Friday, July 3, 2015

Virtual Tour: M/M ~ One Step Further by Felice Stevens ~ (5+ Star ARC Review, Author Interview, Excerpt + Giveaway)

Virtual Tour: M/M ~ One Step Further by Felice Stevens ~ (5+ Star ARC Review, Author Interview, Excerpt + Giveaway)

Title: One Step Further
 Author: Felice Stevens
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: June 29, 2015


Alex Stern has it all; good looks, charm, a job he loves and everyone calls him a friend. He lives life to the fullest at a breakneck pace, in the city that never sleeps. But Alex is also a master pretender; not even his best friend sees the pain that Alex hides so well. Alex himself isn’t sure who he is or what he’s searching for, he only knows that he hasn’t found it yet.

As a veterinarian, Rafe Hazelton loves each animal that crosses his path; they don’t care if he stutters a bit or that prefers men. Their love is unconditional, but his life is still empty; they can only give him so much. New friendships convince him it’s time to break the wall of loneliness he’s hidden behind since childhood and discover what he's been missing.

Alex and Rafe forge a friendship that turns physical, and they both swear that the relationship will last only as long as the fun does. But when old heartaches come to light and secrets hidden for years are revealed, Alex and Rafe discover if they accept what’s in their hearts and take it one step further, the greatest reward is waiting for them in the end.









Through his years of practice and experience, Rafe had learned to help and comfort, to step in when his expertise was needed, and step away when there was no hope left at all. What Alex didn’t know was that Rafe always held out hope for life, and though he might give the appearance of a man ruled by quiet and calm, in truth he was tenacious as a bulldog and refused to accept defeat.

So Rafe allowed Alex to sit in his moody silence until their beers came and they both took long, bracing swallows.

“Can I speak now?”

Alex shrugged. “Suit yourself.” That offhand comment led Rafe to believe Alex didn’t expect much from people or life in general. Perhaps he too had been disappointed by the people who should have always been there for him and weren’t.

“All my life I’ve been told I was different and that kids wouldn’t like me because of my stutter. When I realized I was gay, I knew my struggle only increased ten-fold. It made me retreat even more.”

Alex traced the lip of his beer bottle with his finger. “Yeah. I can understand that to an extent.”
“That’s my point. You can understand it to an extent, but not really. I’m not saying this in a spiteful way.” It was so important to Rafe to make Alex understand where he was coming from. “You’re a big, good-looking man with a great personality. Everywhere you go, you make friends so easily; people gravitate to you naturally. It’s a gift, if you think about it.”

“I have many gifts,” said Alex with a wink and smiled for the first time since they sat down. Rafe wasn’t fooled.

“You’re deflecting,” he stated, and like Rafe knew he would, Alex stopped smiling, his mouth thinning to a tight line. “Don’t get angry with me.”

“I’m not. I’m only wondering when you decided to appoint yourself as my therapist.”
Rafe pinned Alex with a stare and a raised brow. “When someone sticks their tongue down my throat, it’s a signal to me that maybe we’ve gone beyond a handshake and a ‘Hi, how are you.’”

Alex stared at him for a moment, then his eyes creased with amusement and he started to laugh. He didn’t stop, even when the waiter arrived with their food.

Rafe folded his arms and glared. “I’m not finished. You make friends easily but it’s all on the surface, isn’t it? I bet people don’t ever really get to know the real you, do they?”

Once again, Alex stopped laughing, only this time it seemed he’d had enough. “I don’t have to listen to this shit.” He looked around for the waiter. “I’ll get my food to go.”

“That’s what you always do, don’t you. Instead of talking about things, you make a joke or run away. It’s easier to run away.”

As Rafe spoke, Alex’s face grew dark with anger. Now that he’d started talking, Rafe couldn’t stop; the words spilled like water rushing from a dam.

“I know what it’s like. My reason is obvious. I spent almost my whole life hiding behind a wall of silence. But what reason do you have to play the class clown all the time? People would like you no matter what.”

For a moment Alex stared at him, then smiled a real smile, the first all night. It kindled a glow in his deep blue eyes.

“Do you realize something?” He leaned forward and Rafe swore he could feel the warmth radiating from Alex’s body across the table.

Caught up in the moment, Rafe couldn’t look away. The sounds of the pub faded in the background, including the music, which unfortunately had gone from ’80s retro to modern day rap. “Wha-what?” His mouth tasted dry even with the beer he’d drunk.

“You barely stuttered, not at all until now.”

Alex’s large warm palm slid over his own hand and gave it a squeeze. “That’s great isn’t it? You must be getting more comfortable with me.” A wide grin broke across his face. “Guess that tongue down the throat action worked for something.”





Tracy's Review:

5 + Stars

Copy provide to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for an honest review

I wish I could give this book 6 stars! I love Felice's writing. Every book I read just gets better and better. From the first moment Alex and Rafe's lips touch for the first time, you feel the love, tenderness, caring and emotional bond between them. The chemistry is electrical and the sexual tension palpable.

Each believe for different reasons they aren't worth enough for anyone. I loved watching them fall in love and discover they were worth so much to each other. I loved their journey and was so sad to see this book end. I think this may be my favorite Felice book I have read so far.

The author pulls you in and holds you captivated with her writing. Her stories make me feel. I feel the love, the sadness, the sweetness, and eventually the joy when I pick up one of Felice's books.

These characters were introduced in Memories of the Heart, but this can definitely be read as a stand alone, and I highly recommend it!!



Author Interview:

I am sooooo excited to have one of my favorite authors, Felice Stevens here with us at Bayou Book Junkie today! I have read every one of her books and I have LOVED them all. I couldn't wait to dig in to Alex and Rafe's story, and I wasn't disappointed!! 

Felice,

Thanks so much for being here, and taking the time to talk to us today!


What inspired this story?
Not really sure. I loved writing Alex in Memories of the Heart and wanted him to find a happily ever after. Rafe seemed natural, because he seemed like he wanted love and was searching for it. I just love putting two opposite people together

What are your favorite qualities about each of these main characters?
Rafe's ability to see through Alex and his refusal to back down from defending Alex against people who hurt him, like Alex's father.
Alex is his innate kindness and huge heart. He's just a loving person.

Of all the books you have written do you have a favorite set of characters? I think my favorite works have to be Luke and Jordan, from "After The Fire". I absolutely adored their story. I love a broken character that can be healed by love.
They are all my favorites as I'm writing them; like my babies! Ryder and Jason will always hold a special place in my heart since they were my first characters

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
I always wanted to be a writer;I wrote stories and poetry as a child. I love to tell stories and knew they had to end happily. I can't take the sadness any longer

You have a private yacht or jet at your disposal – which would you use, where would you go and who would you take with you?
Well I get seasick so the Private Jet sounds good. I think I'd take my daughter with me-she's so much fun and we always have a great time together

I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. I started reading traditional historical romances when I was a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until I picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that my interest in romance novels became renewed.

But somewhere along the way, my tastes shifted. While I still enjoys a juicy Historical romance, I began experimenting with newer, more cutting edge genres and discovered the world of Male/Male romance. Once I picked up her first, I became so enamored of the authors, the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion of the books, I knew I wanted to write my own.

I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.









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