Blog Tour: Lavender by Xavier Axelson (Giveaway)

Buy Links: JMS Books | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 23,619 words

Publisher: JMS Books

Blurb

Following the sudden death of his father, Lawrence "Law" Crow must not only comfort his bereaved mother, but also find the strength to continue running the family business, a local and beloved lavender farm in the mountains of northern California. At first, consumed with his own grief and struggling to find meaning in life, Law indulges in his vices, mainly by surrendering to his sexual urges with numerous men, all in a desperate battle to forget his pain and to end the emotional turmoil tearing him apart.

But when a stunningly handsome and passionate Spanish soccer player named Garbi suddenly crosses his path, Law discovers light in the possibility of love. Does Garbi have the ability to heal Law's shattered heart, provide him with purpose, and help him fully embrace the joy of living once again amidst the beautiful and fragrant lavender fields?

Blog Tour: Lavender by Xavier Axelson (Guest Post + Giveaway)

The process behind writing anything (for me) is usually a combination of inspiration fueled by the need to tell a story. My latest novella ‘Lavender’ is inspired by a lavender farm I visit about twice a year (sadly I never am there when the lavender is blooming, I always miss it) but the place is tradition to me, and whomever I am dragging along for the ride. The ultimate destination is a pig sanctuary run by a dear friend I met during my life as a pot bellied pig dad…long story.

Each time I visited the farm I would take photos, look around, make notes and soak up as much of the evocative atmosphere as possible. The time I decided to write a story centered on the farm there was a single man working there and when we left I told my sister I was going to write a story about the farm. A few minutes later we stopped at a local sports field to stretch and there was a soccer team practicing, and loving unlikely but possible pairings, I imagined what would happen if this soccer team, on their way to practice stopped at the lavender farm.

Writing is always external for me, the story and the characters are outside and all I have to do is listen. The stress of writing, or any artistic venture for me, is hoping I get the idea out as it’s being given, that I’m honoring whatever creative force is tapping me on the shoulder. ‘Lavender’ went through a long process. The initial publisher I hoped would publish the story folded. Another rejected it. Then I came against a bizarre roadblock. Something I can only describe as gender-scent assignment. The idea that the smell of lavender is feminine and usually not associated with eroticism, but with “old ladies” and may reflect poorly on the masculine natures of the characters.

Huh?

Blog Tour: Xavier Axelson Novellas (Giveaway)

The Incident

by Xavier Axelson 

Publication Date: August 18, 2017 

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, M/M Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Publisher

Michael Carmac is a small-town cop on the verge of a breakdown. After a split-second decision leaves an innocent child dead, Michael’s reality unravels. Suffering from PTSD, he finds comfort in a bottle while struggling to find forgiveness. Fellow officer Bertram Angel offers Michael support, and what starts as friendship turns into something deeper–two men looking to find love, forgiveness and acceptance while moving forward and healing wounds that don’t always show. 

CONTENT ADVISORY: This is an extensively re-edited and expanded title.