Hi romance lovers!
A
Secret Match is my contemporary gay romance set in the
world of professional wrestling. It’s a follow-up book (of sorts) to my M/F
wrestling romance, A Deceptive Match. Technically, the book isn’t a sequel because
it’s a gay romance and falls into a different romance genre… But it’s closely connected
because it focuses on Everett Kinkade, a secondary character I introduced in A
Deceptive Match.
In that book Ev is the best friend of wrestling champ Vinnie Valentine. They’ve been together for years as tag-team champs, confidantes, and are as close as brothers. I fell in love with Ev so much while writing A Deceptive Match I knew he needed his own book.
And I knew it wouldn’t be an easy one.
Ev is a
gay professional wrestler who has lots of insecurities and personal issues to
overcome. Although he’s been in a long-term relationship with his boyfriend, Josh,
he’s kept their involvement a secret. Aside from Josh nobody except Vinnie (and
Danni, the heroine from A Deceptive Match) know he’s gay. He
has a hard enough time dealing with his sexuality on a personal level, and on a
professional level—forget it.
So
naturally I put the screws to Ev—right in the first scene. When the book opens,
Josh and Ev are having “going away” sex, and all seems well—until they have a
major argument. Josh is tired of being hidden away like a “dirty secret” and
wants Ev to come out or at least acknowledge their relationship to someone in
their life.
Ev
refuses for several reasons. His wrestling persona is a heartthrob who women fantasize about, and he needs to maintain his image
if he wants to keep his job. Obviously, coming out would threaten his livelihood.
(This book was written before it was “acceptable” for wrestlers to come out.) He’s
also afraid of what people will think about him if they know he’s gay. After a
heated exchange, Josh gives him an ultimatum and walks out.
Ev is
distraught and turns to his best friend and fellow wrestler, Vinnie for advice.
Danni and Vinnie play a crucial role in Ev’s story—both in his personal journey—and
in the ring.
The
head of the wrestling organization, Nick August, tells Ev he has to go along
with a “steal my woman” angle involving Vinnie and Danni. As part of the
storyline, Ev has to kiss Danni in front of a live audience. This is the
turning point in the book. Ev is torn between living a lie and being true to
himself—and in the spur of the moment, he comes out on live TV.
From
there, all hell breaks loose.
Ev
instantly regrets what he’s done and is afraid he’s just tanked his career,
some of the other wrestlers aren’t thrilled with the news, and Nick August is
beyond furious. But in true wrestling fashion, the fans think it’s all a
work—until Ev comes out again. This time, he’s out and proud.
When I
wrote the book I knew Ev and Josh would be apart for about a third of the story,
but I wanted to give readers a peek into their lives before the break-up. I
decided the best way to do that was through flashbacks. Over the course of the
book readers learn how Ev and Josh met, see their first kiss, and more. When Josh
and Ev reconnect, readers know all about them and realize they’re meant to be
together.
I love
Ev as a character. On one hand, he’s funny, sharp-witted, sexy, and a wiseass.
And on the other hand, he’s an emotionally fragile, wounded warrior who is torn
between living two lives.
A
Secret Match has everything a good wrestling storyline
needs: action, heroes, heels, drama, humor, sexy wrestlers—and in this case,
some pretty hot love scenes. It takes readers (and the characters) on an
emotional roller coaster ride. And it’s not just for wrestling fans. The
wrestling world is merely a backdrop for a tender romance and a look inside
Ev’s mind.
A
Secret Match isn’t a sequel to A Deceptive Match per se, but it takes place in the same
world of pro wrestling and many of the characters from A Deceptive Match appear
in A
Secret Match. You don’t have to read the books together or in any
particular order, and each book stands alone as an individual read.
If you
love wrestling, if you love romance, and if you loved A Deceptive Match, you’ll
love this book too. Here’s the book summary and links:
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?
Order
A Secret Match here:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FERW65A
All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/md6rZb
Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-secret-match
Don’t
miss the book that introduced Ev to fans… A
Deceptive Match:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F18X3XQ
All other platforms: https://www.books2read.com/u/3RB96j
Read reviews
here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-deceptive-match
I
welcome questions and comments from readers and other authors. You can contact
me via the form on my site or on social media.
June is
Pride month. Let’s all celebrate Love this summer!
Happy Reading,
Kelli A. Wilkins
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has
published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror
ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare
readers with her horror and mystery stories.
Her twenty-fourth romance, For
Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was
published in January 2025.
In August 2024, she released Surreal
Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and
does—happen in this anthology.
Kelli also released her fourth gay romance, A
Thousand Summer Secrets, in 2024. This tender contemporary romance
takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking
love and acceptance.
She published The Route 9 Killer, a
mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in 2023.
Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her
website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.
