Blurb:
Sam, a geeky college freshman, has bigger problems than lusting after Marcus, sexy jock, college junior, and his big brother’s best friend. Chasing after a beanie caught in the winter wind turns into a tumble down the rabbit hole for them both—science fiction style.
Sam and Marcus find themselves trapped on a tropical island in the middle of a strange ocean on an alien moon. The sole structure is a ruined temple devoted to the art of love. Flustered, confused, and unable to return home, they need to figure out a means of escape from a hostile jungle teeming with dangerous life-forms.
In this tale where opposites attract and secret crushes are revealed, two very dissimilar young men discover they actually have a lot in common after all, but it will take their differences as much as their points of connection to survive on an island in the stars.
June 13 - Bayou Book Junkie
Thank you kindly, Tracy and Mari, for having me here today. Hello, readers. I’m Susan Laine, an author with Dreamspinner Press. I’m here to talk about my upcoming novel, An Island in the Stars. It came out yesterday on June 12, 2017.
Here’s the blurb:
“Sam, a geeky college freshman, has bigger problems than lusting after Marcus, sexy jock, college junior, and his big brother’s best friend. Chasing after a beanie caught in the winter wind turns into a tumble down the rabbit hole for them both—science fiction style.
Sam and Marcus find themselves trapped on a tropical island in the middle of a strange ocean on an alien moon. The sole structure is a ruined temple devoted to the art of love. Flustered, confused, and unable to return home, they need to figure out a means of escape from a hostile jungle teeming with dangerous life-forms.
In this tale where opposites attract and secret crushes are revealed, two very dissimilar young men discover they actually have a lot in common after all, but it will take their differences as much as their points of connection to survive on an island in the stars.”
The topic today is conflict. The story’s told in third person, from both the main character’s point of view. It’s important to get in the mindset and headspace of Sam and Marcus because, at first anyway, their relationship is antagonistic. Sam tries to run away from his secret crush while Marcus tries to catch him. They have differences of opinion and they disagree a lot. Their views and how they communicate them to each other creates a great deal of conflict. They don’t know how to be around one another but in order to survive they must learn to function together as a team.
Another major conflict comes from the alien world they’re stuck in. The weather’s hot, humid, and stormy; the wildlife is dangerous and unpredictable; and the jungle around them unexplored and teeming with hidden perils. This primitive encounter between man and nature is an ancient one, and my story’s merely one interpretation. Then there’s the temple of love and the feelings Sam and Marcus have buried within… Yes, more conflict—and sexual tension.
Here’s an exclusive teaser excerpt showing some interpersonal conflict:
Marcus looked left and right. “Which way, Sammy?”
Sam bristled. “My name is not Sammy. I’m going to the left. You can go wherever the hell you please.”
With hastened steps, Sam made his way toward the square archway. Marcus was soon on his heels, smirking irreverently. “Best not to split up. You might need me.”
“Yes, of course. ’Cause I’m a helpless egghead who can’t do anything manly alone.”
Marcus merely laughed at Sam’s sarcastic tone and punched Sam on the arm again, though not hard enough to hurt him. “You’re hilarious. Lead on, oh brave and wise master.”
If you liked that little scene, here’s the buy link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/an-island-in-the-stars-by-susan-laine-8561-b
Thanks again to Bayou Book Junkie, Traci, and Mari for arranging this guest post.
You can find me:
- Dreamspinner Press https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/authors/susan-laine-52
- Twitter https://twitter.com/Laine_Susan
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