Contemporary MM Romance, murder, conversion therapy
Blurb
Young lovers Greg and Tyler secretly meet to spend time together, until a moment of passion by the moonlight throws their lives into chaos. When their parents learn about their little escapade, it opens a Pandora’s box that spreads family discord, resentment, and heartaches. When someone adds fuel to an already fragile situation, things get out of hand quickly. Will these two young lovers stay safe? How much can they endure before they break?
Excerpt
Nestled in southwest Alberta’s rolling foothills lies the quaint little town of Cardston—the Miller and Bradshaw families’ hometown. Cardston straddled the Lee Creek valley and served as a shopping and tourist hub for southwest Alberta, and was the unrivalled centre of Mormon life in Canada. Three-quarters of the town’s residents belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while the other quarter was Catholic and Baptist. The town’s social life revolved around family life, team sports and religion.
Greg Miller was the captain of the town football team, the Cardston Cougars, and the proud son of John and Teresa Miller. Greg’s parents owned the only shoe store in town, where Greg helped on weekends and summer holidays.
Greg and his teammates had been busy preparing for their next big game against the Calgary Golden Bears; it was the Cougars’ opportunity to bring back home the trophy they lost to the Bears three years ago. Unfortunately, John and Teresa couldn’t be there to cheer on their son—John had his business to run, and since Greg would be in Calgary, his mother would have to be at the store instead. Sales had been down, and closing for even one day could cause the family hardship in the coming months. Tyler had attended Greg’s practices ever since they met. You could tell in Tyler’s eyes how proud he was of his boyfriend―his secret boyfriend. Unfortunately, Greg and Tyler needed to be discreet and hide when they wanted to meet, a drawback of living in a small religious town.
It was Greg’s last year of high school, and if his team won the game, it could mean a scholarship for him at the University of Alberta and a golden chance to play for the Golden Bears. Over dinner, Greg asked his parents once more if they were sure they couldn’t make the game.
His father looked at him and said, “Sorry, Greg. I wish we could go, but we can’t close the business. You know how important November is to us.”
“Can’t you ask Steve to cover for you?”
“No. Steve has decided to move on, and even if he was still with us, I don’t have the money to pay for him to replace me. I’m sorry, son, you’ll have to do this one on your own.”
“You don’t need us there,” his mother said. “You’ll do just fine.”
“I know. It would have been nice to have you guys there, that’s all. But I understand,” Greg said.
“Besides,” his mother said, “if we went, we’d need a hotel room and Calgary’s expensive.”
Greg nodded and lowered his head. He quietly finished his meal, took his empty plate to the dishwasher, and went to his room. He turned on his computer and browsed the internet for anything and nothing, then went and laid in his bed, staring at the ceiling. Bummer. I’ll probably be the only guy whose parents won’t be there.
He texted Tyler about meeting up. Thirty minutes later, Greg stopped by the living room and told his parents he was going out. He hopped on his bike and met his boyfriend, Tyler, at Lee Creek Park.
Unlike Greg, who was a Catholic, Tyler was Baptist. Tyler thought being Baptist was very similar to other denominations, but their parents thought differently. A typical week for Tyler was packed with religion, beginning with a seminar at six in the morning, youth group on Wednesdays, and bible school on Sunday. In high school, Tyler was referred to as the boy who didn’t drink, smoke, or hook up with girls. There was nothing he’d like more than to be like the other guys his age, but his religion forbade it, as did his parents.
Tyler was already at the park when Greg arrived, sitting near the creek, leaning against a tree and lost in his thoughts. Greg quietly approached him from behind the tree and grabbed one of his arms.
“What the…” Tyler jerked his arm away, and Greg burst out laughing.
“You scared me,” Tyler said.
“How’s it going, dude?”
“Okay. And you? Ready for the big game?”
“I think so, but it’s a bummer my folks can’t come.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.”
“Yeah, but what can you do?” Greg said with a shrug.
“Would you like me to be there? I can be your cheering section in the audience,” Tyler said with a smile.
“You would do that?”
“Of course.”
“That would be so cool. We could rent a room for after the game.”
“Won’t you have one already?”
“Yeah, but we’re four of us in there, and I don’t think the coach would let you crash. Besides,” Greg said, leaning forward towards Tyler, “we wouldn’t be able to do this.” The two of them kissed.
“You have a point there,” Tyler said. “I’ll ask my parents to reserve a room for me. You need to keep your cash for university.”
“Will they let you go?” Greg asked, excited at the prospect of being with his boyfriend alone where no one knew them.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll be there to support you,” Tyler said with confidence.
“I can’t wait for us to be at university so we can be together. I’m tired of hiding,” Greg said, looking at Tyler.
“Me too. You’ll have to wait, though, because you’re a school year ahead of me.” Tyler grinned.
“Right.” Greg made a sad face. “But you can join me the year after,” he said with a smile.
“Think of what would happen if our parents found out about us,” Tyler said, lost in his thoughts.
“That’s a scary thought. Come here.” Greg placed his hands on Tyler’s shoulder and lowered him on his lap.
Tyler rested his head on Greg’s lap, and Greg bent over and placed his lips on Tyler’s.
Author Interview
Introduce yourself and your writing
Hello, I’m Kristian Daniels my first novel Stolen Heart was published a little more than one year ago. I retired from my day-to-day job four years ago to dedicate my time to my story telling. I am passionate about writing, taking the readers into the world of my characters. I write fiction and coming–of-age stories, my stories are about romance, family and social conflict, integrity and perseverance. I live and work out of my home in Canada and my hobbies and interest are traveling, my dogs, and fashion. My partner and I have been together fourteen years.
How long have you been an author?
I’m a new author. Sins of our Sons is my second English novel. I’ve only begun writing as an author, four years ago.
What/who inspired you to start writing?
Writing as always been something I loved to do. I’ve always written something since I was a teenager, either poem, I attempted writing a short play in my late teen early twenty and I even wrote a movie script with dialogue also. Writing a book has been in my mind for a long time but I never made the time for it, so when I retired that’s when I became serious in pursuing my dream of writing a book.
Tell us about your new release. What inspired you to write it?
Sins of our Sons was inspired by a news article I read about this young man in another country who live through hell with his family and others because of strong religion beliefs. I wanted to write about living a hard knock life that some people face just because of personal choices.
How did you decide on the title?
The title of the book became obvious to me when I was writing the story of young adults being pressure to conform to what family and religion dictated.
What are you working on at present? Would you like to share a snippet?
The story I’m working on involves a young adult’s infatuation with a teacher, rejection and a small town shaken by a murder.
Excepts of Parkwood Hills
The Hills
Everyone who drives by this little town cannot help admiring its beauty. Parkwood Hills is a quaint and friendly village, a tranquil escape from city life and gateway to exhilarating adventures, nestled on the Shore of Arrow Lake, and surrounded by the breathtakingly Selkirk and Monashee Mountain ranges. The towns people are proud of their little community, it’s quiet and hardly anything ever happens there. Tourist and vacationers bring some life and excitement in this small community come summertime.
Parkwood Hills is the home of Joshua Redgrave, an ambitious eighteen years old who couldn’t wait to explore life outside of a small town. Dark-haired like his father, Joshua had built some muscle working at the mill. Rich timberland in the area gave growth to the local sawmill, Hillside Mills, and the logging industry, which Joshua’s father works as a logging truck driver, like his father before him.
***
Night out
Michael didn’t feel like staying at home Friday night. The only place to go out was the Hot Springs bar. So, he got into his jeans and put on a sweater and walked to the bar. He walked in, the bartender and some patrons looked at him strangely, which this never happened before. He went to the bar and ordered a beer, Frank who is usually all smile, was stoned face tonight. Michael thought that he must be having one of those nights. He grabbed his beer, went to sit at a table, one that is close to the wall, and noticed there was a band playing country music that night.
He took out his cell, saw he had a message from Simon telling him that he and his boyfriend had broken up shortly after they moved in together. Simon caught his boyfriend cheating. That sucks, Michael thought. I must call him tomorrow to find out how he is.
A couple of guys whistling caught his attention, he lifted his head, Katie had just walked in hence the whistling. Scantily dressed as she frequently is when she goes to the bar, like a magnet two to three fellows immediately went to her with drinks. She looked over one of the guy’s shoulders, she spotted Michael sitting in the corner by himself.
Unlike the previous occasions, she ignored him and hung around the guys that were devouring her with their eyes. Michael found it weird that she didn’t run over to try and convince to go out with her, but Michael saw a similar pattern this afternoon in the hallway at school. So, is me being gay, turned her off, he thought, or is she playing a cat and mouse game, to see if I would get jealous if she paid attention to the other guys and not me, he said.
As the evening went on, Katie took pleasure in exhibiting herself on the dancefloor with different guys, making sure she was in Michael’s viewing range. The more Michael didn’t pay attention to her the more she would get upset and when Katie gets upset, she drinks. Around midnight, Katie was drunk. She walked over to Michael, stared at him while leaning on his table, “How would you like to dance with me,” she asked slurring her words.
“You know I don’t dance, Michael said casually. You asked me before.”
“Ahhh! Come on.” She said wavering.
“No Katie. Anyway, I’m about to leave. You have plenty of men who are killing themselves to dance with you. Dance with them.” Michael said, putting his cellphone away in his pocket.
“Then it’s true what I read; you are a fag.” Katie blurted out
What is the hardest part of writing any book?
Dedicate writing time every day. You can be easily distracted by anything. It’s much like sticking to a regular exercise program, some days you don’t feel like exercising but once you start, you don’t regret it. Writing is similar, someday you don’t feel like writing but once you start, you’re okay.
Why M/M?
It’s a genre I can relate to. As an author and a gay man, I wanted to sensitise people what some of the LGBTQ+ community have lived through, still living and the courage it takes to persevere and to inspire them to keep going no matter what.
Do you write any other genres?
I haven’t written any other genre so far, but I would like to. I’m specially attracted to murder mysteries, suspense.
Do you have genres you prefer reading, and if so what are they?
I mostly read fiction and the odd biography. I am more apt to read fiction romance, murder mysteries, adventures
Are any of your characters based on you or people you know?
No, neither. My characters are based the role they have in the story at which time I form in my head what they look like and their behaviour.
Do characters and stories just pop into your head, or do you take your time thinking about and planning them?
I develop my stories and characters using a story development template I have. First I develop the essence of the story the beginning and how it should end, sometimes the ending might change depending on the added twists and plots in the story. Then I developed each character, I write their bio, physical looks, behaviour, occupation, who there are friends with or who they don’t get along with.
Do you get emails asking why characters didn’t get together and whether you’re going to write more about them?
I do, not in emails but when they add a review of the book. I’ve had people asking me if there will be another book which will continue a character’s story. Another reviewer said of my first book that it would be nice to see a series continuing from where the book left off.
Are you a panster or a plotter?
I am a plotter.
How often do you write? Do you have a schedule?
I write every day. I write mostly during the day and evenings, I usually write for at least 3 - 4 hrs per day.
Are you a cat person or a dog person? Tell us about your pets.
I have two dogs, two Shi-Tzu’s, Buddy, is black and white and is 4 years old, and Onyx is grey, and he is 5 years old. They are both rescued dogs.
If you could choose any superpower or magical ability, what would it be and why?
I’d choose a magic wand, so I could zap away the hate in the world and remove this idea in some men’s head that they are superior to women. We are all human beings, no one is born with a superiority status.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things (or people) would you want there with you?
I would want to be stranded with my husband, my two dogs and my laptop so I can keep writing. 😊
About the Author
Kristian Daniels is a published author. His first novel Stolen Heart was published a little more than one year ago. An Information Technologist by profession, he retired a few years ago to dedicate his time to his storytelling. Kristian is passionate about writing. Fiction and coming–of-age stories are what he likes to write about. Kristian lives and works out of his home in Canada and spends his summers traveling and enjoying a drink a good book and the sun by his pool.
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