Three years ago I published a F/M novella in which language and speaking were really, really key to the romantic connection. My original launch post got messed up (operator error) so I’m re-posting with the updated cover. Click image below for a product link!
Cover photo by Avi Richards at Unsplash
Three key things about NO MORE WORDS:
both main characters are forty years old and bisexual;
both characters are somewhat disconnected from their communities;
along the way to their happy ending, they both strengthen their friendship ties with others. This is a ‘found family’ story.
Mackenzie Davies is a born-in-New-Zealand American citizen, an actor, who is now in Los Angeles caring for her mother. As Max Dartmoor, she narrates audiobooks, which is something she can do in her current constrained situation. She meets Anton Tsvirko on a night out at Cicada in downtown Los Angeles. Anton is a project manager for a real-estate development company. They connect immediately.
Wherein lies the conflict? Well, my friends, as I’ve said before, there is only so much space in a romance novella for conflict. Here it is all external.
Max’s situation is in many ways non-negotiable. She and Anton negotiate around it. Additionally, Max’s gender expression is nonconforming. Anton doesn’t find this at all troublesome. Anton’s sexual identity precipitates some negotiation, as there are some things that Max considers he is entitled to have, but which she is not equipped to provide.
This story takes place over a period of eight months, and features several recurring characters. It is, however, a stand-alone story. If you read it and like it, you may want to consider BEAT (featuring Sam Lee & Mateo de la Cruz), ‘Drawn Out’ (part of the UNLOCKED collection; features Reza Naderi & Tina Pascual), or A BRAID OF LOVE (featuring Janis Vaughn, Niall Phelps, and Geoffrey Anand).
Content warnings: sex on the page; filthy talk; three-way, off the page; death of a parent, on and off the page; domestic violence and homelessness, off the page.