(Balls to the Wall Series, Bk #1)
By Tara Lain
Going Over the Top – In Laguna
Hi! I’m Tara Lain and I’m delighted to be here today to celebrate the re-release of the book that started my whole writing relationship with Laguna Beach, CA. – Volley Balls. Volley Balls was originally released in 2011 – my first year as a romance author. The new Volley Balls has been completely rewritten and expanded to nearly twice its original length. Its re-release marks the beginning of a full year of re-releases and new additions in the Balls to the Wall series! As you may know, Balls to the Wall is one of two popular series I’ve set in Laguna Beach. The other series is simply called Love in Laguna and currently includes four books (Knight of Ocean Avenue, Knave of Broken Hearts, Prince of the Playhouse, and Lord of a Thousand Steps). A fifth book will be added in 2017.
My early readers know the Balls to the Wall series really well, while my more recent readers definitely know Love in Laguna best. So how are they different? I should ask my readers this question, but from a structural point of view, the Love in Laguna stories are full-length novels, which explore the romance between two people in depth with lots of backstory. Balls to the Wall books are long novellas, happening a bit faster with less subplots and backstory. The Love in Laguna characters are certainly not “regular guys” but the Balls to the Wall heroes are even more on the “larger than life” side. In fact, they really kicked off my Beautiful Boys of Romance. I guess you could say the Balls to the Wall books have a different tone – a little less serious and a bit more over-the-top than Love in Laguna. I do find, however, that readers who like one series often like the other as well. Since most of the Balls to the Wall books have been off the market for a while, I hope readers will enjoy the chance to get to know them. Of course, Volley Balls is pretty much new and there will be two new books added to the series.
Just to get you started, here’s a nibble from the new, expanded Volley Balls —
A double dose of alpha male might be better than one.
Despite just getting out of an abusive relationship with an asshole alpha, David Underwood’s wandering glance lands on two hot members of the Australian volleyball team on Laguna Beach and gets him harassed again. Still, when the delicious Gareth Marshall proves his interest by coming out to his team, David succumbs to his attraction. But Gareth’s volleyball partner, Edge, who’s equally hot, makes the lover’s lives miserable.
For Gareth, a lifetime of hiding his orientation—and his attraction—from his best friend, Edge, as well as everyone else around him, adds up to hurt and frustration. David’s the first man to ever compete with Edge for Gareth’s passion. But Edge has secrets of his own, and David’s ex-lover will never be happy without David under his fist. With everything stacked against him, can a gay Laguna man find happiness with an alpha male–or two?
David buried his head in Gareth’s broad chest and, much to his disgust, started to cry. The feelings didn’t even make sense. Anger, jealousy, lust, and—yes, fear. At the heart of it all. He started to shake. Gareth pulled him tighter, but it wouldn’t stop. Phil’s angry face stared at him. Screamed at him. His fist descended—again and again. Pain and anger and shame. “Oh God!”
“What, love?” Gareth kissed his hair.
“I was so afraid.”
“Nothing to fear, love.”
“Phil. Oh God. He said he wanted to kill me. I think he would have if Edge hadn’t come.” He burrowed into Gareth’s arms.
“We’re here now, love. Nothing more to fear. You took care of that bastard. He won’t bother you again.”
Edge’s deep voice came from behind him. “If he comes near you, I’ll kill the asshole.”
David sucked in breath and turned in Gareth’s arms. He saw Gareth shake his head, warning Edge. “David took care of him, Edge. He got the police and had him thrown in jail.”
David wiped at his eyes. “Thank you, Gareth. I know I said I could take care of myself, but I lied. I’ve been alone so long. I only got involved with Phil because I was lonely and wanted someone to care about me. Instead, he hit me and abused me. I’m so grateful to Edge for saving me today. I’m so grateful to both of you for not being the kind of man that Phil is. So grateful.” The tears ran down his cheeks again and dripped off his chin.
Edge stepped closer and tipped up David’s chin with his finger. He did something David hardly ever saw him do. He smiled. “I know I’m a big Neanderthal with no fucking manners, but sometimes that’s a handy kind of guy to have around.” Funny how David hadn’t noticed those dimples in Edge’s cheeks before. Like you could sharpen pencils in them.
David stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Edge in a huge hug. “Thank you. I’m so glad you were there. I’m so grateful.”
Edge chuckled, and the vibration zipped straight to David’s cock. Down, boy.
Another pair of strong arms wrapped around him from behind and made it a group hug.
David giggled. “I’m the filling in an Aussie sandwich. If I’d known, it would have been my lifetime aspiration.”
David buried his head in Gareth’s broad chest and, much to his disgust, started to cry. The feelings didn’t even make sense. Anger, jealousy, lust, and—yes, fear. At the heart of it all. He started to shake. Gareth pulled him tighter, but it wouldn’t stop. Phil’s angry face stared at him. Screamed at him. His fist descended—again and again. Pain and anger and shame. “Oh God!”
“What, love?” Gareth kissed his hair.
“I was so afraid.”
“Nothing to fear, love.”
“Phil. Oh God. He said he wanted to kill me. I think he would have if Edge hadn’t come.” He burrowed into Gareth’s arms.
“We’re here now, love. Nothing more to fear. You took care of that bastard. He won’t bother you again.”
Edge’s deep voice came from behind him. “If he comes near you, I’ll kill the asshole.”
David sucked in breath and turned in Gareth’s arms. He saw Gareth shake his head, warning Edge. “David took care of him, Edge. He got the police and had him thrown in jail.”
David wiped at his eyes. “Thank you, Gareth. I know I said I could take care of myself, but I lied. I’ve been alone so long. I only got involved with Phil because I was lonely and wanted someone to care about me. Instead, he hit me and abused me. I’m so grateful to Edge for saving me today. I’m so grateful to both of you for not being the kind of man that Phil is. So grateful.” The tears ran down his cheeks again and dripped off his chin.
Edge stepped closer and tipped up David’s chin with his finger. He did something David hardly ever saw him do. He smiled. “I know I’m a big Neanderthal with no fucking manners, but sometimes that’s a handy kind of guy to have around.” Funny how David hadn’t noticed those dimples in Edge’s cheeks before. Like you could sharpen pencils in them.
David stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Edge in a huge hug. “Thank you. I’m so glad you were there. I’m so grateful.”
Edge chuckled, and the vibration zipped straight to David’s cock. Down, boy.
Another pair of strong arms wrapped around him from behind and made it a group hug.
David giggled. “I’m the filling in an Aussie sandwich. If I’d known, it would have been my lifetime aspiration.”
Congrats on the re-release! The cover is great.
Love the series, still need to read this one!
Congrats and thanks for the post. I love the premise – I’ve spent some time in Laguna, and with alphas, so I can relate (:-)
I didn’t read this one the first time it was out. Looking forward to reading it now!
Congrats on the re-release & thanks for the excerpt!
Love the excerpt – sounds great. Two Alpha males hmm…!
Congratulations on the re-release. I really enjoyed the original, so I can wait to read this expanded version.
Congratulations on the new book and the tour. The blurb and excerpt were intriguing. I do love a story where things don’t go so smoothly and I can’t wait to see how things will end up working out for the characters involved. Thanks so much for offering a Giveaway!