Today I am so pleased to welcome Lane Hayes to Joyfully Jay. Lane has come to share an exclusive excerpt from her new release, A Kind of Truth. She has also brought along a great giveaway. Please join me in giving Lane a big welcome!

Excerpt

“What’s your dream? What’s the one thing you want to accomplish while you’re on the planet?”

Will gave a half laugh, but his eyes twinkled with reluctant amusement. “Are you for real? We’re standing in the middle of a park on a freezing winter day and you want to talk about dreams?”

“It’s warmer than it’s been in days.”

“Which isn’t saying much.”

“You’re stalling.”

“I have class in twenty minutes.”

I grinned at him, then reached out and snagged his beanie off his head. I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to play with him. Be silly. I wanted to make him laugh.

“I’m keeping your hat hostage.”

His face was set in mock outrage as he held out his hand, tapping his boot on the ground impatiently. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-five. Hurry. Your ears are turning red.”

“You’re twenty-five going on five. Hand it over.” He pursed his lips, then burst out laughing.

“I wish there was snow on the ground. Next time it snows, we have to come back here for a snowball fight. You on?”

“Are you cra—where are you going? Hey! Come back!”

I pulled his hat over mine and waltzed away wearing two beanies as I embellished my considerable snowball-making skills. “I’m from Baltimore. We get enough snow that I’ve been able to perfect my craft over the years. You gotta go to the mountains to get to the really good powder but—”

“I’m not chasing after you.”

“Nah, you shouldn’t. I’m a fast runner too.”

“I’m not and I don’t want to play around.”

He started after me. He wasn’t joking. He was slow and awkward. Outmaneuvering him would have been easy. Too easy. I stalled and gave him a chance to catch me. It backfired when he tripped over my foot a second later. I caught him by the arm and pulled him against me. We stood chest to chest, our breath mingling visibly in the cool winter air. I detected a trace of desire in his eyes and immediately backed off. I yanked the hats from my head and stuffed mine in my pocket before gesturing for him to come closer. He stared at me for a second, then reluctantly complied. I pulled the navy cap over his head, making sure to tuck his hair underneath. This was the closest I’d ever been to him. I tried to imagine him with a wig, a blue dress, and a long black coat again, but it was too hard to see anything beyond his golden brown eyes, dark lashes, and the sweet freckles on his nose.

I jumped back with a start. What was I doing? Straight guys didn’t do things like this. They didn’t stare into another guy’s eyes or mess with their hats, unless they were stuffing them full of snow or tossing them halfway across the park for kicks. The rush of heat to my face was clawing. I plucked at my scarf and tried a smile I hoped looked somewhat confident.

“So tell me… what’s your dream?”

“I want to be a musician.” Will’s voice was so quiet. I was moved by an undercurrent of emotion in those simple words, as though he was telling me something important and it was up to me to read between the lines. The barren trees, cloudy skies, and sparsely populated park somehow lent an aura of significance to the moment.

“You are a musician.”

“I want to be the best. I want to make a difference through music. That’s my dream. Nothing else matters.”

I nodded. Yes, I understood all too well. “You’re going to do it. I can tell. Just remember, this is your life, Will. Don’t let anyone put limitations on you. Be happy.”

“I am happy,” he whispered.

“Good.” I touched the end of his nose lightly and smiled.

eBook: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7250

Paperback: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7251

Blurb

Rand O’Malley dreams of superstardom. He hopes to one day sing the blues like a rock god. Moving to New York City and hiring a new manager are steps to make his dreams a reality. But nothing moves as fast as Rand would like, and everyone has opinions, which include he keep certain pieces of himself quiet if he plans on making it in the Big Apple. Like his bisexuality.

Will Sanders is a gifted musician who dazzles Rand with his ability to coax gorgeous notes from an electric guitar one moment and play the piano like a professional the next. He’s a geek, but Rand isn’t concerned about Will’s pressed exterior clashing with his tattoos. His focus is music.  Yet there’s something about Will that makes Rand think there’s much more to the quiet college student than he lets on. As Rand’s dreams begin to materialize, he’s forced to reconsider his priorities and find his own kind of truth. One that might include Will.

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 well-told love story with beautifully written characters.  These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men.  Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked.  Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions in the 2014 and 2015 Rainbow Awards.  She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and the coolest yellow Lab ever in an almost empty nest.

• Facebook: Lane Hayes https://www.facebook.com/LaneHayes
• Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/LaneHayesaauthor/
• Twitter: @LaneHayes3 https://twitter.com/LaneHayes3
• Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7125719.Lane_Hayes

Giveaway

Lane has brought $20 gift card from a retailer of choice and a choice of backlist book to give away to a reader on her tour. Just follow the Rafflecopter link to enter. 

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