Random Review: Oasis by J.R. Gray #Review #Giveaway

Title: Oasis
Series: Inferno #2
Author: J.R. Gray
Self Published
Publication Date: July 16, 2019
Length: 232 pages

Reviewed by Erin

Synopsis

I worshiped at the altar of pain, surviving on avoidance, physical to avoid the mental, anything to forget what I’d lost. When Remi walked through the door, I felt like I’d paid my price for the passage through hell and been granted a taste of Eden. Remi was my oasis and I was going to drown myself in him. But life takes with no remorse and everything was a mirage. The past won’t stay dead and a cruel phantom comes to destroy our happiness. The more we need each other the further apart our lives drive us. I’m torn between my perfect past and the hope of an oasis, and either choice demands I cut out part of my soul.

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Review

If you are looking for a super intense, gripping, highly emotional book, look no further than Oasis by JR Gray. Oasis is book two of the Inferno series and it is NOT a stand-alone book. You really must-read Clouded Hell in order to get the full picture and understanding of the characters. Remi and Dante are complex, flawed men and there are times when you’ll want to shake both so hard, but it’s the powerful emotional connection these two have that will keep you turning the pages as quick as you can. 

Oasis finds Dante’s past becoming his present while at the same time trying to manage his complicated relationship with Remi. These two love each other, fiercely, there’s no doubt about that, but outside forces keep throwing obstacles in their path. From Dante’s past, Remi’s friend and submissive, Kai, to life in general, these two can’t really catch a break. There is a lot of angst in Oasis, so it’s a heavy read, but the difficult relationships will keep you enthralled. I can’t really say too much without giving the story away and there are some twists and turns I DEFINITELY did not see coming so I don’t want to spoil anything. 

Oasis is JR Gray at his finest. He’s woven a story that’s gripping and complex, with characters so well developed that you feel everything they feel. From anger to desperation to pain to love, it’s all there. There are moments in the book where I was just SO frustrated with Dante and Remi because their lack of communication was just too much, but through all the ups and downs throughout the book, I was always rooting for these two to find their HEA. They did, but it was a hard-fought battle to get there. This was such an emotional book, but man, it stayed with me for days after I finished. I hope there’s more in this world, because I’m not ready to say goodbye to Dante and Remi just yet. I highly recommend Oasis, along with book one, Clouded Hell. You don’t want to miss out on these extremely powerful and well-written books.

Giveaway
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Blog Tour: Speak No Evil by J.R. Gray #Review #Excerpt #Giveaway

Speak No Evil by J.R. Gray

Publisher: Gray Books

Release Date (Print & Ebook): March 28th

Length (Print & Ebook): 70,000 words

Subgenre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Learn more: https://jrgraybooks.com/speak-no-evil/

Book synopsis:

Weston doesn’t believe in voodoo but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t believe in him. His life and family were steeped in the stuff and it was fine, until voodoo took everything from him, ripped his life from his grasp. And when it swallowed whole the person he loved most he had to escape.

But there were consequences. His voodoo goddess wasn’t going to let go of him so easily, and her revenge was the pinnacle of evil. He could have dealt with something like impotence or boils, but this was purely depraved. She came for him and hit him where it hurts. She might as well have taken his guns.

Weston found himself unable to lie. A hitman who can’t lie. What a joke.

When his handler throws him a bone, a job that requires no interaction only observation, Weston takes it. He should be able to do this in his sleep, but he’s off his game. He gets way too close. Nothing is as it seems, and someone else, maybe someone worse than him, is stalking his mark. But he can’t leave the kid high and dry. Not when Eli is all he can think about.

Review

I am always on the lookout for books that are a little different. Don’t get me wrong, I love the tried and true romance novels that end with a happily ever after but sometimes you just need to mix it up and JR Gray's new book, Speak No Evil did just that. And more. A hitman who can’t lie, a touch of Voodoo, lots of action, and two characters I couldn’t help but fall in love with, this book was one fun, wild ride from beginning to end. Set in New Orleans, Speak No Evil grabbed me from the first page and kept me turning the page as fast as I could until the end.

Weston is hitman and thanks to his bitter, vindictive soon to be ex-wife, Ava, he's been cursed and can’t tell a lie. In his line of work that makes things rather difficult to say the least. When he gets a new assignment, one he's more than grateful to get, he figures it will be business as usual but oh man he couldn’t be more wrong. Weston’s mark is Eli, and his job to follow the guy and find out what he knows about a certain situation (no spoilers, promise!) No big deal, right? Well maybe not if the mark would have been anyone but Eli.

I have to say, I LOVED Eli! Snarky, witty, and charismatic, it’s no wonder Weston can’t resist him. Even when he knows better and tries not to, Weston can’t help but be drawn to the sexy man. These two had chemistry that was off the charts hot and it makes every interaction they have so much fun to read. I loved how they argued, how they worked together, and how they grew as a couple. I won’t say anything about their situation because I don’t want to spoil anything!

 Speak No Evil has it all people. Action, suspense, humor, and two flawed main characters that just work and you can’t help but root for. The setting of New Orleans was an absolutely perfect backdrop to the story especially with the Voodoo element added to the mix. This is a fast paced, thoroughly entertaining and engaging book and I am keeping all my fingers crossed that this isn't the last we've seen of Weston and Eli because I definitely need more of these two! Don’t miss this one, you’ll be missing out if you do!

Exclusive Excerpt 

Eli was desperate by the time they got to his apartment building. He loved the cat and mouse game, but there was only so much he could take. He shoved Weston against the wall in the hallway feeding from the surprise his bold move caused. He’d thought about this moment too many times to waste it. He was getting one night and going to take his fill and more. He’d never known what it was like to be drunk off another human until Weston, and Eli was addicted to him already.

About J.R. Gray: Gray is a cynical Chicago native, who drinks coffee all day, barely sleeps, and is a little too fashion obsessed. He writes realistic and damaged characters because everyone deserves a happily ever after.

Connect with J.R. Gray: Website | Instagram | Twitter - Personal | Twitter - Books | Facebook | Facebook Group | Tumblr | Mailing List | Amazon Author Page

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