I’m so excited: today begins my blog tour for The Gifted One. My first stop is over at RomFan Reviews, where I talk about my switch from contemporary to paranormal romance. I also explain why I chose to write about angels in this book. Click here to read the post.
Also, if you leave a comment, you will be entered to win a free copy of the book. I hope to see you over at RomFan Reviews. I hear there’s an open bar and hot, naked me. At least that’s what Annette has told me. 🙂
The blog tour for the April 5, 2013 release of The Gifted One is about to kick off! There will be a giveaway at the end of the tour. All you need to do is leave a comment at one, several, or all of the blog stops, and you will be entered to win a free copy of The Gifted One. If you leave a comment at all 9 stops, then you will be entered 9 times for a chance to win a copy of my latest release. Sounds pretty simple, right?
I have to thank Annette Stone and the Author’s Assistant Agency for helping me organize this tour. I would be lost without her. Like seriously lost!
So, without further ado, here are the dates for my blog tour and my stops. I hope to see you there!
April 5 – RomFan Reviews
April 8 – Top2Bottom
April 9 – Literary Nymphs
April 12 – Full Moon Bites
April 15 – For the Love of Bookends
April 17 – The Smutty Kitty
April 18 — Joyfully Jay
April 19 – Babes in Boyland
April 30 – Fallen Angel Reviews
I have created a book trailer to celebrate the release of my new novel The Gifted One. The book will be available on April 5 from Dreamspinner Press. I’m so excited about this release! It combines my love of horror and romance, so I hope you enjoy it!
Also, I conducted character interviews with the main characters from the book. If you missed them, click here for the interview with Matt and here for the interview with Gabriel.
Today, we conclude our two-part character interview of the main characters from my soon-to-be-released novel The Gifted One. If you missed part one of my interview with Matt Westlake, click here.
Today, I’ll be sitting down with the archangel Gabriel, who is currently residing in Houston, Texas, which is a loooooong way from his home in Heaven.
Gabriel, I must first thank you for actually coming to the interview. When I sent the request, I was uncertain if you would come. I know you are extremely busy and have many other more important tasks. So, once again, thank you.
Gabriel: It is true that sitting here answering questions is a frivolous activity, especially considering the magnitude of my heavenly duties. However, Matt requested that I accept the invitation, so I’m here at his behest. Therefore, you have him to thank for my presence. I, of course, will communicate your appreciation to him.
Um, thank you.
Gabriel: Once again, you are welcome.
So, why don’t we just get started then?
Gabriel: That would not only be wise but an efficient use of both of our time.
Okay, so I gather you’re not much of a talker. You seem far more task-oriented.
Gabriel: Indeed. I’m not an angel of words. If you want one who prattles on endlessly, then I’d be glad to see if my brothers Uriel or Raphael are available. They are certainly more lax with their time and how they spend it. I, however, am not. There’s a great deal Father has charged me with accomplishing. I see no need to chatter idly when there is a task to be completed.
And by Father, you, of course, mean God?
Gabriel: Naturally. God is the mortal word for our Father, but to me He is simply Father.
I hope you don’t think this silly, so please forgive me, but chatting with a heavenly being is not an every day occurrence. When you speak about God and the other angels, your references make you sound like a family. Is that the way you would describe your relationship with the other archangels as well as with God?
Gabriel: Most definitely. We are a family, and Father sits as the head of our family.
I have to admit that I find that rather intriguing. How would you describe your heavenly family? Do you share meals together and talk about your days? Are there disagreements or do all the angels get along?
Gabriel: First of all, we don’t eat. As immortal beings, we do not require sustenance or sleep, so no, we do not share meals together. We do, however, gather in the Throne Room upon occasion to discuss matters of great importance. My brothers and I, the archangels, are Father’s messengers in the world. We are charged with carrying out important duties as ascribed to our various functions. If the task requires mercy, love, justice, wisdom, healing, peace, or vengeance, one of us is dispatched to bring the matter to its appropriate conclusion, and sometimes, how each of us deals with the matter at hand can lead to disagreement.
My brother Michael and I are constantly at odds. Though I love my brother dearly, his tendency toward mercy and leniency is sometimes a slap in the face of vengeance. Not every situation is brought to resolution through compassion and forgiveness. Sometimes, the sword of retribution is the only appropriate answer.
So you prefer reprisal to rehabilitation?
Gabriel: Not at all. For those truly repentant of their sins, mercy brings justice and healing. However, Michael feels as if all are worthy of a second chance. That is not always the case. True evil walks the earth in various forms, and for those who embrace only the dark, I stand in wait to greet them.
I would assume the true evil you are referencing has something to do with the task Father has sent you to complete. Since you’ve been seen in close proximity to Matt Westlake in the past few days, I shall assume that the task is somehow linked to him. Is Matt the evil you must eradicate?
Gabriel: (extremely upset) Of course NOT! Matthew Westlake possesses a strength of character and soul that I’ve not had the pleasure of encountering in untold centuries. I’ve been sent to protect Matt from the evil that swirls wretchedly about him, and I would sacrifice my immortal soul to guarantee him but one more second of breath upon this earth.
I must admit that your reaction took me a bit by surprise. I hope you can forgive me for saying this, but you sound as if you’re in love with Matt. Are you?
Gabriel: (visibly shaken) I love all members of Father’s flock. It is my sworn duty to protect them.
I have no doubt about that. However, when you spoke of Matt, I couldn’t help notice how your eyes lit up. For most of our interview, you’ve been emotionally reserved, but with one mention of Matt, you’ve become someone else entirely.
Gabriel: Yes, well, I am charged with protecting Matthew Westlake. I take my duties extremely seriously. Your question attacked his character by assuming such a wonderful soul like Matt might be evil. I had no choice but to come to his rescue and defend him.
And that’s it? There’s nothing more to your feelings for Matt?
Gabriel: I will only say this. While I’m alive no harm will come to Matt from any creature whether it be from heaven, hell, or earth. On that, you have my word.
Okay, then, since you’ve brought it up. Why is Matt in such danger from creatures from heaven, hell, and Earth?
Gabriel: That is a question I’m not free to answer for a multitude of reasons. However, I can say this: Matt is an extremely special man, both to the future potential of the world as well as to those who love him. His unlocked potential makes him a target, and my physical presence in his life has…complicated matters. As a result, Matt is carefully scrutinized from above and below as well as locked in a dangerous dance with earthly agents intent on doing him harm. It is my job to see to it that he survives it all unscathed so that when destiny finally opens the door for Matt, he shall be able to walk through it. To accomplish that task, I stand ready to sacrifice all that I am for all that Matt promises to be.
Thank you, Gabriel. I appreciate everything that you’ve shared with us today, and I can tell by the sudden look in your eye that you have to leave.
Gabriel: I must. A storm is brewing outside, and I must make my way to Matt at once!
Good luck, Gabriel. To you, to Matt, and to whatever the future may yet bring.
*blog post image from http://s407.beta.photobucket.com/user/Papilux
My latest novel, The Gifted One, is slated for release on April 5, 2013. I wanted to kick off the celebration by asking my two main characters, Matt and Gabriel, to stop by “From Gay to Z” for an interview. This will give the characters a chance to tell us a bit about themselves prior to their grand debut.
As a bit of background information, here’s the book blurb:
As his birthday approaches, Matthew Westlake fears more than just growing a year older. He fears never seeing another year at all. Each birthday brings a close call with death, leaving holes in his memory, recurring nightmares, and one more glimpse of his guardian angel. This birthday Matt must stand against ancient evils that have hounded him since birth, because he is a Gifted One—a seventh son of a seventh son.
Within Matt rests the unlocked potential of a force for good, but it also makes him a target. Being the Gifted One and dodging demonic attacks aren’t Matt’s only problems, though. He’s fallen in love with his protector, the Archangel Gabriel, and Heaven will condemn that love to save Matt’s soul. But Heaven doesn’t count on Gabriel loving Matt in return, defying divine law, and placing them in danger from demons and angels alike.
Today, I’ll be kicking off the interview with the Gifted One himself, Matt Westlake, who works as an intensive care nurse in Houston, Texas.
Matt, I’d like to thank you for stopping by “From Gay to Z,” especially since I know you have a lot going on right now.
Matt: Not a problem. Thanks for having me here. Although I feel kinda silly sitting down for an interview.
Why’s that?
Matt: Well, I wouldn’t think anyone would be interested in reading anything I had to say. I’m just a normal guy, trying to live my life. There’s really not that much about me that’s interview-worthy. You know what I mean?
I have to say that I completely disagree with you. You’ve led a rather interesting life and survived a great deal of tragedy for someone so comparatively young. And despite what you’ve been through, you seem to be a rather well-adjusted, grounded individual.
Matt: Well, you’re very kind, but who I am is really more of my grandmother’s doing than anything else. She’s raised me quite well and is one of the most remarkable people I know. I owe everything I am to her.
Would you mind telling us a little about her?
Matt: Gladly! I could talk about the Duchess for hours!
The Duchess? Is that what you call your grandmother?
Matt: (laughing) Yes, I do.
How’d that unique nickname come about?
Matt: Well, besides the fact that she’s a unique woman, the nickname actually started with her friends, so I can’t really take credit for it. I overheard them discussing something once when I was a kid. I really don’t know what it was, most likely some society event my grandmother was chairing. But anyway, she became quite upset at one of their comments. When my grandmother’s cross, you better watch out. Because that’s when the sweet, kind, and gentle Joanna Westlake transforms into a brick wall of hard emotion. I had never seen her act that way before, but her friends obviously had. They started referring to her as the Duchess, and I’ve been calling her that ever since.
Does she mind the nickname?
Matt: She used to at first. She didn’t find it half as funny as I did at the time, but she’s grown used to it since then. Now, she likes it. It’s become my term of endearment for her.
I can see how much you obviously love your grandmother. Have you always been close to her even as a child?
Matt: I’d like to think so, but I don’t remember much about my childhood prior to my tenth birthday.
That’s when your adopted parents were…taken from you?
Matt: Yes. When they were murdered.
I know it’s a topic you don’t often talk about, but what do you remember about them?
Matt: Not much really. I recall what they look like but not much else. My psychiatrist Dr. Owens believes that I’ve suppressed my childhood memories as a way of dealing with the trauma of that night. That’s why I’m working so hard to recover those lost memories. I want to remember the people who took me in when no one else wanted me. I owe it to them and their love for me to remember. It’s very difficult to look at pictures of my parents and me together and not feel any emotion. It’s like I’m looking at strangers, but I know they aren’t strangers at all. They’re my parents.
I can’t even imagine how difficult that is or how hard it must be for you to have had their deaths occur on your birthday.
Matt: Yeah, it’s tough, and it doesn’t make it any better that awful things always seem to happen to me on my birthday.
Like what?
Matt: Like almost dying. Every year, like clockwork, something bad happens. When I turned sixteen, my grandmother bought me a car. I took it for a spin, and this idiot swerves into my lane and comes barreling down the highway at me. I don’t know how I survived it, but it was like the steering wheel took on a life of its own. I swerved and spun the car around, which made the idiot miss me by inches. He slammed through the guardrail and down to the street below. He didn’t survive.
That’s awful!
Matt: Tell me about it. But that’s the way my birthdays usually go, which is why I don’t really celebrate the day. My grandmother and my best friends Dee and Shane know how I feel about my birthday, so they usually expend lots of energy trying to cheer me up every year. I love them for it and for how much they care about me, but no matter what anyone does to make me feel better, something awful happens that ruins the day. If I didn’t know better, I’d think something was out to get me.
And just what would that “something” be?
Matt: Who knows? But that’s just the way I feel. I know it sounds paranoid and maybe I am, but after all the things I’ve been through, it’s kinda hard not to feel like the universe is out to get me.
I can’t argue with that. Like I said earlier, you’ve been through a lot. How do you think the tragedies you’ve endured affected the man you are today?
Matt: I think they’ve made me appreciate my life more. I’ve seen a lot of bad, so I try to focus on the good as much as possible. It’s one of the reasons I became a nurse. I like helping people, making them feel better, and I’m pretty good at it. The doctors and nurses at the hospital call me Flo as a nod to Florence Nightingale. They also claim I have “healing hands” as they call it.
Interesting. Why do they say that?
Matt: (shrugging) They say it’s because my patients always seem to recover or that I just know what they need. I think they’re just being silly, but I like the compliment. I don’t have healing hands at all. I just listen to my patients and my intuition. When I do that, things just seem to work out.
Well, despite the more difficult events in your life, things seem to be working out so far in terms of your career. You love your job and are extremely good at it, but let’s talk about your romantic life for a moment.
Matt: (groans)
What’s that for?
Matt: Because romance is the biggest disaster in my life.
From what I’ve heard from my sources, that’s not entirely true.
Matt: Your sources, huh? I bet that would be Dee and Shane, my two former best friends. I’m going to have a little talk with them about speaking out of turn.
A good reporter never reveals his sources, so I can neither confirm nor deny, but from what I hear, you’ve got two men who seem to have taken an interest in you recently. Would you mind telling us about them?
Matt: Well, your sources are both right and wrong. There are two men who’ve suddenly appeared in my life, and where any of this is going, if it’s going anywhere, it yet to be determined. What’s weird, though, is that I met both of them on my birthday, after I was almost killed yet again. Craig is an awesome guy. A police officer with a nice body, beautiful green eyes, and an amazing smile. He’s not only wicked hot, but he’s also gentle without being soft.
That’s a pretty tough combination to beat.
Matt: I know. Then there’s Gabriel. Now, he just suddenly appeared when I needed him the most. It was pretty magical, and when I first laid eyes on him, I just couldn’t speak. His eyes are an amazing shade of blue. They look like patches of sky, and I have a hard time not losing myself in them. But he’s very mysterious. He comes and goes pretty much at will, which makes him difficult to get to know, but what’s even funnier is that I feel like I’ve known him my entire life. Which I know sounds pretty weird considering I have a ten year gap in my memory.
I don’t find that strange at all. Maybe you’ve known Gabriel in a past life.
Matt: Maybe. Who knows?
Well, that’s all the time we have today, Matt. I appreciate you stopping by. Good luck on finding the missing pieces to your past and on learning more about the handsome Craig and solving the mystery that is Gabriel.
*blog post image from Michael Taggart Photography / Foter.com
Welcome to “From Gay to Z”! I’m so glad you agreed to sit down for an interview, but when we discussed the details, I did make it clear that all interviews had to be conducted naked. Yet, here you are fully clothed. I mean, really! That’s just bad form.
(laughs)
Seriously, You’ll have to disrobe before we can continue. You can undress here or in the powder room down the hall if you’re shy and need privacy. Although I should warn you that I’ve installed video cameras in the powder room hooked up to a live Internet feed.
(Laughs harder)
So, which shall it be? Here or the powder room?
Fuck it! I’ll strip down right here. Speaking of naked, my husband and I have this rule , to keep fighting to a minimum, that if we argue it must be done naked. Were hippies like that. Haha. Keeps the fights down to a minimum, you should try it.
Now that does sound like a fun way to argue. Sure helps speed along the making up! Now, that we’re both far more comfortable, let’s begin! Tell us a little about yourself. Whatever you’d like to share, and really the juicier the better! I mean, you’re already naked. You’ve really got nothing to hide now.
Oh, God where to begin? Well, I was born in Detroit and stayed there most of my life until twenty in probably one of the most interesting places in the world. Rough place, rough people, real life, it was crazy. Joined the military, and funny enough, Detroit had been so bad that military life almost seemed like a vacation. Stayed in for three years and then started the whole college thing.
What got you started writing m/m fiction? Was it just the hot man on man sex or was there some other reason?
HA-HA, I love how your questions are asked. I wrote it honestly for the romance, I am a helpless romantic. Honestly, I had no intention of running into this genre. As a matter of fact, to be honest with you, I didn’t know this genre existed until I was part way through my book. I started googling publishers and ran into Dreamspinner and read through their submission requirements. Once the book was finished, I ran it through a brief edit and was like…fuck it, let’s see. I nearly had a stroke when I got the email from Elizabeth saying that they were interested in publishing the book. Blew my mind. Made me cry actually I had been so upset that day in particular because it had been the anniversary of something really shitty that happened to me and my partner and was totally prepared to call a mulligan on that day. That email turned my life around real fast, it was like the Universe was saying, “Hey, sorry for the bullshit, smile for a little while.” But the hot man on man thing is an added plus too.
Tell us about your latest release The Haunting of Timber Manor.
Well, Timber is a ghost story where I was thinking about Shirley Jackson’s House on Haunted Hill, the first scary story I had ever read and I remembered the first line from it has always creeped me out. “Whatever walks there walks alone.” That has always set the tone and I think, set the bar, for ghost stories. Stephen King in his book Danse Macabre, cited Jackson’s book as one of the finest pieces of literature in the 20th century. So, I guess, I wanted to try my hand at a spooky, ghost riddled house, and my attempt was to change how ghosts are manifested. I really worked on memory as the reason why ghosts walked the earth.
The gay element, the two guys in the story, was something that just happened. There is a lack of good gay……what am I looking for….stories out in the main stream world that is worth a damn. I mean, sure, there were pioneer things like Queer as Folk or The “L” word which to me essentially was a signal that said “We are here, we are queer and we are not going anywhere.” Then there was the triumph of a movie Brokeback Mountain and I was like okay, okay, there we go and I think queer people are hungry for good portrayals of who we are as a culture, as a people, as human beings. I mean, we have always existed but have been dismissed in histories pages because it fogged up someone’s reading glasses too much. Ha-Ha. So, I was like fuck it, here we go and I wanted Timber to be a little more than that. I wanted the relationship to be unquestioned and more or less be in the background instead of the forefront as shock value. I wanted the book to be more about a perceived insurmountable issue that is triumphed by love.
Do you have a favorite character in the book? If so, who and why?
I have to say Francine is my favorite character. I had all of these events going on, and I needed to find a way to bring the book to a close, and being a student of history, it was a pleasure to take an African American female, someone who was alive during Jim Crow, during a time of discrimination in the deep south, who knew what it was like to be discriminated against, and have her come out and say what Daniel and Hale had was “Beautiful.” Besides, she was an elegant, knowledgeable, capable, female character and like Joss Whedon (whom I adore), I appreciate a strong female lead. Actually, to be honest, I envisioned someone like Vivica A. Fox, or Viola Davis, or the beautiful Alfre Woodward to play the character. Ha Ha, I’m a huge racial diversity slash feminism supporter. So, since these actresses are so horribly underrated, this was my nod to empowered women in general.
Which character in the book do you think is the sexiest? What makes him so sexy to you, and what do you think the reader will find sexy about him?
I like Hale, I like how studious he is, how strong he is, how much of a rock he is for Daniel. I have had the fortune of having men like this in my life regardless of how the relationship evolved whether it be romantic or otherwise. My husband is the best example of that type. I find confidence, determination, and a “by God we will see this through” attitude to be sexy.
Are the characters and experiences in the novel based on real life people and events?
I think every author draws from life experience to write either the theme for the book or the characters. You have to have something to go off of. I think that is what took me so long to write this book or to write at all. I mean sure, I had plenty of things to say, but didn’t know what I was going to say exactly because I lacked the life knowledge that I think authors possess. I have always adored certain writers like Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Dean Koontz, and others for their ability to paint a portrait of the world that they envision. Your there with the characters, you know their nuances…especially Stephen King where he builds this huge arc of characters and setting before he lets all hell break loose.
As far as going through something like this, a dead relative leaving me millions and a gorgeous Victorian in the North West, I am still waiting on that to happen. HA!
But as far as ghosts, I’ve had my fair share of things that have set my head spinning and creeped me out. It fills people with fear and wonder at the possibilities doesn’t it? I mean, it’s the greatest question that religion and science both hypothesize about, but can’t quite say for sure. “What happens when we die?”
I just love a good title. How do you go about choosing a title for your book?
There is nothing profound to say in regards to this. I simply took the title of the house Timber Manor and suggested that it was haunted to entice people.
What is your current work in progress?
I actually have two WIPS, the lingo that I am catching on to. One of them is another story about a haunting in an Irish estate and the other is about an economic collapse on a global scale and governments reverting back to monarchies to lead nations and the collective dismissal of technology where pirates rule the seas again. So, the book is set in the future, how far I am not sure, but its in the future and yes both books will again have a romantic element that carries the characters through. It’s pretty PollyAnnish but I think love does conquer all. So….yeah…
Now for some fun questions:
A movie is being written about your life. What would you title the movie and who would you cast to play you?
Oh Jesus. No that’s not the title. HA-HA. Uh, The Mundane Adventures of Freddie the Writer…I don’t know. What do you say for questions like this? HA HA. Me would be the title and I would like a break out artist to play me.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
Life is pretty crazy. So I guess, living life and demanding the reins is by far the most arduous thing I have ever done. It pisses me off so much sometimes and you can’t find out where ‘lifes’ address is so you can go over to his house and beat the shit out of him for throwing you that unwanted curveball.
What’s the one thing that annoys you the most?
I only get one? Oh, honey, there is so much that annoys me, I think a list is in order.
1) Wet socks
2) Politicians
3) A great beat with shitty lyrics
4) and people who think they know what you need in your life more than you do
5) Hypocrites. Which I guess involves number 2 and number 4. I hate bullshit do as I say not as I do…I have no problem calling people out on it.
I’m granting secret powers, but you only get one. Which do you want and why?
I want the power to be able to Apparate like in Harry Potter. I hate to fly so I figure if I can just pop in and pop out of where I need/ want to go. I’d be well traveled.
Which cartoon character best represents your personality?
She-Ra Princess of Power. LMAO. Just kidding. Shit…I dunno….uh, I would hope that I would be cool like Bugs Bunny but I am such an A.D.D. freak of nature that I mostly resemble The Tasmanian Devil.
Where can we find you on the Internet?
Oh, of course. Please come and visit me. You can find me at www.fefeeley412.wordpress.com or at my Facebook page for The Haunting of Timber Manor which can be found by typing the title of the book into the search queue for Facebook and hitting like. You can also find me under the ‘coming soon tab’ at www.dreamspinnerpress.com or by going clicking here. So please, yes, come by, say hi, and by all means enjoy the book. There are more in the works.
Thanks so much for stopping by. It’s been great fun, and yes, you can have your clothes back. I hope you’ll consider coming back for another round of naked questioning after you publish your next novel.
Thank you! I had fun!
Jacob, thank you very much for having me on your blog! I appreciate having the chance to get to know some of your readers.
My new novel, a shape-shifter romance, called Secret Chemistry released today. I’m—naturally–very excited about it!
I don’t know about you, but coming up with titles isn’t exactly my strongest suit. Whenever I start a new story the folder usually just gets labeled with the main character’s name. Sometimes it stays this way until the book is finished (worst case scenario). Most often I get some ideas soon after I start writing but nothing really seems to fit. It usually takes me a long time to settle on one title idea and become comfortable with it. I wonder how the process is for other authors?
I like my books to have short titles—it’s just a personal preference—so I try to limit myself to two or three words for the title. On the other hand, I want the title to reflect some of the book’s content or message. In my last release A Purrfect Match the title was a playful hint on Jim’s ability to shift into a cat. I also seem to have a thing for titles that start with the letter S. Secret Chemistry is already the third book to start with this letter. 😉
Secret Chemistry is pretty self-explanatory, I think. Tim and Jay, the main characters, are mates and therefore pulled together by a secret force, a certain kind of chemistry that’s characteristic for mates. At first they don’t realize what’s going on but at least one of them understands it pretty soon. The secret part in the title stands for various things: their shape-shifting is a secret to the outer world, and their relationship has to stay a secret because Jay’s not a pure-blooded werewolf. He’s a hybrid between wolf and fox and others detests him because of that. Not only do they detest him, no, some of Tim’s pack even go so far as to hunt him solely because he’s not a pure-blooded werewolf.
If you like you are most welcome to participate in the GoodReads giveaway for the paperback version of Secret Chemistry here: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/40767-secret-chemistry
Blurb:
Not all werewolf societies are created equal. The one Tim Evans grew up in detests those not of “pure blood”—so when Tim discovers his mate is Jay, a male fox-wolf hybrid ten years his junior, it shocks him, to say the least. Too young to claim his mate and too weak to protect him from the rest of the pack, Tim fears for Jay’s life. When a human gets hold of Jay, Tim believes he has lost him forever.
The next eighteen years are hell. Tim devotes his life to his family and running their stable, but anger and depression threaten to consume him. Then fate brings Jay back into his life. Tim knows Jay feels the same attraction he does—mates always do. So why won’t Jay act on it?
Excerpt: From Secret Chemistry, Chapter Two. Tim is waiting for his parents, together with his four siblings.
Tim stood at the large windowpane in the living room, gazing outside. Dusk had begun to settle. Shadows crept toward the house, dipping it into darkness. Even the flowers seemed to fold in on themselves. Their bright colors receded to dull variations of gray.
There was no sign of their mother or father.
Tim started to pace the living room. He’d tried settling down with a book like Daniel had done, but to no avail. Nervously, he paced through the room again and again.
That scent kept pushing its way into Tim’s nostrils, growing more intense by the minute. He wanted to howl in frustration but kept his voice to a low persistent grumble. At least he had deduced that the scent came from another wolf, a male wolf. He had to be quite young because he smelled vaguely like Robin.
First, the scent clearly spoke of a male wolf. Second, it had to be a pup. Third, something unknown lingered in that scent, calling out to Tim like nothing had ever done before.
Tim couldn’t deny his interest in other boys. He had tried liking girls, like his buddies did, but no girl had ever aroused him. Some of the other boys, though… yeah, he had jerked off at the thought of some of them.
He knew he was different and had to come out to his family at some point. He preferred that point to be in the future—a future far, far away. His parents would love him, no matter what, but they would be disappointed in him.
Tim shivered slightly. He hated disappointing his family; he valued their opinion and their respect and feared losing that.
That scent kept luring him. It confused him even as it touched something primal deep within him. It wasn’t sexual, more… spiritual, maybe? Tim didn’t know. A low, pained groan escaped his mouth.
“Tim? Are you okay?” Daniel asked, looking up from his book.
Tim startled and almost tripped over his feet. “What? Yeah, sure.”
“Really? You’re… skittish.”
“Skittish?” Tim snorted. “I’m just burning off some energy.”
“You’ll burn a hole in the carpet if you keep pacing back and forth on the same path for much longer.”
Debra, Laura, and Robin interrupted their play to look at Tim. He flushed, and before he could process what he was doing, he snarled at them. Debra cried out, whereas Laura pulled a baffled-looking Robin on her lap.
“Leave me alone!”
“Hey, hey, stay calm, Tim.” Daniel said, setting his book aside.
“Don’t tell me what to do!” Tim shot back hotly.
Annoyed, he wiped sweat away from his forehead. It was hot in the room, intolerably hot.
That scent filled his nose completely now, and nothing else registered. Tim staggered; he couldn’t think straight anymore. He could only think of hunting down the originator of the scent, burying his nose into the other one’s fur and never letting him go.
A yelp tore free when Daniel grabbed his shoulders to stop his pacing. Wild-eyed and panting, he looked at his brother. Daniel’s eyes widened before he whispered, “Oh shit!”
“What? What’s going on with him?” Laura demanded to know.
“He made Robin cry!” Debra added.
“He did not!” Laura replied. “Look, he’s quiet but not scared.”
A harried smile crossed Daniel’s face. To himself, he muttered, “That’s because he’s not only cute, he totally gets what this is about.”
Tim didn’t have a clue what Daniel was talking about, but the urge to run was too strong now. “Daniel, I have to get out. I can’t stay inside.”
“Tim, I can’t let you go outside. Neither Dad nor Mom would ever forgive me if I let you go outside now.”
“Please, Daniel!” Tim pleaded.
He needed to get out, to get to that enticing scent. Whoever the originator was, Tim knew he was in trouble. Tim needed to get him away from the fights; he needed to protect him, no matter what.
“No, Tim.”
Tim shifted, fast. Leaving Daniel no chance to intervene, Tim ran. He jumped over the tea party on the floor, which elicited a laugh from Robin and a terrified cry from Debra. Tim couldn’t stop.
No way could he stop now.
The scent pulled and Tim had to follow.
At the front door, he shifted only partway, so he could open the door. Outside, Tim completed the shift. An eerie howl came from the clearing a few miles away, stopping Tim on the porch. Another howl answered, then more swiftly followed. The wolves had gathered to start a hunt, a deadly hunt.
Tim’s tail tucked itself between his hind legs of its own accord and his fur stood up. That scent became even stronger.
Tim glanced over his shoulder and saw his siblings’ frightened faces, but knew he couldn’t stay at home. Daniel would stay with them and keep them safe; he was sure of that.
I have to go. I’m sorry.
“Tim!”
Author Bio:
Chris T. Kat lives in the middle of Europe, where she shares a house with her husband of many years and their two children. She stumbled upon the M/M genre by luck and was swiftly drawn into it. She divides her time between work, her family—which includes chasing after escaping horses and lugging around huge instruments such as a harp—and writing. She enjoys a variety of genres, such as mystery/suspense, paranormal, and romance. If there’s any spare time, she happily reads for hours, listens to audiobooks, or crafts.
Blog: http://christikat.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/christi_kat
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/ChrisTKat
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChrisTKat
Buy link for Secret Chemistry:
e-book: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3520
paperback: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3521
I’m over at Romance with SASS today talking about polyamorous relationships and my latest release 3. This was a fun interview, where I discuss the origins of the novel, preconceived bias on polyamorous relationships, and how my novel breaks some common romance conventions. Click here to read the post.
Tinnean tagged me as part of the Next Big Thing Blog Hop, and I couldn’t have been happier to participate! While I hate chatting about myself, I just absolutely LOOOOOOOVE talking about the books I’m working on. I’m kinda like an expectant mother who rubs her belly while discussing the baby names being considered and the color the nursery is going to be painted. It’s really an exciting time to be in the middle of a work, still trying to figure out all the details that will get me to the ending as I have imagined.
For those of you who don’t know me and have followed Tinnean’s link here, I’m a relatively new author. My first book 3 released from Dreamspinner on October 15. My second book, also, from Dreamspinner, is titled The Gifted One and will be released in March/April. Prior to Dreamspinner, I also self-published a book titled Moral Authority.
But, let’s talk about my current work in progress, which is why I’m here as part of The Next Big Thing Blog Hop.
1. What is the working title of your book?
When Love Takes Over is the title, and this book will be Book One of a series I’m calling The Provincetown Series. The books will all take place in Provincetown, Massachusetts, which is, in my opinion, one of the best places in the world. If you’ve never been or heard about Provincetown (or Ptown as it is most commonly referred to), it is a fabulous place on the tip of Cape Cod, where being gay is norm and where acceptance is everywhere. The town is rife with romantic potential with an eclectic cast of characters set amidst its windswept dunes, abundant starry nights, and warm summer days. Provincetown, however, can also present many obstacles to those who aren’t careful. There are no rules in Provincetown, and relationships both solid and newly formed can hit snags among the many scantily dressed men ready to party, the numerous clubs and events with free flowing alcohol, and a casual sexual attitude.
Each book in The Provincetown Series will focus on different main character(s) and chronicle their individual ups and downs as they navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of romance in a town filled with endless opportunities for love and heartache.
2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
My husband and I have vacationed in Provincetown every summer for the past 6 years, and we are currently in the middle of making arrangements for our return this summer. With as much time as we’ve spent there, I’ve witnessed couples destroyed by the surrounding temptations or made stronger and rise above their foibles. With all I’ve seen, I couldn’t help but turn those adventures into novels.
For When Love Takes Over specifically, I wanted to write a light-hearted, fun story about two men, who both had no intention of falling in love. They are polar opposites in almost every way. Zach is an introverted, insecure, struggling author, and Van is an extroverted, extremely confident, porn star. In Provincetown, they are looking for fun and fantasy to escape the problems in their lives, but after meeting each other, love takes over and sends them to a place neither of them ever expected.
3. What is the genre of the book?
This book is a contemporary m/m romance. There are no action/adventure sequences or murder plots. It’s all about the hilarity, hijinks, and happiness that can occur between two stubborn men who fight tooth and nail against a force bigger than the both of them combined.
4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
This actually required some thought as I actually used pictures from the Internet of what I imagined Zach Kelly (the author) and Van Pierce (the porn star) to look like, but if I were the casting director, I would choose Toby Stephens to play Zach and Channing Tatum to play Van.
Toby Stephens as Zach Kelly
Channing Tatum as Van Pierce
Zach Kelly (how I wrote him)
Van Pierce (as I wrote him)
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
I have enough trouble writing a two page synopsis. Trying to come up with one sentence is almost impossible. But here goes: After a messy break up, Zach comes to Provincetown looking to find himself and his writing voice; instead, he finds the alluring Van, who causes him to re-think how he’s lived and loved.
6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency/publisher?
I’m actually planning on pitching the book/series to Dreamspinner, so keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!
7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It took me almost two months to write the first draft, and boy, it was fun being able to throw myself back into Provincetown and experience it through the eyes of Zach and Van.
8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
That’s a hard question. I’d like to think that this novel has a Tales of the City Armistead Maupin-like quality, but that may just be in my own head. 🙂
9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Basically like I said earlier, my previous experiences in Provincetown inspired me. I wanted to capture the essence of the city and tell its unique story through the characters who seek solace on the tip of Cape Cod.
10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Well, there’s a pretty hilarious scene in a leather shop where Zach and Van first meet. Let’s just say there’s a rather rotund fellow trying to squeeze himself into a full body rubber suit, and what happens when he falls down sets the stage for the main characters to speak their first words to each other. Beyond that, there’s an underwear party, naked men traipsing in the dunes, and two rather hilarious drag queens named Penny Poison and Suzy Wroughtinkrotch (pronounced Rotten Crotch) 😉
Up Next is Lily Grace, who’ll continue the hop on January 14 and and E.M. Feeley Jr., who is scheduled for January 17. Stop by and check them out!
I blogged about the New Year and my novel 3 on Guys Like Romance, Too! Click here to find out what New Year’s means to me.