Barrel Proof is book three of the Agents Irish and Whisky trilogy by Layla Reyne. Jamie and Aiden’s hunt for the terrorist Renaud seems to be nearing the end until a fire allows him to slip through their fingers—and puts Jamie’s life in danger. When Jamie is nearly killed, Aidan learns how many forms loss can take. Keep reading for more about the book, an excerpt and a chance to win the giveaway!
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Barrel Proof by Layla Reyne
About the Book
About the BookSeries: Agents Irish and Whiskey #3
Publisher: Carina Press (HQN)
Release Date (Print & Ebook): August 7, 2017 (Ebook and Audiobook)
(Audiobooks of Single Malt (AIW1) and Cask Strength (AIW2) also releasing August 7, 2017)
Length (Print & Ebook): 189 Pages (Ebook); 6hr, 30mins (Audio)
Sub genre: M/M Romantic Suspense
This book features Book 3/Trilogy Conclusion. Angst, Action, Romance, HEA
Buy Links
Barrel Proof Book Blurb
FBI agents Aidan “Irish” Talley and Jameson “Whiskey” Walker can’t get a moment’s peace. Their hunt for the terrorist Renaud seems to be nearing an end, until a fire allows him to slip through their fingers—and puts Jamie’s life in danger. When Jamie is nearly killed, Aidan learns how many forms loss can take.
Aidan says I love you just moments before learning that Jamie’s been keeping a devastating secret about Aidan’s late husband. How quickly trust and love can go up in flames. When Aidan requests a solo undercover assignment, Jamie hopes Aidan will find a way to forgive him.
But the explosions are far from over. Aidan’s cover lands him in the heart of the terrorist’s conspiracy, and Jamie will have to put his life, his career and his freedom on the line to save the man who has become his entire world. Partners, always is a promise he intends to keep.
“A heart-pounding, romantic conclusion to the Agents Irish and Whiskey series.”
Quotes About Single Malt
From Single Malt:
“Sexy, smart and suspenseful – this book has it all.” –HelenKay Dimon, author of Mr. & Mr. Smith
“With sharp writing, compelling characters, and an engaging plot, Single Malt is the M/M romantic suspense series I’ve been waiting for.” – Santino Hassell, award-winning author of the FIVE BOROUGHS series
“Single Malt is full of explosive chemistry, captivating characters, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. A must read for any romantic suspense fan!” — Megan Erickson, USA Today Bestselling author
Excerpt
Aidan put one knee to the bed, swung the other over Jamie’s lap, and cupped his cheeks in his hands, drawing him in. It wasn’t the lip smashing, teeth clashing kiss Jamie was used to from Aidan. It was slow, devouring, and tinged with the unmistakable taste of goodbye.
Afraid ratcheted up to terrified.
“Baby,” he murmured against Aidan’s lips, the one word trembling.
“Shh, Whiskey.” Aidan pulled back enough to yank off his shirt, then started back in for another kiss. Jamie stopped him, holding his face slightly away and forcing his gaze.
Goodbye was in his eyes too.
Jamie shot past terrified to devastated. “No,” he breathed, barely a whisper.
Aidan shook off the hold and drove a hand into his hair, pulling Jamie in for another melancholy-laced kiss. So little light, so much darkness, and as Jamie ran his tongue along Aidan’s, the tang of tequila and whiskey.
Slow, like the kiss, Aidan’s hands began to rove, as if he were memorizing the texture of his hair, the scruff covering his jaw, the breadth and width of his shoulders. A cool palm flattened over his tattoo, over his heart. The touch was gentle, not the usual digging pressure of Aidan’s fingers.
Bidding farewell.
A whimper escaped Jamie’s lips. His heart was at war with itself. He needed to retreat, to beg and plead with Aidan to stay and give him another chance, but if his partner’s mind was made up, there’d be no changing it now. And if he tried, if he argued, he might not get this last kiss, this last chance to make love to the man who would forever carry his heart, wherever his life went.
Without him.
Conceding the inevitable and accepting the disaster of his own creation, Jamie admitted defeat and surrendered.
Barrel Proof Review (5 stars!)
Barrel Proof is book 3 in the Agents Irish and Whisky trilogy by Layla Reyne and you MUST read them in order. This series is one complete story, broken into three books with a slightly different focus in each book. They definitely will not make sense out of order. Read my review of Single Malt and pick up that one first. The very first page picks up right where Cask Strength (book 2) ended.
So, in Barrel Proof, Aiden and Jamie are on the hunt for the terrorist Renaud and the mission is fraught with danger. I will not give away plot tidbits but the story will have some undercover work and they won’t always be together (on the job or at home) to have each other’s backs. It is a well-developed plot with a few twists here and there that I wasn’t expecting. It is action packed from page one all the way to the end. Definitely a page turner and one that will keep you on your toes!
The action packed plot is only one part of the story. Jamie has been keeping a secret from Aiden through the entire series and it comes out. It doesn’t go well….Aiden is hurt by his betrayal and it will take a LOT for these two to get their happily ever after. Their love is intense….both of them recognize how deeply that runs. But it is going to take some time for these two to get their happily ever after…. don’t worry, though. They DO get there by the end of the story! I totally understood Aiden’s feelings….he was betrayed and it hurts. But the situation was well written and totally believable, without over inflated drama.
These characters both grow and change quite a bit in this story. Yes, you have a crazed terrorist (who you learn more about as you read the story). But you also have two men who grow individually as well as together as the story goes on. I think the author did a really good job in the character development aspect of this story.
You get to know the secondary characters a bit more in this story as well. In fact, I am REALLY hoping that a couple of them get their own story soon!
The Renaud story line is a bit complicated and there is definitely a lot of computer hacking lingo throughout. It is fairly well explained, but you definitely can’t just fly through this story. You need to pay attention to the ‘who, what, where, when and how’ of the plot development. This is definitely not light, mindless reading!
Overall, I absolutely loved this story and was sad to see the end of the series. I hope the author will do a follow-up series with more of the characters that lets us see how Aiden and Jamie are making a life together!
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Author Bio:
Author Tagline:
Adrenaline-Fueled Romance
Author links:
The Giveaway!
Prizes: (2) HUGE Agents Irish & Whiskey Gift Packs including 1 Kindle Fire Tablet, 1 Agents Irish & Whiskey mug, and surprise swag! (Ships to US/Canada only; international winners will receive Amazon Gift Card: $35)
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