Carly's Book Reviews: Better Than Safe by Lane Hayes: #Interview #Excerpt #Giveaway @LaneHayes3

Cover Artist: Aaron Anderson

Better Than Safe

(Better Than Stories, Book 4)

by Lane Hayes

Length: Novel: 77k words

Genres: Gay (M/M), Contemporary, Romance

Paul Fallon is a fashion advertising guru. He’s a genius at dealing with difficult editors, art directors, and designers alike. He thrives on the chaotic atmosphere and constant challenges. But in his personal life, he’s hoping for peace and stability. Settling down with a nice doctor or lawyer sounds perfect. Anyone but an artist. He’s been there, done that, and he doesn’t want to relive the heartache.

Seth Landau is a model, occasional guitarist, and aspiring painter. He’s quirky, flighty, and wise beyond his years. Life has taught him some tough lessons, then given him opportunities he never dreamed of. He’s learned to appreciate the fragility of life and to express it in his work. Seth’s flare for the absurd combined with a supple mind and a beautiful body are too alluring for Paul to ignore. Against his best intentions, Paul is drawn to the younger man whose particular brand of crazy challenges Paul to accept that things aren’t always as they seem. Sometimes taking a chance is better than being safe.

Today I’m interviewing author, Lane Hayes. Greetings Lane, and welcome to my little corner of the internet.

Thank you! I’m thrilled to be here!

1) Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I live in Southern California with my husband, our youngest teen and a very old Lab. Two of my sons are in college, so we’re in “almost empty nest” mode. Yikes! I write full time now, which is the best job I’ve ever had, hands down! I drink tea in my pjs till noon (or later) and write romantic stories about hunky men. What could be better? I’ve been in business and design in the past, but creatively I’m in my zone with a computer and time to play with imaginary characters!

2) Do you and your characters share any similar qualities or traits?
Lol! Always! In Better Than Safe, I’m a lot like Paul. He likes order and a modicum of sanity but finds himself drawn to chaotic situations and people. By the end of the story, he admits he wouldn’t have it any other way and I’m the same. I appreciate harmony but I find myself inspired by a touch of madness. (I’m a mother… it’s part of the job! Lol)

3) Thinking back over the time when you spent writing Better Than Safe, does any particular memory, thought or experience spring to mind that you’d like to share?
I wrote Better Than Safe during the holidays and into the first part of 2015. It was perfect timing in a way because this book is a “bridge” book between the Better Than Stories series and my brand new series (book #1 will be out in January 2016!). Symbolically it is ending one thing to begin another.

4) Now that the release of book four is behind you, what plans do you have for the series in the future?
I will most likely write a short story or two, but I’m not sure if there will be more books in the series. There may be. I really love the characters but I’m leery of writing the never-ending series. If I can find a way to keep it fresh… then yes, there will certainly be more.

5) Is there anything in particular that sparks your imagination or helps to get your words flowing?
Lots of things spark my imagination. Sometimes it’s something simple, like a overhearing a conversation or looking at picutes. Sometimes it’s getting out of my work space entirely. Traveling provides endless stimulation. Road trips or short getaways always help! But if it’s not in the cards, a long walk works wonders too! J

6) Besides being a writer, what else do you enjoy doing?
I love going to museums and the theater. I love traveling and spending time with my family. And yes… I love reading!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today for a visit. I’m so happy that you were here. = )

Thank you so much for having me! I truly appreciate it!
Lane Hayes xo

My stomach growled. I was dead tired, hungry, and more than a little confused. Seth turned the corner before my brain could catalogue any further complaints. I studied his casual attire as he came closer. Worn black jeans, a white T-shirt with paint stains, and an unbuttoned black and blue striped cardigan. He looked more like a wacky artist than a sophisticated couture model, I mused. His sharp features were undeniably attractive but it seemed as though he’d chosen the basic clothing to downplay his beauty. Or maybe he’d just painted and couldn’t be bothered. There was something ridiculously appealing to me about our very opposite looks. Corporate formal versus art student chic. I glanced down at the sushi and willed my dick to behave.

“There you are. What kind of pasta do you want? I don’t have time to make it myself, but don’t worry, I’m buying pre-packaged but fresh. Your choices are spaghetti, tagliatelle, or pappardelle.”

I looked at the three choices he held up and pointed to the one in the middle. The tagliatelle.

“Really? I was thinking basic spaghetti but—”

“Then why did you ask?”

“I want your opinion. If you want the tagliatelle, we’ll get that one. Done.”

“Good. Let’s go. Do you have wine?”

“Yes. Hmm. I don’t know about the tag—”

“Seth. Get the spaghetti. I’m not bothered.”

“What do you mean by not bothered?”

“I mean….” I took a step forward so we stood toe to toe, Italian loafer to dirty white trainer and gave him a pointed glare. “I don’t give a shit. Pasta is pasta. It doesn’t matter to me what shape it comes in. At all.”

“You’re hungry, huh?”

“What tipped you off?”

“Sarcastic and cranky. Let’s go. You need food.” He turned away, carrying his basket of goods toward the front registers.

“What about wine?” I called after him.

He stopped in the middle of the aisle and curled his finger, motioning me to come to him with a devilish grin on his handsome face. I complied. We were alone for the moment, surrounded on either side of the cramped space by white bread and a variety of colorful cereals chock-full of preservatives and food dyes. I eyed him warily, wondering why he was stalling.

“I told you I have wine. Good wine too.”

“Marvelous. Let’s go.”

“But… there’s a catch.”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course there is. What is it? You need to swing by the dry cleaners first or—”

“Kiss me.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Why is it so crazy?” he asked innocently.

“Here are a couple reasons. One, we’re in the middle of a market in a family oriented part of town and two, we’re barely friends. Not lovers. Friends don’t kiss.”

He grinned. “Sure they do. What they probably don’t do is say something like, ‘you look so fucking hot in that suit, I wish I could take it off you right here next to the Cheerios and Wheat Chex,’ so I won’t go there, but I still think it’s okay to kiss.”

I stared at him with my mouth wide open, unable to find my voice. When he chuckled in amusement at my expense, I acted with uncharacteristic impulse and reached out to cup his neck and draw him close to me. He gasped in surprise at the quick movement. I smiled as our noses brushed, perversely pleased by his shock, and suddenly glad to be the one pushing him one step further. I licked his bottom lip before fusing my mouth over his in a swift but passionate kiss. I backed up with a grin and sauntered away, taking care he didn’t see me adjust my trousers as I moved with purpose to the front registers.

I set my bag of tomatoes on the conveyer belt and stepped aside when Seth joined me a moment later.

“You play dirty,” he muttered as he set the contents in his basket with mine.

“You asked for it.”

“Maybe I did. Beware. I can play dirty too.”

I bit my cheek hard and turned toward the rack of magazines nearby, hoping to diffuse the sexual tension racing through my body. Stress, exhaustion, and hunger were suddenly non-issues. All I wanted now was sex. The one thing I couldn’t have with this man. Not without risking more than I was willing.

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles both be men! Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her first novel was a finalist in the 2013 Rainbow Awards and her third received an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Rainbow Awards. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and the coolest yellow lab ever in an almost empty nest.

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