Hello everyone! Today I am so pleased to welcome author Lane Hayes to the blog. Lane is here to talk about her new release, Better Than Chance. She has also brought a great excerpt and a seriously fabulous giveaway. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!
Thank you for having me here today, Jay! I’m excited to make Joyfully Jay my first official stop to chat about my new book, Better Than Chance, which will be released tomorrow (yeah!), January 22nd. While this book is the second in a series, it is a standalone story. I’m one of those persnickety types who prefers to read a series in order so I want my readers to know they won’t be lost if they didn’t read Better Than Good. Hopefully they’ll be inspired to read it if they haven’t already!
Better Than Chance is Peter and Jay’s story. It is my version of “never judge a book by its cover”. You never know what lies beneath the surface, no matter how beautiful it may be until you take the time to get to know someone. Until you take a chance.
When Jay finds out he’s been assigned to work on a project on Peter Morgan’s team, he’s excited. Peter is dreamy, and while Jay assumes Peter is straight, he isn’t opposed to enjoying the eye candy. However, Peter turns out to be a perfectionist to a degree Jay finds difficult to understand. In fact, he soon realizes he doesn’t understand much about Peter at all. Is he gay? Is he straight? Every time he assumes he knows something about his gorgeous boss, he finds himself having to make adjustment to his thinking. Jay begins to see Peter is much more than a driven man with GQ model good looks. He is complicated, extremely private and Jay, who likes to keep things simple, is more than a little fascinated. And attracted. Except, attraction is the easy part. Falling in love isn’t so easy.
Jay ends the story in present time talking about what he’s learned from his relationship with Peter. “My favorite movies and books all had happy endings and that would never change. But what I knew now because of Peter was that happy endings were only worth a damn when you worked for them.” That says it all. Sometimes it takes a lot to communicate but usually it’s worth it.
I’m spending a great deal more time writing these days, but I am a reader first and foremost. I love romance novels, which was a secret I kept for years. I could talk about the classics and bestsellers all day long, but the truth is I would speed read those books to get to my next romance novel as fast as I could. In all the many books I’ve read over the years, I’ve come to believe the key ingredient to any story worth reading is character development. A huge pet peeve of mine is when the MCs fall in love too fast. I want to be a part of their journey. I want to understand why they might be the couple with a real future. I want to believe in them. I think Jay and Peter are that couple. Hopefully you will too!
Blurb
Jay Reynolds has a crush on his project leader at work, but an office romance with Peter Morgan isn’t likely to happen since Peter is straight. Worse, Jay soon fears Peter is homophobic, and his initial infatuation turns to loathing. But one fateful night, Jay is forced to acknowledge things aren’t quite as they seem with Peter. Suddenly, his crush is back and unbelievably, Peter is interested too.
They begin a “friends with benefits” arrangement, which becomes difficult for Jay when he starts falling for his sexy boss. Peter’s past issues keep him from committing, and Jay has to decide if he can be satisfied with friendship if Peter isn’t ready to take a chance on anything more.
Excerpt
“Close the door, Reynolds.” His tone was sharp and concise. No argument was expected or welcomed. I obeyed and waited for him to speak.
He didn’t say a word. He pointed to a chair and directed me to sit with a simple wave of his hand as he began a slow pace around the perimeter of the small round table. It was like being stalked by a tiger. There was an electric air of danger in this tiny space and I had set it in motion. I clung to my anger. I wasn’t wrong. Was I?
Peter suddenly stopped. He stood at the other end of the table with his arms crossed over his broad chest. As usual he was impeccably dressed in a gorgeous dark suit tailored to perfection. His dark wavy hair seemed a little longer. I absently wondered if he was growing it out. But his dark furrowed brow and intense stare told me to keep my ponderings to myself. He wasn’t in the mood to chat about hair. He looked pissed.
“Explain yourself.”
I blinked twice. I was almost afraid of him, but I knew that was irrational. I had a legitimate reason for my outburst. I just wished I had been a bit more professional about it.
“Fine. I will.” Professional, I cautioned myself. Don’t get personal. “You have given me rather baffling critiques, Mr. Morgan that I frankly find ridiculous and almost contrived in a way that suggests you want to point out the negative whether or not it has any bearing whatsoever to the project at hand.” Good, well said, I thought.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” He looked genuinely perplexed.
“You know what I’m talking about!” I exploded. “Correct paragraph two, sentence one…. that’s one example! What was today’s going to be? Change the use of my pronoun from direct to indirect? Or is it an adjective that you want me to reconsider? Or…”
I had become so worked up that I didn’t register that he’d moved until he was three short feet away from me. He wore the strangest expression. It was a cross between tempered fury and frustration. He held up his hand in that authoritative way of his, demanding that I stop. Stop everything. Don’t talk. Don’t move. I waited like a deer in headlights to see what he’d do.
A fresh wave of adrenaline rushed through my veins as I found myself literally shoved up against the conference room wall with Peter’s large hand at my throat. I swallowed hard and looked into his dark angry eyes, his face was two short inches away from mine. His breath was warm against my cheek. He pulled back and shook his head as though puzzled by his own actions before he tightened his hold at my neck and covered my mouth with his own.
I could barely breath. There was nowhere to hide, no retreat possible so I gave in. My mouth melted underneath his allowing the lip lock to become a kiss. A fiery passionate joining. Our tongues fought for dominance, licking and sucking. Peter’s hands trapped my head as he plunged even further into my mouth taking every last bit of control away from me. He ran his tongue over my lips before tracing a path along my jaw and biting my earlobes. I nudged him back with my nose and heard his low groan as he once again fused his mouth over mine.
I wrapped my arms around him and pulled his body close to mine. My hands kneaded his perfect ass through the fine fabric of his pants as I sent my hips forward to meet his. We gasped at the first feel of friction as our hardened cocks pressed together through our suits. It was electrifying and wickedly carnal. A mere glimpse into how intensely hot the real thing could be if we let ourselves go there. Peter stopped abruptly, straightening his arms on either side of my head. Our heavy breathing was the only sound in the room.
“I want you.” He growled, resting his forehead against mine.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4614
Author Bio
Lane Hayes is a designer by trade, but is spending more time these days doing what she loves best. Writing! An avid reader from an early age, Lane has always been drawn to romance novels. She truly believes there is nothing more inspiring than a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Lane discovered the M/M genre a fews ago and was instantly hooked. Her first novel was a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband, three teenage kids, and Rex, the coolest yellow lab ever.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lanehayes.wordpress.com
- Twitter: @LaneHayes3
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lane-Hayes
- Email: lanehayes@ymail.com
Giveaway
Lane has brought a $25 credit to an ebook retailer of the winner’s choice, as well as copy of Better Than Chance to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Friday, January 24th 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.
This sounds really good. Count me in.
Please count me in too, thank you for the post and the giveaway.
Well, damn. That excerpt. I’m not sure I have words, but… damn.
I think anything is better if you have to work for it. Except free books and they are great anyway you get them. Count me in please.
I like a slow-burning romance myself–it’s rare in m/m for sure!
Great excerpt! Thank you for the post and the giveaway.
Please count me in , thank you.
This sounds really good so please count me in as well. Thanks
Wow, love that excerpt. Please count me in.
Count me in! Great Excerpt! Thanks for the giveawey
Better Thank Good was a fantastic read and I’d love to win this contest. Please count me in.
Hot excerpt! The book sounds really interesting and I have to check out the first in this series! Thank you for the generous giveaway!
Ih ave read about this on another blog, I think. It looks better and better.
This sounds great – haven’t read the first in the series but thanks for the excerpt and giveaway.
I just finished Better Than Good, I really enjoyed it and I cant wait to read your next book!
This new novel looks amazing! I love office romance and throw a straight man in the mix and I am all there. The cover really pulled me in as I always say how important the hot cover is. Can’t wait to read this sexy novel! Excellent giveaway!!!!!!!
I enjoyed Better than Good a lot and would love to read Jay and Peter’s story. Thanks for the post and the giveaway!
This sounds really good. Thank you for the excerpt and for the great post =)
Great excerpt. Please count me in for the Giveaway…………..Thank you
ShirleyAnn@speakman40.freeserve.co.uk
This sounds great. Thanks for the excerpt and the chance to win.
Thanks for the giveaway! Count me in, please.
Thank you for the chance to win! I really enjoyed Better Than Good. Looking forward to reading this one. 🙂
Please count me in. Thanks.
I am so happy to see a second book in this series! Thanks for letting us know this can be read standalone, I am always afraid I’ll read a book out of order , of course I’ve already read book one so this is moot….
Man, that was steamy. This has a lot of my favorite tropes, so yes, DO WANT!
Better than Good was MUCH better than just good and now I just have to pop over to DSP to download my pre-ordered copy of Better Than Chance. Lovely blog post.
I’m very interested. Please count me in 🙂
Add me too! A friend recommended the first book so now I have both on my must read list. Great excerpt and giveaway. Side note – I love it when authors love and gush about romance as much as the rest of us!
Better Than Good is one of the best contemporary romance novels I ever read! I really love how you carry on the story Lane! Especially the part where the main characters first interact and that the “sparks” just can’t be forced in case of Aaron and Jay friendship, which is so true and realistic. And now knowing that there is going to be Better Than Chance, definitely count me in!! Thanks for the excerpt and giveaway, love from Turkey 🙂
This sounds like an excellent read! Thanks for the chance to win a copy! =)
Love the post, Lane. I’m a big series fan who won’t read out of order, so it’s nice to know I could if I wanted to. I still have Better Than Good waiting to be read, and I’m looking forward to it, but I love the sound of Better Than Chance. I may go a little wild and read them out of order. 😉 Thanks for sharing!