The Right Time by Lane Hayes

7/15/2015

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Lane Hayes, author of The Right Time.

Hi Lane, thank you for agreeing to this interview.

Thank you for having me today!

1)      Is there a character in your books that you can’t stand? (Antagonist for example) And what makes them someone you don’t like?

I could probably name more than one, but the first character to come to mind is Trevor from The Wrong Man (book 2 in Right & Wrong Stories). He’s a charming user and while I hate that he hurt Brandon, I love that Brandon learned from that relationship. I know a lot of readers may say Tonio (Alex’s dad who was featured in The Right Words), but I kind of get his traditional background. He’s back in The Right Time, so let’s have the readers decide! Lol!

2)     Are there misconceptions people have about your genre?

Many! Lol! I’m from a family of “serious” readers. You know the type… if it’s not a classic, it’s not real literature. I love all types of books from mysteries and suspense to bestsellers and classics. But my all-time favorites are romance novels. I’m used to people looking down at the genre and making assumptions about me based on what I like to read. Maybe it bothered at one time, but not now. If romance is considered recreational, mind numbing rot… bring it on! If MM is for women looking for kink and freaky escapism… sign me up! Here’s the deal, read what you love, write what you love. Don’t worry about what anyone thinks. I read and write MM romance because it’s a wonderful genre with some amazing stories about love and hope in a community I personally care about quite a bit. To each his own. I won’t try to convince anyone I’m right because tastes vary. But I will say, don’t knock it till you try it!

3)     Is there message in your novel that you hope readers grasp?

Yes, and that message is hope and honesty. In The Right Time, I think the message moves under the surface because Nate and Alex cover some tough topics like LGBT youth homelessness and family loss, for example. The message in their story becomes more of a community message than just a personal one. I suppose I hope readers catch the connection.

4)     How has your writing evolved since your first book?

My first book was Better Than Good. It’s a very simple story. Boy meets boy, falls in love (with a twist, of course), fucks it up and has to make things better. It doesn’t try to be anything it’s not and I think that’s why it resonated with readers. I love simple things, but I love books with deeper messages too and I find myself wanting to balance between keeping it simple and delving a little farther. The Right Time is certainly my most ambitious effort to date. There are quite a few major issues haunting Alex and Nate, but underneath it all is a love story. Plain and simple.

5)     One food you don’t care if you never eat it again.

Brussel sprouts. I hated them as a kid. I didn’t care how long I had to sit at the table staring at them. I just couldn’t get there. Now I realize my mom probably didn’t know how to cook them correctly because I’ve had some decent salads with Brussel sprouts in my adult years and I know a fabulous restaurant in San Francisco that makes Brussel sprout chips with olive oil and sea salt. But you know… I’m okay doing without. I’m a big girl now and I can safely say “eh, not my thing”. I’ll have broccoli instead.

Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Fiction, Gay fiction, Humor, M/M Romance, Romance Series: Right & Wrong Stories Book number: 3

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Excerpt for The Right Time by Lane Hayes

I hadn’t worked out with a professional in years, and it felt foreign to wait for someone else’s direction.

“Any issues with your shoulders or arms? Any injuries I should know about?” he asked, handing me the weights.

“No, I’m good.”

“Great. Start with your palms facing your thighs, lift them both over your chest, then lower the left. Good. And now the right.”

He stood over me diligently, making slight corrections when needed. My supine position gave me an interesting perspective. When I looked up, I noted how his strong brow offset his twinkling eyes. I swallowed uncomfortably and turned my head, only to find myself staring at his crotch. His dark shorts seemed to hint they were covering a generous package.

Holy fuck.

“You doing okay?”

“Uh yeah. Hey, weren’t you going to tell me about your Friday night?” I needed him to talk. I didn’t trust my thoughts anymore, and I was stuck in my current position crazily aware of a man in a way I hadn’t been in over fifteen fucking years. Diversion in any form was welcome.

Alex snorted. “I already told you. I went dancing, and oh yeah, I did get lucky.”

He added the last part with a hearty chuckle, no doubt catching my wide-eyed expression. I hadn’t expected that.

“Oh.”

“You asked.”

“Right.” I did? The strong flash of jealousy took me by surprise, but I pressed on. “Did you go back to the beach to get those girls’ numbers last weekend?”

He looked confused for a second, but a slow cocky grin soon spread across his handsome features as he crouched so his face was close to mine.

“No, I told you they weren’t my type.”

I gulped and watched his eyes lower to my throat. He licked his top lip and reached out to adjust my wrist.

“Lift ’em both at the same time, Nate. That’s it. Push it. Harder.”

I sent up a quick prayer I wasn’t sporting a tent in my shorts. Alex’s voice, touch, and yeah, the unintentional innuendos were making me nuts. And horny. I felt terribly out of my element. I wasn’t sure what we were talking about anymore, but the potent silence made me more uncomfortable than speech. Keep talking, I thought.

“So a dance partner?”

“What? Oh. Yeah, I think so. I can’t remember. It was just one of those things, you know? Sit up. Let’s give your arms a break.”

“Just one of those things?”

“Yeah. One night. No numbers exchanged. No hassle, no fuss.”

I had no words. Literally.

Alex chuckled gleefully as he led the way to a leg machine. He gave instructions and stood back to observe me for a moment.

“It’s not necessarily my favorite kind of sex, but hey….” He shrugged his shoulders with his hands outstretched as if to say “what’s a guy to do?”

I recognized this cue. It was my opportunity to commiserate about the trials and tribulations of being a single man with a healthy sexual appetite. Now was my chance to admit it was nice every once in a while to have sex of the nonsolo variety with someone who knew the score. But I was tongue-tied and equally aware of a completely different undercurrent. One I wasn’t brave enough to explore.

“You can stop having fun at my expense any time.”

Alex squeezed my shoulder and smirked playfully. “You’re easily rattled.”

“How so?”

“You seem like someone who has a place for everything and likes everything in its place. You have a routine, and you don’t appreciate any deviation. I should be flattered you came to the gym with me at the spur of the moment.” He paused, running his tongue over his plump bottom lip. “If you’re not careful, I’m gonna think you like me.”

The air between us crackled. Alex leaned forward so his handsome face was mere inches from mine. His proximity alone seemed to issue a challenge. Daring me to confess I was more than I appeared to be. I doubt he expected any revelations, but his intent was certainly to… how had he put it, rattle me. And damn, it was working.

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Publisher: Dreamspinner Press Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

About the author:

Lane Hayes is finally doing what she loves best. Writing! An avid reader from an early age, Lane has always been drawn to romance novels. She truly believes there is nothing more inspiring than a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Lane discovered the M/M genre a fews ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel, Better Than Good, was a 2013 Rainbow Awards finalist. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and their very old dog in an almost empty nest.

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