Hey guys,

I’ve got something exciting to share with you! I have a new book coming out in less than a month and I wanted to show off the cover today. I actually finished up two books this week: this one and a co-write I did with J.H. Knight called When the Devil Wants In. WtDWI is the longest novel I’ve written (even if I only wrote half of it, it still counts, right?) and it’s got some heft to it, plot and character-wise. You can blame J.H., but there is a scene or two that might tear your heart out. I love it.

In stark contrast is this book—Textual Relations. It’s light, a little on the fluffy side, with almost no angst.

Here’s the blurb:

Evolutionary psychology professor Henry Hathaway is ready to spend his birthday the same way he does every year: a good teeth cleaning followed by lunch with his brother. But when he receives a wrong-number text confirming the details of a date, he does what any considerate person would—he goes to meet them and explain why they’ve been stood up.

Asher Wescott hadn’t expected his blind date to go well, because when do they ever? Henry shows up instead, and things are suddenly looking up. Socially awkward and attached to his routines, Henry is nevertheless one of the most charming and kind men Asher has met in a long time.

Too bad he’s not Henry’s type.

An accidental date, an impulsive kiss, and a few conflicted feelings later, can Asher get Henry to see the world—and him—in a different light?

 

And without further ado, the cover!

And here’s a little (unedited) teaser from the first chapter:

“Please tell me you didn’t spend the morning of your birthday at the dentist again,” Calvin said as he sat across from me in the booth.

“You’re undervaluing the importance of good oral hygiene. I don’t even want to know when you had your last cleaning.”

Calvin huffed a sigh and rolled his eyes at me. He’d responded to me the same way since he was thirteen years old.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t progressed past thirteen in a lot of ways.

“It was sad when you turned twenty-one, and possibly sadder now that you’re in your mid-thirties.”

“Early thirties,” I corrected.

“Sad no matter what demographic you fall into.”

“Some people believe that being responsible is a commendable trait.”

“Women?” he asked. “Do women think that?”

“I don’t know what it says about Holly that you’re unaware of this, but in fact, most do, yes,” I said, feeling a little defensive. “It’s an evolutionary response, hard wired into their DNA. Women are attracted to men they know can provide for them and their offspring, and ability to maintain basic hygiene is one indicator of physical suitability.”

“Shit, Henry. I wasn’t being serious. How can you be this clueless? It’s a wonder to me that you’ve ever had a girlfriend.”

I stared at him, indignantly. It always came around to this. I couldn’t understand Calvin’s preoccupation with my love life. I opened my mouth to say so, but he just kept talking.

“Judging by the outfit you’re wearing, you don’t ever plan on having another one. Any chance you had was obliterated when you put on—” he motioned with his hands. “—whatever that is…. Are those elbow patches?” He waved dismissively. “Never mind. Doesn’t matter.”

“How did this turn into a conversation about my desirability to women? I date. Women seem to like me very much.”

“Enough to touch your dick?”

God, my brother could be crass. I glared at him again.

“All I’m saying is that if you made an effort, you’d have someone to spend your birthday with.”

“I’m spending it with you,” I countered.

“I meant with someone who wants to touch your dick, Henry.”

“Oh.”

Textual Relations will be available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited on August 3rd.