Title: Past Hurts
Series: Sizzling Miami Book 1
Author: Jessie G.
Genre: M/M Romantic Suspense
Release Date: June 24, 2020 (2nd edition)
Cover Design Credit: Andrew Reyna
Blurb
Before they can get back together, Alaric and Davin will have to unravel the secrets that tore them apart.
Abandoned by his mother and raised by a judgmental, homophobic father on the unforgiving streets of Overtown, Davin Monroe knows a lot about survival and little about love.
As heir to the family business, Alaric Bennett’s innate strength makes him the pillar upon which the family problems fall, but leaves him emotionally abandoned by those that need him.
One chance meeting and five beautiful years together do not prepare them for the dark, depraved jealousy threatening their hard-earned happiness.
Now a killer has forced Detective Monroe to face the past and the only man his heart has ever wanted. With only one shot at redemption, Alaric is determined to uncover the truth and bring his lover home for good.
Before they can get back together, Alaric and Davin will have to unravel the secrets that tore them apart. But will the truth be enough to heal their past hurts?
Past Hurts is the first suspenseful novel in the Sizzling Miami Series. Originally published in 2014, Past Hurts has been rewritten and expanded, adding more than twenty thousand words to the overall story. If you love mystery and second chance romance, then you’ll love this newly expanded version by Jessie G.
Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon AU
Excerpt
“Are you going to say something or just stare at my ass until dinner’s done?”
Holy shit, he had been staring at that ass and who the hell could blame him? Didn’t he know firsthand how fine that ass looked and felt? “What the fuck, Ric? What are you doing here? How did you get in?”
“Cooking dinner so we can eat before we run, and I have a key,” Alaric answered without turning and continued to move food around a frying pan as if he had the first fucking clue how to cook. He never cooked or rarely ever cooked in the years they spent together.
Dumbfounded, Davin wasn’t sure he heard correctly. “You have a key?”
“Yep.” The spatula-free hand gestured toward the small breakfast bar. “It’s over there with my wallet if you want to take it.”
Obviously, there was no point in bothering. “You have copies.”
“Of course, I do.”
Of course, you do. You are Alaric Bennett and locked doors just magically open for you.
Then the rest of his words registered. “We aren’t running anywhere.”
“You didn’t come home to run?” Alaric finally looked over his shoulder, one perfectly sculpted eyebrow lifting as if to say, ‘who are you trying to kid?’ That subtle arrogance directly affected Davin’s libido and Alaric knew it. “Right. That’s what I thought.”
“If you came here to talk…”
“Do I look like I want to fucking talk?” Slamming the spatula on the stove, Alaric turned, reached out and curled a hand around the back of his neck, shrinking the already small space between them to nothing. “Or that either of us is ready for that conversation? You need to eat, you need to run, and you need to sleep. In that order. Go get changed.”
“Ric.” Davin was appalled to hear the helplessness in his tone, the one that begged Alaric to complete the embrace and finally give him a safe place to rest.
“Go get changed, Davin, now.”
With their foreheads touching, Davin could see that he wasn’t the only one all tied up in their emotions. That Alaric, who had always been so strong, was barely holding it together. In that moment, Davin realized he expected Alaric to take the news of his brother’s death, delivered by an ex-lover, the way he did everything else. With strength and stoicism, do what needs to be done and never show any emotion. Except with Davin, Alaric never hid them, and it was ridiculous to think he would start now.
No, they weren’t ready for that conversation and Alaric was right about what he needed, so retreat seemed the obvious choice. This—the dinner, the pretense of caring about what he needed—was nothing more than a way to ease some guilt. Maybe if he let Alaric get it out of his system, they could both move on.
“Yes, Ric.”
4 of 5 Stars
I read the first edition of this book twice, but it’s been a couple of years. There are a couple of places in this second edition that I know are different but for the most part, because I know this story and the series so well, I can’t point to all the new additions with certainty. I can say the book does seem to flow a little better.
When I look back at the date I read the first edition, it seems like so long ago…this series has been a part of my life for over six years and I’ve read, re-read, and dissected it many times. I actually read book two first and immediately reached out to Jessie because that book is in my top ten all-time favorites. Unbeknownst to me I already had this book on my kindle waiting to be read.
It’s hard for me to review this book now without giving spoilers away for the rest of the series. These men play such pivotal roles in the rest of the series and Ric especially interacts with other characters so well it’s hard to see him in this first light.
Ric and Davin are soulmates as proven by the eight years of separation that didn’t lessen their love for each other. I love the way they take care of each other and seamlessly fit together. My favorite scene, still, is their ‘truth time’ (it’s a bit spoilery but magical and you’ll know when you read it so I won’t give away more than that).
As I’ve already alluded to, the guys continue to be major characters in the rest of this series which I highly recommend.
Read the Series
Author Bio
Like many readers, the dream of being a writer has been with me a long time. After three decades of trying, I’d begun to doubt. Thanks to social media, I followed my favorite authors hoping to glean some words of wisdom as I pounded out half-formed ideas with alarming regularity. Two repetitive themes emerged: to be a great writer you must read a lot and your butt must be in the chair every day like it’s a job. The more you write, the easier it will be to write and the better you will be at writing. I took that advice to heart and write every day. With three series in the works and a full schedule of releases planned for the next two years, it’s been amazing to have made this dream my reality.
I am a firm believer in marriage equality, love at first sight, power dynamics, and happily ever after. I’m a lover of strong secondary characters, and series filled with families—biological or chosen. All are themes you’ll find throughout my books.
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Giveaway
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