Hometown Secrets is my first published book. I got the
idea by piecing together some of my past, sprinkled with a little of my
present. Originally titled Dirty Little Secret, it started out in 2011 as a
story for an anthology – but the characters wouldn’t let me cut their story
short, and so I wrote past the 12,000 word limit with my eyes set on a novel.
Then, my tranquil writer’s life became out of control and
I stopped doing everything I loved. Though I had plenty of encouragement to
continue writing, it wasn’t until 2013 that I found myself in a frame of mind
to be able to sit down and finish Pete and Asher’s story.
It was both thrilling and sad to type ‘THE END”. At last,
I had something completed to submit to a publisher, yet Pete, Asher, and the
whole town of Delton felt like family to me and I didn’t want to say good-bye.
I hope someday to write a couple more stories with other
characters based out of Hometown Secrets.
Tag = a small town
explodes when secret gay lovers must unite for a church event
Genre = M/M contemporary romance
Publisher Buy Link = Loose Id Publishing
Release date = November 19, 2013
Blurb:
An old secret. A new
secret. A surprising secret. A dirty secret.
Coming to terms with his
sexuality, Pete Stubbs has found his ‘Mr. Wonderful’ and wants to celebrate his
happiness by coming out. Yet admitting he is gay to his family is taking a bit
more courage than he originally thought, especially when his mother stuns him
with her unexpected homophobic hatred. He starts to wonder if his coming out
will be more selfish than freeing.
Out and proud Asher Gilford is
tired of always being the ‘throw away boy’ in past hush-hush liaisons. He feels
he deserves to be loved by a man who is not ashamed to be with him. Though his
current lover reassures him ‘a little more time is needed’ before they can go
public, Asher is beginning to fear he is becoming someone’s ‘dirty little
secret’ and vows it will not happen to him again.
When a church sponsors Pete and
Asher for a charity event, it becomes the catalyst for a series of startling
secrets to explode within the community. In his silent confusion, Pete watches
life crumble and realizes that by remaining in the closet, he could lose his
nephew, his best friend and most important, Asher.
Excerpt: 396 words, PG rating.
Pete’s thoughts drifted, and he became
uncomfortably warm. Yes, it was an honor to represent the church in the cowboy
games, but to do it with Asher Gilford? Did he really want to chance an
association between them, no matter how benign? The two of them together in
public could draw too many questions he did not want to think about, let alone
answer.
Brother Billy thumped Pete’s back, “We
are pleased both young men agreed.”
“Peter hasn’t signed the contract yet.”
His mother sipped at her coffee. “And I doubt he’s going to now. Too much of
his valuable time will be spent in training a novice, and as for Mr. Gilford?
My son has a reputation to think about.”
“Sister Stubbs.” Brother Billy frowned,
his manner noticeably more formal in tone and gesture. “The events require
teamwork, and all the participants who enter the games take the time to train
together, regardless if they grew up with the skills or not. And as far as
Asher is concerned, he’s a virtuous congregational member of good moral
standing.”
“And you can’t get any more of a
straight moral compass than Pete and Asher.” Agnes leaned back in her chair.
“Oh, they’ll make a wonderful pair, those two.”
Pete winced, wishing Sister Agnes had
kept her opinion to herself.
“Agnes Klotz! Don’t you understand?” his
mother shot through pursed lips. “Asher Gilford is an outright, unrepentant
homosexual.”
“Judge not lest ye be judged, Sister
Stubbs.” The quiet comment flowed from Brother Billy’s lips.
At Brother Billy’s words, his mother
simmered down and regained her composure. “I’m not judging here. I’m full of
love and compassion and concern for the church.”
“Hey, you.” Lucy nudged Pete with her
elbow. “You’re being awful quiet about this. How do you feel?”
Chirp-chirp-chirp.
Pete jumped and sought out the cell
phone in his pocket.
Brother Billy rose from his chair. “Yes,
what do you have to say? Are we still in agreement that you’ll represent the
church for the cowboy games, even with Asher Gilford?”
Pete hesitated. He loathed being in
positions like this. Yes, he wanted to be a part of the team. Yes, he waffled
at the thought of being with Asher in public. Yes, it bothered him that his
mother was expecting him to do what she believed was right. But what was right
for Peter Stubbs?
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