It's my pleasure to welcome Viki Lyn to Friskbiskit today! Viki's here to tell us all about her new release, John’s Match – Woodland Village Book 3. Read on for the story behind the story, and for an exciting excerpt.
Plus Viki's generously giving away a free digital copy of one of her books, winner's choice! Just leave a comment and you'll be entered to win!
Hi Jessica, thank you for having me as a guest today! It’s great to be back.
For those who aren’t familiar with my stories, I write male/male romance, both contemporary and para/fantasy. I love both subgenres, but I have to confess when I buy GLBT fiction to read, it’s usually contemporary.
My first m/m book that I wrote was Blue Skye, which became the first book in my Woodland Village Series. It has already been three years and ten books later since I’ve written Blue Skye. Before that, I wrote historical romance under another pen name. When I made the switch to gay fiction, it rekindled my passion for romance writing. I was hooked! Over the past few years I’ve learned a lot about the genre and writing in general. But although it’s my first book, Blue Skye will always hold a special place in my heart.
Blue Skye is about an artist, Skye Taylor, who loves his childhood friend, Drew Adams. During their high school graduation, their passion for each other ignites but Skye leaves for NYC without Drew and with a broken heart. Years later, Skye returns to Woodland Village to sell his family’s salt box cottage and help inaugurate his dealer’s new art gallery designed by Drew. When Skye and Drew meet again, all those buried emotions for each other begin to surface and change their lives.
The setting is a fictional village on the east coast. I pictured a cross between Cabot Cove and Cape Cod! It has a harbor, pier and a great crab shack, local coffee house and art gallery. There are salt box cottages that date back to the last decade. Pretty much a place where I’d like to live. Being a native Californian, I’m familiar with the west coast, so I’m not sure why I didn’t set my story in a fictional town near Big Sur or Malibu!
Recently, my Woodland Village series had to find a new home, so when Blue Skye, and the second book, Ryan’s Harbor were re-released, they also were re-edited, making the series even stronger. I had such a great response with book 3 – John’s Match when it came out this March. It was a leading seller during the month of its release, and a best seller on All Romance Ebooks!
When I set out to write my Woodland Village series, I didn’t plan on each story featuring a subplot of a son coming to terms with the relationship with his father. Its uncanny how characters take on a life of their own, and as a writer, I usually go with the flow.
In Blue Skye, Drew must learn to stand up to his father’s expectations. In Ryan’s Harbor, Martin Pierson feels like his father blames him for his brother’s death. He takes this belief and owns it. When I completed the third book, John’s Match, I realized again, I had a father playing a significant role in one of my character’s lives. John has a good relationship with his father, and must learn to accept his father’s illness, and the loneliness that will follow when he passes on. Their relationship is much closer to my relationship with my dad who died several years ago. I still miss him, and wonder what he’d think of his youngest daughter writing gay fiction. I believe he would have shaken his head, not really understand why, but would have accepted it with good grace. :)
Here’s a blurb from John’s Match:
Fantasy writer Scott Marwick just might be John’s financial savior if John can convince Scott to sign over the character rights for a new computer game. John befriends Scott for one purpose -- to get him to sign -- never planning on falling in love. When John shatters Scott’s trust, can Scott forgive and move on from his past mistakes?
John Kramer discovers two guys humping on the hood of his Ferrari in the parking lot of the local gay bar. When he finds one of the pair alone and in a drunken stupor, John drives him home. To his surprise, the young man’s father is his new next door neighbor, Scott Marwick. Tempers flare when Scott accuses John of getting his son inebriated and taking advantage of him. John plans to never see the man again.
Then John’s boss flips out when he finds out the jerk next door is Scott Marwick, a temperamental, but famous fantasy writer. The elusive author could save their company from financial ruin if they can get him to sign over his characters for a computer game. Ryan insists John befriend Scott, show him around the Village and get him to agree to a meeting.
The last thing Scott needs is friends. He moved to Woodland Village to forget about the past and to write. Since his partner’s death three years ago, he hasn’t written one word, and his agent, publisher, and fans are clamoring for the final book of his award-winning series. His life is spiraling out of control and he doesn’t know if he can finish his series. He doesn’t need the complication of love and he certainly wouldn’t associate his name with a computer game.
But when John’s life begins to fall apart, Scott must decide where his loyalties lie—with John or his principles.
Excerpt: PG-13 – some swearing!
Rob groaned and his head wobbled on his father’s shoulder. “Don’t feel so good…” Then his head thumped down, and the kid passed out.
“I’m putting him to bed. You—” Scott pointed to John “—stay put.”
John bristled under the command. He should get the hell out of there, but the bastard was his neighbor. All he needed was all-out war between him and this asshole.
Scott returned, shutting the door behind him.
He tightened the belt of his robe. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t ever want you near Rob again.”
John was never tongue-tied, but the piercing glare of those dark, dark eyes under the overhead light left him unbalanced. Were they navy blue or brown…too hard to tell, the black lashes thick and distracting.
John straightened his tie. He’d be damn if he moved first. “Look, we’re neighbors, so let’s be reasonable, here.”
“Rob never gets drunk, and he doesn’t take drugs.”
Yeah, and the sun sets in the East.
The man either had no clue about his son’s lifestyle or was in denial. John had enough of being accused for an action he hadn’t committed. He was too old for that shit.
John closed the space between them, pleased when he saw the muscle in Scott’s jaw tense. They were almost the same height, but John had the advantage of buffed muscles, a solid chest and his clean, well pressed clothes. He knew he looked good, kept in shape, and had too many admirers to worry about what this piece of shit thought of him.
“Let’s get something straight. I’m not the type of man who gives drugs to get a piece of ass.” He shoved Scott back with a well place palm to his chest, noting with surprise how firm it felt under the material. “I told you the truth. I found Rob drunk and gave him a ride. I suggest you talk with your son and find out why he had to get so pissing drunk he’d throw up all over your hedge bush.”
“Why you son of a bitch—”
John blocked the upraised hand. “Temper, temper…” He escaped down the porch steps two at a time, smiling as curses followed him all the way to his car.
Well, that didn’t go so well.
What a way to end his night.
He’d keep this encounter to himself. His friends would just tease him that he got what he’d deserved for sticking his neck out. Well, hopefully he wouldn’t have too much interaction with his neighbor. All they shared was a stretch of beach with other residents on their street. If John was lucky, he’d never have to talk with the man again
***
As you can see, John and Scott don’t start off on good standing! It was fun to write their relationship, and the softening of their feelings for each other.
Buy link: http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=236 or go to my website and all my book resources are located on my sidebar! www.vikilyn.com
Jessica, thanks for the opportunity to post to your site, and come and visit my blog when you get a chance. I’d love to have you as a guest.
Happy Reading everyone!
And if you want a chance to win one of my digital books, please comment. I’ll pick a winner at the end of the week.
Viki Lyn
http://www.vikilyn.com
http://www.vikilyn.com/blog
http://www.twitter.com/vikilynromance
http://www.facebook.com/vikilynromance
Hi All.
Sorry this post is late but I thought I posted on Monday. I did pick a winner, honest! Using the random number generator, the winner is Penumbra!
Thank you everyone who has posted. I love hearing from everyone. Congrats!
Viki
Posted by: Viki Lyn | June 20, 2012 at 04:41 PM
I'll say the characters get off to a rocky start. Great conflict.
Posted by: Allie Ritch | June 14, 2012 at 09:45 AM
This sounds like a FANTASTIC Series, definitely a MUST Read!!!!
Take Care & Stay Naughty,
PaParanormalFan (Renee’ S.)
paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com
Posted by: PaParanormalFan Renee | June 14, 2012 at 01:13 AM
This series sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it. Put it on my wishlist.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Posted by: Joanne B | June 13, 2012 at 08:27 PM
It also helps to leave a email address *head desk*
melaniem54(at)msn(dot)com
Posted by: melanie marshall | June 13, 2012 at 12:10 PM
I am unfamiliar with these series but they sound like just my thing. Thanks for giving me a new series to read. Please enter my name in the contest.
Posted by: melanie marshall | June 13, 2012 at 12:09 PM
I have read several of Viki Lyn's works and really enjoyed them. I know I'll enjoy John's Match; I'm adding it to my must have list.
Thanks,
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Posted by: Tracey Dent | June 13, 2012 at 07:55 AM
I have many of Viki's books and there is not a one that I don't enjoy.
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
Posted by: Yvette | June 13, 2012 at 06:52 AM
Viki Lyn is a new author to me, but I've just gone and checked her books on goodreads and I think I have definitely found a new author for me! lol...
Woodland Village Series sounds great! I am so adding them to my "to read" list.
Thank you for the contest! :))
Judi
arella3173_loveless(at)yahoo(dot)com
Posted by: Judi P | June 12, 2012 at 11:40 PM
This was my favorite of the series!
Posted by: Lisa Sullivan | June 12, 2012 at 11:39 PM
Since I've only gotten the word out only today, I will pick a name for the giveaway at the end of this week, and let Jessica know who won. I will post it here as well! :) Thank you for visiting my post and for commenting! V.
Posted by: Viki Lyn | June 12, 2012 at 11:05 PM
I've never heard of this series before today, but I'll definitely be checking them out after that excerpt! Love the tension between them. :D Thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Ashley E | June 12, 2012 at 09:37 PM
I like the name Skye :)
Count me in for the drawing please.
~Penumbra
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by: Penumbra | June 12, 2012 at 08:29 PM
Please count me in...I like the blurbs for your books very much...there goes the wishlist getting out of control again! Thanks,
chellebe at comcast dot net
Posted by: Michelle L | June 12, 2012 at 06:25 PM
These sound a great series - i'll be having longer look at tham, for definite!
Posted by: Suze | June 12, 2012 at 03:34 PM