Today visiting Love Bytes is author Nikki Woolfolk She stops by to talk about he new release , offers an excerpt and a giveaway !

Welcome Nikki!

Dare to Bare: Coming out one Steampunk story at a time

Decades ago when I first decided to take myself seriously as a writer I would write in different genres, but always tried to have the romance between a male and a female. The adventurous were always fun to write, but I felt so awkward trying to write straight characters. Several manuscripts are in a drawer half finished because it took me a long time to figure out that my main characters usually were just like me, not straight.

The minute I came out suddenly all my characters did too. Though one thing I did not figure on is that same feeling that I had when I first came out to my family and friends whenever I tell someone I’m a writer. The usual question that follows is “Oh? What do you write?”

Without any shame I tell them I write Steampunk romances and culinary mysteries with queer characters. Though unlike my family and friends, I never know how a stranger will react to the aspect of me writing science fiction and fantasy novels where being same-sex couple is the norm and not the exception.

I must admit it’s a pleasant surprise and the support has been phenomenal. In baring a part of myself each day I am humbled by the kindness of others and their eagerness to share my work with their own friends and family.

When I decided to create the Steampunk romantic novella series SWEET & STEAMY I decided to include that kindness in my work. In my Steampunk world being gay is not an issue, but class rank is still on the table, but with a tweak. In my newest installment THE MEN OF SUMMERLY I chose to make it a M/M Cinderella tale with a Steampunk twist.

The place in which my two lovers meet is still at a Ball held at the town mansion, but it’s not just your ordinary fancy dress party. It’s a Midsummer Night’s Dream themed ball. I cannot tell you how much fun it was to tap into the hidden romantic side of myself and try to give the reader a night to remember. With my “prince” Simon Leatherby and our cinderfella, Ash, meeting under the stars in a garden labyrinth by chance sets the scene to enchant. Here’s an excerpt:

 

Though they both had gotten lost in the labyrinth, they found their way out without the least bit of trouble. The labyrinth’s exit deposited them towards the lake behind the Summerly Mansion where miniature boats floated across the dark waters. The flickering candles atop each tiny boat glowed and lit the width of the lake.

“Let us make one!” Ashland said, pulling Simon towards the water.

Servants offered help to the guests wishing to make the tiny steamboats.

Ashland and Simon worked by the glow of the almost full moon and the luminaries scattered along the grounds. Simon was attempting to adjust the metal coil tubing when Ash found himself staring at the beautiful man who had occupied the serene moments in his mind during the past week. This man had been only a dream, and now, for tonight, that dream had come true. Simon looked back at him and slowly lifted his chin until their noses were only inches apart.

“I think we are ready?” he said studying his face with those rich brown eyes.

They watched their boat float away, a light upon the water following its own course.

A bell sounded in a stand of cherry trees. Ashland caught Simon by the arm when the guests left the water’s edge to follow the servants up the hill and towards the mansion.

When they were alone Ash looked at Simon and said, “Let’s go swimmin’”

Simon looked back towards the house. “What about the other guests?”

“They can join too,” Ash said with a grin.

Ash removed his borrowed clothing and gingerly placed each item on the post until he was in his undergarments.

“This’ll be our secret. I won’t tell your boss if you don’t tell mine.”

Simon smiled. “Pinky swear.” Ash offered his little finger.

Simon hooked his own pinky with Ashland’s and within minutes was standing near the water. Ashland turned his back and removed his skivvies plunging in to the cool dark water. Simon soon followed, treading water as Ash circled him.

“Are you a rebel perhaps?” Simon asked, his face inches from Ash, his eyes serious.

“When will I ever come to this house again? Shouldn’t I make the most of it?” The fire glow from a passing boat illuminated their faces.

“Who am I to argue with a gentleman?”

“No one’s ever called me that before.”

“I only say what I see,” Simon replied and slid a hand around Ash’s waist.

 

There is something to be said about baring yourself to total strangers. It’s a freedom that coming out can do and I keep coming out one book at a time.

 

Title : The men of Summer

Author : Nikki Woolfolk

Publisher: Word Nerd Press

Length: 74 pages

Buy Link:

Amazon

Book Blurb:

The Men of Summerly

Tradition is as quaint tradition does. So thinks British trade envoy Simon Leatherby as he settles into his temporary home in the mountains of Stubborn, West Virginia, to negotiate an equitable export trade agreement. As the guest of honor at the annual Midsummer Night’s Dream Costume Ball, Simon is charmed by the beauty of this rugged country and matchmaking townsfolk, but only business is on his mind. Ashland “Ash” Gottschalk, a sweet tempered glassblower, is caught up in a horrible set of circumstances, no thanks to an evil manager and his two wicked assistants heaping abuse on all the downtrodden workers of the Pantoufle Glass Factory. With a clever plan, borrowed items, and a touch of magic, Ash’s friends transform the kind cinderfella into a proper gentleman for one stolen evening at the ball. A chance meeting at the celebration turns into a magical evening to remember as Ash and Simon meet their match. When the clock strikes midnight and the mysterious Ash disappears as suddenly as he appeared, Simon moves heaven and earth to seek out the keeper of the glass trinket left behind on that starry night. Will Simon find his ‘prince’ before time runs out or will the evil management’s last cruel trick destroy his happy ending with Ash?

 

 

 

 

Author Bio:

Nikki Woolfolk grew up with her southern father’s good cooking and tall-tales and her mother’s science fiction loving influence early Silicon Valley. In 2013, a friend challenged her to mix her two loves, science and writing, to create a romance novella. Considering herself more nerd than a romantic, Nikki wrote her version of a romance in which she gets to “have a parkour chase scene, blow sh*t up, and make sure the good guy and gal get the girl” with food on the side when the adventures work up an appetite. Nikki lives in New England with her son and her partner and is working on the next book with more original recipes for the Steampunk Romance Sweet & Steamy series. For more details go to her blog: thedrunkenmousse.wordpress.com or find her on Twitter!

 

 

You can find Nikki here

Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/NikkiWoolfolk

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/NikkiWoolfolkAuthor

Twitter : https://twitter.com/NikkiWoolfolk

 

 An E copy of Nikki ‘s first Sweet & Steamy novella THE WINTER TRIANGLE

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