Congrats to H.B. for winning the giveaway! Heart Unseen was chosen as the winning book.

Thank you to everyone who entered and a special thanks to Andrew Grey for being part of our 5th blog anniversary celebration!

A few weeks ago I was on Facebook when Andrew Grey shared a memory. That memory was from the release of Love Comes Silently (Senses, #1) five years ago this month. As you know, On Top Down Under is celebrating our 5th anniversary this month. Have you ever read a book that stayed with you for a very long time after you read it? That’s Love Comes Silently for me. I’ve read it more than once in the five years since it was published. It’s simply one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read. It’s about two very different men finding love but it’s also about family. I could go on about how much I loved that book. When I saw that it was actually published the same month that On Top Down Under came to be I knew I had to ask Andrew to be part of our blog anniversary. He kindly agreed.

Not that long ago, I read Heart Unseen, another beautiful story and the start of what I know will be a fantastic series. Below is an excerpt of one of my favorite parts of Heart Unseen where Trevor, the rather vain main character, strikes out. 🙂

To celebrate our 5th year, Andrew has kindly offered an e-book of the winner’s choice from his extensive Andrew Grey catalog. The giveaway will run from October 11th through Tuesday, October 17th. To enter, leave a comment on the bottom of this post.

Thank you to Andrew Grey for stopping by and for helping us celebrate our 5th year!

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Thank you so much for having me as part of your 5th anniversary.  Over the last 5 years I have written a number of stories and when I was contacted Cindi asked me to talk about her favorite story, Love Comes Silently.  I love that story as well.  I remember crying a number of times as I wrote it and I reread it about a year ago and it made me cry then too.  Love Comes Silently is the first story in the Senses series and I really miss those stories.  Each and every one of us faces different challenges in or lives, some of us more than others.  I firmly feel that everyone deserves a happy ending to their love story.  So when Patrick formed in my mind, having lost his ability to speak, I fell in love.  This story touched my heart as did the entire Senses series.  Unfortunately all good things must come to an end.  So I wrote the last story in this series a while ago.  And I missed them like old friends.

Caring for a loved one with cancer is tough. Doing it alone is overwhelming—especially when that loved one is a child. But ever since Ken Brighton’s partner left him, Ken has spent his days at the hospital with his daughter, Hanna, hoping for a miracle. Maybe the mysterious care packages that appear for Hanna don’t qualify, but they bring a spark of hope into his and Hanna’s tired life—and so does Ken’s neighbor, former singer Patrick Flaherty. 

For two years Patrick hasn’t been able to focus on anything but the life he should have had. An injury robbed him of his voice, and the idea of introducing himself to new people intimidates him. But over the past months, he’s watched as his neighbor nursed his sick child, and once he meets Ken, Patrick starts to crave a life with him—a life he isn’t sure he can have. 

Ken doesn’t realize he’s fallen in love until the doctors send Hanna home, saying there’s nothing more they can do: Hanna will either recover or succumb. Ken’s heart is set on a new beginning—with both Patrick and Hanna. But Patrick’s silence leaves Ken wondering what Patrick wants.

You can find Cindi’s review of Love Comes Silently here.

So about a year ago I started some new stories.  They are along the lines of the Senses stories.  The first story in this new series is Heart Unseen and the second, coming out in mid November is Heart Unheard.  I missed these themes and everything that goes with them.   I love writing stories of people finding love and I truly believe that everyone, no matter who they are, should be able to see themselves in a book.

As a stunningly attractive man and the owner of a successful chain of auto repair garages, Trevor is used to attention, adoration, and getting what he wants. What he wants tends to be passionate, no-strings-attached flings with men he meets in clubs. He doesn’t expect anything different when he sets his sights on James. Imagine his surprise when the charm that normally brings men to their knees fails to impress. Trevor will need to drop the routine and connect with James on a meaningful level. He starts by offering to take James home instead of James riding home with his intoxicated friend.

For James, losing his sight at a young age meant limited opportunities for social interaction. Spending most of his time working at a school for the blind has left him unfamiliar with Trevor’s world, but James has fought hard for his independence, and he knows what he wants. Right now, that means stepping outside his comfort zone and into Trevor’s heart.

Trevor is also open to exploring real love and commitment for a change, but before he can be the man James needs him to be, he’ll have to deal with the pain of his past.

You can find Cindi’s review of Heart Unseen here.

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“Hi, I’m Trevor.”The closest thing to an angel on earth—at least that was Trevor’s impression—turned to him. “Hello, I’m James.” He didn’t offer his hand, which Trevor didn’t think much about.

“I saw you sitting here and was wondering if you’d like to dance.” Trevor gave a little demonstration of his moves, which usually broke down any resistance.

“Umm, I don’t think so,” he said with a gentle tone in his voice that seemed so out of place here. “Thank you for asking, but I’m afraid that me and dancing don’t really mix.”

“Can I buy you a drink?”

The man lifted the glass he’d been cradling with both hands. “I have one, thanks.” He didn’t look away, but he also didn’t seem to be looking at Trevor.

Trevor glanced over his shoulder to see if there was someone standing behind him, but no one seemed to be paying them any attention. “Do you come here very often?” God, that was a cheesy line, but he was running out of things to ask. He might as well return to Brent and give this up as a lost cause.

The man laughed, a beautifully grand, warm sound. “No. This is my first time to a place like this. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it’s loud and full of people who make so much noise. My friend Lester brought me. He’s dancing with a guy he met here… I think. I do hope he’s having fun.”

“What about you? Are you having fun?” Trevor flashed his most winning smile, trying to communicate that the two of them could have a great deal of fun together. That usually got him what he wanted.

“This is very different for me, and I’m not sure how fun it is. The music is way too loud, and there are a lot of strange people around. Hopefully Lester will be back in a few minutes.” He drank from his glass, his expression not changing.

Trevor didn’t need a house to drop on him to get a clue. “I’m sorry to have bothered you.” He began to move away.

“It was nice talking to you.” James took another drink, and Trevor waved and walked back to the table where Dean had joined Brent.

“Strike out?”

“Totally.” Trevor turned to look into one of the mirrors that lined the wall.

Brent shook his head. “What? You spent at least an hour at the gym today, watching yourself as you did every exercise, and you think you might have changed in a few hours?”

“I don’t get it. The guy is adorable, and I gave him my best smile and he looked through me like I didn’t exist. I mean, I’m not shallow or anything, but I know how I look, and usually guys are all over me to get a piece of this, but….”

Brent rolled his eyes and smacked him on the shoulder. “What you just said is the definition of shallow. Not everyone is turned on by the package of near perfection that is Trevor. God.”

“Near perfection?” He’d honed every inch of himself to be the best he possibly could.

“Your nose is too big and your ears stick out a little too much, but if you think about having them done, I’m never going to speak to you again. Everyone has flaws—it’s what truly makes us unique and beautiful.” Brent shook his head. “So he wasn’t into you. Maybe he wants someone who thinks a smile and wink aren’t a preamble to getting it on with a stranger.”

 

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

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