You all know I love visuals when it comes to daydreaming new story ideas. I can’t pass up thinking through the backstory behind a picture, wondering what had just happened to that person, what they could be thinking about, and what will happen next for them. Here are some of my recent photo finds:
If you can’t see the embedded images above, check out the original post on my blog.
The following conversation takes place early on during MORE Book 3 (More Than Ever).
Matthew opened the front door, and his face lit up with a huge smile. “Hi, Sloan.” As it always was with him, he seemed so excited to see me.
The feeling was completely mutual.
I offered him a return smile. “I’m glad you had time for a visit today.”
“Me too. Come on in. I was just starting dinner.” He motioned me inside and then led me through the house and into the kitchen.
“Can I help?”
“Sure. I’m making fajitas. With homemade tortillas. You wanna chop the vegetables?”
“You got it.” I got started on the onions and peppers while he set to mixing the ingredients for the tortillas. After a few minutes of silence, I asked, “Where are the guys?”
“Still at work.” He opened his mouth to say more, and I knew he was going to talk about Luke and Richard and how they were doing and what they were up to. I didn’t want to hear about them right then.
Before he could say anything, I asked, “How have you been doing lately?”
He lowered his head and shrugged. “I’m okay, I guess.”
“You still waiting to hear about that job?”
“Yeah.” There was a long pause. He took a deep breath. “I really want this one.”
“I know you do.”
He nodded. Keeping his gaze on the dough he was now kneading on the surface of a wood cutting board, his next words poured out in a rush. “I’m not gonna ask you how it turns out because I know I have to wait, but if there’s anything you can do…” He trailed off.
I set the knife down beside the strips of peppers and onions and gave him my full attention. “I’m going to do my best for you, Matthew. I promise you that.”
He smiled at me again, his eyes beaming with genuine affection. “I know you will.”
I probably shouldn’t have said anything more, but I couldn’t keep the words inside. “Thank you for trusting me with your life. It means a great deal to me.”
He laughed. “I should be the one thanking you. I wouldn’t be me without you. I’d be somebody else.”
I laughed too. “I guess that’s true.”
Then he studied me with an intensity that reminded me of Richard. “You’re going to make me tell them about the other stuff that’s been on my mind lately, aren’t you?”
“Don’t you think you should?”
“It’s not a big deal. None of it is.”
“That’s not true, and you know it.”
He finished with the dough and then went to the sink to wash the sticky residue from his hands. After drying his hands with a towel, he turned to face me. His voice wavered on his next words. “Yeah, I know.”
“It’s going to be okay. They love you, and they’re going to help you through this.” I took a step toward him and grasped one of his hands in mine. “But most importantly, you’re going to help yourself.”
He wiped a tear from his cheek and nodded. He met my stare and squeezed my hand. “Yeah. I am.”
Haven’t read the MORE books yet? Read the opening chapters for free here: MORE book 1 and book 2.
I’ve got several exciting items to share today:
1) My novella SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN has been re-released with a fantastic new cover from Lou Harper—and a new lower price!
When some extra cash lands best friends Sean and Gavin alone in a hotel room until Christmas, they can no longer deny their feelings for each other. Even with no place to live and no job prospects, Sean is determined to not just show Gavin what a real home and holiday is like, but to keep them off the streets for good and build a future together.
You can pick up a copy at Amazon, Google Play, Smashwords, and Playster. Coming soon to B&N, iBooks, and Kobo.
2) Just a reminder, I also have two freebies on my site that continue with Sean and Gavin’s story from SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN.
3) New Reader Giveaway: I’m a guest at Sinfully Gay Romance Book Reviews. Stop by to check out an exclusive excerpt from HOW TO HEAL A LIFE and to enter the giveaway for a chance to win two backlist e-books and a $15 Amazon.com gift card!
4) My collection of stories FOR LOVE AND FOREVER is currently a free read at iBooks, B&N, Google Play, and Smashwords. (Amazon doesn’t allow authors to change the price to free, but hoepfully they’ll price match it shortly.)
How to Heal a Life is now out in paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and The Book Depository.
Check out what readers and reviewers are saying about the book in this video:
My novella SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN is getting this fantastic new cover, designed by the talented Lou Harper. I will be re-releasing this title shortly as a self-published e-book. I’m excited to share Sean and Gavin’s journey with a new group of readers. It’s the one story of mine that, when I re-read it, there’s not much I want to change.
I also have two free shorts on my website that continue with their journey. Check them out today and see how Sean and Gavin’s love story unfolds after they find their happily ever after.