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Fade to Blue

by DP Denman

Fraud? Lies? Deceit? Everybody needs a hobby.

Brady:
Every family has that one kid. Ours is my little brother, Terry. He was always a bit spoiled and entitled, but I never thought that streak would lead to a life of crime. It’s a dark day when the kid you helped raise is all over the news as the subject of an international manhunt. It’s worse when his life of crime threatens to destroy your career by association.

The authorities in two countries want his greedy butt in prison. They’re not the only ones. Terry had better hope they find him before I do.

Blue:
I’m used to family problems. My parents are every bit as self-absorbed as Brady’s brother, which is why this mess is hitting a little too close.

To say I have trust issues is like saying One Direction has fans. It’s the truth. It’s also a gross understatement. Not only do I have to watch my boyfriend scrap his career and rethink his entire future, but I’m watching a vivid reminder of how trust sets you up for a tumble down a cliff. I don’t like it, and the urge to run is a literal twitch in my legs.

Brady needs me, but I need to get away from this. Something is going to give. I can’t help wondering what.

age gap · millionaire · crime

Excerpt:

Brady Halverson walked barefoot down the hall of his condo, tan carpet cushioning his steps, his mind on the golf course. He looked forward to Wednesdays at the country club, working on his game and chatting with fellow golfers. They celebrated their morning on the green with cognac at the clubhouse, bragging about better days and better scores.

He strode past the office he'd learned to ignore, the career that used to define him downgraded to a lucrative hobby. The trill of the phone on his desk lured him to the open door. It didn't make that sound often anymore. He stepped into the sunlit room, a muted version of summer pouring through the full-length tinted windows. He paused within reach of the receiver, tempted to let the call go to voice mail. It wasn't an emergency. It couldn't be.

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There were no emergencies in investing. Only a slow-rising panic that took days to peak and gave people ulcers in the process. That phone produced headaches. His cell dealt with calamity, and it hadn't made a sound.

A glance at the caller ID challenged his certainty, scattering the casual curiosity and denting his mood.

Why were the Royal Canadian Mounted Police phoning his office?

A spike of fear drilled into his gut at the thought that his boyfriend, Blue, had tripped over something and done a face plant into trouble. It wouldn’t be the first time, though Blue's brand of trouble didn't warrant the RCMP’s attention. At worst, it attracted the Vancouver police and a couple of paramedics.

He picked up on the third ring, pushing aside the explanation. If they were calling about Blue, they wouldn't be on his landline.

"This is Sergeant George with IMET," a man said in his ear. "I'm trying to reach Brady Halverson."

"This is Brady. You're with what?"

"The Integrated Market Enforcement Team. Do you have a moment to answer some questions?"

He wasn't familiar with that division, but the name was enough to launch dread down a zip line through his intestines.

"Sure." He stood behind his desk, cringing at the thought of something unpleasant crashing into his life.

"You work as a hedge fund manager. Is that correct?"

"Not anymore. I'm a part-time investment advisor."

"And you have a brother named Terry Bernard Halverson?"

That question didn't make any sense. The topics weren't related. "Yes. What's this about?"

"Would you mind coming down to our office to discuss a few things?"

He didn't like the way the sergeant stepped around his question. Neither did his blood pressure.

"Can you tell me what this is about?" he repeated, suspicion inching toward dread and puddling under his arms.

"It regards your brother."

"I figured that." His heart pounded through scenes of kidnappings by professionals who specialized in compound interest and compound fractures. "Is he all right?"

"To my knowledge, he's fine. I'd rather ask the remaining questions in person if you don't mind. It's not urgent, but it is important."

He breathed out the tension in his stomach. "Yeah, I guess. What's the address?"

Sergeant George gave it.

"Does it need to be today?"

"No. Anytime this week will be fine."

They agreed to meet the next morning, and he hung up, questions crowding his head. The biggest was what Market Enforcement in British Columbia wanted with a concert violinist from Toronto.

COLLAPSE
Reviews:Foxlutely Books on Amazon wrote:

This is the third book in the Blue series and I would recommend not to read this as a standalone. I found greater enjoyment and understanding of the characters from reading the first two books in the series (Blue and Rhythm and Blue).

Blue and Brady are now firmly committed in their relationship. Brady has now pared down his hours in his investment business to enable him to have more quality time with Blue. Blue is now greatly established as a name in the song writing business after entering the Grammy’s hall of fame. With both now fully invested in their new work and home life balance, their lives are now full of contentment. Coming up to their fifth anniversary it was time to review their next move in their lives together. But then life has a way of throwing tests into the karma of love, and this time both men have friends and family issues throwing a big curve ball in their bubble of love and contentment.

I would say this book focused more on Brady and his family this time and looked to Blue to be the more supportive in the relationship. It just went to prove how much Blue has grown since Brady first met him as that beaten and broken boy in his back yard all those years ago. This time it is Brady’s brother causing the storm and tests the calm that Brady usually displays. I must admit this spoilt little rich boy would test the patience of a saint!

There was also some conflict in Blue’s circle of friends and was lovely if not surprising to see Blue become the mediator between the standoff.

There were some deep emotional issues for both Brady and Blue to work through and was gorgeous to see them both work through this together. There was no angst in their own love of each other, just a silent acknowledgment that they were there for each other. We got to see much more of Brady’s parents in this one and how Brady was conflicted in his feelings towards his brother and how to do the right thing in the eyes of his mother.

As with the theme of this series it is not a steam roller with lots of drama and angst (although I guess Brady’s brother did bring in a little of that with his show of rejection against Brady) and it didn’t need it. The storyline was engaging and thought provoking enough without the requirement of suspense driven additional action. It was another winner in the Blue and Brady love story and I look forward to each instalment every time.

Bobbie on Amazon wrote:

As I seem to be warning quite a lot lately, do not jump into this book without realizing just what you’re getting into! It’s a really, really great story, so let’s start with that. Human beings are incredibly complex, which means our relationships are also quite complex in a number of ways. While this obviously applies to romantic relationships, it can be said about every sort of relationship we have. This story explores the nature of so many relationships in both Brady and Blue’s lives. Even more than that, though, it delves into some of the most difficult experiences and feelings that we ever have to deal with as humans. Both Blue and Brady experience betrayal in some form and have to wrestle with their reactions to this as they navigate the process of forgiveness.

While I very much appreciate the realism that the author strives for in this story, given the nature of what the characters are experiencing, there are some elements of this story that readers might not be prepared for. For example, there is reference to abuse, self-harm, and possibly to suicidal behavior throughout this novel. It is quite relevant to what the characters are going through and very real in the lives of homosexual men, particularly those whose parents and family members are not supportive of their lifestyle. There is also discussion of Blue’s past with gay conversion therapy (do excuse any spoiling I may have done if you, like me, have not read the previous books in this series!). Again, this is all very real and I appreciate this realism, but it’s a difficult subject readers will want to be prepared for.

All in all, I found these characters to be very real and quite loveable. By the time I finished this book, I found myself wanting to dive in and read everything related to them. There are two books that precede this one in Blue’s series. There is also a different series detailing the life of Liam, who is a friend of Blue’s, as well. I really enjoyed this story and I think it’s safe to say that I’ll be reading more from this author in the future.


About the Author

Award-winning author DP Denman wrote her first short story when she was eight and has been crafting fictional adventures ever since! You can usually find her with a cup of coffee in hand, contemplating her next story.

 

A covert romantic, she writes addictive, character-driven gay romance (aka MM romance or MLM) about damaged people who find the strength to put their lives back together. Her stories are gripping and dramatic -- guaranteed to hold you hostage to the last word!