Title: Nate and the New Yorker
Author: Kevin Klehr
Length: 87 pages
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Publication Date: March 18, 2016
Cameron has it all. He’s rich, lives in Manhattan, and even has a cross-dressing butler. But then he meets Nate, an Australian who’s bitter about love. Cameron is determined to turn this realist into a dreamer by sharing his world of classy restaurants, Broadway shows and fabulous parties. And while Nate’s friends see the makings of a fantasy romance, it’s Nate who has to learn that in order to open his heart, he has to face a painful secret.
This was an exceptionally cute, sweet story with more depth than I was expecting. Mostly, I assumed I was getting a modern-day fairy tale, romantic comedy version. Which is pretty much true, and I enjoyed that aspect very much. What surprised and touched me was the underlying theme of letting go of the past. I thought it was woven in so well and in such a charming way.
On the whole, this story is pretty fluffy. So if you’re mostly in it for a meet-cute and a happily ever after, low on heat, you should enjoy the novella on that level. It is indeed a fairy tale, so it requires a lot of suspension of disbelief. I’m not quite sure how a cafe owner could take an extended vacation with a couple of employees, both in the employees’ ability to pay for it and being away for that long. But whatever, it led to Nate’s meeting of his “charming American.”
Sure, there’s a lot of tropes in here—the rich American playboy, the instant-love, the happily ever after, and the Plot Twist I Won’t Spoil about Nate’s ex. But so what? I think most of that was the point. It was meant to be a feel-good romance, and it never pretended to be anything else (including realistic). This was a good one in the tradition of the lighthearted romantic comedy, regardless of who the main love interests are.
Besides the humor, what did get to me was the storyline about Nate’s ex. I really can’t say much (because that would ruin the surprise), but it was a lot more heartbreaking than I had expected. I loved the seamless way it blended into Nate’s relationship struggles with Cameron. Both men were people who didn’t know how to fall in love with each other, for different reasons. Both of them learned to let go of what was holding them back. There’s a lot in there to mull over, and that’s the mark of good writing.
This definitely isn’t the story for everyone. If you have trouble letting go of your expectations when it comes to romance, and if you’re a person who prefers a realistic relationship story, then this won’t suit you. This also isn’t the novella for anyone looking for something steamy. But if you’re in the mood to escape for a couple of hours and come away with a happy sigh, then definitely pick this one up.
For mildly snarky humor, a feel-good romance, and a couple of deep thoughts on life and love, this gets 8/10 fountain pens.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nate-New-Yorker-Kevin-Klehr-ebook/dp/B01D6IRXW0/
Wilde City: https://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-romance/nate-and-the-new-yorker/#.V1SFIr7SuOU
Kevin lives with his long-term partner in their humble apartment (affectionately named Sabrina), in Australia’s own ‘Emerald City,’ Sydney.
From an early age Kevin had a passion for writing, jotting down stories and plays until it came time to confront puberty. After dealing with pimple creams and facial hair, Kevin didn’t pick up a pen again until he was in his thirties. His handwritten manuscript was being committed to paper when his social circumstances changed, giving him no time to write. Concerned, his partner, Warren, snuck the notebook out to a friend who in turn came back and demanded Kevin finish his novel. It wasn’t long before Kevin’s active imagination was let loose again.
Kevin’s first novel, Drama Queens with Love Scenes, has been relaunched via Wilde City Press along with the sequel, Drama Queens with Adult Themes. Plus his Romance ebook, Nate and the New Yorker is out now.
Kevin is currently working on the third in the series, Drama Queens and Devilish Schemes.
Web site: https://kevinklehr.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.klehr.1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevinklehr
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4298144.Kevin_Klehr
Today I’m chatting with Kevin Klehr about writing, life, and his current project. Welcome! Let’s talk a little about Nate and the New Yorker.
What inspired you to write this story?
I have a strange answer – watching every episode of Sex and the City over the last year. I’m not one to read the traditional romance genre, but reading about (or watching) realistic human relationships intrigues me. So I wanted my short ebook to be similar to the way this show represented both friendship and romance.
AM says: Gotta admit, that’s not a connection I’d have made, but it makes sense.
Is there a character you feel especially connected to? Why?
This is a hard one to answer as it was important for me to make sure that this was an ensemble piece, which, in the sequel I am writing at the moment, all the characters are developed further.
But if I was to answer I guess Nate himself, as the story is told in the first person. When my partner read it, he kept saying that I had used our twenty-five year relationship as the blueprint in so many scenes, yet there is not much that is similar between the two love interests and us. I was never a waiter and he was never rich, or American for that matter.
But Nate’s sense of independence is very much my own. Like my character I could never let someone spoil me without feeling that they held all the cards.
AM says: Oh, I can completely relate to that!
What was the hardest part of writing this?
When I initially decided to write this, I wanted to work on something closer to a traditional mm romance. But being traditional is never my style. I have other romance novels set in the Afterlife with angels and magic spells, so as I wrote this short ebook, my imagination wouldn’t let me go down well-travelled paths.
The last confrontation between Nate and his ex was both hard and rewarding. The conversation that they shared as the words spilled out on the page, moved me. It’s the weird thing about being an author. Sometimes your characters just talk and tell you what to type.
AM says: That was utterly heartbreaking.
Choose a favorite line or short passage. What do you like about it?
Both Cameron and I had Hawaiian shirts to wear, while Rowena sported a tie-dyed sarong and an afro wig. And around us, interesting guests wore chic little skirts, James Dean-style jackets, hippie gear, and mod wear.
“You haven’t introduced me yet,” said a middle-aged woman to Cameron. Her rust-colored coat had a masculine cut. Yet she elegantly held a long-stemmed cigarette holder with something that smelled very much like a joint burning on the end.
“Sorry,” said my charming American. “This is my friend, Nathan. And this well-dressed lady is my Aunt Beverley.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
She took my hand and kissed it. “I hope you don’t think me too forward, it’s just that you’ve got such fascinating features.”
“My aunt likes to flirt.”
“It runs in the family,” she replied. She gave me a measured wink. “Now, nephew, where have you been hiding this handsome Englishman?”
“I’m Australian.”
“It’s your accent. I never can tell the difference.”
“I need you!” yelled a girl in a flower necklace. She was the drummer of the band and was addressing our host.
“It’s time,” Cameron said.
“Time for what?” I asked.
He kissed me on the cheek and then headed for the microphone stand.
“You’re in for a treat,” whispered Aunt Beverley, her voice raspy from years of smoking.
“He sings?” I asked.
“He sings,” she replied.
A laid-back strum of the bass guitar started the song, followed by a drum beat. Then the vocal. And before I knew it, I was being serenaded in front of a room full of acquaintances. But, wow! What a unique experience.
“I’ve never seen him go out on a limb for someone like this before,” said his aunt.
I smiled politely, then closed my eyes. He was crooning. His honey voice made my soul rise out of my body and search for a dream. And in the hip nightclub that appeared in my mind, he wore a gray suit with a crimson tie, standing tall in front of the trumpet section who were waiting for their cue. And I was the only one in the club.
“Where are you?” asked Aunt Beverley in a low tone.
I wanted to say I was in love but stopped myself. I realized it was rude to have my eyes closed during Cam’s song. I opened them. He had me in his sights. I wanted to jump into the waves on his Hawaiian shirt and end up on a deserted island with just him and me.
“Would you like a toke of my cigarette, Nathan?”
“No, thank you. I think the fumes have already hit me.”
A reviewer who I asked to beta read another project told me how I had a surreal quality to my writing. It’s something I enjoy a lot. I like my characters to go off on little daydreams or be in a situation and see it as a different scenario.
In my Drama Queen novels I get to do this a lot as those books are set in the Afterlife. All sorts of characters and settings are allowed to exist. But through fantasy we can say a lot about reality.
AM says: I would agree with that. There’s definitely an element of fantasy even within the real-world context. But that’s what makes it a good fairytale.
Tell us a little about any upcoming projects.
I’m currently writing the Nate sequel, called Nate’s Last Tango. All the characters return and we find out more about each one.
My friends challenged me to write erotica which I found quite hard. The result is the first draft of a piece called From Top to Bottom. It’s a comedy with sex about some gay guys trying something different. In the process I’ve learnt that sex scenes are not easy to write.
And I have another project about a man named Tayler who lives two generations into the future, who longs for real human friendships in a world where everything and everyone is online.
AM says: Those all sound interesting! I have to agree as an author, sex scenes are not easy to write. Though I have to admit, as a reader, I’m a lot more interested in the rest of the story anyway.
Who do you write for (your audience or who you hope to reach)?
It seems that I write for women and gay men, even though I didn’t have a specific audience in mind when I started. It just happened that way. And I find women and the more sensitive gay men who are not looking for erotica, like my stories.
That said, I have the first draft of an erotic tale up my sleeve. I’m sure that will skew my audience.
I also asked a gay elder from a review site who always likes my books to beta read for me. When he realised that the manuscript was more mainstream than gay themed, he didn’t want to read it. He said that he has lived a lifetime invisible in literature, and now that there is an explosion of GLBTI writing, why would he want to read anything else. It’s a shame because I really trust his opinion.
AM says: Aw, that’s too bad. I love when a book with QUILTBAG characters is more mainstream because we’re part of a bigger picture!
What do you wish people knew about your books or characters?
Whenever a friend says a quotable line, I record it into my smartphone and use it in my books. Entire scenarios have been used from real life in my novels, just cleverly disguised with enough fantasy to make them unrecognisable.
Am says: Ha! That’s excellent.
Are there any common themes you see in your work?
Don’t ask me why, but death seems to come up a lot. Also, friendship, grieving and love. One of the nicest things anyone has said in a review of my work was for my first novel, Drama Queens with Love Scenes. The blogger alleged that all the characters seemed to develop throughout the novel. It is something I strive for, so that every character is three dimensional, makes mistakes, and is in themselves, walking contradictions.
AM says: That’s the kind of story I like, when people grow and change throughout.
Word Sprints!
- Plotter or pantser? Plotter, but things change in the final third of the book.
- Coffee or tea? Coffee
- What’s your favorite food? Ice Cream
- What’s your favorite book? Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
- What’s your favorite ice cream? Pistachio
- What’s your favorite movie? Metropolis
- What’s your favorite of your published works? Drama Queens with Love Scenes. It was my first novel, so there’s always a soft spot for the first.
- What’s the best vacation spot? Anywhere I’ve never been. I like to explore new cities.
Thanks for stopping by! Looking forward to reading more.
Thanks Amy for having me over. It was a blast.
I wanted to clarify something because you’re the second person who has pondered how a waiter can afford an overseas trip. Our wages in Australia are higher than Americans. Our minimum is twice yours.
Plus I think in the US some waiters have to rely on tips because they’re not being paid properly. This scared me when someone said it. Correct me if I’m wrong on that fact. If I’m right, then where’s their union and why isn’t something done about it? I have found US waiters very flirty, obviously needing their tips.
A waiter friend of mine has enjoyed long travels overseas. So it is possible from this part of the world.
That explains a lot! Yes, our waitstaff are paid poorly, usually because it’s expected they will rely on tips. The same goes with many other service professions, such as hotel staff, tour guides, etc. Often, they have to share tips with other staff. Our minimum wage isn’t all that high anyway, but employers are only required to pay what would equal minimum wage when combined with tips. Not only that, wait staff are typically treated really badly here. Anything that doesn’t go perfectly, there are plenty of people who blame the server and then won’t tip. It’s not surprising that you’ve come across so many flirty servers, or even ones who simply seem…overly friendly. It’s expected behavior here.