Virtual Tour: With or Without You by Zane Riley (Excerpt, Character Interview, Review + Giveaway)
Author Name: Zane Riley
Author Name: Zane Riley
Book Name: With or Without You
Sequel to ‘Go Your Own Way’
Should be read in order to appreciate the books
Release Date: July 21, 2016
Blurb:
In the much-anticipated sequel to Go Your Own Way, high school seniors Lennox McAvoy and Will Osborne pick up right where they left off—navigating the tumultuous waters of a new relationship and dealing with Will’s disapproving father.
When a violent incident forces Lennox to give up his independent ways, he must come to terms with his past just as Will is grappling with his future. As Will’s college plans become reality, will Lennox have the courage to go after the opportunities he doesn’t think he deserves?
Pages or Words: 348 pages
Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, New Adult
The band room was empty when he pushed the door open, but the piano was set up like it was almost every afternoon these days. Only Mr. Robinette and a music stand littered with sheet music was absent.
"Hello?"
The silence struck Lennox as odd, but as he sat down he also realized how strange it was to announce himself. So much had changed since the first time he'd snuck in here to play on his own. Now he was auditioning for some college he still couldn't fathom.
To make Will happy. And maybe a little bit for himself.
"Ah, I wondered if you were going to show up."
Mr. Robinette was behind him, the door to his office now wide open. He'd taken off his tie and undone a few buttons on his shirt like he did most afternoons when they practiced.
"You just want to play it through a few times or mess around with something else?"
Lennox took a seat at the piano, but didn't both opening his bag. He'd memorized the piece he was playing by Valentine's Day and now, almost two weeks later, he could write it out measure for measure on blank sheet music. But playing it was becoming repetitive. For two hours, three times a week, almost nonstop with the same four pages and nothing else.
"I'd rather try something new. That piece is getting a little old."
Mr. Robinette smiled and pulled a chair up beside him. "I had a nightmare the other night and it was the theme song while I ran around a haunted house Scooby Doo style."
"You didn't catch a ride in the Mystery Machine, did you? I've always wanted that van."
"I've got a lunch box version of it. It doesn't fit much though because it's too narrow. Anyway, play what you want. I'll be here until about four-thirty, so it's all yours."
As Mr. Robinette returned to his office, Lennox pulled what had become his music notebook out of his bag and opened it to the latest page. He'd taken to composing during class when he should have been taking notes, especially calculus where he had no reason to pay attention anyway.
The latest page was a tune he'd come up with while the other kids had been tapping their pencils and erasing answers. Every moment of his life carried a rhythm, a melody, and an emotion he could create with, and his notebook was becoming a testament to that. He played through everything he'd jotted down over the past few days, but after several rounds he kept coming back to one. It was a piano version he'd tried—and mostly failed—to create of one of the songs Will had played on a loop a few weeks ago.
"I'm getting ready to lock up!"
Mr. Robinette's voice carried out of the office and into the band room. A few minutes and several jingles of Mr. Robinette's keys later, the office door was shut and Lennox was closing the cover on the keys.
"That last piece you were playing, was it a cover?"
Lennox shrugged as they headed for the door.
"It was supposed to be. Didn't sound much like the song."
"Well, the others did. They were all really good, even the ones that weren't covers."
"Uh, thanks."
Lennox watched him at the door to the parking lot for a moment. He'd been a great help over the last month—all year if Lennox was honest. Mr. Robinette had believed in him in his own way since school had begun, and thanks to him he had a decent shot at this audition.
"Thanks for… all of this. I actually feel like—just thanks."
Mr. Robinette gave him a genuine smile and patted him on the shoulder.
"You're very welcome. Let me know how it goes when you get back, okay? I'm rooting for you. Got all of my fingers and limbs crossed. You deserve the chance. Don't doubt that or yourself."
"I-I won't."
It was funny to have so many people believing in him after so long. Happiness was a strange feeling as well. Until he'd let Will into his life he couldn't remember how to capture such a feeling in his chest and keep it there.
Buy the book:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/29zP6Mq
Barnes & Noble: http://www.
Apple iBookstore: https://itunes.
Smashwords: https://www.
All Romance eBooks: https://www.
5 Stars
When I got the offer to review this second installment of Will and Lennox's story, I couldn't say yes quick enough. As much of a douche as Lennox was, and as much as I wanted to beat him up in the first installment, I still had to see where his and Will's story would take them.
It's getting near the end of their senior year. Just a few more short months and graduation and the future await Will and Lennox and their fellow classmates. All the talk around campus is about what college you'll be attending, but Lennox has no plans. When he looks ahead, he doesn't see his future like everyone else does. He doesn't think he's good enough for a future.
I loved getting to know Lennox better. He is a very complex character. Although his exterior is hard and rough, when you dig deep there is something very special about this young man. I loved watching him grow and mature. I adored watching him come into himself and learning that maybe he did deserve love and happiness. I also loved watching Will grow and become more confident, and stand up for what he believes in. He is such a strong supporter of Lennox, yet he knows when to step back and let him do it on his own, as well.
Will and Lennox have such an amazing chemistry. The story is well-written and intriguing. It has very good character development and growth. I really enjoyed this installment and can't wait for the next book to see what the future holds for Will and Lennox. Hopefully they'll get their HEA!!
Today we're happy to welcome Will and Lennox from With or Without You by Zane Riley, to Bayou Book Junkie!
Gentlemen, thanks so much for agreeing to this interview. It's a pleasure to have y'all here! Tell us a little about yourselves!
“Um, well, I’m Will. I’m a senior in high school and I’m on the baseball team. Catcher. I also run the school newspaper. And this is my—”
“I’m Lennox. Whatever.”
“Lennox—”
“This is dumb. Who would want to interview us?”
Will snarled and bumped Lennox with his elbow. “This is Lennox. He’s also a senior and a bit of a bonehead.”
“Bad ass bonehead.”
Will glared at him and continued. “He’s a talented musician that I’m trying to convince to study music after high school.”
What has been the greatest challenge in your relationship?
“The size of Will’s—”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” Will said. “But that is our biggest challenge, you and your constant dick talk.”
“I’m just joking, you know that.”
“Tell that to my dad next time you say that with him in the room.”
What are your favorite qualities about your partner?
“His—”
Will cut Lennox off. “If you plan on finishing that sentence with dick, I’ll knee you in the balls.”
“I was going to say your hugs, but that’s not far behind. And you’re always willing to listen. See? I can be serious sometimes.”
Lennox grinned as Will kissed his cheek. “You’re a big goof ball. But I’d say your laughter’s a big one. It always makes me smile to see you laughing.”
“And he thinks I’m the dork in this relationship.”
What's your partners sexiest feature?
“Can I say your dick this time?”
“Fine.”
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Lennox frowned. “Uh, my… handwriting? Why would I tell you that? I don’t even tell myself that kind of stuff.”
“Lennox, be nice. I’d change… probably my freckles. They aren’t so bad in the winter but during the summer I’m just a blob of them. Usually a burnt red, freckled blob. It’s such a pain.”
What's your biggest fear?
Will looked at Lennox and bit his lip. “Um, do we have to answer that?”
Lennox shrugged. “I don’t answer questions like that with strangers.” But he glanced at Will uncertainly too.
“You hardly answer questions at all,” Will said. “Um, how about heights? I don’t like heights at all.”
“We literally went to the top of the Empire State Building a few months ago,” Lennox said, eyeing him suspiciously.
“Um, next question.”
Where do you see yourselves in five years?
“In New York, just out of college and working for some small magazine or newspaper,” Will said, beaming. “I can’t wait to get to New York and start my adult life.”
Will nudged Lennox with his elbow.
“What?”
“Your turn.”
“I don’t—I mean. Alive, I guess. Probably still playing music or something. Maybe I’ll get to visit my sister once a year or… could I visit you in New York?”
“Visit? Why would you visit?”
“Oh. Well, I mean, it’s nice to ask before—”
“You’re living with me in New York, dork. If… you know, if you want to.”
“I—yes. That’d be cool.”
Meet the author:
Zane Riley is a transgender writer who wrote his first work of fan fiction in the fourth grade. He is a recent transplant to Vancouver, Washington where he spends his time watching long distance baseball games, hiking, and exploring the musical depths of the internet. His first novel, Go Your Own Way, was published by Interlude Press in 2015.
Where to find the author:
Facebook Author Page: facebook.com/ZaneNebula
Twitter: @ZaneNebula
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28764212-with-or-without-you
Publisher: Interlude Press
Cover Artist: Colleen M. Good
Tour Dates & Stops:
21-Jul: Parker Williams, Unquietly Me, Louise Lyons, Joyfully Jay, Velvet Panic
27-Jul: MM Book Escape, My Fiction Nook, Prism Book Alliance
1-Aug: Alpha Book Club, Love Bytes
3-Aug: V's Reads, Molly Lolly
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you so much for the wonderful review, Tracy! And thank you to Bayou Book Junkie for hosting my tour today :)
ReplyDeleteYou're so very welcome. Thank you for for sharing Will and Lennox with us!! ~ Tracy
Deletehi zane
ReplyDelete