Will

Since this book (Controversy) started, Will has mentioned throughout.

Chapter 7 — one of the steamier ones — shows us Brad and Will coming together in a flashback. As an author, it is nice to finally show the love growing between the two, even if it is a past love.

Will Fitzgerald is one of my stronger characters. In so many ways (in my mind, at least), he is very different than Brad, almost an opposite. Perhaps that is why they work so well together. It's also why the separation is so heartbreaking because the love was authentic.

Because I have so many things worked out in my head, I have no idea how readers will — or do — picture Will. Is he Brad's true love? Is he a total jerk for moving and not asking Brad to come along? And how will Brad's former partner affect his life moving forward? Can Brad find new love? Or was Will his once chance at the real deal?

Interestingly, a line from this chapter references Corey's statement: "Brad's in love." I didn't just make it up; it happened in Book Six, Laramie, Chapter 23. You can relive it here: Laramie, Chapter 23. So yeah, years ago when I wrote Laramie, I hadn't conceived of Will's character, but I set up something just in case I wrote a book about Brad one day. I like how it all fits.

Oh yeah, there is something else in this chapter — a three-way. As someone who writes love stories, it isn't really a scenario that I go to often. But here is a bit of insider info ... it won't be Brad's last. And I will leave you with that. And do you have any thoughts on them? Too dangerous? Completely hot? Messes things up?

Much more to come...

Hudson

I've been pleased that I have introduced several types of characters. Obviously, the main ones are gay, but I've included straight ones, as well (Corey, Natalie, Daryl, college schoolmates and numerous family members). Even the gay characters are very diverse. I have a variety of body types, penis sizes, sexual preferences, financial situations, supportive/nonsupportive families, etc.

Hudson is different. I've never had an asexual character before. It's not that I'm trying to show some specific message, I'm just letting people like Hudson be seen. Some people might view asexual-aromantic individuals as being lucky as they never have to endure dating. Others might feel sympathy because these people don't enjoy sex. But I don't think everyone, whatever you are, fits perfectly into a one-size-fits-all mold. All people are different.

I do like seeing the friendship between Brad and Hudson though. If I had to choose one word that describes Brad, it would be "kind." Hudson sees it. I think the readers do too.

Click here for Chapter 5.

First Times

Chapter 2 of Controversy recalls Brad's first time with a young boy. I like those passages more than the "experienced" guys who go after it. There is something pure and innocent and real about two males figuring things out — and trying things out — for the first time.

Click here for Chapter 2.

First times can be awkward and clumsy and full of mistakes, but its the exploring of two bodies that so often sparks pure magic. Whenever a first time happens, the two boys (or men) feel a sense of connection they were longing for. Even if the sex isn't perfect, just like that first kiss, there is a sense of "wow." Sure, some first encounters are traumatic owing to a bullying or controlling participant, but for the most part, two boyfriends acting on what they are feeling inside is so impactful.

In contrast to erotica featuring perfect male specimens with ridiculous anatomy, real men are much more interesting than fantasy figures — at least in my opinion. I try to make a wide range of body types in my stories. Any reader can find themselves there, right in the romantic mix.

The drawback is I only have my own personal experiences and the handful of friends that are open enough to talk about sexual "stuff." The bulk is my imagination. My dream would be to interview gay men about their experiences (good and bad) to really give a sheen of authenticity to my writing. When I wrote about the older men sharing at the meetings in Heart and Soul, I was thrilled that so many of those were from readers who shared with me their own tales of coming out later in life.

Wouldn't it be fascinating to hear how other people's first times went?

Controversy

Controversy is Book Ten.

If that confuses you, then perhaps knowing that the characters in my various novels cross over into others helps that statement make sense. Is it necessary to have read all that before? No. Jump in. Hopefully you will find them enjoyable.

Read Chapter One

If, after diving in, you want to know more of Brad's friends, you can find all my books under my author's tab (Timothy Lane). Or, here are links:

[One] Extracurricular
[Two] If It Weren't For the Two of Us
[Three] Hi, I'm Lance
[Four] Ascension: Jakob's Ladder
[Five] Coffee at 9
[Six] Laramie
[Seven] Say Goodbye to Sparkleland
[Eight] A Bed, A Desk, and My Unfortunate Soulmate
[Nine] Heart and Soul

As usual, I try to give each book its own characteristic flair: Trent's journal, Lance's AA meetings, the Notre Dame dual narrative, etc. Controversy is named after Prince's album, and each chapter will be named after a Prince song. It's just something fun and quirky.

Brad had already been a secondary character in five books up to this point. I felt he deserved his own story, but I didn't know what it should be. I struggled for a bit. Someone once told authors that they should "Write what you know." Well, like Brad, I grew up a preacher's kid. (This novel is NOT my story.) I think there are things to tap into there.

Also, Corey and Aiden will be a framing device. This book begins as they are coming home from their freshman year at college. By the time it all concludes, they will have graduated. So that can help you keep up with the time. Brad references their college friend, Manny, and his weight. If you want to go back to that, it was Soulmate Chapter 8.

For my readers who have been with me the last five years, I apologize. When Book Nine wrapped up, I didn't expect it to be this long before I posted again. Life got in the way, and I didn't have the free time to write as I had hoped. My fingers are crossed that you will enjoy this ride. I've missed being a part of this community.

I love email: timothylane414@gmail.com 

Husbands: The Conclusion of "Heart and Soul"

Well, Book Nine is now complete.

Click here to read the conclusion, Chapter 16 of Heart and Soul.

Certainly, it has ended dramatically differently than previous works. I have never killed off a major character before. Yes, there have been some deaths for protagonists to deal with, but never someone so significant to the plot. I will fully admit I was teary as I wrote it.

For those of you who will say, "I'm going to miss Don," please realize that was a significant time jump in this chapter. Don will still be around in subsequent books.

When Emory first mentioned meeting Don in Coffee at 9, I thought it a good seed to plant if I ever did a story on Emory. Don appeared heavily in Books Six and Seven. Please note that I didn't create him just for the purpose of killing him off. It wasn't until I sat down and outlined how Heart and Soul would go that I felt that would be the true finale of showing their love.

When I began Heart and Soul, I assumed a story of retired gentlemen wouldn't have the heat of "young studs." But I still wanted to show all ages in my stories, and I know men of all ages experience love and are still sexual individuals. (If anyone is wondering, I am younger than our two gentlemen.) For those readers who told me they appreciated a story showing senior men falling in love and enjoying sex, I hope the conclusion still played true. Honest, authentic emotions are always my primary goal.

So, what's next?

Book Ten will be called Controversy. Brad, our favorite barista at Joe, will be the headliner. In our timeline — while Brad will certainly look back on his life's backstory — it will take place as the first story to follow Corey and Aiden's freshmen year in college. It begins with them returning home. Eventually, that sets the stage for our lads heading off to Notre Dame for their sophomore year (the following book).

Brad always seems sassy and confident, but we will find out that the gentleman has a lot to unpack. In addition to established characters, there are new friends to meet along the way.

If you don't want to overlook it's debut in a couple of months (yes, unfortunately, it is not finished), send me an email to be notified. timothylane414@gmail.com And feel free to email at any time. I enjoy hearing from readers.

Before I wrap up things With Heart and Soul, I once again thank the friends who did some proofreading for me. Their assistance was invaluable. I also thank the readers who shared their own lives. Writing their experiences into the sharing sessions really meant something to me.

Five years ago as the pandemic started, I never would have dreamed I would ever write nine novels. Just putting an open-ended conclusion to Extracurricular was enough. But our gentlemen of Jackson Bend have a way of burrowing into my brain. Bless 'em.

Stay tuned.

 

Weddings

I would have to assume if you are reading this, you have read the latest chapter of Heart and Soul.  Click here to read Chapter 15.

I'm not sure if readers saw the title of the chapter, and thought, "Oh, Emory and Don are getting married. Ah. No. It is Cooper and Laramie's wedding. Oh wait, it is Emory and Don." If it all bopped around in a bit of surprise, well, dandy.

Of interest to me is that it is the third time I have written Cooper's wedding, but it has always been from various perspectives other than the grooms themselves.
Corey: A Bed, A Desk and My Unfortunate Soulmate, Chapter 4
Mitchell: Say Goodbye to Sparkleland, Chapter 29

Perhaps, one of these days I will write it again once more so that we can see it from Cooper's or Laramie's perspective. It would have fit in either of their books, but I found the endings to Books Five and Six to be where their arc reached a satisfying conclusion.

Overall, I tried to bring a natural progression to Emory's decision. None of my stories are ever about me. But a few of my experiences do make it into the text now and then. I was at a convention many, many years ago. A longtime friend in our industry asked if my partner and I were going to get married. We noted it wasn't really in our plans. He pushed for it for legal reasons, owing to a hospitalization that had occurred. Granted, this man was straight, but he wanted to make sure we wouldn't ever have to deal with a "family decision" situation. He urged us to make it legal. So, the seed was planted.

Hopefully, our lovable grump deciding to propose to Don seemed authentic. I didn't want to go off the rails in some showy spectacle. If you enjoyed it, then that pleases me.

One chapter left...

Sharing

I really like this chapter.

Click here to read Chapter 13, Heart and Soul.

The reason for that is two-fold. The entire scene at the radio station was fun to write. Trent was my very first character way back in Extracurricular. Well, along with Mike, at least. It's always a treat to bring back past protagonists from my books. I enjoyed crafting Trent's coming out in that first book, although "his" book was really If It Weren't For the Two of Us. In the timeline of all these stories, we see Trent five years after his graduation and how he has grown as a person.

The bigger reason I like this chapter is because several readers contributed to it. While they shared their stories to me personally, I have included some interpretations in an anonymous way. I won't bother clarifying which shares at the Heart and Soul meeting were ones I created as the author and ones that were derived from readers. I just love the authenticity of the chapter.

I do take this moment to thank the readers who have shared with me. Your honesty and trust is taken to heart.

Each of us has a story in our own way. As different as our circumstances are from other people, we still should be aware that we have so much in common.

I appreciate the support of Emory's and Don's story, as well as your time invested in my work. Hugs to all.