Catch of a Lifetime by:Andrew Grey w/ Creative Post & Giveaway

Title: Catch of a Lifetime

Author: Andrew Grey

Series: Currently a Standalone Title

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance

Publisher: DreamSpinner Press

Release Date: April 7 2020

Edition/Format: 1^st Edition/Format ~ eBook & Print

Blurb/Synopsis:

Some moments happen once in a lifetime, and you have to catch them and hold on tight.

Arty Reynolds chased his dream to Broadway, but after his father is injured, he must return to the small fishing community where he grew up, at least until his dad is back on his feet.

Jamie Wilson fled his family farm but failed to achieve real independence. Arty is hiring for a trip on the gulf, and it’ll get Jamie one step closer to his goal.

Neither man plans to stay in Florida long-term, neither is looking for love, and they’re both blown away by the passion that sparks between them. But on a fishing boat, there’s little privacy to see where their feelings might lead. Passion builds like a storm until they reach land, where they also learn they share a common dream. The lives they both long for could line up perfectly, as long as they can weather the strain on their new romance when only one of them may get a chance at their dream.

“What are we looking for?” Jamie asked.

Arty snickered. “I think the meaning of life is supposed to be out there somewhere. But I never found it.” Not on the sea, or land, as far as that went. He turned to Jamie. “Maybe you will.”

Reginald stood, and Beck did the same. “We’ll be ready to shove off on time,” Reginald said.

“Good. We can meet tomorrow to go over the route plan.”

Reginald shook his head. “That isn’t my expertise. Your father was always the one who had the gift for finding the fish. That was his real talent. You get whatever you can from him, and then we’ll go from there.” Reginald and Beck extended their hands, and Arty shook them. Then they left the restaurant, and Arty sat back down.

“You really want to do this?” he asked Jamie, and for the first time, saw doubt flash in his eyes.

“They seem like good people, and I asked around about you after I saw the flyer.” The corners of his lips turned upward. “They said you were doing this to help your dad. That this wasn’t your life. Everyone talked about you as though you were a saint or something.”

Arty scoffed. “Nope. God knows I’m no saint.”

“Me either,” Jamie said. “But I’d never do for my dad what you’re doing for yours.” His gaze shifted slightly, looking out over Arty’s shoulder. “I need to make some money, and I want to see what it’s like out there.”

A notion occurred to Arty. “Have you ever been on a boat?” God, he should have asked that before. What if Jamie got seasick? Good Lord, just what he needed—a landlubber who spent the entire trip puking over the side.

“Yes. On Lake Michigan with my uncle a few times. But that’s not the same as it is down here. I like being outdoors. I tried working in a restaurant for a while, but got stir-crazy always being inside. Hot or cold, even when it rains, it’s best to be outside where you can see it coming.” There was something so serious in Jamie’s voice that it made Arty wonder just what he was saying. It was as if Jamie didn’t have anyone to watch his back, and that maybe the threat was coming from close to home.

“Okay, then,” Arty said, watching Jamie’s faraway expression. There was more to this man than muscles and a baby face. There was pain behind those eyes, tinged with desperation, both of which Arty was well acquainted with.

“Is there anything else?” Jamie asked, and Arty shook his head. Jamie thanked him and stood to leave the covered seating area of the restaurant. Arty found he couldn’t look away as Jamie strode across the parking area before disappearing behind a stand of palm trees.

Arty realized his heart beat faster and he was sweating under his T-shirt, though it wasn’t that warm. Good God, those eyes were nearly as blue as the clear sky. He had a type, Arty knew that, and Jamie ticked every single one of the boxes. Of course, he had no idea if Jamie was gay or even interested, but that banana joke had sure as hell been suggestive. Arty finished his coffee. He needed to get his mind away from that subject and keep it on what was important. He was here to help his dad, not get involved with guys or form any ties. His life was back in New York, and once this little adventure was over, he was returning back to his life and career… such as they were.

“Something… or someone interesting?” Milton asked as he began clearing the table. When Arty lifted his gaze, Milton winked. “I’ve seen him around a few times, and he’s a real nice guy. I think you did a good thing. And who knows? Sometimes nice guys do get rewarded.”

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Power Divided by S. Behr w/ Interview

Title: Power Divided

Author: S. Behr

Series: The Evolutionaries (Book 1)

Genre: YA, Coming of Age, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Publisher: Behr Ink

Release Date: Jan 21, 2020

Edition/Formats: Digital & Print

Blurb/Synopsis:

Violet is the princess of Neyr, the third of the Nine Realms of Amera. At least, she was until the day came when Violet was to demonstrate her abilities to the people and solidify her place in Ameran Society. The citizens of Amera have extraordinary abilities, from living on the ocean floor to flying in the air. But no one can turn back time. When the unthinkable happens, tearing her heart and her family in two, Violet flees and is unable to escape a tidal wave of events that brings her face to face with forgotten truths buried for millennia. Only the discovery of a thousand lifetimes may provide the key to her return home. When old enemies arrive on the shores of Neyr, distrust and prejudice resurface. Secrets begin to explode all around Violet, setting her world on fire, and those she loves fall victim to a terrorists' plan to eradicate their enemies. But Amera stands in their way, and with no mercy, the enemy is willing to go through the innocent to get what they want. Violet turns to her best friend Lily, and a few unexpected new friends, who band together to save what they can of her realm, and the rest of Amera. But in the storm that has turned her world upside down, will Violet be able to overcome the nightmare of her past in order to save the future of everyone in Amera, and perhaps the world?

“This first volume in the Evolutionaries series skillfully balances intriguing worldbuilding, whose details are slowly revealed, with well-paced action sequences. It also ably handles Violet’s character development along the way while also offering a diverse, lovable supporting cast whose members become the protagonist’s close friends and allies. The novel effectively addresses themes of cooperation and isolationism as well as autonomy, consent, and moving on with one’s life after learning of long-held secrets.”

“A notable and thoughtful addition to the crowded shelf of post-apocalyptic YA novels.”  Kirkus Review

Amazon

How long have you been writing?

So if we take it literally, since I was about three. Ha-ha! Ok, seriously probably about four years. I really have been writing longer than that, but it was by no means anything I would ever want to share which probably means I should light a fire tonight.

Have you always wanted to write or was that something that come later in life?

So that’s a really tough question. I have had a really strange life, I took my first college course at the age of sixteen because I dropped out at fourteen got my GED and went on with my life. I was completely independent by then. I had always imagined I would be in music, so writing was more of a lyrical endeavor in my mind. Then life happens, and you end up where you never expected to.

It took a few years to decide I needed something other than photography to keep my creativity going. I was mentally burning out and writing was therapy.  

Do you plot your stories before writing or does it just flow when you sit down to write?

I do have a general idea of what I am doing before I start, but I usually let myself have free days to just go nuts, then I do a readback every morning before I continue. I have two jobs, so my time is very structured. I only get so much time to write so I try to make it as efficient as possible.

Do you use a Story Board (Notebooks) to keep everything organized for when you write series?

I do, but not in a traditional sense I suppose. I have a murder board for the big rules, and when I feel like I can’t write for the book that day, I go into character bios and make background histories for all the characters no matter how minor.

This actually helps me know them, and how they would react in situations while I am writing, and makes it feel more organic when I am in the thick of things.

What is the hardest part of writing for you character growth or world building?

The hardest part, of The Evolutionaries series, is that there is just too much. I could tell you everything I imagine the world to look like, smell like, down to the food they are eating. So finding the balance between world building and info dumping has been the biggest challenge.

I love a good story, in all artforms. I have been a professional photographer for nearly 20 years and I had to learn to tell a story with a click of a button and capture the layers of emotion in a single image. Little did I know it was boot camp for writing.

Being an author was a childhood dream and as I got older it seemed to be a dream that grew further out of reach with each passing year. But with encouragement from a lot of friends, new and old, my husband being my biggest cheerleader, The Evolutionaries series has begun with Power Divided.

To keep me company during my writing bubbles are my husband and our fur babies. They love whatever I write, even if they can't read it but they don't always love the music I write to. We all have to make sacrifices! And I am still pinching myself ever since I found out, that, recently I became a Featured Author. Power Divided will be in the Feb 15th Issue of Kirkus Magazine.

"This first volume in the Evolutionaries series skillfully balances intriguing world building, whose details are slowly revealed, with well-paced action sequences. It also ably handles Violet’s character development along the way, while also offering a diverse, lovable supporting cast whose members become the protagonist’s close friends and allies. The novel effectively addresses themes of cooperation and isolationism, as well as autonomy, consent, and moving on with one’s life after learning of long-held secrets." excerpt from Kirkus Review about Power Divided.

Extended Bio from Sbehr.com

STEPHANIE BEHR

It took a long time to realize that being half Chinese and half Filipino, (the country I was born in), then growing up in Texas from the time I was less than a year old, made me a child of many faces, traditions, and ideologies. Needless to say, it was confusing. But it was also amazing, and I am the person I am because of all the places my life has taken me so far, and the people I have met along the way.

When I met my husband, he was a rock star, and I was his biggest fan. His first gift to me was a camera, and without the support of Pushmonkey (his band), I might not have learned how much I love photography and made a career full of priceless moments. Now, Howie is my biggest fan. With photography, we got to work together, and it has taken us around the world. Who would have thought that would happen when I opened that gift, my very first camera?

Photography is the study of light. To capture a story in a moment and freeze emotions with a single click. To commemorate memories for future generations. I learned how to tell a story with a single image. Little did I know it would also be what started me down the path of wanting to tell stories with the written word.

       SEE YOU IN THE NEXT BOOK!

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