Gabriel Wyatt is a big city Detective living in a small Ohio town. He expects a peaceful existence once he moves from Miami, Florida, but that’s the last thing he finds. Instead, Gabe discovers murder, mayhem, and one smart-mouthed stylist he can’t get out of his head.
Josh “Jazz” Roman is a small-town business owner with big dreams and an attitude to match. He finds himself in the middle of a case that brings the dreamy detective to the front door of his Curl Up and Dye Salon. Josh learns that the biggest threat to him isn’t a killer; it’s a man who wants something from him that he vowed to never give again – his heart.
Both men deny that there’s something between them, even though they’re drawn together like magnets. Can Gabe convince Josh to let down his guard or will Josh let past hurts destroy his chance at a happy future?
CURL UP AND DYE MYSTERIES SERIES, BOOK 1
M/M ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
RELEASE DATE: 11.08.16
AUDIO RELEASE: 11.07.17
PHOTOGRAPHER: Wander Aguiar
COVER ARTIST: Jay Aheer/Simply Defined Art
Narrator: Joel Leslie
Listening Length: 8 hours and 49 minutes
AMAZON US
AMAZON UK
My ringing phone woke me up. I was disoriented because it had grown dark while I napped on the couch with Diva and I momentarily forgot what day it was. I looked at the caller ID and was shocked to see who was calling me. I debated on letting it go to voicemail for about two seconds before I answered it.
“Hello?”
“How are you doing?” Gabe’s deep voice warmed parts of me that no amount of purring from a cat could affect.
“I’m doing okay,” I replied. Was I?
“You feel like having company?” I heard the slight hesitation in his voice, as if he wasn’t sure how well his question would be received.
I knew what happened almost every single time that we were alone together. Was that what I wanted right then? “Yes,” I said answering both of our questions.
“Good,” he said, his voice deepening because he also knew what would happen. “Come down and let me in.”
“You’re here now?” I stood up and ran my free hand through my hair in an attempt to smooth it into place.
“Yes. Come down here and let me in. I’m freezing my nuts off,” he groused.
“Give me a few minutes,” I said and then hung up. I flipped on a few lights on my way to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I rushed through my routine so that I didn’t keep him waiting long. It was freezing outside and I didn’t want his balls to freeze. I was pretty fond of them, even if I was unsure of the man they were attached to.
“It’s about time,” he said when I opened the door to him. “What the hell took so long?”
I grabbed him by the coat and pulled him into me, pressing my lips against his. Gabe parted his cold lips and I slid my tongue inside to explore his warm mouth in a languid kiss. For once, I didn’t want to rush him into bed. I wanted to take my time and get to know his body better. Hell, I hadn’t even wrapped my lips around his big cock yet; a mistake I planned to rectify immediately.
“Minty fresh,” Gabe said, when our kiss ended. “You’re forgiven for making me wait.”
“Come upstairs with me and I’ll show you other things I can do with my minty fresh mouth.” I laughed when Gabe growled playfully. I needed to be careful or else I’d start liking the detective and the things he made me feel.
So, I kind of did this whole series out of order (which is actually really strange for me, I try to always read a series in order), I actually didn’t read any of this series, until Someone to Call My Own (Road to Blissville, #2), came out. It wasn’t intentional, it was on my TBR, but I just hadn’t gotten to it. But then I read the synopsis for STCMO, and saw the word psychic, and immediately had to read it. As I was reading it, there were a lot of references to Josh and Gabe, as well as some appearances, and since the book was running somewhat concurrently, I knew I was going to need to read it. But I still hadn’t gotten to it.
Then I found out that Joel Leslie was going to narrate it, and I was done. Yep, had to wait for that. And I am so glad I did. He did a great job with this book! He gave each character a little more personality with this voice, and inflections. I loved hearing him switch from Josh to Gabe, to even Savage, the dirty mouthed bird. 🙂 He brought all the characters to life for me (and I have to say that he really hit me HARD with the prequel, with his voice inflections of the amazing sounding woman who brought Josh and Gabe together), and I couldn’t have asked for a better narration for this book.
The author has created some great characters in Josh and Gabe. Well, Gabe was kind of an idiot and a tool, but he came around. Josh was someone who you wanted to be friends with, someone you knew would have your back no matter what. He is hilarious, and snarky, and I wanted to head to his house for Sunday dinner. Aimee created characters, you WANT to read five books on, and then wonder whether there will be more from these two men.
The mystery was well done (although I’ll admit the prequel threw me for a loop, as I wasn’t expecting it), and I know there will be more ahead in this vein. I’m definitely looking forward to it. Now, I have to decide…do I wait for Joel’s next installment, Something to Dye For, or do I dive right in, and then listen to the audio book later? Hmmmm…
Either way, I highly recommend this book, and the audio narration.
Both get 4.5 pieces of eye candy
I am a wife and mother to three kids, three dogs, and a cat. When I’m not dreaming up stories, I like to lose myself in a good book, cook or bake. I’m a girly tomboy who paints her fingernails while watching sports and yelling at the referees.
I will always choose the book over the movie. I believe in happily-ever-after. Love inspires everything that I do. Music keeps me sane.
Dyeing to be Loved, Book 1
Something to Dye For, Book 2
Dyed and Gone to Heaven, Book 3
I Do, or Dye Trying, Book 4
I like both listening to audios and reading ebooks equally. It depends on the situation which format I choose.
I like doing both.
Within the last year or so I’ve come to appreciate audio books. Joel Leslie is at the top of my list of favorite voice actors.