Family Ties and Family Lies

Rose and Thorne #3

by Julie Lynn Hayes

Secrets is a dirty word when it comes to relationships. What you don’t say can not only hurt you, it can bite you in the butt.

After almost five years together, Vinnie and Ethan have a policy of don’t ask, don’t tell. But unspoken questions between them are a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode. An innocent remark by a friend starts an insecure Vinnie wondering about things he never considered before… such as why he hasn’t met Ethan’s family. Is he the love of Ethan’s life or just his dirty little secret? And what hasn’t he told Ethan about his own past?

An emergency phone call from Ethan’s twin sister sends them rushing to Georgia. In order to be with Ethan, Vinnie conforms to what Ethan’s family expects by being something he is not. Not everything is what it seems as Vinnie and Ethan work to redefine what family means to each of them.

Sometimes the ties that bind are the ones that might just break you.

The author is donating 10% of the royalties from this book to No Kid Hungry. Visit nokidhungry.org for more information about this organization.

135 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 23, 2016

About the author

Julie Lynn Hayes was born and raised in St Louis, Missouri, and still calls that city home. She first began to write over fifty years ago, and doesn’t see that stopping anytime soon. She likes to write in different genres, to stretch herself in order to see what is possible. When someone tells her something can’t be done, she feels compelled to do it. Much of her writing is in the m/m romance category.

When she isn’t writing, or working at her day job with a third party elevator inspection company, she enjoys crafts, such as cross stitch and crochet, and watching her favorite programs. Her favorite chef is Geoffrey Zakarian, and her favorite historical character is Aaron Burr—she is obsessed with all things Hamilton! Never say never is her motto!


You can contact Julie at tothemax.wolf@gmail.com.

Reviews

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just say - I love this series! I really hope this isn't the last book in the series and we get to see more of Ethan & Vinnie.

This is book 3 in the Rose & Thorne series by Julie Lynn Hayes and in this installment we get to learn more about Ethan and Vinnie, their backstory, their families, and we see what each of them would endure to make the other happy. Just in case you are new to the series, you MUST read them in order, as each story picks up where the previous left off and the stories build on each other.

Throughout the series we really haven't learned much about the characters except they love each other, Vinnie always gets put in a dress, and Ethan would do anything for Vinnie. These two live an out and proud life in Roanoke, their friends know they are a couple, their boss knows, pretty much every knows once they have met them that these two men are committed and in love. So, imagine Vinnie's shock when he finds out that Ethan isn't out to his family. Why does he find this out, well of course there is a family emergency and Ethan has to go home. Where he has an ultra religious family and even a twin sister. Vinnie isn't about to let Ethan go alone, nope...he packs up his dresses, makeup, and falsies and off to Georgia the three go. Yes, three - they can't leave Benny behind! What they find when they get to Georgia is some very strange family dynamics. I am still not 100% sure I know all that was going on with Ethan's family - but we may see more of them and learn more in the future!

For most of the book Poor Vinnie is wearing dresses and answering to "Lavinia Delarosa" - or "Miss Vinnie" - and although I understand why he was hiding - I did get a little miffed with Ethan that it took him so long to put an end to the farse and stand up to his family. However, watching Vinnie put himself through acting like a female, wearing skirts every day and scarves to hide his Adams apple (in Georgia heat) just reinforced how much one will do crazy things for the one they love!

This was a fun book with both light and serious topics - now to see if the author continues and maybe one day we will see Vinnie and Ethan tie the knot!

5 Stars

[Natosha Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that there are a lot of things that people will do for the one that they love but what Vinnie did for Ethan went above and beyond what most would do in the situation they was in. That definitely says a lot about someone.

Vinnie and Ethan have been together for five years and things are still great between them. Well for the most part anyway. Both are doing well in their jobs with the FBI and they are living their little Benny. And Vinnie has even found himself indulging Ethan occasionally when Ethan wants him to dress up in drag for him or for their job if it requires him to do so.

The only issue that they have is still after five years Ethan has never introduced Vinnie to his family much less talked about them. But that is all about to hange because Ethan gets a phone call from his twin sister Sarah and his mother is in the hospital after suffering a stroke. Ethan knows he has to go to her and Vinnie is not about to let him do this alone.

The problem is his family does not know that Ethan is gay, much less in a relationship with. Innie and Ethan knows his father the reverend would never accept it. Ethan does not want to subject Vinnie to his homophobia that he knows would come if his father or brother knew the truth.

So Vinnie takes one for the team and decides to go with Rthan anyway but he will make the ultimate sacrifice in name of his love for Ethan and go into the situation to be at Ethan's side dressed as a woman instead of himself.

This book is full of some very emotional issues to say the least. There is so much dysfunction in Ethan's family that it will almost make your head spin. But what I really loved about this book is Vinnie loves Ethan so much that he was willing to sacrifice who is in order to be there and support Rthan. It shows that no matter what Vinnie's love for Ethan is more important then anything else. I will be honest and say that at first I was kind of upset that Ethan was so willing to let this happen but in the end I understood and was so proud that Ethan proved to love Vinnie just as much as Vinnie loves Ethan. Ethan too was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the man that he loves and that was so amazing to read about.

This really was an incredible read and I look forward to more in the future.

Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review

[Mari Cardenas · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.***

I've been a fan of this series (and of Vinnie and dreamy Ethan) since the first book and Family Ties and Family Lies was a fantastic addition to it! Please note that this is more of a serial, so I really recommend you to pick up the first two books before you read this one. You won't regret it.

In this installment, Ethan receives a phone call from his twin sister (of whom Vinnie didn't even know about) and after learning that Ethan's mom suffered a stroke, Vinnie decides dressing up as Ethan's girlfriend might be worth it if he can be with his partner when he needs him the most. Meeting Ethan's family makes Vinnie realize the reason why Ethan has kept the fact that he is in a relationship with a man a secret all these years. It's not like Vinnie hasn't been keeping up some secrets himself, and it might just be time for full disclosure if they're to move past this. But first, they'll have to survive this visit.

Vinnie and Ethan were as fabulous as ever, but the difference from other books was that Julie Lynn Hayes actually focused on their relationship this time around and not on one of their cases and it was great to see them in a different environment, but just as in love and willing to work in their relationship as ever. It was nice seeing a softer side of Vinnie, seeing how hurt he was at first when asked if he'd met Ethan's parents and it was even nicer to see Ethan finally explaining that he never thought of him as his dirty little secret, but more that he was protecting him from his pastor father and creepy brother.

It was a neat change that it was Vinnie who suggested dressing up as a woman this time around and even more so when he disclosed that he was willing to do that and more so he could be with Ethan during his trip to Georgia.

I loved Ethan's sister and his mother, they were amazing. And I absolutely hated Ethan's brother and his wife. I'm kind of ambivalent regarding Ethan's father, but at least he made a bit of an effort in the end.

While this book was a bit angstier than the other two, it was still very entertaining and had many fun parts. It's well-written, fast-paced and very enjoyable! You just can't go wrong with this series.

Rating: 4.5 Stars!!!

[CB · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun series without about an established couple (makes me wonder if there is another book out there where they met - maybe they were the secondary characters?).

Not a lot of angst between them, some mystery, some drama, lots of love and sex. Just a great feel good read. Each book has it's own story but I recommend reading them in order.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan and Vinnie.
MM.
We meet Ethan's family and discover why he has kept Vinnie away from them.
Enjoyable read.
I'm sad the series ended. I did enjoy the books.
Yes took me a long time to read them after they were released, but they were enjoyable.
Recommend.

[Lena Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Family is supposed to be our safe haven. Very often, it's the place where we find the deepest heartache.” ~ Iyanla Vanzant

Vinnie and Ethan, from 'Family Ties, Family Lies’ by Julie Lynn Hayes, have been together for five years, becoming more domesticated all the time. Because of Vinnie's painful past, he's never discussed his family with Ethan and Ethan has never brought up details about his family. A call from Ethan's twin sister, saying that his mother has had a stroke, throws Ethan into panic mode. He knows he has to go be with her. When Vinnie offers to come with him as any good partner would do, Ethan tells him he can't. Vinnie, who tends to worry more, loves Ethan with all his heart. Vinnie wonders if Ethan's family knows about their relationship or if he is Ethan's 'dirty little secret'.

This turn of events brings up a lot of questions that need to be answered. Family relationships, good or bad, make up a lot of who people are. Not sharing their upbringing has deprived Ethan and Vinnie of knowing each other at a deeper level than they currently do. When Ethan explains his family dynamics – with his father an evangelical minister who is an overbearing, homophobic bigot - Vinnie understands why he's not out to them. Ethan apologizes, telling him he's doing what he always has done, trying to protect Vinnie from his toxic family. Then Ethan admits that he's told them about Vinnie but they think his partner at work and life partner is a woman. In Vinnie's typical loving fashion, he forgives Ethan so much that he offers to go in drag. Ethan worries about putting him in such a position, but Vinnie's mind is set. He's going with Ethan to offer emotional support and, if the only way he can go is as a woman, so be it!

When they arrive in Georgia, Vinnie begins to understand even more why Ethan avoids his family. With the exception of his twin sister, nephew, and mother, things are even worse than Vinnie could have imagined. The surprising thing is that Ethan's father is quite charmed by Lavinia aka Vinnie, and congratulates Ethan on his excellent taste in women! His brother, however, is a spineless, sarcastic snake in the grass who is bitter and jealous and takes every opportunity to disrespect Ethan as well as Vinnie and his wife seems more taken with her father-in-law than her husband. This family takes the cake for being dysfunctional. The longer Ethan and Vinnie are there, the more uncomfortable they become. There doesn't seem to be any room for compromise much less truth in the scenario.

Family reconciliation for a dysfunctional family is the optimum goal but that can't always be achieved. Sometimes people just have to agree to disagree and be civil. Even that is better than open hostility to someone who is blood related to you. I think Julie did an excellent job of handling this topic while giving me hope that harmony may be possible. Learning, once again, not to keep secrets from each other, brought Ethan and Vinnie closer together, and, if possible, made their love even deeper. I love these characters. I enjoy their wit, charm, and their endearing love for each other. Anyone who is a fan of the Thorn and Rose series will love his story. For those who are new to the series, you are missing some thoroughly entertaining stories. Thanks, Julie, for bringing the boys even closer together. I can hardly wait to see what they get up to next.

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obwohl sie schon so lange zusammen sind, wissen Vinnie und Ethan nur wenig über ihre Familien. Doch als Ethan die Nachricht bekommt, dass seine Mutter erkrankt ist, ist es wohl Zeit die Karten auf den Tisch zu legen. Und so erfährt Vinnie, dass Teile von Ethans Familie ausgesprochen homophob ist und Ethan sich nie geoutet hat. Doch Vinnie will seinen Liebsten nicht alleine in die Höhle des Löwen schicken und begleitet Ethan.

Allerdings gibt Vinnie vor die Freundin von Ethan zu sein und inzwischen hat er sich ja zu einem wahren Verkleidungskünstler entwickelt. Niemand fällt es auf, dass ein Mann in dem Frauenfummel steckt und selbst Ethans Vater scheint in Vinnies Nähe aufzutauen. Doch die ganze Situation ist angespannt und in Ethans Familie scheint es viele Probleme zu geben.

Ethans Familie ist wirklich speziell und mit dem Vater und dem Bruder kann man so gar nichts anfangen. Sie sind rüde, hart und homophob. Kein Wunder, dass Ethan seiner Verwandtschaft aus dem Weg geht. Gleichzeitig vermittelt die Autorin aber auch seine Unsicherheiten und das völlig verständliche Bedürfnis nach Liebe und Anerkennung. Aber das erscheint kaum möglich und sein Vater, der ein strenggläubiger Kirchenmann ist, erfüllt auch jedes konservative Klischee, das man sich nur vorstellen kann.

Doch Ethan kann sich auf Vinnie verlassen, dem es gelingt die Mutter zu verzaubern und sich sofort mit Ethans Zwillingsschwester Sarah anfreundet. Vinnie ist sofort im Beschützermodus und immer wieder blitzt sein Temperament durch, auch wenn er sich um Ethans Willen zurückhält.

Teil drei konnte das Level der ersten Bücher locker halten und lässt mich mit einem zufriedenen Lächeln zurück. Ethan und Vinnie sind einfach so liebenswert und liebenswürdig. Menschlich und auch verletzlich. Keine Superhelden, aber auch keine schwachen Luschen. Diese Geschichte hat etwas mehr Tiefe und gibt nun auch mehr von ihrer Vergangenheit preis. Auch Vinnie muss nun Farbe bekennen und seine Geschichte ist wirklich herzzerreissend.