Book Title: The Talent’s Choice
Author: Michael Dee
Publisher: American Publishers, Inc
Cover Artist: American Publishers, Inc AI
Release Date: January 8, 2026
Tense/POV: First person/Past tense/Dual POV
Genres: Contemporary MM Romance
Heat Rating: 4.5 flames
Length: 78 000 words
It is a standalone book.
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How much are you willing to give up for fame?
Blurb
In The Talent’s Choice, where dreams are made and hearts are tested, one rising star is about to discover that fame isn’t the only thing worth fighting for.
Tristan Weber has always believed his future was waiting somewhere beyond Missouri. With New York City as his first step and Hollywood in his sights, he’s ready to give everything he has to make it. Success is closer than ever—and so is the life he’s always dreamed of.
But love was never part of the plan.
When Tristan meets Cory Reed, a guarded yet deeply sincere flight attendant who’s been waiting for someone worthy of his trust, everything begins to change. What starts as an unexpected connection quickly turns into something undeniable, something real. The kind of love neither of them saw coming… and neither of them can ignore.
As Tristan’s star begins to rise within The Talent’s Choice, the spotlight grows hotter, the stakes grow higher, and the pressure to succeed threatens to pull him away from the one person who feels like home.
Because in a world built on ambition, desire, and impossible choices…love may be the greatest risk of all.
Will Tristan chase the life he’s always wanted—or fight for the one he never knew he needed?
And when everything is on the line… Can love survive the cost of being chosen, or is there a moment when you simply decide you’ve had enough?
The Talent’s Choice
An Exclusive Excerpt
Jumping out of my chair, I ran over to him and hugged him hard as tears streamed down my cheeks. I hadn’t seen Tom in over four months, and I missed his fatherly guidance and advice. But right now, all I could do was hold onto him tight as I let my emotions finally burst out and cried on his shoulder.
He just held me, rubbing my hair, patting my back, and whispering that everything was going to be alright as he patiently allowed me to get it all out of my system.
“It’s going to be all right, Tristan. Don’t worry. I’m here,” his soothing voice whispered in my ear.
I tried to speak, but it was all still too raw, and the lump in my throat wouldn’t allow me to let go yet. So I just tried to breathe as I held onto him for the strength only he could give me. He didn’t rush me, so when I was finally able to breathe, I looked at him. His eyes were so caring, and the loving concern on his face meant everything to me.
“Ryan tells me you’re not doing so well. I had to come and see for myself, and I’m glad I did. Tristan, please tell me what is going on. We can get through this together, I promise you,” Tom said, still holding me by the shoulders at arm’s length, looking directly into my eyes.
I handed Tom a bottle of water, and I walked over to the sofa and sat down. I was sitting opposite the chair he sat down on, looking down at the floor and as he waited patiently for me to start talking. I was utterly emotionally exhausted from the rollercoaster of the last week. Just thinking about what he wanted me to divulge brought my raw emotions straight to the surface, and suddenly they were pouring out of my soul as the tears began again. This time, I was inconsolable.
Tom walked over to the sofa I was sitting on. As he sat down next to me, he put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. He consoled me until I was ready to talk.
“God, I guess I should start at the beginning,” were the first words out of my mouth since Tom knocked on my door.
“Please,” Tom said.
“Alright, I guess… well, I…” I tried, but I could feel myself welling up again.
“So, what’s really going on with you?” Tom asked, genuine concern in his voice.
I went over everything—from Cory’s conspiracy of the studio trying to keep us apart, to Ryan’s meddling in my personal and social life, to my inability to stand up for what I wanted and needed. Tom listened carefully, asking questions every now and then, but mostly just listening to what I was saying and what almost brought me to a breaking point.
It seemed like hours later, and after receiving the third request for me to be on set, I was ready to work again. Tom was there, and I knew he would do the right thing and that at least I would be okay. He and I both agreed that Cory would probably never be able to trust me again, but as he said, this was Hollywood. There were plenty of cocks strutting around for me to choose from. I hugged him hard when we said goodbye outside my trailer.
Michael has been an LGBT romantic short story writer for 20+ years before undertaking his first novel. He has consistently demonstrated a passion for reading and writing gay romantic stories which he continues to pursue in this his first book titled The Talent’s Choice, a gay romantic novel. Readers who have appreciated Michael Dee’s previous works will find his latest endeavor equally captivating.
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