Today I am so pleased to welcome Lane Hayes to Joyfully Jay. Lane has come as part of the Beach Read Bonanza to talk to us about her latest release, The Right Time. She has also brought along a copy to give away. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!

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Surfing in So Cal by Lane Hayes, author of The Right Time

I live near the beach in a large surfing community in Southern California. It’s a gorgeous area with clean air and breathtaking shoreline. I may be all about the aesthetics, but I’m smart enough to know if you live near the water, it’s wise to be ocean safe.  I’ve three raised kids (young adults now) who are more than capable of navigating rip currents, ten-foot swells and saving you if you get in over your head.  Me?  Not so much.  If you need me, I’ll be on the sand under a big floppy hat with my Kindle and cooler.

When I wrote The Right Time, I wasn’t drawing from my own personal experience as a surfer when I mentioned Nate’s love of the ocean.  Like most authors, I want to explore things that fascinate me from the comfort of my keyboard.  Not my surfboard. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist ?). Living near the ocean, especially in a town that is very much geared toward any and all things marine influenced, has given me a true appreciation of the majestic beauty of the Pacific. Sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding are big here.  And so is surfing.

I know a lot of people like Nate, who tells us at the beginning of the book that his number one requirement when he rents Alex’s condo is that he’s near the ocean so he can surf. The solitary sport soothes him in an almost spiritual way. Living close enough to the sand to don a wetsuit and hike to the shore with board in hand, then paddle out to sea and wait out the perfect wave is important to him. Surfing keeps him in the moment because it leaves no other choice.  Losing focus may result in a wipeout or injury.  And when you’ve done it enough times, you learn to set aside the so-called “real world” and be part of your surroundings. To be one with nature.

There are two “types” of surfers.  Serious and recreational.  I may be exaggerating slightly but I think my logic is sound.  If you don’t surf often, you’ll never get better.  And not everyone lives near the ocean, which puts even the most enthusiastic surfer who lives a prohibitive distance in the recreational category. For those who are passionate about the sport and lucky enough to live close, surfing becomes more than a pastime.  It’s a lifestyle.  Instead of coffee at sunrise, they hurry to ocean. I know quite a few business professionals, like Nate, who wake up before the sun to catch a few waves before they begin their day in the office.  If I’m up early and happen to drive along Pacific Coast Highway, I’ll notice the shoreline dotted with men and women on their boards.  If they’re wearing wetsuits, I know the water is cold.  If the waves are particularly awesome, there will be more of them than usual.

The serious surfer knows his or her limits while the novice will stupidly challenge Mother Nature without thinking about the consequences. At one point in The Right Time, Alex and Nate surf together. Nate is impressed with Alex’s skill, until he jumps on his board and attempts to ride a gigantic barrel toward the shore.  He gets pummeled almost immediately.  After making sure he’s okay, Nate is angry.  He warns Alex not to take chances with what he doesn’t understand.  Naturally Alex counters with “but how can you ever know anything unless you take a chance?”.  He may or may not be using a double entendre, but it’s a fitting one.

I admire those who are brave enough to stand on a seven-foot long board in an attempt to commune with the elements.  I’m fascinated that the water calls to certain people and feeds a part of their soul.  It’s a beautiful thing.  I can look past the grating “surfer speak”  (“like totally dude”) and appreciate the passion behind the sport. Personally, I think it’s crazy. The ocean frightens me.  Its power is infinitely greater than my comprehension.  I prefer to sit on my beach chair with a good book and a cold drink and watch.

There are many metaphors of life and the sea. The viewpoint may vary from a fisherman to a sailor or surfer, or from someone whose feet are firmly planted in the sand.  However, the general theme is usually one of awe.  We might admire the beauty and power or fear what lies under the surface, but no one walks away from the ocean without feeling something.

“The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can’t.” – Christopher Paolini, Eragon

Thank you for inviting me to your beach bonanza!

Happy Summer! And Happy Reading!

Lane Hayes

Surfing in California


Blurb

The Right TimeWorkaholic Nate Erickson is a successful real estate developer who thrives on long hours and stress. When a Los Angeles project prompts him to relocate to Santa Monica, he welcomes the change of scenery. Nate has always considered romantic entanglements trouble, but his sexy next-door neighbor isn’t easy to ignore. Which makes no sense, because Nate is straight… or so he’s always thought.

Alex Reyes is a retired professional soccer player turned West Hollywood business owner with an insatiable lust for life. He loves his family, friends, and work. But there’s one life challenge left to accomplish: coming out publically. Respect for traditional Latino values has kept him in the closet, but Alex begins to think he and his new neighbor might help one another combat their fears. As Alex and Nate forge a strong friendship, they soon realize facing their personal demons will take more courage than either man bargained. The reward is immeasurable… if the timing is right.


Bio

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles both be men! Lane discovered the M/M genre a fews ago and was instantly hooked. Her first novel was a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards and her third received an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Rainbow Awards. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and the coolest yellow lab ever in an almost empty nest.


Giveaway

Lane has brought a copy of The Right TIme to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Saturday, June 27th at 11:59 pm EST.

This stop is also part of our Beach Read Bonanza, so be sure to leave a comment for your chance to enter, here and at the rest of our stops!

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