Tour Stop & Giveaway: Counterbalance by Aidan Wayne

Fun Facts About Counterbalance

John can play the guitar. He had taken lessons before he was scarred, and then took it up again on the road. It was a way to keep busy and have something to do when he was alone by himself, and he’s part of an online community about and for sharing music. He’s even put up a couple audio-only videos. He’s a little embarrassed about his skill level though, since he works with performers on a daily basis, so not very many people in his day-to-day life know he plays. A few of his fellow riggers know, and they sometimes pester him to play when they’re over at his place for drinks. Bao doesn’t find out for weeks.

Bao can’t hold a tune in a bucket. He’s genuinely self-conscious about it, as it’s an aspect of performing he wishes he had, but doesn’t, and he knows that no amount of training is going to make him better. On that same note, Bao really doesn’t like it when he comes across things that he can’t work to improve.

Anastasia is a very blunt person, which is one of the reasons John likes her. When Anastasia first joined the rigging team, she sat down next to John after introductions and said, “So, I am new. You are different. We’ll make a good team and be friends, yes?” They’ve been buddies ever since.

Hot pot is one of Bao’s favorite meals. It’s not just that he likes the food, but he really enjoys the social interaction that it requires. During the tour, Bao manages to track down a hot pot restaurant in nearly every city they visit. John had never had hot pot before he met Bao, but he grows to really enjoy the meal too. It helps that Bao is so enthusiastic about it.

When I originally started writing this story, I included that bit about John not liking waterworks because I thought it would be a fun little detail within John’s world of working as Head Rigger. The waterworks then becoming a plot point later on was entirely accidental at first. I had to go back to the beginning of the story to better connect the threads and foreshadowing.

Title: Counterbalance by Aidan Wayne
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, M/M, Romance
Length: 88 pages/Word Count: 21,500

Summary:

John loves his job as head rigger for Cirque Brilliance. The heavy scarring over half his face makes it a little hard to meet new people, but John’s got a good crew and a nice found family, and he’s content with his lot in life.

When Cirque hires talent for a new show, John meets Bao, a bright, ever-cheerful acrobat. Bao seems drawn to John and becomes a constant presence at his side—talking to him during downtime, spending time with him at lunch, and generally seeking out his company.

John doesn’t know what to make of this. Sure, he likes Bao—maybe a little too much, honestly—but he’s had enough experience to know that Bao couldn’t possibly like him back. Or so he thinks, anyway. Fortunately, Bao seems determined to prove him wrong.

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Purchase Link: Riptide Publishing

Author Bio

Aidan Wayne is a big believer in character-driven stories with happy endings. This is not to say that stories can’t contain a little (or a lot) of grief, just that at the end of it all expect there to be bandages and hugs. They particularly like to write about minority characters because damn it, they deserve happy endings too.

When not writing, Aidan enjoys practicing aerial, martial arts, and ASL, and watching reality cooking shows. They are probably in the middle of twelve projects as you read this.

Author Links: Tumblr * Twitter * Goodreads

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Counterbalance, one lucky winner will receive $20 in Riptide Publishing credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on September 17, 2016. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!