Virtual Tour: M/M ~ Small Steps by Chris McHart ~ (ARC Review, Author Interview, Excerpt + Giveaway)
Author Name: Chris McHart
Book Name: Small Steps
Release Date: September 21, 2015
Publisher: Rawmance Publishing
Cover Artist: Meg Bawden/Bawd Designs
Buy The Book:
Blurb:
Ben Amann currently hates everything: The accident that temporarily put him in a wheelchair, the fact that he has to go for rehab and live in an assisted living home as well. Sebastian Hofers, the good looking but equally bad-tempered new assistant to his rehab therapist changes that.
Sebastian has two choices after causing an accident while driving drunk: community service hours or go to jail. The decision is a no-brainer, and so he meets Ben at the rehab center. The two of them hit it off and slowly, Sebastian sees more than just a patient in Ben.
But their growing relationship faces hard trials, not only because of Sebastian’s heavy drinking, but also because of the truth: The two of them already met on an icy street, eight months ago.
Can love and forgiveness overcome the overwhelming guilt and resentment?
Contains: Two ill-tempered men, a lot of hang-ups, a shared hope, and a destroyed dream.
Trigger Warning: deals with alcohol abuse and alcoholism
Pages or Words: 76,800 words
Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance
Excerpt:
Sebastian stepped out of the sticky bus. It was hot for that time of the year, and Germany was melting under a heat wave. Munich was no exception. The temperature was somewhere around 35°C and the air conditioning in the bus was either non-existent or not working. The fact that everyone and their mother seemed to have agreed to take this bus didn’t help to make it more bearable.
Sebastian took a deep breath, but it did nothing to cool him down. All he got was a lung full of heat, his sweat, and fumes. Fuck this shit. He could be at a bar right now, sipping a cold beer. But he wasn’t, thanks to that fucking judge.
He had to be here, the last place he wanted to be. Okay, a few meters more, then he reached the place. The sign was unmistakable: Rehabilitation Center. Fucking shit. That judge had had way too much fun sentencing him. Wasn’t there a law against such things? The urge to kick something, anything in his way, rose, but Sebastian grit his teeth. He was no sixteen-year-old anymore. Instead of kicking something, Sebastian peered into the windows. An empty desk sat near the entrance door. Nobody was there.
Sebastian took another deep breath, which did nothing to quell his anger, and slowly pushed open the door. He wouldn’t get his Community Service hours done by standing in front of the building. And if the judge had his way, Sebastian was going to be here quite a few hours. Two-hundred, to be precise. Fucking two-hundred hours of work in a rehab center. He should kill that judge.
Author Interview:
Hi Chris, thank you for agreeing to this interview.
- What inspired this story?
I don’t think something specifically inspired me to write Small Steps. The thought was just there one day, what if someone has an accident, and falls in love with the one who caused it. From there, things evolved naturally.
2) I know this isn't an easy subject matter. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while writing this story?
To determine which kind of injuries has Ben, and to write about such things like Viagra, impotence, and a lot of other challenges Ben faces. Another hard topic was Sebastian’s alcohol abuse. He drinks himself nearly to death, and it hurt me when he hurt Ben so much. At the same time, I hurt for Sebastian, for the things he does to himself.
3) Is there a message you would like readers to grasp from this story?
No matter what life throws at you, and how much you are down, don’t give up. It will get better.
4) Can you share the project(s) you are currently working on?
I’m currently working on the third book in the Unexpected Series, called ‘Mate Me, Hate Me, Date Me, Love Me?’ The next project is Niko and Marco’s story from Small Steps, and I’m going to publish a Maddy Christmas Anthology with some other authors.
5) Do you buy a book because of the cover, the blurb, or something else?
I am a cover whore, means I love good covers, but I buy a book because of the blurb. I rarely read excerpts, since I like to start the story at the beginning.
Thank you. :)
Tracy's Review:
3.75 Stars
*copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by author/publisher via Pride Promotions in exchange for an honest review*
This is Sebastian and Ben's story. Sebastian has an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol. He hits the car in front of him, Ben's car, who in turn hits the car in front of him, leaving Ben's car smashed between the two cars. This leaves Ben wheelchair bound. He is angry and bitter. Sebastian ends up getting community service at the rehab center Ben has his therapy sessions at. The two meet and become friends, not knowing who the other is. What happens when Ben finds out Sebastian is the drunk driver that caused the accident that left him paralyzed?
I was very excited to get this book. I loved the blurb and the story sounded like it world be gut wrenching. Watching Ben deal with his paralysis. Watching Sebastian deal with his guilt and his alcoholism. I was ready to be captivated and pulled into this story. I was disappointed. The book took me forever to read. (3 days is a long time for me). This book moved so slow, and it just didn't hold my attention. At times the dialogue felt forced, and unnatural. I think this story needed more feeling. I don't know how else to explain it. The characters did have a good chemistry, I just wish the author would have given them more page time as a happy couple. Unfortunately it's hard to root for a character when you think they are a total jerk. Sebastian was a big one, and I know the mentality of his character comes from his alcoholism, I just think he could have been a little more likable.
This story also needed a more in depth backstory on the characters. The story is set in Germany, but the book is in English and I think the characters actually spoke English. I was very confused about this, but when I got to the about the author, I see that's where she lives.
This wasn't a horrible book, it just needed some tweaking in my opinion. That's why as reviewers we are asked to give an honest review, so the authors know what you do and don't like. I did like Niko and am hoping his story is next. If the author takes the opportunity to the fullest, his story can be amazing!
*copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by author/publisher via Pride Promotions in exchange for an honest review*
This is Sebastian and Ben's story. Sebastian has an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol. He hits the car in front of him, Ben's car, who in turn hits the car in front of him, leaving Ben's car smashed between the two cars. This leaves Ben wheelchair bound. He is angry and bitter. Sebastian ends up getting community service at the rehab center Ben has his therapy sessions at. The two meet and become friends, not knowing who the other is. What happens when Ben finds out Sebastian is the drunk driver that caused the accident that left him paralyzed?
I was very excited to get this book. I loved the blurb and the story sounded like it world be gut wrenching. Watching Ben deal with his paralysis. Watching Sebastian deal with his guilt and his alcoholism. I was ready to be captivated and pulled into this story. I was disappointed. The book took me forever to read. (3 days is a long time for me). This book moved so slow, and it just didn't hold my attention. At times the dialogue felt forced, and unnatural. I think this story needed more feeling. I don't know how else to explain it. The characters did have a good chemistry, I just wish the author would have given them more page time as a happy couple. Unfortunately it's hard to root for a character when you think they are a total jerk. Sebastian was a big one, and I know the mentality of his character comes from his alcoholism, I just think he could have been a little more likable.
This story also needed a more in depth backstory on the characters. The story is set in Germany, but the book is in English and I think the characters actually spoke English. I was very confused about this, but when I got to the about the author, I see that's where she lives.
This wasn't a horrible book, it just needed some tweaking in my opinion. That's why as reviewers we are asked to give an honest review, so the authors know what you do and don't like. I did like Niko and am hoping his story is next. If the author takes the opportunity to the fullest, his story can be amazing!
Meet Chris McHart:
Chris McHart lives in Germany, with her husband, slave, Dom, partner in crime, and muse (all in one person, not even she’s that kinky!). She loves her husband, men in kilts and Scotch Whiskey. Her idea of a perfect evening is to curl up with her laptop and write (the other options are not suitable to post in public).
Visit her blog or friend her on Facebook, where you can join her author group.
Where to find Chris McHart:
Tour Dates & Stops:
21-Sep Bayou Book Junkie
24-Sep Full Moon Dreaming
6-Oct Love Bytes
Rafflecopter Prize: Paperback copy of ‘Small Steps’ by Chris McHart
Congratulations Chris on your new release the book sounds really good I wish you many sales!!
ReplyDeletecongrats chris
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very good book, looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very good book, looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new book! I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDelete