Blog Tour ~ Cold Day Dawning by Thom Collins (Reviews + Excerpt + Giveaway)

Posted on by Kat E.

BLOG TOUR

Book Title: Cold Day Dawning (Jagged Shores #4)

Author: Thom Collins

Publisher: Pride Publishing

Release Date: August 22, 2023

Genres: Contemporary MM romance, thriller, suspense

Tropes: Small town romance

Themes: Family, rivalry, revenge, overcoming PTSD

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 63 223 words

Although it can be read as a stand-alone, this book is best read as part of a series.

It does not end on a cliffhanger.

Goodreads

 

Buy Links

Universal Link

Available from Amazon Kindle Unlimited, Pride Publishing,

First For Romance, B&N, and Kobo

 

Danger comes in the cold of morning

 

Blurb

It should be the perfect weekend away. Dalton Caine makes the long journey to Nyemouth to attend a party hosted by his sister. Catherine is estranged from most of the family, but Dalton feels the time has come to build bridges between them. Things don’t turn out how he wants, however, when Catherine gives him a cold reception at the party. But the evening is not a complete waste of time when he meets local photographer Antoni.

Following a near-fatal attack six months earlier, Antoni has struggled with his physical and mental recovery. Catherine’s party is the first time he has been out at night since then, and he’s ready for an early exit when he meets Dalton. The stranger is warm, friendly and incredibly handsome. When Antoni overcomes his reservations and accepts a drink at Dalton’s hotel, it could be the start of something new for them both.

Despite the joy of fresh romance, things soon take a darker turn. The morning after the party, Catherine’s boyfriend reports her missing. Dalton isn’t initially concerned. Catherine has disappeared of her own will before, and he’s more interested in getting to know Antoni, but the men soon find themselves at the centre of a twisted mystery, one that puts both of their lives at risk.

 

Reader advisory: This book contains violence, murder, PTSD, memories of a child in danger and mental illness. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, this book is best read as part of a series.

Excerpt

A few moments later, a door on the right opened and a man stepped out. He caught Dalton’s attention straight away. Dressed in jeans, a black T-shirt and a dark overshirt, the man looked nothing like the pretentious people he’d encountered so far this evening. He was also very handsome, which didn’t hurt. He was naturally good-looking, with brown hair, slightly wavy on the top and cut short at the back and sides where it was starting to turn grey. He had a serious-looking face, and Dalton’s initial impression was of something quite sad about his eyes and downturned mouth.

“Hi,” Dalton said cheerfully, hoping the guy wouldn’t turn out to be like all the other guests.

“Hello.” The man didn’t return the smile, but seemingly noticing Dalton’s interest in the photographs, he came closer. “Do you like them?”

There was a trace of an accent there. Dalton couldn’t quite place it. Eastern European, he guessed.

“Very much,” he replied. “They’re remarkable. I’ve never seen Catherine like this before.”

The man looked between Dalton and photographs. “I’m glad you like them. I took all of these.”

Up close, he was even better looking than his first appearance. His eyes were dark grey and there was stubble on his square jaw, also flecked with grey.

“Wow,” Dalton said. “They are sensational…really.”

At last, his mouth turned upwards into the smallest suggestion of a smile.

“Thank you.” He held out his hand. “My name is Antoni.”

Dalton accepted the handshake. The party had finally improved.

 

~ * ~ Jo‘s Review ~ * ~

4.5 Stars
This is part of a series I’ve read and really enjoyed because I was lucky enough to get an ARC of the first one. The author was new to me and didn’t really have a presence on social media, so I’m not sure I’d have spotted it otherwise, which would have been my loss.
Finding books based in the UK isn’t always easy; there’s definitely a tendency for authors to set things in America. I’m assuming that’s because of the bigger audience. I love these as they are set in a fictional northern coastal town.
All have a crime theme that the romance is based around. Although the characters overlap, each works as a standalone. Although one of the MCs in this book, Antoni, played a key role in the previous books, everything you need to know is in this book. I’m so glad he gets a HEA; he was the one character that stood out as deserving to find his person. Dalton is so wonderful; he a patient and understanding towards Antonio. What appears like it might be just a one-night stand, which is a huge step forward for Antoni, becomes more when Dalton is forced to stay on when his sister disappears.
These books are really well written, and the pace is perfect–you get to know the characters as the mystery element ticks over. They aren’t overly long, but that’s because you aren’t bogged down with too much irrelevant procedural information or red herrings. The focus is on the characters and what they are going through; by the end, their connection, although over a short time period, feels very believable, and the Epilogue gives a really satisfying glimpse into their future.
This is a definite recommendation for me for an authentic British romance with really likable characters. It is sweet and emotional, has a nice level of intimate heat, and has a tense finale that leads to a very satisfying HEA.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement.*

 

~ * ~ Annie‘s Review ~ * ~

North Point 

4 Stars
I’ve actually read the Jagged Shore series out of order, so I knew the main characters of North Point as a couple before starting the book. Even still, I found the book to be interesting and well-paced with a nice slice of romance and suspense to keep me fully invested in the story. I can also say with certainty that these stories work well as standalones, though there is mention of the other storylines and events so there may be some spoilers sprinkled along the way.
Arnie and Dominic are a likable couple who quickly fall for one another after meeting while Arnie is home for the summer months. I thought these two were well-matched and their chemistry was developed over the course of the story. That said, there was a bit of insta-love in North Point and it felt like the relationship moved as quickly as the suspense and mystery in the plotline.
Overall, I found North Point to be a good read with a nice suspense driving the plot. The author does a good job developing all sides of the mystery storyline and had me guessing as to who was the culprit and what the motive was all the way through. If you like a good suspense with a romantic secondary plot, the Jagged Shore series is definitely worth the read.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***

Cold Day Dawning

4 Stars
I’ve enjoyed the books of the Jagged Shore series, and the fourth title is no exception. As with the other books in the series, Cold Day Dawning combines a good well-paced, and thoroughly developed suspense plotline with an easy but high-heat romance. I love that each book keeps me intrigued and guessing “whodunnit”, but would say that I’ve found the romance often takes a backseat to the mystery in these books—at least in my eyes.
These books work well as standalones or even read out of order as I did, though there is some character overlap given the small-town setting of the series. Readers of the series will recognize Antoni from the third book, Deep Waters, and I was pleased to catch up with him and see how his story progressed after the close of the previous story. Dalton and Antoni meet at a local party held by Dalton’s estranged sister and the two quickly fall for one another. This is definitely a case of a  whirlwind romance, as the suspense and mystery the men face takes center stage.
Even so, I did enjoy getting to know both men and quite enjoyed watching the mystery plotline develop. If you enjoy romantic suspense stories that keep you guessing while offering a nice romance secondary plotline, I’d definitely recommend Cold Day Dawning and the entire Jagged Shore series.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn’t a requirement. ***

 

About the Author

 

Thom Collins is the author of Closer by Morning, North Point and the Anthem Trilogy. His love of page turning thrillers began at an early age when his mother caught him reading the latest Jackie Collins book and confiscated it, sparking a life-long love of raunchy novels.

Thom has lived in the North East of England his whole life. He grew up in Northumberland and now lives in County Durham with his husband and two cats. He loves all kinds of genre fiction, especially bonk-busters, thrillers, romance and horror. He is also a cookery book addict with far too many titles cluttering his shelves. When not writing he can be found in the kitchen trying out new recipes. He’s a keen traveler but with a fear of flying that gets worse with age, but in 2013 he realized cruising is the best way to see the world.

Check out his website for news updates and a free ebook, The Night.

 

Other links

Twitter: @thomwolf | Instagram: thomcollinsauthor | Newsletter Sign-up

 

Giveaway

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one of five ebook copies of Cold Day Dawning.

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