BLOG TOUR with EXCERPT, EXCLUSIVE PLAYLIST, and GIVEAWAY: 'Hell and Back' by Dirk Greyson
Title: Hell and Back
Author: Dirk Greyson
Published: October 27, 2017
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Mystery/Thriller; Suspense
Length: 200 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; Second Chance; Military
About Hell and Back
Seventeen years ago, Forge Reynolds fell in love… and had his heart broken. When Staff Sergeant Gage Livingston was brought into Forge’s Army field hospital, temporarily paralyzed, Forge sat with him, read his letters, answered his mail, and formed a connection he thought would last. But Gage was sent home, Forge transferred to a new post, and his letters to Gage went unanswered.
Now in the middle of a bitter divorce, Forge is sick and tired of his husband’s manipulation. He's almost ready to make any sacrifice to get closure—then he finds Granger murdered execution-style in their home. Forge had no idea about Granger’s illicit activities, but the killers don’t believe that. They think Forge has something they want, and they’re coming after him.
When Forge’s lawyer arranges for professional protection, the last face Forge expects to see is Gage’s. Can he even contemplate a second chance for them after almost two decades, or will hoping only lead to more heartache? Before they can explore the possibilities, they must figure out what information Granger had—that others are willing to kill for—or that possible heartache could become a certainty.
He set his case on the counter and walked through the downstairs rooms, expecting to hear Granger somewhere in the house, but he heard nothing. All was quiet. Forge went upstairs and wandered through the various rooms, including one that was empty except for a few boxes, because what did two people need with five bedrooms? They didn’t, so they’d never used it. Granger’s bedroom was neat and vacant, as were all the other rooms upstairs.
Forge wondered if he might have been wrong, but Granger’s car had been in the garage so he had to be home somewhere. Forge changed into more comfortable clothes and went back downstairs, then to the finished basement. They had built a huge media room there for parties and movies, but everything was dark. There was definitely something wrong. “Granger!” Forge yelled, his voice echoing through the cavernous entrance space. He returned to the kitchen, thinking about making something to eat when he noticed the sliding door that went out to the back deck was partially open.
“Granger?” he called more quietly as he pushed the door wide open and stepped out into the late-spring air. He inhaled, expecting to fill his nose with the scents of the flowering trees and shrubs that he’d planted all over the property. Sweetness filled his nose, but not quite what he was expecting. Forge walked to the far edge of the huge deck, to the very end of the circle of light, and looked out over the yard, but saw nothing. He returned to the kitchen and flipped on every switch, illuminating the backyard with a plethora of floods and landscape lighting.
Then he saw him, a figure, very familiar, lying on the grass, facedown. Forge gasped and willed his feet to move, but they remained planted where they were. Finally he got himself propelled down the deck stairs to the lawn and over to where Granger lay in a heap, covered in blood… so much blood. Forge turned away and lost whatever had been in his stomach, falling to his knees as he wretched a few feet away from what was left of his husband. Even his military training, where he’d spent a lot of time in hospitals, hadn’t prepared him for this.
Do you ever wonder what kind of music a character might listen to? If you're a music junky like me I bet you do. With that in mind I asked Dirk Greyson what sort of tunes might be on Forge Reynolds' playlist to get him through the tough times he's encountering and this is what he said.
"I see Forge as the kind of guy who would be a little nostalgic, especially after seeing Gage again. So maybe some Beetles and the Monkees. Who can be down for long with music like that?"
Meet the Author
Dirk is very much an outside kind of man. He loves travel and seeing new things. Dirk worked in corporate America for way too long and now spends his days writing, gardening, and taking care of the home he shares with his partner of more than two decades. He has a Master’s Degree and all the other accessories that go with a corporate job. But he is most proud of the stories he tells and the life he's built. Dirk lives in Pennsylvania in a century old home and is blessed with an amazing circle of friends.
For more from Dirk be sure and visit his website.
Other Works by Dirk Greyson
Yellowstone Wolves Series
Day and Knight Series
Standalone Titles
