It’s funny how incidents from my own life can become scenes in fiction. In this case, I open the story with an event inspired by something that happened way back when The Husband and I were courting. Here, it means one person removes himself from a situation that could have led to a relationship.
HUSH is about what happens when life puts two people in contact again who never even had a chance to think ‘what if’ before. Launches September 1 - click the image below for product link!
Cover photo by @jiangxulei1990 unsplash.com
Three key things about HUSH:
It’s a M/M romance novella featuring a translator and an attorney who were, briefly, fraternity brothers.
One man is Chinese-American and the other has one half-Mexican grandparent; their families are strong, supportive, and tolerant.
Ash and Justin both belong to a chat group for queer-romance readers, in which they use aliases. Yes, this story is my take on ‘The Shop Around the Corner’ or ‘You’ve Got Mail.’
HUSH is also about identity and expectations. Ash is short and cute, which means a lot of people make certain assumptions. Justin is taller, though still on the short side of average; he considers himself unremarkable in any way. The fact that they see each other clearly, and appreciate what they see, is in part a function of having known each other in early adulthood. It’s also a function of having first become well-acquainted online, without visual cues. They are predisposed to like each other because they like the same books.
This is the second recent story in which a love of books is a strong character trait. The inspiration probably stems from my recent reconsideration of the home library. I have been a book-lover and obsessive reader all my life; being with someone who doesn’t mind that is important.
In PROOFED, bookstore owner Dominic falls in love with cafe owner Louie. Louie isn’t much of a reader, but he’s not interested in changing Dominic. It’s perfectly okay with him if Dominic has a book out on the table, or in his hand while the TV’s on. That is not always the case in relationships. I made a point of it because I value this in my own life.
In HUSH, both main characters are bookworms. Reading is a big part of their at-home life; neither of them has shared that with a partner before. It’s not the only thing they bond over, but it lays a foundation for everything else.
Finally, HUSH is about roles and balance. Ash is a natural top. For someone his size, that’s been tricky to negotiate. Justin’s always been an accommodating partner. No one’s really invested in his satisfaction before. Ash wants certain things, but he also wants to make sure Justin has the best possible time in bed. Those scenes were fun to write.
Adult situations, themes, and language; 34000 words and a happy ending.