Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes

Thank you for having me on your blog today to chat about my new book, Better Than Chance, Dani!  As a relatively new author, I have to admit I tend to think of myself as a reader first.  I love writing, don’t get me wrong.  In fact, I take great satisfaction at being able to successfully (I hope) capture a story in my head and put it into words.  However, I love a good love story.Getting lost in a beautiful story with strong, interesting character is heaven!

As a reader, I am very open to any type of twist an author may want to apply to the tried and true concepts of attraction.  Straight guy falls for gay man, rich guy falls for poor… or the good ol’ opposites attract.  But here’s the thing… I need to believe in their story.  That’s what makes a romance novel exciting to me.  The voyeur in me wants to be a part of the journey.  Although I’m not a huge fan of excess angst, the truth is nothing good tends to come easily.  That is what Jay finds when he falls for his boss, the incredibly sexy Peter Morgan in Better Than Chance.

Jay has a crush when he first starts working on a project under Peter’s leadership.  What begins as a great opportunity at work with fabulous eye candy turns into a personal journey of sorts for the easy going, sweet natured Jay.  Jay finds nothing is as it seems and communication isn’t quite so simple when there is more at stake than he first thought.  Peter is Jay’s polar opposite.  He is intense, driven and extremely private.  A “friends with benefits” arrangement works until Jay is forced to admit he’s fallen hard for Peter.   He knows in his heart Peter feels the same, but it all comes down to whether or not Peter is willing to take a chance on a future together.

This story is ultimately about communication.  It’s about preconceived notions of who someone is based on appearances and abbreviated interactions.  We don’t ever really come to understand one another until we pay attention to details.  Or as Jay and Peter find… until we take a chance.

I hope you love Jay and Peter!  Their story is the second in the Better Than series, but not to worry… it is a standalone book.  So if you missed Better Than Good, don’t worry, you won’t be lost.  Hopefully you’ll be curious to go back and read about Aaron and Matt too!

Happy Reading!

Lane Hayes

Blurb Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes:

Jay Reynolds has a crush on his project leader at work, but an office romance with Peter Morgan isn’t likely to happen since Peter is straight. Worse, Jay soon fears Peter is homophobic, and his initial infatuation turns to loathing. But one fateful night, Jay is forced to acknowledge things aren’t quite as they seem with Peter. Suddenly, his crush is back and unbelievably, Peter is interested too.

They begin a “friends with benefits” arrangement, which becomes difficult for Jay when he starts falling for his sexy boss. Peter’s past issues keep him from committing, and Jay has to decide if he can be satisfied with friendship if Peter isn’t ready to take a chance on anything more.

Excerpt from Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes:

“Close the door, Reynolds.”  His tone was sharp and concise.  No argument was expected or welcomed.  I obeyed and waited for him to speak.

He didn’t say a word.  He pointed to a chair and directed me to sit with a simple wave of his hand as he began a slow pace around the perimeter of the small round table.  It was like being stalked by a tiger.  There was an electric air of danger in this tiny space and I had set it in motion.  I clung to my anger.  I wasn’t wrong.  Was I?

Peter suddenly stopped.  He stood at the other end of the table with his arms crossed over his broad chest.  As usual he was impeccably dressed in a gorgeous dark suit tailored to perfection.  His dark wavy hair seemed a little longer.  I absently wondered if he was growing it out.  But his dark furrowed brow and intense stare told me to keep my ponderings to myself.  He wasn’t in the mood to chat about hair.  He looked pissed.

“Explain yourself.”

I blinked twice.   I was almost afraid of him, but I knew that was irrational.  I had a legitimate reason for my outburst.  I just wished I had been a bit more professional about it.

“Fine.  I will.”  Professional, I cautioned myself.  Don’t get personal.  “You have given me rather baffling critiques, Mr. Morgan that I frankly find ridiculous and almost contrived in a way that suggests you want to point out the negative whether or not it has any bearing whatsoever to the project at hand.”  Good, well said, I thought.

“What the fuck are you talking about?”  He looked genuinely perplexed.

“You know what I’m talking about!”  I exploded.  “Correct paragraph two, sentence one…. that’s one example!  What was today’s going to be?  Change the use of my pronoun from direct to indirect?  Or is it an adjective that you want me to reconsider?  Or…”

I had become so worked up that I didn’t register that he’d moved until he was three short feet away from me.  He wore the strangest expression.  It was a cross between tempered fury and frustration.  He held up his hand in that authoritative way of his, demanding that I stop.   Stop everything.  Don’t talk.  Don’t move.  I waited like a deer in headlights to see what he’d do.

A fresh wave of adrenaline rushed through my veins as I found myself literally shoved up against the conference room wall with Peter’s large hand at my throat.  I swallowed hard and looked into his dark angry eyes, his face was two short inches away from mine.  His breath was warm against my cheek.  He pulled back and shook his head as though puzzled by his own actions before he tightened his hold at my neck and covered my mouth with his own.

I could barely breath.  There was nowhere to hide, no retreat possible so I gave in.  My mouth melted underneath his allowing the lip lock to become a kiss.  A fiery passionate joining.  Our tongues fought for dominance, licking and sucking.  Peter’s hands trapped my head as he plunged even further into my mouth taking every last bit of control away from me.  He ran his tongue over my lips before tracing a path along my jaw and biting my earlobes.  I nudged him back with my nose and heard his low groan as he once again fused his mouth over mine.

I wrapped my arms around him and pulled his body close to mine.  My hands kneaded his perfect ass through the fine fabric of his pants as I sent my hips forward to meet his.  We gasped at the first feel of friction as our hardened cocks pressed together through our suits.  It was electrifying and wickedly carnal.  A mere glimpse into how intensely hot the real thing could be if we let ourselves go there.  Peter stopped abruptly, straightening his arms on either side of my head.  Our heavy breathing was the only sound in the room.

“I want you.”  He growled, resting his forehead against mine.

Purchase Links:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Better-Than-Chance-Stories-ebook/dp/B00HZOKLXK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390505685&sr=8-2&keywords=better+than+chance+kindle

Dreamspinner Press:

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4614

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/better-than-chance-lane-hayes/1118167051?ean=2940148281894

Author Bio:

Lane Hayes is a designer by trade, but is spending more time these days doing what she loves best. Writing! An avid reader from an early age, Lane has always been drawn to romance novels. She truly believes there is nothing more inspiring than a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Lane discovered the M/M genre a fews ago and was instantly hooked. Her first novel was a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband, three teenage kids, and Rex, the coolest yellow lab ever.

Contact Info:

Website:  www.lanehayes.wordpress.com

Twitter:  @LaneHayes3

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Lane-Hayes

Email:  lanehayes@ymail.com

Check out Danielle’s  5 Star review on “Better Than Chance” here:

http://sidlove.com/2014/01/22/release-day-review-better-than-chance-by-lane-hayes/

GIVEAWAY

Lane Hayes is giving away a copy of “Better Than Chance” to one lucky winner here!! All you need to do to enter is to comment under this post and let Lane know why you would want to read this book. Make sure to mention your email ID while you’re at it 😉

CONTEST ENDS 2ND FEBRUARY, 2014 @ 23:59 PACIFIC TIME!!