Book Title: Chasing Hope
Author: Gwen Martin
Publisher: Self-Published
Cover Artist: Cate Ashwood Designs
Release Date: February 19, 2021
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance
Trope/s: Small Town Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Out for You, Second Chance at Love, Bisexual Romance
Themes: Finding Love after Loss
Length: 68 000 words/ 177 pages
It is a standalone story.
Buy Links – Available on Kindle Unlimited
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Loss chased him away, hope brought him love
Blurb
Sean is only twenty-seven, but he’s already lost everything that gave him life. On the verge of losing hope for a future, he moves to a town where no one knows about him, the death of his child, or his failed marriage; but when his nightmares and his guilt follow him without the pitying glares, he realizes he can’t move forward on his own.
Jonah has worked tirelessly to keep his father’s memory alive and be a fixture in the small town he grew up in. Now, nearing forty, his dreams have been long forgotten to keep everyone else’s alive, and he doesn’t know how to reclaim his life as his own without losing his last connection to his father.
But when the two men’s lives collide, they’re forced to confront their grief and accept that there can be life and hope after loss—if you’re willing to chase it.
Chasing Hope is a 68k small-town, second chance at love, M/M Romance. There are subject matters in this book that may act as triggers for some. Readers are invited to check out the complete trigger warning on the copyright page, which can be viewed by clicking on the “Look Inside” preview or by downloading the sample. These triggers contain spoilers for the book.
Sean gripped onto Jonah’s shirt, his eyes wide and desperate. “No, don’t go. I want to tell you something. I want to be honest with you.” He focused on Jonah’s chest, his ears turning crimson. “I’ve never been with a guy before.”
“Hey,” Jonah said, his arms wrapping tighter around Sean’s waist. “There’s nothing wrong with that. We all start somewhere.”
A humorless laugh spilled out of Sean’s lips. “I don’t know about you, but my sexual experience has been pretty tame.”
Jonah couldn’t stop the chuckle that spilled out. “Do you think I’m some kind of hipster Casanova? I’ve only slept with eight people in fifteen years, only two of which were long-term relationships. One was my boyfriend when I was in college, and the other was Lee, which wasn’t even a relationship. We just weren’t seeing anyone else.”
Sean winced at Lee’s name, his teeth digging into his lip. Jonah tucked a finger under Sean’s chin and lifted it until their eyes met. “What’re you thinking?”
The blush spread into Sean’s cheeks. “It’s nothing. It’s just been a while since I’ve…been with someone. Anyone, really. I’m kind of out of my element here.”
Jonah combed his fingers through Sean’s hair. He shifted on his feet, his lips drawn together tight. “What do you mean?”
Sean blew out a breath. “I’ve never done anything with a guy. I told Katie once that…that I thought I was bi, and she brushed it off, saying because I was married to her it didn’t matter.”
“That’s not how that works. You can identify however you want. No matter how many partners you’ve had.” Jonah pulled Sean closer, brushing his lips over Sean’s forehead. Sean exhaled a shuddered sigh.
“I get it if you don’t want to continue this because I’m basically a virgin about all of this,” Sean mumbled against Jonah’s shoulder.
“Shh,” Jonah said, rubbing a hand over Sean’s back. “We can take it slow. Everyone’s gotta start somewhere. If you want to stop, we stop, okay?”
Sean nodded and whispered. “Okay.”
Jonah pulled back and cupped Sean’s face. He ran the pads of his thumb over Sean’s chin and over his full bottom lip. Sean’s eyes fluttered shut, a shaky whimper escaping his mouth. Jonah wanted to close the gap between them, wanted to feel his lips against his own.
“I want to kiss you. Is that okay?”
Sean nodded, his eyes remaining shut. “Yes.”
Their lips connected, the pressure of Sean’s mouth sweet and wonderful. He opened up for Jonah easily, allowing Jonah to take control of the kiss. Sean’s tiny whimpers had Jonah’s blood on fire, and he craved to touch and taste Sean, was hungry to make him come.
Jonah broke the kiss, and Sean’s eyebrows furrowed together as a low groan bubbled in his throat from the loss. His lips were red and wet, his eyes glassy. Jonah’s dick was aching, an uncomfortable pressure in his jeans, and as much as his body screamed to throw Sean down and strip him bare, he knew he needed to take his time.
Gwen Martin grew up in Florida where the sun was always shining, the humidity was high, and Disney was just a hop skip away. She currently lives in Knoxville, Tennessee to experience seasons and be closer to the mountains. When she’s not trying to write one of her million story ideas, she’s usually hanging out with her husband and four cats.
Gwen first started writing at a young age, coming up with stories in class instead of paying attention to the math lesson. Since then she has been exploring her love of writing in various fan communities where she has learned how to cultivate character development and romantic interactions.
She has a strong love affair with cold brew coffee, black cats, and nerding out in various fandoms. When she’s not writing, she’s reading everything she can get her hands on, listening to a lot of lo-fi and making playlists, chilling with her four gatos and obsessing about Pusheen. Because it’s always about Pusheen.
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