well as a ginger cairn terrorist named Gus. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep a 1979 Pontiac Firebird and enjoys murdering make-believe people.
Rhys’ Blog: www.rhysford.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhys.ford.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Rhys_Ford
Rhys Ford’s books can found at Dreamspinner Press (http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com), DSP Publications (https://www.dsppublications.com/) and all major online book stores.
Get vinnette, impatiently waiting for the last book
It’s like hearing from old friends. Can’t wait to read Sin and Tonic.
Sorry Shelli I was trying to comment and hit the wrong comment button.
Ahh their friendship is the best! It gets me every time.
Bring on more of those slice of life!! *giddy with excitement* Massive congrats on the upcoming release; it’s a bittersweet feeling to see it ends…
Can’t wait for the book!
Can’t wait for the last book. Love these guys.
It’s like hearing from old friends. Can’t wait to read Sin and Tonic.
Love this! I can’t wait to read this book!
I love Sinjun & Damie!
These are going to be awesome, if today’s is anything to go by! It’s sad it’s the last book. But, what a last book!
Love the relationship with Miki and Damien! Its one of my favorite things about the series. Can’t wait to read the book!
I cried through most of the book and I cried reading this. But they’re not entirely sad tears. This has been my favorite series of all time.
I hope he really does get his HEA, he deserves it. Can’t wait.
No comments. Just dancing in glee
Great vignette / scenes looking forward to read more.
Oh, Miki’s got a way about him alright. I like how he’s getting a bit more comfortable in his own skin (and with the Morgan clan).
Looking forward to tomorrow!
I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time…and dreading it. Thanks for the little bits of life as they know it.
Oh my god, I’m crying now. I love Miki and Damie. Miki was my first true Rhys love. I went looking for more of her stuff after I read the first Cole and Jai book and just fell in love with Miki so hard. I shall miss my feral dude the most. Re-reads will be often I see it now.
Going to miss the boys, at least I can read them over and over.
This is the best series and I can’t wait to read the final chapter!!!
I love this series. Can’t wait to read the last chapter. I’m gonna miss them!
Happy new release! Can’t wait to read it. My husband’s middle name is St. John and no one ever knows how to pronounce it!
I love these vignettes! They truly reflect the hearts and souls of your characters.
Going to listen to the whole audible now. And then read the last book. I should have started a week ago. So unprepared. :(
Waiting not so patiently for this to come out. Love me some Miki …..
I love the snippets of Miki’s life. Hate to see the end but know it was w ok rth the wait.
What a journey this has been. How great it is that Rhys has the brain to pick us all up for these rides, bruised and battered but smiling through our tears.
I love Miki and Damien’s relationship. It is nice to read more about the two of them.
I’ll be sorry to see the series end. Rhys has written some great characters.
Love this x
6 long days… *sigh
while on one hand hate to see the series end, that last line is why i can also be ok & good with it.
Such a sweet scene
Can’t wait for the book. Will it be coming out on Audible at the same time?
LOVE this one. I await the last book with eager sadness!
I already have mine pre-ordered!! :)
Can’t wait for this book!!!
Great vignette. What a great friend and brother relationship.
love it, can’t wait for release day!
Thank you. Thank you sooooo much!
Just finished rereading the series, soooo good. Six long days until the end, can’t wait! :-)
I hadn’t read any of Rhys Ford’s books. Then I read Sinner’s Gin and it knocked me for a loop. I’ve read and loved all of her other series, but the Sinners series is my first Favorite. While I’m sad the series is ending, I can imagine everyone leading ‘normal’ lives surrounded by friends and loved ones.
Rhys, thank you for the many, many years of reading enjoyment.
It’s time for a series binge! I’m taking my time getting to this last book, I’m glade its out but I’m sorry to see this awesome series end.
I can’t wait for the book but I’m going to miss these characters!
One of the good things about discovering a book series late is that you get to read them all at once. Yay!
Love these boys, and I’ve loved seeing them grow. These scenes are just more windows to their lives.
I so love your blog tours, Rhys, You always come with great stories, beside bearing amazing gifts!
I cannot believe it is time to say goodbye~
Absolutely loved this series and following them through the years
I love these guys. I can’t wait to read the book.
Looks good. New to me author. Great excerpt. Thanks for the chance to win
I love sitting and talking to old friends. Thank you guys for letting us tag along on your walk.
I adore this series. One of the luckiest things I ever did was find Sinners Gin on BookBub ages ago, get curious, and click. I’d never have imagined that I’d fall in love with the stories the way I have! I love these little peeks into their lives as well. Makes me think of a word a friend from Louisiana uses, lagniappe, a little something extra/a bonus.
Miki is right & wrong at the same time. Yes I believe life would have been different for them but I still believe those two souls would have found a way to be together. They are part of each other.
I love to catch up on characters!
So looking forward to read the last book, even though it’s a bit bittersweet that this is the end…
‘He hated how Sinjun lived his life holding his breath, waiting for the next shoe — or fist — to fall.’ I can only imagine how many people feel like this every day…either due to circumstances in their past or the way they’re living today.
Thank you for writing characters with depth that we’re able to connect to!
Rhys hit it out of the park with this book! Every character shines.
Congratulations, Rhys, on this new release; I wish you and it much success. And thanks for sharing the vignette.
Nice slice of life between the band brothers. I like the way Miki is leaving the past in the past and looking forward, and dragging a back looking Damie with him. :)
So excited, but oh how I hate to see this end! Love these guys!
Wonderful outtake in their lives. I love this series.
A new to me author!! love finding them and their books. This one sounds really great, can’t wait to read this one.
Miki is so wise! Thanks for the vignette, though it made me hungry.
I love these guys!
I love this! And them!
Ahhh this makes me even more excited for the book! :)
I missed these guys:)
I’m loving this book so much! It’s bittersweet but it also makes me want to re-read the whole series.
I started a re-listen to the whole series to get ready for this long awaited book. I’m in Sinner’s Gin heaven.
Another series to add to the list. This sounds great.
Thank you for the vignette! Looking forward to the release.
It is awesome to see Damie and Miki still so in sync that death couldn’t keep them apart
Soooooo cant wait for the rest of the blogs before the final book is out , it’s a happy sad feeling xxxx
Love these extra snippets we would miss if not for the blog tours.
Love these guys. Can’t wait to read it.
I’m in the middle of Sin and Tonic now. I’m going to be sad to see them go. :(
I’m so sorry to see our boys’ story end, but I’m so anxious for this book all the same. Thank you for sharing their world with us!
<3 Love this series so much!
I’ve read other Rhys Ford books but not this series which is on my wishlist.
I’m going to miss following the band around.
Rhys has written so many books that have touched me, but Miki and Kane are my favorites!
I love that the last book is almost here at last but hate the fact that it’s the last one ever. I’ve been re-reading the series but mistimed it and finished a little too early this is just what I needed! :-)
So many feels. I adore this series!
I love slices of life stories!!
Feeeels!!
I love your books, Rhys. And your blog tours. They are amazing
Can’t wait to start reading Sin and Tonic. Love this series!
Love the series. Great characters that make picking favorites very hard.
Congrats and thanks for the post. Another good one in this great series.
Love the heart-to-heart!
Aw. Love this.
I am going to miss these people.
Such a heartrending tour in a way, but lovely!
It’s next up on the Kindle. Can’t wait. Love Miki & Rhys’ writing.
I’m going to miss Sinjun and Damie, but I’m glad their lives will finally calm done and not have so many dead bodies and bullets anymore.