A very warm welcome to Lily Adile Lamb joining us today for her blog tour on her latest release “Awkward in Love”

Lily came to talk to us , share an excerpt of her story and is giving away an exclusive giveaway to Love Bytes readers!

Welcome Lily 🙂

Title: Awkward in Love

Author: Lily Adile Lamb

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Length: 118 pages

Release Date: October 8, 2015

Blurb: Ilhan started off on the wrong foot with John, and somehow he always seemed to stay there. When the college student hastily looked away from the apartment building’s hunky maintenance man, John thought he was stuck up. When he tried to get John to knock on his door by leaving his trash out for pickup, John though he was a messy tenant. All he wants to do is get John’s attention, but he always seems to do it wrong…

John’s always seeing the little Turkish twink strutting around like a little peacock, in his too-tight clothes, but it’s hard to ignore that perfect little ass, no matter how bad his manners are. He’s nice to the other tenants, John knows, so he must be cold to John because of his job as a “mere maintenance man.” Too bad, because John would love to see what’s under those clothes.

Yet when one of Ilhan’s more embarrassing moments brings them together, each realizes they’ve been mistaken about the other, and also, so right. And all the awkwardness between them is washed away…

But when Ilhan’s conservative Turkish parents come to Perth to visit, and find their son locked in an embrace with another man, the stress of their demands could tear the two lovers apart…

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Turkish by background, I am both a mother and wife, who works as a nurse in daytime and then writes GLBT stories late at night once the family have tucked in for the night. I studied in the UK and worked there for a few years before I moved to Australia, settling down once and for all.

The characters, Ilhan and John from my latest book are examples of characters that I want to write about in my engaging stories…People who are not rich, famous or incredibly handsome with stunning bodies… Rather they are just everyday people who work hard and deal with whatever that life throws at them, and then more!

Gender identity and expression are influenced by many factors including but not limited to, culture, religion, societal norms, customs and beliefs…this makes one’s gender very diverse and fluid so my main focus in the stories are about people who want to express themselves in the way that feels right and kind to them and others.    I support Marriage Equality for all and stand by same sex parents because I believe that a child primarily needs a loving and protective home, showered with kindness and a kid friendly diet (I am a big believer in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs).

I love writing interracial stories about people from all backgrounds. The GLBT community is universal existing in all countries and cultures. For some cultures, being from a GLBT background is not easy and these are the people of whom I want to promote more. I tend to focus on gender fluid characters in my stories along with alpha males and those who are socially awkward and shy.

In my new story, “Awkward In Love” Ilhan is exactly that…someone with diversity…I am reluctant to label him because this is something I avoid where possible. I believe that labels are for objects and not people. Ilhan is a male who is gentle, awkward, and likes to cook and bake. Why not? His dream is to open his café….aaahhh, dreams, it’s what keeps us sane! Ilhan is as he proclaims, “almost virgin”…he frolicked a bit but never had full-blown sex whereas John is a white Australian who is rather masculine and an alpha male. Both are neither perfect nor rich or famous and both are people who want to be loved for whom they are.

The shortfall for Ilhan is that he has some cultural clashes which he internalizes because he grew up in Australia while his parents identify with their own national heritage. I tried to capture some cultural clashes in my story because…life is neither smooth nor a total misery. Hence, the things Ilhan uses to try and capture John’s attention are both funny and sad at times. He represents many of our own extremes of awkwardness and humanity as well as our diversity with whom we are. John is simply solid and hard working, the mainstream of society. His life experiences made him more mature but he is also alone.

I love writing “happily ever after” stories. I imagine readers making their drinks (hot or cold, as you like it) and making themselves comfortable enough to settle in and read my stories after a long stressful day at work. I write novelettes with the thought that when someone reads my story, they close their eyes thereafter, with a smile and a sigh, sleeping a little better.

I usually come up with storylines after reading GLBT news items or perhaps seeing an activity in a public situation. What I dream feels real in my head and I want to tell my tale. …Yes, I am more of a storyteller than anything… maybe even a dreamweaver.

When Ilhan opened the door, John almost gasped at the vision who opened the door. Ilhan was wearing tight, black pants with a well ironed black shirt. He’d rolled his sleeves up stylishly, and wore subtle eye makeup. The eye pencil he’d used only enhanced how vivid his blue eyes were. He was pretty sure Ilhan also used mascara, which made his eyelashes appear longer. He had a natural beauty, and full lips. They looked as if he’d been kissed, thanks to some lip gloss Ilhan used. As soon as he realized he was gawking at the handsome man, he coughed in embarrassment.

“Sorry for staring at you but you look incredible…sexy.”

Ilhan blushed and gave a hesitant smile. “So do you,” he responded with a hungry gaze.

John reached for Ilhan’s collar to pull him toward him. As Ilhan’s breath hitched, John gave him a quick kiss and asked, “You ready to leave?”

“Yes,” he answered as he gazed on John’s lips.

They drove in silence to Freemantle in John’s Ford Mondeo. As they came close to the restaurant, John turned and watched Ilhan’s face. When he saw him looking around with curious eyes, he smiled and reached out for his small hand to rest it on his leg. John drove holding Ilhan’s hand and feeling possessive of the owner of that hand.

“Like it?” John asked in a way that made Ilhan turn and look at him as they entered the stylish restaurant. It looked a little like a Rajah’s palace. Whatever John showed on his face seemed to make the Ilhan smile and nod his head in a way that made John feel reassured.

He smiled and put his hand on Ilhan’s back to guide him inside.

“I love it. Thank you for bringing me here,” Ilhan leaned forward and murmured, when they were seated.

“My pleasure,” John drawled as he rubbed Ilhan’s ankle with his foot discreetly. When Ilhan startled and bit his lower lip, John grinned. “What? You look unforgettable,” John purred. Before Ilhan could reply, a cheerful waiter interrupted them to ask what they’d like to drink before ordering.

Throughout the evening, John flirted and teased Ilhan, making sure he knew John’s intentions. John scooped the fragrant butter chicken’s creamy sauce onto a piece of tandoori roti bread and offered it seductively to his lover to be. He even sensuously licked his ice cream with laughing eyes.

“Oh. My. God,” Ilhan leaned forward and whispered with red cheeks. “I don’t think I can stand up, John!”

“Why, Ilhan? What’s happening? Is something wrong?” He looked at him with total innocence in his eyes.

“What? Are you kidding me? It’s you that’s happening right now, you tease! I have a raging boner and I’m wearing all tight clothes. The minute I stand up, everyone would know what’s happening here.”

Ilhan shifted closer to the table. “You’re mean… Yeah. A merciless meany. Now how am I going to stand up without giving that old couple in the corner a stroke? Hm? Hm?” He did his best to look cross but his sparkling eyes and lips struggled not to smile, showing how much fun he was having.

“That’s a lie. Take that back. I deny everything. You can’t prove anything. I refuse to accept I’m the cause of your discomfort.” John seductively rubbed his ankle against Ilhan’s leg again.

“Aii. I’m never going to leave this table now. But I’m okay, it’s obvious you want to spend the night here rubbing my ankle instead of doing other things at home… I understand that.” Ilhan patted John’s hand and grinned.

“Hmm. I see my error now,” he drawled and withdrew his foot. “You’d better be ready to stand up by the time I come back.” John stood and winked at the man who was stuck sitting at the table as he went to the gents. When he paid for the meal and returned to the table, he stood in front of Ilhan. “Ready?” he asked with his head tilted.

“Oh. Yes. I’m ready,” he quipped, knowing he sounded cheesy.

“So am I. Come on. Let’s go. Everything’s ready and your chauffeur’s ready to take you home, Mr Avci.” John leered at Ilhan.

“The words sound innocent but somehow I doubt you mean that,” Ilhan blushed, speaking softly.

“Invite me to your home and see,” John leaned toward Ilhan and rumbled in his deep voice.

Ilhan turned beetroot-red as he left the restaurant with John’s hand guiding him gently.

As soon as they got in the car, John grabbed Ilhan by his collar and brought his lips against his. “Open your mouth,” he growled.

Ilhan whimpered and opened his lips. John’s tongue was already prodding inside.

Ilhan mumbled against John’s mouth. “This isn’t as romantic or as comfortable as it looks on TV, eh. The console’s biting into me.”

“No, but I’m still having fun,” John mumbled, making sure he held Ilhan’s face so he didn’t back off.

“That’s because it’s me who’s trying to lean over you while you’re lying on your back thinking of…probably England?” Ilhan mumbled playfully, just holding back his piggy snort. He knew John had moved forward to help him, which warmed his heart, but he still wanted to play too. He enjoyed his time with John immensely.

“My God. Are you one of those talking bed partners? Fuck. Shut up and kiss me properly.” John growled, taking charge of the kiss before they drove back to Perth.

When they arrived back at the flat, Ilhan opened his front door, and turned to invite John in dramatically. “Come in, at your own peril. Mwahaha.”

“You, silly goose.” John grinned and grabbed him, pulling him into his arms and kicking the door closed. “I love kissing you,” he mumbled.

“Good cos I love you kissing me,” Ilhan whispered. They awkwardly walked to the sofa as they kissed. Ilhan mumbled against John’s lips, “This feels like you’re about to have your wicked ways with me.”

John could’ve rolled his eyes, but they were closed and he responded against Ilhan’s mouth, “No. It feels like I’m trying to kiss you while you prattle on.”

Ilhan answered back tartly, but ended up squeaking as John glided his hands to Ilhan’s pants. “I’m shocked! I don’t prattle on… Eeekk! Where are your hands going?”

“What? Oh! That hand. It’s trying to get in your pants to feel your bubble butt, but, fuck! Your pants are so tight, I think the blood supply to my fingers is cut off right now,” John said, and earned a piggy snort from Ilhan.

Ilhan’s shy responses were an indication of how inexperienced he was and it reminded John to be gentler. Humor and play were the best icebreaker at that moment.

Ilhan tsked playfully. “You sound like a quitter. Us Turks would never quit so easily. We’d fight till the end to win a battle. Aii! That hurt!”

“Shut up. You deserve that for your cheekiness.” John gave another playful spank to Ilhan’s bum.

Lily Adile works as a nurse by day and writes GLBT Romance by night. Lily’s focus in her GLBT stories are mere mortals because she believes that love is universal. Her mortal heroes and heroines are not rich, famous or incredibly handsome males with six pack bodies or stunning women… rather they are just everyday people who work hard and deal with whatever that life throws at them.

Lily believes that an individual’s gender identity and expression is influenced by many factors including but not limited to culture, religion, social restrictions, custom and beliefs…this makes one’s gender very diverse and fluid.

Lily is actively involved with Marriage Equality and stands by the same sex couples who want to have children.

Lily especially thanks her husband with all her heart for his endless patience, love and support. He is the love of her life and apple of her eye….he is the home she goes to at the end of a hard day at work.

Lily Adile was born in Ankara, Turkey and then worked in other countries. She visits her family in Turkey regularly and travels to Singapore to visit the other family members.

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Instead of a Rafflecopter giveaway Lily brought a copy of her new release to Love Bytes for one Lucky reader !!

leave a comment to enter !

Good Luck 🙂