THERE YOU STAND (Between Breaths 5) by Christina Lee-Review and Book Tour
There You Stand
Between Breaths 5
by Christina Lee
Release Date: April 21, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, M/M, romance
Amazon.com /Amazon.ca/ B&N / KOBO/ itunes
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 21, 2015
Tattoo artist Cory Easton has worked long enough at Raw Ink to know, just by looking at a dude, what his body art reveals, what makes him tick, what even makes him scared. Until he meets the quiet and remote Jude York—so unreadable, so unreachable, and so unlike anyone else, he can’t help but arouse Cory’s curiosity.
As captivating and complex as his ink, Jude is a mystery—and Cory’s falling fast and hard under his spell. Against his better judgment to steer clear.
The rumors of Jude’s past overshadow him—whispers of prison and an unmentionable secret that’s kept him in the protective shadows of a local motorcycle club. As Cory probes deeper, he wonders how much he really wants to know. Especially since Jude has awakened something inside him that has been buried too long—and has him feeling completely alive for the first time in forever…
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NOTE: THERE YOU STAND is an M/M romance storyline with M/M sexual situations.
REVIEW: THERE YOU STAND is the fifth installment and first M/M storyline in Christina Lee’s adult, contemporary Between Breaths romance series. This is tattoo artist Cory Easton and skate boarder Jude York’s storyline. THERE YOU STAND can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Some of the previous storyline characters from Raw Ink play a secondary and supporting role throughout.
Told from first person point of view (Cory Easton) THERE YOU STAND follows the building relationship and friendship between Cory and Jude. Cory is a tattoo artist at Raw Ink and his latest customer is the quiet, shy and mysterious skateboarder Jude York-a young man with so many secrets and deep seated demons that Cory has a difficult time getting past the physical and emotional scars. Jude is constantly surrounded by unsavory characters, and in this, the small town rumors and gossip continue to fly. It is only when Cory discovers the truth is Jude able to open up-a little bit at a time. Jude’s story is sad and emotional; Cory’s backstory is heartbreaking.
The relationship between Jude and Cory is slow to build as Cory and Jude dance around one another for a good portion of the storyline-there is plenty of sexual tension between our leading heroes that does not go unnoticed by friends and acquaintances. The $ex scenes are intimate and romantic; there are no overly graphic or erotic scenarios but it is an M/M storyline with M/M sexual situations. As Jude reveals the secrets about his past, Cory begins to fall in love with the broken and intense skateboarder.
The secondary and supporting characters include Cory’s friends Emmy and Tristan, fellow artists at Raw Ink- Dex, Nate and Jessie (Promise Me This #4) as well as the regulars at Zack’s Bar and Hog’s Den including Vaughn and Smoke, and Malachi from the Disciples of the Road MC. And we can’t forget Chopper, Ace and Patch that are the catalysts that bring together Cory and Jude.
THERE YOU STAND is an engaging and entertaining love story with moments of emotional heartbreak and pain; mystery and suspense; retribution and revenge when Jude’s past resurfaces with a vengeance. This particular part of the storyline is quick to resolve and the exact details are never revealed about what went done or how it happened. Christina Lee writes a wonderful storyline with a happily ever after.
Reading Order and Reviews
All of You
Before You Break
Whisper To Me
Promise Me This
There You Stand
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.
Reviewed by Sandy
While he was distracted, I silently moved toward him, hoping to grab hold of that leash. But just as I approached, he took off again, following that same squirrel who’d taken a leap to the next large maple.
I was out of breath and now beyond frustrated. I shoved my hand in my hoodie, my fingers closing on a sturdy dog cookie.
When I looked up again, Chopper was headed straight for the skate park. Shit.
“Chopper, goddamn it,” I called in some last-ditch effort. “You don’t listen for shit.”
Unexpectedly, Jude York neared the cement barrier at the entrance to the bowl. His board clenched in his fist, he seemed to be assessing the situation as the large dog charged nearer.
He left his skateboard on the concrete walkway and stepped into the lawn. He squatted down in the grass, made eye contact with Chopper, and the dog changed course to sail directly toward him. What the hell was that about?
Some type of deep whistle emitted from Jude’s lips and instead of slamming into his chest, Chopper came to a sudden halt beside him. Like Jude was a damn dog whisperer or something. His strong fingers grabbed hold of his collar and he reached down to mutter something in the dog’s ear. Chopper sat down in the grass. Actually fucking sat down—I had never been able to get him to do that.
I became motionless as I watched them, even though Ace was eager to inch closer. At least one animal heeded my command. I wondered what it was about Jude that compelled Chopper to run toward him. I mean, I got the appeal, so maybe it was just pure animal instinct.
The muscles in Jude’s forearm flexed as he stroked Chopper’s head and the dog’s tongue hung out in a happy pant. The little fucker.
As I walked closer to Chopper, Jude’s eyes lifted to mine. And for the first time I saw an array of other emotions alight in them. The most blatant being amusement, as if his irises contained a flicker of light. His lips tilted at the corners in an almost imperceptible smile and he looked so dazzling right then. As he held my gaze for the first time ever, something tightened like a fist inside my chest.
Shit, he was stunning. In that exotic kind of way. His hair was a mass of short blond dreadlocks, his skin inked mainly in black, and his eyes were the most gorgeous light green I’d ever seen—almost like cellophane. And now those same eyes locked on mine and held steady.
Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives in the Midwest with her husband and son–her two favorite guys. She’s addicted to lip gloss, salted caramel everything, and believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.
Connect with Christina:
Facebook /Twitter/ Website/Goodreads
NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider.
One Winner to receive the following: $10 gift card to the book retailer of their choice = An ARC of my adult romance releasing May 5th, TWO OF HEARTS,
and some Between Breaths swag mailed
Looks great Sandy. Congrats to Christina on the new release.
Terrific review, Sandy. Looks like a good story.
Great review, Sandy. You show how much you enjoy Christina.
Sounds great Sandy , thanks. Congratulations to Christina on the new release
Thanks, Sandy. This looks like a good read.
Wonderful review Sandy -so many M/M storylines released. Congrats to Christina on the new release.
Another great review Sandy. Congrats to Christina on the new release. Again, a little different than I normally read.
Great review, Sandy. I do not read MM, but you made it sound good.
Wonderful review Sandy. Sounds a little heartbreaking!