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Salisbury #2
Ice
Nothing is worth dying for. Not even millions in diamonds.
Footloose adventurer Greg Drakowski used to live for the moment, but these days shadows of grief and guilt cling to him. Following one lead to the next, Greg crosses oceans at the very hint of riches beyond compare and doesn’t care that he rushes into danger.
When Greg’s research takes him to the cathedral city of Salisbury, and he meets Jon, he falls hard and fast, but his secrets could get them both killed.
Renovations expert Jonathan Ellis is part of Ageless Wood Restorations - three generations of knowledge and trade. Focused and hard-working, Jon finds value in recreating the elegance of the past, and it will take something - or someone - extraordinary to break into his enclosed world.
Greg And Jon face unknown dangers, but Jon knows one thing for sure. He has to stand by Greg if only to save the idiot from himself.
Footloose adventurer Greg Drakowski used to live for the moment, but these days shadows of grief and guilt cling to him. Following one lead to the next, Greg crosses oceans at the very hint of riches beyond compare and doesn’t care that he rushes into danger.
When Greg’s research takes him to the cathedral city of Salisbury, and he meets Jon, he falls hard and fast, but his secrets could get them both killed.
Renovations expert Jonathan Ellis is part of Ageless Wood Restorations - three generations of knowledge and trade. Focused and hard-working, Jon finds value in recreating the elegance of the past, and it will take something - or someone - extraordinary to break into his enclosed world.
Greg And Jon face unknown dangers, but Jon knows one thing for sure. He has to stand by Greg if only to save the idiot from himself.
297 pages, ebook
First published June 29, 2016
11 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Chris Quinton
47 books99 followersChris started creating stories not long after she mastered joined-up writing, somewhat to the bemusement of her parents and her English teachers. But she received plenty of encouragement. Her dad gave her an already old Everest typewriter when she was about ten, and it was probably the best gift she'd ever received – until the inventions of the home-computer and the worldwide web.
Chris's reading and writing interests range from historical, mystery, and paranormal, to science-fiction and fantasy, mostly in the male/male genre. She also writes male/female novels in the name of Chris Power. She refuses to be pigeon-holed and intends to uphold the long and honourable tradition of the Eccentric Brit to the best of her ability. In her spare time [hah!] she reads, embroiders, quilts and knits. In the past she has been a part-time and unpaid amateur archaeologist, and a 15th century re-enactor.
She currently lives in a small and ancient city in the south-west of the United Kingdom, sharing her usually chaotic home with an extended family, two large dogs, fancy mice, sundry goldfish and a young frilled dragon (Australian lizard) aka Trogdorina.
Chris's reading and writing interests range from historical, mystery, and paranormal, to science-fiction and fantasy, mostly in the male/male genre. She also writes male/female novels in the name of Chris Power. She refuses to be pigeon-holed and intends to uphold the long and honourable tradition of the Eccentric Brit to the best of her ability. In her spare time [hah!] she reads, embroiders, quilts and knits. In the past she has been a part-time and unpaid amateur archaeologist, and a 15th century re-enactor.
She currently lives in a small and ancient city in the south-west of the United Kingdom, sharing her usually chaotic home with an extended family, two large dogs, fancy mice, sundry goldfish and a young frilled dragon (Australian lizard) aka Trogdorina.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 2, 2016
‘Ice’ is the second volume in the ‘Salisbury Stories’ series, and while the restaurant, Laurels, and its co-owners Lewis and Devon are still around, the focus is on Jon, the renovations expert hired on to restore the fire-damaged woodwork, and Greg, an adventure-driven treasure hunter with his own agenda. The underlying tension of what Greg was going to do once he found what he was looking for and how his subtle deception would affect the beginning relationship between him and Jon provided its own kind of excitement. Add Greg’s half-shady past and possible issues with law enforcement, the uncertainty of who the bad guy was and how far he would go, and a few of Greg’s friends being found dead or missing, and you can imagine the level of suspense. As exciting as the first book but in a different way, Jon and Greg’s story certainly had me turning the pages as quickly as possible.
Greg intrigued me. He is clearly good at tracing vanished objects, be it a piece of art or vanished diamonds, and has been through more than one mission of “international extraction”. Yet he is a lot more naïve in many ways than a seasoned adventurer should be (in my mind, at least), and when I found out how young he still is, that made more sense. His family circumstances are not good, and the man he works for seems to be a father figure in his mind, but he is not the caring or nurturing type. Greg is attracted to Jon and it takes him a while to understand that he feels more than lust - not a situation he is familiar with. Greg is in way more trouble than he knows, and I loved watching him grow into a more mature version of himself.
Jon has had a more settled life than Greg, but his personal circumstances are deceptive. He landed on his feet despite parents who are less than reliable and anything but emotionally stable, and much of that is due to the settling influence of his father’s brother, Uncle Paul. They are in the restoration business together and Jon is mostly happy. His personal life is a different matter. While he wants someone to love, he has huge trust issues, so even though he wants to get to know Greg better, it is not easy for Jon to open up. He is not even sure he should, since Greg works for him. In a word: Jon is conflicted. Greg’s issues force Jon to come out of his shell, and it was a joy to watch him become self-confident enough to stand by Greg.
If you like suspenseful stories about adventurers who face life-changing decisions, if you want to see two men with trust and family issues learn how to rely on each other, and if you’re looking for a read full of tension, mystery, and beautiful moments of tender love, then you will probably like this novella as much as I do. I hope there will be more stories in this series!
NOTE: This book was provided by Love Lane Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Greg intrigued me. He is clearly good at tracing vanished objects, be it a piece of art or vanished diamonds, and has been through more than one mission of “international extraction”. Yet he is a lot more naïve in many ways than a seasoned adventurer should be (in my mind, at least), and when I found out how young he still is, that made more sense. His family circumstances are not good, and the man he works for seems to be a father figure in his mind, but he is not the caring or nurturing type. Greg is attracted to Jon and it takes him a while to understand that he feels more than lust - not a situation he is familiar with. Greg is in way more trouble than he knows, and I loved watching him grow into a more mature version of himself.
Jon has had a more settled life than Greg, but his personal circumstances are deceptive. He landed on his feet despite parents who are less than reliable and anything but emotionally stable, and much of that is due to the settling influence of his father’s brother, Uncle Paul. They are in the restoration business together and Jon is mostly happy. His personal life is a different matter. While he wants someone to love, he has huge trust issues, so even though he wants to get to know Greg better, it is not easy for Jon to open up. He is not even sure he should, since Greg works for him. In a word: Jon is conflicted. Greg’s issues force Jon to come out of his shell, and it was a joy to watch him become self-confident enough to stand by Greg.
If you like suspenseful stories about adventurers who face life-changing decisions, if you want to see two men with trust and family issues learn how to rely on each other, and if you’re looking for a read full of tension, mystery, and beautiful moments of tender love, then you will probably like this novella as much as I do. I hope there will be more stories in this series!
NOTE: This book was provided by Love Lane Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
March 26, 2020
3.5 Stars
I liked this one much more than the previous installment.
I liked this one much more than the previous installment.
July 8, 2016
Original Blog Post: Book Blitz, Review, Excerpt & #Giveaway: Ice (The Salisbury Series #2) by Chris Quinton & RJ Scott
Review by: multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Ice is romantic, that is what makes me smile the most. A romance with a little bit of thriller injected into it to make an already interesting story turn fascinating. It was not just the mystery of locating the cache of diamonds, it was the way Greg's personality changed. As an artisan, Greg could lose himself in recreating or repairing damaged works of wood arts and make them come alive again. As a romantic lover, oh boy, he can be a little too hot to handle and amusing too. As a man of violence, whoa, he can be a bit of a surprise. Three personalities in one compact, hunky body can be just about this reader can take.
Then there is Jonathan. He's a gentle giant (well for me he is cos me so tiny folks) and to read him flounder around Greg, that made me giggle. Jonathan can be a bit abrupt, conservative and quiet but when Greg grabbed a hold of him, he's startled the man is actually aiming for him much less lusting after him. Now that? I don't know why cos any man would jump on Jonathan if he were real.
In the end, the expected resolution to the mystery came and the book had to end. Yes, it had to, much to my disappointment. Mind you, I loved that for the storyline, there was not a huge amount of angst so this made it a perfect teacup read for me on a rainy day. It is entertaining, truly romantic and different in a great way.
So once again, RJ Scott delivers. She turned a mundane treasure hunt slash romance into something a little bit spicier. Not only did the read become interesting from the first page, but it gave way to a whole lot of surprising twists that made the mystery pop and the romance a pleasure to read.
Review by: multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars
Ice is romantic, that is what makes me smile the most. A romance with a little bit of thriller injected into it to make an already interesting story turn fascinating. It was not just the mystery of locating the cache of diamonds, it was the way Greg's personality changed. As an artisan, Greg could lose himself in recreating or repairing damaged works of wood arts and make them come alive again. As a romantic lover, oh boy, he can be a little too hot to handle and amusing too. As a man of violence, whoa, he can be a bit of a surprise. Three personalities in one compact, hunky body can be just about this reader can take.
Then there is Jonathan. He's a gentle giant (well for me he is cos me so tiny folks) and to read him flounder around Greg, that made me giggle. Jonathan can be a bit abrupt, conservative and quiet but when Greg grabbed a hold of him, he's startled the man is actually aiming for him much less lusting after him. Now that? I don't know why cos any man would jump on Jonathan if he were real.
In the end, the expected resolution to the mystery came and the book had to end. Yes, it had to, much to my disappointment. Mind you, I loved that for the storyline, there was not a huge amount of angst so this made it a perfect teacup read for me on a rainy day. It is entertaining, truly romantic and different in a great way.
So once again, RJ Scott delivers. She turned a mundane treasure hunt slash romance into something a little bit spicier. Not only did the read become interesting from the first page, but it gave way to a whole lot of surprising twists that made the mystery pop and the romance a pleasure to read.
July 18, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This is the second book in the authors’ Salisbury Tales series, and it actually works fairly well as a standalone. I read Heat a year and a half ago, and while the characters and events from that book play a direct role in this one, all the pertinent details are included here. So if you haven’t read the first book, you could start here easily. But since I enjoyed them both, I definitely recommend you read them both.
Scott and Quinton have managed to create two engaging and enthralling characters. I loved Greg from the moment he stepped onto the page, and I really liked how his layers were revealed over the length of the story. He’s a confident guy who is a product of his upbringing, and he’s very good at what he does. The authors showed his inherent need to wander, his taste for the thrill of adventure, while also giving him depth. Beneath everything on the surface, he has a big heart and a bit of vulnerability. His backstory was intense and involved, and it was parceled out over the course of the plot, really helping the reader to understand why he thought and acted as he did. I liked that the combination of his circumstance and his meeting Jon were the catalyst for him wanting to finally settle down. One or the other wouldn’t have been enough, but the combination was perfect and I really believed he was ready for a new stage of his life. He read a little bit older than his 23 years, but that was due to his life experience. And there were hints of his age peeking through at times that were really lovely to see.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
This is the second book in the authors’ Salisbury Tales series, and it actually works fairly well as a standalone. I read Heat a year and a half ago, and while the characters and events from that book play a direct role in this one, all the pertinent details are included here. So if you haven’t read the first book, you could start here easily. But since I enjoyed them both, I definitely recommend you read them both.
Scott and Quinton have managed to create two engaging and enthralling characters. I loved Greg from the moment he stepped onto the page, and I really liked how his layers were revealed over the length of the story. He’s a confident guy who is a product of his upbringing, and he’s very good at what he does. The authors showed his inherent need to wander, his taste for the thrill of adventure, while also giving him depth. Beneath everything on the surface, he has a big heart and a bit of vulnerability. His backstory was intense and involved, and it was parceled out over the course of the plot, really helping the reader to understand why he thought and acted as he did. I liked that the combination of his circumstance and his meeting Jon were the catalyst for him wanting to finally settle down. One or the other wouldn’t have been enough, but the combination was perfect and I really believed he was ready for a new stage of his life. He read a little bit older than his 23 years, but that was due to his life experience. And there were hints of his age peeking through at times that were really lovely to see.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
July 7, 2016
After the fantastic start to this series in Heat, I was excited to start Ice to see what would come next. The Scott/Quinton duo does not disappoint, giving readers a story filled with suspense and attraction that had me glued to the pages.
Both main characters Greg and Jon are fantastic. Greg has a lot going on in his past that has molded him into a complicated man who really just wants to finish his job and settle down with his life. His goal is thwarted a bit once he meets Jon, not only because he is attracted to him but also because he is hiding so many secrets. At first the two of them together didn't quite click for me, but the further into the story I got, the closer they grew and the more comfortable I felt with the two of them together. By the end, the chemistry between them is excellent and I couldn't imagine them not ending up together.
There's an ever-present sense of suspense thanks to Greg's mission, and that erupts into more tension, danger and action as the story builds toward a climactic confrontation. It made for an exciting read, and in the end I was left with another satisfying conclusion that has me keeping my fingers crossed that there will be plenty more stories coming in this series.
Ice was a solid 4-star read for me, and I'd recommend this to M/M romance fans 18+ (for adult language and M/M sexual content), especially if you like stories with plenty of suspense. It can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading Heat first as I think it would add more to the story by giving you backstory on Lewis and Devon's relationship (loved seeing them again here!).
Both main characters Greg and Jon are fantastic. Greg has a lot going on in his past that has molded him into a complicated man who really just wants to finish his job and settle down with his life. His goal is thwarted a bit once he meets Jon, not only because he is attracted to him but also because he is hiding so many secrets. At first the two of them together didn't quite click for me, but the further into the story I got, the closer they grew and the more comfortable I felt with the two of them together. By the end, the chemistry between them is excellent and I couldn't imagine them not ending up together.
There's an ever-present sense of suspense thanks to Greg's mission, and that erupts into more tension, danger and action as the story builds toward a climactic confrontation. It made for an exciting read, and in the end I was left with another satisfying conclusion that has me keeping my fingers crossed that there will be plenty more stories coming in this series.
Ice was a solid 4-star read for me, and I'd recommend this to M/M romance fans 18+ (for adult language and M/M sexual content), especially if you like stories with plenty of suspense. It can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading Heat first as I think it would add more to the story by giving you backstory on Lewis and Devon's relationship (loved seeing them again here!).
July 6, 2016
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
When we first meet Greg he is in the middle of a job with his best friend that ends badly. Greg is a little Indiana Jones inspired if Indy had been a crook collecting artefacts for money. So when he turned up at Laurels looking for a job helping to restore the restaurant after the fire, I couldn't help but wonder what he was up to. It didn't take long to find out.
Jon owns a wood restoration business and is in need of help after his uncle and business partner has an accident. Enter Greg. The attraction between the two is there from the start but there is no jumping straight in and the romance simmers along nicely and takes time to develop. But in the background are thoughts of 'how will Jon react when he finds out the truth about Greg?'
I loved the tales of history that are weaved through the love story. Ice is a cosy m/m romance that can easily be read in a few hours. I'm really enjoying this series and I look forward to reading the next story.
When we first meet Greg he is in the middle of a job with his best friend that ends badly. Greg is a little Indiana Jones inspired if Indy had been a crook collecting artefacts for money. So when he turned up at Laurels looking for a job helping to restore the restaurant after the fire, I couldn't help but wonder what he was up to. It didn't take long to find out.
Jon owns a wood restoration business and is in need of help after his uncle and business partner has an accident. Enter Greg. The attraction between the two is there from the start but there is no jumping straight in and the romance simmers along nicely and takes time to develop. But in the background are thoughts of 'how will Jon react when he finds out the truth about Greg?'
I loved the tales of history that are weaved through the love story. Ice is a cosy m/m romance that can easily be read in a few hours. I'm really enjoying this series and I look forward to reading the next story.
March 16, 2017
Starts off with a Bond-esque escape from a gunman, using a boat!, though Greg's close friend is a casualty.
The other MC Jon is a master craftsman in wood, so I did chuckle when I read the 'someone who knew his adze from his elbow' line.
A fairly gentle tail with bespoke wood carving at its heart which I liked reading about. Greg seemed to morph backwards from hardened international thief to an insecure youngster (and he is only young, portrayed as 23).
We have the 'can't date work colleague' theme, which Jon manages to ignore whilst saying it!
The past does catch up with Mack, though it felt a bit heavy it was a suitably stormy ending to that period of Greg's life.
The other MC Jon is a master craftsman in wood, so I did chuckle when I read the 'someone who knew his adze from his elbow' line.
A fairly gentle tail with bespoke wood carving at its heart which I liked reading about. Greg seemed to morph backwards from hardened international thief to an insecure youngster (and he is only young, portrayed as 23).
We have the 'can't date work colleague' theme, which Jon manages to ignore whilst saying it!
The past does catch up with Mack, though it felt a bit heavy it was a suitably stormy ending to that period of Greg's life.
July 8, 2016
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
As much as I enjoyed Heat, I think I enjoyed Ice even more. There was a greater level of suspense in this installment of the Salisbury Stories due to Greg’s career, and I think that’s what gave it the edge over book one for me. Not to mention, the chemistry between Greg and Jon was hot enough that I’m surprised Laurels didn’t suffer more fire damage. Yowser! While it’s not absolutely necessary to read Heat first, I strongly recommend doing so as this book is set in the same restaurant, Laurels, that book one was and the main characters from it – Lewis and Devon – appear quite a bit in Ice.
This installment begins with a bang, quite literally as we meet Greg while he’s in the midst of a shoot-out. Although Greg makes it out alive, he does not do so unscathed as the man he calls his brother, Andrey, dies during the mission. Despite claims that he’s through, we jump a year ahead to the present where we encounter Jon, the man whose been hired to restore the fire-damaged Laurels and who’s in desperate need of a skilled wood worker. Enter Greg. I am not ashamed to admit that I was quite surprised to see that Greg actually possessed the level of skill that Jon needed so badly. Unfortunately for Jon, Greg only plans to be on the job long enough to search for some stolen diamonds that have been missing for decades – he’s figuring it’ll take three or four days – and then he’s off to a quiet place to retire in solitude. What Greg didn’t count on was Jon, the first man who’s ever made him want more, want something, want to give up his treasure hunting career and settle down. Of course, the attraction isn’t any easier on Jon’s side of the equation either because his professional ethics demand that he not become involved with an employee. But what’s a man to do with the object of his fantasies hauls him down and kisses him? Several times! Yet even as the chemistry between them threatens to steamroll them, neither man is able to give his all, and while Greg can understand why Jon is holding back, Jon cannot figure out what Greg’s secrets are. As Greg’s job comes to a close, an unexpected threat is revealed and he’s faced with either losing Jon now or losing him forever – neither of which he wants to do as he’s finally found a place to call home.
Quinn and Scott did a great job with Ice. The book contains a nice balance of steam, romance, heartbreak, mystery, and action as Greg undertakes his final assignment. I found the balance between Greg’s reckless adventurer persona and his dedicated craftsman side to work well and be believable. He complemented Jon perfectly. As for Jon, the man was the consummate worrier and caregiver, and his loyalty to those close to him was exactly what Greg needed. Watching them fight their attraction for one another for different but understandable reasons, made their succumbing to it that much better. I really liked Jon’s aunt and uncle, and was quite happy to be able to spend so much time with Lewis, Devon, and Rachel again. The romantic suspense element absolutely increased my enjoyment of this installment. Ice was a wonderful addition to the Salisbury Stories series and I hope that the authors have the next book already in the works.
As much as I enjoyed Heat, I think I enjoyed Ice even more. There was a greater level of suspense in this installment of the Salisbury Stories due to Greg’s career, and I think that’s what gave it the edge over book one for me. Not to mention, the chemistry between Greg and Jon was hot enough that I’m surprised Laurels didn’t suffer more fire damage. Yowser! While it’s not absolutely necessary to read Heat first, I strongly recommend doing so as this book is set in the same restaurant, Laurels, that book one was and the main characters from it – Lewis and Devon – appear quite a bit in Ice.
This installment begins with a bang, quite literally as we meet Greg while he’s in the midst of a shoot-out. Although Greg makes it out alive, he does not do so unscathed as the man he calls his brother, Andrey, dies during the mission. Despite claims that he’s through, we jump a year ahead to the present where we encounter Jon, the man whose been hired to restore the fire-damaged Laurels and who’s in desperate need of a skilled wood worker. Enter Greg. I am not ashamed to admit that I was quite surprised to see that Greg actually possessed the level of skill that Jon needed so badly. Unfortunately for Jon, Greg only plans to be on the job long enough to search for some stolen diamonds that have been missing for decades – he’s figuring it’ll take three or four days – and then he’s off to a quiet place to retire in solitude. What Greg didn’t count on was Jon, the first man who’s ever made him want more, want something, want to give up his treasure hunting career and settle down. Of course, the attraction isn’t any easier on Jon’s side of the equation either because his professional ethics demand that he not become involved with an employee. But what’s a man to do with the object of his fantasies hauls him down and kisses him? Several times! Yet even as the chemistry between them threatens to steamroll them, neither man is able to give his all, and while Greg can understand why Jon is holding back, Jon cannot figure out what Greg’s secrets are. As Greg’s job comes to a close, an unexpected threat is revealed and he’s faced with either losing Jon now or losing him forever – neither of which he wants to do as he’s finally found a place to call home.
Quinn and Scott did a great job with Ice. The book contains a nice balance of steam, romance, heartbreak, mystery, and action as Greg undertakes his final assignment. I found the balance between Greg’s reckless adventurer persona and his dedicated craftsman side to work well and be believable. He complemented Jon perfectly. As for Jon, the man was the consummate worrier and caregiver, and his loyalty to those close to him was exactly what Greg needed. Watching them fight their attraction for one another for different but understandable reasons, made their succumbing to it that much better. I really liked Jon’s aunt and uncle, and was quite happy to be able to spend so much time with Lewis, Devon, and Rachel again. The romantic suspense element absolutely increased my enjoyment of this installment. Ice was a wonderful addition to the Salisbury Stories series and I hope that the authors have the next book already in the works.
July 5, 2016
Treasure hunting, love on the rocks, and a murderous betrayer provide the foundation for Ice, book two in RJ Scott and Chris Quinton’s Salisbury series.
Set up as a standalone novel, Ice picks up at the Laurels restaurant, with the city of Salisbury as its backdrop, and follows the events of book one in the series, Heat. An arsonist had wreaked havoc on the historic building that houses the restaurant, leaving Lewis and Devon with the job of finding someone to restore the place to its former beauty. Enter Ageless Wood Restorations, Jon Ellis, and his Uncle Paul, who’ve been hired to do the refurbishing.
This story not only starts with an exciting bang but does a fair job at tweaking the heartstrings too, as we’re introduced to adventurer Greg Drakowski, international treasure hunter…which is the rather oblique term for what he truly is—a thief. Greg has suffered a blow on this mission that causes him to examine where he is in life and where he desires to be. Finally accepting what he’s decided will be his last assignment before he disappears into a quieter life—the recovery of a collection of lost Russian diamonds—Greg ends up at none other than the Laurels, where he seemingly becomes the answers to Jon Ellis’s prayers. At least in the business sense.
With a Drakowski family gift for woodworking as the ace up his sleeve, Greg quickly proves himself invaluable to Jon’s family business—if not exactly to Jon himself. While there’s no doubt a frisson of sexual attraction between these two men, Jon isn’t having any of Greg’s flirtatious ways. Greg’s appearance is maybe just a tad too convenient, his answers a tad too practiced without revealing much of anything personal, and besides, Jon has a rule against mingling business with pleasure.
The authors do a great job of building upon the sexual attraction between Greg and Jon, in addition to building on the intrigue surrounding the search for the diamonds, the resulting aftermath of which is complicated by growing feelings between them. And let’s not forget the lies—both outright and by omission—that Greg must stick to in order to protect Jon when it becomes clear that someone is bent upon making sure no one who could point the finger of accusation towards him is left alive. And guess who falls directly into this category… As with any good mystery with a romantic premise, trust becomes a huge factor, and obstacle, between Jon and Greg. It all worked together really well to ramp up my investment in this relationship somehow working out.
Danger and intrigue play out alongside the growing feelings between Greg and Jon. I loved the chemistry the authors built between these two men, and I was rooting for them to find a way to be together all while wondering how Quinton and Scott were going to make it happen in a way that would be believable. The action builds to an exciting crescendo, and that believable ending? Yes, it worked for me. When life and love work to complicate rather than complement, and then, in spite of the odds against them, the characters are able to find their happy ending anyway, that’s a pretty solid definition of romance. The authors have delivered that in Ice and have done it with a fast paced plot, some cheeky banter, and great dialogue that helps to tell the story.
This was a sweet and fun installment in the Salisbury series, and Greg and Jon earned their happily-ever-after in a tension filled way.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach Reviews
Set up as a standalone novel, Ice picks up at the Laurels restaurant, with the city of Salisbury as its backdrop, and follows the events of book one in the series, Heat. An arsonist had wreaked havoc on the historic building that houses the restaurant, leaving Lewis and Devon with the job of finding someone to restore the place to its former beauty. Enter Ageless Wood Restorations, Jon Ellis, and his Uncle Paul, who’ve been hired to do the refurbishing.
This story not only starts with an exciting bang but does a fair job at tweaking the heartstrings too, as we’re introduced to adventurer Greg Drakowski, international treasure hunter…which is the rather oblique term for what he truly is—a thief. Greg has suffered a blow on this mission that causes him to examine where he is in life and where he desires to be. Finally accepting what he’s decided will be his last assignment before he disappears into a quieter life—the recovery of a collection of lost Russian diamonds—Greg ends up at none other than the Laurels, where he seemingly becomes the answers to Jon Ellis’s prayers. At least in the business sense.
With a Drakowski family gift for woodworking as the ace up his sleeve, Greg quickly proves himself invaluable to Jon’s family business—if not exactly to Jon himself. While there’s no doubt a frisson of sexual attraction between these two men, Jon isn’t having any of Greg’s flirtatious ways. Greg’s appearance is maybe just a tad too convenient, his answers a tad too practiced without revealing much of anything personal, and besides, Jon has a rule against mingling business with pleasure.
The authors do a great job of building upon the sexual attraction between Greg and Jon, in addition to building on the intrigue surrounding the search for the diamonds, the resulting aftermath of which is complicated by growing feelings between them. And let’s not forget the lies—both outright and by omission—that Greg must stick to in order to protect Jon when it becomes clear that someone is bent upon making sure no one who could point the finger of accusation towards him is left alive. And guess who falls directly into this category… As with any good mystery with a romantic premise, trust becomes a huge factor, and obstacle, between Jon and Greg. It all worked together really well to ramp up my investment in this relationship somehow working out.
Danger and intrigue play out alongside the growing feelings between Greg and Jon. I loved the chemistry the authors built between these two men, and I was rooting for them to find a way to be together all while wondering how Quinton and Scott were going to make it happen in a way that would be believable. The action builds to an exciting crescendo, and that believable ending? Yes, it worked for me. When life and love work to complicate rather than complement, and then, in spite of the odds against them, the characters are able to find their happy ending anyway, that’s a pretty solid definition of romance. The authors have delivered that in Ice and have done it with a fast paced plot, some cheeky banter, and great dialogue that helps to tell the story.
This was a sweet and fun installment in the Salisbury series, and Greg and Jon earned their happily-ever-after in a tension filled way.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach Reviews
July 2, 2016
The Blogger Girls
Book two in the Salisbury series continues on with the restoration of the Laurels, the restaurant that was burned down in book one, Heat. I understand that each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but trust me when I say it would be much more enjoyable if you know the history of the people and place before you read, Ice.
This story starts out really sad. I was expecting some action considering one of the main characters is a thief, but I wasn’t expecting it to take off like a rocket. That first chapter is basically a pretty good summary of who and what Greg is and does for a living. He seemed like such a great guy for being a high-end criminal. I was, however, just a little surprised that he was also so talented in woodworking, but that is explained later on. Maybe a little too convenient for this diamond heist, but it fit with the story, so I ran with it.
Jon and his wood restoration company were hired to bring the Laurels back to life after the fire that nearly killed the guys from book one and almost destroyed their restaurant. Lewis and Devon play a pretty major role in this book, so I highly suggest you read that one first. The ways Rachel acts will confuse anyone who isn’t properly introduced to her in book one.
This is not a sex-fest, and although the attraction is real from the get-go, they do not act on it (besides a little flirting, and some heavy kissing) until over half way through the book. I guess you could say this is slow-burn, even though the time frame is quite short. A part of me was cheering that it wasn’t instant lust and jumping straight in the sack, but another part of me was like “stop teasing me!!”.
I really liked Greg, and I understood why he did what he did, and I understood Jon and why he got pissed about it, but I wasn’t quite ready for the “I love you’s” and would have preferred that they didn’t say them at all. The time frame was just too short, and they really didn’t know each other enough, in my opinion, for such strong declarations. I admit the strong attraction, caring, and desire for a real relationship was there, but I didn’t think they knew each other well enough by that point. If I could have changed anything it would have been to give these guys a happy for now ending. I know, shoot me.
So yeah, my opinion will probably not be the popular vote, and really, who doesn’t love a happily ever after…especially after your life is almost extinguished before you were really able to live? But Greg is given a second chance, Jon has found his soul mate, and the bad guy is yippee-ki-yay, so I am happy with the outcome and I spent an enjoyable couple days curled up with a good book.
Overall Impression: I really liked it
Book two in the Salisbury series continues on with the restoration of the Laurels, the restaurant that was burned down in book one, Heat. I understand that each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but trust me when I say it would be much more enjoyable if you know the history of the people and place before you read, Ice.
This story starts out really sad. I was expecting some action considering one of the main characters is a thief, but I wasn’t expecting it to take off like a rocket. That first chapter is basically a pretty good summary of who and what Greg is and does for a living. He seemed like such a great guy for being a high-end criminal. I was, however, just a little surprised that he was also so talented in woodworking, but that is explained later on. Maybe a little too convenient for this diamond heist, but it fit with the story, so I ran with it.
Jon and his wood restoration company were hired to bring the Laurels back to life after the fire that nearly killed the guys from book one and almost destroyed their restaurant. Lewis and Devon play a pretty major role in this book, so I highly suggest you read that one first. The ways Rachel acts will confuse anyone who isn’t properly introduced to her in book one.
This is not a sex-fest, and although the attraction is real from the get-go, they do not act on it (besides a little flirting, and some heavy kissing) until over half way through the book. I guess you could say this is slow-burn, even though the time frame is quite short. A part of me was cheering that it wasn’t instant lust and jumping straight in the sack, but another part of me was like “stop teasing me!!”.
I really liked Greg, and I understood why he did what he did, and I understood Jon and why he got pissed about it, but I wasn’t quite ready for the “I love you’s” and would have preferred that they didn’t say them at all. The time frame was just too short, and they really didn’t know each other enough, in my opinion, for such strong declarations. I admit the strong attraction, caring, and desire for a real relationship was there, but I didn’t think they knew each other well enough by that point. If I could have changed anything it would have been to give these guys a happy for now ending. I know, shoot me.
So yeah, my opinion will probably not be the popular vote, and really, who doesn’t love a happily ever after…especially after your life is almost extinguished before you were really able to live? But Greg is given a second chance, Jon has found his soul mate, and the bad guy is yippee-ki-yay, so I am happy with the outcome and I spent an enjoyable couple days curled up with a good book.
Overall Impression: I really liked it
August 11, 2016
I've truly enjoyed both stories in the Salisbury Stories series by this duo, I especially liked the fact that Devon and Lewis are in this, and that the story carries on from where the first one ended, albeit from the perspectives of new characters.
Jon and Greg's story is fun, sweet and just a little bit adventurous in places! I loved the setting of the book and its historical elements - in fact I wouldn't have minded at all if these bits were even longer, though I understand why they weren't, This is a love story after all, not a delving into history!
Although Greg had the more typically interesting life - thief and con artist, with extraordinary skills repairing timber and an interest in the past - it is actually Jon who caught my interest. The quiet giant of a man who loves his work restoring old woodwork to its former glory intrigued me. His family issues and dedication to his job, partnered with his love of home found a place in my heart all to quickly and I would truly have liked to know even more about him and what made him tick. I loved the interaction between him and Greg, but even more of the story from his point of view would have been a win in my eyes.
The story could have been more in depth, could have been more twisting and turning... but I think it wasn't meant to be. It is a love story first and the rest fits in round that as opposed to vice versa.
The only "issue" (for want of a better word, niggle maybe?) with the story is the age of the characters. Greg was only twenty three, but he felt much older to me. Twenty three just didn't fit him, in my opinion. I felt he was at least late twenties, and Jon, who was twenty nine, felt at least a decade older. Again, to me at least!
It was no surprise to me that a book by these two authors was very easy to read and enjoyable, the writing was as fab as I expected. This story is perfect for a quiet evening, a lazy Sunday or an afternoon in the garden. ReAlly enjoyable and recommended by me!
For more information see Goodreads.
A copy of this book was given on exchange for an honest review.
"This was hello and goodbye all wrapped up into one, though he was the only one who knew that."
Jon and Greg's story is fun, sweet and just a little bit adventurous in places! I loved the setting of the book and its historical elements - in fact I wouldn't have minded at all if these bits were even longer, though I understand why they weren't, This is a love story after all, not a delving into history!
Although Greg had the more typically interesting life - thief and con artist, with extraordinary skills repairing timber and an interest in the past - it is actually Jon who caught my interest. The quiet giant of a man who loves his work restoring old woodwork to its former glory intrigued me. His family issues and dedication to his job, partnered with his love of home found a place in my heart all to quickly and I would truly have liked to know even more about him and what made him tick. I loved the interaction between him and Greg, but even more of the story from his point of view would have been a win in my eyes.
The story could have been more in depth, could have been more twisting and turning... but I think it wasn't meant to be. It is a love story first and the rest fits in round that as opposed to vice versa.
The only "issue" (for want of a better word, niggle maybe?) with the story is the age of the characters. Greg was only twenty three, but he felt much older to me. Twenty three just didn't fit him, in my opinion. I felt he was at least late twenties, and Jon, who was twenty nine, felt at least a decade older. Again, to me at least!
It was no surprise to me that a book by these two authors was very easy to read and enjoyable, the writing was as fab as I expected. This story is perfect for a quiet evening, a lazy Sunday or an afternoon in the garden. ReAlly enjoyable and recommended by me!
For more information see Goodreads.
A copy of this book was given on exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2016
A fantastic sequel to Heat but can be read as a stand-alone.
Ice is the second book in the Salisbury series but it also reads as a stand-alone. I’d recommend reading Heat, though because it’s a fantastic book.
This book has everything – romance, suspense, mystery and sexy time. Greg is a man of many faces. He specializes in finding lost treasure and not always within the law. He’s getting tired of the life and vows to give it up after this one final job.
Jon is co-owner of Ageless Word Restorations. His company was hired to repair the damage done by fire to the prestigious restaurant, the Laurels. He’s facing missing his contract deadline if he can’t find someone to replace his uncle who fell and broke his arm.
Enter Greg. One of his many talents, besides treasure hunting, happens to be carpentry and he’s an expert craftsman. When his current treasure hunt takes Greg to Salisbury and the Laurels it seems like a gift from the heavens to Jon and he fears it’s too good to be true.
Both Greg and Jon have trust issues because of their pasts and Jon also has a policy to not get involved with his employees. Greg challenges Jon at nearly every turn and Jon finds it impossible to resist his charm. Greg and Jon’s path to their HEA is fraught with challenges but they do manage to get there. The epilogue was a perfect cap to a great story.
As I read I became totally immersed in the story; I didn’t want to put it down. I loved how there were humorous times to help balance all of the mystery and suspense. The descriptions of the carvings and various settings in the book make me want to visit these places for real and not just in my imagination.
Ms. Scott and Ms. Quinton make a great writing team.
*****Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions*****
Ice is the second book in the Salisbury series but it also reads as a stand-alone. I’d recommend reading Heat, though because it’s a fantastic book.
This book has everything – romance, suspense, mystery and sexy time. Greg is a man of many faces. He specializes in finding lost treasure and not always within the law. He’s getting tired of the life and vows to give it up after this one final job.
Jon is co-owner of Ageless Word Restorations. His company was hired to repair the damage done by fire to the prestigious restaurant, the Laurels. He’s facing missing his contract deadline if he can’t find someone to replace his uncle who fell and broke his arm.
Enter Greg. One of his many talents, besides treasure hunting, happens to be carpentry and he’s an expert craftsman. When his current treasure hunt takes Greg to Salisbury and the Laurels it seems like a gift from the heavens to Jon and he fears it’s too good to be true.
Both Greg and Jon have trust issues because of their pasts and Jon also has a policy to not get involved with his employees. Greg challenges Jon at nearly every turn and Jon finds it impossible to resist his charm. Greg and Jon’s path to their HEA is fraught with challenges but they do manage to get there. The epilogue was a perfect cap to a great story.
As I read I became totally immersed in the story; I didn’t want to put it down. I loved how there were humorous times to help balance all of the mystery and suspense. The descriptions of the carvings and various settings in the book make me want to visit these places for real and not just in my imagination.
Ms. Scott and Ms. Quinton make a great writing team.
*****Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions*****
July 11, 2016
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***
This is book 2 in The Salisbury Series and while it could be read as a standalone, you'd be missing out on a fabulous read if you don't pick Heat up.
Greg is an adventurer, an Indiana Jones type looking for the next treasure, but after a job gone wrong he's been looking for an out, he just needs to finish one last work for his boss, find some long lost diamonds that are supposedly hidden in Salisbury.
Jonathan is in trouble. His uncle/partner at their renovation business suffered an accident and he's been unable to find a replacement to help him restore Laurels to its prior splendor. When Greg enters the building with great recommendations and seemingly fantastic renovation skills, he can't pass the opportunity up. He didn't count on having to fend off his new employee's advances or that it would be increasingly difficult to give into temptation.
I loved Jonathan, he was such a wonderful man. Reliable and hard-working, very focused on doing things the right way. He really had no chance against Greg, who was flirtatious and easygoing, even if a little misguided. They were great together, though, and it was fun to see Jonathan try to keep Greg at arms' length and Greg push on those boundaries.
It was amazing to see Lewis, Devon and Rachel again and Jonathan's uncle and aunt were delightful, as well.
The book was filled with romance and friendship and suspense, it was fast-paced and very well-written, a seamless collaboration between Ms. Quinton and Ms. Scott that I enjoyed thoroughly! Very recommendable!
Rating: 4.5 Stars!!!
This is book 2 in The Salisbury Series and while it could be read as a standalone, you'd be missing out on a fabulous read if you don't pick Heat up.
Greg is an adventurer, an Indiana Jones type looking for the next treasure, but after a job gone wrong he's been looking for an out, he just needs to finish one last work for his boss, find some long lost diamonds that are supposedly hidden in Salisbury.
Jonathan is in trouble. His uncle/partner at their renovation business suffered an accident and he's been unable to find a replacement to help him restore Laurels to its prior splendor. When Greg enters the building with great recommendations and seemingly fantastic renovation skills, he can't pass the opportunity up. He didn't count on having to fend off his new employee's advances or that it would be increasingly difficult to give into temptation.
I loved Jonathan, he was such a wonderful man. Reliable and hard-working, very focused on doing things the right way. He really had no chance against Greg, who was flirtatious and easygoing, even if a little misguided. They were great together, though, and it was fun to see Jonathan try to keep Greg at arms' length and Greg push on those boundaries.
It was amazing to see Lewis, Devon and Rachel again and Jonathan's uncle and aunt were delightful, as well.
The book was filled with romance and friendship and suspense, it was fast-paced and very well-written, a seamless collaboration between Ms. Quinton and Ms. Scott that I enjoyed thoroughly! Very recommendable!
Rating: 4.5 Stars!!!
July 21, 2016
Although this book had a bit more information to it regarding our characters, I still felt like I was missing something from book 1. I still feel like parts of Lewis’ and Devon’s story is missing. The authors have given us quite a bit more background information this time when it comes to both MC’s. This allowed me to at least understand why the characters think and feel the way they do.
I did feel the story dragged a bit in some parts. I don’t think it needed to be as long as it was. I feel like parts of this story took off into a history lesson at times. The reader is taken on a journey from Moscow to England in the early 1900’s to England during WWII. As the journey unfolds we learn where the diamonds came from and how they ended up at their final destination.
As Greg and Jon finish the projects, they find themselves becoming more and more attracted to each other. But each of them has a hard time with trust making it difficult to believe a relationship between them could last.
When danger steps into the picture, and lives are threatened, both men realize it’s time to put the past behind them. And to start trusting the only person who has ever been completely honest with them. I received a free copy of this book from Inked Rainbow Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
I did feel the story dragged a bit in some parts. I don’t think it needed to be as long as it was. I feel like parts of this story took off into a history lesson at times. The reader is taken on a journey from Moscow to England in the early 1900’s to England during WWII. As the journey unfolds we learn where the diamonds came from and how they ended up at their final destination.
As Greg and Jon finish the projects, they find themselves becoming more and more attracted to each other. But each of them has a hard time with trust making it difficult to believe a relationship between them could last.
When danger steps into the picture, and lives are threatened, both men realize it’s time to put the past behind them. And to start trusting the only person who has ever been completely honest with them. I received a free copy of this book from Inked Rainbow Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2016
Those Salisbury books would make pretty goot movies, I think. Mystery, drama, romance with some action and deadly peril thown in, all wrapped up in a sweet happy end, they're near perfect summer reads.
TBH, I liked this second instalment even better than the first book,
. Greg was a great character, the restless wanderer finding a home. And yes, he did have a bit of Indiana Jones about him. How is it that cat burglars/ art thieves always make such compelling heroes? At least to me they do, and I loved Greg to pieces.
Jon, the other main character, paled in comparison though he, too, had his endearing traits. A master craftsman who's heading his own business yet so insecure about his own worth - what's not to love about a vulnerable gentle giant like him? No wonder Greg fell for him on the spot, although the other way round took a while (and the abovementioned deadly peril) to finally sink in. Their back and forth was a bit tedious, but kept the dreaded insta-love at bay, so it was all good.
In short, this book was a joy to read, very entertaining. I can recommend it, both as a standalone and as part of the series.
TBH, I liked this second instalment even better than the first book,
. Greg was a great character, the restless wanderer finding a home. And yes, he did have a bit of Indiana Jones about him. How is it that cat burglars/ art thieves always make such compelling heroes? At least to me they do, and I loved Greg to pieces. Jon, the other main character, paled in comparison though he, too, had his endearing traits. A master craftsman who's heading his own business yet so insecure about his own worth - what's not to love about a vulnerable gentle giant like him? No wonder Greg fell for him on the spot, although the other way round took a while (and the abovementioned deadly peril) to finally sink in. Their back and forth was a bit tedious, but kept the dreaded insta-love at bay, so it was all good.
In short, this book was a joy to read, very entertaining. I can recommend it, both as a standalone and as part of the series.
July 26, 2016
This is book two in this series and even though the main characters are different you will still read about familiar characters from the previous book and this book as does book one revolves around "The Laurels".
Greg struck a me as one of those individuals that is looking for something but not quite sure exactly what it is. He is a today Indiana Jones. He searches out hidden or lost treasures and then turns them over to Mack for a pay out. But just like in real life, crap happens and the crap that happens affects Greg tremendously and makes him want out of the arrangement with Mack. So he takes on one last job. The thing is, life has a funny way of throwing you a curveball and that curveball comes in the form of Jon.
Jon is happy with the way his life is. He likes working at his own business and is happy with his occasional hookups. But once he meets Greg, everything changes.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a book that had not only mystery, but action and adventure. It has murder and mayhem. And it also has love. What more can you want. RJ Scott wrote another fabulous book and I enjoyed reading every minute of it.
Was given this book for free by inked rainbow reads for an honest review
Greg struck a me as one of those individuals that is looking for something but not quite sure exactly what it is. He is a today Indiana Jones. He searches out hidden or lost treasures and then turns them over to Mack for a pay out. But just like in real life, crap happens and the crap that happens affects Greg tremendously and makes him want out of the arrangement with Mack. So he takes on one last job. The thing is, life has a funny way of throwing you a curveball and that curveball comes in the form of Jon.
Jon is happy with the way his life is. He likes working at his own business and is happy with his occasional hookups. But once he meets Greg, everything changes.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a book that had not only mystery, but action and adventure. It has murder and mayhem. And it also has love. What more can you want. RJ Scott wrote another fabulous book and I enjoyed reading every minute of it.
Was given this book for free by inked rainbow reads for an honest review
July 24, 2016
This was another great story in the Salisbury stories by two excellent authors. I really loved how the authors were able to bring together these two men. Greg was a really great character and I immediately fell in love with him. I loved the back story of Greg and thought the authors did an exceptional job in how they work it into the story. Jon was a another really exceptional character and loved how the authors were able to make the whole meeting and falling in love feel very real to me. This book had tender moments and some very suspenseful moments as well. But it was the trust and family issues that really had me hooked from the beginning. Although this is part of a series I feel it can be read as a standalone.
I was given this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I was given this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
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August 20, 2016In Queue
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
August 29, 2016
I love a good mystery and this book reminded me (extremely loosely ) of national treasure, which I love! There is Greg good at finding and liberating artefacts and treasure, there is the requisite bad guy who wants everyone dead and then there is Jon the good guy with some trust issues. A compelling read that I highly recommend but as this is part of a series would be best read in order. More books to love. Roll on part 3.
July 12, 2016
Just as good as the first in the series.
Ice was just as good as Fire, the first book in the Salisbury series. History, mystery and adventure all rolled into this engrossing story.
Talented writers and an excellent story. What more could you ask for?
Ice was just as good as Fire, the first book in the Salisbury series. History, mystery and adventure all rolled into this engrossing story.
Talented writers and an excellent story. What more could you ask for?
December 7, 2016
Fantastic story, loved the writing and it was great to visit Lewis & Devon again. The main characters were well developed but I didn't fall in love with them.
Book 2 of a series but reads very well as a standalone.
Book 2 of a series but reads very well as a standalone.
June 26, 2016
Review to follow soon
July 20, 2016
Excellent - I am really enjoying this series (Ice is number 2). Complex, well plotted, real adult characters - please continue!
August 15, 2016
I found the characters a bit more distant than in the first book, but I still enjoyed it a lot. It was great to see the renovation and restoration of The Laurels, and to see Louis and Devon again.
June 20, 2020
RJ and Chris have written a beautiful story.
Yes there is pain, loss and betrayal, but even better, there is romance, forgiveness and the belief in a happily forever after.
Yes there is pain, loss and betrayal, but even better, there is romance, forgiveness and the belief in a happily forever after.
September 7, 2016
I very much enjoyed this book another 5 star story from two of my favorite authers
March 24, 2017
3.5*
An adventurer and a settled man, what a great combination!
The mystery of the diamonds and restoring the Laurels was a very good adventure! Watching these two guys dance around each other was kinda funny in places. The intrigue was so well written in this book. And the history of Salisbury is cleverly sprinkled throughout the book. Very enjoyable read!
An adventurer and a settled man, what a great combination!
The mystery of the diamonds and restoring the Laurels was a very good adventure! Watching these two guys dance around each other was kinda funny in places. The intrigue was so well written in this book. And the history of Salisbury is cleverly sprinkled throughout the book. Very enjoyable read!
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