Tell us about your latest book, who is
the main character(s) and what can we expect when we pick it up?
“King of the Mountain” is a stand-alone MM Romance portraying a cycling
superstar going through his gay awakening while trying to concentrate on
winning the greatest cycling race on the planet.
Multimillionaire, champion cycler, and extremely gorgeous — these are
just a few ways to describe Clifford Du Frey. Some might also call the leader
of the Tour de France aloof or even arrogant.
But there’s one thing that no one knows about the famous athlete who is
mobbed by young women wherever he goes: he’s falling in love with art student
Gabe O’Reilly.
Expect a fun and emotion-filled roller coaster ride as you follow the
burgeoning relationship between these two men, first in France and then in California.
Give us an out of context quote from your book to warm our hearts:
“Honestly,
Clifford. I don’t know how you’ve survived the last thirty-three years. You
have the emotional intelligence of a gnat. I blame your mother. Gabe doesn’t
mean a word of what he says in that letter.”
“But…but…” I
stammered, “He says quite explicitly….”
“He is valiantly
falling on his sword because he loves you, you dim-wit. This is the most
romantic thing I’ve seen since…since Romeo and Juliet. What the fuck are you
doing sitting around here? You should be with Gabe.”
Who are some authors that you look for inspiration?
Alexis Hall is one of my favorites. He
wrote “Boyfriend Material” and a string of other romances suffused with
wonderful British banter. I also like the MM Romance authors Roan Parrish, K.J.
Charles and May Archer. In addition, I read fantasy books like “The Witcher”
which provide great insights into world-building and character development. And
of course, the mental picture of Henry Cavill who plays “The Witcher” in the
Netflix series is an inspiration in itself.
Fire down below! What’s the first object you save?
My laptop! Even though I back my work up
to the cloud and obsessively send copies of my in-progress work to my email
server, I would want that precious baby with me, no matter what.
Advice for newly sparking writers in three sentences or less:
Listen to that inner voice that compels
you to write, and don’t be distracted by what others say your characters should
or shouldn’t do. It’s your story and your characters, and anyone
who doesn’t like it can take a flying leap.
Which of your characters would you want to share a campfire with, and
why?
Gabe O’Reilly is one of those characters
who maintain a positive outlook on life, no matter what. I admire and envy that
quality and try to spend time with people like that hoping some of the
positivity might rub off on me. In addition, Gabe has a deep appreciation of art
and nature. I’m sure we could spend hours talking to each other or just sitting
in companionable silence, gazing at the galaxies above.
Tell us about what you are reading at the moment or anticipate reading in
the future? Any new books you are looking forward to?
I am reading “A Fashionable Indulgence” by
K.J. Charles. It is an MM Romance set in 19th-century London. K.J. Charles does
meticulous historical research and I love reading books set in an era that
seems so genteel (for those who have status and money).
Can you briefly describe your writing process for us?
I do a rough plot outline and spend some
time thinking about the main characters before I start writing. But then I just
let it flow and often the plot takes unexpected twists and turns. It is a
thrill when the characters take on a life of their own.
I’m constantly thinking about the book
while outdoors hiking and cycling. Then I come home and write. Every writing
session starts with a brain dump of the latest ideas, then I edit the previous
day’s work before settling into writing the next few pages.
What is
next on your writerly horizon?
There are currently three books in the
“Love at Lake Clyde” series. They are “King of the Mountain”, “Master of the
Wild” and “Ruler of the Waves.” I am working on the fourth and final book in
the series: “Lord of the Skies.”
After that, not quite sure yet but it will
be another MM Romance with a lot of action and adventure in it.
CLIFFORD
After
years of hard work and training, I finally have the chance of fulfilling my
lifelong dream of winning the Tour de France. Nothing can be allowed to
distract me from this mission, especially not Gabe O’Reilly, the adorable art
student from San Francisco.
But
he looks so vulnerable – all alone in France.
I
would be failing in my patriotic duty to a fellow American if I didn’t take
care of him, wouldn’t I? And what possible harm could come from spending
twenty-four hours with him on the shores of the Mediterranean? I deserve that
little break, don’t I?
GABE
I
have never seen a human specimen as perfect as Clifford Du Frey. During our
fleeting encounter in Paris, I saw a man who was funny, caring, and tender – so
very different from the way the media portray him. He is everything I could
ever dream of in a boyfriend.
But
in what universe will an international sports superstar pay any serious attention
to me?
Do
not get involved, my brain yells; you can only get hurt again. But my heart is
thrumming to a different tune.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buy Links:
Amazon buy link:
https://www.amazon.com/KING-MOUNTAIN-LOVE-LAKE-CLYDE-ebook/dp/B0996S9871
Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/books/king-of-the-mountain-by-aiden-ainslie
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58576572-king-of-the-mountain
Excerpt
Two:
GABE
Cliff stood in the shallows. His pale skin gave him the
quality of a Michelangelo marble statue. His body had magnificent, classical
proportions. Every muscle was clearly defined as though chiseled in stone and
smoothed to perfection under the loving hand of a master sculptor. I wondered
if he realized just how beautiful he was. And I still found it hard to believe
that he was giving me the gift of his time.
He watched me as I strode toward him and, when I shook the
water out of my hair, he warned, “Don’t you dare splash me. I like to get in
slowly.”
“I won’t splash you,” I said as I stopped in front of him.
His eyes were unbelievable. The aquamarine of the water reflected off his blue
eyes. I had the sensation of looking into a kaleidoscope of colors yet to be
invented. I placed my hands on his shoulders and kissed him on both cheeks.
He was startled but did not back away. “What was that for?”
he asked.
“We’ve not had a chance to greet each other yet – the French
way. The way you taught me. And,” I continued, “to say I’m sorry.”
I gave him my sweetest smile.
“Sorry for wha….”
He didn’t get to finish the sentence because I folded one
leg behind him and, in the most basic of wrestling moves, tipped him backward
into the water.
The look on his face was priceless, and I burst out laughing
when his head emerged, spluttering and cursing.
He reached out a hand and said, “You can at least help me
up.”
I took hold of his hand and found myself yanked off my feet
with Cliff dunking my head underwater. I shook myself free and rose from the
waves to see Cliff making a run for the beach. I lurched after him, tackled
him, and dragged him back into the water. He laughed and spluttered till he gained
his footing and rounded on me, grabbing my waist, the most ticklish part of my
body. He held me tight with one arm curved around my chest while his free hand
tickled my hip bone without mercy. I giggled and squirmed helplessly in his
arms.
We horsed around in the water like a couple of drunken
teenagers. Drunk on sunshine, drunk on life, drunk on L… I didn’t dare to complete the thought. Who
was I to think a man like Clifford du Frey would fall in love with me?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Aiden Ainslie lives in the Diablo foothills, east of San
Francisco. He grew up in various small towns and loves to draw on that
small-town feel for his romances: the sense of community but also the petty
grievances, intrigue and rivalries. “An author has to draw on personal
experience to create authentic stories.”
According to Aiden, setting and mood are critical parts of a
romantic story, hence he is always taking pictures of romantic settings to be
used in future novels. Check them out on his website www.aidenainslie.com
When Aiden is not writing or listening to audiobooks, he likes to
cycle and hike. During those solitary pursuits, he dreams up the characters and
plots for his MM Romance novels. He also enjoys zipping around town on his
motor scooter, drinking coffee at the local coffee shops, and watching people
to get inspiration for his writing.
Website: www.aidenainslie.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aiden.ainslie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AidenA36208349
9 comments:
Thank you for hosting this book and this author.
This sounds really interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for hosting me and my book, today. I had great fund with the interview!
I look forward to reading this.
Do you prefer mountains or beaches?
Sounds like a great read.
Tough question @traciem. In the book, Clifford definitely loves the mountains while Gabe, the other MC, prefers the beaches. I personally prefer to be near the ocean. Long walks on the beach, the sound of the ocean at night...there's just something really restful about the sea.
What is your writing process?
What inspired you to start writing in the first place?
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