A while back I mentioned that I had decided to rename my current work-in-progress, a friends-to-lovers story. Another m/m release had come out with the same title I was going to use, and I’d prefer to keep mine as unique as I can, at least within the same genre.
So I went back to the drawing board. Thanks to some brainstorming assistance from Connie and Patrice in my local writers’ group and Loose Id author Johnny Miles (who shared some lyrics that led me to my choice), I have settled on a new title: Take Me Home
Here’s a DRAFT blurb for Take Me Home
I’m still working on this story, so the description may change a bit.
Aspiring television writer Evan Walker has been in love with his best friend since they met in high school, but Kyle doesn’t do boyfriends. Never has. Never will. Evan knows it’s a bad idea to give in to desire when he wants more than a friend with benefits. He has a new dream job. Now all he needs is the dream partner to go with it.
Kyle Bennett is a mystery novelist with a severe case of writer’s block. He needs a change. He has two days on their cross-country train trip home for the holidays to figure out how to tell Evan he’s staying there for good. He also has to write the overdue pages for his editor. Only, he’s a little too distracted by the close quarters in their sleeper compartment — and Evan’s ass — to get much done.
The sparks that fly between them are hotter than ever. Good thing they have a real-life mystery to focus on: why people all around them want to get their hands on a journal that once belonged to Kyle’s grandfather.
When a blizzard traps them in the mountains, Kyle and Evan steam up the train’s windows and must finally face their true desires.
I’m expanding and revising the last third right now and it’s going really well. When that phase is wrapped up, I’ll be going back over the entire manuscript several times to do more detailed edits. I may end up having to change the title again, but for now I’m really liking Take Me Home. It fits Evan and Kyle, and their story.
And just for fun I took a picture of the manuscript (from the back so you can’t get a glimpse of all my red pen scribbles). If you look closely you can see my cat’s whiskers on the right. He’s been keeping an eye on me, making sure I stay on task.
(c) Sloan Parker 2011
I’ll keep you updated on the progress. The story takes place during the Christmas season, so I’m hoping it’ll be a 2011 holiday release. Fingers crossed.
I hear that cat’s whiskers are good luck. I don’t think you’ll need it though. The blurb sounds great.
Thanks, Dlee. I like that thought about the whiskers. Glad you think the blurb sounds good. This one’s a bit different from my other two, so I’ll be curious to see what people think.
Love that blurb and new title. Friends to lovers has to be one of my favorites!
Raelyn: It’s one of my favorite themes too, and I’ve been wanting to write one for a while now. There’s nothing like that closeness of friends going a step further. Thanks so much about the blurb and title.
Sounds great and i can’t wait! Hmm, that cat is thinking up a new title — Purrrfect Holiday. LOL
So very nice of you to say, Tara. Thanks! Love the cat title too. Just purrrfect.
Friends to Lovers is one of my favorites too…there’s something about a couple that knows SO much about each other that sucks me right in. I loved the blurb, and I hope you get to keep the title :)
This sounds so good. I can’t wait to buy this. I love the title. I have to admit that I love friends to lovers story as well. I think there is something so vulnerable about that type of relationship. There is so much more at stake and so when they take the plunge and give into their desires, it becomes that much more satisfying. I think it’s cute that we can see the cat whiskers, he’s like a little kitty guard and it seems like you can see his shadow on your manuscript .
I’m liking the sound of this, Sloan, and much looking forward to reading it when its out. :-)
I’m liking this already ! “Take me home country road to the place I belong, West Virginia mountain mama, take me home country road.” me like music too *g*
Going from the blurb it sounds great, my money is already poised to spring out of my pocketbook and wave good bye to me! I’ll be looking forward to a release date. I think it is great that you chose the title from a song. I always find it interesting when an author does that.
Thanks for checking out the blurb everyone.
@Elaine: Thanks! Glad you liked it. I’m the same way about friends falling in love. It just makes everything even more intense.
@Mika: That’s so kind of you. Thanks! I agree about the stakes being higher for two friends taking a chance at more. That’s a main theme for Kyle and Evan.
@LC: Thank you! So glad to hear that. I’m hoping to share an excerpt or two before too long.
@Ro: I love that song. Although I probably should have mentioned in the post that wasn’t the song Johnny shared during our brainstorming. *grin* I mentioned on The Sweet Spot about doing a contest to guess the song. I’m really liking that idea. I might have to do something like that for release week.
@Tara: Thank you! So nice to hear you think it sounds worth reading.