Title: Leaning Into Touch
Series: Leaning Into Stories, #4
Author: Lane Hayes
Publisher: Lane Hayes
Release Date: October 5
Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 80k words
Genre: Romance, Bisexual, Humor, Second Chance, Friends to Lovers, San Francisco, Office
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis
Josh Sheehan is unlucky in love and now…
newly unemployed. He’s not sure what to do next, but he’s sure he should give
up on romance. Especially after last time. His friends warned him that falling
for the hunky Irishman was a bad idea. Josh can’t help feeling torn even though
he knows it’s best to move on. But when an unexpected dose of family drama
blindsides him, Josh finds himself leaning on the one man he’s supposed to
forget.
Finn Gallagher is driven by success. He
makes no secret that building a name for his tech company is his number one
goal. Finn left home a decade ago with a ton of regret, a heavy heart, and a
vow to never repeat the same mistake twice. However, there is something
undeniably appealing about the self-deprecating man with the silly sense of
humor that makes it difficult for Finn to remember why falling for Josh is a
bad idea. It soon becomes clear they’re both in deeper than they intended.
There is no way to remain untouched. And there is so much to gain, if they’re
brave enough to lean in.
Excerpt
Finn smiled and fell into step beside
me. It seemed quieter on the street than it was earlier; there wasn’t as much
foot traffic. Typical for midweek, I supposed. I breathed in the refreshing
night air, loving the faint smell of the ocean. I shivered and crossed my arms.
So much for enjoying a leisurely stroll. It was cold as fuck out here. I picked
up my pace, but Finn pulled at my elbow to stop me.
“Are you daft? Where’s your coat?”
“I f-forgot it at the last bar. It’s
okay. I’m cl-close.” I visibly shook when the wind whipped up the sidewalk,
sending a scrap of newspaper flying by us like a paper airplane.
“Let’s go back and get it.”
“No, my friend will give it to me later.
Or her friend will. I’m almost h-home so—what are you doing?”
“Put this on, then.”
Finn shrugged his suit coat off and set
it over my shoulders like a cape or a cloak. He was two inches taller than me
and far more muscular. It was like being wrapped in his warm, cologne-scented
embrace. The gesture was so chivalrous, it left me speechless for a moment. I
knew he was just being kind, but I couldn’t contain my smile.
“Thank you,” I said. “Are you sure you
won’t be too cold?”
“Where I’m from, this is a summer
breeze. You need it more than I do. Now tell me about your mates. I’m relieved
to know you weren’t out drowning your sorrows on your own tonight.”
I snickered at his paternal tone. “I’m
not above it, that’s for sure, but no…I was with my work crew for one last
happy hour. Marley insisted. She was the redhead with the awesome curls I was
with this morning at the museum.”
“I remember. She’s the one holding your
jacket for ransom, eh?”
“Yeah. She’s on a mission to find the
perfect man for me,” I huffed, making sure he saw my eye roll before we turned
the corner to my street.
“Has she ruled out women? You’re bi,
aren’t you?”
“Honestly, I don’t know what I am
anymore. I had girlfriends in high school and even in college but after the
first time I was with a man, I haven’t been interested in anything but dick.”
Finn laughed. “Good to know.”
“What about you?” I asked, leading him
down a brick path and up a short flight of stairs.
I leaned against the bright red door as
I fumbled for the house key in my front pocket. In my head, I was planning a
cinematic-worthy good-bye. Something lighthearted but sincere before we parted
for the last time. It would have been a helluva lot easier to concentrate if he
wasn’t standing so close and looking at me like I was the last brownie on the
buffet table. I cocked my head and waited for him to break the spell.
“I like it too,” he said in a husky
voice I hadn’t heard in far too long.
I gulped and licked my bottom lip as he
moved in, bending slightly to brush his nose against mine. He surrounded me in
every possible way. The heat of his body and the warmth of his coat draped me
in a seductive cocoon. I felt woozy with a rush of desire so intense, I
would’ve swayed on my feet if he hadn’t been standing so close. I set my right
hand on his hip to steady myself and leaned in…just as he pushed away.
Finn let out a ragged breath and swiped
his hand over his stubbled chin. “Fuck. I forgot how bloody difficult it is to
walk away from you.”
“Then don’t.”
Purchase at Amazon
Thank
you so much for inviting me to swing by to chat about my newest release,
Leaning Into Touch. This is Book 4 in my San Francisco series following the
lives of a tight-knit group of college friends. Josh and Finn’s journey is a
second chance tale with a lot humor on the road to self-discovery and
ultimately…to love.
But
perhaps you have a few questions for me! I did a little sleuth work and
supposedly these are the most popular interview questions readers want to ask
romance writers.
1. How
do you do your research?
Most of my research begins with where the
story takes place and evolves from there. It’s important to me to be as
descriptive as possible so readers get a true sense of location and have a feel
for how the characters live. I make it a point to write about places I’ve
visited, such as DC, Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco. Hmm… now
I’ll have to decide where to go next.
2. Where
do you get your ideas for your characters?
Honestly, it’s all over the map! Inspiration hits in
the strangest of ways. Before I wrote my first book, Better Than Good, I saw young man who was working as a server at a
cooking class for a school fundraiser. He was literally the most beautiful man
I’d ever seen. Dark hair and eyes, a runner’s physique and a breathtaking
smile. He became Aaron. Other characters like Josh and Finn from Leaning Into Touch developed organically
from the previous books in the series. Travel, art, music, friends, family…
inspiration is everywhere.
3. Do
you get to pick your covers? If so, how do you decide what fits a story?
Yes, I do pick my own covers. I’ve been lucky to work
with a couple of talented artists who’ve translated basic descriptions and a
wish list into fantastic covers. I prefer simple composition. Less is more.
4. Does
your family read your books?
No. They’re very supportive, but there
aren’t any romance novel fans in my family. My oldest son, who happens to be
gay, said he was planning to start a book club and the first book would be one
of mine. So… that may change eventually. LOL. However, writing is my joy, my
therapy, my happy place. They love and respect it on my behalf and that’s more
than enough.
5. How
long does it take to write a book?
On average, it takes me about three months to
write a full-length novel and one month to write a short story. Holidays, kids
schedules, travel and life in general sometimes make it difficult to finish as
quickly as I’d like. But I’ve learned to not rush a story. It’s ready when it’s
ready.
Meet the Author
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, and were winners in the 2016 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment