“Spectacular! Rice has delivered a romance that manages to be both fresh and timeless, full of charismatic yet vulnerable characters, captivating heat, and a delicious, escapist setting. I never wanted to check out of Sapphire Cove!”
~ Christina Lauren, New York Times and internationally bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners

“SAPPHIRE SUNSET is a total treat. Christopher Rice, writing as C. Travis Rice, creates a world of luxury, passion and wit, as his swoonworthy heroes triumph. The book is a 5-star hotel suite stocked with champagne, a gorgeous view of the Pacific and the most beautifully crafted romance – who would ever want to leave?” ~ Paul Rudnick
“A MM, second chance romance with a little bit of everything, romance, steamy sexy times, some suspense and a sweet epilogue that lets you walk away with a happy heart.” ~ Carol, Carol’s Crazy Bookish World

“Fast paced, action and drama packed read that gives all the feels.” – Konny, KDRBCK

“I LOVED this story and Logan and Connor! This was the perfect blend of steamy romance with a fast paced plot. “ – Gare Billings, gareindeedreads

Dear Reader,

I like to say that Sapphire Sunset was a bright book written during a dark time. Bright for me anyway. As Christopher Rice, I’ve written some horror and suspense novels intended to be truly disturbing.

The early days of the pandemic had descended. We were all trapped at home. Every evening I went to the windows to applaud LA’s frontline workers. But in the afternoons I visited a beautiful, sundrenched resort on the Orange County coast that was taking shape in my imagination.

The tale I discovered there was one of scandal, drama and intrigue. I’m an old school romance reader and the major inspirations for this series were the Dream Trilogy of novels by Nora Roberts and every episode of Dynasty I inhaled as a kid. Accordingly, all the Sapphire Cove novels have moments of danger and suspense.

While the romance between Connor Harcourt and Logan Murdoch was intended to be both sunny and sexy, their coming together is marked by an intense media scandal, a hotel room break in that briefly put lives in peril and a fair share of homophobia directed at both men.

Logan Murdoch is, in many senses, an archetypical gay male fantasy — tall, muscle bound, with a military background and a desire to dominate his partners in the bedroom. Connor is a different kind of beauty. (My kind, to be frank, but that’s another story.) He’s more delicate, defined by mannerisms and vocal affectations considered by many to be less than traditionally masculine. Rather than adding these characteristics to both men like a costume, I wanted to explore what one of the book’s readers called “the tiered system of masculinity in the gay community” and the challenge this system presents to the queer men trying to find love and self-esteem inside of it.

That said, this is still a romance novel. That means a happily ever after for both men. But along the way some of their experiences and discussions, specifically around the topic of gay identity and gender expression, are difficult. And, I believe, authentic. If you want to hear my beloved podcast co-host Eric Shaw Quinn and I break down the book in more detail you can do that here.

It’s also worth noting that Logan and Connor’s sex scenes involve a fair amount of consensual spanking. Very consensual.

Enjoy your stay at Sapphire Cove.

XO,
C Travis Rice

“One thing about Christopher Rice is that his books ALWAYS delivers when it comes to his novels.” ~ scaredstraightreads

“The passion that came from it has me so hot I had to stand in a cold shower because some of the things that these two men had me wanting to find one of my old high school bullies and saying let’s go bro.” ~ analyzedbychris

“SAPPHIRE SPRING is a wonderful read and a perfect addition to this series. Mr. Rice certainly knows how to write addictive MM romances, with his incredible ensemble of characters, passionate heated moments, realistic emotions, and the power of his amazing words.” ~ Ria, Reading is Our Satisfaction

“A wonderful MM romance with emotion, steam, second chances, healing family relationships, personal growth, and a hard-earned happily ever after.” ~ Amanda, Once Upon a Book Dream

“This story was fantastic and I will shout that from the rooftops.” ~ Meredith, Sweet Reads and Treats

“Sapphire Spring is an emotional read, dealing with some difficult subject matter, but it is definitely worth the emotional rollercoaster to meet Mason and Naser.” ~ Helen, Blissfully Bookish Besties

“This story goes well beyond a wonderful romance. It is a complex novel with characters that have many hidden layers.” – Kat, Goodreads Reviewer

“A lovely romance filled with complex characters; the author takes you through this with an intensity of emotion through his words that really hits you right in the heart.” ~ Denisesc21, Goodreads Reviewer

“Absolutely fabulous story. C. Travis Rice has written a great group of characters that I’ve really come to care about.” ~ Barb, Goodreads Reviewer

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the most intense installment in the Sapphire Cove series.

From the moment Naser Kazemi shared details of his experiences with high school bullying in Sapphire Sunset, I knew his story would be a profoundly emotional one. When I visited the Fated Mates Podcast with the legendary Sarah MacLean and Jen Prokop to discuss the book, I talked about how I didn’t really like reformed bully romance novels, but I’d always wanted to write one.

Strange, huh?

My problem with them is that that the former bully usually doesn’t suffer enough for my taste. Even though Mason Worther is stunningly gorgeous and full of regret (and full of tortured love for the man he used to bully), regret is not enough for romance. So I decided to really, really put him through his paces, and that makes for some intense reading. Mason is also struggling with issues of addiction, many of which play out on page. I’ve met plenty of romance heroes in recovery from alcoholism and substance abuse. But I can’t remember following one from the chaos of their addiction into recovery. That’s what you’ll do with Mason here.

Also, in trying to chart how bullies are made, the book explicitly details past incidents of sexual abuse for more than one character. There’s also an intense action sequence in which one hero is placed in mortal peril. For many readers, this scene alone might categorize this novel as romantic suspense, but I think it’s essential to the plot. More importantly, it ties into the book’s bigger exploration of how and why some bullies choose to remain bullies well into adulthood. Along those lines, there are frequent uses of homophobic language. But because this is a romance novel at heart, rest assured — the bullies don’t win.

The other integral challenge of this novel was depicting Naser Kazemi’s Persian-American background in the most authentic way possible. For that, I had the wonderful sensitivity readers I thank in the opening pages of the book. I’m also deeply indebted to actress Nazanin Nour who joined me to voice Naser’s mother in the audiobook edition. It’s worth noting that the bullying Naser suffers in high school is the result of his sexuality and mannerisms — as well as the tortured self-repression of the part of his abusers — and not his ethnicity. The later story, I believe, is not mine to tell.

For a deeper discussion of Sapphire Spring and how so many of us have moved beyond the bullying we suffered in our early years, check out this episode of TDPS Presents Christopher & Eric, a podcast from yours truly and my best friend, New York Times bestselling author Eric Shaw Quinn.

XO,
C. Travis Rice

“Ardent, bewitching, chucklesome and delicious!” ~ bookreviewsbyJames

“Emotional, sweet, sexy, and smart; Sapphire Storm is a fantastic addition to this series and I cannot wait for the next installment.” ~ Simply Love Books

“Engaging, emotional. Another great read from C. Travis Rice.” ~ BMused12

“C. Travis Rice’s skillful writing brings the story to life, with descriptions that are rich and vivid, and characters that are complex and fully realized.” ~ CheshireRaptor

Dear Reader,

As I wrote in the Author’s Note of the print edition of Sapphire Storm, shortly before I began writing this book, I experienced a profound loss. My mother, one of my best friends, as well as a brilliant colleague and business partner, died suddenly at the age of eighty due to complications from a stroke. And so it should surprise no one that while this book is very much a romance novel, some of the characters within its pages are dealing with grief in many forms.

But I’ve always longed for a romance hero who puts his arms around me at one of my lowest moments, and that’s what Ethan Blake does for Roman Walker in Sapphire Storm. The resulting romance has a pretty big age gap, which works just fine for both of the men in it, so expect a sprinkling of daddy kink along the way.

As you might have read in the letter I wrote for Sapphire Sunset, my inspirations for this series were a popular trilogy of novels by romance queen Nora Roberts and every episode of Dynasty I inhaled as a kid. You’ll very much see those influences very much on display in this story. There’s a true diva villain. And she’s manipulative and deceptive and gaslights like nobody’s business. There’s also a blackmail plot, kidnapping through coercion and some detailed descriptions of homophobic behavior by characters in the past, but no real violence.

In addition, Sapphire Storm includes frank, detailed and non-judgmental descriptions of sex work. I’m very much of the opinion that sex work between consenting adults is simply work and should be treated as such and should not be conflated with the very real crisis of human trafficking which targets the vulnerable and the underage through use of threats, coercion and force. Along those lines, this story expands on previous depictions of Donnie Bascombe’s proud work in the gay adult entertainment industry, setting the stage for his happily ever after in the next novel in the series, Sapphire Dawn.

XO,
C. Travis Rice

Coming soon!

Dear Reader,

I’ve been waiting to write Donnie Bascombe’s story since he first popped up as Logan’s best friend in SAPPHIRE SUNSET. Brash, outspoken and a former porn performer who runs his own studio today, I knew he’d make for a complicated and fascinating romance hero.

If you’re not familiar with Donnie, you should be advised that any story in which he appear will inevitably include frank, detailed and non-judgmental descriptions of sex work. I’m very much of the opinion that sex work between consenting adults is simply work and should be treated as such and should not be conflated with the very real crisis of human trafficking which targets the vulnerable and the underage through use of threats, coercion and force. That said, Donnie’s background and his difficult relationship to his family are explored through conversations in the present, typically with loving and supporting listeners. Some instances of child abuse and statutory rape are referenced in conversation, but not dramatized on the page.

As the plot synopsis makes clear, Richard Merriweather, the love of Donnie’s life, is reeling from a painful divorce. This divorce was caused by his ex-husband’s flagrant and remorseless infidelity. Some of Richard’s flashbacks to these moments, while fleeting, are also painful and vivid. Donnie’s got his own difficult relationship history to one man in particular. This relationship is explored in detailed flashbacks that depict the level of gaslighting and manipulation he was subjected to by this old flame.

Occasionally the luxurious world of Sapphire Cove buts up against some criminal elements, and that’s true in this novel. A side story includes conversational mentions of repeated criminal acts, including murder. On page, an adult character is briefly held hostage after an aggressive act of kidnapping.

As with all of the novels in the Sapphire Cove series, its queer characters regularly encounter homophobia. This homophobia rarely goes unchallenged by my heroes.

I hope you love Donnie and Richard’s story as much as I do.

XO,
C. Travis Rice