Today I am really excited to welcome author Josephine Myles to Joyfully Jay to talk with us about her new release, Tailor Made. Β Jo has also brought a copy of her book to give away to one lucky commenter! Β
Jo, welcome, and thanks for joining us!Β
Thanks Jay! Itβs great to be here. Iβm a fan of your blog and Iβm enjoying watching it grow π
I reviewed the book on the blog yesterday, but can you give everyone a quick recap of the story from your perspective?
Tailor Made is about two young men coming to terms with the idea that their fantasies might not be all theyβre cracked up to be, and that real love can ambush you when you least expect it. I had a huge amount of fun writing it as itβs low on the angst, high on the comedy, and features two lovableβif confusedβheroes.
OK, so my regular readers know I am crazy for a virgin hero (and even better when he is paired with a good party boy slut). What is your take on the virgin hero in romance novels?
I think theyβre a fabulous way to subvert romance clichΓ©s, where traditionally it was the female character who was always the virgin. In our culture virginity is seen as undesirable in a manβitβs treated with suspicion and derision, so you can expect the character to feel defensive about their choice.
From a writerβs point of view, there are so many opportunities to show sexual βfirstsβ with a virgin character, which gives you a huge amount of scope in erotic scenes. I loved that heady mixture of fear, fascination and horniness that Andrew grapples with during his encounters with Felix.
I really thought it was interesting how Andrew initially sees his relationship with Felix as sort of a dry run for the real thing for a future Mr. Right. Especially how it parallels the suit he is making for Felix as a dry run of his final project. Can you talk a little more about this?Β
I think this is one of those occasions when my subconscious was ahead of me, as I hadnβt explicitly made that connection in my brain until Iβd finished writing. Certainly, seeing things with Felix as a trial run is the way Andrew justifies breaking his self-imposed rules. He canβt accept that doing something because it feels good is enough of a reason, but if he hooks it in with his fantasy it worksβin his head at least.
Similarly, using the dry run suit heβd have made anyway as the canvas suit Felix requests allows Andrew to go along with Felixβs prank, even though his better judgement is against it. After all, what does it matter if the suit gets ruined when itβs only a practice garment? However, just like the dry run suit turns out to be rather finer than heβd originally planned, so too does the situation with Felix.
This book is set in Bath, a part of England that has been the setting for several of your stories. What draws you to this area for your books?
Laziness! I lived in Bath for a decade, so I know the city well enough already, and if I do need to do extra location research itβs only a half hourβs drive away.
More than that, though, itβs a city I love for all its contrasts. There are the beautiful old buildings that tourists come to see, and a thriving retail and entertainment sector to help part them with their money. However, when youβve lived in the city for a while you see some very different aspects to it. There are still areas of poverty and social deprivation, but thereβs also a strong bohemian element. This is particularly obvious in areas like Walcot, where Felix lives, or along the canal where I set Barging In. Itβs one of those places thatβs big enough to have plenty going on, but small enough to feel like a village when youβre a local.
Finally, Bath is somewhere that readers around the globe should recognize. I like being able to tap into that, but hopefully show them a side of the city they wonβt have encountered before.
Do you have any books that you are working on now that you would like to tell us about?Β
Iβm currently writing a bawdy m/m/m romance set in Bath (again!), in a crumbling old building subdivided into flats. Itβs at that very exciting early stage when anything is possibleβ¦
Iβm also writing a serial novella on my blog again. This time itβs an m/m space opera set on a distant mining planet. Itβs called Storm and Lightning and features a dashing space bandit, a snarky rentboy, and a whole lot of crazy adventures.
If readers want to learn more about you or your books, where can they find you?
My blog and website can be found at josephinemyles.com. I have a fair few free reads there, and I blog regularly. Stop by on Wednesdays for a regular blog post, Fridays for Storm and Lightning, and Sundays for vintage gay porn!
I love to hear from readers, so please do leave a comment or email me at josephine_myles@yahoo.co.uk.
Thank you again so much for joining us today and sharing the book with my readers!
And now we are very lucky because Jo has brought a copy of Tailor Made with her as a giveaway for one lucky commenter! Β The contest will stay open until Friday, January 27th at 11:59 pm EST. Β
- By entering the contest, youβre confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay andΒ leave your email addressΒ if it is not in your profile.
>This sounds great. Bath is a beautiful place and a great setting for any story. I'm looking forward to reading this. Please put my name into the hat. Thanks
diannakay AT gmail DOT com
>I've always wanted to go to Bath, and I loved Barging In. I'm looking forward to reading this one!
>Enjoyed the interview and the review. Sounds like two very interesting characters. I look forward to reading this one.
>Thanks for the interview Jay and Josephine! I absolutely love Josephine's books and would love a copy of this, please enter me.
cherbella09@gmail.com
>I can't wait to read this! I loved Boats in the Night!
Darci ohsweeetmama@yahoo.com
>I look forward to reading this one. please enter me.
rogcaprino[at]hotmail[com]
>Count me in! I love a man that can sew!
OceanAkers@aol.com
>I've really enjoyed the books set on the canal and, although this sounds completely different, I'm really looking forwards to it.
>Great interview Jo. I've already got the book so don't enter me, but it was interesting to hear your perspective. You definitely made Bath sound appealing. Some day. Sigh.
>i love it that the story is low on angst and has much comedy – totally my thing ^^ would love to read about felix and andrew.
witchvela at web dot de
>I have recently discovered Josephine Myles and her works (yeah, I've been living under a rock).
I enjoyed the interview and review; both were great reads.
I've added Tailor Made to my must have list.
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
>Count me it please!
I'm re-reading Boats at present…and then Tailor Made next. Felix sounds a wonderful character π
>Ah~ I loved Barging In.
And I love the sound of this book. Please count me in too. π
Judi
arella3173_loveless(at)yahoo(dot)com
>Very interesting post! Tailer Made sounds like a great book – can't wait to read it π
smaccall AT comcast.net
>I love Ms. Myles' writing style in Boats in the Night, so I really and looking forward to reading Taiylor Made! I also get a real kick out of virginal heroes, so I hope I get a free copy! I thought it was funny that she sets her books in Bath since she considers herself lazy–Bath seems like a cool city just because of the Roman influence! Anyway, thanks for doing the contest and interview!
Ann
Kyreadinggirl@yahoo.com
>This sounds good. Please sign me up.
>Pick me, pick me! *g*
Seriously, I love Jo's books. Thanks so much for hosting her.
>Oops! Forgot my email address.
lkbherring64(at)gmail(dot)com
>I just got this yesterday and cannot WAIT to read it. I've been waiting for this one for months. I kinda love that you set all your stories in Bath (I've never been there) but they say write what you know, so why not?
And I love the whole 'virgin hero' thing. I think it can be sexy fun and hot.
What a great interview!
>I'm looking forward to reading this, as I love Jo's books. Jo – please keep on setting stories in Bath (and the surrounding countryside)! As you say, it is a many-faceted place, so you won't be boring your readers, and also it is recognised by people all over the world. That might help non-UK readers over any initial uncertainty about reading books which are set definitely in England, with English characters.
>Hi Diannakay! Agreed about Bath being a beautiful place. It gives me pleasure to imagine characters there rather than some of the other places I've lived in π
>Hi Corina – so glad to hear you loved Barging In! That book is very close to my heart π
>Hi Lisa – glad I've piqued your interest! I really enjoyed writing Felix and Andrew – they were a blast π
>Thanks CherBella – that's so lovely to hear π
>Thanks Darci – so glad you enjoyed Giles and Smutty π
>Hi Roro – that's a gorgeous userpic. I'm a real sucker for photographs of water π
>LOL – me too! And ones who can knit. There aren't enough out there. Don't they realise it's sexy?!
>Thanks Nithu – I've had to make an effort to stay away from the canal for a bit, as I don't want to known purely as "that English bint who writes smutty gay canal stories" π
I'm sure I'll go back there, though. There are so many wonderful possibilities for narrowboat stories!
>Thanks Tam! Bath is wonderful – if you ever get over to Britain, I'll take you on a guided tour and show you all the best bits π
>Hi Yto – good to hear there are other readers out there more into comedy than angst. There seem to be so many serious angst fans that I wonder if we're outnumbered?
Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy reading and writing angst, but I always prefer it if there's a nice bit of comedy mixed in to lighten things up π
>Thanks Booklover! I don't think you've really been living under a rock – Barging In only came out at the end of September π
>Hey Prue! I've got you hooked on the m/m stuff now, haven't I? *evil smirk*
>Hi Judi – I'm so happy to hear you loved Barging In! Robin and Dan are so dear to me π
>Hi Bookwyrm – I'm delighted to have grabbed your attention!
>Hi Ann – I do hope you enjoy the read. I had great fun writing Andrew and seeing things through his rather innocent perspective.
Bath is definitely a cool city! They're having a free art festival called Illuminate Bath this week which I'm really looking forward to visiting π
>Thanks Courtney – you are indeed signed up!
>Thanks Lasha! It was a delight to be here and answer Jay's thoughtful questions π
>LOL – yep, I may not be able to write what I know in terms of being a gay man, but at least I can use a familiar location!
Teaming up a virgin with a more experienced hero is always hot, IMO. You get the skill of the more experienced man combined with the novelty of it being a first time for the other. KA Mitchell always writes it beautifully π
>Hi Helena! I've actually set my next novel in Reading of all places, but I reckon I'll mainly stick to this part of the world in future.
I agree – Bath can be a gateway to English settings for non-UK readers. Being a world heritage city, most people visiting or planning to visit the UK have it on their itinerary. Can't say I blame them – it's a stunning place!
>I've beta-read the story already, so I'm bowing out of the drawing.
I was familiar with Bath from Jane Austen's novels before, and it's nice to get an updated mental image of it. I so would like to visit it one day! It's second on my wish list, right after Paris.
>I am about to start reading Boats in the Night – have heard great things about this author. Count me in! They story sounds great.
>Come to Bath, Poppet – I'll show you round the place! Then we could head off to Paris for a few days – I'd love to go back there again π
>Hope you enjoy Giles and Smutty, Debbie! π
>I really ought to visit Bath sometime soon.
>Josephine, I have never read your work–can you recommend a good book to start with?
>Sammy, my guess is Jo is shut down for the night but I let her know you posted the question.
Personally I'd read Barging In just bc that was my favorite and I love the canal setting. If you do a search on the blog you will see my review of that as well as Boats in the Night and the Winter Warmers anthology.
>Please count me in! I've been loving Jo's books for a while now & she's quickly going on the autobuy list!
tracykitn(at)yahoo(dot)com
>You should – it's gorgeous! π
>Hi Sammy! JayhJay has given you some good recs there, but I had a freebie short out on the Coffee and Porn Birthday Bash yesterday, so you might like to check that out first π
>Hi Tracykitn – that's great to hear I'm going on the autobuy list! I'll do my best to keep up the standard for you π