Two years ago I hadn’t given erotic romance a thought. Well, that’s not entirely true. But whenever I read a romance that began to get too intimate, I felt uncomfortable and squeamish and would put the book down.
That’s before I discovered the decadence of male love. It began with ‘The Book of Joe’ by Jonathan Tropper and ‘Lost Souls’ by Poppy Z. Brite. The sensual play of words and the twining of male bodies had my heart pounding. Here was something I’d never read before, and I loved it! I had to have more, not only to read, but also to write.
I blame my sometimes naughty imagination for what happened next. I took a trip to Glacier National Park with my husband. Beautifully romantic trip. But the long drive through the Idaho desert was long and boring, forcing my mind to entertain itself.
The air conditioner wasn’t able to keep up with the close to 100 degree weather outside. Not another living soul on the road. Hot, dry, burnt landscape around us. Scrubby brush and stones baking in the sun. Heat waves rippling across the road. Humid, sultry air in the car lulling me towards sleep…
I’d recently written a short ghost story and I began to wonder what my two men had done when they were alive. How had they met? Who would they be in the new story taking shape in my mind? And of course they’d have to fall in love! Otherwise, what was the point?
Thus began my plunge into erotic romance: Shelton in Love, Shelton’s Promise, Shelton’s Choice and Shelton’s Homecoming.
Nevil came to me first. Handsome, sexy, witty. Do you know the song ‘Last of the Famous International Playboys’ by Morrissey? That’s my Nevil.
Nevil straightened and Shelton looked up helplessly at him, beautiful in shorts, the tank top clinging to his chest. His black hair was damp on his forehead, a trickle of sweat running alongside one gorgeous turquoise eye. Every nerve in Shelton’s body strained towards him, wanting that strong, vibrant body against his own, that delicious mouth and tongue fencing with his.
And who would be special enough to win his heart? Someone shy and beautiful, unsure yet alluring in his own way. Definitely a temptation. Lovely Shelton.
Nevil whistled at one in particular, where Shelton had glanced at the camera through lowered lids, a secret smile playing on his lips. The overhead light brought out the highlights in his chestnut hair and lightened his hazel eyes, complimenting the warm colors of his ensemble for an overall attractiveness.
“You’ll need to stockpile this coat, Tera.” Nevil observed, his eyes never leaving Shelton’s. “Every man who sees that picture is going to want one for his own.” His gaze was intense and Shelton colored at the innuendo.
Shelton in Love
Breathless Press: http://www.breathlesspress.com/shelton-love
Amazon: http://amzn.to/m3VJDe
Shelton is falling hard for his best friend and roommate, finding Nevil’s dark good looks and moments of gentleness almost impossible to resist. But Nevil is more interested in affairs of the body than the heart. As Shelton’s desire for the man grows, he wonders if he can change Nevil’s mind. But does he even want to? Nevil might not stay, once he learns Shelton’s secret, and then his loneliness would be complete.
Shelton’s Promise
Breathless Press: http://www.breathlesspress.com/sheltons-promise
Amazon: http://amzn.to/nGt0xx
Shelton has a gift he’s eager to give to Nevil. At a party, Nevil flirts with one man after another, keeping Shelton on his toes. Then Percy, an ex, shows up to complicate things. Despite his best efforts, Shelton can’t find the right moment to give Nevil his gift. Will Nevil ever let Shelton get close to him, or will Shelton have to keep the gift in his pocket all evening?
Shelton’s Choice
Breathless Press: http://www.breathlesspress.com/sheltons-choice
Amazon: http://amzn.to/rNomv9
After a year of bliss with Nevil, Shelton is offered the promotion he's been working toward at the bank. Unfortunately the new position is in another state, and Nevil doesn't want to move. As tension mounts between them, Shelton is given another challenge in the form of a besotted coworker. Torn between the pressures at work and at home, Shelton has to choose his future. That is, until Nevil takes the decision out of his hands.
Shelton’s Homecoming
Breathless Press: http://www.breathlesspress.com/sheltons-homecoming
Special Price $1.49
Shelton’s coming home, but after seven months of living apart, can he and Nevil pick up from where they’d left off?
Shelton’s grown tired of living a life separate from Nevil. So when Nevil is hurt in an accident at work, Shelton comes home for good. Feeling closer than ever to his lover, Shelton’s ready to make a lasting commitment to their relationship. But is that what Nevil wants? Nevil is less than enthusiastic when an old flame marries, leaving Shelton wondering if he’ll have to keep his dreams on hold indefinitely.
Excerpt:
Shelton slowed to a walk as he approached the glass doors of the emergency ward. He could see nurses and doctors bustle around on the other side of the barrier. Would they let him see Nevil?
"Shelton!"
He jumped at the call and looked over his shoulder. Tera waved from further down the hall and he waited for her. His heart raced as Nevil's twin came up to him and he blinked at her brilliant smile. He had to speak past a lump in his throat. "What…?"
"He's not in there! He's doing so well they moved him to a regular room about an hour ago," she said.
They grinned at each other in celebration. Shelton grabbed Tera's hand, impatient to see the love of his life. "Where is he?
"This way."
Tera led him down the long hallway. Shelton had come straight from the airport, and needed a second to nab his overnight bag from where he’d dropped it in the waiting room before he joined her at the elevator. He cleared his throat as the doors closed behind them. "I'm glad you came when you did. I wasn't sure they'd let me see him in emergency care. I'm not 'immediate family.'"
"You could say you're married…"
He found a spot to look at on the floor. "Domestic partners in Oregon, but I'm not even that."
Tera made a small sound of protest and Shelton flashed a smile. "It's okay. So, Nevil's doing well?"
"He is. He's been sleeping a lot, but the doctor says he should recover without any trouble."
"Thank God." Shelton drew a deep breath. Relief washed through him in a wave that left him weak. He gathered his courage as the elevator came to a halt, and once again followed Tera down an endless hallway. He paused outside the open door to Nevil's room and then stepped inside. His gaze went at once to the precious man in the hospital bed.
Nevil looked so pale! His dark hair and bruised eyes were a stark contrast to the pristine sheets and pillow cases. All of a sudden Tera's frantic late afternoon call, the mad rush to the airport, and the crazy taxi drive to the hospital took their toll. Shelton brushed a shaky hand over his stinging eyes. I won’t cry, damn it!
He approached the bed and gently put his hand on Nevil's shoulder. He needed to touch him. He drank in the sight of his beautiful lover, and willed Nevil to wake up and prove he was okay. He'd been terrified on the plane ride that he'd arrive too late and Nevil would be dead. Tera's call had been almost incoherent; he'd imagined the blackest scenarios.
He glanced at Tera when she came up beside him, and she gave him an apologetic look. "There's a large lump on the back of his head. The whole thing was an accident, honey. Nevil stepped on some rotten floorboards in a building they're renovating and fell to the floor beneath. Maybe I shouldn't have called you until I knew how bad he was, but he was unconscious when they admitted him…"
"No! I want to be here. I was coming home this weekend anyway, and only had to take a couple of personal days. It's fine."
He returned his gaze to Nevil's beloved face and tentatively caressed a bruised cheek, wanting him to wake up. He loved him so much. He remembered what Tera had said earlier about marriage, and warmth spread through him. Husband? Sure, he could do that.
Thank you so much, Rachel, for inviting me on you wonderful site today. You can always find me here:
Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/
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