Blurb:
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, which include he 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.
Where To Buy:
Dreamspinner Press eBook || Dreamspinner Press Paperback || ARe || Amazon
Review:
This story was wonderful. I loved Will and Rand. Together they’re so good. They show each other it’s ok to be exactly who you want to be. Plus they both grow so much throughout the story. Rand realizes what’s truly important in life and rearranges his priorities. Will comes out of his shell and just blossoms in the relationship with Rand. Will is such a gentle soul, yet has a core strength that he will bring out to fight for what he truly wants in his life. He really resonated with me and I connected with him almost immediately.
The characters in this book are wonderful. You get to see all of their subtle nuances so that by the end of the book you truly feel like you know them. It’s the same for the side characters too. You see them enough to get a feel for them. You feel like you’re a part of this family, this group. I love how Ms. Hayes writes characters that are so real you feel like you’re going to meet them in the street to catch up with them.
The movie scene was hysterical! Rand was so nervous. Then the crazy stream of conscious going on in his head just cracked me up. By the time they got out I was laughing so hard.
I wasn’t a fan of Leah in this story. However Rand doesn’t deal with her the way he needed to so she kept doing the same things the whole time. I would have liked to see Will’s mom’s reaction at the end of the story to be on page. I can imagine her facial expressions and some very prim and proper raging.
I love the scenes where Will and Rand were making music. It was almost like I could hear them playing as I read. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I really want to see some of the other characters get stories and their own happy endings. Plus maybe get to see more Will and Rand. And the band. And more music. Just… More!
Stars:
Four
Guest Post:
I’m very excited for Rand to stop by today. He joins us to tell a bit about a typical day in his life. His day starts early and has a long day. But it sounds like he loves what he does so it probably doesn’t feel so long to him. Read and enjoy!
Hey there! I’m Rand O’Malley. I’m in a band called Spiral. We moved to New York City last year to jumpstart our chances of making it big in the music biz. Lane Hayes wrote about us in her book, A Kind of Truth, which is kinda cool. It’s the story of how we made things happen. Let me assure you, that story would have been a novella if I hadn’t met my boyfriend, Will. He’s a freaking musical genius!
My days aren’t as typical as they used to be. We have radio and television guest appearances in addition to out of town performances and regular practices. Somewhere in there I have to find time to write new material. Phew! It’s crazy!
But this is a regular kind of Thursday, so here goes.
I wake up around 7 most mornings, unless I’m scheduled to work at the bagel shop. I haven’t quit my job at Bowery Bagels yet ’cause I love George, the owner. I can’t do this much longer though. The hours kill me. If I’m opening at Bowery, I wake up at 5. Brutal. Let’s be honest, 7 isn’t much better. Will has class at 9 so we’re up early no matter what.
If it’s a 7 a.m. day, I usually try to use the quiet to write lyrics and try some new melodies at home. If we aren’t touring or doing PR stints, we practice everyday from about noon until we’re sick of each other. Lol. It can be anywhere from a four hour practice to an eight or ten hour one depending on how things are working. Creative collaboration can be the coolest artistic expression or a complete waste of brain cells, depending on everyone’s moods.
Will usually comes by the studio after he’s done with his graduate courses for the day. Like I said, he’s a genius. We all benefit from his expertise. When we’re ready to throw in the towel for the day, Will and I walk home and talk about what to do for dinner. He’s a better cook than me. I can make a basic spaghetti or grilled cheese, but that’s about it. If Will agrees to make something, we’ll swing by the market down the street from our building in Tribeca. Then he cooks while I pour wine and keep him company. We watch a little TV most nights and maybe play more music before heading to bed. To make more music… (That was too damn corny, but I’m leaving it! :))
Thanks for having me here today! Hope you all get a chance to read Lane’s story about Will and me, A Kind of Truth. See ya!
Rand O’Malley
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.
About Lane:
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 Contact:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaneHayes
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/LaneHayesaauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaneHayes3
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7125719.Lane_Hayes
Tour Stops:
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
26-Jan: Bayou Book Junkie, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Gay Media Reviews, Open Skye Book Reviews
28-Jan: Book Lovers 4Ever, Molly Lolly, Alpha Book Club, Full Moon Dreaming
2-Feb: BFD Book Blog, MM Good Book Reviews, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
4-Feb: Divine Magazine, Book Reviews and More by Kathy, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Inked Rainbow Reads
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