Trowchester Blues (Trowchester Blues, #1) in Riptide Publishing

Feb 25, 2015 Vanessa North rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Really nice writing, as is typical of Beecroft. I liked the storyline, and I really liked the characters. Love, love, love stories about men who are mature falling in love. MORE OF THIS PLEASE.

Recommend for fans of contemporaries with lyrical writing and those who like big burly cops even after they retire.

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Jan 17, 2015 Mark rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: gay-fiction, crime-and-thrillers, contemporary

What does an ex-con and an ex-cop have in common? Well, when both are trying to put their pasts behind them and make a new start then they actually have quite a lot in common.

I just love stories with characters who are trying to overcome their turbulent pasts and trying to step in a new direction in life. It gives the story just that little bit more joy when they finally make it, not only on the romantic level, but also on the personal level too. Trowchester Blues combined all these elements for What does an ex-con and an ex-cop have in common? Well, when both are trying to put their pasts behind them and make a new start then they actually have quite a lot in common.

I just love stories with characters who are trying to overcome their turbulent pasts and trying to step in a new direction in life. It gives the story just that little bit more joy when they finally make it, not only on the romantic level, but also on the personal level too. Trowchester Blues combined all these elements for me which made it an emotional but tender, loving and happy story.

Michael has left the police as he just can’t cope with dealing with scum and after an incident with a suspect decides that he needs to make a new start. He is also still dealing with issues from his childhood as his father was extremely abusive, never physically but psychologically. I guess sometimes the one is definitely no better than the other. He throws everything in a returns to Trowchester to the house where he lived as a child. He gets anxiety attacks at just the thought of living there after what happened and decides to set up home in a narrow boat not far from his house until has been stripped and cleaned not only physically but also emotionally from his traumatic childhood.

Finn has a bookshop and runs a book club. He has moved from London after losing his former lover unexpectedly and has escaped in an attempt to go straight. After being acquitted of being a fence for dealing in antiques. When Michael wanders into the shop I just loved the way that this bookshop was described, like a magical place full of books but also curiosities of all sorts. Whilst reading I felt like this place was so warming, a place to relax and get away from it all. Finn however is not what Michael expected and sparked attraction immediately. Unfortunately, his past catches up with him and the heavies arrive after finding out where Finn is and he is threatened and finds himself getting involved again against his will. I loved Finn a smart ass with caustic humour on the outside but conflicted on the inside always trying to do the right thing but always getting caught up in with his past too.

This book is an exceptionally intriguing story. As Michael and Finn try to come to terms with their pasts and possibly a relationship is the last thing these guys need currently considering the amount of emotional baggage they are both carrying around. However, love can also heal, be supportive and give us strength in order to cope with life in general and Michael and Finn soon find out they are good for each other. Obviously, they go through some very serious trust issues as Michael being an ex-cop finding out Finn is an ex-con and vice versa obviously brings a whole new dynamic into their relationship that neither could ever have reckoned with. Actually in normal circumstances they would have run a mile from each other in opposite directions. But once Michael is able to cut through all of Finns external bravado and Finn sees that Michael can be trusted as a cop then the initial physical attraction soon turns into something deeper and emotional. Finding that trust of each other though is a long road and not until Finn finds himself in what apparently seems to be a life threatening situation and Michael comes to the rescue does Finn really consider that Michael maybe worth taking a chance on in the romantic stakes.

Michael is bi, or at least he was married and in the force which meant being openly gay is not always the best option. Wasn’t sure whether he was bi or latent gay so to speak. But it wasn’t an issue anymore as soon as he meets Finn. The sex is hot with a soft BDSM feel to it. Finn likes to play rough a little bit and Michael is more than happy to go along with his wishes. However, I seemed to have got the impression that Finn seems to have a bit of a thing going for hickies as some way of Michael marking his territory. I just kept thinking that man’s neck must be black and blue. But the sex is hot, gritty, raw and a little rough, no fluff or twink sex to be found here. These guys are both mature mid-thirties so experienced, full-on man sex.

I adore books with good plots and this one pushed all my buttons. Finn getting involved in a crime against his will. Michael after getting the truth out of Finn actually is the one who saves him from his slippery slope back to criminality. The whole crime story and Finns past had me glued to the page. Also the sub-plots of Michael caring for a homeless girl, as she’d been thrown out by her parents, and giving her a home was wonderful, tender and so heart-warming. I loved this book and will definitely be reading the following books in this series.

4.5 Stars