A Novel Take PR and author S.A. McAuley host the Out of the Shade exclusive blog tour! Learn more about the contemporary romance, check out today's exclusive excerpt and enter in the $10 Amazon gift card giveaway (Three winners!)
Publisher: Self-pub (S.A. McAuley, LLC)
Release Date (Print & Ebook): May 21, 2019
Length (Print & Ebook): 332 pages (print), 103k words
Subgenre: Contemporary
Warnings: alcoholism, mentions of sexual and physical abuse, mentions of drug addiction, mentions of rape, attempted suicide by a minor character, violence, homophobia, closeting
Order now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QBNNR5N?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
Book synopsis:
Jesse Solomona has always tried to be the perfect straight guy—a cocky sports fan who drinks more than he did in his fraternity days and an expert at one-night-stands. That he hooks up with just as many men as he does women is a secret Jesse’s been hiding for years, fearful of losing his family and tight group of friends. He’s a Kensington boy—a group of guys that grew up in the same neighborhood and somehow all ended up back in their hometown. They, and his family, are the only things that still matter in his otherwise soul-sucking life.
Chuck Dunn, a tattooed and pierced sports photographer, has refused to step back into the closet since he was disowned by his family, but he keeps choosing men who can’t fully be with him. Finally free from a long-term relationship he should’ve ended years ago, he quits his high-profile gig in favor of getting back to the art of sports photography—documenting a local boxing club that works with at-risk teenagers. He may not have the same swagger anymore, but he’s working to be happy with who he is.
When Chuck joins one of the Kensington boys’ community center sports leagues, Jesse’s self-imposed rules are systematically demolished. But there’s one barrier Jesse can’t find the strength to break through—coming out to the other Kensington boys. Chuck knows hooking up with Jesse is a bad idea. Falling for him even worse. But he can’t stay away.
Chuck is damaged by his past. Jesse is frightened about his future. But, together, they may just be able to come out of the shade.
BMBR Excerpt
Jesse riffled through an old issue of Sports Illustrated, stopping to glance at the byline of each photo and finding, just like Kam had said, Chuck’s name peppered throughout the glossy mag.
Chuck was stretched out on the couch, his feet crossed on the armrest and hands balancing his phone on his bare chest as he typed. Jesse cleared his throat and turned the pages more forcefully, with a loud thwack each time despite the flimsiness, but Chuck’s eyes stayed riveted to his phone. Jesse flipped to an action shot of a hockey player, blatantly stared at Chuck, and held the magazine up.
Chuck’s gaze flicked to Jesse, the corner of his lips tugged up, and he set his cell on the coffee table. “Meow?”
Jesse stared at him blankly, then roared with laughter. “Yeah, cat’s out of the bag, buddy.”
“Sorry I wasn’t the one to tell you.” Chuck sat up, scratching his stubble. “With as much as we’ve been talking, I’m honestly surprised it didn’t come up yet.”
“Well, you’ve been outed. Big time. What the fuck?”
Chuck ran his fingers through his hair, tousling it. “Are you seriously pissed?”
“Hell no! This shit is awesome. I gotta ask, though….”
Jesse took a deep breath. He wasn’t pissed that Chuck hadn’t told him about his previous job—the man’s business was his own. What was fucking with his head, though, was that a guy with that status, and likely the money that followed, could’ve used it as bait to get whatever man he wanted into bed.
He’d searched for even a hint of that persona when Chuck had knocked on his door last night, but once they were alone inside, Chuck had kissed him with confidence, not bravado. Then he’d thrown his hoodie over the arm of the couch, stripped down to nothing, and let Jesse take control. Jesse hadn’t really expected Chuck’s actions, or his own view of Chuck, to change at all—Chuck wasn’t a prick.
He simply couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that Chuck could’ve picked anyone, and yet he’d chosen Jesse.
“I don’t get it. I’m a salesman in a suburban shithole. Why…me?”
Chuck furrowed his brow like the question didn’t make sense. “Because I like you too, asshole.”
Jesse chuckled. It wasn’t exactly a romantic proclamation, but warmth spread through Jesse’s chest nonetheless.
“Listen. I should’ve told you. But people look at me differently when they know.”
“You thought I would?”
Chuck shook his head. “Charles Dunnbradley is my birth name, but it isn’t me. You know the real me, not that guy”—Chuck waved a hand dismissively over the stack of magazines—“and you still want me around.”
Now Jesse was even more confused. “You’re fucking with me, right? You have your shit together and I’m a closeted, out of shape—”
“Hey.”
Chuck’s gentle tone cut Jesse off immediately. Chuck stood and closed the distance between them, climbing into the chair with Jesse and straddling his hips. “Your body turns me on, Jesse. You turn me on. And I definitely don’t have my shit together.”
Jesse wrapped an arm around Chuck’s waist and pulled him closer. “You want to tell me about that?”
“Not now.” Chuck tipped his head and bit at his lip. “The rest of me is a canvas you’ll just have to unfurl.”
Jesse snorted. “Damn, you are an artist.”
Author S.A. McAuley is a wandering LGBTQ author who sleeps little and reads a lot. Happiest in a foreign country. Twitchy when not mentally in motion. Her name is Sam, not Sammy, definitely not Samantha. She’s a dark/cynical/jaded person, but hides that darkness well behind her obsession(s) with shiny objects.
Connect with her:
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Website: https://www.samcauley.com
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Giveaway:
Celebrate the release of OUT OF THE SHADE with author S.A. McAuley by entering this giveaway for a chance to win 1 of 3 $10 Amazon Gift Cards!
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