Hi! I’m Kim Fielding, here to talk to you about my new novel, Love Can’t Conquer. I enjoyed writing it. I fell deeply in love with Jeremy, who’s an urban park ranger, and Qay, a former addict with anxiety and depression issues, who’s fighting hard to make something of himself. But of course I love them—they’re my literary children, right? So I’m going to focus on something else instead: Douglas firs.
Yep. Trees.
I’ve always been partial to Douglas firs. They’re common in Oregon, where I grew up. When I was little, my mom got a seedling somewhere—a home and garden show, I think—and put it in a pot. She named it Dougie. Dougie never reached the towering heights of his wilder brethren, but he was beloved.
As I said, Jeremy is an urban park ranger. He has a degree in biology and likes to hike on his days off. This means he knows a lot about Douglas firs, and that means I had to do some research. I learned they’re not true firs, and therefore some sources hyphenate the name: Douglas-firs. (This hyphenation was a topic of discussion with my editors, because I live the exciting life of an author.) They’re named after a Scot, David Douglas. They live for over 500 years—if they’re not chopped down, because they’re also one of the biggest lumber sources in North America.
That is probably about as much as you wanted to know about Douglas firs. If Jeremy were real, he would be able to tell you much more. And here’s the thing—Qay loves that about him. Qay knows less about botany than I do, which isn’t much. Until he started seeing Jeremy, he never gave much thought to the great outdoors. He was too busy dealing with his own issues. But he did start seeing Jeremy, and he loves the passion Jeremy shows for trees. And for mosses. And for slugs. And for people in need of saving. And, it turns out, for Qay.
Will that passion be enough to help Jeremy and Qay overcome their many challenges? You’ll have to read the book to find out. Maybe you can read it outside, under the shade of a great big tree.
You may not have a thing for trees, but I bet you’re passionate about something. Share it in the comments!
Love Can’t Conquer
Oh God. Jeremy tasted like chocolate and berries. His lips were soft, and firm hands cradled Qay’s skull. He thrust his tongue into Qay’s mouth, but he wasn’t one of those assholes who needed to prove their manhood by drilling his tonsils. Jeremy had an agile and playful tongue, teasing Qay’s tongue and nuzzling his teeth. Qay felt dizzy, as if he were balanced at the top of the world, so he wrapped his arms around Jeremy for balance. And Jeremy must have approved, because even though he didn’t break the kiss, he managed a groan from deep in his chest.
Qay had no idea how long Jeremy’s dry spell had been, but his own had lasted eons. A beautiful man—a good man—touching him, wanting him, was almost more than Qay could bear. He’d expected so little from life, had received so little, but how could he have thought he could survive without human contact? Jeremy’s kiss sparked all the synapses that had once responded so eagerly to drugs. Qay’s mind sang, and as his cock filled and he felt Jeremy’s answering hardness pressed against him, Qay very nearly started ripping at their clothes.
But goddammit if the one little bit of his brain that was sane and responsible didn’t choose that moment to speak up. Don’t fuck him over, those bastard cells scolded. Don’t be Donny.
With his biggest show of willpower since he’d kicked drugs, Qay pulled out of Jeremy’s grip. The light was poor, so he squinted to get Jeremy into focus. He saw a muscular, handsome ex-cop with kiss-swollen lips—but he also saw the ghost of a shy little boy and the vulnerability of a man whose lovers had hurt him. And now one of those lovers was dead.
Qay had made a shitload of mistakes in his life. Lying to Jeremy Cox didn’t have to be added to that list.
“I have to tell you something,” he said.
He heard Jeremy’s breath catch. “Nothing good has ever come after that statement,” he said.
“I know.” Jeremy was going to abandon him here at the top of the West Hills once the words were out. Qay would never be able to go to P-Town again, which meant he’d lose his favorite coffeehouse and Rhoda, who was becoming a friend. All Qay would have would be the memory of a nice dinner, a pretty drive, and one earthshaking kiss.
No, that wasn’t true. He’d also have a little more self-respect because he’d know he’d done the right thing. Even if it hurt.
After having migrated back and forth across the western two-thirds of the United States, Kim calls the boring part of California home. She lives there with her husband, her two daughters, and her day job as a university professor, but escapes as often as possible via car, train, plane, or boat. This may explain why her characters often seem to be in transit as well. She dreams of traveling and writing full-time.
You can follow Kim at
I enjoyed this post and can’t wait to read more. Thank you.
Thanks, Ree Dee!
The blurb sounds pretty angsty, but I keep from looking at the excerpt (not much fan of excerpt, prefering to dive right into the book ;p).
Congratulations to your newest release, Kim. And much thanks for a chance at the giveaway.
Thank you! It is pretty angsty, but I can promise you an HEA. :–)
Kim’s written some of my favorites, so I’m excited!
Thank you!
I love Oregon for the setting. Can’t wait to read it!
Thanks! I do love to set books there.
Congrats on the new release! This sounds like a great series.
Thank you, Serena! I’m really excited about this series.
Congrats on the new release! This looks like a great start to a new series.
Thank you!
congrats and cant wait to read
I hope you enjoy!
Congratulations on your new release Kim the book sounds fab and is on my wish list.
Thank you! I do hope you enjoy it.
The blurb and excerpt book sound really good. I can’t wait to read this book.
Thanks! I hope you enjoy,
I finished it last week and I loved it. I loved how you write about people and their problems but still able to make it hopeful rather than depressing
Thank you so much, Ami! I love the idea that no matter how big people’s problems are, they can find love.
Congratulations on the new book! It sounds like a great read.