Good morning and thank you so much for having me over, Grace! Tomorrow is a big day for me and the Desires Entwined guys. Last Friday, Bound by Desire came out—it’s a short connected to Designs of Desire—and tomorrow, June 6th, my next novel in the series, Desires’ Guardian is released from Dreamspinner Press.
This book is one that I loved writing—it and it’s ‘brother book’ Temptations of Desire, which comes out in September—and cannot wait to share with you. In this story there are a few things going on; Chase and Rhys trying to find a way to work together and then more, Rhys investigating a series of suicides—or are they really murders?—on top of each many coming to terms with their pasts.
But, all that aside, when I set out to write Rhys (pronounced Rise, btw), I found I needed a little man-candy for inspiration. I mean, who doesn’t love man-candy? Right? Well, in my searching, I stumbled across the perfect model for Rhys and his brother Dal Sayer. As stated in Designs of Desire, Dal is a slightly shorter (only 6’2” to Rhys’s 6’5”), slightly less built (but still very muscular) Rhys, lol.
So, who caught my fancy and what kind of guy is he? Well, his name is Seth and I have to tell you, he’s not just cute, he’s a really sweet guy too. We chatted a little, me telling him I was using his pic as my inspiration and he said he was cool with that. J Even gave me permission to use his pic in a post about the book! How cool, right?
Seth Fornea | © 2013 Kevin D. Hoover Photography
Yep, this is Rhys, though my Rhys has longer hair and a sweet Welsh dragon tattoo around one biceps. He’s 6’5” with green eyes with dark hair long enough to brush his collar and a permanent 5 O’Clock shadow. Broad shoulders, very muscular, and has a serious love affair with his Harley Soft-tail.
Harley Softtail | Wikipedia
Seth was so sweet. Who knew when I set out to find a model for my PI/Bodyguard –slash- ex-Marine, I’d find a sweet guy that makes all the boys beg? 😉 I love doing research, even if that means I have to slave away, looking at images like the one above, lol.
So, are you with Chase? Do you think Rhys is sex on legs with a bike as drool worthy as the man?
Excerpt:
Chase turned the corner to pull up in front of Zarletti’s. A moment later, a motorcycle passed him. He paused a moment to take in the eye candy: the black and chrome Harley Softail and the tall, wide-shouldered man atop it. When he parked, he realized to whom the bike belonged and groaned, cursing his luck and his reaction.
There Rhys stood, peering at him from beside the motorcycle. Too bad the bike and those looks belong to such an ass hat. Since the man was staring at him so blatantly, Chase decided to return the favor. He took a moment to let his gaze wander from the man’s deep auburn hair and perpetual five o’clock shadow to his delicious athletic build, wide shoulders, and the defined pecs his black T-shirt served to accentuate, not hide, even with the leather coat half covering him. Rhys was huge at close to six and a half feet. He continued his perusal down Rhys to his thick, muscled legs and his chunky black leather boots. Chase allowed himself a soft sigh. He took just as long on the return trip, making a true production of it. When his gaze finally landed on Rhys’s deep green eyes again, he smirked, turned, and made sure to put a little extra swish into his hips as he sauntered up the sidewalk to the front doors.
He reached to open one but paused when he heard the crunching of boots on the path behind him. He groaned to himself quietly and then stepped inside, hoping Rhys was there to meet someone else, not James. Please let it not be us! Chase had managed to avoid Rhys for the last few months, ever since James’s first gallery show. It was a lot harder to stay away from him than he had expected. He hated how Rhys had befriended James, making avoiding him all the more complicated.
“Good afternoon, welcome to Zarletti’s. Table for two?” the bright-eyed hostess asked as Chase approached her stand.
“No. I’m meeting someone. James Bryant? He should be here already.”
“Very good, sir. And you?” the hostess asked, gazing past Chase to Rhys.
“The same, thank you.” Rhys’s deep, rumbling voice sent a jolt through his system, as always.
Chase tensed when he heard Rhys’s reply. His smile fell, but he refused to look at Rhys again.
She promptly led them to a small corner table where James sat, his forearm crutches leaning against the wall behind him.
“Glad you could make it, Rhys,” James called over Chase’s shoulder. “Nice timing, Chase. You look better than you sounded on the phone.”
“I’m okay, Jamie.” Chase pushed away James’s concern with a wave of his hand before he leaned in and kissed James’s cheek. “How did you get reservations so fast?”
“I’ve had the reservations, Chase. Why do you think I called to make sure you were awake?”
Chase noticed the way James’s eyes lit up when he saw him and how huge his smile was, which made him happy he had gotten up. However, what little enthusiasm he’d had for lunch died as soon as he realized Rhys was going to join them. He couldn’t help it. Every time he looked at the man, he reacted, but after the way Rhys had treated him the night they met, and a few times since, he wanted nothing to do with the ego or the jerk. Straight people not understanding him was one thing, but a gay man making snarky comments about him being less, or that being twink-like made him undesirable? Beyond not cool! Sadly, Chase thought as he peeked at Rhys again, I’d still take him home if he’d let me. See who is pinned against the floor screaming then!
Desires’ Guardian
by Tempeste O’Riley
Desires Entwined series book #2
M/M Erotic Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: June 6th, 2014 (ebook/print)
Length: Novel / 200 pages
Order: Dreamspinner Press
Add to: Goodreads
Description:
Most people see Chase Manning as the party-boy twink he seems on the surface. Only James, Chase’s BFF, knows the depth of his loyalty and the extent of the wounds Chase carries inside. When Chase meets Rhys Sayer things don’t go well, but he can’t shake his attraction to the huge, sexy man.
Rhys is a man of contradictions and fear—a strange combination for a PI and bodyguard. He’s in a bad place emotionally when he sets eyes on Chase for the first time. When Chase puts the moves on him, Rhys insults him, thwarting any possibility of a relationship. Rhys doesn’t see himself as a complicated man, but he dreads the very kind of connection he desires.
Just as they’re trying to overcome their uncertainties, Chase is put in harm’s way. Luckily Rhys and their friends have all the right talents to help Rhys save the man of his dreams.
Desires Entwined Series:
Giveaway:
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About the Author:
Tempeste O’Riley is an out and proud omnisexual / bi-woman whose best friend growing up had the courage to do what she couldn’t–defy the hate and come out. He has been her hero ever since.
Tempe is a hopeless romantic that loves strong relationships and happily-ever-afters. Though new to writing M/M, she has done many things in her life, though writing has always drawn her back–no matter what else life has thrown her way. She counts her friends, family, and Muse as her greatest blessings in life. She lives in Wisconsin with her children, reading, writing, and enjoying life.
Tempe is also a proud PAN member of Romance Writers of America®, Rainbow Romance Writers, and WisRWA. Learn more about Tempeste and her writing at http://tempesteoriley.com.
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