Hi everyone!
It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a year since I
released A Secret Match.
Here's a look at the making of the book and a mild excerpt.
A Secret Match is a sizzling contemporary gay romance set in the world of
professional wrestling.
Before we get started, let me answer the question lots of
folks may be asking: “Why do you write gay romances? You’re not a man or gay.”
I generally respond with: “Why shouldn’t I? I wrote a vampire romance, and I’ve
never been a vampire.”
But seriously, I’m a writer. And as a writer, I write
whatever story comes to me, whether it’s a contemporary, historical,
paranormal, or gay romance. My romances are about people who meet, fall in
love, and overcome obstacles to be with each other. This basic philosophy
applies whether the characters are same-sex, different sex, or space alien and
earth girl. Love is love and romance is romance. I’m not married to one
specific genre or heat level. I go where the story and the characters take me.
So, how did A Secret Match come about? I’ve been a
wrestling fan my whole life and A Secret Match is a follow-up (of sorts) to my
other wrestling romance, A Deceptive Match. That book is about a straight
couple (Vin and Danni) and Everett (the main character from A Secret Match) is
a secondary character (and Vin’s best friend).
I loved writing for Ev—he’s one of those characters who
tries to run away with the book. I always thought that “one day” I’ll give him
a story of his own, but I didn’t have a clue as to what the plot would be. I
put thoughts of him aside and wrote other books. Then, one morning as I was
driving to work, he popped into my head with a four-line book summary. Within
an hour, I had the whole story in my head and I started writing the outline.
A big part of the storyline centers around Everett
dealing (or rather, not dealing) with his sexuality and his (un)willingness to
be open about who he really is. Ev’s longtime partner, Josh, is tired of being
kept in his “walk-in closet” and wants Ev to come out (at least to his friends
and family) but Everett is concerned about losing his job. Will fans accept a
gay wrestler? How will his boss react? Part of him wants to keep everything
just as it is because that’s safe. But another part of him longs to stop hiding
the truth.
When I wrote the book, I focused on Ev’s anguish over
being caught between two worlds: his job (where his wrestling persona is a
horny womanizer) and his secret, private life with Josh. Everett can’t balance
the two and worries about what the other wrestlers would think of him coming
out.
As Ev tells Vin (while discussing the issue of gay
athletes in sports): “… a gay baseball player doesn’t have the type of physical
contact with other guys like we do. There are all sorts of issues—changing in
the locker room, showering together… Can you imagine some of the things that
would go through the guys’ heads when I tried to put a hold on them? You think
they wouldn’t freak out when I touched them if they knew?”
Vin’s reply: “You won’t know if you never take the risk.”
And risk Ev does. After he comes out (twice, in fact—I
loved writing those scenes!), he discovers a different side to himself,
embraces who he is, and even faces down intolerant fans and homophobic
coworkers.
I enjoyed showing Everett on his journey of
self-acceptance. He’s a bit of a cocky wise-ass, and he’s definitely a fun
character to write for. I was glad to give Ev and Josh the happy-ever-after
ending they rightly deserve (and some hot love scenes!), because no matter
what, love is love, and that’s all that matters.
I hope you’ll check it out. It’s a fun blend of drama,
humor, romance, and action that M/M romance fans will love.
A
SECRET MATCH
Everett Kinkade is a world-famous professional wrestler
and the sexy heartthrob of millions of adoring female fans. But Ev has a secret
he doesn’t dare share with anyone. He’s gay.
After years of being Ev’s secret lover, Josh is tired of
hiding in the shadows and wants Ev to openly acknowledge their relationship.
Coming out is the last thing Ev wants and fears it will ruin his career.
One night in a moment of truth, Everett outs himself on
live TV. There’s no going back, and his announcement sparks a firestorm of
problems—both personally and professionally. He’s forced to come to grips with
who he really is while facing down a manipulative boss and a tag-team out to
destroy him.
Torn between living a lie and losing the man he loves, Ev
has risked everything… can he find a balance between his career and his heart?
An Excerpt:
Everett finished his beer and gazed around the living
room. It was comforting to have someone to talk to, instead of constantly
keeping everything bottled up inside. It had been years since he’d been alone
with a guy, and he liked Josh, liked him a lot. But he was worried. What if
something went wrong? What if Josh told someone?
Josh gave his shoulder a little shove. “Come on, out with
it, Muscles. Either you really love staring at my bookcase, or you’re too shy
to face me. I know you’re thinking about something behind those beautiful blue
eyes.”
“I… nah…”
“What? Anything. Say it.”
He sneaked a glance at Josh out of the corner of his eye.
“I was wondering what it would feel like to”—he bowed his head—“kiss you.”
“Why don’t we find out?” Josh took Ev’s empty beer bottle
and set it down on the marble end table. “Come here.”
He let Josh draw him into his arms. Ev closed his eyes
and waited, his heart hammering out of control.
A second later, Josh’s lips gently pressed against his.
Ev gasped and kissed him back gingerly. Josh increased the pressure, and their
mouths moved in unison. The scent of Josh’s spicy vanilla cologne washed over
him and he lost himself in the tender embrace. Josh’s beard grazed his cheek,
sending an electric tingle racing up his spine. God, this was good.
He clutched Josh tighter, holding on to him for dear
life, not daring to let go. Josh groaned and slid his tongue into his mouth. An
adrenaline rush of excitement flooded through him, and his cock sprang to life.
Dear God, he wasn’t supposed to have these kinds of
feelings, this hunger, for another man, but it felt right. The wet heat of
Josh’s tongue swirling around his drove him into a frenzy, and he kissed Josh
deeper, praying this would never end.
After a few minutes, Josh eased away. “You are amazing.
That was hot.”
Ev smiled. “It’s been so long. I forgot how good this
could be. I feel safe with you. I really do.”
Josh rested his head on Ev’s chest. “You should, because
you are. And don’t worry, we’ll take this slow. You set the pace, Muscles.
Whatever you’re comfortable with works for me.”
Order your copy of A SECRET MATCH here:
Happy Reading!
Kelli
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