Anniversary Shenanigans: Author Visit + Giveaway - Kris T. Bethke

Kris T. Bethke is joining in the shenanigans today with fic that packs a punch. To the feels.

The way the early morning light hit Jake was just too perfect. My breath caught just looking at him. With his back fully on display, the sheet pooled artfully at his waist, I knew I had to capture it. I set the bunny on the edge of the mattress and turned to get my camera.
“Avi?” Jake’s early morning voice was hardly more than a rumble. “Is Trix on my back?”
I turned back quickly. Trix had indeed settled himself in the small of Jake’s back, his head resting comfortably. I couldn’t restrain the smile.
“Yes. He is.”
Jake sighed, turned a page in his book, and asked, “And why is the rabbit on the bed?”
“Because I couldn’t hold him and the camera at the same time.”
Jake froze with one hand on his coffee mug. I was so busy finding the perfect shot, it took me a moment to realize. I set the camera down, crossed the room in three strides, and dropped to my knees beside him.
“You’re beautiful,” I said softly but firmly. It was a familiar refrain, but one I was happy to repeat a thousand times. A million. If that’s what it took to get him to believe it.
Jake wouldn’t meet my gaze. He kept his fixed firmly on the book in front of him. Slowly, I reached out and touched his cheek. He flinched, but I wasn’t offended, and after a long moment, he sighed and leaned into my hand. I still waited, quiet, until he finally looked at me. His eyes were filled with pain. And a bit of shame I knew had no business being there.
“You’re beautiful,” I repeated. Then I gave him a soft smile. “I know the scars on your skin. I know what those tattoos cover. I saw you take your pain and cover it and make yourself whole. I watched you reclaim yourself. You are amazing and beautiful. Never doubt it.”
Jake sucked in a breath and I held his deep brown gaze until he let it out slowly. He gave me a tremulous smile.
“The tattoos helped but I’m only whole because you love me.”
I kissed him, slow and sweet. I thought he gave me far too much credit. But he had my heart, and I had his. He could think anything he wanted. As long as he kept loving me back.

Anyone else having FEELINGS right now? Be sure to let Kris know what you thought of her fic in the comments below.

Hi everyone! I’m Kris T. Bethke, and I’m so thrilled to be here to help the crew at Boy Meets Boys Reviews celebrate their anniversary!
I think it goes without saying that I’m a creative person. But I do more than just craft stories on the page. I’m also an avid knitter and yarn dyer. And truthfully, the yarn arts help me when it comes to my writing as well.
It’s kind of a two-fold process, really. I get to zone out while I knit, letting my mind wander as I create stitch after stitch. And as my mind mind wanders, I think about my boys, and what the details need to be to write a complete story readers will love as much as I do. Same goes for when the yarn is in the pot, soaking up color. I’m at the table, waiting for it to do it’s thing, and making notes and drafting story ideas. It’s as if one creative outlet fuels the other.
And then of course, there’s the times when I’m stuck. Every writer bumps into that immovable wall, the one that keeps the characters and story from going forward. I’m fortunate that I have another way to get my brain moving again. Walking away from the computer and picking up my knitting let’s me focus on something else. And that, invariably, leads to my brain working again.
And yes, you’ll see knitting pop up in my stories occasionally. I’ve yet to have a main character who knits—though I’m sure that will happen eventually—but secondary characters have definitely had the gift. And that allows me to showcase one of my passions within the other.
I’m lucky to have all this in my life to keep me from going stark raving mad. And because of it, I get to bring great stories to the world for readers to enjoy.
As part of the celebration, I’m giving you a chance to win your choice of books from my backlist!

Kris also has a holiday story coming out December 15th, 'Twas the Play Before Christmas! Look for it from JMS books!

Blurb:

After the death of his wife, Nick Valenti is raising his twins on his own. It’s no surprise when his son, Quinn, gets a part in the holiday show, but Nick is amazed when he shows up at the parent meeting and finds his old high school friend is now his son’s music teacher.

Emmett James is full of passion and energy, and Nick is captivated by him. Volunteering to help with sets gives Nick the opportunity to get to know the man Emmett has become. Sparks fly, flirting ensues, and Nick wants nothing more than to see where the attraction between them goes.

With Christmas in the air, and holiday music helping them along, will Nick and Emmett find a romance that can last?

Author Bio:

Kris T. Bethke has been a voracious reader for pretty much her entire life and has been writing stories for nearly as long. An avid and prolific daydreamer, she always has a story in her head. She spends most of her free time reading, writing, or knitting/crocheting her latest project. Her biggest desire is to find a way to accomplish all three tasks at one time. A classic muscle car will always turn her head, and naps on the weekend are one of her greatest guilty pleasures. She lives in a converted attic with a way too fluffy cat and the voices in her head. She’ll tell you she thinks that’s a pretty good deal. Kris believes that love is love, no matter the gender of people involved, and that all love deserves to be celebrated.

Find her on her site
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter to win any backlist ebook from the author. Contest ends 12/6/18 at Midnight EST. A winner will be contacted shortly thereafter. Please respond within 48 hrs or we will choose another winner. Good luck!

Don't miss entering in our month long unicorn giveaway HERE! It ends 12/1/18!