Title: The Gift
Author: Andrew Grey
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Publisher: Dreamspinner
Press
Release Date: Aug 10 2015
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
Ember is a drop-dead gorgeous Las Vegas escort. He notices
Alejandro in some of the classes he teaches at his side business—a yoga studio.
Then, color-blind Alejandro further captures Ember’s attention when he’s
blinded by a quick change in light and needs Ember’s help at a club. What Ember
doesn’t expect is the way Alejandro touches his heart.
Alejandro never intended to develop feelings for Ember. He’s
in Las Vegas for a year to sow some wild oats. But Alejandro quickly sees more
in Ember when he sets out to make some of Alejandro’s dreams come
true—including a trip to the Grand Canyon and the beaches of LA. Alejandro’s
wild oats could turn into something memorable.
Ember knows keeping his escort job from Alejandro isn’t the
right thing to do, but he wants to be liked for who he is. Alejandro keeps his
own secrets for the same reason. But Alejandro’s family obligations, along with
Ember’s profession, could make it impossible for the two of them to stay
together—unless they can figure out how to make the most of the gifts they’ve
been given.
“Thank you for the drink,” Ember said, turning to him.
“You’re welcome.” Alejandro smiled slightly and watched
Jimmy and Ember step around the table. The other guys all said good-bye,
exchanging hugs and talking quietly.
“Is that the guy from the yoga studio?” Christo whispered,
and Alejandro nodded slightly.
“For God’s sake,” Christo said. “You’ve been sitting here
chatting him up and you’re just going to let him go? Have I taught you nothing?
Before he leaves, ask him out, get his number, something.”
“How do I know he’s interested?”
“How do you know he’s not? Someone has to make the first
move, so get up out of that seat and go ask him out. If you want something, you
need to make it happen.”
“You sound like my father.”
“Maybe he’d be right, in this case.” Christo paused. “Do I
have to do what I did to get you that date to the Christmas ball?”
Alejandro stood. “If you do, so help me, I’ll….”
Christo stepped back and folded his arms over his chest.
“You have ten seconds.”
“I wonder why I’m friends with you,” Alejandro muttered as
he stood up and walked to the end of the table. Christo could be such a pain in
the ass at times.
Jimmy and Ember were getting ready to leave, and Alejandro
wondered how he should broach the subject. Back home, he’d… hell, back home
he’d never in a million years have the guts to approach another guy like this.
Maybe that was the problem? He kept thinking like he was back home, and he
wasn’t… at least for now. He was here, in Las Vegas—what did he have to lose?
“Ember,” Alejandro said when they turned away from the
table.
“Go on out to the car, I’ll be right there,” Ember said to
Jimmy.
“Umm, I wanted to thank you for helping me earlier, and I
enjoyed meeting your friends. They seem really nice.” He was beginning to sweat
something fierce and figured he might as well get this over with. Ember could
tell him he wasn’t interested, and Alejandro could go back to the table and proceed
to drink a few more martinis before heading home for the night.
“Is there something you wanted?”
Alejandro nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. If he got
any more nervous, he was going to puke, and that would be so attractive. “I was
wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me? I’m a terrible cook, but we
could go someplace, then maybe a show.” He knew he sounded like a schoolboy,
but he’d at least gotten the words out.
Ember looked like he wasn’t sure how to respond. He blinked
a few times, and Alejandro actually wondered for a second if this was the first
time anyone had asked him out, but that seemed doubtful. Alejandro prepared
himself for rejection. He figured Ember had to be thinking of a way to “let him
down easy,” like they said on television.
“I’d love to,” Ember finally answered, and it took Alejandro
a second to register Ember had said yes. “Let me give you my phone number so we
can talk and arrange an evening.”
Alejandro’s heart began working again and he smiled hugely.
“That would be great.” Alejandro reached into his pockets for something to
write on, but came up empty. Christo pressed a card into his hand, and he
peered at it and then gave it to Ember with a smile. Ember handed him a card
from the yoga studio.
“I put my number on the back. I really have to go. But we’ll
talk tomorrow afternoon.” Ember waved and then turned and threaded his way
through the people toward the front of the club.
How do you develop your writing ideas?
Once I have an idea that I might like to use
for a story, I generally let them stew and percolate for a while. Sometimes and idea will occur to me and then
leave just as fast. Other times they
take root and grow. Those are the ones
that have the chance to become a story.
What makes you unique as a writer?
I have asked myself that a number of
times. I like to think its empathy and
my ability to put myself in another person’s shoes and to convey that to a
reader.
Where do you find inspiration for your characters?
Everywhere.
Sometimes its news stories or works of art. Occasionally it comes from people I
know.
Do you agree with the adage “Write what you know”?
Only to a degree. You should definitely write what you know or
about what interests you. I’d also add
to write about what you’re willing to research.
What (or who) inspires you to write the most?
I’d have to say that my biggest inspiration
is Dominic. I was lucky enough to have
had a great romance and I think it’s the love we share that makes we want to
spread the love around, so to speak.
How has your writing career changed in the past year?
In the last year I started writing as Dirk
Greyson as well as Andrew and that gave me a new outlet with a new writing
voice.
What are your writing goals for the next year?
My overall goal is pretty simple, to keep
writing new and interesting stories that my readers will love.
Giveaway
Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.
Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
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