The Questions
1)
You’re marooned on a small island with one
person and one item of your choice—who is that person and what item do you
have?
a.
I’m going to have to go with Bear Grylls since
he has all those fantastic survival skills and my best chance at making it back
to civilization and my pile of books-to-be-read. And since I don’t relish the
thought of drinking anyone’s urine, I’m going to have drinking water as my
item. I’m a fan of Man Versus Wild and as long as the island is tropical, this
could be a relaxing vacation.
2)
Which musical would you say best exemplifies
your life – and which character in that musical are you?
a.
Phantom of the Opera but I don’t identify with
Christine. There’d have to be a gender reversal in there and I get to be the
phantom with the beautiful gay Chris…actually this might play into my next book
a bit. Interesting…
3)
Take these three words and give me a 100 word or
less scene using them: galaxy, jet,
cream
a.
Galaxy Jet Cream is the most unusual name for
creamy lube that could have ever been invented. Understandably, it’s very
slippery and with the creaminess that isn’t sticky. But does it really need to
have the cheesy slogan of “Out of this world!” emblazoned on the label? I was
horrified upon first inspection when I saw the tiny bottle in the top drawer of
my best friend’s night stand. But the more I played with the smooth substance,
the more intrigued I became. It was missing the familiar sticky goo feeling and
there was a pleasant smell, too. Why not? I had a few minutes to spare and
decided to spend some quality time with the cream and my trusty right hand. It
was even better than indicated on the tube. A few minutes later, I was flying
high and sufficiently out of breath when my friend knocked on the door.
“That’s my mom’s face cream,” he said. “Did
it remove all your wrinkles?” He left the room and his snickering could be
heard all the way down the hall.
4)
You’ve
just been let loose in the world of fiction, with permission to do anyone you
want. Who do you fuck first and why?
a.
Yikes! Most of the stories I read are M/M so I
doubt they’d want me in their bedrooms so I’d have to go with one that wasn’t
in the genre. Perhaps, Vicious from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Or
maybe Rhage…those two are definitely my favorite Brothers (that’d be interested
in me anyways!)
5)
What is your idea of how to spend romantic time
with your significant other?
a.
I’m terrible at romance off the page so I’d
probably leave that to him. We had a fantastic time one night with a delicious
dinner theater in Minneapolis when we watched Hairspray. That was a memorable
evening out together.
6)
When you start a new story, do you begin with a
character, or a plot?
a.
Typically, I just jump right in with the main
characters and the rest of the story comes together around them. I fill in
secondary characters followed by a thin plot outline that morphs into more
details over time. But, it’s the two main characters that start me out because
if you don’t love them then the story doesn’t really matter.
7)
If they were to make the story of your life into
a movie, who should play you?
a.
Margaret Cho would be awesome since she’s Asian
and socially unacceptable. I love that she’s so outspoken about living in dual
cultures that’s similar to my own upbringing.
8)
Who’s your favorite horror villain and why?
a.
Vlad the Impaler because he’s an all-around
badass and there isn’t anyone scarier than him. Ever.
9)
Do you have an historical crush and if so, who
is it?
a.
I have a thing for Shakespeare that’s probably
weird and then there’s Benjamin Franklin. He was such the lady’s man and it
would have been hard to resist him.
10)
Is there a story that you’d like to tell but you
think the world isn’t ready to receive it?
a.
I’ve toyed around with a YA trans story but it
isn’t polished enough and then there’s a plot bunny around sexy mummy
paranormal that could be a bit weird. Those will have to wait until they can be
told correctly.
Author Name: Tina Blenke
Book Name: Life Worth Living
Release
Date: December 9, 2015
Blurb:
Jake has been hiding in plain sight, always a few rows
behind his straight-crush Quentin during their four years of college. He’s been
successful so far but just as they’re about to graduate, Quentin finds out
Jake’s secret and Quentin shares one of his own. He’s in the closet.
Jake isn’t about to let this opportunity pass him by
especially when Quentin is scheduled to leave for the East coast in a few short
summer months. Willing to keep Quentin’s secret from his upper crust
politically-fueled homophobic family, Jake shares his bed and eventually his
heart.
Quentin’s life in the closet is non-negotiable. His family
has strong political ties and any word about their son’s sexuality would cast
him out of the family and out of his inheritance which he desperately needs to
finish his education. He’s been successful keeping his sexuality a secret for
years until he meets the irresistibly adorable Jake at an early graduation
party.
Quentin is unable to ignore his desire for Jake and makes
the life-altering leap that holds his future in the balance. Locked away from
the public eye, the two men admit their love for one another. In three short
months, they will be forced to part ways for graduate school but the challenges
of potential scrutiny, family commitment and an un-promised future may prove to
be more than they can overcome.
Pages or Words: 63,267
Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Gay
Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance
Excerpt:
“Cora? He’s really gone, isn’t he?”
“You did what you had to do to save both your life
and his career. You didn’t do a goddamned thing wrong, you hear me? You are one
of the bravest men I know,” she growled.
“Yeah, right. I’m the gayest man you know.”
“You shut the fuck up right now, Jake. I don’t let
anyone bad-mouth you around me and that includes you. It takes a real man to
stand up for who he truly is on the inside. The easy way out would be to hide
who you are and live in the closet for fear of what the world will say or do to
you.”
“Now that’s not fair,” I argued immediately, thinking
of Quentin’s situation.
“And for what? Admitting that you want to love
another man? It’s a beautiful romantic notion, Jake. You throw yourself bare to
the world for love, the noblest feeling in the world, and all you expect in
return is someone to return the feeling. And what does that rat bastard do? He
shows you what it feels like to be loved, only there was a condition on it,
wasn’t there? As long as he could hide you from the world and not be proud of
the honest, kind and decent man that you are. He should have been yelling your
name from the mountains or something. Instead? Instead, he runs and hides so he
can save his face from his family.”
Buy the book:
Meet the author:
Tina
is a retired Air Force brat and has lived in several states as well as a
handful of countries. She has always had a soft spot for literature and is a
voracious reader. When she isn't writing, she can be found cuddled up with a
good book. Though Tina adores a thrilling novel with sappy lovesick heroes, she
is terrified of things that go bump in the night. This makes for quite a
complicated relationship with zombies, something that she just can't get enough
of.
Where to find the author:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PhQu6m
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28245086-life-worth-living
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28245086-life-worth-living
Publisher: Wilde City Press
Cover
Artist: Adrian Nicholas
Tour Dates & Stops:
23-Dec
30-Dec
6-Jan
13-Jan
20-Jan
27-Jan
3-Feb
10-Feb
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Prize: 3 - $5 Amazon gift cards (1 winner each)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
