Spotlight: A Secret Match by Kelli A. Wilkins
Spotlight
on… A
Secret Match
By
Kelli A. Wilkins
Hi
everyone,
Today
I’m sharing an inside look at the making of my gay romance, A
Secret Match.
It’s
a sizzling contemporary novel set in the world of professional
wrestling.
Before we get started, let me answer the question lots of folks may be asking: “Why do you write gay romances? You’re not a man or gay.” I generally respond with: “Why shouldn’t I? I wrote a vampire romance, and I’ve never been a vampire.”
Before we get started, let me answer the question lots of folks may be asking: “Why do you write gay romances? You’re not a man or gay.” I generally respond with: “Why shouldn’t I? I wrote a vampire romance, and I’ve never been a vampire.”
But
seriously, I’m a writer. And as a writer, I write whatever story
comes to me, whether it’s a contemporary, historical, paranormal,
or gay romance. My romances are about people who meet, fall in love,
and overcome obstacles to be with each other. This basic philosophy
applies whether the characters are same-sex, different sex, or space
alien and earth girl. Love is love and romance is romance. I’m not
married to one specific genre or heat level. I go where the story and
the characters take me.
So,
how did
A Secret Match
come about? I’ve been a wrestling fan my whole life and A
Secret Match is
a follow-up (of sorts) to my other wrestling romance, A
Deceptive Match.
That book is about a straight couple (Vin and Danni) and Everett (the
main character from A
Secret Match)
is a secondary character (and Vin’s best friend).
I
loved writing for Ev— he’s one of those characters who tries to
run away with the book. I always thought that “one day” I’ll
give him a story of his own, but I didn’t have a clue as to what
the plot would be. I put thoughts of him aside and wrote other books.
Then, one morning as I was driving to work, he popped into my head
with a four-line book summary. Within an hour, I had the whole story
in my head and I started writing the outline.
A
big part of the storyline centers around Everett dealing (or rather,
not
dealing) with his sexuality and his (un)willingness to be open about
who he really is. Ev’s longtime partner, Josh, is tired of being
kept in his “walk-in closet” and wants Ev to come out (at least
to his friends and family) but Everett is concerned about losing his
job. Will fans accept a gay wrestler? How will his boss react? Part
of him wants to keep everything just as it is because that’s safe.
But another part of him longs to stop hiding the truth.
When
I wrote the book, I focused on Ev’s anguish over being caught
between two worlds: his job (where his wrestling persona is a horny
womanizer) and his secret, private life with Josh. Everett can’t
balance the two and worries about what the other wrestlers would
think of him coming out.
As
Ev tells Vin (while discussing the issue of gay athletes in sports):
“… a gay baseball player doesn’t have the type of physical
contact with other guys like we do. There are all sorts of
issues—changing in the locker room, showering together… Can you
imagine some of the things that would go through the guys’ heads
when I tried to put a hold on them? You think they wouldn’t freak
out when I touched them if they knew?”
Vin’s
reply: “You won’t know if you never take the risk.”
And
risk Ev does. After he comes out (twice, in fact—I loved writing
those scenes!), he discovers a different side to himself, embraces
who he is, and even faces down intolerant fans and homophobic
coworkers.
I
enjoyed showing Everett on his journey of self-acceptance. He’s a
bit of a cocky wise-ass, and he’s definitely a fun character to
write for. I was glad to give Ev and Josh the happy-ever-after ending
they rightly deserve (and some hot love scenes!), because no matter
what, love is love, and that’s all that matters.
I
hope you’ll check it out. It’s a fun blend of drama, humor,
romance, and action that M/M romance fans will love. The summary and
a tame excerpt are below.
Happy
Reading!
Kelli
Everett
Kinkade is a world-famous professional wrestler and the sexy
heartthrob of millions of adoring female fans. But Ev has a secret he
doesn’t dare share with anyone. He’s gay.
After years of being Ev’s secret lover, Josh is tired of hiding in the shadows and wants Ev to openly acknowledge their relationship. Coming out is the last thing Ev wants and fears it will ruin his career.
One night in a moment of truth, Everett outs himself on live TV. There’s no going back, and his announcement sparks a firestorm of problems—both personally and professionally. He’s forced to come to grips with who he really is while facing down a manipulative boss and a tag-team out to destroy him.
Torn between living a lie and losing the man he loves, Ev has risked everything… can he find a balance between his career and his heart?
After years of being Ev’s secret lover, Josh is tired of hiding in the shadows and wants Ev to openly acknowledge their relationship. Coming out is the last thing Ev wants and fears it will ruin his career.
One night in a moment of truth, Everett outs himself on live TV. There’s no going back, and his announcement sparks a firestorm of problems—both personally and professionally. He’s forced to come to grips with who he really is while facing down a manipulative boss and a tag-team out to destroy him.
Torn between living a lie and losing the man he loves, Ev has risked everything… can he find a balance between his career and his heart?
Order your copy of A SECRET MATCH here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FERW65A
Don’t miss the book that introduced readers to Ev and Vin, A Deceptive Match.
Don’t miss the book that introduced readers to Ev and Vin, A Deceptive Match.
Order your copy here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F18X3XQ
Everett
finished his beer and gazed around the living room. It was comforting
to have someone to talk to, instead of constantly keeping everything
bottled up inside. It had been years since he’d been alone with a
guy, and he liked Josh, liked him a lot. But he was worried. What if
something went wrong? What if Josh told someone?
Josh
gave his shoulder a little shove. “Come on, out with it, Muscles.
Either you really love staring at my bookcase, or you’re too shy to
face me. I know you’re thinking about something behind those
beautiful blue eyes.”
“I…
nah…”
“What?
Anything. Say it.”
He
sneaked a glance at Josh out of the corner of his eye. “I was
wondering what it would feel like to”—he bowed his head—“kiss
you.”
“Why
don’t we find out?” Josh took Ev’s empty beer bottle and set it
down on the marble end table. “Come here.”
He
let Josh draw him into his arms. Ev closed his eyes and waited, his
heart hammering out of control.
A
second later, Josh’s lips gently pressed against his. Ev gasped and
kissed him back gingerly. Josh increased the pressure, and their
mouths moved in unison. The scent of Josh’s spicy vanilla cologne
washed over him and he lost himself in the tender embrace. Josh’s
beard grazed his cheek, sending an electric tingle racing up his
spine. God, this was good.
He
clutched Josh tighter, holding on to him for dear life, not daring to
let go. Josh groaned and slid his tongue into his mouth. An
adrenaline rush of excitement flooded through him, and his cock
sprang to life.
Dear
God, he wasn’t supposed to have these kinds of feelings, this
hunger, for another man, but it felt right. The wet heat of Josh’s
tongue swirling around his drove him into a frenzy, and he kissed
Josh deeper, praying this would never end.
After
a few minutes, Josh eased away. “You are amazing. That was hot.”
Ev
smiled. “It’s been so long. I forgot how good this could be. I
feel safe with you. I really do.”
Josh
rested his head on Ev’s chest. “You should, because you are. And
don’t worry, we’ll take this slow. You set the pace, Muscles.
Whatever you’re comfortable with works for me.”
Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 95 short stories, 19 romance novels, and 5 non-fiction books. Her romances span many genres and heat levels.
In 2016 Kelli is re-releasing her romances previously published by Amber Quill Press. Visit her website and blog for a full title list, book summaries, and other information as it becomes available. Look for her Medallion Press historical western romance, Lies, Love & Redemption, coming in September.
Her writing book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction is a fun and informative non-fiction guide based on her 15 years of experience as a writer. It’s filled with writing exercises and helpful tips all authors can use.
If you like to be scared, check out Kelli’s horror ebooks: Dead Til Dawn and Kropsy’s Curse.
Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor. She also writes a weekly blog: http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/.
Visit her website, www.KelliWilkins.com to learn more about all of her writings, read book excerpts, reviews, and more. Readers can sign up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/HVQqb.
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