Tour Stop, Interview & Giveaway: A Kind of Truth by Lane Hayes

Today I would like to welcome Lane Hayes, author of A Kind of Truth, to Book Reviews & More by Kathy.

Hi Lane, thank you for agreeing to this interview.

Thank you for having me!

1) Talk to us about your characters in this book. What makes them unique?

I think the entire cast of characters in A Kind of Truth is a unique group. Rand O’Malley is a charismatic and confident lead singer who hopes to bring his band Spiral to the next level with a move to New York City. Rand is the kind of guy who commands an audience without trying. He’s sexy, funny and silly one minute then infuriatingly headstrong and difficult the next. Readers caught a glimpse of him in Better Than Safe as Seth’s best friend. You may remember Paul thought he was a bit of a handful. 🙂 Will on the other hand, is Rand’s opposite in every way. He’s a quiet, shy, serious musician with secrets. I love Will’s inner strength of character and how it takes someone vivacious and over-the-top like Rand to reveal his real nature. They’re wonderful separately and unstoppable together!

2) What was one of the most surprising things you learned in getting your book from start to publish?

So far, all of my books have been published with Dreamspinner Press. DSP is a class act, professional publisher with a staff who know their stuff. The most surprising part for me in the beginning was how diligent the editors were. Thank goodness! Their thoroughness took some getting used to, but is now much appreciated. 🙂

3) Have you ever gone to a convention? If so, how was it? If not, do you think it’s something you’d like to do in the future?

The only convention I’ve gone to so far is GRL (Gay Rom Lit). I’ve gone for the past two years (Chicago and San Diego) and plan to go the next one in Kansas City. I loved meeting fellow readers and authors who love this genre as much as I do. It’s easy to feel isolated when you’re preferred reads are MM romance. Unfortunately, it isn’t usually requested at the average book club. In fact, I bet a lot of people who love het romance still don’t know the genre exists. I’m planning to attend the Romance Times Convention in Vegas this year too. It seems like a great opportunity to spread the word!

4) Would you like to be a full-time writer?

I am very thankful to be a full-time writer. It’s been a couple years now and I absolutely love what I do!

5) Design the ultimate pizza.

Oh boy… yummy airy dough with pesto, mozzarella, sausage, fennel, onions, basil, arugula and shaved parmesan. Served with a big glass of Pinot please!

kind truth Title: A Kind of Truth by Lane Hayes
A Kind Of… Series Book One
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Romance, Erotica
Length: 230 pages

Summary:

Rand O’Malley dreams of superstardom. He hopes to one day sing the blues like a rock god. Moving to New York City and hiring a new manager are steps to make his dreams a reality. But nothing moves as fast as Rand would like, and everyone has opinions, for example that he should keep certain pieces of himself quiet if he plans on making it in the Big Apple. Like his bisexuality.

Will Sanders is a gifted musician who dazzles Rand with his ability to coax gorgeous notes from an electric guitar one moment and play the piano like a professional the next. He’s a geek, but Rand isn’t concerned about Will’s pressed exterior clashing with his tattoos. His focus is music. Yet there’s something about Will that makes Rand think there’s much more to the quiet college student than he lets on. As Rand’s dreams begin to materialize, he’s forced to reconsider his priorities and find his own kind of truth. One that might include Will.

Add to Goodreads.

Purchase Links: Dreamspinner Press * Dreamspinner Press (Paperback)

Excerpt

Watching Will’s face turn pink then red was extraordinarily entertaining. I nudged his elbow playfully and tried to gain control of my smile before it threatened to take over my entire face. When I couldn’t take the building pressure of emotion, I winked at the girls then leaned in and kissed his lips, loving that I took him by surprise. The elevator doors slid open a moment later. Will stepped into the empty corridor and gave me a wide-eyed incredulous stare.

“I cannot believe you just did that.”

“What? Kissed you on an elevator? It’s not like farting, ya know.”

Will huffed a sigh that clearly said he thought I was hopeless before turning to walk down the hall. “I was talking about the underwear comment but yeah, the kissing part was awkward too. No one wants to watch two people going at in a confined space. And besides, we’re supposed to be playing this strictly straight while we’re in public.”

He stopped to unlock the door to the classroom then pushed it open, pausing to give me a perturbed look before he moved inside ahead of me. I barked a quick laugh as I set my guitar on the back table and shrugged my jacket off.

“First of all, that was hardly going at it. It was a peck. You were the one advertising I left my clothes at your place in front of a couple cute girls. And who said anything about playing straight?”

“Were we not in the same room two mornings ago talking about this?”

“We were. In fact, we were naked in your bed. Decidedly un-straight. But the way I remember it, I was one who was holding back the gay while you were the one going for it. But let’s go back to the elevator. I think you purposefully blew my cover back there with those girls. Were you jealous?”

He snorted and rolled his eyes. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Thanks.”

“It wasn’t a compliment,” he quipped as he made his way to the piano.

“Well, the next time you announce you’re holding my underwear hostage in a crowd, all bets are off, baby.” I gave him a lascivious once-over and waggled my eyebrows before tightening the strap on my guitar.

Will chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind. But I’m pretty sure your tighty-whities never came up. My comment was perfectly innocent. There’s a big difference between hats and underwear.”

“I’m on to you, Will. You wanted those girls to know something’s going on between us. They’re probably talking right now. Bet they’re wondering if we’re in here having sex. Hell, they could be outside that door listening. Maybe we should give ‘em something to talk about.” I made a show of unbuckling my belt and the top button on my 501s. “Is there a camera in this room?”

“Keep your pants on. I’ve got two months left till graduation and I’d prefer not to get kicked out of school, please,” Will said primly, smacking my hand away.

“You won’t get kicked out. I doubt we’d be the first anyway.”

I rezipped my jeans and started to back up, but at the last second, I reached out to cup his chin between my thumb and forefinger. I traced his jaw and let my thumb roam higher to caress his cheekbone just under his glasses. His eyes fluttered shut. I loved the contrast of his fair skin and darker lashes and eyebrows. He was so damn pretty. And those lips. They were sensuous. That was the word. I leaned in and brushed my nose against his. I could feel his breath on my lips. The urge to plunge my tongue inside and take what I was very sure we both wanted was strong, but I waited for his permission.

When he didn’t respond, I let my hand fall to my side and started to pull back. Maybe he really was serious about propriety in the classroom. I wasn’t used to curbing my impulses to suit someone’s else’s sensibilities. I’d spent twenty-five years doing only what I wanted. Screw anyone else. Now here I was, attempting to hide my gay side publicly while trying to follow Will’s lead in private. It felt strange, I thought, just as Will launched himself at me.

I grunted in surprise when he wrapped his arms around my neck and crashed his mouth over mine. He softened the connection and tilted his head as he raked his fingers through my hair. I responded but let him control the tempo. Until he tentatively licked my lips. Fuck, he tasted sweeter than I remembered. Like peppermint candy or hot chocolate. I pulled him flush against my chest and slid my tongue alongside his, twisting and colliding in a passionate fusion. When he gasped for air I pulled back only to have him grind his hips into mine and lick my jaw. He swayed into me with a moan and lost his footing.

“Steady there.”

Will was sexier than he knew, which spelled potential danger for me. It was better to let the music take over for now.

Author Bio

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions in the 2014 and 2015 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and the coolest yellow Lab ever in an almost empty nest.

Author Links: Facebook * Facebook Fan Page * Twitter * Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the rest of the tour:

12-Jan

Prism Book Alliance, KathyMac Reviews, Carly’s Book Reviews, Hearts on Fire

14-Jan

Happily Ever Chapter, Nic Starr, Joyfully Jay, The Novel Approach

19-Jan

Havan Fellows, Three Books Over The Rainbow, Love Bytes

21-Jan

Unquietly Me, Gay Book Reviews,