My dear friend, Blak Rayne, had a new book released in May. We had a chance to sit down and talk about her books. One question and we were off!!!
"Blak, so glad you could visit for "tea". What have you been up to--tell me everything!"
I've finally finished my next novel. Carson's Story is the third in the Stephen and Carson series. Which is just my label, because the series doesn't actually have a formal title. The first book is The Ideal Side of Love, and the second book is The Ideal Side of Life. The first two books were written from Stephen's somewhat neurotic perspective. And when it came time to pen the last in the series, I decided it was time for a change and switched to Carson's more level-headed and laid-back POV. I hate to admit it, but out of all the character's I've written, his personality is probably the closest to mine. But that doesn't exclude Reeve (Devotion) or Sloan (Benevolence Series), characters with certain personality traits that are also eerily similar to my own. I have tendency to identify better with semes (yaoi) or the more dominant male leads, not that I domineer people, but I've been told I have a more masculine perception of life. Thanks Dad and all my brothers! Ugh!
While this book is the third in this series, it is a tremendous stand-alone read. Well crafted, articulate descriptions and nearly palpable tension are the mainstream threads that weave this multi-faceted and emotionally layered story together. Carson, a twenty year veteran on the RCMP force is involved in a vehicular crash while on duty that leaves him physically and mentally traumatized. After recovering from his physical injuries, he struggles with the PTSD flashbacks that paralyze his mental recovery. Questioning everything in his life, his history, his motivations, his love and marriage to his long time love and husband, Carson’s life is thrown into turmoil. His painful struggles have a near disastrous effect on his marriage to the man with him he has pledged his devotion.
This would be enough of a storyline for most authors but not so for Blak Rayne. She adds a further layer of pressure in the form of a drug dealing low-life who has long been trying to get Carson into his bed, one way or another. Carson, cleared to return to work, is completely stressed over returning to work. This pressure magnetizes Carson’s struggle and throws his marriage into a downward spiral, adding yet more stress to every aspect of Carson’s life and his ability to cope.
This is a wonderful story of human nature and the evolution of our lives and commitments. While it is the story of a married gay man struggling through the shards of a devastating automobile accident and traumatic recovery, it reflects the humanity of everyone’s life struggles. We all try to deal effectively with the surprises and challenges life deals us.
In the end, it is the strength and resilience of the people that we love—often in spite of ourselves—that help us survive our personal, emotional and physical life-fights. The importance of being honest and vulnerable, truly vulnerable, factors significantly in Carson’s recovery and long-term happiness. No matter the genesis of his struggle, or ours, it is often the simplest decision, the softest thing that unwittingly changes the course of our life. That comes to Carson when he needs it most.
This is a story of hope and promise, love and change. A story embracing struggle to evolution. It is the survival not of the fittest, but of the loved that this story tells. And I loved it.
"Blak, so glad you could visit for "tea". What have you been up to--tell me everything!"
I've finally finished my next novel. Carson's Story is the third in the Stephen and Carson series. Which is just my label, because the series doesn't actually have a formal title. The first book is The Ideal Side of Love, and the second book is The Ideal Side of Life. The first two books were written from Stephen's somewhat neurotic perspective. And when it came time to pen the last in the series, I decided it was time for a change and switched to Carson's more level-headed and laid-back POV. I hate to admit it, but out of all the character's I've written, his personality is probably the closest to mine. But that doesn't exclude Reeve (Devotion) or Sloan (Benevolence Series), characters with certain personality traits that are also eerily similar to my own. I have tendency to identify better with semes (yaoi) or the more dominant male leads, not that I domineer people, but I've been told I have a more masculine perception of life. Thanks Dad and all my brothers! Ugh!
I
thoroughly enjoyed researching and writing these books. I'd always wanted to
write a gay romance with a police officer in it. And I thought who better than
an RCMP officer, because they're a well recognize police force in this country
and world wide. And since my best friend's husband is an RCMP officer, I
couldn't go wrong. He was thrilled to help me. So, thank you, Jason! I was
supposed to do a ride-along as part of my research, but it had to be postponed.
Anyway, I still plan to go. And if he'll let me, I'd love to take pictures, and
I will definitely write a post about it.
Another
steamy excerpt will be posted later this month. But for now, I hope you enjoy
the first teaser excerpt!
"Oh, I cannot wait! Let's read my review and then take a peek at the excerpt....!"
Carson's Story
by
Blak Rayne
Released May 2015
by
Blak Rayne
Released May 2015
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Review by Muffy Wilson:
This would be enough of a storyline for most authors but not so for Blak Rayne. She adds a further layer of pressure in the form of a drug dealing low-life who has long been trying to get Carson into his bed, one way or another. Carson, cleared to return to work, is completely stressed over returning to work. This pressure magnetizes Carson’s struggle and throws his marriage into a downward spiral, adding yet more stress to every aspect of Carson’s life and his ability to cope.
This is a wonderful story of human nature and the evolution of our lives and commitments. While it is the story of a married gay man struggling through the shards of a devastating automobile accident and traumatic recovery, it reflects the humanity of everyone’s life struggles. We all try to deal effectively with the surprises and challenges life deals us.
In the end, it is the strength and resilience of the people that we love—often in spite of ourselves—that help us survive our personal, emotional and physical life-fights. The importance of being honest and vulnerable, truly vulnerable, factors significantly in Carson’s recovery and long-term happiness. No matter the genesis of his struggle, or ours, it is often the simplest decision, the softest thing that unwittingly changes the course of our life. That comes to Carson when he needs it most.
This is a story of hope and promise, love and change. A story embracing struggle to evolution. It is the survival not of the fittest, but of the loved that this story tells. And I loved it.
Carson's
Story
By Blak
Rayne
Blurb:
‘One
man’s love is another man’s strength.’
A
twenty-year veteran of the police force, Carson Mackenzie has worked hard to
carve his niche in a demanding environment where stress is the operative word.
Thanks to his occupation, he’s never relied on anyone, not even his husband
Stephen until he’s involved in a severe car accident while on duty one night.
His recovery isn’t smooth; reoccurring nightmares of the crash play havoc with
his mental health and he starts to experience a new kind of stress—something
he’s never dealt with, anxiety.
Adding
to his problems, Dudley Kramer corners him in a restaurant, a shady art dealer
who almost ruined his marriage and career once before. Arrogant and
self-serving, Dudley wants sex and he’ll do whatever it takes. Too ashamed to
ask for help, he tries to handle the situation alone but quickly discovers the
art dealer won’t take no for an answer.
Teaser
Excerpt:
Rapping
a knuckle on the office door, I poked my head inside the room. “Can I come in?”
He
removed a pair of dark-rimmed reading glasses that made him look like a
professor, folded his arms and placed them atop a magazine on the desk. “Of
course, hon.”
Moving
the other chair from the corner, I sat in front of him and bent forward, elbows
on my knees. “It won’t take long.”
“That’s
fine, I was only reading the financial column.” He rubbed his face and leaned
back with a yawn, tilting the chair. “The economy’s going for a shitter, so it
was boring as hell. What’s up?”
“There’s
something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
“I
don’t know if I can handle all this honesty—I almost miss the old, stoic you.”
He chuckled, then after a moment exhaled a sigh. “I was only teasing, hon, go
ahead.”
“I’m
sorry. It hasn’t been easy for me either. I’m not used to discussing work…never
wanted to bring it home.”
“Gotcha.
Don’t worry.” He reached over and gave my shoulder a gentle smack. “Start
talking.”
“It’s
about Dudley…he’s been accused of more serious crimes.”
“Okay,”
he said slowly, studying my overall expression. “I can’t get a read off you
this time. What type of crimes are you talking about?”
“Illegal
drugs and rape. Several men lodged complaints. Each had been given a date-rape
drug and was sexually assaulted in the art gallery…under the guise of art
showings.”
Stephen
rested his head on a tight fist and searched my eyes. “Those are pretty serious
accusations—not that I’m surprised. The guy was kind of strange in college.”
“When
you first introduced him to me, you said he was an okay guy…?”
“No,
hon,” he contradicted politely. “What I’d actually said was he’d never done
anything wrong in college that I knew of. Anyway, what does all this have to do
with you?”
“Not
long ago, Staff Sergeant Leland asked me to participate in an entrapment case
against Dudley—”
“Because
we’d experienced a similar incident at the art gallery, and because Dudley is
attracted to you, you’d be the perfect bait.”
I
wasn’t surprised he understood; Stephen is highly intelligent. “Yes,” I replied
quietly, squeezing my hands together. “That’s why I’ve been out of sorts. It
caused a lot of added stress.”
“Undue
stress. Well, I trust you told Leland to blow it out his ass.”
“After
what happened at the grocery store, yes.”
He
rubbed a finger on his lower lip and said with mild indifference, “What goes
around comes around and Dudley the Asshole Kramer will get his. But, at least
not through you.”
“No
thanks, I’ve had my fill.”
Rising
from the chair, he stretched. “I’m heading to work.” And brushed past me.
“That’s
it…?” I followed him so closely I nearly tripped in to him.
“I
won’t be long.”
“Not
that, Stephen. I’ve got a shift myself.” I gestured back to the office. “I just
poured my heart out, and no kiss. Surely that qualified as a kiss moment.”
Stephen
spun around, grabbed my shirt and yanked me close, his intense gaze searching
mine until my cheeks got hot. “Right, well, maybe you need more than a kiss,”
he insisted brazenly and my stomach fluttered. “Maybe you need sex.”
I
wanted to say yes, shout it out, and then I finally found a little courage and
said meekly, “Maybe I do.”
He
paused with his mouth an inch from mine; his brows furrowed. “Are you teasing
me?”
“No.” I
swallowed and my pulse rose with the anticipation.
“What
about work?”
“I’ve
got fifteen minutes before I have to leave.”
He gave
me a kiss and grinned. “Oh, I could definitely rock your world in fifteen
minutes, trust me, Mr. Stud Muffin Cop.”
My cock
stood at attention as he dragged me to the other end of the house, pushed me
onto our bed, kicked the door shut and loosened his tie.
Blak
Rayne
To read more or buy Blak's other novels, please go HERE
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Awesome, thank you, Muffy, for posting the review and everything about my book! :)
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