A warm welcome to author Lane Hayes joining us today to talk about her new release A Kind of Story – A Kind of Romance.
Welcome Lane 🙂
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My latest book, A Kind of Romance, was released last week. It is book two in my new series, A Kind of Stories and I’m truly proud of it and thankful for the amazing reception it has received. Originally I intended to talk about Benny and Zeke’s journey to finding love, romance and hope. After all, that trivecta is why I write MM romance. I firmly believe in equality and the right to express love in whatever form it may come. The stories change but the message of hope is constant. But after the events in Orlando a mere two days ago, I want to share my thoughts and a tribute to those we lost. May they rest in peace.
The pain of the parents, the friends, family and loved ones of the victims of the Orlando mass murders has spilled into our hearts June 12. Lines of hate malice and egotistical bigotry have been drawn in violent shades of red. We feel more heartache and sorrow for those who will bury their children and friends than they will ever know because we are one of them. It could have been any of us. Innocent lives were lost in a “safe” place.
And damn, it suddenly feels very unsafe to live in an era where a presidential candidate chooses to deflect “congratulations” to renounce Muslim radicals. It feels unclean to talk about division of race and religion when lives were senselessly lost. Politics don’t belong here. God isn’t impressed with your prejudice or your foolish morals. Those who choose hate over love have lost their way and have allowed an environment in which innocent lives are gunned down. Gunned down. Nowhere to run or hide. Where is your compassion? Where is the sensibility that follows the letter and spirit of a nation whose constitution that prides itself on being “indivisible with liberty and justice for all”?
No matter what the unconfirmed reports says… this is a hate crime. A mass hate crime. My son is gay. He could have been there. I could have been there as an ally or a friend. I’m literally sick with worry because I’m no different from any parent out there, regardless of ethnicity, religion or socio-economic state. I’m a mother whose heart breaks for the mothers who received a call this morning to let them know their child is gone. Their grief is unfathomable. It’s a well of sorrow so deep and agonizing, it crushes the soul.
But not the spirit. We won’t let it. We cannot live in fear. We cannot let haters win.
The lives lost in the Orlando shooting must be celebrated. Their presence at Pulse was their speech. Their right to enjoy themselves in the company of those who feel the same and love the same. And with those who wholeheartedly support them. They were celebrating their right to pride, in a month celebrating the spirit LGBT pride and hope. It’s our duty to show solidarity and support for our community. Their voices must be heard. Hatred cannot win. It is a wrong turn down a dark alley where no one comes out unscathed. Only love wins.
Now more than ever, raise your voice. Speak for those who no longer can. Show pride, show friendship, support and above all, show love.
Thank you… Lane Hayes xo
TITLE: A Kind of Romance
SERIES: A Kind of Story
AUTHOR: Lane Hayes
COVER ARTIST: Aaron Anderson
LENGTH: 82,963 words
RELEASE DATE: June 06, 2016
BLURB:
Zeke Gulden is a ruthless Wall Street exec. His hard-edged, no-nonsense attitude has served him well in the cutthroat business world, but less so in his personal life. When he finds out his ex-boyfriend cheated on him with a coworker, Zeke can’t let go—not until he finds a way to get even. However, his meddlesome father has other ideas. The new hire at the family-owned bagel store is somewhat colorful, but his dad is sure he’s the perfect man for Zeke.
Benny Ruggieri is a fiercely proud New Yorker who dreams of making it big as a costume designer in the theater. In the meantime, he’s working two part-time jobs in the food biz. When his new boss sets him up with his successful son, Benny has zero expectations. If nothing else, he figures he can entertain himself by making the uptight businessman squirm. Instead, the two become unlikely friends with an inexplicable attraction they can’t ignore. Benny might be the one to help Zeke set aside his quest for revenge, if he’s willing to let go and forgive what he can’t forget… and give in to an unexpected kind of romance.
THEY SAID you could remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when a life-altering event took place. I could do better than that. I could tell you the date and time too. May 9, 7:04 a.m…. It was a Monday. Of course. I was standing in my kitchen, cradling a cup of coffee while reading the news on my iPad when my cell phone rang. I didn’t think twice about it. It rang all the fucking time. The setting was almost always on vibrate, but last night I’d changed it, thinking I didn’t want to miss Taylor’s call in case he decided to come by. He didn’t call. And he didn’t come over. I didn’t really think he would, but when we ran into each other at the farmers’ market in Union Square Sunday morning, I’d foolishly hoped he might. That was our spot. It seemed like providence. A sign of some sort telling us we should stop this nonsense and get back together immediately. True, Taylor had confessed he’d been cheating on me with one of my coworkers for the past six months, but… still.
The second round of incessant ringing served as a reminder I was a complete moron for wanting him back. And when I saw the name displayed on my cell, I knew the caller would agree wholeheartedly.
“Mornin’, Pops.”
“Ezekiel?”
I didn’t recognize the voice on the line. It was masculine but a little high-pitched. Definitely not Dad. Whoever he was, he was calling from my father’s phone. My heart slammed against my chest in a wave of instant panic.
“Just Zeke, actually. You’re calling from my father’s phone. Is he oka—?”
“He fell and hit his head. We called 9-1-1. The paramedics said it looked like a superficial wound, but there was blood everywhere and—They’re taking him to Mount Sinai on First. I’m following now with William. Filipe doesn’t speak much English, so Rand is staying to help mind the store and—”
“Whoa! Hang on. Where was he?” It was a stupid question. However, I felt nauseated from the unexpected adrenaline rush and was struggling to catch up and make sense of this conversation.
“At Bowery Bagels,” the caller replied with a heavy sigh. “I’m so sorry. I—I don’t know what else to say. I’m sure he’s fine, but—I’ll meet you in the emergency room.”
“Wait! Who are you?” I asked, staring into the open great room of my condo in a trancelike state.
I noted the sun’s reflection on the shiny dark hardwood floors and the way the tiny flecks of dust sparkled like fairy dust in the air. But I felt as though I were in a vacuum. Sound was muffled, and the light was suddenly too bright. I pushed away from the island and moved with purpose toward my bedroom, forgetting I’d been waiting for a response until the caller spoke again.
“Benny.”
Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles both be men! Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her first novel was a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards and her third received an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Rainbow Awards. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and the coolest yellow lab ever in an almost empty nest.
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Books by Lane Hayes (Dreamspinner Press):
Better Than Good, Better Than Chance, Better Than Friends, Better Than Safe, The Right Words, The Wrong Man & The Right Time
And A Kind Of Truth and A Kind of Romance
Winner’s Prize: $25 Gift Card to Ebook retailer of choice (DSP, Amazon, ARE Café)
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June 23
Lynn Hayes thank you for your awesome books I love to read them and I’m copying and pasting what you wrote about the tragedy in Orlando on Facebook and Twitter! Beautifully said comments!!! There is a certain person who doesn’t know how to SHUT HIS MOUTH BECAUSE EVERYTHING HE SAYS IS STUPID AND DEGRADING AND THAT MAN IS DONALD TRUMP!!!! But again I’m sharing your comment with the world!!!! Thank you!!!
Thank you Jill. Love is love. That is the real message. <3
As love is celebrated throughout the world your message is spread. As Jill stated, I am also going to send your message on.
I just purchased both of your books in the series; ‘A Kind of Story’. I will think of everyone at Pulse and your son as I enjoy them. Please keep sharing your ideas and building a better world through your words.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I truly appreciate it. xo
Lane, like you my son is also gay. So I share the thought that it could be my son & his friends. He’s also trans & had spent the weekend at the Philly Trans Health Conference so that also could have been a large target for haters. I’m so very sorrowful for all the families who’ve lost loved ones at Pulse this last weekend. I continue to grieve for their pain. And hope more families won’t feel the same. Thanks for your message.