Arts

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!

1. Plotter or pantser? Plotter, but things change in the final third of the book.
2. Coffee or tea? Coffee
3. What’s your favorite food? Ice Cream
4. What’s your favorite book? Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
5. What’s your favorite ice cream? Pistachio
6. What’s your favorite movie? Metropolis
7. 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.
8. 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.

Title: Pax Cymrica: The True History, part 1

Author: Ingela Bohm

Length: 82,000 words

Published: 01/31/2014

Between two passions, which one do you choose?

Michael has never really had any friends, so when Jamie starts spending time with him, he’s suspicious at first. Sure, they share a passion for music, but Jamie’s golden good looks seem destined for something bigger, better. Not that Michael is noticing Jamie’s beauty or anything…

Jamie is the first to realize that something is happening. Spellbound by Michael’s talent and fey-like softness, he’s powerless to resist. The thrill of playing together slowly turns into something else – something that, in 1975, has only been legal for eight years.

They have to stop it. The pleasure of touches as blissful as they’re terrifying can only end in disaster. When things finally start moving for Jamie’s band, it seems like the perfect way out, but the choice he faces is brutal: what’s more important – Michael, or the music?

Angsty and poetic, this slow burn romance charts every push and pull of a young love that isn’t exactly forbidden – just not allowed.

Author’s note: contains a cliffhanger.

Holy wow, this was quite a ride. This is an intense, compelling story which takes us on a heartbreaking journey of self-discovery between the main characters. Readers should be aware that this story features a lot of heavy internalized homophobia. It makes sense, given the era in which it takes place, but it may be a bit much for anyone who has grappled with those feelings. It also ends on a cliffhanger, so readers need to be aware that this is not a happily-ever-after sweet romance.

From the first page, Michael and Jamie had my attention. I loved them right away. It was easier for me to connect to Michael, in his loneliness and insecurity. But I fell in step with Jamie too, the way he so carefully began deconstructing all the lies Michael believed about himself.

I loved the slow pace of their romance and the way they had such different paths of working through what they’d always assumed about themselves. Jamie’s utter loathing for the idea that he is gay is gut-wrenching. Even at the end, he still seems to see Michael as the only person in the entire universe he is attracted to. In contrast, Michael develops enough self-awareness to accept who he is, but he’s afraid of revealing it even to Jamie—and not merely because he’s in love with him. It is achingly real in a way which most “but I can’t be gay!” stories fail to achieve.

For me, the background of the 1970s and the music were icing on the cake. This is a beautifully told love story, for sure, but it’s made even better by recalling an era in which such things were only just entering public consciousness. I would not hesitate to label this as historical fiction, though it is the recent past. The story captures aspects of the era so well, and I’m anxious to see the story progress through the turbulent 1980s.

This book is an emotional roller coaster. From the highs of sexual discovery, new love, and intense pleasure to the lows of denial, self-hatred, and fear, there isn’t a misstep to be found here. Beautifully written, and I’m already longing for the next part.

For intense emotions, a perfect slow-burn friends-to-lovers, and a promise of more to come, this gets 10/10 fountain pens.

Amazon – ARe – Barnes & Noble – iBooks – Smashwords

Note: Contains explicit material.

Michael followed Jamie’s movements as he picked up a guitar and started tuning it. The wooden body lay so perfectly in his lap, like a lover waiting to be teased into song. Jamie was born to have an instrument in his arms, under his hands. Was that what the girls saw in him? Did they want to lie draped like that across Jamie’s knees, open and longing for his touch? The image sent a small arrow down Michael’s stomach and it caught fire in his groin. Oh shit. When was he going to get some control over his brain? Now wasn’t the time to think of girls. That was for tonight, for when he was alone in his bed. For when he’d slide his hand down his burning body and grasp himself firmly, exorcise those sinful feelings from his blood with hard fingers…

He crossed his legs. Ice cubes. Grass. Jamie’s sullen sister. Yeah, that worked. The heat died down somewhat, became a slow, dull ache. Soon it would be gone.

The sofa rocked as Jamie threw himself down beside him. He was grinning. “Whatcha hiding there, young man?” he winked at his crotch.

Michael couldn’t stifle an embarrassed giggle. “It’s the fucking heat!”

“Oh, so you’re not overcome by thoughts of my sister?” Jamie said, nudging him in the ribs and waggling his eyebrows.

“Please!” Michael mimed a shudder. “You may have the same genes, but you got all the charm.”

“Oh, so it’s me you’re hot for?” Jamie laughed.

“Can you just shut up about it? I’m trying to beat it down with a stick here, but you’re not helping.”

“Because I’m sooo irresistible,” Jamie goofed in a silly voice. “I’m sorry, I can’t help it!”

“Jamie!”

Jamie chuckled and started unbuttoning his jeans. Michael’s eyes snagged on the unexpected sight, widened in shock. “What – what are you doing?”

“As you said, it’s the heat. Let’s take care of it. You’re not too much of a prude to jerk off, are you? Then afterwards we can play and you won’t be all over the place.”

Michael stared at him, uncertain. Was he joking? He didn’t seem to be. He was already digging in his underwear for what looked like a half-swollen cock. Christ, I can’t… not with him watching!

But Jamie wasn’t watching. He was leaning his head on the backrest, eyes closed, fingers wrapping around himself. “Come on, Mike, just do it,” he murmured. “We’ll both feel better afterwards.”

That was true – if he even managed to come with an audience. But as his mind returned to the insistent pulsing between his legs, that particular hurdle didn’t seem to be much of a problem. Even with Jamie present, his cock was still up for it. Moving slowly, hesitantly, Michael uncrossed his legs and began fumbling with the zipper. Jamie had already started stroking himself languidly, breath coming in deep and even waves. Face burning with equal parts mortification and excitement, Michael dipped a hand beneath his waistband and pulled himself out. Despite the summer sweat on his hand, it still felt strangely cool against his throbbing cock. Stealing a look at Jamie, he was startled to see his eyes open now, ogling him. Reddening deeper, Michael closed his fingers on his shaft, determined to see this through, to not be a prude. He could feel Jamie smiling. “See? No big deal?”

Michael snorted. “I don’t know… you’re packing some heat.” His skin tingled at saying something so inappropriate, but Jamie beamed at the praise.

“Not to toot my own horn, but…” He stopped, their eyes met, and then they both burst out laughing. “Oh God,” Jamie groaned and lay back again, forehead creased in concentration. “This won’t work if you’re going to be like that. Shut up for a minute, will you?”

Michael smiled and shook his head, but lay back too and tried to get back in the mood. It wasn’t difficult. The early summer seemed to be simmering through his veins like a golden drug, sparking new life into everything it touched. When he started stroking himself it felt like electricity. He closed his eyes and coaxed the image of that guitar back into his mind, lying like a sexy blonde in Jamie’s lap. Urged on by Michael’s seething imagination, the instrument transformed into an actual girl, sighing under the expert touch of the guitarist. Maybe Michael should be ashamed for his voyeuristic fantasies, but what was there to fantasize about where himself was involved? Kate? His cock seemed about to wilt at the mere thought. Better to conjure the lovely lady-moths attracted to the flame of Jamie. Imagining them – and all the things Jamie would do to them – that would certainly do the trick.

Breath speeding up in time with his strokes, he zoomed in on those enticing caresses, the way calloused fingertips trailed lightly over yearning skin. Beside him in the real world, Jamie was breathing faster too, lending a glow of truth to the dream. In Michael’s mind, phantom hands pulled at fabric, slowly undressed a faceless beauty, plucked her secrets from her smooth body like notes from a set of strings. Jamie’s fingers slipped down between parted legs and drew honey from the deepest well. Eyes coming half open, Michael saw the fuzzy outline of Jamie’s real hands work his own flesh. He was fast: he was close. Michael squeezed harder. He didn’t want to finish after Jamie. Matching his rhythm to his friend’s, he soon felt the build-up begin and bit back on a moan. Jamie’s face was flushed pink and his damp hair stuck to his temples as he gulped open-mouthed and greedy at the air, thrusting into nothing. Picturing that cock disappearing between a pair of thighs, Michael’s stomach clenched and he felt the warm fountain shoot out and sprinkle his stomach. At the sound he couldn’t censor, Jamie’s eyes flew open. He took in the wreckage, managed a trembling grin and then went into an athletic arch as his own orgasm took him. Michael stared as the droplets landed in mother-of-pearl constellations all over Jamie’s hot skin.

And then it hit him what they had done. Overcome with shame, he hurriedly tucked himself back inside his pants and zipped it all into place. When Jamie recovered, he wiped himself in silence. A few minutes passed before they could meet each other’s eyes again.

“So… think you can play now?” The flippant question was a hollow horse, carrying the real message: we’re okay, aren’t we?

So Michael flexed his fingers, pretended to test their strength. “I’ve still got a lot to give,” he deadpanned, and Jamie snorted a grateful laugh.

“Then what are you waiting for?”

Ingela Bohm lives in an old cinema, tucked away in a northern Swedish forest where she can wander around all day long and dictate her books. She used to dream of being an actor until an actual actor asked, “Do you really need to do it?” That’s when she realized that the only thing she really needed to do was to write. She has since pretended to be a dietician, a teacher, a receptionist and a cook, but only to conceal her real identity.

Her first imaginary friend was called Grabolina and lived in her closet. Nowadays she has too many imaginary friends to count, but at least some of them are out of the closet. Her men may not be conventionally handsome, but they can charm your pants off, and that’s all that matters.

Ingela’s more useless talents include reading tarot cards, killing pot plants and drawing scandalous pictures that no one gets to see. She can’t walk in heels and she’s stopped trying, but she has cycled 12 000 miles in the UK and knows which campsites to avoid if you don’t like spiders. If you see her on the train you will wonder what age she is.

 Bibliography:

The Pax Cymrica series:

Just Playing

The Road Taken

Release

Cutting Edge

Standalone novels:

Rival Poet

Not Safe For Work

Last Communion

All You Can Eat

Short stories:

Seven Thousand Minutes

Strings Attached

The Subjunctive Mood

Beneath The Mask

To get updates on Ingela Bohm’s work, please sign up for her newsletter or connect at her

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Amazon author page

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Goodreads

Today I’m chatting with Ingela Bohm about writing, life, and her current project. Welcome! Let’s talk a little about Just Playing.

What inspired you to write this story?

Oh, wow… Well, the short answer is: the seventies. 😀 I was introduced to seventies rock music by my husband, and it was love at first hearing. Not only the actual songs, but the way it all felt so real back then. How the music wasn’t necessarily perfect, but it was alive, and it came from the heart. More than that, it was the way those bands interacted. I love solo artists, too, but there’s something about a band that is so fascinating. How it becomes like a small, close-knit family on the road. How they bicker and argue, but also depend on each other.

AM says: Ah, yep, the 1970s. I was only a kid, but I grew up around people who were very much a product of the times.

Is there a character you feel especially connected to? Why?

Oh, Michael, to be sure. Not that I am like him, exactly, but I identify with some of his hang-ups. Also, there’s sort of a real-life person I based him on, someone I really like, so it makes me extra happy when people feel a connection to him or find him endearing. I find him endearing, too! He wouldn’t hurt a fly, and yet he’s so hard on himself.

AM says: Michael is just so wonderful. I have a real soft spot for sweet, sensitive types.

What was the hardest part of writing this?

Actually, the hard part was cutting stuff. I had a lot of scenes in my first edition that were scrapped for the second one, because they didn’t push the story forward. (For the abnormally interested, those scenes found a second life on my blog. :D)

AM says: I’ll have to check that out because I would happily have read more!

Choose a favorite line or short passage. What do you like about it?

Maybe this is a strange favorite, but when I think about it, this passage stands out:

The setting sun painted Michael’s face and hair in copper shades, and when he looked up, his eyes burned with an elusive lion tawny colour.

Thiiiis is weird…

It’s the last line that does it. It’s Jamie’s internal reaction to seeing Michael lit up by the golden evening light, and I don’t know, I just identify with him so much here. That feeling when you look into someone’s eyes and the world just comes loose from its moorings, you know?

AM says: That’s an excellent snippet. I remember being really captivated by that moment when I read it.

Tell us a little about any upcoming projects.

I’m currently outlining the fifth and final book in the series that began with Just Playing. This one will hopefully be the cherry on the cake. It’s the book I’ve been looking forward to writing ever since I started putting the first one together. It’s the “riding into the sunset” book, and I will probably cry when I type the last words.

AM says: Oh, man. If the rest of this series is as good as the first one, you’ll have ME in tears at the end. Now I’m wondering if I should do that to myself! Eh, who am I kidding…of course I will.

Who do you write for (your audience or who you hope to reach)?

People who think they feel too much, or feel the wrong thing.

AM says: Definitely a good audience to aim for. There are a lot of us out here.

What do you wish people knew about your books or characters?

I wish they knew what Michael’s voice sounds like.

AM says: Yeah, I wish that too! Also wish I knew what he looks like—he’s so sure he’s not attractive, but other people seem to disagree.

Are there any common themes you see in your work?

Self-acceptance – and the lack thereof!

AM says: That’s probably why I loved it. So many of us have been there.

Word Sprints!

1. Do the people in your life know about your writing? Yep, everyone knows.
2. What makes you unique? Living in an old cinema.
3. What’s one of your hobbies? Photography
4. What’s on your playlist? Kaiser Chiefs.
5. What superpower do you wish you had? Being invisible.

Thanks for stopping by, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

 

Author: Isobel Starling

Title: As You Wish

Length: 141 pages

Publication Date: August 28, 2015

Tags: M/M

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25869161-as-you-wish

 

1 wedding, 2 best men, one hell of a love story!

Declan Ramsay’s brother Oliver was marrying Annabelle Aiken at a fairy tale Castle on the banks of Loch Ness in Scotland. The bride and groom decided, so that he didn’t feel left out, Annabelle’s gay younger brother Sam Should share the best man duties with Declan.

Declan had never met the kid who was to be his joint best man.
Sam Aiken was abroad, working as an interpreter and finishing his studies. He wouldn’t meet Declan until a few days before the wedding, so the best men communicated and planned their speech by email for more than a year.

But on meeting Sam Aiken, Declan is surprised to realise the kid isn’t a kid at all, but a tall, blond and athletic young man. Declan is sure he’s straight, so he’s alarmed by the ferocious attraction he feels for Sam. And as the attraction is reciprocated, the events at Dunloch Castle change everything Declan has ever believed about himself.

But is Samuel Aiken all that he appears to be?

By all rights, I should have loved this. I mean, what could be better than a whole novella inspired by The Princess Bride? It just so happens, that’s one of my favorite movies (and, like the characters, I can recite entire sections of dialog). Unfortunately, I didn’t experience true love with this one.

The first—and biggest—problem I had was that it’s gay-for-you (rather than developing self-awareness or out-for-you). I don’t do gay-for-you. I hate them with a fiery passion. I find most of them to be bi-erasure, and I get sick of being reminded periodically that someone is Very Definitely Not Gay, especially when it’s played for laughs. It’s annoying. I’m sure gay-for-you does occasionally happen in real life, but from these books, you’d think it was common. It’s really more just a fantasy of some gay men and straight women to “convert” one, and it’s…well, kind of objectifying as well as ignorant of bisexuality.

Anyway, I was ready to throw something after the fiftieth time Declan announced his not-gayness. He literally thought it during a sex scene. The worst part? It wasn’t even necessary. Declan could have been closeted (his boss was certainly homophobic enough). Or he could have been the playboy sort, not wanting to settle down. Which is more or less what he was, only with women. Or he could have been grappling with internalized homophobia (all right, maybe not in a romantic comedy, but still). Or he could have been freaking bisexual. Gay-for-you was absolutely not central to the plot here in any way. In fact, it wasn’t even necessary for the sex, since there was zero awkwardness.

Speaking of which, that’s basically what most of this was—one long-ass sex scene. It was a bit unbelievable that Definitely Not Gay Declan was so capable at sex on the first try and never did find anything he disliked doing. We got to read all about it. Which is fine, but I also don’t care much for erotica, so that didn’t appeal to me (or mitigate the other things I didn’t like).

On that front, I wasn’t too thrilled with the overt misogyny. Let’s go over a few: The annoying women (Annabelle, Freya); the awful women (the two whose names I forget but were stalking Declan because he was apparently THAT HOT); the absence of any other kind of women in a meaningful way; Declan’s assessment that men are better at sex because they have man-bits (seriously? not how it works); Sam being disgusted that Declan’s appendage had only ever touched vaginas.

Finally, one other detail that was small and brief but really bothered me was Sam’s commentary on his time in Saudi Arabia. There was no reason at all to mention Sam witnessing a brutal murder of two gay men. It came across as “look how savage those brown people are.” I’m sure that was not the intent, but it left a bad taste because there was nothing to counter it. The incident was so insignificant to the plot of the novella that I can’t fathom why it needed to be included.

There are certainly a few positives. Aside from the constant head-hopping (sometimes within a paragraph), the writing style was excellent. All the quoting of The Princess Bride was hilarious and fun and made the sex sweet and playful. There were a number of terrific and hilarious moments throughout. And in the end, I loved the surprise so much I actually squealed out loud. Had this story been minus the other elements, that would have made it a delightful romp in the style of any good romantic comedy with an outstanding plot twist.

My understanding is that this is a bit of a prequel to the actual novel. I wish I could say I would read it, except I don’t want more of Declan pondering his not-gayness. Plus, I’m not much in the market for poorly-drawn women and people of color, and I can’t trust that those won’t feature in the novel. Ultimately, I can only conclude this was a giant case of “not the story for me.”

For being blindsided by gay-for-you, annoying women, and a heap of disappointment, this gets 4/10 fountain pens.

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/563859

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/As-You-Wish-Romance-Shatterproof-ebook/dp/B012T8J92U

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-asyouwishanmmromancenovella-1872206-351.html

Barnes&Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/as-you-wish-isobel-starling/1122410322?ean=9781519575210

Inspiration strikes at the strangest of times.

Born in Germany, Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career making art.  She relocated to the UK and, faced with the dreaded artist’s creative block, Isobel started to write and found she loved it more than making art.

Isobel’s first novel “Schonling” was a best seller in the GLBT-Bisexual genre on the ‘All Romance ebooks’ site.  She has just completed her sixth book, and signed French translation rights for novella “As You Wish”.

She adores the M/M genre and enjoys writing about wounded souls and the complexities of personal relationships.  Despite not having found proof yet, Isobel believes in love at first sight and endeavors to give her men a thrilling journey and a satisfying ending!

http://isobelstarling.wix.com/author

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Isobel-Starling/616067078525832

https://twitter.com/isobel_starling

https://isobelstarling.wordpress.com

Today I’m welcoming Isobel Starling to chat about writing, life, and their current project. Welcome! Let’s talk a little about As You Wish.

What inspired you to write this story?

The story “As You Wish” began as a prompt through the Goodreads M/M Romance group DRITC event.  I’d read some wonderful DRITC stories, and was fascinated to learn about the writing process.  I had written Fanfic before but never written from a prompt.

I missed the first round, where story prompts were released and authors could claim the one they wanted to write on a first come, first served basis.  Then, months later a writer dropped out and a prompt became available.  Author Kaje Harper put the link on her Facebook page and I clicked and saw it first.  The story prompt was about two men at their siblings wedding, and I was to tell the story of how they got together.  The accompanying photo made me claim the prompt straight away.  It pictured two men in kilts, their arms around one another, exchanging a loaded, naughty look.  They became my characters Sam and Declan, and there and then I lost my heart to them. I was given a six weeks deadline, but I was just so obsessed, I wrote the book in three weeks.

Is there a character you feel especially connected to? Why?

I feel connected to both Sam and Declan equally.  Their back stories have been bubbling in my head since I saw the initial prompt image a year ago.  Since writing “As You Wish”, I have written two more books in the “Shatterproof Bond” series.  I know Sam and Declan intimately and I love writing their stories, watching their characters develop and discover their secrets.  Their connection with each other is so vital and all encompassing.  They have some really bad times to face, however the strength of their love holds them together, and it’s a really beautiful concept.

What was the hardest part of writing this?

Maybe readers will find me cocky for saying this.  But the story came effortlessly. It was my obsession and joy, and just fell out of my head and onto the page.  I suppose if I had to pinpoint a hard part, it was that I was typing so furiously for hours and days, that I inflamed my RSI and had to rest my hands for a few weeks after I finished.

Choose a favorite line or short passage. What do you like about it?

I love this passage, because it’s not only romantic- they were watching “The Princess Bride” movie together, and sharing snacks, but it encompasses the moment Declan surrenders to his feelings for Sam.

 “His fingertips met the back of Declan’s veined, broad hand in the bag of chocolates.  He allowed his fingers to continue to slide inside.  Under the cover of the semidarkness and the flickering light of the flat screen TV, both men lingered there for several moments, before Sam drew his empty hand away.  Sam’s heart was ready to pound out of his rib cage.  Declan had not flinched or swatted his hand.  Did Declan really share his attraction?  Sam waited for a beat and then put his hand back in the bag.  Declan roughly gripped his fingers.  Sam’s heart leapt.  There it was, all the proof Sam needed.”

Tell us a little about any upcoming projects.

I have two books that come after “As You Wish” That I wrote consecutively.  “Illuminate the Shadows” was released on 9th May, and the follow on “Return to Zero” comes out on 6th June.

I have two novels that are nearly complete- one is the last book in my “Pretty Boy” series, called “Sweet Thing”, and another is the first in a fantasy trilogy that I have been sitting on for a couple of years.  I will also write more for Sam and Declan.

What are some of the jobs besides writer that you’ve held?

Before I was a writer, I was a professional artist for twenty years.  My working life was varied, and that is what I loved about it.  I worked primarily in fine art- with painting, drawing, photography and public sculpture- my main area of study being the male nude.

For extra income I diversified into the creative side of theatre, where I designed and created theater sets, props and costumes.  However, I got sick, and my permanent medical condition makes the stressful life of working in theatre, impossible.  Now I write full time and l love it.

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

I think for any author- self published or published by a traditional publisher, completing the first novel is an amazing accomplishment.  Having the guts to release writing to the world is such a scary proposition.  But my first novel “Schonling” turned out to be a best seller on All Romance eBooks, and I consider that pretty damn amazing.

What do you see yourself doing in another 1, 5, and/or 10 years?

I hope I will still be healthy, working creatively on writing and my art.

Word Sprints!

1. Plotter or pantser? Pantser until I run out of steam, and then I plot the gaps in the story
2. Coffee or tea? Tea
3. What’s your favorite book? Can’t choose just one!  “The Tawny Man Trilogy” By Robin Hobb.
4. What was the last thing you read? “A bitter Taste of Sweet Oblivion” By Jordan Castillo Price
5. What genre (other than your own) do you like to read? Fantasy