We're thrilled to welcome Bonnie Dee to the clubhouse for the first time! Ever! The words made famous in a certain renowned movie involving a pirate and a would be princess come to mind.
I’m pleased to be invited to Boy Meets Boy Reviews for the day. My name is Bonnie Dee and I’m the author of a number of historical gay romances, most written with Summer Devon but some solo as well. The Mighty Have Fallen is my first contemporary romance in quite some time. It was pleasant to take a break from exploring social chasms and sexual taboos in Victorian or Edwardian times to write something set in our modern world. I was lucky to be included in Dreamspinner’s new Perchance to Dream Line, which features UK based novels. My editor tutored me on expressions and customs of modern day Londoners to bring a more authentic vibe to my story.
The theme of The Mighty Have Fallen is fame and the loss of it. Theatre headliner Trevor Rowland is at the peak of his career when disaster strikes. In one fell swoop, he loses his eyesight, his fame, and his boyfriend, who absconds with most of his money. Trevor must take on a flatmate, hardworking East Ender Jack Burrows, to afford the rent. Anger and bitterness have taken up residence in his heart—but Jack shines light into the shadowy corners with his relentlessly sunny disposition.
Jack introduces Trevor to a local drag club and convinces him he can enjoy the stage again. Trevor’s defences slowly come down as Jack becomes much more than a barely tolerated roommate.
But will Trevor’s fragile trust be destroyed when it appears he’s been manipulated yet again by a man he’s come to care for? Will he reclaim his life or crawl back into a shell of defeat? Trevor must learn to trust not only a man, but himself, once more.
Writing a character with a disability like Trevor’s allowed me to explore all the other senses which are heightened for him. I had to constantly remember not to describe scenes visually but via sound, smell, touch or even taste. Nuances in vocal inflection are important when one can’t read a person’s expression or body language.
Here is an excerpt from The Mighty Have Fallen in which Jack takes Trevor to the club and Trevor experiences it through Jack’s descriptions.
There was a bit of patter between acts, giving the audience a chance to chat. The noise level rose considerably. Jack returned from the bar with tequila shots and lager, then asked Trevor if he wanted a description of Lady Dee.
Trevor shook his head. “I think I’d rather imagine her.”
Jack chuckled. “That might be best. Lady’s seen better centuries, but she’s a dear.”
“You know her?”
“I work ’ere odd nights when I can. Don’t pay much. I do it cos I enjoy it.”
“You perform?” Trevor couldn’t have been more shocked if he’d learned his own father painted his toenails pink. He hadn’t pictured Jack Burrows as a cross-dresser, let alone a stage diva.
“On sound desk. I’d love to strut an’ dance, but I’d look crap in sequins and make-up. I ain’t that graceful. ’Sides, I couldn’t shave my face that close. I’d take off a layer of skin. Mum used to say I was born wiv a five-o’clock shadow.”
With the vivid image of a stubbled infant in a shawl still inside his head, Trevor felt Jack grasp his hand and guided it to a shot glass and the pint of beer beside it.
“Cheers,” Jack said, and they both drank.
The next performer began her number, so Trevor couldn’t ask more about Jack’s engineering gig. Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” as performed by Daisy Chain received a cheery round of applause. Trevor tried to imagine what Daisy looked like, but he was saved from wondering for long.
Jack moved closer to describe her. “She’s a newcomer. Long black ’air—no wig or weaves, I think—an’ mocha skin. Lovely brown eyes. Could use a bit more stage presence. Probably nervous ’er first time out. She’s wearin’ a shimmery blue gown an’ sparkly shoes. A right princess, this one. Should wear a tiara.”
With that visual in mind, Trevor enjoyed the rest of the song even more. Listening to the music, he crafted a dance routine and gestures that would play to the audience. He’d spent so many years on stage he felt more at home there than anywhere else—certainly more so than in his new flat, which seemed like a prison.
The reminder he’d never have an opportunity to perform again knocked the wind out of him and erased his pleasant buzz from the alcohol.
As the song ended and applause began, Jack’s hand fell on Trevor’s shoulder and squeezed. “You could do this, you know. Never saw you act, but I watched a few clips from yer shows online before we moved in togever. Seems I missed some amazin’ work.”
“Thanks,” Trevor said shortly.
Thanks for really driving it home, mate.
Jack seemed to read his mind. “It doesn’t ’ave to be over, you know. You might really enjoy entertainin’ again, even if it’s only amateur.”
Trevor recalled why this man drove him mad. He was too bossy, too full of advice, too bloody stupid about the reality of Trevor’s life.
“In case you’ve forgotten, I’m fucking blind!” he snapped at the same moment a void of silence followed the audience’s applause.
Trevor’s voice, trained to project, resounded through the club. He imagined dozens of pairs of eyes on him and wanted to melt into the floor. Audiences used to spur him to his best efforts. Now the very thought of facing people made him shrivel. His former confidence had evaporated, and he felt like a five-year-old prone to either sobs or temper tantrums. He hardly recognized himself in the weak, fearful man he’d become.
For a moment he thought he might jump up and bolt—no, flounder—out of the place. Then a hand reached out of the darkness to cover his own where it rested on his thigh. The solid weight of Jack’s palm grounded him, tethered him, and made him feel secure
Theatre headliner Trevor Rowland is at the peak of his career when disaster strikes. In one fell swoop, he loses his eyesight, his fame, and his boyfriend, who absconds with most of his money. Trevor must take on a flatmate, hardworking East Ender Jack Burrows, to afford the rent. Anger and bitterness have taken up residence in his heart—but Jack shines light into the shadowy corners with his relentlessly sunny disposition.
Jack introduces Trevor to a local drag club and convinces him he can enjoy the stage again. Trevor’s defences slowly come down as Jack becomes much more than a barely tolerated roommate.
But will Trevor’s fragile trust be destroyed when it appears he’s been manipulated yet again by a man he’s come to care for? Will he reclaim his life or crawl back into a shell of defeat? Trevor must learn to trust not only a man, but himself, once more.
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You can learn more about me, Bonnie Dee, and my back list of many romance books at http://bonniedee.com. Find me on FB at Bonnie Dee Author or Bonnie Dee. My Twitter handle is @Bonnie_Dee. I’m not the most active social media person but I turn up occasionally. Most importantly, please take a moment to sign up for my newsletter to learn of upcoming releases. Newsletter signup form
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