“Forever & Ever” is the final book in the Faith, Love & Devotion series. I’ve been writing these wonderful characters for ten years, and I wanted to send them off with a loving look at what happens after “Happily Ever After.”
Matt, Evan and their sprawling family and friends are dear to my heart. And so are the readers who’ve made this long journey with me! I had written two short stories for my newsletter, glimpses into the future, and from those came the basis for the rest of the book. It was like I teased myself into thinking about their future, and so I needed to find out what happened. Writing glimpses into the future of these folks was a love letter to everyone involved. And a way for me to say good-bye. (Tissues were necessary!)
I also couldn’t let this series end without giving readers something they dearly wanted – Matt and Evan getting hitched! Putting a bow on this universe was bittersweet; I’ll miss everyone, of course, but it’s time to explore new worlds and characters. No more angst for the FLD peeps! They get their ride into a perfect sunset.
Please enjoy this excerpt!
Excerpt
They survived the next forty-eight hours through sheer determination, some raucous sex, and stress eating. The latter was mostly Matt, who found himself ravenous. Or maybe putting food in his mouth meant keeping quiet, something he was having trouble doing.
It wasn’t even a fear he’d blurt out they were getting married. No, it was more that he couldn’t stop telling Evan he loved him.
The twins gave him strange looks through dinner as he stuffed another roll in his mouth.
“Matt, you need to drink less coffee during the day,” Elizabeth said, pouring him a glass of water and pushing it toward him with a concerned look. “You’re, like, about to explode.”
Danny made a helpful exploding sound.
“Yes, Matt, less coffee sounds like a plan.” Evan kicked him under the table. “Or maybe go to bed early. You need to sleep.”
“Ew,” Danny muttered, sharing a face with Elizabeth. “Remind me to put my Beats on tonight.”
Matt stared at the teens before bursting into snorting laughter. His eyes watered as he helplessly gave in to the nerves that had been plaguing him; he put his hands over his face to try to stem his mirth.
“Is Matt losing it?” Elizabeth whispered across the table.
“No, he’s just… tired. And that isn’t code for anything.” Matt could only hear Evan—and the contained humor in his tone was unmistakable. It was only a matter of time before Evan lost it as well. “I’m going to put him to bed.”
Danny coughed.
“Stop making that face, Daniel.” Evan’s voice broke slightly as Matt felt his whole body shaking.
Matt wiped his eyes, trying to bring himself under control. He grabbed a handful of napkins, taking deep, shuddering breaths until the laughter slowed down to a few snorts. “I’m… fine,” he choked out. “Just… tired.”
Elizabeth snickered, then gave a snort of her own. “It’s like sneezing! I want to laugh now too.”
“Oh my God.” Danny threw his hands up. “Is there a gas leak in here?”
“Laughing gas?” Elizabeth giggled.
“Not you too,” he accused before gathering up his silverware, plate, and glass. “I’m going to eat in the living room where it’s quiet.”
Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled. “Wait for me!” She grabbed her stuff, ignoring her brother’s grumbles.
“Defeats the purpose if you follow me!” he yelled over his shoulder.
Matt continued to wipe his eyes, watching as she ran off to bug her brother in front of the television. “God, their future spouses need to be warned about the need they have to bug each other.”
“Are you finished with your little….” Evan hand-waved. “What was that?”
“I’m tired,” Matt articulated, punctuated with an eye roll.
“You’re nuts. Go to bed.”
Matt waggled his eyebrows.
Evan’s expression threatened to break, but he took a deep breath and settled down into his best captain face. “Mr. Haight, go to bed. That’s an order.”
Licking his lips, Matt leaned over and kissed Evan’s cheek. “Starting the honeymoon early?” He could almost taste the delicious heated flush on his future husband’s face; Evan’s lips twitched, so Matt stole another peck.
“Maybe.” Evan kissed him back, then followed up with a little push against his shoulders. “Go now.”
“I love it when you take charge,” Matt said as he stood up.
From the living room, he heard Danny groan.
Title: Forever & Ever by Tere Michaels
Faith, Love & Devotion Series Book Seven
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary, Gay, Romance
Length: 250 pages/Word Count: 78,268
Summary:
A Faith, Love & Devotion Anthology
What happens after the story ends?
Join Matt, Evan, Jim, Griffin, and their friends and families for a glimpse of what happens after happily ever after. Between growing up and growing pains, weddings and retirement, changing careers and changing diapers, life is never boring. Changes, decisions, tears, and joy await as the years march on.
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Purchase Link: Dreamspinner Press
Author Bio
Tere Michaels unofficially began her writing career at the age of four when she learned – via a Disney magazine subscription – that people got paid to write stories. It seemed the most perfect and logical job in the world and after that, her path was never in question.
Tere’s specialties are snark, angst, and happily ever afters. And not so happily ever afters that eventually work out because she is, after all, a romantic – tempered with realism. She has written fifteen books including her popular Faith, Love & Devotion series and the superhero saga The Vigilante.
Nothing makes her happier than knowing she made a reader laugh or smile or cry. It’s the purpose of sharing her work with people. She loves hearing from fans and fellow writers and is always available for speaking engagements, visits, and workshops. Send her a message through her contact page or connect with her on Twitter(@TereMichaels) and Facebook.
I love this series! Thanks for sharing.
It’s one of my favorites! You’re welcome.