Tequila Mockingbird

Sinners #3

by Rhys Ford, Emmanuelle Rousseau (Translator)

Suite de Whiskey and Wry
Série Sinners, tome 3

Le lieutenant Connor Morgan, du SWAT de la police de San Francisco, ne cherchait pas l’amour. Surtout pas avec un homme. Ses projets d’avenir n’incluaient pas Forest Ackerman, un batteur blond aux yeux bruns, aussi sexy que noyé sous les problèmes. Sa famille compte sur lui pour être comme son père : un solide pilier central qui, un jour, guidera le clan Morgan.

Non, Connor a déjà tout prévu : une carrière dans les forces de l’ordre, une belle maison et une famille. Cependant, lors d’une descente pour une affaire de drogue, il trouve un homme assassiné et perd son cœur en réconfortant son fils adoptif. Ce n’est pas comme s’il n’avait jamais ressenti d’attirance pour les hommes… c’est juste qu’en aimer un ne rentre pas dans ses plans.

Forest Ackerman n’a vraiment pas besoin de convoiter un flic hétéro, même si celui-ci est partout où il pose les yeux, surtout après la mort de Frank. Il vient juste de se dissuader de continuer à désirer le flic baraqué quand son salon de café devient un champ de tir et que Connor intervient pour le sauver.

Celui qui a tué son père semble vouloir envoyer Forest le rejoindre dans l’au-delà. Alors que le tueur se rapproche de son objectif, Forest apprend à connaître Connor et se demande ce qu’il va perdre en premier : sa vie ou son cœur.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery, Musicians, Audiobook, Abuse

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 26, 2014

About the author

Rhys Ford is an award-winning author with several long-running LGBT+ mystery, thriller, paranormal, and urban fantasy series and is a two-time LAMBDA finalist and a multiple Gold and Silver Medalist by the Florida Authors and Publishers President’s Book Awards. She is published by Dreamspinner Press, DSP Publications and Rogue Firebird Press.

She shares the house with Harley, a gray tuxedo with a flower on her face, Badger, a disgruntled former alley cat, and Gojira, a mercurial Tabico as well as a ginger cairn terrorist named Gus. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird named Tengu and enjoys murdering make-believe people.

Reviews

[Barbara➰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread July 2023

I loved this more again. Bumping my rating up.

Reread May 2021

I loved this one more this time.

Reread March 2019

I love Connor. Forest really broke my heart this time around. Must be my mood. I was glad he got some momma love from Brigid.

Reread June 2018

Still love these two.


Originally read December 2017

Love these two guys! I have enjoyed this series a lot. But there’s definitely a pattern here of the perfect Morgan paired with a broken musician. I’m not complaining but it is similar and I suspect Quinn’s book to follow the same route. But these Morgan guys are perfect heroes and I do love that they don’t fight their attraction long. ❤️❤️ And I absolutely love their mom and da. Donal is the cool and calm to Brigid’s fierceness and love. I really want to see Miki accepting her more though.

Book 1 continues to be my favorite. This one seemed a bit rushed in the beginning and I felt I missed the “getting to know you” stage between Connor and Forest and I wanted that because I loved them individually so much. I will definitely be continuing on with the series.

But, dude, can I just say dude, that, dude, I’m tired of the word “dude”? It annoyed me in 2.5 but really got on my last nerve in this one 😡. Hopefully it’s less frequent in book 4 🤷‍♀️

[Sun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhys Ford’s Sinners Gin series is my crack. I LOVE these stories.  They are the best ‘for pleasure’ reads on my shelf and in my opinion, they get better and better with each new book.  Blending perfectly a little bit of mystery/suspense, sweet yet complicated and unexpected relationships, HOT sex scenes, and some of the most impossible-not-to-love characters (the broken ones (musicians) and the solid ones (Morgans))…each book has had me twirling with joy.  They are just a lot of fun to read.

I thought I loved Miki & Kane in book 1. And then I met Damien and Sionn in book 2 and I thought then I really knew love.  Oh, but now in book 3…Forest and Conner…now THIS is love. :) (ok, ok, I’m fickle, I admit it).  Forest is young, he’s damaged with a horrible, heartbreaking, abusive childhood, and he’s saddled with a deadbeat mom…oh yeah, and it seems someone’s trying to kill him.   Conner, the oldest Morgan child, is an Irish Superman, a SWAT Lieutenant, salt-of-the-earth, and dreamy…oh yeah, and he’s straight…???

Some of my favorite storylines are incorporated in Tequila Mockingbird:  out-for-you, virgin gay sex, insta-lifelong-love, traumatic-past-healed-by-love, COPS, and best of all…DONAL MORGAN. He could be in every single book I read and I’d never get enough of the patriarch of this family. The Morgan family dynamic coupled with the Sinners Gin dynamic and then the crossing of them all makes for some of the best scenes, dialogue, and emotional reading. I eat this kind of shit up.

Sure, the love between Conner and Forest happened FAST and I could see how some readers might not entirely buy into it. But, it’s CONNER…who WOULDN’T love this man from the word ‘go’?  And I admit, the suspense element was a bit hokey, but I honestly didn’t care about the who’s or the why’s…I just liked watching CONNER come to the rescue!  And then there’s CONNER’S first time with a man…unf…that first sex scene with he and Forest (heck, even their first kiss!) was so HOT.  Holy shmokes.

If I haven’t made it clear yet, CONNER stole my heart in this book (and yes, Forest was great too…and I like him for Conner!).  There were also some fun Miki and D scenes and a tiny bit of Kane.  All yay’s for me.  But man oh man…reading the last page of the book? I’ll say this…I CANNOT wait for the next one to come out. I can already tell it’s gonna be SO GOOD!

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second read August 2016 ~ Just as good!



Well, unfortunately this book read almost exactly the same as the first two books in the series, Sinner's Gin and Whiskey and Wry, but fortunately the first two were really good. Tequila Mockingbird focuses on Morgan brother Conner, a Lieutenant with the SFPD’s SWAT division. After a lifetime of considering himself straight, he meets lost soul Forest Ackerman and the blonde beauty has him completely re-thinking his sexuality and his future. He gets the whole Morgan family onboard to help protect his new love and the boys get their well deserved HEA.

I love the Morgan family, I loved lost and lonely Forest and was only a little bit bothered by the similarities in the books. I can recommend this book to M/M romance fans. I don't think you need to read the first two books to understand the third, but some of the family relations might be a mess in your head if you don't. Just ask someone here on GR and I'm sure they'd be happy to help.

[Darien · Rating 4 out of 5]

ONE SHOT, TWO SHOT

This series man…it’s a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions and this book had me in hoops with a series of huge drops. Tequila Mockingbird is the 3rd book in the Sinners series and just like its predecessors it brought the murder and mayhem, and of course the family drama.

Connor Morgan gets called to go bust down a meth lab, being swat meaning him and his men get to go in first and hope they don’t get filled with bullet holes. The scene doesn’t turn out to be a meth lab, but he does find himself rescuing a dead body and then comforting the dead mans son in his arms. Surprisingly, comforting the boy is turning out to be a highlight and Connor finds that he is very drawn to Forest Ackerman and keeps going to wherever the boy seems to be. Connor can’t explain the fascination since he’s never in his whole life been attracted to a man but Forest seems to be an exception to the rule, and the men begin a tentative friendship. Well Connor begins a friendship and Forest just side eyes 👀 him.

When it becomes clear that the murder of Forest’s dad wasn't an isolated incident, Connor had to put everything on the line to protect his man. Someone wants Forest dead, and Connor will make damn sure that it doesn’t happen. You see, Forest has been through way too much in his short life, and now is the time for him to be protected and nurtured. Morgan knows where his feelings stand and he will not lose the man he loves to some psychopath bent on destruction. Because when you get one Morgan, it means you get all the Morgans. Forest has got an Arsenal at his back and they’ll keep him safe, even from himself.

As with most Rhys Ford books the killer is just out there doing the most. Shooting up coffee shops, killing everybody in order to get to one person. Forest has no idea who would want to harm him, since he just moves by him lonesome and focuses on his drumming. His life before has made him guarded, and I don’t even want to mention the things he had to do to survive and mostly forced by the persons who is to love him conditionally (his weak sauce mom). I don’t even want to mention it much less think about it, it gets me hella ragey.

Forest and Connor are really cute, and their relationship is something akin to insta-love but it feels more like friendship with the added bonus of dick in ass. But insta-love, insta-lust or whatever totally makes sense when dealing with Connor (panties poof) the Irish brogue and all that, plus he’s big with the black hair (panties forever gone), he had me at “hello”. Mix in the guys from the previous books and all the Morgan Clan, and Tequila Mockingbird is a great mix of all the characters and I just really enjoyed it.

My dislike, was who turned out to be the killer. I wasn’t feeling any of it, was really quite disappointed because the destruction up until the reveal was quite entertaining. I did a eye roll 🙄 when all was revealed, his revenge became insignificant and with the medical stuff eventually redundant. Disappointed, Darien was disappointed 😞

Overall, another solid read by the talented Rhys Ford. When I need fast pace, psycho shit, and sexy sexy times I know just the author to give it to me. Another great addition to the series, and I am looking froward to see who wants to kill these guys next.

[Ingie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written January 12, 2014

3 1/2 Stars - As lovely as promised - Highly entertaining suspense and smexy sweet family drama

Book #3

I finished this 9 hrs audiobook —narrated, as always with strong expression and big emotions, by Tristan James— yesterday and as always am I still, a day later, grinning my silly happy-M/M-romances-smile.



Tequila Mockingbird - yet a new addictive RF
This Rhys Ford world with a bunch of Irish born, hunky sexy, strong Morgan's Men, and their cute and sensitive ("men in distress') boyfriends in San Francisco, is so wonderful pleasurable to visit every time. This was my fourth visit and I enjoyed it once again.

***********************************************************

Lieutenant Connor Morgan of SFPD’s SWAT division wasn’t looking for love or prepared to fall in love. Especially not in a 'man' and not in Forest Ackerman, a brown-eyed, blond drummer who’s as sexy as he is trouble.

“Follow yer heart, because no matter where it takes ye, the journey is worth it - especially if it's love.”

***********************************************************

Tequila Mockingbird is the third full length novel in the M/M series ("Sinners") by Rhys Ford. A series with the tale about the surviving members from the rock band Sinner's Gin, their (Irish) manly sexy alpha lovers and the big wonderful Morgan family. Set in San Francisco, US.

My reviews: (

• #1 - Sinner's Gin (3.7 stars), about the singer Miki St. John and his cop Kane Morgan.
• #2 - Whiskey and Wry (3.8 stars), about the guitarist Damien Mitchell and his pub owner Sionn Murphy.
• #2.5 - The Devil's Brev (3.3 stars), a short Valentine Day novella about them all.



***********************************************************

This large fantastic clan of Morgan's are of course a big part in these books too become such a good-natured and pleasant reading (listening). There are some suspense and crime clues in the background, with fires, shootings and even gruesome murder, but on the surface is this just another wonderfully cute and steaming hot love story.

I really liked both these MC's. The "larger-than-life hero" Connor, who made an (quite quick) guy-for-you journey. As well as this sweetie Forest, who opened up to love and tender care from a whole family as the same time as he shaked away som evil angsty stuff from his past. They were truly worth each other and it wasn't to quick 'insta' or bed-bumping so I was pretty pleased.

Although this is cute is it actually, in my meeting, never corny. Several of these main characters (our young musicians) grew up in horrible bad conditions with abuse, cruel adults, drugs, etc., so in the middle are there also a touch of a terrifying social realism that I also have to take in. I admit, I defend myself slightly from some of these dark black memories and listening more after that so beautifully tender pink and so lovely hopeful future stuff.

***********************************************************

Looking forward to another Morgan brother's story. ~ And of course this hugging annoying mommy Morgan and this always so wise and adorable daddy Morgan... and this whole bunch of funny police officers and sweet musicians in this growing clan.

Soon, we might have a brand new Sinner's Gin band. We just lacks a good bass player. Will he pop up in the next, not yet published, part?

In short - there is something for everyone here. - Just read, or listen to this amusing narrator Tristan James, and enjoy. Maybe you can't resist it neither. Or?

I LIKE - a perfect "smile and just go for it" book


*********
# Buddyread with start Saturday 01/10/2015 with my lovely "Sinner's" followers Sofia and Irina

# The Sinners series. 4 novels and 2 novellas:

and later Sloe Ride

[La*La · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 60%.

[Wendys Wycked Words · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since the "Cole McGinnis" series was such a big hit for me, I figured I would just stay with Rhys Ford a bit longer and finish some of the "Sinners" books.

I have already read book 1, which I really enjoyed. I skipped book 2, because the plot sounded a bit complicated and just jumped into book 3. Unlike the "McGinnis" series, these books all star a different couple, so they can be read as a stand alone. Characters from previous books, do re-appear though, so I think reading them in order would give you the best expierence. I just like dismissing my own advice....



This time, it's Connor Morgan's turn and I have to say, I love all the Morgans !! Connor is the oldest of their clan and he has always been inspired to be just like his father, which is also the reason he went into law inforcement.



Connor is a luitenant for a SWAT division and he has his future pretty much figured out. He wants to be just like his dad...married to the woman he loves, living in a nice home with some wonderful kids.

This vision however shatters to pieces when he meets Forest, the adopted son of a murder victim.



Connor has only ever been with women, but he admits that he did have some lusty feelings towards men in the past. So...it's a gfy but it's also not...

Forest has had an awful youth. His mom was a real piece of shit !! When he is 12 years old, an older hippie man saves him from her and his life on the streets and offers him a home. When his adoptive father gets murdered, Forest's life falls to pieces. He doesn't really have anybody else...that is until he meets Connor.

This book was pretty heavy on the insta-love, but I didn't really mind. They were quite sweet together and Connor was all in about the gay-sex !!!



What bothered me though is that the sex-scenes are a bit too lyrical for me at times. It confuses the shit out of me and it's a bit cheesy. I have come to the conclusion that this is just the way this authors likes to write sexscenes, but I myself prefer simpler wording and maybe some dirty talk :)

The mystery part was nicely done, there were some dead bodies, shooting and blood.

Loved seeing Miki and Kane again and I am very curious about what's gonna happen with Quinn. The odd duckling of the Morgan clan.

I also loved the little wink to Adrien English in this book. I always enjoy it, when authors do this ;)

“You find any more dead bodies, someone would think you owned a mystery bookstore in Pasadena.”

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Morgan family is about to lose another son to a young, sexy musician...Forest Ackerman, but that's okay with them. All their children deserve to be loved and be happy and that includes the oldest of the eight...Conner, who always thought life would be a dog, a wife and kids. The dog and the kids are still in the mix, but the "wife" has grown whiskers and beats a drum as the newest member of a blossoming band with the two survivors of the original Sinner's Gin band. The world Rhys Ford has crafted and created becomes mesmerizingly more real with each book. I despised Forrest's mother who only wanted money and nothing more from him...but I had to applaud the way he handled her without entirely cutting her out of his life but leaving no doubt in her mind that the handouts were finished. Forest will be safe and will know he's loved with Conner and the rest of the Morgan family...a family that anyone would do almost anything to have for even an hour. On to the next book, which is about Quinn, the non-cop in the family, the quiet professor.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

BR with Tara and Elsbeth, who have been awesome, because they’ve been subjected to my whines about this book and still want to talk to me.

2.5 stars



This series just isn’t for me. I still think it’s weird how I could really like Rhys Ford’s Cole McGinnis series, but had trouble with the writing in this series.

Unrealistic dialogue, confusing scene jumps, I love yous flying around at akward times, strange descriptions during sex.

Like this one.

His cock sang and spilled.

That’s a neat trick, a singing cock.



I can do insta-love, I even like it. But this was just weird. Straight Connor has the hots for Forest without them ever having had a conversation. I just didn’t feel it. I was really missing some inner musings from both of them.

Well, I really did try….

[Jenni Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, these are even better the second time around! This one might be my favorite. Love Connor!

[Meep · Rating 5 out of 5]

After listening to the audio love this book all the more. The instant family acceptance and Donal being pure Irish gold, Con living to expectations he's put on himself but knowing love is stronger and not hiding from it. Listening to the father and son talk made it more special. Still think it's a bit much at times but hell I'm raising it a star for that feeling of family and love.

----

Completely unrealistic from beginning to end, yet still really enjoyable reading. There's something so appealing about the plethora of big loud Morgans and the bruised rock-stars they protect. So much talking and emoting gets done, but how lovely is the instant support?

Not really a GFY, I liked Connor's moment of unsurity though he accepted this new part of himself with little hesitation. Donal coming up trumps. Liked Mama Morgan finally finding a lamb who wants to be coddled and it's still amusing to see Miki panic at her approach. In many ways this is my favourite of the series so far because there was a touch of 'allergy' sniffles at the beginning and Connor wanting to be Forest's hero was so sweet. And yeah, total swoon:

"I'd be happy to have any of your power, any of that strength, smeared on me. Touching you--is incredible, but loving you, Forest mine, makes me feel invincible."

The crime aspect was actually quite interesting in that I had few guesses, all which turned out more involved than the reveal, but really the mystery is not why anyone would read this series - it's the characters and the thrill of action.

They're a comfort read and if they catch you, addictive reading; enough going on for there to be a story, some great characters and dialogue. Lots of Morgans. You need to suspend a lot of disbelief and not look too deep at any of it, but once you've read one of the series you know what to expect and eyerolling can turn to heartwarmed smiles. They're the sort of books to cause despair or instant fans; I can't say they're good, but I do love them.
And that damn ever teasing last chapter reminds me one of the many reason I don't watch soap operas! So yeah *reaches for next book*.

Still got the temptation to make a drinking game of the series (which is in no way a criticism):
- Every time 'Erotic' is used as an adjective.
- Every time the rockstar character is considered 'Sensual'
- A drink for every sight of 'Intestines' - Two if smell is mentioned.
- A drink for every gun-shot - Two if a MC is hit.
- A drink for every huge/fancy car.
- A drink for Donal's strength and his bride's fierceness - Add a drink if she's called 'bride' (didn't notice that in this one)
- A drink for every hug Brigid gives.
- Two drinks for every thickening or hardening cock.
- A large drink for 'roil' (one thing roils per book)
I'd add a drink for every shoehorned Irishism, but I'd feel guilty for promoting alcholism ;)
Feel free to add.

[Sofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I read this with my Sinners companions Ingela and Irina and whilst reading the series we discussed the eye-rolling and the impossibility of certain tropes in the series ad nauseum.

We compared it in fact to watching a soap opera whilst eating nachos.

(I’m the one eating the nachos of course :P)

The thing is that I like this and I need it sometimes. So thank you Ms Ford for this episode, loved Forest, loved Conner and enjoyed the family as usual. And I look forward to the next.


BR Saturday 10th of Jan...with my girls Ingela and Irina

[Ula'ndi Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall book rating: 4.25
Audio Book: Tristan James 4.5 Great Stars!
Book Cover: 4

Another one bites the dust – and you know what? I still liked it. Yes that includes Mr Tristan James – although I LOVE Sionn’s rendition of the Irish lilt the best.

I like the feel of the books and it will keep me reading till I finished all of them I think. The idea of the band getting their stuff together again is a nice twist and Forest is the sweetest!

Finnally B gets her cuddle toy in him!

What I don’t like is the ongoing drama of some crazy person wanting off every single one of the Morgan clan’s extended families or direct families. It gets a little old if you know what I mean?

Don’t get me wrong here, again, I love the Morgan’s and the stories behind them. And I have to give a little credit here, at least there was no knife-crazy-asshole in this one. But still? Maybe I should take a little breather before I take on the next one.
But I WILL read it.

[Bitchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fuck you GR, you ate my fucking review when I went back to edit a shelf!

The gist of it was this: Loved the Morgans, greatest family ever. Too perfect, but I love them anyway. Loved seeing Miki and Damien and how Forest fit in.

Totally empathized with Forest on his mom, it sucks growing up with an addict for a parent (thankfully mine never pimped me out, just sold everything I owned as a kid that had ANY value). You want them to get better, but after awhile, you just accept that it ain't gonna happen.

I found the mystery a bit OTT, so much kept happening to Forest every time they turned around, which is the only thing that kept this from being 5 stars for me. The crazy guy never even took a break between capers, just kept going, like the energizer bunny!

[Line · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read, and it was just as great as the rest of the series I've read so far. Also special hearteyes for Donal and his totally accepting and chill personality! We need more of that shit<3

--------------------------------------------

I am on a FUCKING roll, with this MM-mystery-hole I've stumbled into!
I am wondering why the hell it took me so long to move to this subgenre, when I know that I love a great mystery, and I love MM.
In this one we have a butt-virgin -Connor, also known as previously-one-hundred-percent-straight- and a bumbling, younger MC -Forest-, two of my favorite MC-types!

Connor is the quintessential, 'straight', SWAT dude. He's a big guy, and a man's man.
The story begins when his SWAT unit receives a tip that a trailer parked in front of a coffee shop and a studio is a meth lab, during the sweep of the trailer he finds a man, but the trailer is rigged to explode. He gets the man out, and seconds later the trailer goes BOOM. In the aftermath he meets the dead man's adopted son, Forest.
Forest has not had a great life until Frank took him in, and even after that he struggled a great deal. However Forest is a fighter, and after Frank's death he is stepping up, and trying to make things work.

Of course things are not that easy. Somebody is doing everything they can to ruin Forest's life and dreams, by vandalising the coffee shop and studio and killing people in connection to the place. The reasons are not very straight-forward, since Frank was a BIG hippie and Forest is a very shy, chill character. They have no 'in-your-face-enemies'.

Even though Connor is 'straight', something is woken in him on the night of the bomb, and he is struggling with his pre-conceived notions of who he should be versus his attraction to Forest.
Their 'dance' around each other, lasts longer than the previous books, which was great. There is definite attraction, but no 'I love you-s' within 3 weeks, which felt more realistic, especially considering Connor is 'straight'.
Also a BIG shout-out to Connor's parents and their easy acceptance of... Well, everything!

The mystery in this one, took a backseat compared to the first 2 books, since Connor is SWAT and not a detective, but he is still sticking his nose in it, and being very protective of Forest, which was great. However he is not sleuthing around, quite like Kane and Sionn before him.

As always the supporting cast was fantastic, I loved seeing Damien and Miki being themselves, and the way they took Forest in was great. Also Connor's parents really deserve more mention, these people are just lovely!
The reason this is not a 5-star read for me however, was the really REALLY deep conversations Connor had with different family members. Most of the time it was great, but once in a while I sat there with my mouth open, thinking:
"Would anyone REALLY say that to a family-member?!? Like really?"
At times it felt... TOO perfect!? And that made it weird and kind of creepy, especially when Con was talking to his dad about what he wanted to do to Forest..... Eeeeeewwwwwww;-)

Also I would have loved for Forest to tell his mother to SHOVE it, like REALLY shove it! That lady was disgusting, and that Forest left a crack in the door for her, instead of locking that shit up and throwing away the key, annoyed me.
Because if we pretend that in the future she will come crawling back, Forest will let her into his life and then what?!? Will they sit there and have coffee and pretend that she didn't drag him down and whored him out and passed him around to her friends at the age of 12 or 13? Like.... Really, they're gonna just ignore that?
I don't buy it, and if we pretend they were in a relationship (like an adult MF-one and they were not related) we would SCREAM at Forest to leave his abuser behind, but no no, because she pushed him out of her vagina, it's different? No, just.... NO!

I enjoyed the rest of the book though, great characters and as always we had some smoking smexy times!

I have enjoyed the three first books in this one immensely; the humor, the mysteries, the supporting characters and the MCs have been fucking great!
I'm pretty sure these three will be read again and again. Rhys Ford really is becoming a favorite MM-mystery author for me.

[Heather C · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s no denying that I love Rhys Ford and this is just another reason why I will forever read anything she writes.  

After the surprising revelation at the end of Whiskey and Wry, I’ve been impatiently waiting Tequila Mockingbird.  Who saw that coming??  I considered myself “in the know” and I was not expecting that curveball!!!

Forest Ackerman has lived a pretty shitty life: from Dumpster scrounging to prostituting with his druggie mother to becoming the adopted son of a pot smoking hippie…Forest has overcome the odds.  But when his adoptive father is murdered, this time SWAT Lieutenant Conner Morgan is there to soften the fall.  Conner doesn’t know what it is about the blond drummer, but he can’t seem to stay away from the cafe Forest has inherited.  When the killer targets Forest directly, Conner is determined to keep him safe.  

Forest and Conner were sweet together.  There’s some really good sexual tension going on there!  And even though it was very close to insta-love, I’ve become accustomed to expect that when I read this series.  There’s not even really any relationship angst at all.  

I totally cried when Conner came out to his father.  I mean, I knew it was going to happen because the scene is partially told in the previous book, but still, it was an amazingly, emotional moment.  Maybe one of the most emotional moments of the series for me and I’m pretty certain its the only point I’ve cried.  

The GFY plot line wasn’t all that much of an issue. 

There was some gore!  Not quite as gross as that bathtub scene in Whiskey and Wry, but there’s some blood and guts.  

There’s some good Miki and Damie scenes.  Brings back some good memories.   I was hoping for a bit more detail of Forest’s interactions with them, but much of those scenes were told and not shown.  I’m hoping for more “jam sessions” and further expansion of the band in the next book.  

There’s Morgans everywhere!  Such and awesome family and there’s lots of Donal, Brigid (loved her), Kiki, Kane….and even Quinn.

The bad guy, well, there was a killer and Kiki and Conner were trying to figure out who it was, but I didn’t find myself trying to figure it out.  So there was a mystery, but I don’t think it was anywhere near the main focus of the story.  Nah, the first half was more about Connor wrestling with his attraction to Forest.  And the second half was more about Forest becoming part of the Morgan family and joining the band…all the while someone keeps attacking Forest.  

Damn you Rhys Ford for that final line!!  Now I have to wait for book 4!!!

Reviewed for The Blogger Girls

[JR · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me this was absolutely brilliant, awesome, epic! Okay so now you know I loved it. Although I love everything that Ms. Ford's writes, Sinners Gin is my very favorite. The Morgan family just makes it for me. There is something to be said about an Irish family, in this case it's not just an Irish family but any family. It's the kind of family we all want, and some are lucky to have.

This time the oldest, Connor is center stage. Connor's S.W.A.T team think they are busting a meth lab. However, it turns out to be a ruse, with Connor rescuing a dead man. Into this comes Forest, a fragile, lonely young man who's only definition of family is his adopted father Frank, who is the murdered man. Something about Forest, gets under Connor's skin and into his heart. He can't shake the desire to protect Forest and love him. Connor has had these feelings before, but he is conflicted. He has always thought he would be just like his da, till Forest entered his life.

There are several attempts on Forest's life. One such attempt brings him into the circle of Miki, Damien, and Sinners Gin. I love the way they are all tied together, when Forest becomes their drummer. I love these characters. I love this story. I love this series. I give it a drum beat full of stars. Well done, well done Ms. Ford.


***No secret that the Sinners is my favorite by Ms Ford. The audio with Tristan James is beyond awesome. Damn good!*****

[Erth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving this series. This book was excellent. Lt. Connor Morgan from the Morgan "clan" has a big hiccup in his life when he meets Forest Ackerman. He had his future all planned out, a solid career with the SFPD's SWAT, then find a wife and have some kids. But the wife is off the table now.

Once again one of Morgan's boy's boyfriend has a killer after him. No one gets to Connor's man and his man, Forest has lost enough in his life. I love the whole Morgan family. They're the type of family most would love to have, very close to each other and support each other.

The summary on the back says it all, not much I could add. The books really need to be read in order because the next book starts right off where the last left off. Well worth buying and reading!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Read/Audio from Rhys Ford. Love the Morgan family with all their quirks and stubbornness. As always Tristan James is great to listen to, and really brings the characters to life.

Just as an aside ...
I'm thinking Rhys may have had a little shout out to Josh Lanyon's Adrien English Series when she mentions “You find any more dead bodies, someone would think you owned a mystery bookstore in Pasadena”.

The last sentence of the book has definitely left me wanting to read the next book in the series. Talk about a tease!

[Tara♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

BR with Elsbeth and Susan who is the very, very bestest on Friday 21 August. Susan is the bestest because she read it all even though she did not enjoy it. She does so much for me.



I still have issues with some things but I can't seem to bring myself to care anymore. Absolutely adored Forest. I mean I want to wrap him up and cuddle him forever adored. Con was also a sweetie and I enjoyed all the drama and the Morgan's.

I still have little to no idea what does be happening in the sex scenes though, there were things happening that I'm pretty sure means you need a doctor and it was all kind of confusing.

Still I enjoyed it and I can't wait for Quinn's story. I really, really like Quinn and I hope that my expectations for the next book aren't too high. He is just so interesting and I love his words of wisdom and his utter randomness.

"Oh brother, serpents envy your fangs," Con murmured.

"I do not inject a poison into you, brother, but rather seek to free you from it," Quinn replied.

"Who said that?" He glanced at his brother.

"I did. Just now."

That ending has me way intrigued as well so I need his book sharpish. Luckily I don't have very long to wait as it's out on 4th September.




I'll be disappointed if there isn't one in Quinn's book.

[DaisyGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 Spec-fucking-tacular stars

By far, my favorite book of the series to date. Rhys has truly outdone herself. Lieutenant Connor Morgan of SFPD’s SWAT was, in a word, HAWT! I abso loved him. He was mm, mm, good. I want my own Connor Morgan.

*frantically fanning myself*

And, Forest was the perfect yin to his yang (or yang to his yin ... whatevs, you know what I mean). Talk about overcoming the shit pile life threw at you. Forest came out on top and wasn't a pissy, pathetic whiner for it.

*runs to the window to see if pigs are flying*

I was enchanted with this couple and the Morgan clan. They are my fave family! The book doesn't end on a cliffhanger but it definitely wets your whistle for Sinners #4.

Bottom line: Consider my whistle wet. I'm hooked on Rhys Ford.

[Otila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great addition to a wonderful series. It’s funny, sweet and has just the right amount of mystery.

Connor is the eldest son in the Morgan clan. He knows exactly what he wants in his life: to be like his father. That means being a cop, having a wife and eventually kids. He starts to question the vision he has for his life when he meets Forest, and can’t get the beautiful drummer out of his mind. Forest has had a seriously shitty life and finds it hard to trust people or believe he’s worthy of love. And definitely doesn't want to fall for the straight cop that keeps showing up in his life.

I really like the build up to the relationship between Connor and Forest. Their romance was so sweet. I loved Conner and his protectiveness over Forest. One of my favorite things about this series is the Morgan clan and they’re even better in this one. We got to see a lot more of them here. I really love Donal, the father, and how he’s the rock that all the boys go to for advice. What I loved here was that Forest gravitated towards Conner’s mom, Brigid. It was nice to see that she finally has a son-in-law that will let her smother mother him. I also really liked that the new Sinner's Gin is forming and Forest connected well with the boys. Now all they need is a bassist, hmmm... Oh and that ending! I can't wait for the next one.

You can read this as a standalone but I think they’re better enjoyed if read in order.

My only problem now is I can’t decide if I love Kane or Connor more.

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Take one abused hero with a tragic past. Add in a manly, tough, straight alpha cop. Mix in some great family dynamics and sprinkle liberally with lots of hot sex. What you'll get is the classic recipe known as Rhys Ford romance.

I found I liked this a bit more than the first two. For some reason I really enjoyed Forest - his voice, personality, and vulnerability. As always, the Irish alphas in this series fall hard and fast and are not afraid to go all uber protective. I actually wanted a bit more angst (shocker I know) regarding Conner, but Ford sticks to her tried and true formula and again, it works for the most part. It looks like the next story might just stray from this since neither Quinn nor Rafe is some macho law enforcement type. Typically I'm all over that but I want something different the next go around. I'm very interested in reading about these two especially with the set up the author teased us with. Hello!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhys Ford words + Tristan James voice = Audio book perfection.

This is such a great series and I love reading about the Morgan family. I had fun listening to more of Mama Morgan's voice, she's totally kick ass and gives all her boys what they need whether they want it or not.

The ending has me anxiously awaiting Book 4. Rhys does the endings so well. Not a cliffhanger by any means, but a total teaser preview of what's to come.

[T.M. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Updated December 21, 2014 to include both e-book and audio reviews ***

Tams e-book review from May 2014…

Conner Morgan is the eldest of the eight Morgan children and with that, he holds himself to a higher standard. He feels the burden of having to project a certain persona to everyone because of who his father is. Everything he thought he was is about to be called into question on his latest case. When one blonde haired, brown eyed, barefoot musician barrels into his life.

Forest Ackerman has had a very hard life. Used, abused and tossed out like trash by his own mother... unless she needed something from him, of course. He was saved by a man who saw the innocence of a child that needed to be protected. Forest found solace in his drums and the studio his dad owned, until an explosion tears his world apart and throws him right into the arms of a large, in charge and sex on a stick Irish cop. Conner Morgan.

Both men struggle with the attraction from the start, sort of. Forest doesn’t want to fall for a straight guy, but said straight guy keeps showing up at the coffee shop Forest works at, every day, making him impossible to ignore. And I don’t think Conner struggled so much with his attraction to Forest, as he did with this persona he had created for himself and a fear of not being what he thought his family wanted him to be.

After the initial explosion and the coffee shop bombing and then the hit and run, Conner finally admits his feelings for Forest. And once Forest is released from the hospital, Conner doesn’t give him much choice but to stay with him. So Forest gets a crash course in Morgan family politics 101 before these two even have a chance to define their relationship. Now this alone would send most men running, screaming and searching for the nearest EXIT. But not Forest. I think Brigid Morgan, the spitfire pixie matriarch of the Morgan clan, nails it when she tells Forest that his mother simply gave birth to him for her, for Brigid, that he was hers now. And unlike Mickey, Forest relishes the attention.

There was a lot more interaction with various members of the Morgan clan in this book, and I loved that. Classic Rhys Ford with drama, suspense, a mountain of bodies, a psycho killer and some hot, steamy, sweaty gay man sex dripping off of every page! I love the Irish and Gaelic terms that are used throughout this series and the strength of the family unit that is the Morgans. Every last one of them is fiercely loyal, stubborn, outspoken, full of piss and vinegar and carry an exorbitant amount of love.

Yes, if I really need to say it, this is a must read. You must read them in order as well to appreciate the Morgan family as a whole. As well as Mickey/Sinjin and Damien/Damie who it looks like will be staring up a new band, now that they found themselves a drummer. They just need a bass player. Oh, wait, Sionn’s best friend Rafe is a bass player. And this story ended with Quinn Morgan making his way up that tree!

Tams Audio review addition from December…

It is such a joy to listen to an Audio of a book I’ve already read, and find something new within the story. The relationship between Connor and Forest was so much more powerful when the characters were given a voice. To “hear” Connor call Forest a ghrá with so much emotion behind the word added even more depth to this story for me. Don’t get me wrong, Ford did a great job of conveying emotions with the written version and I devoured that copy. But to hear the strain in Connor’s voice when he is calling out to Forest after the bombing, to hear the love in his voice when he uses the Irish Gaelic term of endearment, hell, to hear the struggle in Forest’s voice as he slowly falls in love with his big, brooding, Irish cop, it was a thing of beauty.

Narrated by Tristan James who is fluent in the Irish brogue that is the Morgan Clan. And you will never be confused as to which Morgan is talking at the time, he has mastered the art of nuance and tone inflections so you always know when there is a shift in character. If you are like me and love to put a voice with the words on paper, then you are really going to get a treat with this one.

This is one of the best M/M series you can get your hands on right now, written by a well rounded author and narrated by a talented story teller. Definitely a must read and/or listen, but either way you chose to experience these stories, do so in order or you won’t understand a lot of what is happening from one book to the next. While each story is for a different couple, the core of the stories is a continuation of the characters relationships and how they develop as a whole.

* I received a copy of this book and this audio book from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

[BWT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've liked the other books in the series. No doubt about it, but I LOVED Tequila Mockingbird so, so much more! What can I say? Rhys Ford’s Sinners Gin series is my jam.


I LOVE the Sinners stories. They get consistently better with each new book. Ford seamlessly blends mystery/suspense, complicated yet sexy relationships, super HOT sexy times, and some of the most loveable characters (even the broken ones).

I don't know if it's that Rhys Ford took so much time to set up the other characters and get the storylines in place with Miki and Kane and Damian and Sionn, or if I was just so floored and happy that Connor, who seemed to be a total Het-boy, turned for the love of Forest. *squee* I thought they made such a great couple. In any case, this is just such a fun, bite-your-nails, edge-of-your-seat read. I felt even with all the horrible things happening, the horror and sadness of Forest's past, the murders...even with all of that the tone still wasn't too dark or depressing. I just really, really loved it.

And I am SO excited about the whole Rafe and Quinn relationship to come. It's been pretty obvious since the end of the second book that Rhys has been working up to this and I'm now REALLY looking forward to "Sloe Ride".

Updated for audio book:
I absolutely LOVED Tristan James's narration. Once again, his easy flow drew me in and kept me utterly captivated.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave
Read/Listened: 10/2014, 01/2015, 03/2015, 07/28/2015

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

More from the happy place...

That's right I'm still listening to Rhys Ford's 'Sinner's Gin' on audio and loving it...totally loving it.

'Tequila Mockingbird' is Connor and Forest story and like the previous books I loved re-visiting this story on audio every bit as much as I enjoyed reading it the first time.

Ok, I'm off to finish listening to Quinn and Rafe's story and oh my god, I think I'd forgotten how much I loved these two. I think Connor's probably my favorite Morgan...well, no actually I just love them all. Start to finish this series is such a delight and so awesome...e-book or audio it totally rocks and Tristan James has nailed it perfectly.

Original Review: Tequila Mockingbird by Rhys Ford

and I'm out of here and off to continue my 'Sloe Ride' with Quinn and Rafe.

Update: August, 2018 just another go round on a series I love nothing new here...love the series and still thinking that MC + TJ = Karen's happy place.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It may come as a surprise to some of you, but I have loved each and every one of the 'Sinners' books and characters equally. Until now. Within a few pages I knew that Forest was going to be my favorite and would hold a special place in my heart that Damien and Miki don't. I love Miki and Damien, no doubt about it. But, Miki is so wounded, so troubled, so untrusting of love…completely understandable considering his upbringing, but it makes it harder for me to connect with him, and Damien doesn't seem to ever really need anyone, regardless that he loves Sionn and Miki. Forest, though? He may have been a street rat and he may have prostituted himself for food or a place to sleep, but Forest needs love and he wants love so much that he breaks my heart at every turn. Either that, or I'm just glad Bridgid finally gets a son-in-law who soaks up her love and attention. Cause that woman scares me as much as she does everyone else!

"'But you keep giving me food,' the kid pointed out through a mouthful of meat and fries. 'You gotta want something.'
'Maybe I just don't want you out on the street.'
'Yeah, right, because everyone's just lining up to take other people's kids. Whatcha want? Blow or hand?' Forest yanked at the air with his fist. 'I'm better with my hand. I can't throat it right, but I'm working on it.'
The kid's words hit Frank hard, and he blinked, unsure about what to do with the lump in his throat. 'Tell you what, kid. How'd you like a job? I need some help in the studio."

That was the day that Frank, an old hippie rocker who owns a recording studio and a coffee shop, saves Forest's life and gives him a reason to make something of it. And it is Frank, inadvertently, who brings Connor into Forest's life when Connor is the SWAT officer who pulls Frank's body out of the flames of his RV. It's there on the blacktop watching the RV burn and the silent ambulance take Frank away, that Connor feels something for a man, and it rocks him to the core. Connor is the oldest of the Morgan children and he's always thought his life would follow a path much like his da's, Donal. Go to college. Enter the police academy. Buy a house. Get married. Have kids. Meeting Forest changes all of that and leaves Connor very confused.

Yes, there is a mystery in this book, just as there was in each of the previous books. However, for me, personally, that part of the story isn't nearly as interesting as the merging of these two incredible characters. Connor is so responsible, so intent on living up to Donal's image, that when he finally sits down and spills his heart to his da, it brought tears to my eyes. Donal is the father every child should have. His gentleness, his compassion, and the sheer force of his love for family is unparalleled. Once Connor accepts he's in love with Forest, with a man, there's no backing away for him. He's in, 100 percent. Forest had a crap upbringing with a mom who used him as a commodity until he got away. Doesn't seem to stop the little boy inside of him from wanting her to love him. So, he has no concept of family like the Morgans. He just knows that deep down he wants Connor and the love he's never before had.

Did I love this book? DUH! I've loved each of them and for very different reasons. But Forest is still my favorite. At least until I see what Rhys brings me for the next installment. *grins* Which, by the way, the author left us on a cliffhanger at the end here regarding the next couple. And, for those interested, yes, there's some murder going on here - it wouldn't be a Rhys Ford book without some death, but she kept it mild, thank goodness, as Parker still gives me bad dreams. I love the Morgans and I loved the scenes with Miki, Damien, and Forest. Those guys blend and it's awesome to see. Thank you, my Rhys…you're still my hero.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars First, I need to vent. What the hell does this title mean? I get that the band was called "Sinner's Gin" and that each book title keeps the alcohol theme... but WTF does tequila or mockingbirds have to do with anything in this story? I even tried to find some To Kill a Mockingbird reference, but alas, looks like it's just a meaningless, cool sounding name.

Now on to the review. I love reading about damaged boys, and watching them healed. But Forrest was pretty much healed already, so the story lost some of its appeal. No big emotional reveal. No low-self worth causing a rift. It all just went perfect and without a bump, which makes for a fairly boring love story, I must say.

The author seemed to think she would remedy this by throwing a dead body in the mix every couple chapters. Seriously, there were that many. Shouldn't Forrest have been under official police protection by body #2 or "accident" #4? As you can tell, the 'mystery' plot did not do much for me either. The final villain reveal was pretty lame some guy who almost molested Forrest 10 years ago, he didn't even go to jail for it, the explanation lamer he has some random disease the prison doctors missed and he literally went insane, and the red herring annoying his mom didn't have anything to do with it, she just pops up every once in a while to remind us all what a heartless bitch she is.

Now, I did not read the other books in the series. While the characters and plot can stand alone, there were a lot of siblings and band members to keep track of, and I'm not sure I followed all of it. I also think there was some emotional attachment that I missed. For example, I get it was supposed to be sweet, but Brigitte as a little much for me. It does seem like book 2, Whiskey and Wry, as well as this were favorites of people who have read the whole series. Although there is a definite formula that may get repetitive this far along in the series.

Anywho, this was okay, but I never got invested. I believed Connor's initial feelings towards Forrest, but the relationship progression wasn't natural to me. The audio version was fine, not bad but nothing special. He did a decent Irish accent, although occasionally I could have sworn he added or subtracted an accent on the wrong person. But that was probably me getting confused with all the names/people.

Received audio version from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire

[Trio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best line of the book:

"Well, shit," Duarte drawled as he walked past Connor. "You find any more dead bodies, someone would think you owned a mystery bookstore in Pasadena."

I really enjoyed this one. My favorite of the series so far. I loved the relationship between Con and Forest - it grew so naturally, and Con's whole working through being attracted to men was very well done.

I did the Audible version (of course, because I cannot pass up an opportunity to listen to Tristan James read me a book). He is just so incredibly talented and presents the story in such a perfect way. Truly, no one else can say the words "suckling hole" and pull it off quite like TJ. Love him!