Buck
Ellis’s future seems pretty damn bright. With a full college scholarship
in hand, he’s going to ditch Bluewater Bay and pave the way for his kid
brother Charlie to do the same. The only fly in Buck’s ointment is his
ten-year addiction to his best friend since second grade, his true love,
and his Achilles heel: Ari Valentine, Mr. Least Likely to Succeed.
But then Buck’s mother dies, changing everything, and five years later, his future is still on hold. It’s a struggle to keep food on the table, a roof over their heads, and Charlie on the straight and narrow. Buck can’t afford any temptation, especially in the form of the newly returned, super hot, super confident, super successful television star Ari Valentine.
ADHD poster-child Ari Valentine left for Hollywood and lost everything, including his bad reputation. Then the breakthrough role of his skyrocketing career lands him back in Bluewater Bay, to the stunned disbelief of, well, everyone. But there’s only one person Ari longs to impress—the only person who ever really mattered to him, the person he left behind: Buck Ellis.
But then Buck’s mother dies, changing everything, and five years later, his future is still on hold. It’s a struggle to keep food on the table, a roof over their heads, and Charlie on the straight and narrow. Buck can’t afford any temptation, especially in the form of the newly returned, super hot, super confident, super successful television star Ari Valentine.
ADHD poster-child Ari Valentine left for Hollywood and lost everything, including his bad reputation. Then the breakthrough role of his skyrocketing career lands him back in Bluewater Bay, to the stunned disbelief of, well, everyone. But there’s only one person Ari longs to impress—the only person who ever really mattered to him, the person he left behind: Buck Ellis.
Ohhhh, you are a cruel, cruel woman
Ms. Gregg. I cannot believe that you gave us a television-style fade-to-black
ending. That was so not nice … lol. While this is only the second book in the Bluewater
Bay series, I am completely enamored with the series so far. In There’s Something About Ari, we meet
Buck and Ari – both are men who grew up in Bluewater Bay, but whose lives took
entirely different paths. Buck never left Bluewater Bay; he gave up his
scholarship in order to take care of his younger brother when their mother
died. In contrast, Ari fled Bluewater Bay, found his way to Hollywood and broke
into acting.
Buck is bewildered when he learns that
Ari is not only returning to Bluewater Bay for a role in Wolf’s Landing, but
he’s also moving in next door. Ari was Buck’s best friend growing up and as
their past is revealed it is easy to understand his reaction to Ari’s return.
What Ari did not know was that Buck is gay and was in love with him – something
Buck never revealed in fear of losing his best friend. But Buck learns that he
was not the only one keeping secrets back then and his world is turned upside
down when Ari tells him why he left. But is an understanding of the past enough
for these two to be able to move forward toward a future together?
I loved both Buck and Ari. Ari’s
outgoing personality and quirks made him easy to love. Although much more
reserved, I found Buck just as lovable. He made a huge sacrifice to insure his
brother had stability in his life when their mother died – it was a situation
that no 18 year-old kid should ever have to deal with, yet he did so
automatically. As much as I liked the guys individually, it was their chemistry
and Ari’s pursuit of reestablishing their friendship that make There’s Something About Ari a 5-star
read for me. Even if Ms. Greg only treated us to one sex scene, it was a hot
one. Actually, considering how much damage had to be repaired to their
relationship, the lack of sex was actually appropriate – no matter how much I
wanted more sexy fun times between the two. I absolutely loved this book and is
has been added to my reread list. I am looking forward to my next stop in
Bluewater Bay already.
Hi and thanks for having me on your blog today.
Who in your personal life was the biggest supporter of your
writing?
LB: My husband, the elusive Mr. Darcy. He thinks it’s the
coolest thing in the world that I’m an author and he’s thrilled I’m doing something
I always dreamed of. He tells all his friends and family, his employees,
strangers on the street. He’s the best.
Do you prefer quiet or background noise when writing? If
background noise, what?
LB: I listen to music and make playlists specific to each
project. When I’m deep into writing, I don’t actually hear anything at all,
only my writing voice. The real world fades away. But for inspiration, I listen
to a lot of alt and indie rock, some pop, some electronic, classic rock, a
little ska, and never, ever, ever country music.
Cool fact: There’s Something About Ari is dedicated to a
singer/songwriter.
What is one thing you wish your readers could understand about
the writing process?
LB: That authors don’t produce new books at the same rate. I’m a
slow writer, even though my books are super short and fast-paced.
When did you start writing and what was your inspiration?
LB: I’ve always loved romance novels, but in this tiny subgenre
of m/m, I finally found my voice. And my nerve. In 2007 I began to write
seriously. I was inspired by my online friends, my mentor, and my family. Mr.
Darcy really encouraged me to write.
Is there a genre or type of book that you love to read but could
never write and if so why?
LB: I’m a sucker for giant, multivolume, densely woven fantasy
series, like Game of Thrones, Eye of the World, The Dragonbone Chair, The
Bartimeaus Trilogy, and in the lighter, funnier, more British style— Discworld.
I admire authors who built complex worlds and write brilliantly diverging story
lines. Dragons! Magic and sword fighting! Death and destruction! I just love
that stuff.
I’d rather read fantasy than write it.
What is the most intense scene you have ever written?
LB: It’s a toss up. Either Mark saving his evil ex at the end of
Mark and Tony, or Seth searching for his niece Molly in Seth and David. Finn
getting the crap kicked out of him in the theatre was pretty harsh. And
Caesar’s fight with the Taser wielding girl scout? That was pretty intense!
Did you find it difficult
writing that scene?
LB: No. I could relate to Seth’s shock and fear when Molly goes
missing, because I’m a mother. And Mark is a Physician’s Assistant. He could
never turn his back on an injured person, no matter his personal feelings. When
I write about visceral emotions like fear or grief or anger, the scene are
emotional powerhouses and the words just flow.
Thanks so much for having me on your blog! Loved these
questions. ~LB
Amazon US || Barnes & Noble || ARe || Riptide
When not working from her home in the rolling hills of
Northwestern Connecticut, author L.B. Gregg can be spotted in coffee shops from
Berlin to Singapore to Panama--sipping lattes and writing sweet, hot, often
funny, stories about men who love men. www.lbgregg.com
Every
comment on this blog tour enters you in a drawing for a $10 Riptide Publishing store credit. Entries close at
midnight, Eastern time, on November 16th, and winners will be
announced on November 17th.
Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries.
Thanks so much for the review!
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteserena91291@gmail.com
This series looks great! Can't wait to read about Bluewater Bay.
ReplyDeletelgrant1@san.rr.com
Congrats on the new series everyone!
ReplyDelete