Bryan writes M/M Romance with an emphasis on moral dilemma. His multicultural characters and riveting plots embody real life, filled with challenges, personal growth, and, of course, what we all desire—love.
Can we have a short intro about yourself?
Well, I think of myself as a funny, loving, family-oriented man and a proud member of the LGBTQ community. After twenty-seven years in law enforcement, I retired in 2015 to focus on my writing full time. I am the author of three previous male romance novels:
‘Ancient House of Cards’, ‘Before Sunrise’ and ‘Come To The Oaks’. When I am not writing, I enjoy traveling, lying by a body of water soaking up the sun, and watching a good movie while snuggled up on the couch with my beautiful husband and our loyal canine companion (Nettie the Sheepadoodle).
Please describe what your latest novel is about in one or two sentences.
Diego’s Secret is about the dichotomy of the lives of rich men versus poor ones, and the fear of rejection faced by the LGBTQ community. The multicultural characters and riveting plot in Diego’s Secret embodies real life situations requiring a deep sense of moral fortitude and determination in their quest for love.
What inspires you to write?
My own love for reading. As far back as High School, I was reading fiction with a gay character as the main character. In fact, Patricia A. Warren, the author of the ‘Front Runner’ was likely the first author I read with a gay character. Then I discovered Gordon Merrick. He was a dream come true as he had fourteen books already published, just waiting for me. I read them all, back to back. I couldn’t get enough. If you’ve never read any of his work, start with his novel, ‘The Lord Won't Mind’. Hands down, my favorite. I remember learning so much about the world through his writing. I want people, when they read my books, to have an enjoyable experience, just as I did. I want them to fall in love with the characters and the story, to be enriched somehow by what I’ve written.
How long did it take to write Diego’s Secret?
I wrote this book in about three months. It unfolded for me pretty fast, faster than normal for me. I consider myself a slow writer. I only write when the story is there for me. You will never find me attempting to push through what they call ‘Writer’s Block’. I just don’t write. I have so many stories in the fire that a character from another book is always trying to get my attention. Like monkeys in a circus, they are all over the place!
In Diego’s Secret, you touch on a number of serious issues in America: cultural differences, the stigma of discrimination, the struggle of illegal immigration, those seeking a more sustainable life, social views on homosexuality, and blended families. With all of these controversial issues, how is Diego’s Secret a romance novel?
I think a great romance is one that allows you to see the dance that two people do when getting to know one another; from the butterflies in their bellies with just the thought of the other person, to the fear of rejection and distorted thinking. In real life, you don’t get to read the other person’s mind, but in a novel, you do. As the reader, you are let in on the secrets that only you and that character know. We all have baggage. Life is rough, but isn’t it grand when love prevails!
Where did the idea or concept come from for these two very diverse characters?
It is real life. We are living and seeing it every day whenever you turn on the news. But, the news is often one sided. In Diego’s Secret, you get to see cultural differences and ideology from both sides. Nobody ever thinks they are wrong, but love has a way of opening your eyes and allowing you to see things from an empathetic point of view. The power of love is amazing!
Speaking of Characters, Ann and Mayra are kind of like sounding boards for Winston and Diego, respectively, as each man deals with the major events in his life. Why are they so important to their story?
Really, you have to ask? I think woman are the backbone to everything. They are amazingly strong in the eye of any storm. Ann and Mayra are completely different individuals, and yet they both operate from the heart. Despite religion or economic status, it always boils down to the heart. They are able to see the faults and cracks in Winston and Diego and guide them without the need to be in control or to fix anything.
Cover Design: Krista Lynn Design
Length: 80,921 words
Blurb
Are the challenges worth the struggle?
Eight years ago, at the age of seventeen, Diego Castillo came to the United States illegally from Mexico. Working long hours in the family landscaping business, he now shares a tiny apartment with his two machismo brothers in Southern California. Diego has worked hard to keep his desires for other men a secret from his brothers. He’s worked just as hard to keep his undocumented status a secret from the world he now lives in.
Thirty-two-year-old Winston Makena is beautiful, intelligent, and intimidating. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but no amount of money can relieve the enormous grief he is suffering from his husband’s sudden death. He is one of Diego’s best accounts and lives a life in stark contrast to his gardener’s. Winston’s wealthy upbringing has influenced his ideas, leading him to certain biases.
Winston believes he could never love again. Diego believes that his family’s lives depend on him keeping his secrets. What neither of them know is that the heart knows no such boundaries. Will social divisions, ideology, and secrets destroy both their chances for happiness?
Can love really conquer all?
May 1 - Dreams & Screams Bookaholics
May 2 - The Novel Approach
May 3 - Katie's Book Corner, Blazing Zane Book Blog
May 4 - Love Bytes Reviews
May 8 - Bayou Book Junkie
May 9 - RAM PA Group, MM Good Book Reviews
May 10 - Joyfully Jay
May 11 - Valerie Ullmer, Mirrigold, Megan's Media Melange, Virginia Lee
May 12 - Making It Happen
Author Bio
Twitter: @BryanTClarkx2
Facebook: BryanTclarkauthor@facebook.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romanceauthor/
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7875459.Bryan_T_Clark.com
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