Hi everyone! We have the lovely Lexi Ander here with us today to talk about her new story, Keeping Faith. Lexi is giving away one free e-book copy for every 20 people who comment on this blog post. We'll run the contest portion until 12/8, so get those comments in! Lexi has some thoughts for us on Keeping Faith and a special excerpt - hi, Lexi! I wanted to give Angel a huge thanks for hosting me. {{hugs}} Today I wanted to talk a little about writing edgy/dark scenes. To be honest, I didn't just stick my toe in the water. I figured that if I had to go there then I had to get wet, not simply test the waters. Creating a suspenseful scene with a dark edge isn't something that I've done before but I also know it's not something that I could do halfway. If I had to take the characters to that place then I wanted the readers to share in the experience. To hold their breath in anticipation, to absolutely need to turn the next page because there was no way they could put the book down and wait until tomorrow to finish the story. If an author is going to take the reader and the characters down a dark corridor then it needs to feel real, otherwise why go there? The sh*t-storm that I pulled from the William Harte's backstory was a serious issue that in real life would lead to dangerous consequences. I had to respect that, but at the same time infuse the story with the magic of life, love, and sprinkled with a smidgeon of faith. Cause let's be honest, when we have dark days, thoughts of our loved ones or the antics of our pets or even a gift, a small inconsequential token speaks to us. Little things that mean nothing to the outside world has the ability to give us strength, reminding us to breath, and that the burdens will eventually be lifted. Trent, AJ, and Brock find themselves dealing with a situation not of their making and they have to find the courage and the will to keep believing that they can make it through. The average person won't find themselves in the same predicament as our guys, but the consequences—the doubt, the second guessing ones actions, the worry, the anger, the fear, the joy—we all can understand on some level what they are going through. If something about the story makes you hold your breath, breaks your heart, or perhaps causes you to sniffle just a little bit then I did something right while telling you the story of this dark path that Trent, AJ, and Brock must traverse. AND if you do all of that and follow our guys back out onto a sunny path where you end up smiling and maybe laughing a time or two… well then, I couldn't ask for more. Side Note: If you haven't read Playing For Keeps, it is a free read that you can find on Fireborn's website or over at All Romance (ARe). I would suggest reading it first before jumping into Keeping Faith. Today's excerpt goes along with theme of dark paths. Thank you for stopping by and reading! Keeping Faith By Lexi Ander Publisher: Fireborn Publishing, LLC Available now! Genre: Action/Adventure, ADVISORY- Contains moderate violence, Category Length Novel, Comedy/Humor, Contemporary, Family Drama, Happy Ending, HEAT, Holiday-Winter, Male/Male, Ménage, Mystery/Suspense, Part of Series, Romance Heat Level: 3 Flames Buy Links: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Faith-Unshakable-Lexi-Ander-ebook/dp/B00QBDTMY0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417270136&sr=8-1&keywords=keeping+faith+lexi+ander Barns & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/keeping-faith-lexi-ander/1120832891?ean=2940150073036 Are (All Romance): https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-keepingfaith-1689373-145.html Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/keeping-faith-2 Fireborn Publishing: http://firebornpublishing.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_bookx_info&cPath=5&products_id=49 Blurb: Trent, Brock, and AJ are excited to spend Christmas together in their new home but secrets and dark dealings by Trent's estranged father interrupt their plans. Brock is kidnapped and Trent and AJ scramble to find a way to get Brock back before it is too late. Several months after Trent Harte was drafted into the NFL, he, AJ Barnes, and Brock Everette are settling into their new home in Miami. Christmas is approaching and they are excited to share another holiday season with each other. Unbeknownst to them, William Harte, Trent's estranged father double-crossed a deadly adversary and then disappeared. To draw William out of hiding, Trent becomes a target. In a horrible twist of fate, the kidnappers grab Brock instead leaving AJ and Trent scrambling to find a way get Brock back. Detectives believe Trent is responsible, and with each passing hour the likelihood of Brock returning home alive dwindles. Brock traded his safety to ensure his lovers were out of harm's way. He would do it again even knowing he'd end up captured and restrained in a part of town that no one in their right mind would willingly go. The kidnappers are terrifying, but Brock is a fighter, holding onto hope with both hands. He must decide to either wait to be rescued or find a way to escape. Stuck between the wills of a ruthless assassin and an insane mob thug, something needs to happen soon or he'll never see Trent and AJ again. Excerpt: "Whatever you do, if they catch up, don't get into a vehicle with them. Promise me you'll fight them with everything you have. What am I saying? You will, I know you will. When the cab takes off call the police." "Brock." Trent tried to interrupt. AJ didn't think Brock was listening and kept on with his confusing list of things he wanted Trent to do. AJ tuned out Brock's frantic words and scanned the parking lot, his hackles rising. Something was coming but he couldn't see what it was. With an efficiency AJ thought he'd lost, he assessed every person, looking for the looming threat. Brock would never act like this unless something or someone scared the holy hell out of him. If Brock was terrified then AJ needed to be on guard. The itch of wrongness AJ had experienced earlier returned, pegging him between the shoulder blades as if a sniper had the three of them in their sites. Suddenly he wished he had a sidearm, his palm itching for something to grab onto. "Trent Harte!" Brock made a noise sounding like a low squeal and pushed Trent against the cab. AJ placed his palm between Brock's shoulders to hold him there while AJ assessed the situation. Turning, he kept his body between the person who spoke and his lovers. The reporter whom Brock despised, Richard—Ricky—Robert, yeah, Robert stared at the hand AJ held out stretched between the two of them, a silent demand for him to come no farther. AJ's unwavering gaze met the astonished one of the reporter's. "Hi. Robert Sturges. I'd like to speak to Trent Harte about an interview." "Oh for the love of God, we don't have time for this." AJ heard Brock say from behind him. "Let me move, AJ, I need to get Trent into the taxi." He withdrew his staying hand and stepped to the side so he could see Brock and Trent as well as keep the newcomer in his sight. "Brock, you need to tell me what's going on." AJ's voice came out low and tense. He met Brock's wide eyes. By the shuffling of Brock's feet AJ could tell the sense of urgency Brock felt hadn't lessened with Robert's interference. Brock shot a glare at Robert before returning his gaze to AJ. In a low voice he said, "Inside the café two men were talking about taking Trent. I think they're some crazed fans or something. I called the police but they didn't sound like they believed me. They said they would send a car but if they don't get here in time… the crazy people sounded serious, AJ." Brock's gaze broke away and he seemed to search the parking lot. The click of a shutter drew AJ's attention. Robert lowered his camera, his eyebrows halfway up his forehead in an expression of shock turning to excitement. "Oh my God, Robert! Get lost you leech!" The volume of Brock's voice rose with every word, hurting AJ's ears near the end. "I told you it would be a cold day in hell before Trent gave you an interview." "Trent doesn't need you dictating to him. If he doesn't want an interview then he can tell me himself. Besides it looks like all I need to do is wait around to—" Brock didn't seem to be listening to the nosy reporter. AJ moved closer to hear Trent arguing in a low voice with Brock. "I'm not going anywhere." AJ grabbed Brock's arm when Brock attempted to push Trent into the cab. "Let's go back in the café, wait for the police. Surely no one will try anything with so many people around." "I agree," Trent said. "You don't know that," Brock replied with hissed vehemence. "You can't guarantee his safety, AJ." Brock's eyes glistened like dark pools. It was evident Brock was terrified for Trent. The cab's driver side window rolled down, and the woman stuck her head out, craning her neck attempting to look at them. What she said told AJ she'd overheard their conversation. "I'm not sticking around to get shot. In or out, you'd better make up your mind quickly." AJ noticed Trent open his mouth to reply but a white van rolled through the parking lot toward them, catching all of their attentions. The two suspicious men AJ had noticed earlier could clearly be seen through the windshield. "Brock?" AJ said, needing to know if these were the same men Brock had spoken of. Brock's renewed attempts to get Trent into the cab doubled. The van's passenger, a man in what AJ guessed his early twenties, stepped from the vehicle. Large dark sunglasses hid his eyes, his dark hair flopping sloppily over one lens, his body half-hidden by the door as if he was undecided about leaving the van or not. The driver seemed to be arguing with him. The repetitive sound of the reporter's camera shutter told AJ that Robert had resumed taking pictures but he couldn't spare a minute to reprimand him. An object very much resembling a gun hung in the passenger's right hand. AJ looked back at the café and its glass windows. Could they make it to the restrooms? Was there a lock on the door? Would the door be sturdy enough to deflect a bullet or clip of bullets? The place was packed with people. How many would be injured as the gunman tried to get to them? AJ had no way of protecting Trent. He made a decision. "Trent, get in the cab. Do what Brock said. Call the police, don't stop for anything but the police, and don't come back." The first book for Trent, Brock and AJ - if you want to see where it all began :) Playing For Keeps Blurb: College running back, Trent Harte, has been living with his lovers, AJ Barnes and Brock Everett, for two years. Caught in a compromising position, rumors abound. It's hard enough to be an openly gay football player, but gossip and snide comments only add to his stress. Threats against his partners causes Trent to wonder if he should step back from the relationship. AJ and Brock know there is something wrong when Trent begins to pull away. A call from Trent's father only adds to his distress. AJ and Brock refuse to let him shoulder the responsibility alone and they call for help. Will Trent find the strength to withstand the pressure and hold on to those he loves? Or will AJ and Brock be too late to convince Trent that they are playing for keeps? Tour Stops: 12/1 – Toni Griffin's blog (http://www.tonigriffin.net/blog) 12/2 – Hearts On Fire Reviews (http://heartsonfirereviews.com/) 12/3 – Angel Martinez's blog (http://angelmartinezauthor.weebly.com/) 12/4 – World of Diversity Fiction (http://www.wodfreview.com/) 12/5 – Lexi Ander's blog (I know, this is like cheating!) (http://lexiander.blogspot.com/) About Lexi Lexi has always been an avid reader, and at a young age started reading (secretly) her mother’s romances (the ones she was told not to touch). She was the only teenager she knew of who would be grounded from reading. Later, with a pencil and a note book, she wrote her own stories and shared them with friends because she loved to see their reactions. A Texas transplant, Lexi now kicks her boots up in the Midwest with her Yankee husband and her eighty-pound puppies named after vacuum cleaners. Web site: http://www.lexiander.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexi.ander.9 Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LexiAnder1 Blog: http://lexiander.blogspot.com/ E-mail: [email protected] GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6521302.Lexi_Ander
6 Comments
Trix
12/3/2014 04:55:03 am
I was curious to see how things would turn out for the guys--it'll be fun to read this!
Reply
Roger
12/3/2014 09:30:01 am
Oh my this looks like a good book. thanks for the giveaway
Reply
saĺly
12/3/2014 05:37:14 pm
Wow! the excerpt already has me holding my breath. I can tell there's gonna be a lot of tense moments. Great
Reply
Lee Todd
12/5/2014 12:19:03 pm
sounds good
Reply
Jbst
12/8/2014 10:31:37 am
Sounds so exciting.
Reply
Sula
12/8/2014 01:16:55 pm
Oh wow, how scary and exciting, I wonder if that reporter will caught in any crossfire? He reminds me of the uncaring selfish reporter in the first few Die Hard films... :)
Reply
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About Angel
Angel writes (mostly) Science Fiction and Fantasy centered around queer heroes. Currently living part time in the hectic sprawl of northern Delaware and full time inside her head, she has one husband, one son, two cats, a love of all things beautiful and a terrible addiction to the consumption of both knowledge and chocolate. |
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