Interview with Mystery Author G. Jay & Giveaway

I have debut author G. Jay visiting today. He kindly took the time to answer some questions for us. A communications graduate of the City Universities of New York, and after twenty-nine years as a human resources administrator, he decided to apply his understanding of the complexities and foibles of the human character in a more creative way.

Like his main character, Ryan Kinkaid, he is a gay man who believes in love and commitment. He and his husband have been together for over thirty years and live on the West coast of Florida with their two cats. A transplant from New York, he continues to travel regularly to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to connect with the New England life which he so loves. 

Online links for G. Jay and Tribute Books:

G. Jay's web site:
http://www.gjayb.com/

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Summer Spirit blog tour site:
http://summerspiritmystery.blogspot.com/

Bea: Please tell us about your current release.

G: Summer Spirit, A Ryan Kinkaid Mystery, is the first in my series of at least four books about a successful gay Manhattan antique dealer. This story starts with Ryan realizing he has had it with life in New York City, especially his random love life. Although he has what most New Yorker’s want – his own successful business, and a mortgage-free brownstone on West 71^st Street, one very important thing is missing in his life . . . a meaningful and loving relationship. With summer just around the corner, the approaching heat and his restlessness are reasons for his escape from the city. He takes a four month rental in historic and picturesque Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with his best friend Lauren in hopes of gaining a new perspective on life.

Renting a house built in 1810, a kindred spirit Nicholas reaches out for contact, and Ryan finds himself wanting to know about the past. However, Nicholas is not the only one wanting Ryan’s attention. Ty, a handsome local man, also has strong desires for Ryan.

The stark contrast of the past collides with the present in this story of lost and betrayed love, and irrational and undying prejudice.

In the end, all that is left is the affirmation of the value of honesty and commitment in love.

Bea: Can you tell us about the journey that led you to write your book?

G: On a recent trip to the South of France, my husband and I met a successful romance novelist who, over a dinner at a restaurant in Marseille, suggested that I try my hand at gay erotica. She said her gay friends told her she should write some books for that genre because they felt there weren’t any decent ones out on the market. However, since she’s straight and it wasn’t her genre, she wasn’t interested. That suggestion stayed with me and, after a few months, I acted on it.

In the past few years I have had in the back of my mind the idea of writing a book. Granted whatever story I thought was there was not based on gay erotica. But none the less, it was there.

My professional career for the last 30 years has been in the field of human resources. It afforded me the ability to see the various sides of people. For example, how they handle change and have an unending desire to hold on to the anger of past hurts and disappointments. Two issues I address in my book. I’ve since ended my career in human resources, focusing on writing the next book in the series.

Bea: Can you tell us about the story behind your book cover?

G: The main graphic on the cover is a male figure. This figure can represent one of two male characters in the book, Ryan Kinkaid or Nicholas Walsh. In each case, the characters are unfulfilled until this certain summer where love and contentment gives life and color, uplifting their spirits.

Bea: What approaches have you taken to marketing your book?

G: Writing and publishing is all new territory for me. Marketing the book is something I am still working on. My publisher helped by setting up my website and I’m telling everyone I know and come in contact with about my book. 

Bea: What book on the market does yours compare to? How is your book different?

G: I think my book is unique in that if you take away the sexual aspect of it, there would still be a decent story there. Many books on the market that I have read in this genre are based solely on sex acts, which meet the needs of a large percentage of their readership.

Bea: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

G: I don’t know if it’s a quirk, but I do not outline the book beforehand. I let the story happen as I write it.

Bea: Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

G: Ryan, Lauren and Jason are traveling from Manhattan to Portsmouth for the weekend. On the way they stop at a rest area in Connecticut to use the facilities and Jason takes care of someone else’s business (if you catch my drift) along with his own.

Bea: Do you plan any subsequent books?

G: Yes, this is the first in a series of at least four. The next book will be a continuation of the story between Ryan and Ty and is called Autumn Reveal.

Bea: Tell us what you’re reading at the moment and what you think of it.

G: I’m not reading anything at the moment. I am focusing on writing Autumn Reveal. However, when I do, I’m sure it will be one of the more popular fiction books on the market. I doubt it will be gay erotica because I don’t want to influence my writing by how another author depicts sex in their story.

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Thanks to G. Jay and Tribute Books, I have one ebook copy of "Summer Spirit" to give away. Please read my giveaway policy. Enter using the rafflecopter widget below.  

 Book Blurb ~

Ryan Kinkaid, a successful gay Manhattan antique dealer has had it with life in New York City, especially his random love life. Ryan has what most New Yorker’s want – his own successful business, and a mortgage-free brownstone on West 71st Street. However, at age forty-one he discovers he is lacking one very important thing in his life . . . a meaningful and loving relationship. With summer just around the corner, the approaching heat and his restlessness are reasons for his escape from the city. A four month rental in historic and picturesque Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with his best friend Lauren was the answer.
Renting a house built in 1810, kindred spirit Nicholas reaches out for contact, and Ryan finds himself wanting to know about the past. However, Nicholas is not the only one wanting Ryan’s attention. Ty, a handsome local man, also has strong desires for Ryan.

The stark contrast of the past collides with the present in this tale of lost and betrayed love, and irrational and undying prejudice.

In the end, all that is left is the affirmation of the value of honesty and commitment in love.

Publisher: Publish Green
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Paranormal
Format: ebook
Release Date: October 15, 2012
Buying Links:  MyBookOrders.com  iBookstore  Amazon  Barnes & Noble

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