Andrew Q. Gordon

Today I get to welcome back a long time friend. Anne Barwell and I have known each other for years. A librarian with a library system in New Zealand, Anne made it possible for my Champion of the Gods series to be available in her library system. Anne is here today to talk about Slow Dreaming which re-released after her publisher returned to her the rights to her books.

Welcome back to the World of Make Believe, Anne!

Slow Dreaming

Thanks for hosting me today.

Slow Dreaming is a story close to my heart for several reasons.  Firstly it’s set in Petone, where I grew up.  I’ve sat on the same wall along the waterfront that Jason and Sean do, and I’ve skimmed shells along the water.

My dad and I used to walk along there regularly, so Jason’s memories of doing that with a father he isn’t sure he’ll see again drew on my own experiences—except for the fact that the waterfront has changed a lot in his time from the present.  My dad passed away seven years ago, and revisiting that scene brought back a lot of memories, so it felt right to dedicate the book to him.

Local readers will be able to spot several landmarks in this story.  Many of the stories I read are either set in different countries, or in different parts of New Zealand. I’m aiming to do something about that and have two contemporary romances coming out in 2020 set in the same area, and an urban fantasy/paranormal romance in 2021 which takes places in Wellington.

Secondly I’ve always loved stories about time travel, and I’m a big fan of the timey wimey.  So being able to set one locally was fantastic.

This story is my first foray into time travel, but it won’t be the last.  I do have other stories planned in this series, and Sean and Jason’s adventures are only just beginning.

Blurb:

A Tempus Institute Story.

Should he change the past for love?

As an agent for the Tempus Institute, Jason Adams’ task is to observe the past, not change it. But when he’s sent to 21st-century Wellington, New Zealand, during the last week of aspiring songwriter Sean Henderson’s life, Jason finds he can’t just watch from a distance. He and Sean quickly become friends and then lovers, and when the song that’s haunted Jason for years connects them in a way he never anticipated, he’ll risk changing history for the chance of sharing a future with Sean.

Author’s note:  This story was originally published in 2012 by another publisher. This edition has some added content, and uses UK/NZ spelling to reflect its setting.

Click here to buy Slow Dreaming at your favorite eBook seller.

Excerpt:

Sean pulled his jacket tighter around himself as a shiver went through him. His old gran would have said someone had walked over his grave. “Who the hell are you, Jason, and what’s so secret that you can’t be honest about where you’re from?”

“No one special.” Jason bit his lip then looked out to sea. The crests of the waves were almost white, closer to a dirty grey, as though hiding secrets of their own. “I’m not asking for anything from you, Sean, and I promise I don’t mean you any harm. I just thought… I’m only here for a few days and I’d rather not spend them alone. That’s all, and all it’s ever going to be.”

Something about Jason tugged at Sean. He moved closer, his instincts winning out over his better judgment. Whatever Jason was involved in, whatever this assignment was, it was eating at him. He sounded as though he could do with a friend. Sean could do that. In fact, it might be just what he needed too.

“Okay.” He took a deep breath. “I like you, Jason. I’m probably crazy, but there’s something about you that screams at me that I want to get to know you better.”

“Yeah, okay.” Jason smiled wanly. He reached out and tentatively took Sean’s hand in his. “I can’t tell you the specifics of my assignment, or about this article I’m writing, but I won’t lie to you, not anymore.”

Sean nodded and squeezed Jason’s hand, the skin-to-skin contact a welcome warmth. “Where are you from, Jason?” Surely the question wouldn’t conflict with the rest of Jason’s whole need-to-know thing?

“Here,” Jason said softly. “Not some other country like I told you, but here.”

“Here?” Sean raised one eyebrow. He couldn’t help but glance out towards the harbour again. “But you just said you never thought you’d see the sea. You can’t live around here and claim to never have seen it. We’re in a small country surrounded by water.” He shrugged. “Ruth’s lived here since the sixties. She says this beach looks much the same now as it always has and that it’s just the suburb itself that’s changed. Petone used to be all secondhand shops. Now it’s cafés and the like.”

“I guess a kid’s memory of a place is different from the reality of it so it wasn’t quite what I expected.” Jason’s eyes glazed over. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I’m not very good at explaining myself, am I?”

“I thought you were a travel writer,” Sean teased, regretting the words when Jason bit his lip and turned away.

“Yeah, well, I never said I was a good one,” he murmured.

About Anne

Anne Barwell lives in Wellington, New Zealand.  She shares her home with Kaylee: a cat with “tortitude” who is convinced that the house is run to suit her; this is an ongoing “discussion,” and to date, it appears as though Kaylee may be winning.

In 2008, Anne completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra.

She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as “too many.” These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of “spare time” is really just a myth. She also hosts and reviews for other authors, and writes monthly blog posts for Love Bytes.  She is the co-founder of the New Zealand Rainbow Romance writers, and a member of RWNZ.

Anne’s books have received honourable mentions five times, reached the finals four times—one of which was for best gay book—and been a runner up in the Rainbow Awards.  She has also been nominated twice in the Goodreads M/M Romance Reader’s Choice Awards—once for Best Fantasy and once for Best Historical.

Where to Find Anne

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