About A Change of Tune
by JM Cartwright
373 pages / 85300 words
ISBN: 978-1-61040-102-9
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html, lit, Adobe and Sony optimized pdf, prc, epub
Johnny Rayne has had enough - enough of being at the top of the rock
music industry for the last decade, enough of constant touring and
recording. He wants something more -- just something very different. Moving
to a farm in West Virginia, Johnny meets Sheriff Virgil Grissom on his first
morning in the mountains.
The sheriff challenges Johnny in a multitude of ways - with overt machismo,
disdain for Johnny's musician past, and all-around know-it-all-ness. The two
men clash continually, and Johnny resists succumbing to the sheriff's brash
charm until Grissom forces him to admit some very basic truths. One:
Johnny's definitely attracted to men. Two: Johnny's definitely attracted to
Grissom. And three: Johnny's definitely going to enjoy every moment of it.
Review
Kiernan Kelly. author of the In Bear Country books, writes: Johnny Rayne had it all – big time music career, fans, and a life in the spotlights, but knew he was missing something important. No longer happy with groupies, touring, and recording, he makes the life-altering decision to quitting his band and move to the hills of West Virginia. The one thing he didn't count on was Sheriff Virgil Grissom, a hunky man with a growly voice and matching temperament, who quickly bullies his way into Johnny's bed and heart. The only thing still missing is a family, a situation he plans to rectify as soon as possible. But when the media sniff him out, his newfound happiness is threatened by his former notoriety.
In "Change of Tune," JM Cartwright introduces the reader to a real
fish-out-of-water in Johnny Rayne. He's L.A. all the way, with a love of
designer clothing and interior design, and it was both amusing and
heartwarming to watch him adapt to small town life. Virgil Grissom, by
comparison, is a big, tough, down-home kind of guy with a heart of gold
and a body that won't quit. The two make a great couple, and the story
makes a great read!
Sample
He suddenly spotted a police SUV and his breath caught.
He watched it come down US 33 as he continued, his eye following the
progress of the vehicle into the store parking lot. "Jess -- this means a
lot to me, a LOT. I need to know I have your support and that you'll do
whatever it takes to help me." He watched as Sheriff Grissom cruised to a
stop next to him, then turned off the ignition.
Jess sighed again in his ear. "Johnny -- I do support you. I don't know why
you're doing this, but you know I've got your back." Jess' manner became
brisk. "I'll have the attorney out there follow up with the state in a few
days and let you know what we learn, okay?"
Staring at Grissom as the man got out of the truck, Johnny answered
absently. "Yeah, Jess. Let me know. I gotta run -- 'kay?" He hung up and
shoved his phone in his jacket.
"Hey, Sheriff." He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to look casual.
A deep woof from inside jolted him forward. Excited, he turned to look at
the huge black Schnauzer. "Hey, Grissom -- did you hear that? He spoke to
me! He hasn't said a word until now." Johnny stuck his nose against the
window, looking in at the monster.
Grissom leaned over to look in the cargo area. "He is pretty impressive
looking. Jacey called my office to let me know you'd been in, so I figured
I'd spot you around here. I'm glad you took me at my word when I suggested
you get a dog..." His voice trailed off as he got a look at the two pitiful
curlicue dogs in the back seat. They were sitting glued together, staring at
the two men. Their low-pitched whines could just be heard over the traffic
noise.
He raised his gaze to meet Johnny's, his brows raised sardonically. "You're
kidding, right?"
Johnny raised his hands helplessly. "I couldn't leave them there! They'd
already been there almost two weeks and you know what happens after fourteen
days? It's awful. They were looking at me and crying and..." He stopped
babbling as he heard a snort from Grissom. "What?" The snort turned into a
cough. "What?"
Clearing his throat, Grissom stopped trying to hide his grin and openly
smirked at Johnny. "Big, bad rock star can't resist a couple of dumb mutts,
huh?"
Johnny had to defend himself at that. "Hey! You try resisting these two.
They're even named after the Flintstones -- how cute is that?" Belatedly,
Grissom's comment sunk in. "Whoa. Wait a minute -- you know who I am? How...
how do you know?" He slumped back against the car, his hand going to his
forehead. "Shit, shit, shit." He lunged back to a standing position. "Does
anybody else know?" He stared fearfully at Grissom. He did not want his
just-established peacefulness disrupted before it even got started.
"Relax, Blondie. Nobody else knows -- unless you've been dumb enough to
flash your ID or credit cards."
"No, I didn't, Grissom -- and don't call me that," he tagged on, even though
the nickname sent a thrill deep into his belly. "How did you find out?"
Grissom leaned a hand against the MKX, his body subtly invading Johnny's
personal space. "I thought you looked familiar, so I went back to the office
and did a little Internet search."
Johnny pressed back against the car as Grissom ever-so-slightly leaned
toward him. He wasn't sure if Grissom was trying to intimidate him or jerk
him around as the city boy. "Don't stand so goddamned close to me," he said
firmly. At least, he thought it sounded firm.
Grissom didn't appear to think so, since he didn't move.
Johnny took a deep breath and forced himself to relax. He affected an
insouciance he didn't feel -- but then, he was used to performing in front
of people. "Hey, Grissom, better watch out -- folks around here might think
you have the hots for me." He threw that out there, sure that would make
Grissom bolt.
Grissom leaned closer. "Folks might be right."