Bad Dogs and Drag Queens by Julie Lynn Hayes (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT ADULT title

Bad Dogs and Drag Queens

ADULT title

by 

Julie Lynn Hayes

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GENRE:   Gay Romance

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BLURB:

Vinnie Delarosa and Ethan Thorne are partners—on and off the clock. Federal undercover detectives, they’re part of a covert task force designed to promote goodwill between the feds and local authorities. They lend an unobtrusive helping hand wherever it’s needed. No credit required.

Vinnie and Ethan work primarily in the Southeast region of the United States and live together in Richmond, Virginia. A mugger problem brings them to Roanoke, where Vinnie is thrown out as bait to catch the man who’s been snatching purses in a city park, but they end up with more than they bargained for. Why is Vinnie always the one who has to wear the dress? Ethan says it’s because Vinnie looks much prettier in a skirt. How can he argue with that?

Expecting to return to Richmond afterward, Vinnie and Ethan find themselves assigned a new case instead. They are to go undercover at The Stroll, one of the biggest gay nightclubs in Roanoke. Someone is terrorizing both the customers and the performers. Could they be dealing with a hate crime? Someone has to protect the drag queens of Roanoke, so it’s Vinnie and Ethan to the rescue!

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EXCERPT

“Now what? Should we take him by the station, let them deal with him?” Ethan asked.

“It’s a police station, not a dog pound. Besides, he has a home. That wouldn’t be fair to lock him up like he did something wrong.”

“He did do something wrong,” Ethan pointed out. “He stole your purse.”

I knelt, albeit painfully, beside the two of them, bits of loose pavement digging into my knees, and began to stroke the Peke’s soft, damp fur. He wagged his tail and looked up at me with hopeful eyes. “Looks like we don’t have much choice if we can’t reach his owner.”

“Vinnie, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Well, it’s not my first choice either, Ethan, but I don’t know what else to do. We can fix him up some space in one of the drawers. He’s little. He’ll probably like that. In the morning, we’ll get hold of his owner and then we can take him home on our way in to the station.”

“Yeah, okay.” Ethan gave in, as I knew he would. “You can carry him, since I’m driving.”

“Who says you’re driving?” I argued, even as I scooped up the unresisting pup. I tucked him into the crook of one arm, well away from the purse I’d slung over my other shoulder.

“Because I’m the husband and you’re the wife, and that’s how it works.” He winked at me.

Some days I just want to belt him.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Julie Lynn Hayes was born and raised in St Louis, Missouri, and still calls that city home. She first began to write over fifty years ago, and doesn’t see that stopping anytime soon. She likes to write in different genres, to stretch herself in order to see what is possible. When someone tells her something can’t be done, she feels compelled to do it. Much of her writing is in the m/m romance category.

When she isn’t writing, or working at her day job with a third party elevator inspection company, she enjoys crafts, such as cross stitch and crochet, and watching her favorite programs. Her favorite chef is Geoffrey Zakarian, and her favorite historical character is Aaron Burr—she is obsessed with all things Hamilton!  Never say never is her motto!

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The tour dates can be found here 


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My review:

3.5 out of 5 stars

Bad Dogs and Drag Queens by Julie Lynn Hayes is the first story in the ‘Rose and Thorne’ series and features federal agents Vinnie Delarosa and Ethan Thorne, whose special talents (and fancy wardrobes) are used to solve cases for local law enforcement officials.

This contemporary gay mystery romance is a lighthearted look at the lengths some folks will go to nab their villains. Vinnie and Ethan are partners in life and on the job and have no problem dressing up to fit the role. The little dog and his actions almost steal the show, and he adds great “aww” moments. Although I love the connection the men have, at times I felt they were almost too sweet and mild, and I was surprised at the brief interludes of insecurity that almost blow their covers given the length of time they’ve been together. The interactions with the drag queens and their inventive names were fun elements but the motive behind the perpetrator seemed a little weak. I suspect that some of the dangling threads are going to be addressed in subsequent stories since this is the first in the series. Those in search of a low-angst fun read should give this tale a try.

A copy was provided for review