Adultery. A subject that makes some readers shudder, refuse to buy them or throw their Kindles across the room (hint – they don’t usually survive), and is generally a no no for romance stories. I’ve read many a heated thread on the subject, with readers declaring that it was a rule of romance and one that should be obeyed.
I understand that cheating is a subject that engenders fierce emotions. However I’m a stubborn old mule, and anyone tells me I have to obey the rules naturally I ignore them and write about characters who cheat, and no, I don’t make (many) excuses for him.
This is purely my opinion but I’m not going to write all the relationships the same way. Some guys are in a monogamous relationship and cheating is just that. In Stolen Dreams Morgan has to live with the drastic fall-out of a one-night stand five years previously. As I said, no excuses. However some people have an open relationship. That doesn’t mean to say they don’t love each other, it just means they frame their relationship differently and an extra partner or a hook-up does not mean they are cheating.
Are we projecting the heteronormative ideal onto a gay relationship? I couldn’t answer that. I’ve asked guys and got a different view every time.
Let me ask you a question. What are definite nos for you? What will you not read under any circumstances and why not?
For many years after my mum’s death I could not read any book with the death of a mother. I projected all my hurt and grief onto those books and avoided them like the plague. Now I can read them but it’s been thirty years! Now show me a story with non-con or rape fantasy and I’ll run in the opposite direction.
Also anyone who kills a dog… oh wait, I did that.
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Stolen Dreams
After cheating on and losing the man he loved, Morgan Conway decided to get his life right. Now he owns a coffee shop and is engaged to Jase, an actor and rising star. All is perfect in his world until the man he thought was gone forever walks into his shop. His hidden feelings rush to the surface, unfortunately there for everyone to see, including his fiancé.
Shae Delamere was crushed when Morgan cheated on him five years ago. But he has a reason for seeking Morgan out. As Morgan and Shae get to know each other again, they discover the extent that friends meddled in their lives to keep them apart. Morgan cannot deny he is still in love with Shae, but he is engaged. With some hard decisions to make, Morgan struggles not to hurt the men he cares about—again. Shae has secrets he came to share with Morgan, but revealing them now could keep them apart for good.
Sue’s bio:
Sue Brown is owned by her dog and two children. When she isn’t following their orders, she can be found plotting at her laptop. In fact she hides so she can plot and has got expert at ignoring the orders.
Sue discovered M/M erotica at the time she woke up to find two men kissing on her favorite television series. The kissing was hot and tender and Sue wanted to write about these boys. She may be late to the party, but she’s made up for it since, writing fan fiction until she was brave enough to venture out into the world of original fiction.
Sue’s internet links
https://www.facebook.com/suebrownstories?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/suebrownstories
mailto:suebrown.stories@gmail.com
http://suebrownsstories.blogspot.co.uk/?zx=711a0a0202d37ef6
Thank you for providing a fresh scenario for your characters, even if it is one that many don’t find appealing. Cheating happens and many of us have been on the receiving end of the hurt it causes. However, it can be treated in a manner that provides perspectives different from our own experience that need not be gut wrenching. I read on average three to five books a week but have not yet read Stolen Dreams. I will order it as soon as I finish this comment. I suspect (hope?) that your treatment of the subject provides not only a look into the pain but the characters’ path through it. I’m looking forward to finding out. Thanks again for writing out of the box.
I have very mixed emotions about cheating. Gut check reaction is no, never, not for any reason. But life isn’t always black and white, so I guess I’d have to understand all of the circumstances involved. Love your books Sue, and how you treat all the different aspects of love and relationships, so I’d need to read this one.