Hi everyone,
Today I’m sharing an inside look at
the making of my gay romance, A Secret Match. It’s a sizzling contemporary novel
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.
Happy Reading!
Kelli
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?
A Mild
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. 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:
Don’t miss
the book that introduced readers to Ev and Vin, A Deceptive Match.
