Tuning The Guitarist
Seaside Bay Series, Book 2
JS Bright
M/M Omegaverse
Release Date: 02.28.20
Blurb
Timothy
I can’t trust my past and relying on my future is no good either. Stopping in Seaside Bay is dangerous. I should move on, but I’m tired. Searching for food and a safe place to sleep consumes me until I land in Seaside Bay. The people here are too friendly. I should take off before someone finds out the truth. When I meet Mike, I know I can’t trust him, but he’s the safest person I’ve ever known.
Mike
My life turned upside down when I lost my hand, but moving to Seaside Bay might have saved me. From partying too hard to living the fast life, I was on a path to destruction. Seaside Bay has calmed me and convinced me I love the quiet life. Then Tim stumbles into my life, and everything gets upended. I’m lost without him close.
I’ll change everything for Tim. He’s got a load of heat on him, and I’m not sure I can save him once that heat comes down. Can I save Tim, or will his past consume him?
Tuning the Guitarist can be read as a standalone.
Buy Link: AMAZON
Why I picked Seaside Bay for my setting.
JS Bright
From Taming the Doctor
Seaside Bay was on the coast nestled between Santa Maria and Salinas, tucked into the mountains and about ninety minutes from Liberty. The town had a quaint charm that kept locals close and drew vacationers near and far. A mother hurried her kids along, hustling them to school—only a few more days before summer break—and a man walked his dog while sipping his coffee from a paper cup that said Kimi’s on the side. People smiled and waved as they drove past. Even the police officer seemed like he was happy making his morning rounds.
I wanted an idyllic town on the coast of California that almost seemed magical. I know there are some great towns along the coast, but I needed something extra. Seaside Bay is one of those places where only good happens unless it doesn’t. Though the town seems perfect on the outside, there is an underbelly of abuse that resides in Seaside Bay. There are also homeless young adults who the good citizens don’t see because they want to ignore it.
Seaside Bay has been in the back of my mind for years. The series already has the doctor, and the guitarist who owns a T-shirt shop, but we’ll also have the baker and a few other interesting characters who call Seaside Bay their home.
In Tuning the Guitarist, Timothy is initially put off by the charm of the town. He doesn’t see the value of everyone being so happy with everything. Since he’s coming from an abusive background, he doesn’t get how everyone could even be so happy. When he meets Mike, his whole world is changed.
Seaside Bay is full of angst, but it does have some light and happy moments also. I hope you enjoy the guys of Seaside Bay and their stories
“Hey,” Mike whispered. “I’m heading downstairs. Come down when you’re ready.”
I waited until he had left the room before I dropped to the mattress, stunned by what had happened.
The bathroom called, so I grabbed my clothes then headed across the hall.
After I finished in the bathroom and dressed, I headed downstairs, pausing before I entered the kitchen. Deep breaths calmed me enough so I didn’t faint.
I stepped around the corner and Mike cut his gaze my way, a smile turning up the corners of his lips.
“I’ve made scrambled eggs and English muffins. I’m cooking up some ham right now because it sounded good. I know I said for brunch on Saturday, but I didn’t want to wait. Does this look like enough?” Mike pointed to the pan on the stovetop.
I moved closer and craned my neck to look. Mike set the spatula down and reached out, pulling me close. The look in his eyes made me shiver. Mike brushed his lips over mine in a quick move before he turned back to the food.
“I have a mug ready for you. You just need to pour some coffee up.”
The coffee smelled great as I poured myself a mug. The first sip was marvelous. The warmth and the strength of the brew ate away at the cobwebs in my mind.
“Did Spot sleep inside?” I asked between sips.
“Yep. I fed him some breakfast and let him out. He was tired of being inside and needed his freedom.”
Mike set the plates on the table then moved close and sat next to me. My experience was limited to those times alphas willing to pay to talk to me had sat in my den, my aunt and uncle watching us like hawks. It was weird being next to Mike and not having a chaperone watching my every move. I’d been fine yesterday, but after what had happened in bed, I wasn’t sure how to act.
I took a bite of the ham and cut my gaze to Mike. He was good looking, sexy in a rugged way. His lips were full, his eyes warm. Sometimes, like in the sunlight, the blue in his eyes looked brighter. Right now, his eyes seemed almost dark gray.
Mike met my gaze and smiled. “When you woke up next to me, it felt good. Having you in my arms was magical. What I didn’t like was why you were there. Tell me about the storms.”
My tongue grew thick, and my throat closed up just thinking about the storm and how I’d freaked out. The coffee helped me clear my mind, but I still flinched when a memory hit me square in the chest.
Mike’s hand was on mine, his touch comforting. “If it’s too hard to talk about, we can do this later.”
Anger and pain rushed up, catching me off guard. “You’re too nice,” I spit out. “How can you be so nice and understanding? I’ve spent most of my life with people who have tortured me, I’m not used to this.” Tears filled my eyes and ran down my cheeks. Mike took my hand and tugged me into his lap. Conflict built inside. How did I want Mike and want to reject him at the same time?
Mike didn’t say more. Instead, he held me and kissed the top of my head while I calmed down.
After a moment, I slipped off his lap and finished eating breakfast before I headed upstairs to make sure I had everything. I met Mike in the entryway, ready to head to work. It was weird heading to work. No longer was I a prisoner in my aunt and uncle’s house.
When we stepped outside, the clouds parted and the sun streamed through the trees. I took two steps and paused as a wooden wind chime sounded, the notes deep. “Get on up here, Timothy and help me with this fish.” The words played in my mind, and I spun back to the deck, feeling like my father should be right there. But the memory was a little different, with pots of flowers decorating the area along with a yellow patio chair. Mike turned and lifted his brows but said nothing.
Memories tumbled over me as I followed behind Mike on my way to his truck. What had happened the day my mother died? It was on the edge of my memory, teasing me. The sun streaming in through the trees jogged something in my mind. Whatever was playing with my mind, taunting me behind closed-off sections of memory had happened in an area like this.
I settled in Mike’s truck and the memories fled. We drove to work, saying little to each other. The silence wasn’t awkward. Instead, it was like we were two friends who knew each other well. I guessed Mike knew me better than some based on what we’d done together. Heat filled me and I wanted to hide.
Mike stopped the truck and cut the engine then reached across his body, grabbing my arm with his hand. He had to lean over to touch me with his left hand, sending warmth through me. Being close to Mike felt good, like maybe I belonged with him, or was it just that I belonged in Seaside Bay.
“I want you to know I’m here for you. When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here. And if you want me in your bed again tonight, I’m ready for that too.”
His words were molten lava to my soul. My only reaction was to nod. The man stirred something so primal inside and I wasn’t sure I would survive. Just being with Mike was wonderful. Being his primary focus would be overwhelming.
Taming the Doctor, Seaside Bay Book 1
JS Bright, a USA Today Bestselling author of paranormal romance and reverse harem romance, lives in the south where “bless your heart” is an insult and “shut up” shows love. JS has been reading since they could open a book and has taken the passion for words and combined it with the love of travel to create stories full of passion and excitement.
If you love a good book with a fantastic happily ever after and a paranormal twist, you’ll enjoy a JS Bright novel. For a contemporary novel, pick up a Julia Bright book.
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