It’s officially the holidays! Decorations are up, shopping has commenced and holiday movies and music are back in fashion. And for romance readers, it holiday romance time! I love a good holiday story. Preferably a low angst, sweet tale that embodies the magical spirit of gratitude and hope. I usually queue up a few from authors I enjoy or new ones I’ve wanted to try and then count down the hours until I can find a quiet place to read. Ah, the simple joys in life! LOL.
Well, this year, I decided to write one myself. I’m proud to announce that my first ever holiday novella, Leaning Into a Wish, is now available! This story is part of the Leaning Into Series but can be read as a standalone. Leaning Into a Wish is set at a Napa Valley winery where Ryan has worked for years. He loves his job but he’s not crazy about the new intern. Danny is just too…much. He’s charismatic, funny, good-natured and smarter than hell. Or maybe Ryan likes Danny more than he wants to admit. When their tentative friendship blossoms into something more, Ryan is very aware that time isn’t on their side. Their chance at a real future together may take a special holiday wish.
I’ll leave you with an excerpt from Leaning Into a Wish and a chance to a win a $10 Amazon gift card. All you have to do to participate is tell my your favorite thing about the holidays. I’ll choose a winner on Friday, December 1.
Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!
Lane Hayes xo
Excerpt from Leaning Into a Wish by Lane Hayes:
My gaze traveled shamelessly down his chest, taking in the deep contours of his muscles and his pebbled nipples before roaming south to study the edges of that sexy tattoo. I took my time making my way back to his eyes and braced myself for his reaction, knowing it could be anything from amusement to disgust.
The flash of desire, however, caught me off guard. I licked my lips and narrowed my gaze. I had to be seeing things.
And just like that, it was gone. Or at least covered up.
I cocked my head curiously and nodded. “Yeah, even you. But…you aren’t my type.”
He twisted to face me on the bench then removed his sunglasses and squinted at me. “Who is your type?”
Okay, I didn’t expect that either. I took another gulp of water before replying.
“Generally, I like older guys who are comfortable in their skin and not going through a life crisis. And if Santa Claus was really interested in granting my wish this year, I’d also request a man who isn’t either questioning their sexuality or suffering bouts of self-hatred. Oh, and one more thing.” I held up a finger like a school teacher before adding, “He has to be single. If I hear one more guy try to justify the other man in his life with an ‘it’s complicated,’ I may give up for good.”
“Give up? Like no sex for the rest of your life?” he asked incredulously.
“Hell, no! I love sex! But relationships might not be my thing.”
“Don’t get gloomy on me, Haskell. There’s still two months till Christmas. You never know, maybe Santa will leave one of his retired elves under your tree this year. He’ll be wearing a rainbow shirt and carrying a red rose. You know, like in The Bachelor.”
I barked a quick laugh as I turned to rest my knee on the bench. “Sounds like the kind of creeper I’d get. No, thanks. I’ll stick with my eau de cologne and yearly sweater from Mom. No surprises. Are you going to put that shirt on?”
“So you are getting hot and bothered? Nice,” he said, slipping his T-shirt over his head.
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 well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.
Books by Lane Hayes:
Better Than Good, Better Than Chance, Better Than Friends, Better Than Safe, The Right Words, The Wrong Man & The Right Time, Leaning Into Love and Leaning Into the Fall, A Kind Of Truth, A Kind of Romance, A Kind of Honesty, A Kind of Home, A Way with Words, Leaning Into Always and Leaning Into Touch And Leaning Into a Wish
Coming Soon: A Way with You and Leaning Into the Look
Contact Information:
Website: http://lanehayes.wordpress.com
Twitter: @LaneHayes3
Facebook: LaneHayesauthor
Email: lanehayes@ymail.com
My favourite thing about the holiday is the feeling it gives me, spending time with family and friends. And I just love those black nights with the ground covered with snow and the world not dark, but lit with lights everywhere.
Beautifully said, Annika! Happy holidays!
My favorite part is getting spend time with my family and making cookies together.
I love that too Jen! Happy holidays! xo
I love the music and family time. Also Charlie Brown Christmas!!!
Yes!! I love Charlie Brown’s Christmas!! xo
My favorite thing about the holiday is the music and Christmas television movies. Oh yea, the food too…eggnog!
Yes! Don’t forget the eggnog! LOL
Great excerpt!!!
Love family, giving gifts, decorating, seeing snow outside if I’m inside by fire.
Thank you Janie! All of those things are wonderful! Happy holidays!
My favorite thing is the cooler weather. Get to wear hoodies and drink delicious hot coco!
Yum! It’s definitely hot cocoa season! xo
I’m so excited for this book, can’t wait to read it. I love this series!!!
I love the getting together, baking, enjoying friends and family.
Thank you Amy! I appreciate it. Happy holidays! xo
My favourite part is making Mince pies on Christmas Eve it makes it feel like Christmas has finally arrived.
I actually love Christmas Eve the most. The air of anticipation is so magical!
My favorite thing about the holidays is doing all our family traditions with my husband and kids.
P.S. Just started Learning Into a Wish and am enjoying. Wish I could go wine tasting now.
Yay! I’m so happy you’re enjoying Ryan and Danny, Jen! xoxo
Christmas celebrations no matter how small or grand never fails to make me happy. The spirit of the holidays itself is my favorite thing about the season.
I agree, James. There’s something special in the air at this time of year! Happy holidays!
This year instead of moping around about Christmas’ past, I am taking my little family to Lake Geneva to make new memories.
Oh! That sounds lovely, Kara! Have a wonderful holiday!
Having all my family around… That’s my favourite part of Christmas, we love to share meals and tease each other!
Very sweet! Enjoy your family! Happy holidays! xo
Decorating the real Christmas tree (must be Douglas fir), decorating sugar cookies, finding the perfect presents for people, my mom’s Christmas dinner, The Grinch, chocolate.
You have some great traditions! Enjoy your holidays! xo
I love seeing the decorations on people’s houses. In my neighborhood people go all out and I just love it, especially when it gets dark so early, all the lights are like little beacons
I love that too! Lots of lights and decorations! xo
Great books, Lane! I love Christmas – getting together with friends and family, the decorations, the music. All of it.. My favorite thing? The mistletoe! <3 #LoveWins
Thank you! I love all those things too! And mistletoe! xoxo
<y favorite part of the holidays will be the time I get to spend with my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren. The year goes by so fast and everyone is so busy that this is one time we have to be together and enjoy each other.
That’s wonderful! Enjoy your family! Happy holidays! xo
spending time with family
That’s my favorite thing too! Enjoy!
Family is the best!
I agree Debby! xo
Christmas Eve dinner with my entire family at a local restaurant. Everyone is done shopping, wrapping and decorating so we just focus on each other and enjoy the morning to come!
That’s very special!! Christmas Eve is my favorite too!
Decorating and the gift giving. Even though it can be a little stressful I like the while process of it from the shopping/deciding what best to get for person and finally watching them unwrap it and their reactions.
Yes! Giving is definitely the best. Happy holidays!
I love the decorations, not decorating but looking at them and the lovely lights, the holiday movies and sweets >.<
Me too!! To all of the above!
Making time to spend time with my family and baking, I don’t do enough of it during the year.
I feel the same way. It’s a nice time of year to connect.
Read this last week and LOVED it – adored Ryan and Danny!
My favorite thing is our annual roadtrip from Texas to my family in Alabama. We’ve gone every year since my youngest was 3, so 12 years now. It’s a great week with family and the kids love it. A close second would be the annual cookie exchange/brunch I host every year – everyone looks forward to it and the competition is pretty fierce!
Thank you so much Sandy! I’m so happy you loved Ryan and Danny! Enjoy your holidays! That cookie exchange sounds amazing. LOL
[…] while you can!In Leaning Into news, there is an opportunity to win a $10 Amazon Gift card at Love Bytes for Leaning Into a Wish and an excerpt! I’ll choose a winner tomorrow so stop by today for a […]
I love the weather – it’s perfect layering weather. Also, I love all the potlucks. 🙂
Congrats on your novella, Lane. One of my fav things is having “Christmas” dinner with my chosen family. Sadly, some of us still cannot go back to our given families; but since I came out 15 years ago, I’ve gotten to know this group of supportive friends and formed a bond where we share our Christmas spirit in a special way that brings us together, for each other.
**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**
[…] Leaning Into news, there is an opportunity to win a $10 Amazon Gift card at Love Bytes for Leaning Into a Wish and an excerpt! I’ll choose a winner tomorrow so stop by today for a […]