Better
Than Good by Lane Hayes
My new book (and yes... first ever) Better Than
Good was released July 8th. It is a story of self-discovery and
ultimately acceptance. Of course, it’s
also a love story because truthfully, that’s my favorite kind of story. I will read almost any type of genre, but the
ones I end up enjoying the most have at the very least a side note love
story. I gave up feeling guilty that I
wasn’t reading War and Peace equivalents
long ago. Been there, done that. Now I happily read my M/M romance novels when
I’m not busy trying to pen them myself.
Matt and Aaron, the main characters from Better
Than Good have been in my head for some time. I think of myself as sane (well mostly), but
I swear I could hear very specific conversations between them and knew it was
somehow crucial that their story be told.
I remember once reading about an author saying how she could smell her
characters, which yeah... sounds a little strange, but I totally get it.
Better Than Good is told
from Matt’s point of view. He relates at
the beginning of the book that he had literally seen the most beautiful person
ever, male or female. That person is
Aaron. A beautiful, self-confident and
lively out and proud gay man. Nothing is
the same for Matt after that first chance encounter. It doesn’t matter that he’s straight (or has
identified as such) or that he has a girlfriend. Matt wants Aaron, but will have to come to terms
with how he views himself and the labels he identifies with before he has a
chance to win Aaron’s heart. I love
these characters. Hopefully readers will enjoy them too. In my head, their story keeps going... and
going...!
Thank you for having me today! I appreciate the warm welcome!
Lane Hayes
Better Than Good
By Lane Hayes
Blurb
Matt Sullivan understands labels: law student, athlete,
heterosexual. He has goals: graduate and begin his career in law. One
fateful night, Matt tags along with his gay roommate to a dance club and
everything changes. Matt finds himself attracted to the most beautiful man
he's ever seen. All labels go flying out the window.
Aaron Mendez doesn't believe in labels, and he’s leery
of straight curious men. He makes it clear that he’ll hide his fabulous
light for no one. While Aaron can't deny the attraction between him and Matt,
he is reluctant to start anything with someone who is still dealing with what
this new label means—especially when that someone has a girlfriend.
Excerpt from Better
Than Good by Lane Hayes
By
the time I took him back to his place, it was three a.m. The usually busy streets were virtually
empty. A fine layer of fog from the
river painted the low lying shrubs and sidewalks in front of his building. It looked a little mystic and magical as though
the early morning hour still held promise.
I pulled close to the curb, set the car in park and turned toward my
companion. I didn’t want to say goodbye,
yet I didn’t know where this thing between us could go. I felt that familiar wave of frustration.
“Can
I walk you up? I mean it. I just want to be sure you’re safe.” It sounded like a lame request, but Aaron
seemed pleasantly surprised.
“You
are a gentleman, aren’t you?” His eyes
twinkled. “I won’t say no and I’ll try
to keep my hands to myself. There’s a
parking spot up there. Take it so you
don’t get a ticket.”
I
parked the car as instructed and met Aaron at the curb. His smile lit his entire face. God, he was beautiful. He took my arm when I reached his
side. I didn’t protest, though the
gesture seemed overly familiar. It just
felt amazing to have this beautiful creature at my side looking at me like I
was some kind of hero for offering to walk him to his door.
There
was a bright lantern light on above the old glass and iron front door. Aaron couldn’t get the latch to catch, so I
took the key from him and gave it a try.
“It
sticks sometimes.” He muttered under his
breath.
It
opened easily for me. I was beginning to
think my levels of chivalry were being tested.
The thought made me grin when I should have been annoyed.
“You’re
my hero!” he whispered loudly.
“Knock
it off. Where is your place?”
“Uh
oh, Matty’s getting mad. Watch out
kids.” Aaron pointed to the elevator off
to the right. The corridor was not as well
lit as the front alcove had been. I was
actually glad that I was making sure he was safe. I was a little nervous myself. Which must have shown on my face, because
Aaron laughed out right as the elevator doors opened.
“Relax,
sweetie. This isn’t the Bates
Motel. It’s just an old building. Supposedly historic, but really it just means
the lighting is poor and the water pressure is worse. My apartment is cute though. Come see.
You’re safe.”
I
rolled my eyes this time, but gamely followed him.
His
apartment was on the fifth floor. He led
me down another long hallway and stopped in front of #5E.
“Home
sweet home.” He said with a flourish as he opened his door. “Come make sure there are no boogie men and
then I promise to let you go, Matty.”
Aaron
turned on a light and breezed through his small entry into a larger living
room. As I followed him I took in my
surroundings. The apartment was small
with an open floor plan.
I
could see into his bedroom from the living area and although it was dark, I
could see that the bed was neatly made.
Aaron’s entire apartment was immaculate.
And the juxtaposition of his modern tastes and the apartment’s older
features, like the high ceilings and a floor heater, made for a homey and
comfortable space. It was nice, and it
suited Aaron perfectly.
Aaron
threw his keys in the egg shaped bright orange bowl on his small kitchen table
and turned around with his arms outstretched.
“Well,
it’s tiny but it’s all mine. As long as
I pay the rent, that is.”
“It’s
really nice. Suits you.” I felt a little awkward as I stuffed my hands
back in the leather jacket Aaron had returned to me earlier.
“Thanks for walking me up. That was very gentlemanly of you. Is that a word? Whatever, it was sweet.” His smile was a little shy and his bangs had
fallen back into his eyes. This time I
couldn’t help myself. I reached out to
move his hair away from his eyes. He
looked up at me in surprise and my breath caught. We stared at one another for a second more before
our mouths met.
Lane
Hayes Bio:
Lane Hayes is a designer by trade, but is first and foremost
a lover of the written word. An avid
reader from an early age, Lane has always been drawn to romance novels. She truly believes there is nothing more
inspiring than a well-told love story.
Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked.
She loves to travel and wishes she could do it more often. Lane lives in Southern California with her
amazing husband, three teenage kids and Rex, the coolest yellow lab ever.
Here are my
links so far...
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/Lane-Hayes
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LaneHayes3
Website: www.lanehayes.wordpress.com
Email: lanehayes@ymail.com
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