Love Life & Circumstance Tour Stop!

Born the son of a preacher man, Elijah Deacon always conformed to his father’s strict religious teachings. He worked hard, devoting his time and energy to the family owned construction firm, leaving little time to focus on the deplorable state of his private life. Small town America was no place to be when all a man craved was the touch of another man. Elijah hid his sexuality and tried in vain to convince himself he could be happy with a woman. Urged on by the dream of having the family he craved, Elijah couldn’t know a drunken one night stand would see him pay the ultimate price.

Leaving the bright lights of Atlanta and placing his own life on hold, paralegal, Seth Jacobs, moved to Alabama hopeful that with a baby on the way, his twin sister Bethany would settle down. His older sister by five minutes, she gave him the confidence he needed while growing to come out and be proud of who he was. It was his turn to return the support. On arrival in Headland, Seth endeavored to make her see the dangers her behavior presented to her and her unborn child. But, to no avail.

When destiny deals a cruel blow, and the life of a newborn baby hangs by a thread, Seth and Elijah are flung together to deal with the tragic circumstances. The grief threatens to consume them, while joy and fear work to unite them. Jealousy, love, lies and bitter truths rise to the surface and threaten to tear them apart. Can the powers of love and life bring them together and heal the loneliness that death leaves behind? Or will circumstance prevail and fuel the embers of love that draw them together?

First off, I have to say, oh my goodness!! This book was just wow... A heads up to everyone, make sure you have some tissues ready because there were some parts where I was moved to tears. And it takes a lot to move me to tears when it comes to reading a book. But this one did it.

The story itself is one that is full of love and heartache, you can't have one without the other that's for sure. Elijah and Seth's characters were written to an amazing degree, they both had their own personalities and you could tell the difference between the two when it came to where they were raised. Elijah is from the south, and a preachers son, you can tell that just from the way he talks and his actions. Seth is more laid back about everything, you can tell that he comes from an understanding family and has a really good background.

One thing I have to say, and this is so random but it's important to me, is the details that were went into when it comes to the NICU scenes. It wasn't just glossed over, it was very detailed and very realistic. The emotions that Elijah and Seth were going through when they were in the hospital were also very true.

I completely enjoyed reading this book, once I started it I didn't want to put it down because of how moving the story was. This book will bring out emotions that you didn't realize you had with each page that you turn. All in all, this book is a must read for sure if you like this genre. I would recommend it to everyone!

This is a tragic love story that you will have a very hard time putting down and the characters will stay with you for a very long time. I was able to connect instantly with them and the loss that they endured.

 
Elijah Deacon works very hard for his father’s construction company and doesn't deal with his complicated personal life. Eli lost his mother when he was 10 years old and he took her death pretty badly as it may have altered how he lived his life. He is not yet out as a gay man and in a small Alabama town you can understand that. He is trying to convince himself that he can be happy with a woman for the sake of having a normal life for a small town that is. 

Seth Jacobs is a successful paralegal in Atlanta and with his twin sisters complete acceptance of her brother being gay has made his coming out a much easier transition. Both Seth and his sister Beth lost their parents in a tragic car accident when they were young. Seth excelled in school and trying to make the best out of a bad situation where his sister took the opposite road into self-destruction with drugs and alcohol. Seth has always looked out for his sister and tried his best to get her the help she needed. When Beth now had found out she was pregnant and she pleads with her brother to move back home and help her out. Seth, having no other choice, leaves his paralegal job in Atlanta and moves back home to take care of her.

How Elijah and Seth meet is under very tragic conditions as they both lose someone very close to them and their loss brings them together in such unimaginable ways! The one beautiful gift that they received through their tragedies is the daughter of Beth’s named Hope.

This beautiful story is filled with such hot sex scenes and beautiful loving relationship which does not come easily due to the conflicts that face them both. Elijah and Seth are trying to have a relationship and build a family which is not as easy as they thought.

This tragic but beautifully written story of love, trust, passionate sex, forgiveness and betrayal is one story that I high recommend. Make sure to have tissues on hand as the authors take you on a journey of such tragic loss yet beautifully written love story. The only thing I wished the authors would have done was to write more about the parents.

 

       

So.... I think I went crazy the day that I decided to interview the authors behind the story.  After reading their interview, I'm sure you will realize just how crazy I was!!!  Also, we got a surprise guest interview from Seth and Elijah!!!

Crystal:   Hey everyone!  Thanks for stopping by today!!  I know you’re crazy busy with your great tour happening, so I really appreciate you taking the time to answer some questions.

        J.T.:        *bouncing in her seat and making funny faces at Hope so she’ll laugh* Hi Crystal! So excited to be here. Thank you for having us and for joining the blog tour! *turns her gaze to the two sexy men sitting side by side opposite them* And thank you very much for the eye candy. *grins at Seth’s blush and nudges V.L.*  Don’t ya love that blush!

        V.L.:       *Smiles and agrees before rolling her eyes* I don’t know which to worry about more. The twinkle in her eye every time she looks at Seth or the fact that she might end up all broody. Whatever you do guys, DO NOT let her hold the kid….You’ll never get her back.  Anyway, Crystal, thank you for having us over, lovie. It’s great to be here.

        Crystal:    What made you decide to write in the M/M genre?

        JT:       Easiest answer ever! Vishous and Cop from BDB. If any two people (male or female) should have been together it was those two. Although Ward has given them a relationship different than most, it would have been so much MORE if they were mated. *fangirl sigh* Yeah, yeah…Cop had only been in hetero relationships before Vishous…so was I until I met my angel. *smiles at V.L. and leans over to kiss her cheek* Love is love and the powerful connection between these two characters was immediate and all consuming. Look at their fans…the people who want them together. Blay and Qhuinn are hot, but they’re basically kids. Vishous and Butch together, two hard core alpha males…*fans self*…they would have scorched the pages. Okay, off the soap box *laughs* I write m/m so V can have his Cop every time the pages are opened. And because, I think male on male action is ‘effing HAWT!

         V.L.:       Why do I write M/M?...For me the reasoning behind it comes from my own mind. As much as I love the characters portrayed in other books of the same genre, nothing gives me greater pleasure than to picture and describe in detail how my characters look feel and touch each other. The concept of their emotions and the way they feel for the other to me, always seems more powerful to me than it does when I’m writing m/f.

         Crystal:    Where did the idea come from to write a book that revolved around a child being placed in a NICU?

        J.T.:    Ummm….*looks at V.L.* Okay I read a submission form somewhere about a tragic life event bringing two people together. I brought that idea to V.L. and we started brainstorming. I think she came up with that plot twist.

        V.L.:   Looks lost! J.T. can honestly confirm that my memory if diabolical!

J.T.         *laughing and nudges her with my elbow* Well yeah. I have to write everything down for her. Ummm, I think we decided on the car crash first. Seth’s sister and Elijah’s father. In the discussion of who died, both of them or just one, V.L. asked…what if she’s pregnant? And the rest, as they say, is history.

        Crystal:     Be honest now, who is your favorite character, Seth or Elijah?

J.T.:        Oh man! We have to choose? *deep sigh* Well since Seth

and I “connected” while writing Love Life & Circumstance and listening to him extol Elijah’s virtues and rugged good looks, I have to say Elijah. Seth sure loves that man.

Seth:     Oh hell yes I do!

V.L.:       Gawds I just love everything about Eli. Big strapping men that like to take charge while maintaining that gooey centre that melts your heart and makes you weak at the knees…*dreamy sigh*

        Crystal:   The relationship that starts between Seth and Elijah is… interesting to say the least.  At any point while you were writing it did you wonder if they would be able to make their relationship work?  (And I ask this because I have been told that sometimes the characters make the stories the way that they want to.)

J.T.:    Actually yeah I had that moment as the “writer”. The conversation between Elijah and Rhett after Kris showed up. Seth had just sat outside of Elijah’s house all night waiting for him to come home, and we all know he didn’t. During that night, Rhett told Elijah he loved him, begged him to leave Seth. It got pretty intense, yet Elijah still stayed there even knowing Rhett had already tried to hurt Seth and break them apart. As the writer I was like…oh HELL NO that was too much. Yeah, I know Eli and Rhett were lifelong friends, but it still didn’t sit well with me. However, Seth didn’t know anything about the conversation. I’m not sure how he would have handled it.

Seth:     *tapping J.T. on the shoulder*For the record, I’d have hit him again and fought for the man I love. I may still have to Gibbs smack him.

V.L.:  *Rolls eyes* I suppose it works both ways. For me when Kris (Someone that Seth was sexually active with) turned up and kissed Seth without any concern for who else was there and his attitude toward Elijah when he wanted to punch his lights out was way off base and in my opinion blatantly provoking.

Elijah:  His damn well lucky Seth saved his scrawny ass. Otherwise I’d have had myself a new hood ornament.

J.T.:        *rubs her arm* But darlin, Kris didn’t know anything about Elijah. He was just being his normal self. Rhett, on the other hand, was well aware of Seth and Elijah’s feelings for him.  *grins at Crystal* We never agree on this and I love it when she gets flustered.

        Crystal:     I know when I read this book, there were several parts that brought tears to my eyes, did that happen to you while you were writing the story?

J.T.:     *nodding hard* Yeah…Eli at his father’s bedside in the hospital, Seth when the thread with his sister broke and my favorite scene, when Eli has Hope in the rocking chair and Seth comes in. He loves them both so much, wanted to be part of them with all he was. Yup, I cried while I typed.

V.L.:       *Coughs*  She’s very emotional at times. *Snorts*

J.T.:        WHAT?!? You’re calling ME emotional. You’re asking for a spank missy.

        Crystal:       Do you see yourself writing another story in the future with Seth and Elijah?

J.T.:        We’ve been asked about writing Kris’s and Rhett’s story. We might possibly do a short and put it on the website.

Seth:     *groans* Seriously?!?

V.L.:       I think it would be nice to see how they end up!

Elijah:  Like I said…Hood ornaments….God help us all. Rhett will sure as hell make Kris work for it.

        Crystal:      Why are manhole covers round? Yes this is a serious question!

         J.T.:        Because of man’s fascination with entering dark, tight holes. *laughing* Sorry, Lachi answered that one.

        V.L.:    I have no clue. It’s as irrelevant to me as the toilet bowl. I mean look how big that is and yet they still manage to piss everywhere except inside it!

Focusing on Seth and Elijah now, I pull out the big questions!

        Crystal:      Elijah, can you tell me how you felt when you found out that you were a father?  Were you worried that it was just someone playing a prank on you?

Elijah: *Pulls Seth and Hope into his lap*…Sick…Scared shitless that our beautiful Hope wouldn’t make it. As soon as I saw those huge blue eyes, I knew she was mine…I think a part of my heart recognized something in Hope, something that only blood kin can recognize. Being a part of her and Seth means everything in the world to me.

        Crystal:     Seth, first off, I want to say that I’m sorry for the loss of your sister.  I couldn’t imagine going through that.  Would you say that Hope was able to help you accept what had happened and give you a reason to move forward with life?

         Seth:     *Slides his hand down Elijah’s thigh and twines their fingers together* Thank you for your sympathy Crystal. When Bethie died, she took with her a part of me that I can never get back. Everyone’s tried to explain the twin phenomenon so I won’t go there, but *shrugs* yeah it was hard. Even harder because her recklessness took Elijah’s father. *glances up at his husband* It broke my heart all over again to see him in pain. *as Elijah’s gazes centers him, he turns back to Crystal* Yeah, Hope helped in those first few minutes, the first excruciating hours. She gave me a reason to breathe when the pain was so intense I just wanted to lie down and go with Beth. In more ways than one, she gave me a chance to find …. Him. *squeezes Elijah’s fingers and fights the tears*

        Crystal:    Elijah at any point did you actually consider taking the baby and moving WITHOUT Seth?

        Seth:     *sucks in harsh breath and tenses*

        Elijah:  *Kisses the back of Seth’s neck and frowns* The confusion surrounding the decision to move was made worse by the fact that we were very rudely interrupted just as I was about to explain the reasons behind it to Seth. I know I jumped the gun, but I honestly made the plans with ALL of us in mind. Growing up down south is hard enough without being gay. I never wanted Hope, or Seth to have to face that victimization every day.

        Crystal:    The relationship between you two started off rather quickly, and it stayed that way for quite some time.  Were either of you worried that your relationship would burn out quickly?

        Seth:     *nodding* I was terrified of it actually. We kept being thrown together because of the crash. We were both going through some pretty intense emotions; we’d both just experienced death up close and personal. And then there was Rhett…*stops at Elijah’s growl*

        Elijah:    NO…I grew up hiding who I was and when Pastor Deacon, my father died, my lies died with him. That first night when Seth turned up outside my home I wanted him. Not just for his amazing body and his sweet tight ass, I wanted to care for him, help him get through the grief of losing his sister. That night, I watched him as he slept and it was like everything I’d ever wanted was laid out before me. All I had to do was reach out and ... So I did.

        Crystal:    Can you tell us a little bit of what you have been doing since we last saw you?  Do you have any plans on having another story in the future?

        Seth:     Well after the wedding, Eli took me to the Bahamas for our honeymoon. We stayed about two weeks, Hope had a check-up we didn’t want to miss. I’m working at home still. I can do that as a freelance paralegal. I take care of Hope, sometimes we meet Eli for lunch. Just pretty mundane stuff I suppose. *grins* Except for the sex. My Eli seems to have developed a taste for the…kinky.

        Elijah: *Presses Seth down against the growing bulge in his pants and chuckles at the male’s sudden blush* Hmmm, Crystal I swear if it wasn’t for Hope we’d be bankrupt by now, due to the fact that I’d never let his ass get out of bed. *Laughs * Business is ticking over nicely. I’ve hired a few skilled men now to take on more of the longer jobs so that I can free up more time to spend with my two favorite people. In fact…*Pulls out tickets* I was going to surprise Seth later over dinner but he can’t cook for shit and I wanted you to see that lovely blush on his face when he finds out his going to England.

        Crystal:    Why are manhole covers round? And once again, Yes this is a serious question!

        Seth:     *laughing* I like Lachi’s answer. I love exploring dark tight holes. *blushes scarlet*

        Elijah:  *Scowls at VL’s earlier remark*  They have square ones to in England *Laughs* Just goes to show things come in all shapes and sizes…Just like Love…You never know when it’s going to hit ya, but when it does…It sucks you in and never lets you go. *Pulls Seth in for a long hot kiss*

 

JT

After a lifetime of reading and at the suggestion of friends, J.T. finally put fingers to keys and started writing her own stories. It’s been a wildly amazing ride full of tears, exhilaration and plain old hard work. Thankfully, her three beautiful children support her craziness and encourage her to continue something she loves. While she does write solo stories, she thrives on the work she does with V.L. Moon, her writing partner and fiance. What a small world it is indeed Mr. Disney when a small town girl from Alabama can find and write with a big city girl from England. What a ride it has been and continues to be!

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VL

V.L. is an avid book reader and a lover of long dark winter nights tucked up with a rather fruity glass of red and her partner in crime J. T. Cheyanne. She aspires to conquer the world with J.T. and their love of vampires, angels and wolves mixed in with some mighty fine Gods and a deluge of hot gay romance.

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