Andrew Q. Gordon

Thank you, Andy, for having me here at the Land of Make Believe again. It was just about a year ago that I was here talking about Loving Aidan, and it’s great to be back to talk with you and your readers again, this time about Steven’s Heart. It’s interesting because when I first stopped by I remarked on writers starting first as readers, and my post yesterday at Prism Book Alliance was focused on books that really influenced me.

I remember that you were struck by the cover for Loving Aidan, and I will report that lightning does apparently strike twice, because once again I got almost exactly the cover I asked for. In this case I did ask for one change… the blue in the eyes was enhanced, and in the first draft of the cover they looked a little unearthly, like you might expect a modern “Twilight” inspired vampire to have, and with the suggestion of a cemetery at the bottom of the cover, I was nervous about that first impression and asked the cover artist to tone it down. Steven’s Heart is not at all paranormal inspired, and I know when I get a false impression from a cover it always bugs me. Other than that, I got a cover that is, again, pretty much exactly what I’d asked for. I’m going to cross my fingers and hope that luck continues!

I think one of the changes for Steven’s Heart, for me, was a change in inspiration. I’ve talked a lot about Steven being a sort of runaway character… I added him for a purpose and he just grew and grew. And I think that really was the case here, Steven grew so much that he needed his own book. I still get comments, angry comments, that readers feel let down by what I allowed to happen to Steven in the first book. I stand by Aidan’s decisions in Loving Aidan, but I also absolutely understand the heartbreak readers have for Steven. I feel it, too — in many ways probably more strongly, since the relationship between Aidan and Steven was the main victim of scene editing in Loving Aidan. In many ways that relationship was stronger in the earlier drafts.

That left me very inspired to write a follow up novel. When we talked last year, the plan was to write this story, but to do it from Michael’s perspective. But when I sat down to write it, that’s really not what came out. I ended up in Steven’s head right after he woke up. Aidan had made his choice, and now Steven was left to live with it. I think that’s such a powerful moment. And so much of the story has roots in that very first chapter. I think readers would be surprised by how much if they look back on it when they’re done. It’s still very much a story about Michael, as we talked about last year, but I think Steven’s perspective is very different and also quite special. I think it says a lot that left with no real direction, that Steven seeks out Michael to understand what it means to lose Aidan. There’s a really good short scene early on where Steven is in the hospital visiting Michael and trying to make sense of his sense of loss and he puts it into words:

“Aidan, he believes you loved him,” Steven said. “The way he… he really loved you, you know that?”

Michael’s hand wrapped around Steven’s and squeezed.

“You did know.”

Michael squeezed Steven’s hand again.

“Did you love him?” asked Steven. He wasn’t sure what response he was expecting, but the squeeze was unexpectedly strong.

“Ouch!” Steven said, pulling his hand away. He shook it and cursed. “That hurts!”

“Y-yes. Hurts.”

“To love him?”

Michael grunted. “T-to lose… hurts to lose.”

To lose him. Steven closed his eyes again. “You do understand.”

The story really grows from that moment. The two start with so little in common. They have this one thing, they both loved Aidan. They both do love Aidan. And that sense of loss, of still caring but knowing that the relationship that in many ways they both still want is something they can never have becomes a bonding moment for them.

I know we talked last time about works in progress, and I’m afraid the fantasy romance I talked about, NEM, still hasn’t found a home. But I’m pleased to report that the other story I had talked about, the Christmas one that didn’t make the anthology, has found a home. I did end up reworking it into a full length novel and it will be published in early spring of next year as Gerry’s Lion. I think we’ll see some more of the characters from Loving Aidan and Steven’s Heart again also. I expect to start writing again in September and that’s the likely next story. I’m still not decided on which character to concentrate on next… feel free to leave suggestions in the comments!

So I hope at this point that you’ve read Loving Aidan (I know Andy has!) and have picked up Steven’s Heart to read. I know you want to know just how this unlikely pairing between Steven and Michael comes together. There’s a lot for them to work through, and yes, a lot of drama. I hope you’ll check out the blurb for the story and pick it up, and don’t forget the rafflecopter (you might have to like my author page and tweet, but hey, chance of free book…)

Blurb:

When a love triangle breaks, Steven Everett is left alone to grieve over a boyfriend lost to someone else. Surrounded by friends too tied to Aidan’s new lover to give advice, Steven turns instead to a broken and beaten man, Aidan’s other ex, Michael Rossier, who also knows the pain of having loved and lost Aidan. Steven’s and Michael’s confessions grow deeper, each confiding in the other until neither can deny an attraction. But being with Michael feels like cheating, and Steven isn’t sure what to do. The connection get stronger every day, and Steven realizes he’s facing an impossible choice.

To make a relationship with Michael work, Steven needs to make peace with Michael’s troubled past. Even more terrifying, he’ll have to tell Michael the secret he’s never told anyone, not even Aidan. With Michael recovering from yet another surgery, Steven leaves to face the ghosts of the past. He has to be certain. This time, Steven knows, the decision means revealing the secrets of his heart and hoping their fragile feelings can survive.

Buy links:

From Torquere:

http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=4263

From Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Stevens-Heart-Ashavan-Doyon-ebook/dp/B00N2IRV1S/

Giveaway:

For a chance to win one of 2 ebook copies of  “Steven’s Heart” or a signed paperback copy of  “Loving Aidan” ( US restricted ) click the Rafflecopter link below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Bio:

Ashavan Doyon spends his days working with students as part of the student affairs staff at a liberal arts college. During lunch, evenings, and when he can escape the grasp of his husband on weekends, he writes, pounding out words day after day in hopes that his ancient typewriter-trained fingers won’t break the glass on his tablet computer. Ashavan is an avid science fiction and fantasy fan and prefers to write while listening to music that fits the mood of his current story. He has no children, having opted instead for the companionship of two beautiful and thoroughly spoiled pugs. A Texan by birth, he currently lives in New England, and frequently complains of the weather.

Author Contact:

ashavandoyon@gmail.com

Twitter:

@ashavandoyon

FB:

www.facebook.com/ashavandoyon.writer

website:

www.ashavandoyon.com

Tour Shedule

aug 29 th Love Bytes:  http://lovebytesreviews.com

aug 30 thPrism bookalliance: http://www.prismbookalliance.com

aug 31 st Andrew Q Gordon : http://andrewqgordon.com

sept 1 st Larry Benjamin: http://www.larrybenjamin.com

sept 2 nd Kimi-chan Experience : http://www.kimnsarah.co.uk

sept 3 rd The Blogger Girls: http://thebloggergirls.com

sept 4 th GGR- Review :http://www.ggr-review.com

sept 5 th JoyfullyJay : http://joyfullyjay.com

sept 6 th Rainbow Gold Reviews: http://rainbowgoldreviews.wordpress.com

sept 7 th The Novel Approach :http://thenovelapproachreviews.com