SPOTLIGHT - HOLIDAY LGBTQ+ - The Christmas Knockout by Wren Valentino

The Christmas Knockout

by Wren Valentino

Date of Publication: December 5th 2025

Publisher: Blue Dasher Press 

Cover Artist: James at GoOnWrite.com

Genre: M/M Romance

ASIN: B0G5B8G3H1

Word Count: 5K

Tagline: When a lonely reporter meets a legendary fighter, Christmas delivers its sweetest knockout.

BLURB

A steamy, romantic Christmas Eve encounter between a lonely reporter and a charming boxing champion. When journalist Grayson Lane meets newly out boxing star Sergio Cavallo, their interview quickly turns into an unexpected escape from a stuffy gala and a night filled with honesty, heat, and holiday vulnerability. In Grayson’s tiny apartment, sparks fly and two lonely men discover a connection neither saw coming.

Amazon

Excerpt:
Dressed as formally as his casual wardrobe allowed, Grayson arrived sans tie at the staff entrance of a local banquet hall. It was only a few blocks away from the three-story building where the newspaper had occupied for nearly a hundred years, and a short walk from his one-bedroom apartment he shared with a fluffy cat named Duke. The streets were wet from a rumbling rainstorm that had decided to take a short break, much to Grayson’s luck. Sparkling Christmas lights shimmered in puddles, covering the cobblestoned alley with a palette of cozy holiday hues. The banquet hall was similar in neo-Gothic architecture as the old newspaper building. Locals swore the place was haunted just by the sight of it. Secretly, Grayson hoped it was.
He rang the entrance bell and waited, shifting his weight from foot to foot. When there was no response, he rang again. Finally, the old door creaked open, revealing a scruffy man in a tuxedo, sporting large, black-framed glasses. The man eyed Grayson for an explanation for this intrusion.
“I’m Grayson Lane,” he said. When that didn’t get him invited inside, he continued. “I’m here to interview Sergio Cavallo.”
“You’re a reporter?” the man rumbled in a gravelly voice. For a moment, Grayson half-expected to see the swirl of cigarette smoke in the air as if he’d somehow stumbled into a classic film noir.
Sir, are you related to Humphrey Bogart by any chance?
“Yes, I am,” Grayson explained, shivering.
The man glanced him over and said, “You look like a delivery boy.”
“Thanks,” he muttered. “May I see Sergio now?”
With what looked like reluctance, the man with salt and pepper wavy hair nodded and pushed the door open wider. It creaked again and Grayson couldn’t help but wonder if the spooky sound was a warning.
Once inside, Grayson was led down a series of dimly lit corridors, all with walls adorned with framed paintings of the Scottish founders of the city and, apparently, the ones responsible for the building they were moving through.
            Finally, they stopped. The man in the tuxedo knocked on a door before entering. He looked back and said to Grayson, “Come. Mr. Cavallo is waiting for you.”
            Pausing for a moment in the hallway, Grayson drew in a steadying breath, reflecting over the hours of research he’d conducted to prepare for this assignment. Exhaling, he opened the door and entered the room. Glancing around, Grayson determined he was standing in the center of a private lounge that was trying hard to be swanky but really looked like the set of an adult film, complete with dimmed lighting in not-so-subtle shades of hot pink, electric blue, and amber. The furniture was leather, and the carpet looked thick and soft.
Positioned as if he were sitting on a throne was Sergio Cavallo, looking rather distinguished in a fashionable blazer, slacks, and crisp white shirt with the top two buttons undone to reveal olive-tinged bare skin. The dark-haired Italian boxer looked like the undefeated boxing champ that he was, The King of The Ring as many commentators appropriately referred to him. No wonder many had fallen under his spell.
            What Grayson wasn’t expecting was how flushed he felt when Sergio looked into his eyes and with a delicious and very inviting smile said, “Well…hello. You’re not what I was expecting.”
            Trying to ignore the butterflies fluttering inside of him, Grayson held Sergio’s stare and responded confidently, “And neither are you. I’m Grayson Lane.”
            The boxer leaned forward. His dark brown eyes held an expression of tenderness, despite his savage reputation of being a beast of a boxer. His facial hair was a few shades lighter than the almost jet-black hair on his head and looked like a modern version of a Van Dyke. “I’m curious,” said Sergio. Grayson felt the man’s eyes wash over his body as if he were drinking water from his pores. “Grayson, am I somehow a disappointment?”
            Grayson spied an empty chair directly across from Sergio. Not waiting to be asked to sit, he took a seat, sinking into the soft leather. The comfort of the chair soothed his nerves, grounding him in the moment. “Not at all,” he said. “It’s not every day I get to interview a champion.”
            Seeming satisfied with Grayson’s answer, Sergio grinned. “I like you,” he noted.
            “Give it time,” Grayson countered with a playful tone to match the smile on his face.

            “I’m ready when you are,” Sergio said, his words dripping with hot innuendo. “For the interview, I mean.”

Author Info

Wren Valentino is a multifaceted storyteller—an actor, author, entrepreneur, film producer, critic, and instructor—whose work spans stage, screen, and page. A bestselling novelist with twenty-one books across romance, thriller, young adult, and horror, he has built a reputation for crafting emotionally rich, genre-spanning narratives.

An accomplished playwright, Wren has written more than seventy stage plays produced in twelve countries and three languages. His success extends to the screen as well, with eight original screenplays and seven stage plays adapted into films. As a film producer, he has contributed to the creation of over one hundred independent movies, and as an actor, he has appeared in more than forty films.

Wren earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications and English from Oglethorpe University, graduating with honors. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte and completed the Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA.

A dedicated member of the writing community, Wren belongs to Contemporary Romance Writers, the International Screenwriters’ Association, Rainbow Romance Writers, and the Romance Writers of America, which recognized his service with a Volunteer Service Award.

https://wrenvalentino.com
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SPOTLIGHT w/INTERVIEW - CONTEMPORARY SUSPENSE LGBTQ+ - MIND FIELDS by David-Matthew Barnes

Mind Fields 

by David-Matthew Barnes

Date of Publication: May 18th 2021 

Publisher: Blue Dasher Press 

Cover Artist: Darn Good Covers

Genre: New Adult, M/M Romance, Suspense Thriller

ISBN: TBD

ASIN: TBD

Word Count: 48,500

BLURB

Sometimes love can blow you away. 

When struggling college student Adam Parsh accepts a tutoring position, he is lured into the unknown world of a wealthy family. 

Fighting off the sexual advances of Dario Vassalo, a Greek tycoon and patriarch, Adam finds himself the object of the dangerous desires of one of the most powerful men in the world—his married employer.Torn between his attraction to Dario and his deepening love for his best friend, Victor Maldonado, Adam is forced to choose between right and wrong. 

Surrounded by lust, glamour, and greed, Adam uncovers dark secrets strong enough to destroy many lives, including his own.

Excerpt
Although the schedule at the Ravenswood Metra station said the commute was only 54 minutes, the ride felt much longer. Adam was seated with a window view, heading north on the Union Pacific line towards Great Lakes, to the wealthy shore side suburb of Lake Bluff, a place he’d only read about and heard others mention.
It was early but Adam had made a point of buying a large cup of coffee at 7-Eleven before jumping on the commuter train. The coffee warmed a chill inside of him he hadn’t been able to shake since waking up.
While Stacey was still passed out, Adam had stumbled around the tiny apartment, half asleep and full of lingering concerns. He showered, got dressed, ate a bowl of instant oatmeal, and headed to the train station. He checked his phone more times than usual. No voice mail or text from Victor.
Maybe I should’ve let him stay last night. I could’ve woken up in his arms, next to his warm body. We could’ve made love for hours.
Adam barely took notice of the sights as the train continued on its snow-filled journey to the North Shore. Instead, he sipped his coffee, listened to overly sentimental love songs on his iPod, and tried to imagine what life would be like if he and Victor made a commitment to each other. He knew, more than ever, that’s what he wanted. Being with Victor made sense. Like so many people had said before, they made a great pair.
Questions and fears heightened Adam’s anxiety, racing through his mind at the same speed of the train. Were they too young to be so serious? To be exclusive? What if Victor decided he was bored and restless and wanted to date other people? What if he was tempted and unfaithful? That would leave Adam hurt and damaged beyond repair.
His phone buzzed.
Finally.
False alarm. It was Stacey. I can’t wear my new shoes today because it’s snowing outside. I hate February. But I love you. Where you be?
He texted back. On a train heading north.
She responded within seconds. I hope you’re not running away from home just because the rent is due.
He smiled and texted back. Job interview. Wish me luck. Otherwise it’s noodles and tap water for us until March.
The train was nearly empty now. A young woman wearing a red knitted scarf and matching cap was sitting a few seats away. A business man in a gray suit was reading a newspaper he’d folded in half. He was balancing a leather briefcase on his lap. His black-framed reading glasses looked as if they’d slip off the tip of his nose at any second.
I wonder what their lives are like. Is she in love with someone she can’t have? Is he unhappy in his marriage? Are they terrified of dying alone someday?
Adam glanced down at the pleated slacks, button-up Oxford, black pea coat, and Italian leather shoes he was wearing. He was dressed like a preppy boarding school student. He felt like an impostor. He’d assumed someone else’s identity in Chicago and was now on his way to fool a rich family into believing he was one of them.
They’ll see right through me.
Adam wondered why Dario Vassalo had extended the invitation to him. Given they’d only spent a few minutes together in Becca’s new office and their conversation had been brief, Adam tried to figure out what it was he’d said or done to inspire the wealthy man to consider him for the tutoring position. Was he replacing someone who’d been fired or quit? Were ulterior motives at work? Was the position created just for Adam as a way for Dario to see him again?
Adam shook his head, silently dismissing his absurd theories. Yet, in the back of his mind, he knew there was a thread of truth to them. He’d felt an instant heat for Dario. It was powerful and intense. He was almost certain the attraction was mutual.
Get that ridiculous idea right out of your head. He’s a married man. You have Victor now. And, you love him. You need the job. If you have to flirt a little to get it and keep it, you’re only doing what needs to be done. You can make this situation work for you until graduation.
Even if the train ride is forever and these stupid shoes are already killing your feet.
Adam finished his coffee. He looked out the window at the passing neighborhoods, wondering what was happening inside the houses and apartments within eye line of the tracks. Was someone brewing coffee, cracking open eggs, pouring pancake batter over a buttered grill? Was a child running late for school, worried they were going to miss the bus? Did someone decide to call in sick for the day, add another log to the fire, and curl back into bed with a good book and a cup of peppermint tea? Maybe a car wouldn’t start. An alarm didn’t go off. A husband didn’t come home.  
The train pulled into the quaint, historic Lake Bluff station. Adam said a silent prayer, stood, and exited. Outside, the biting morning air was even colder than it had been in the city. There was a thin mist, floating and mingling with the falling snow flurries like a tentative ghost trying to decide whether or not to make an appearance.
Adam slid both hands into the pocket of his pea coat, cursing himself for not remembering to wear gloves or a scarf. He moved around the crowd of Chicago-bound commuters waiting to board a southbound train and made his way to the front of the train station.
Adam checked his phone and reread the instructions his mother had texted him.
A cab will be waiting for you at the station. Don’t be late.
On the train, Adam worried there’d be too many taxis to figure out which one was for him. He was relieved when there was only one idling at the curb.
There was an older woman standing next to the cab. She was short and squat. She was wearing a purple windbreaker, powder blue polyester slacks, and a pair of blinding white sneakers. The strange ensemble was completed with a white visor she wore low, just above her eyes. Her hair was short and tightly permed. It had an Easter blue tint to it.
She looks like an over groomed, mean poodle.
She glanced him up and down, cracked a sunflower seed between her front teeth, and spit the shell out on the sidewalk. “You Adam?” she asked. Her voice was nicotine stained and coated with a thick New York accent. At once, she gave off a strong vibe that even though she was short and could’ve been someone’s grandmother, she was tough and shouldn’t be messed with.
Adam was hesitant with his answer. “Yes. That’s me.”
“Name’s Myrtle,” she said.
“Myrtle?” Adam repeated, trying to hide his amusement.
No one is really named Myrtle, are they?
“Myrtle Brubaker,” she said. “You heard of me before?”
Adam couldn’t tell if she was joking. Was she a gangster or a cab driver?
Myrtle Brubaker had been through some hard times. It showed on her face. She looked weathered like someone had left her outside for too long in the snow. Beneath her haggard appearance and red, blotchy cheeks there was just a sliver of the attractive young girl she probably once was. Yet, it was clear Myrtle had never been a debutante. Adam imagined she spent her nights on a bar stool, shooting the breeze, chain-smoking, and killing off a bottle of bourbon. Or two.
“Get in,” she instructed. “You don’t wanna keep the missus waiting. She’s got a busy schedule.”
Adam complied. He slid into the backseat of the cab. It was like sitting in a closed box of sweet-smelling cigars. He rubbed his eyes, coughed a little, and asked, “What does she do?”
Myrtle found his eyes in the rearview mirror. “Who?”
“The missus,” he said, already speaking Myrtle’s language. “Mr. Vassalo’s wife.”
“Name’s Evangelina.”
“That’s pretty,” he said.
“Doesn’t even do her justice, if you ask me. She’s a knock out. You’d think her husband would pay more attention to her, but whadda I know?”
Adam grinned. “You seem to know a lot, Myrtle.”
“I love three things in this world,” she said.
“Is one of them bourbon?” Adam guessed.
            “As a matter of fact it is,” she said. “I love bourbon, a good horse race, and Nancy Sinatra.”

About the Author:

David-Matthew Barnes is an award-winning author, playwright, poet, and screenwriter. He writes in multiple genres, primarily young adult, romance, thriller, and horror. He is the bestselling author of twelve novels, five produced screenplays, three collections of poetry, seven short stories, and more than sixty stage plays. He graduated with honors from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and English. He earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. He attended the Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA. David-Matthew divides his time between Denver and Los Angeles. He is represented by Hoop Earrings Entertainment.

Website: http://www.dmatthewb.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmatthewbarnes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DMatthewB
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmatthewbarnes/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/David-Matthew-Barnes/e/B003YJ87IG

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SPOTLIGHT w/EXCERPT - CHICK-LIT - AMBROSIA by David-Matthew Barnes

Ambrosia 

by David-Matthew Barnes

Date of Publication: April 7th 2021 

Publisher: Blue Dasher Press 

Cover Artist: Kingwood Creations

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Chick Lit

ISBN: 9798732649086

ASIN: B091WFG8B8

Number of pages: 217

Word Count: 56,400

BLURB

On the night of her 30th birthday, Tina Duncan is dumped by her musician boyfriend and left with nothing. When her best friend dares her to accept every date she’s asked out on for the next year, Tina accepts the challenge only to confirm her theory that the perfect man no longer exists. 

Tina’s life soon becomes one terrible date after another until she accidentally meets Oliver, a beautiful stranger who arrives at her front door to return her purse he’s found in a cab. Before realizing Oliver might be the man to prove her theory wrong – and is indeed the perfect man for her – he slips away and disappears. 

Convinced she’s lost her one shot at true love, Tina embarks on a city-wide search for a man she hardly knows but is quickly falling in love with.

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Excerpt:
Sex was an evil, dirty thing and because I had so much of it with Geoffrey the Waiter, I knew I was going straight to hell. To make matters worse, Geoffrey was only nineteen, a sophomore at DePaul University (a Catholic school at that) and lived in a dorm room, which is where the immoral act took place. Of course I didn't know any of this when I left work and jumped on a bus taking me south on Michigan Avenue.
As promised, I met Geoffrey at five o'clock. He walked out of the restaurant through the revolving door. To his misfortune, he saw me standing on the corner beneath the yellow blast of a street lamp. I stood there, surrounded by a buzzing swarm of hungry and overstuffed Christmas shoppers who continued to flow in and out of the restaurant like cattle. Despite the fact he was wearing a thick winter parka, a cow-patterned scarf, a knitted black hat, and matching gloves, he was still sexier than I’d remembered. He stood there for a second, just staring. It was at that moment I realized I was still wearing the ridiculous Santa hat.
"Merry Christmas." I felt my chest tighten. I sounded way too enthusiastic. My loathing self-critic began its usual mantra in my head: Oh God, he thinks I'm desperate.
He took a long deep breath, as if he were standing on the edge of a pool and had no idea how to swim. He moved toward me slowly through the crowd. I could see his hesitation. There was dreaded fear in each step. His cheeks were flushed pink from the cold. His hazel eyes held reflections of streetlights and neon signs.
"I didn't think you'd show up," he said.
"Sorry to disappoint you."
He offered me a soft smile. "No, I didn't mean it like that."
Nervous, I looked away. A woman with blonde hair was dragging her crying child down the street by the arm, swearing profusely. I turned back to Geoffrey and strands of my hair flew into my mouth, nearly gagging me. I brushed them away and tried to smile. "I made a horrible first impression on you and I'm sorry."
"It's okay,” he decided. “I forgive you." He smiled again. His dimples practically radiated, warming a frozen spot inside of me. He brushed at a few flakes of snow that had fallen on my cheek, stuck there like wet pieces of tissue paper. He wiped them away with his left index finger. I shivered when the knitted fingertip of his glove made contact with my almost frostbitten skin. "You're cute."
I knew I was blushing. “You don't have to lie."
"Why would I? I hardly even know you."
"We don’t have to do this. I mean, if you want out...” I shifted in my heavy black snow boots. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my old winter coat that was missing a button.
He looked at the top of my head. "Nice hat."
"I was forced to wear this and I'm having a bad hair day."
"Where do you wanna go?"
I shrugged. Then, like an idiot, I giggled. "I don't know."
"Are you hungry?"
"A little."
"You want to get a drink?"
"I'd settle for some hot chocolate."
"I think I can arrange that. I have some hot chocolate back at my place." He reached for my hand, which was numb from the cold, and he held it in his. The softness of his glove rubbed against my palm.
He signaled for a cab. We were on the curb, directly across the street from the massive Art Institute. Beyond that I could see the cold, silver surface of Lake Michigan. "You have beautiful eyes," he said. His words and breath fell onto my lips in a small blast of warm air.
"Thanks," I replied. My teeth began to chatter but I knew it wasn't due to the temperature. I was filled with a sudden flash of anticipation.

Author Info

David-Matthew Barnes is an award-winning author, playwright, poet, and screenwriter. He writes in multiple genres, primarily young adult, romance, thriller, and horror. He is the bestselling author of twelve novels, five produced screenplays, three collections of poetry, seven short stories, and more than sixty stage plays. He graduated with honors from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and English. He earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. He attended the Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA. David-Matthew divides his time between Denver and Los Angeles. He is represented by Hoop Earrings Entertainment.

Website: http://www.dmatthewb.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmatthewbarnes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DMatthewB
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmatthewbarnes/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/David-Matthew-Barnes/e/B003YJ87IG

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SPOTLIGHT w/INTERVIEW - FAST BEAT: A Romantic Novelette by Wren Valentino

FAST BEAT

by Wren Valentino

Date of Publication: May 29th 2020

Publisher: Blue Dasher Press

Cover Artist: James at GoOnWrite.com

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Word Count: 15,000

BLURB
After her long-time dance partner Tony is injured, Cassidy Downs has only a matter of weeks to find a new partner to remain eligible to compete in the All City Dance Off.

When she discovers Giovanni, a talented and classically trained member of a dance conservatory, Cassidy convinces him to become her new partner despite his reluctance to do so.

As the competition nears, neither Cassidy nor Giovanni can deny the strong attraction building between them.

Amazon

Excerpt:

The text message came in right at the end of the lunch rush. Cassidy felt her phone buzz in the front pocket of her apron. She reached for it on instinct. She glanced down, saw the words, and stopped in her tracks.

Come quickly. Tony is hurt.

Ducking out of view of the slow-eating customers, Cassidy sought refuge in the cluttered breakroom, which consisted of nothing more than a rickety table, two beaten-up chairs, and a dead clock on the wall that hadn’t told time in over a year.

Too nervous to sit, Cassidy paced while waiting for Tasha to answer her phone. Tension filled her muscles as she moved.

Finally.

“Hello?”

Cassidy froze. “Tasha? What happened? Is he okay?”

“No,” she said. “No, he’s not. It’s bad.” Knowing Tasha for most of her life, Cassidy knew it was a serious situation from the wavering tone in Tasha’s voice.

Cassidy tightened her grip on the phone. “Tell me,” she said. Her breath felt like it was caught in her lungs. She closed her eyes, imagining the worst but hoping for the best.

“You’re not going to believe this, but he got jumped.”

Cassidy opened her eyes. “What? By who?”

“Who do you think? It was The Firemakers.”

“Are you sure?”

“Cassidy, he had over two hundred bucks in cash on him. They didn’t touch the money. They went for his knee. They wanted to make sure he’d never dance again. And he won’t. Tony didn’t deserve this. We both know he’s a good guy.”

“He’s my best friend,” Cassidy said. A wave of emotion crept into her throat. Her eyes filled with tears. Not one to show her feelings, she stopped herself from crying. “And the best dance partner I’ve ever had. What am I gonna do? The competition is in two weeks.”

“He’s asking for you,” Tasha said. “We’re at County. How fast can you get here?”

Cassidy let out a long breath. Her body was still tense, but shock was setting in. How could this happen? “I’ll ask April to cover the rest of my shift,” she explained. “She still owes me from Christmas Eve.”

“Time to collect,” said Tasha. “And probably time to find a new partner.”

Cassidy shook her head. “I can’t.” she said. “That’s impossible.”

Tasha took a breath before she spoke. “Is it?”

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Author Info
Wren Valentino is an author, playwright, poet, and screenwriter. He writes in multiple genres, primarily contemporary romance with an international setting. Wren graduated magna cum laude from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and English. He earned an MFA in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. He is a member of Gothic Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America. He loves film noir, white chocolate, classic cartoons, koalas, Julie London records, Nancy Drew, the Peanuts gang, Disney villains, all things Tiki, Italy, and everything written by Jane Austen.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Interview with Wren Valentino . . .

How would you describe you style of writing to someone that has never read your work?
I write about seemingly ordinary people experiencing extraordinary moments in their lives. 


Have you found yourself bonding with any particular character(s)? If so which one(s)?
In Fast Beat, I really connected with my main character, Cassidy. Her determination continued to inspire me during the writing process. I can definitely identify with coming from a place of limitation and working hard for a better life. 


Can you share your next creative project(s)? If yes, can you give a few details?
I’m currently working on a baseball-themed romance called Pitchout. It’s been a lot of fun to write. I’ve really enjoyed the research process and now know more about minor league baseball than I ever knew before. I’m also working on summer romance titled All You Could Ever Want. It’s about two people who accidentally find each other after drifting apart years ago. 


If you could spend one-week with 5 fictional characters, who would they be and where would you spend that time?
I would love to spend a week on a tropical island with Nancy Drew, Blanche DuBois, Elizabeth Bennet, Lady Macbeth, and Cruella De Vil. 


Where would you spend one full year, if you could go ANYWhere, money is not a concern? What would you do with this time?

I would love to spend a year living in Italy, specifically San Benedetto del Tronto. During that year, I would learn as much as I could about life in Italy, including Italian cinema and the history of it. My favorite film is Cinema Paradiso. From the time I saw it, I’ve wanted to live in Italy. 

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SPOTLIGHT w/INTERVIEW - YA - Riding with James Dean by David-Matthew Barnes

Riding with James Dean

by David-Matthew Barnes

Date of Publication: November 7^th 2017

Publisher: Blue Dasher Press

Cover Artist: http://www.GoOnWrite.com

Genre: Young Adult

 

BLURB

When seventeen-year-old Johnny moves to a sleepy new town and meets the enigmatic Marco, the glamorous Mary, and the punk princess Jemma, his summer nights are soon filled with friendship and love.

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Excerpt:

From a distance, I could’ve sworn I saw the ghost of Marilyn Monroe.

            There was a beautiful woman standing next to Marco in the parking lot of the 50’s hamburger palace. They were leaning up against the side of his vintage car, waiting and doused in the shadows of slow pulsing neon lights. His arm was draped around her shoulders. It appeared she was propping him up. She laughed when she steadied him and the sound was sweet and melodic. She was a platinum blonde, dressed in a black pencil skirt and a low-cut white angora sweater. There was a red chiffon scarf tied around her neck. She exuded power in her black stiletto heels. She was a movie star in the making, a glamorous goddess just waiting for someone to discover her and catapult her to fame. If anyone had been born for a life on the silver screen, it was her.

            She pried herself away from Marco and stepped in my direction. “You must be Johnny,” she said. I nodded in reply, mesmerized by the seductive green color of her eyes and the tenderness of her voice. She leaned in, kissed my cheek, and then spent the next few seconds trying to wipe her lipstick off my skin. Her touch was soft and comforting. 

 “Are you Marilyn Monroe?” I asked. My words fell into her cleavage.

            “You’re close,” she said. “I’m Mary.”

            “Yes,” I said. “Marco mentioned you.”

            “He’s like a brother to me,” she whispered. “Be gentle with his heart.”

            Marco moved to us, wrapping an arm around us, connecting and cementing us as a trio. “I’m a lucky guy,” he said. “I get to spend the night with my two favorite people.”

            “Marco doesn’t have many favorites,” Mary explained. She was clearly his interpreter. “So, I guess that makes us the lucky ones.”

            Marco gently guided us in the direction of his parked car. “I wish we could go to Vegas,” he announced.

            “Why don’t we?” I challenged.

            He shook his head. “We wouldn’t make it there until dawn.”

            “Dawn’s a lovely time to arrive in Vegas,” Mary said. “You can sleep all day and then be ready for the night.”

            “Are we vampires?” I asked, with a small laugh.

            “In another life, yes,” explained Mary. “In this one…”

            Marco glanced up to the dark, starlit sky and said, “We’re the ones everybody else wants to be.”

            Mary shook a finger at him, reprimanding. “Careful, Marco,” she said. “You almost sound smug.”

            “Do you think they know?” he asked. “About how much we’ve been through?”

            They looked into each other’s eyes when Mary spoke. “If they did,” she said, “they wouldn’t care. But our sorrow would ruin the façade.”

            “Façade,” he repeated. “I like that word.”

            Mary insisted on sitting in the backseat, but not before pulling me aside. “You belong up front now,” she explained, in a hushed tone. “Next to Marco. He needs you by his side.”

            “But you were here first,” I reminded her.

            “I appreciate your chivalry,” she said. “But you’re new.”

            I slid across the bucket seat and into the shelter of Marco’s arms. He pulled me closer to him.  “There,” he said. “That’s better.”

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The Book Junkie Reads . . . Interview with David-Matthew Barnes

How would you describe you style of writing to someone that has never read your work?

I write about ordinary people experiencing extraordinary circumstances that will forever change their lives.

What mindset or routine do you feel the need to set when preparing to write (in general whether you are working on a project or just free writing)?

Before starting a new project, I do a lot of prep work that usually includes character profiles, a playlist, an outline, and some sort of writing schedule, even if just a tentative one. I write every day in my home office. For each writing session, I start with free writing to get the creative energy flowing.

Do you take your character prep to heart? Do you nurture the growth of each character all the way through to the page? Do you people watch to help with development? Or do you build upon your character during story creation?

Character development is very important to me as a writer. My characters come from different sources of inspiration, from imagination to stories people share with me to watching and listening to strangers. I consider myself a professional eavesdropper. Creating an authentic character that leaps off the page and resonates with a reader is my goal with every character. To achieve this, I construct in-depth character profiles, similar to what an actor might do before performing a role.

Have you found yourself bonding with any particular character? If so which one(s)?

In my new novella Riding with James Dean, I definitely felt a bond with my main character, Johnny. He’s definitely a variation of my younger self. The story isn’t entirely autobiographical, but there are elements of my teen years woven into the narrative.

Do you have a character that you have been working on that you can't wait to put to paper?

Yes. I’m working on a new novel called A Woman’s Place. It’s about a beautiful relationship between a mother and daughter. I first wrote it as a short story years ago. The main character, Annabelle Mae Westover, has stayed with me ever since. I am excited about telling her story in a longer form and spending more time developing her character. She’s very fun to write.

Have you ever felt that there was something inside of you that you couldn't control? If so what? If no what spurs you to reach for the unexperienced?

I think the only thing that comes close to this is my wanderlust. I love traveling and exploring new places in the world. I live for the unexperienced. The more we experience as storytellers, the more stories we can discover to share with readers.

Author Info

David-Matthew Barnes is the award-winning author of several novels and collections of stage plays and poetry. His acclaimed screenplays have earned many accolades including a 2017 Los Angeles Film Award. David-Matthew has written over fifty stage plays that have been performed in three languages in ten countries. His literary work has appeared in over one hundred publications. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, International Thriller Writers, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. He earned an MFA in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. He has been an educator for more than a decade.

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