Virtual Tour: M/M/M ~ Uncharted Hearts by Amelia Bishop ~ (Author Interview, Excerpt + Giveaway)
Author Name: Amelia Bishop
Book Name: Uncharted Hearts
Release Date: August 14, 2015
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Blurb:
Clayton Taylor is smart and skilled, and born into privilege. His expertise with navigation lands him a job on The Irish Lady, a ship which promises a world of new experiences. Half in love with Peter, The Lady’s roguish captain, Clayton signs on for adventure and a chance to test his skill against the sea. Once aboard he meets Jorge, a pillar of quiet strength.
Clayton’s life among the sailors and thieves is happy, wild, and free. He learns to sail, to fit in with the crew, and to cheat at cards. There isn’t a course he can’t chart, or a job he can’t design.
But Clayton can’t navigate love, nor can he plan for the whims of his heart. Bold and direct and often stubborn, Clayton’s uncharted heart will plot its own course, bound for a union with two men who need him as much as he does them.
Together Clayton, Peter, and Jorge will discover the heart has no need of map and compass.
Pages or Words: 240 pages
Categories: Fiction, Historical, M/M Romance, Menage/Poly, Romance
The Irish Lady’s gangway was up, and I had a flash of panic. Was I too late? I caught a glimpse of Peter on deck, and called out to him. “Sir! Peter Simpson!”
He turned and strode back to the rail, a light in his eyes and a smile on his face. My trunk seemed suddenly much easier to haul.
A large black man lowered the gangway, and looked me over as I struggled up it, raising an eyebrow at my large case. He wore his hair in long twisted locks, and his shirt, open at the chest, revealed heavy glistening muscles. I swallowed hard. Was this a ship full of temptation? Would I spend my entire time here aroused and useless?
“You came!” Peter rushed to me, not hiding his excitement.
I nodded, smiling.
“I’m so glad.” He brushed his fingers over my cheek in a move much too affectionate for public display. I glanced at the large man, but he’d turned away.
“Come, I’ll get you settled in and explain your position.” Peter hoisted one end of my trunk, and led us toward the hatch.
I felt as if I had to ask him, before I went below, exactly what kind of situation I was signing on to here. “Just what sort of a ship is this, precisely? I’m sure you aren’t an entirely reputable merchant?”
He dropped his side of the trunk, and I feared I’d erred. Perhaps that was too forward a thing to ask. But his crooked grin told me he was not offended. “Is that a problem?”
Good lord, he was sexy. His chin was shadowed with a fine dark stubble, and his hair was gathered at the top of his head in some sort of ridiculous knot, which only accentuated his chocolate brown eyes and thick brows. “No…” I smiled. “But you’ll have to teach me.”
His mouth opened on a gasp. Finally, I’d unbalanced him.
“Gladly,” he rasped, and picked up the trunk again.
Author Interview:
Hi Amelia, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.
Thanks! I'm happy to be here :)
I'm a mom and an avid reader, and I've been writing m/m romance and menage erotic romance for...I guess just over three years now. My stories tend to be pretty heavy on the romance, very sweet, and this current story is no exception.
Uncharted Hearts is a m/m/m Romance, with a HEA ending, set in 1795. It's not a very heavy historical, though. In fact, I think it reads more like a contemporary romance that happens to be set in the past (no long descriptions of historical settings or details) and so I'm a little nervous about it finding readers. Anyway, it is a story about three sailors from different backgrounds, and their journey to happiness together.
1) What is it about the Poly Relationship dynamic that interests you?
You know, the older I get the more I think about "alternative" relationships. It also might be because I've been reading m/f and m/m Romance for so long, so Poly Romance seems a refreshing change. Either way, I really love the idea of a larger family unit.
Speaking only hypothetically (I am married to one man) I can see a lot of practical advantages to a poly situation, like sharing child care, income, household work, and just overall having a larger support system in the home. I also love the way that Poly relationships can celebrate the differences between people, and turn those things into strengths. I think the idea of finding more than one person to share life and love with is an extremely special thing.
I realize there are many variations in poly relationships, and not all are a "triangle" formation, so I'm just speaking generally about the kinds of things I have been writing, which I admit are idealized situations (it's Romance, after all.) I also think, in romance fiction, poly relationships are a great alternative to the typical love triangle which forces a main character into a choice. Maybe not everyone has to choose? Maybe there is more than one "perfect partner" for some people?
It is an interesting dynamic to explore, for sure.
2) What are your favorite qualities about each of these main characters?
Oh, good question!
Well the narrator, Clayton, is a fun character because he is sensitive and sweet and a little idealistic. He comes across sometimes as starry-eyed and naive. But inside he is extremely strong, and highly intelligent.
Jorge is great because he is like a typical "alpha" character in terms of his physical strength and his dominance, but he has a heart of gold and cares very deeply for his partners. He really only wants a family he can count on.
The captain, Peter, is a guy who has been very lucky, and he knows it. He's not as smart or as privileged as Clayton, and he's not as strong or as skilled as Jorge. He gets by mostly on nerve and charisma, which is my favorite thing about him.
3) Nothing frustrates me more than being confused at the opening scene of a book. It can make you want to just close the book right there, and give up. How hard is it to write that opening scene? How do you know where to start the story?
I've never done that well! I always end up rewriting the first chapter, or adding another chapter, or moving things around. Honestly I depend on beta readers and critique partners to help me in that area, because my idea of "where/when to start" is almost always wrong. :(
It's extremely difficult because I know the story, and I know that if a reader sticks with it, all their questions will be answered eventually. But there needs to be enough mystery for readers to want to keep going, and yet enough information that they feel confident in the writer and trust they will enjoy the ride. It's tricky, and I'm nowhere near proficient at it yet.
4) Describe your perfect book hero.
I tend to write a lot of characters who push the boundaries of what is "hero" behavior. I love when characters make mistakes, and then have to deal with them. I much prefer a flawed character battling their own poor choices to a perfect one who has to deal only with external conflicts.
So I guess I'd love to read a character who can admit when he's wrong, who can show his vulnerability without feeling weak, who is willing to swallow his pride and do what has to be done for the people he loves. I'm also a big fan of older characters, and those whose bodies are not "perfect." Bonus points if they don't take themselves too seriously.
5) A night out on the town or a night cuddling in front of the T.V.?
Out on the town, definitely. I'm not a big fan of TV in general, though cuddling is always good :) But yeah, I much prefer dancing, walking around the city at night, or sipping cocktails in a fun bar or funky lounge to sitting on my couch. Most of the time, anyway.
Thanks so much for having me, and for your great questions!
<3
Amelia
About the author:
I am a reader and writer of romantic erotic fiction of all varieties. Sometimes, the little stories in my head just need to be shared (and sometimes they are just for me). I enjoy red wine, black rum, shell-hunting walks along the seashore, and solo late-night drunken dance parties.
Where to find the author:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/amelia.bishop.507
Facebook Author Page:
https://www.facebook.com/ameliabishopauthor
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/anotheramelia
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/ameliabishop507/
Blog:
www.ameliabishop.wordpress.com
Publisher: Amelia Bishop
Cover Artist: Amelia Bishop with photo by Dan Skinner
Tour Dates & Stops:
14-Aug
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Rafflecopter Prize: $15 Gift Card (Amazon or ARe)
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