We’re happy to welcome Layla Reyne, author of the Irish and Whiskey series, as part of the blog tour for Barrel proof, on From Top to Bottom Reviews today!

She’s brought a huge giveaway with her, so check that out!

And we got to play Truth or Dare with Agent Talley – you don’t want to miss that! 😉

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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.

Purchase Links: Carina Press | Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo | Audiobooks
Release Date: August 7th

Aidan snatched his hands away. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“She ordered me not to.”

“Wrong answer.” He rocketed out of the chair, snatched a tumbler off the table by the door and hurled it at the opposite wall, glass shattering.

“Aidan, please, stop.” Jamie used a bedpost to haul himself to standing, swaying. He moved toward his partner, putting as little weight as possible on the braced leg, the pain excruciating but not as unbearable as the thought of losing Aidan. “You’re going to hurt yourself.”

Aidan grabbed another glass and heaved again, keeping him back. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to break your heart until I knew the whole story.”

“Too late, baby.” He spat the cherished endearment, full of spite and hatred.

The verbal punch landed right where he intended, robbing Jamie of breath. “Irish, please,” he whispered hoarsely. “I’m sorry.”

Aidan shot forward, forcing Jamie back to seated. “I trusted you, with my back and my heart, and you lied to me for months.”

“I’m sorry, I thought I was protecting you.” Jamie reached for him, and Aidan batted his hand away.

“Wrong! We protect each other. Keeping critical information from me about our case, about Gabe and Tom, about my family, is not protection. It’s lying. And me not knowing the full story means I can’t protect them or you.” His shrill voice pained Jamie’s ears.

“Baby, please.”

“Renaud came after my husband, he came after my partner, he came after me. Fuck, Jamie, he keeps coming after me, and now he’s coming after you too. And my brother and my best friend. Maybe even my goddaughter. You didn’t think I needed to know that? I could lose them. I could lose you! I told you what would happen if I loved and lost you.”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Jamie stood and reached for Aidan’s arm again.

Aidan wrestled him off, shoving his chest two-handed and sending him splaying back on the bed. “I can’t, Whiskey.” Chest heaving, his harsh breaths and harsher words came out a strangled blow. “I can’t do this.”

Truth or Dare with Aidan “Irish” Talley

Aidan “Irish” Talley – Devoted Family-Man, Expert Marksman, Top FBI Field Agent. And as we’ve seen in Agents Irish and Whiskey, also a master at disguises, hiding truths from himself and from others as one of the Bureau’s best undercover agents. Let’s see if we can get behind the mask with a game of truth or dare. (Caution: SPOILERS!)

So, Aidan, your partner didn’t exactly behave for his round of truth or dare. Think you can do better?

What do you mean by *drops into Irish accent* behave?

I can see what the pool table was all about.

So did everyone else since we didn’t close the blinds. Those pictures are gone, mostly. *winks*

AND let’s get started, truth or dare?

Truth it is.

Okay then, what’s the favorite disguise you’ve donned for your FBI job?

I’ve had a lot of interesting undercover gigs, but for what it led to, Ian Daley is my favorite. Jamie and I weren’t in the best place then—my own fault, I wanted to slap me too—but Jamie’s reaction in the airport when I showed up with my natural red hair and Irish accent proved that the spark was still there. It gave me hope that there was a chance for us. As we continued to work that case, Ian felt more me than me in some ways, and that’s what needed to happen for me and Jamie to find our way back to each other. We had to find our real selves, together.

You seem more like a hopeless romantic than a stone-cold FBI agent?

The two are not mutually exclusive. There’s a reason Oreos are my favorite cookies. Tough cookie on the outside with a sweet center. And that’s your second truth.

I thought Jamie was the cinnamon role?

The what?

*Considers explaining. Remembers technobabble.* Moving on, truth or dare?

Let’s have another truth.

How hard was it slipping into your disguise as Hayden Talbott to work at Pearl Investments?

Discounting the part where it almost got me killed? Good and bad. Hayden was a familiar skin, and not just because I’d worn the disguise before. My late husband, Gabe, was an investment banker. I know the culture of those places, for better or worse. I know the words they use. Hell, I was taught the same words at business school. “What’s my ‘personal delta’?” What’s that even mean? But I digress. It was a hard gig because it reminded me of my late husband and the revelations that had come to pass about him. It was also hard being separated from Jamie. That said, it gave me context for what Gabe did and gave me a last chance to work with Jamie.

Speaking of, how do you feel about his new role, as coach instead of agent?

And don’t forget hacker on the side. He’s actually been roped into the family business, designing new software with Danny for the Talley Enterprises fleet. Basketball was and always will be a big piece of Jamie’s heart. I used to hear it in his voice when he talked about his playing days, I saw it on display in Charlotte, and I also saw how good he was with those kids. The game needs Jamie, and Jamie needs the game. As much as I miss having him at my side at work, I’ll take having him at my side in life any day. And in other places too *smirks*

Like on the pool table?

Exactly! Now bring on the dare, I’m ready.

Not sure Jamie can handle this one either… I dare you to dye your hair red again.

Check back with me in March. I’m saving that for a certain someone’s wedding present. *wink*

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And it’s giveaway time! You can win 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)
Just click the graphic below to enter!

Other books in the series:

  

Author Layla Reyne was raised in North Carolina and now calls San Francisco home. She enjoys weaving her bi-coastal experiences into her stories, along with adrenaline-fueled suspense and heart pounding romance. When she’s not writing stories to excite her readers, she downloads too many books, watches too much television, and cooks too much food with her scientist husband, much to the delight of their smushed-face, leftover-loving dogs.

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Blog Tour Genre: Contemporary Orientation: Gay Pairing: M/M Publisher: Carina Press Tag: Military / Uniform Tag: Part of a series Agents Irish & Whiskey Barrel Proof Cask Strength Layla Reyne Single Malt