Celebrate
Pride Month with A Secret Match – A
Spicy Summer Romance
By
Kelli A. Wilkins
Hi everyone,
To celebrate the start of the summer months, I’m starting a
“Summer Romance Series” of blogs. And since June is Pride Month, I’m kicking
off the series with a look at my gay romance, A Secret Match. It’s a
sizzling contemporary novel set in the world of professional wrestling.
Before we get started, let me answer the question lots of folks may be asking:
“Why do you write gay romances? You’re not a man or gay.” I generally respond
with: “Why shouldn’t I? I wrote a vampire romance, and I’ve never been a
vampire.”
But seriously, I’m a writer. And as a writer, I write
whatever story comes to me, whether it’s a contemporary, historical,
paranormal, or gay romance. My romances are about people who meet, fall in
love, and overcome obstacles to be with each other. This basic philosophy
applies whether the characters are same-sex, different sex, or space alien and
earth girl. Love is love and romance is romance. I’m not married to one
specific genre or heat level. I go where the story and the characters take me.
So, how did A Secret Match come about? I’ve
been a wrestling fan forever, and A Secret Match is a follow-up (of
sorts) to my other wrestling romance, A Deceptive Match. That book is
about a straight couple (Vin and Danni) and Everett (the main character from A
Secret Match) is Vin’s best friend). I fell
in love with Ev so much while writing A Deceptive Match that I
knew he needed his own book. And I knew it wouldn’t be an easy one.
Ev is a
gay professional wrestler who has lots of insecurities and personal issues to
overcome. Although he’s been in a long-term relationship with his boyfriend,
Josh, he’s kept their involvement a secret. Aside from Josh, nobody except
Vinnie and Danni know he’s gay. Ev has a hard enough time dealing with his
sexuality on a personal level, and on a professional level—forget it.
Naturally,
I put the screws to Ev—right in the first scene. When the book opens, Josh and
Ev are having “going away” sex, and all seems well—until they have a major
argument. Josh is tired of being kept in Ev’s
“walk-in closet” and wants Ev to come out (at least to his friends and family).
But Ev
refuses for several reasons. His wrestling persona is a heartthrob who women
fantasize about, and he needs to maintain his image if he wants to keep his
job. Obviously, coming out would threaten his livelihood. Will fans accept a gay wrestler? How will his boss react?
Part of him wants to keep everything just as it is because that’s safe. But
another part of him longs to stop hiding the truth. After a heated exchange, Josh gives him an ultimatum and
walks out.
Ev is
distraught and turns to his best friend and fellow wrestler, Vinnie for advice.
Danni and Vinnie play a crucial role in Ev’s story—both in his personal
journey—and in the ring.
The head
of the wrestling organization, Nick August, tells Ev he has to go along with a
“steal my woman” angle involving Vinnie and Danni. As part of the storyline, Ev
has to kiss Danni in front of a live audience. This is the turning point in the
book. Ev is torn between living a lie and being true to himself—and in the spur
of the moment, he comes out on live TV.
From
there, all hell breaks loose.
Ev
instantly regrets what he’s done and is afraid he’s just tanked his career,
some of the other wrestlers aren’t thrilled with the news, and Nick August is
beyond furious. But in true wrestling fashion, the fans think it’s all a “work”—until
Ev comes out again. This time, he’s out and proud.
When I was
writing, I knew Ev and Josh would be apart for about a third of the story, but
I wanted to give readers a peek into their lives before the break-up. I decided
the best way to do that was through flashbacks. Over the course of the book
readers learn how Ev and Josh met, see their first kiss, and more. When Josh and
Ev reconnect, readers know all about them and realize they’re meant to be
together.
A big part of the story centers around Everett dealing (or
rather, not dealing) with his
sexuality and his (un)willingness to be open about who he really is. Back when
I wrote the book, there were very few (if any) openly gay athletes. Having to
keep his secret added a level of internal conflict for Ev. I focused on his
anguish over being caught between two worlds: his job and his secret life with
Josh. Everett can’t balance the two and worries about what the other wrestlers
would think of him coming out.
As Ev tells Vin (while discussing the
issue of gay athletes in sports): “… a gay baseball player doesn’t have the
type of physical contact with other guys like we do. There are all sorts of
issues—changing in the locker room, showering together… Can you imagine some of
the things that would go through the guys’ heads when I tried to put a hold on
them? You think they wouldn’t freak out when I touched them if they knew?”
Vin’s reply: “You won’t know if you
never take the risk.”
And risk Ev does. After he comes out (twice, in fact—I loved
writing those scenes!), he discovers a different side to himself, embraces who
he is, and even faces down intolerant fans and homophobic coworkers.
A Secret
Match has everything a good wrestling storyline
needs: action, heroes, heels, drama, humor, sexy wrestlers—and in this case,
some pretty hot love scenes. It takes readers (and the characters) on an
emotional roller coaster ride. And the book is not just for wrestling fans. The
wrestling world is merely a backdrop for a tender romance and a look inside
Ev’s mind.
I enjoyed showing Everett on his journey of self-acceptance.
He’s a bit of a cocky wise-ass, but he’s definitely a fun character to write
for. I was glad to give Ev and Josh the happy-ever-after ending they rightly
deserve, because no matter what, love is love, and that’s all that matters.
Here’s the book summary and link.
A SECRET MATCH
Everett Kinkade is a world-famous professional
wrestler and the sexy heartthrob of millions of adoring female fans. But Ev has
a secret he doesn’t dare share with anyone. He’s gay.
After years of being Ev’s secret lover, Josh is tired of hiding in the shadows
and wants Ev to openly acknowledge their relationship. Coming out is the last
thing Ev wants and fears it will ruin his career.
One night in a moment of truth, Everett outs himself on live TV. There’s no
going back, and his announcement sparks a firestorm of problems—both personally
and professionally. He’s forced to come to grips with who he really is while
facing down a manipulative boss and a tag-team out to destroy him.
Torn between living a lie and losing the man he loves, Ev has risked
everything… can he find a balance between his career and his heart?
Read reviews and order your copy of A SECRET MATCH here:
https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-secret-match
I hope you enjoyed this
“Summer Romance Series” blog. Visit my site www.kelliwilkins.com
to learn about all of my books, read more blogs, and get links to my social
media.
June is Pride Month. Let’s all celebrate Love this summer.
Happy Reading,
Kelli
A. Wilkins
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has
published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 9
mystery/thriller/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and
she likes to scare readers with her horror, mystery, and thriller fiction.
Her latest book, The Route 9 Stalker, was
published in January 2026. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ and
follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Meet him for the first
time in The Route 9 Killer.
Kelli's 24th
romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy
romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.
In 2024, she
released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7
speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.
Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins
and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com
for a full title list, social media links, and more.
