Hi everyone! Today I am very excited to welcome author Wade Kelly to the blog.  Wade is here to talk about her latest release, The Cost of Loving, and has brought a great excerpt to share.  Wade also is offering up a copy of the book to one lucky winner, so be sure to leave a comment at the end of the post to enter.  Welcome Wade!


It’s OUT!!! That’s right—The Cost of Loving is now available.

I never dreamed the day would finally come. Oh, my gosh, what a long road to travel to get here. The Cost of Loving was the novel that took the most dedication and perseverance. Because it took so long to edit and publish, I tried to make it a stand-alone even though it is technically a sequel to When Love Is Not Enough.

Here’s the blurb:

the cost of lovingMatt Dixon, a young firefighter, is the golden child of his family, and he never dreamed that coming out would challenge more than the way his church sees him.

For years, Matt has led a double life hoping to avoid ridicule. When a self-righteous pastor’s statements provoke him to defend his recently deceased best friend’s honor and subsequently out himself, he suffers the brutal aftermath of his revelation. Everyone in his life, including his family and his new lover, Darian, must deal with the ramifications as Matt struggles to come to terms with guilt, shame, and his very belief in God.

Darian Weston lost his fiancé when Jamie took his life, and his feelings for Matt added guilt to his burden of grief. Confused and lonely, Darian clings to Matt despite his inner strife. But small-town realities keep intruding, and if Matt and Darian hope to make a life together, they must first take a stand for what they believe in, even if they fear the cost.

This novel delves deeper into the relationship of Matt and Darian, while also tackling the aspects of prejudice and persecution over sexuality, and the deep sense of guilt and despair associated with loss.


Excerpt

Matt went home feeling good about church for the first time in a long time. He was happy. He was even happier to find Darian still awake, since he was in the habit of going back to sleep after Matt left. Darian was quiet, but awake. Matt changed into something more comfortable and plopped down on the couch next to him. Maybe now is a good time to talk?

“What ya watching?” he asked, hoping to start a conversation.

“Nothing,” answered Darian, staring at the television.

He was wearing a tight blue graphic T-shirt with clouds across the front. It was good to see him wearing a brighter color. Many of the shirts he wore were black. Matt liked the lighter shade. Darian was also in his underwear. Matt grinned in appreciation. He liked Darian’s legs. He reached over and stroked his thigh, relishing the feel of his coarse leg hairs prickling his fingertips. But Darian’s lack of verbal participation was discouraging.

Should I talk? What did people talk about? I talked cars with Jamie. Does Darian like cars? “So, Dare, do you have any hobbies?”

Darian cocked his head in Matt’s direction and lifted his eyebrow, giving him a look. “I draw,” he said in a tone that made Matt feel stupid, and then he turned his attention back to the television.

“Sorry. I knew that.” Matt was trying. Making small talk was difficult. “Did you draw anything today?”

“No.”

“Are you into anything else? Cars maybe?”

Darian shook his head.

This was going nowhere fast. Matt moved his hand higher on Darian’s leg and caressed his inner thigh. He wasn’t as bony as Matt thought. He had muscles. His thighs were seriously fine. Probably from sitting in my lap several times this week. Matt’s penis woke up. Shit! Focus, Matt, focus! Hobbies, not sex. So, what was I thinking about? Matt cleared his throat. “Um, do you ever go to the gym and work out?” Matt figured if Darian worked out, he could develop definition easily. A few squats a day would do a lot for his gorgeous legs.

“No.” Again with the look!

“Dare, I’m trying. How am I supposed to get to know you if you don’t say anything?”

“I don’t feel like talking.” Darian clicked off the television, tossed the remote onto the table, and tried to get off the couch.

Matt stopped him. “Don’t leave. We don’t have to talk.” Darian relaxed back against the cushions. Matt resumed caressing his thigh, but he spotted a piece of paper on the coffee table next to the remote. “What’s this?” He picked it up and looked it over. “Your blood test results? It’s dated yesterday. How’d you get them so fast?”

Darian breathed out heavily. “The doctor likes me.” He didn’t act surprised.

“Wow. I think mine are supposed to be in Wednesday.” He looked at the paper again. “You’re clean. I knew you would be. It’s me I’m not 100 percent sure about.”

“I know. I used a flavored condom this morning like you asked. Cherry. It was okay, I guess, but I’d rather taste you.”

“Thanks. I mean… I know I’d like a blowjob without one, but it’s safer.”

Darian nodded.

“You wanna do something? Play cards? Or I could make you something to eat.” He was really trying to be a good host, as his mom would want him to be, but Darian wasn’t giving him much to work with. “Or we could watch a movie?”

“Or we could have sex,” said Darian.

Matt froze, thinking about all the things he’d gone over in his mind since last night. Sex was blurring the lines around everything. “Dare… I don’t think we should. Sex is interfering with—”

But Matt never finished his thought. Darian moved Matt’s hand from his inner thigh to his rigid penis, Matt felt his hard heat, and his brain switched off. It was obvious what Darian wanted. Matt obediently groped him through the fabric as Darian lunged forward, attaching his mouth to Matt’s.

No words were spoken the rest of the day.


Author Bio

Wade Kelly lives and writes in conservative, small-town America where it is not easy to live free and open in one’s beliefs. Wade writes passionately about the controversial issues witnessed in real life and strives to make a difference by making people think. Wade does not have a background in writing or philosophy, but still draws from personal experience to ponder contentious subjects on paper. When not writing, Wade is thinking about writing, and more than likely scribbling notes on old napkins in the car while playing “taxi driver” for her three children. She likes snakes, and has a turtle in the bathtub.


Giveaway

Wade is offering up a copy of The Cost of Loving to one lucky reader. Leave a comment below to enter.  The contest closes on Monday, August 19th at 11:59 pm EST. 

  • By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win.  The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
  • If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
  • Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
  • Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
  • By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
  • Readers may only enter once for each contest.  Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
  • Void where prohibited by law.
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