Today I am so pleased to welcome Jeff Adams to Joyfully Jay. Jeff has come to talk to us about his latest release, Rivals. He has also brought along an exclusive excerpt and a copy to give away. Please join me in giving Jeff a big welcome!

 

Many thanks to Jay for allowing me to drop in and talk about my new release (or actually re-release) of the short story Rivals. There’s a giveaway for a free ebook copy for some lucky commenter so I do hope you’ll say something below. I’ll come back periodically to see if there are any questions and I’ll be happy to answer them.

When I got the chance to bring Rivals back into the world (it’d previously been in print form 2009-13) one of the things I wanted to do was elaborate more on the relationship between brothers Mitchell and Trevor Turner. In the original story, it was clear that the were brothers that got along well, and had each other’s back. I wrote two additional scenes for the new Rivals that show how tight Mitchell and Trevor are, particularly how Trevor wants his older brother’s love life to work out.

I’ve had a thing for writing about brotherly dynamics in my stories. I’m not sure exactly why. Maybe it’s because I’m an only child and I’m giving my characters the siblings I never had. I was definitely in a brothers mode when I originally wrote Rivals as it was done while I was on a break from the Hat Trick manuscript. The two stories couldn’t be more of a contrast since the brothers in Rivals get a long great while the ones in Hat Trick are polar opposites.

Expanding the role of Trevor improved the story because it gave Mitchell the chance to talk to someone about his growing desire for Alex, and how to make the relationship work given they live hundreds of miles apart. The original version worked because it was implied those conversations happened. To see it all play out on page, and with an expanded ending, makes the overall story stronger.

Below is a brief excerpt from one of the new scenes showing the interplay between Mitchell and Trevor as the prospect of bringing Alex home to meet the parents, for Christmas dinner no less, looms large. I hope you enjoy the sneak peek, and that you’ll pick up the story as part of your holiday reading.


Excerpt

“So,” I said, taking over the conversation as I laced skates, “mom and dad got anything crazy planned for tonight?”

“It seems like a straight forward Christmas dinner. Mom and grandma were already up cooking when I came here. The tables are already set for nineteen. I made sure Alex is sitting between us, so he’s somewhat protected. More than anything they’re just excited you’re bringing someone for dinner. I think they’re more excited than when I brought Julie home during my birthday, which I might be a little upset about.”

“Do we get to see her, too?” I asked.

“No. We did our Christmas stuff a couple days ago. She went with her family to Chicago to see grandparents. She’s back before New Year’s, so we can all definitely do something.”

“So you think everyone will behave?” I looked to Trevor. I wanted some assurances this wasn’t a mistake to make the introduction like this.

“For dinner?”

I nodded.

“I’m sure there’ll be stories you’d wish wouldn’t be told. But is it a problem you’re introducing your boyfriend to everyone? Not that I’ve heard. I mean I was pretty heads down until a couple days ago with finals, but I haven’t seen or heard anything but excitement.”

“Cool.”

“You really worried about something?” Alex asked as he finished up his lacing.

“No. Just paranoid. I’ve never brought anyone home before.” I looked over to Alex, my lacing also complete. “Should we tell him?” I gestured towards Trevor.

“Sure,” Alex said without hesitation. “We can tell anyone and everyone.”

“Oh my god,” Trevor’s eyes got wide. “One of you is pregnant. I’m going to be an uncle.” He held a look of amazement, his mouth hung open until Alex dissolved into laughter, quickly followed by me and Trevor.

“He’s good,” Alex said, getting his laughs under control. “You’ll make a great teacher if you can entertain a class like that.”

“The setup was too perfect for me to not say that.” Trevor took a seat next to me so he wasn’t standing over us. “So what’s really up?”


Blurb

RivalsMitchell Turner and Alex Goodman squared off over a face-off dot throughout high school. Their schools were cross-country rivals. Those face-offs were tough on Mitchell because he harbored a huge crush on Alex. High school, and college, are behind the guys and they meet unexpectedly on Thanksgiving Day, once again on the ice. Mitchell is home for the holidays and is thrilled to see his crush all grown up.

Alex asks Mitchell out for coffee to catch up. Could this be the start of something magical for the holidays … and beyond?


Bio

Jeff AdamsJeff Adams caught the writing bug in middle school and finally became a novelist with the Hat Trick series, which will conclude in 2015. He’s also written a number of m/m romance shorts. Jeff and his husband, Will, left the hustle and bustle of New York City to return to the more peaceful lifestyle of Humboldt County, California, during the summer of 2014, which allows more time for him to write. Extending his love of hockey beyond novels, Jeff covers the Detroit Red Wings, as well reviews books that feature LGBT hockey players, for PuckBuddys.com. To learn more about Jeff, visit jeffadamswrites.com and follow him on Twitter at @hockeyguynyc.

Find Jeff at:


Giveaway

Jeff has brought an ebook copy of Rivals to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Saturday, December 13th 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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