Book Tour & Review: Tru Blue by Melissa Foster

Tru Blue
A Sexy Standalone Romance
By: Melissa Foster
Releasing November 9, 2016.
World Literary Press
Link to Follow Tour: Tasty Book Tours
Goodreads

Blurb

He wore the skin of a killer, and bore the heart of a lover…
There’s nothing Truman Gritt won’t do to protect his family–Including spending years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. When he’s finally released, the life he knew is turned upside down by his mother’s overdose, and Truman steps in to raise the children she’s left behind. Truman’s hard, he’s secretive, and he’s trying to save a brother who’s even more broken than he is. He’s never needed help in his life, and when beautiful Gemma Wright tries to step in, he’s less than accepting. But Gemma has a way of slithering into people’s lives and eventually she pierces through his ironclad heart. When Truman’s dark past collides with his future, his loyalties will be tested, and he’ll be faced with his toughest decision yet.

Oh, Truman! How do I love thee, let me count the ways…

In a word: Brilliant!
In two words: Outstanding Masterpiece!
In a bunch of words:

Truman was just released from prison after serving 6 years for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s got a job, an apartment, and a group of loyal friends whom I fell in love with in River of Love. The Whiskey sibling. You’ve got to meet them if you already haven’t.

Something else Truman has is 3 siblings, only one of whom he knew anything about – Quincy, who is just as strung out on drugs as their now deceased mother was. When Tru finds his even younger brother and sister in a crack house next to Quincy and their overdosed mother, he immediately swoops up the infant (Lincoln) and toddler (Kennedy) and takes them back to his place. While out shopping for now much needed baby goods, he meets Gemma.

Gemma loves children, and her upbringing has been much different than Tru’s; however, one is not necessarily better than the other. Besides their mutual attraction, they both have a soft spot for the kids, and Gemma gets just attached to them as she does their older brother. Before long, they’ve created a family without even given much thought to it. It just happens naturally. Combined with Gemma’s best friend Chrystal, and Tru’s surrogate family, the Whiskey’s (Bones, Bear, Bullet, and Dixie), they have plenty of love and support to raise the children.

Despite Quincy’s drug problems and initial refusal to get help, Tru can’t turn his back on his brother. Loyal almost beyond comprehension, he dedicates all his time trying to save and protect those he loves. Gemma is just as loyal and dedicated, and I absolutely love her and her no non-sense, but a little pushy (in a good way), non-judgmental, happy-go-lucky personality. Although they have some obstacles to overcome, she’s there with Tru all the way.

The kids will grab a hold of your heart, and you’ll still be thinking about them (actually all the characters) when this book is over. The dialogue is expert, and there’s the perfect amount of narrative. The book is fast-paced, but not rushed, and the flow is smooth. The heat between Gemma and Tru will leave burn marks on your fingertips. I just love everything about them. About all the characters – except Gemma’s mom, that is. She’s a witch, but her character fits into the story.

This story was done in Tru (pun intended) Foster fashion! She’s one of my favorite writers, and I didn’t think it could get any better, but this story has proven me wrong. There’s not one single thing I would’ve wanted to change. It’s PERFECT! I can’t wait to see what’s up next with the Whiskeys.

I LOVE THIS BOOK. Plain and simple.

Rating system: Cups of Coffee (the less the better)

0: You won’t need any coffee to stay up for this one. It’s intriguing enough all on its own.
1: You’ll stay up late, but not all night. Brew one cup.
2: You’ll read as long as you’re not tired. If you are, two cups should do the trick.
3: I hope you got plenty of rest; you’ll need it, or at least 3 cups.
4: If the cable goes out, read the book. It’s better than nothing, I guess. Oh, don’t forget your brew!
5: Find anything else to do- it doesn’t matter what it is. Don’t waste your coffee. Too much caffeine is bad for you.

My rating: 0 cups of coffee

Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo

Author Info

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, perfect beach reads, and always family oriented.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Chapter One
TRUMAN GRITT LOCKED the door to Whiskey Automotive and stepped into the stormy September night. Sheets of rain blurred his vision, instantly drenching his jeans and T-shirt. A slow smile crept across his face as he tipped his chin up, soaking in the shower of freedom. He made his way around the dark building and climbed the wooden stairs to the deck outside his apartment. He could have used the interior door, but after being behind bars for six long years, Truman took advantage of the small pleasures he’d missed out on, like determining his own schedule, deciding when to eat and drink, and standing in the fucking rain if he wanted to. He leaned on the rough wooden railing, ignoring the splinters of wood piercing his tattooed forearms, squinted against the wetness, and scanned the cars in the junkyard they used for parts—and he used to rid himself of frustrations. He rested his leather boot on the metal box where he kept his painting supplies. Truman didn’t have much—his old extended-cab truck, which his friend Bear Whiskey had held on to for him while he was in prison, this apartment, and a solid job, both of which were compliments of the Whiskey family. The only family he had anymore.
Emotions he didn’t want to deal with burned in his gut, causing his chest to constrict. He turned to go inside, hoping to outrun thoughts of his own fucked-up family, whom he’d tried—and failed—to save. His cell phone rang with his brother’s ringtone, “A Beautiful Lie” by 30 Seconds to Mars.
“Fuck,” he muttered, debating letting the call go to voicemail, but six months of silence from his brother was a long time. Rain pelleted his back as he pressed his palm to the door to steady himself. The ringing stopped, and he blew out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d trapped inside. The phone rang again, and he froze.
He’d just freed himself from the dredges of hell that he’d been thrown into in an effort to save his brother. He didn’t need to get wrapped up in whatever mess the drug-addicted fool had gotten himself into. The call went to voicemail, and Truman eyed the metal box containing his painting supplies. Breathing like he’d been in a fight, he wished he could paint the frustration out of his head. When the phone rang for the third time in as many minutes, the third time since he was released from prison six months ago, he reluctantly answered.
“Quincy.” He hated the way his brother’s name came out sounding like the enemy. Quincy had been just a kid when Truman went to prison. Heavy breathing filled the airwaves. The hairs on Truman’s forearms and neck stood on end. He knew fear when he heard it. He could practically taste it as he ground his teeth together.
“I need you,” his brother’s tortured voice implored.
Need me? Truman had hunted down his brother after he was released from prison, and when he’d finally found him, Quincy was so high on crack he was nearly incoherent—but it didn’t take much for fuck off to come through loud and clear. What Quincy needed was rehab, but Truman knew from his tone that wasn’t the point of the call.
Before he could respond, his brother croaked out, “It’s Mom. She’s really bad.”

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