CHARACTER INTERVIEW
Hi David, thanks for stopping by! I know you’re quite busy with all the dating 🙂
How did you get the idea for the 52 First Dates challenge?
Hey Alina! No probs, always happy to chat. I guess 52 First Dates came about because I was just bored. I’ve been single for sooooo long, and I’m ready to settle down and find a husband. I was always told that a man would come along when I least expected it. Well, I’ve not been expecting it for years now….a decade almost…and no one’s come along. Well, that’s not entirely true because I’ve had a lot fun, if you get my meaning. But no man’s managed to make me fall in love and settle down. I realized the best way to date and ensure I kept going, even when times get tough, is to have a plan. Plans, lists, organization….they solve everything, right?!
So…now we have 52 First Dates and I’m going to make it work! If not….I’m giving up. If I can go on 52 dates and STILL not find the one, I may as well just become a monk.
What’s the worst thing about dating? What’s the best?
The worst thing is all the agro that comes with it. If you haven’t dated for a while, or maybe haven’t dated at all, having the courage to go on a first date with someone is pretty daunting. Where do you go? What do you say? How do you even meet people in the first place? Once you strip away those worries and be a little more casual, it’s easier. I have the theory when you meet the one, you’ll both know. Until that point, there’s no reason to worry. Not everyone can fancy you, that’s something to deal with immediately. If they don’t call, don’t worry….just move on. First dates are nice in that way because you’re not heavily invested. With this challenge, even if I go on two or three dates with the same person, I’ve got some other distractions with other first dates too….I suppose it smoothes out the rough a little.
The best is, of course, having those butterflies, the little glances at each other, the tell-tale signs that love is in the air. 😀
Looking back on your dates so far, which was the most awkward or funny of them all?
I think Nitish was awkward and funny all in one. Damn, he was a beautiful man but the lust just wasn’t there. Then, when I found out he was vegan? Darn. I’ve dated vegetarians before and one in particular was very preachy. I like my meat….it would never work. And then, when I blurted out the whole chicken story?! Oops!
How hard is it to line up a date for each week? Does it take a lot of time to work it into your schedule?
You know, my iPhone is my best friend. There are SO many dating/hook-up apps these days that it makes finding guys really easy. The hard part is a) scratching beneath the surface to determine when they just want to shag and b) whether they’ll actually commit. You’ll get a lot of people who are kidding themselves, pretending they want friends, dates etc when, in reality, they just want to fuck. Seriously, particularly in the gay world, just be open about that. No one’s going to judge you and it saves a lot of time.
I’ve realized that it takes a good few days of chatting before you can get a hot guy to commit, so getting a date lined up each week can be pretty full on. And then you always need a few backups in case things go wrong.
If you get past date one, what would your dream date be like?
For me, a dream date is about the person. I don’t really care where we are, what we’re doing; if the connection’s there I’m happy. I think a dream date would be somewhere outside or a group of places, say a trip into the country, a bite to eat at a café and then a walk along the river, through the forest…that kind of thing. But as long as that powerful explosion of emotions is there, I’d be very happy. Also, it’s very easy to get carried away on a first date. The dream would be to have the second, third, fourth dates and for all those feelings to still be there.
Are your friends supportive of your challenge?
They are SO supportive, even with all their own dramas. I mean, firstly – Grace, baby, WHAT?! I had no idea that was coming….I don’t think she had either. But she’s probably more into me finding a husband than Jess is, if I’m honest. I think Jess enjoys hearing all the stories and living a little vicariously through me. What would she do if I got coupled up and left her single?!
Would you recommend the challenge to other people? What should and shouldn’t they do if they choose this path?
I seriously recommend this challenge to people who really want to bring an end to their singledom. Firstly, I strongly believe that you should NEVER settle, particularly when it comes to love. And this means meeting a lot of people. You might go on a wonderful date with a nice guy and think he’s the one…only to go and meet someone else who’s even more amazing. Undertaking this challenge allows you to meet a lot of men in a short time period and really work out what you want and who you need.
Anyone that’s thinking about doing 52 First Dates needs to be open to all options, optimistic about their future and laid back. That latter point is a must…and it’ll come in time. Trust me, after you’ve been on a first date for several weeks running, you’ll no longer be nervous about it. Choose a location where it’s easy to talk and where the setting is comfortable. Also…cheap. Going out is expensive, and if you’re doing it every week and paying for someone else’s food, drinks, whatever, you’ll be broke in no time. That’s why coffee shops and walks in the park are ideal.
Now that you’ve been on a few dates, do you think it will be easier to keep up with the challenge in the future?
You know, Alina? I really do. I think I’ve got into the process of dating now and it’s made life a lot easier. There’s no stress about meeting people. It’s simple; pick a guy, pick a date, pick a place and then see what happens. If sparks fly, then that’s great. If they don’t, then it’s onto the next man. There’s no need for disappointment because it just wasn’t meant to be. The hard part’s going to be finding all these guys who meet my criteria and who are willing to commit. But if they’re there, I’ll search them out!
Seeing DOUBLE by Algenon Lusch
Book blurb:
The man-hunt is under way, and David’s keen to a snag a husband without having to complete every date of his 52 First Dates challenge. With several successful meets behind him, there’s a growing feeling of confidence that his search could actually work. But now that the novelty’s worn off, finding the motivation to keep going is about to become harder.
David finds himself trying to juggle meeting new men and providing a shoulder to cry on his to battered and pregnant friends. And, with a plethora of hotties vying for his attention, things are about to get more complicated.
Seeing DOUBLE is a 13,000 SHORT STORY, or about 37 pages.
Release date:
February 10th, 2014
Book 1: The Man PLAN
Book 2: Friends and FRENCHMEN
Book 3: Seeing Double
Buy Links:
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IA4ULNE/
B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seeing-double-a-lusch/1118399730?ean=2940045605786
ARe – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-seeingdouble52firstdates3-1414844-149.html
Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/402565
Google – https://play.google.com/store/books/details/A_Lusch_Seeing_Double?id=gCPNAgAAQBAJ
52 First Dates – Boxed Set
The boxed set contains all three books already released in the series, The Man PLAN, Friends and FRENCHMEN, and Seeing DOUBLE.
Buy Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IA4LOBM/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-52firstdatesboxedsetbooks13-1414849-149.html
Smashwords: – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/405816
About the author
A. Lusch lives in London and has been though much of the same path as David – in fact – this series is based around true events.
Of course, there is MUCH more to come in the tale, but, don’t worry, now the scene is set, there’ll be many more dates per book. Is there a happy ending in sight? You’ll have to keep reading to find out.
A. Lusch fully believes in never settling, always striving for the perfect match, and never giving up on your man once you’ve found him – oh, and eating A LOT of donuts!
Social links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlgenonLusch
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlgenonLusch
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7191612.A_Lusch
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/A.-Lusch/e/B00EB6OWSU/
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ALusch
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Sounds like a great book!