Author Name: K. Vale
Book Name: Crossed Hearts
Book one in the Hearts and Scars series
Release Date: April 27, 2015
Blurb(s):
Pages or Words: 70,000 words
Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Romance
Excerpt:
The man scratched the scrub on his chin. “Heart recipient,” he said finally. “I’m Kory—umm…Kory Vansant.” Holding out his hand, he took another step. Will’s fingers were swallowed in warm skin and bone.
“Will Squire.” Again, he couldn’t tear his gaze from the tease of scar tissue jutting from the crotch of Kory’s shirt collar. The urge to reach out and trace a finger over the pink relief of healed tissue was strong. Just like I touched Brandon’s incision. The stark difference between the two—one wound marking the end of a life and the other a salvation—was surreal. Will was nothing but an outsider looking in on a miracle, but somehow he felt he’d come around full circle.
“Want me to get naked so you can see the whole thing?”
Will closed his eyes for a moment and then looked up, his face flaming with a mix of embarrassment and immediate, fierce arousal. “I’m sorry. Totally rude.”
Kory smiled good-naturedly. “No worries. It’s a way to reclaim who I am, or was. Or some crap. I’m not just my medical status, like they keep saying at my support group.”
“No. Of course you’re not.”
He laughed loud and deep, and the warmth in Will’s face drifted down his body. “I’ve adopted it as my little icebreaker whenever people stare,” Kory said.
“Well, ice broken.” Will gulped. Hell, ice melted into a rolling boil.
Christina’s Review:
Crossed Hearts by K. Vale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
oh my gosh this book…all the feels, wow. the opening scene is…wow.
both of these men are just so much. they both lack the self confidence to be strong individually and are drawn to each other immediately. will’s ‘boyfriend’ was such a sh!t to him that any confidence will had was stripped away by that horrible man. will feels unworthy of any love, especially as someone as awesome as kory. he is super sweet and adorable.
because of his past, kory feels unworthy of anything good. he also made a promise to be a better man when he was given a new lease on life. he thought that meant being alone for the rest of his life. he certainly feels unworthy of will’s attention. he finds himself in a really crap position even after getting his new heart and the guilt of surviving when his donor didn’t is stifling.
their banter is so cute and they are pretty perfect together. i loved everything about them being together.
the writing was outstanding and i cannot wait for the next book in this series!
Sales Links:
About the author:
K. Vale writes erotic romance of all stripes, from hot hetero to mouthwatering manlove. Find her MF work published under Kimber Vale. Come for the sex. Stay for the story. Stalk Kimber on Facebook and Twitter @KimberVale, and check her site for updates, new releases, and freebies at http://www.authorkimbervale.com.
Q: You write in a multitude of genres. Do you have a favorite? Are any harder to work in than the others?
A: At the moment, MM Contemporary is my favorite, which is strange because I never thought I’d enjoy writing contemporary romance. I’ve always loved reading paranormal and sci-fi—anything with a bit of magic in it, you know? Contemporary, I figured, has no magic. It’s just real people. How boring. But once I wrote it, I found that I love how real my characters feel. Is that a result of the genre? I think at least partially.
Sci-fi and fantasy are difficult because of the amount of world building necessary to do them justice. There is a fine line between too much—which can turn the reader off—and not enough. I have a couple of paranormal/sci-fi ideas on the back burner because, frankly, I’m intimidated by them.
Q: What is the craziest question you’ve asked your understanding husband for research help with?
A: Hey! This is personal! 😉
Actually, there’s a scene in my book “Forever is Now” that involves tequila and a BJ. I needed to find out if the two really can mix, or if someone who’d actually experimented with such a thing would call me an asshole for writing it.
My husband was a good sport (hey, free BJ). He even provided a line I used. Maybe you can spot it:
“Shit! That’s hot!” Alex jerked under him, and Chance pulled back. He swallowed again, and swiftly worked his mouth down Alex’s meat, deep throating him to his balls before sliding up to his head. He slicked his mouth over the taut skin like a balm, circling his tongue around the wide rim. When all traces of the alcohol were gone—when he tasted nothing but Alex—Chance pulled his mouth off to speak.
“Sorry, did that hurt?” He flicked his tongue in teasing strikes around Alex’s ridge as he waited for an answer.
“Just a quick burn, like my dick did a shot. I’m good. Just make sure you got it all off.” He surged up into Chance’s mouth as he spoke, and Chance let him fuck his cheek for a few pumps before sucking the remaining moisture off him and sitting up.
“You lost my lime!”
“Hey, let me pour some of that gut-rot on your junk and see if you keep your mouth closed.” Alex smiled, and Chance gazed pointedly at his raging hard-on.
“I think he’ll pull through, ya cry baby. Your turn for a drink.”
Q: Where did you get the idea for the Crossed Hearts story?
A: It started with a general preoccupation with organ transplants, cemeteries, and porn. 😉
Q: Which of the two characters – Will or Kory – is your favorite and why?
A: Kory is probably my favorite. I love a big toppy guy, for one, but I’m also drawn to him because of his weaknesses and insecurities. He’s both sexy and sympathetic, and also a little dirty (which is another weakness of mine).
Q: Name 1 book you’ve read that you tell everyone you know is a MUST read.
A: At the moment it’s probably Prosperity by Alexis Hall. I got my friend (who doesn’t read MM) to read it, and she loved it. I plan to bug my sister—who’s steampunk obsessed, but doesn’t read MM or more erotic stuff in general—until she reads it. I’m hopeful it can be a gateway book. Really, anything by Alexis Hall or KJ Charles is sure fire. Oh, wait, you said one…
Thanks so much for having me!
Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimber.vale
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimber-Vale/311761975532531?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KimberVale
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kimbervale/
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25150920-crossed-hearts?from_search=true
Publisher: Kimber Vale
Cover Artist: Dana Priebe
Tour Dates & Stops: April 27 – May 8, 2015
27-Apr
28-Apr
29-Apr
30-Apr
Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
1-May
Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews
4-May
5-May
6-May
7-May
8-May
Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance
Rafflecopter Prize: $20 Amazon Gift Card
Thank you so much for hosting me and for the wonderful review, Christina! I’m thrilled you liked it! 🙂
Thanks for the chance!
I can’t wait to read this.
Love the Q&A