October is a special month for me: Number one, because my second book, Signs of Life, was released in October of 2015. And two, that same year I got to attend my first GRL as an author! My cover model for Signs of Life is none other than the gorgeous Cory Zwierzynski of Andrew Christian fame. He not only graced my cover, he also appeared at GRL 2015 to sign books and dispense hugs. Let me tell you, he gives the BEST hugs. He’s absolutely gorgeous in person, but best of all, he’s also sweet and kind. I loved meeting him!
Since I had wanted to get to know Cory a bit better before GRL, I posed a series of 10 interview questions to him beforehand, and he was gracious enough to sit down with me and answer them.
We started with the basics:
I first fell in love with your work when I saw the Andrew Christian “Kiss” video.
How were you discovered by Andrew Christian?
I was visiting some friends in LA and Andrew Christian happened to come over to my friend’s place. After meeting him, he asked me if I would be interested in modeling for him.
How long have you been working as an Andrew Christian exclusive model?
It will be 2 years in November.
What’s your favorite part about working for Andrew Christian?
Being able to travel around the world.
Then I got a little more in-depth about what it’s like to be an Andrew Christian model, and there were a couple of “oh no” moments:
As an underwear model, there has to have been a few embarrassing moments during the course of your career. Can you tell us about one?
I jumped into a pool for a shoot and when I got out the underwear was see-through.
You’ve gotten to travel a lot, to different appearances and events. What’s your best memory?
My best memory would have to be when I was in Italy and did a few wine tastings in the vineyard.
Now tell us about your worst memory!
Worst memory would have to be when I was on my way to the airport from an event and my wallet fell out in the car and I didn’t realize it until I got to security. It almost ended up with me missing my flight. The driver was nice enough to drive all the way back in time to return it.
It’s time to get a little personal J Where are you from, and what’s your family like? Brothers, sisters, pets?
I’m from Pittsburgh PA. I have one older brother and he has 3 kids of his own. My mom has two dogs, a miniature greyhound and a shih tzu.
(And aww, Uncle Cory! Makes my heart melt.)
On your days off, what is your favorite thing to do? What are your hobbies?
Well, sleep in, of course. Maybe the beach or a nice pool day.
And now he shows us a snarky sense of humor. Gotta love it:
How about your ideal date? If money wasn’t an object and you could go anywhere and do anything with that special someone, what would it be?
My ideal date would have to be April 25th because it’s not too cold or not too hot. All you need is a light jacket. Lol, just kidding.
My ideal date would have to be a nice dinner and a walk on the beach at night. If money wasn’t an object we would travel to Australia and New Zealand.
And finally, what I’ve been waiting for, to ask him about his appearance at my GRL Supporting Author signing:
And last but not least, you’re coming to sign your hot book cover during GayRomLit in San Diego on October 15. I can’t wait! What can we expect from your appearance there? Will you bring some Andrew Christian giveaways?
One hell of a good time! And of course there will be AC giveaways.
So there you have it! Cory is smart, and sexy, and so very nice.
In honor of my two-year bookeversary and the wonderful experience of meeting Cory, I’d love to give away a signed copy of Signs of Life to two commenters. International friends are more than welcome! To enter, please tell me about a celebrity encounter you had, or just simply a favorite memory.
Have a wonderful October, and thanks, Dani and Love Bytes, for hosting me today!
A Resilient Love Story
Successful lawyer Jeremy Speer has it all—a loving husband, a beautiful home, and a cherished dream that’s about to become reality. He’s learned not to take happiness for granted, meeting the challenges of life and love head-on with unwavering commitment and fierce devotion. A series of tragic events leave Jeremy shattered, adrift on a sea of unimaginable pain. He’s able to piece his life back together, but instead of embracing it, he merely exists, using isolation and punishing physical exertion to keep the world at bay.
High school teacher Kai Daniels has a heart for at-risk kids—he was one himself, and a teenage brush with the law and some troubled years behind bars left him scarred inside and out. With courage, hard work, and the support of friends, he’s built a fulfilling life that leaves no time for a relationship.
An intense encounter with Kai at a gay club ignites a spark in Jeremy that he thought was extinguished forever, but he’s unwilling to destroy the fragile peace he’s managed to create, and he leaves Kai humiliated and disappointed. Things should have ended there, but a bizarre occurrence brings the two together in a way neither of them expected.
My father was Elvis Presley’s commanding officer when he was in Basic. Too bad I was too young.
hmmmm….never met a celebrity….sooo favourite memory was a 50th birthday card from my bestie telling me I could have free tattoo. I totally squealed!! ..and am the proud owner of a wolf tattoo on my upper left chest
I’ve never met any celebrities but when my mum was young, she met one of the most important actors from my country in the beach. She didn’t realize at first but when she did, she was so excited.
TBH, I didn’t find this shot of him in the cover of Signs of Life particularly good. But now that I got to know him, I was like, “WOW! Isn’t that guy gorgeous? And has a heart of gold to boot. Lethal-to-my-sanity combo. LOL!”
I like that he’s so game to answer every question you’ve thrown at him. He obviously likes his job & that I think is the most important thing about jobs, liking it until it doesn’t become a job anymore.
Answering your question, well…my fave memory is when I went to an amusement park once together with my friends. It was in college & was my first time going to one. (My parents were so strict with me growing up, what with me being an only child.) Then, we tried this surf dance ride & damn if I wasn’t terrified yet exhilarated at the same time. The feeling was heady & knees-buckling all at once. My friends & I just laughed it all off until we’ve gotten our bearings enough to try another ride. That day was really unforgettable…really unforgettable. LOL!
And yeah…now that I got the chance, I think I’ll have to tell you that Jeremy & Kai’s story is my favorite work of yours, tied with Unquiet & Pieces of Me. God, that 1st chapter killed me! I never cried so hard in my life! I was a quivering mess after reading that. Needless to say, it was a helluva novel. <3
My only brush with celebrity was one time when I was flying out of Vegas, Jerry Lewis was getting on the plane ahead of me & my best friend. Of course he was in first class & we were not but while we were getting on the plane, we were close enough to touch him.
I am lucky enough to get to go to the Celebrity Golf Tournament at Lake Tahoe each summer and I always come home with great stories but my favorite is from the year my fiance proposed. Earlier in the week he played golf with Alfonso Ribero (he played Carlton on Fresh Prince) and they got along great, I got to meet him and he was so nice! On that Friday night, my fiance proposed t me as we were walking along the beach, it was amazing! Sunday afternoon while waiting for the tournament to end, we were standing on the 18th and there was s lull in play, it was quiet and Alfonso sees me and my fiance standing there. He yells across this little pond “Hey she said YES – congrats man but you go get engaged and my golf game turns to SHIT.” Everyone turns to look at us and we are just laughing and then I realize I’m standing next to Michael Phelps, and he just nods and smiles at me and says ‘congratulations.’ It was so surreal and fun and then I realized that Alfonso Ribero knew about the proposal even before I did! Still one of my favorite memories!
I saw P!nk is a café in London years and years before she became too famous. I love her so I kick myself now that I didn’t go and ask for an autograph!
Bill Russell at the Colorado Springs airport… Since he was surrounded by one of the college teams it was quite an experience! At 5’1” I’d always felt short…but that really must have been a photo opportunity for someone!