*waves* Okay, so I've just heard about My Sexy Saturday bloghop. Obviously I've had my head in the sand since it has been going for 78 weeks. But I'm thrilled to be joining up :)
This week's excerpts are about first dates/first love. I wanted to share with you 7 paragraphs from from Logan & Christian's first book As Natural As Breathing. Christian has just revealed that he was almost killed in the line of duty because he defended a gay man.
*****
“Since then, I have been in a hospital in Germany, being patched up, poked, and pained in every way possible. Therapy consisted not so much of getting over what happened as getting over being gay. They were set on curing me of it,” Christian said, a touch of bitterness in his voice. Taking another breath, he shot an apologetic look at the gorgeous man sitting next to him. “So, see, I’m kind of fucked up. I have no idea where I sit on the gay fence. Am I gay? Or am I just attracted to you? ‘Cause damn, that is why I really came tonight, to see if I was actually interested in the man behind the Santa mask, and there is no doubt in my mind I am. So is this a fluke? And if so, I don’t want to lead you along, and yet I don’t think I’m ready to tell anyone, especially my family, that I might be—”
Logan leaned forward and pressed his lips to Christian, placing one of his hands on his cheek, suitably quieting him. As his lips pulled away, Christian opened his mouth to speak again. “Shh,” Logan said quietly, rubbing his thumb across Christian’s cheek. “I understand some of the fear you are going through, though not all of it. I never feared for my life and I always knew I liked men. But as to what you are saying, Christian, this doesn’t have to be a big thing, at least not at first. We can go to Tri-Cities to the movies together. Hell, I like just sitting and talking to you. You laugh at my jokes.” He winked. “You have no idea how rare that is.”
Sighing in relief, Christian truly looked at the man just three inches away from him, the man he hoped would just look normal outside the Santa suit. “You are even better-looking as Logan,” he found himself saying.
Logan flashed him a full smile, briefly stunning Christian. “Why thank you. I spent most of my life as an ugly duckling.”
Christian raised an eyebrow. “I cannot believe you were ever ugly,” he snorted, doubtfully.
Holding up a hand again, Logan dashed off the couch and up the stairs. What was with him and rushing to and fro? A little rattled and far too excited for what was going on, Christian took a moment to breathe. From the moment Logan spoke and he looked up into those beautiful eyes, he was lost. Logan as Logan was…there were no words. He was gorgeous and cute and Christian wanted to just pull him close and cuddle. Okay, so that was a weird thought. And yet was it? His hard-on told him quite clearly how his body reacted to Santa’s alter ego.
And the odd thing was, he knew he would also be happy just sitting and joking around with him. This whole gay thing could get confusing. It felt like a friend with benefits scenario and he couldn’t help but wonder if there was more.
*****
As Natural As Breathing
Book One of the All They Ever Needed trilogy
For Christian Darringer, life isn’t worth living. Just back from the Middle East; scarred and with permanent damage to one leg, he does not think anyone will want him for anything. Meeting a gorgeous man he finds himself thinking about constantly is not in his plans. Pulled toward the startling younger man with striking blue eyes, he begins to question a lot of things – especially his sexuality. Not one to hide from a challenge, he plunges ahead only to find himself more than just attracted to Logan who is full of life and joy, he finds himself head over heels in love.
Logan Mannette has almost everything he ever wanted: loving parents, happiness, friends and security. The only thing missing is finding the love of his life, a love that is just like his parents’. When he meets Christian at a party, everything changes. Instantly attracted, he does his best to help this sad man and quickly finds himself feeling more than he has ever felt before. Raised in a domestic discipline household, he holds that ideal as what he wants but his interest in spanking became a fetish and when Christian admits that he wants to be spanked, Logan believes he might have found the perfect man.
Just as everything begins for them, Christian’s past intercedes and one of his brothers makes waves about him dating a man. If it weren’t for Logan’s support, he might fold; but with the love of one amazing man, Christian finds that living his life rather than just existing is as natural as breathing.
Available from: (this is not an exclusive list, just the links I know about. If you do not see your favorite eRetailer here, check their site. If they have it, let me know so I can add it!)
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
All Romance Ebooks
Blushing Books
All They Ever Needed trilogy
Book 1: As Natural As Breathing
Book 2: Took My Breath Away
