When a night out turns into a matchmaking scheme, they thought communication would be their biggest challenge to their happily ever after....
Signs of Desire
by Tempeste O’Riley
Desires Entwined, #4
M/M Erotic Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Reese Dante
Release Date: November 30, 2014 (ebook/print)
Length: Novel / 200 pages
Order:
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Add to: Goodreads
Description:
Simon Tyler knows his job as a gay romance author makes his lack of faith in love more than a little ironic, but he’s tired of being used for his wallet. When a night out turns into a matchmaking scheme orchestrated by his best friends—though he’s not the target—Simon’s not thrilled, but since he’s sworn off happily-ever-after anyway, he goes along with it… until he meets the object of their efforts, Adrian, and finds perhaps he hasn’t given up on love after all.
Professor Adrian Keys has tried to date hearing men before, but being deaf himself, he’s never had any success at making a connection. After his friends con him into going out and Adrian realizes it’s all an elaborate plan to set him up, he braces for yet another failure, only to discover there is a spark—except it’s not with the man his friends had in mind, but with Simon Tyler instead.
Not all their friends have found a way past their romantic failures, but Simon and Adrian might be on the path to happily-ever-after.
Adrian has been somebody who has managed to pick the wrong sort of men to date, and seems wary of dating again.... until he meets Simon, and the sparks fly between them.
Simon is a year out of his last relationship, and although he writes romance, he really doesn't seem to think that he is worthy of being loved - although a lot of this can be down to his family while growing up.
Simon and Adrian start dating, but Adrian is well aware that Simon is not relaxed whenever they meet, and decides to take things really slow with Simon. The fact that Adrian is deaf and Simon is hearing doesn't make any difference to their budding relationship, it just means that they are learning new things together.
Just as you think that this is going to be a sweet love story, Simon's unease and then his family take centre stage, but just what Adrian do about this. Does he stay and talk with Simon or does he just bolt?
What I really love about this series, is that all the characters are part of a great group of friends, who have each others backs, and no matter if they find a partner, they are still there for each other. I also love that you also find out what is happening from the couples from earlier books in the series.
I must also say here, please keep scrolling down and read the Guest Post that Tempeste sent to us, it explains more about her characters, and is also quite a personal insight into who Tempeste is. Thank you Tempeste for sending us such a personal guest post.
Resource Links:
Praise:
“I found it a beautiful tale of unhappiness changed to romance and then love with a happy ending.”
—Rainbow Book Reviews, on “Designs of Desire”
“Designs of Desire is a tough realistic book that is touched by violence countered by the growing love between the two heroes.”
—Sensual Reads, on “Designs of Desire”
“It’s a great book to fall into and enjoy some really good characters.”
—Love Bytes, on “Desires’ Guardian”
“This is my favorite in this series so far. I love seeing how these characters are growing, all of them. As individuals, as couples, as friends, and as a family.”
—MM Good Book Reviews, on “Desires’ Guardian”
“The writer did an excellent job with the characters, they are likable and perfect. Not perfect in the way that they have no flaws, but in a way that they grab you and complement each other.”
—Love Bytes Reviews, on “Temptations of Desire”
Other Works by Author:
Designs of Desire – Simple Desires*+ – Bound by Desire* – Desires’ Guardian – Temptations of Desire – Truth in Lace* – Desires’ Pride*
Micah’s Medicine+ – Caged Sanctuary – Whiskers of a Chance
*shorts in series +shorts in anthologies
I don’t know that that’s what I set out to do, really. When I began Designs of Desire, I was writing more for me than anything. I was venting my frustration and pain at how I was treated due to my own EDS and forearm crutches (as James is in the story) though I now almost exclusively use a wheelchair. When I shifted from a single story to writing a series (thank you, Dianne Hartsock, for demanding Chase’s story, lol) I continued to write what the characters dictated. I’ve never gone into one of the Desires Entwined stories with a set goal of ‘introduce xx type of character.’
Each set of MCs has grown organically. What kind of person would be the best match for that character? What strengths? What look? What does each bring to the story both in need and power? In each case, it’s produced a different set of character matches—and in the case of Dal and Alex (my gender fluid character) they weren’t even a planned story until I was partway into writing, lol.
Part of it, though, is that life is varied and wonderful, so why shouldn’t my characters show that? We aren’t all one thing, one type of person, right? So why should my characters all be one type? I plan to delve into more and varied forms of people, but as the characters come, not because I chose to force it. No one will enjoy that, me the least of all. The only time I’ve written to a prompt of the type of character was for Caged Sanctuary, but that still feed a need in me as I knew I was going into a wheelchair before long at the point I wrote it. Some of the research I did for it was... well, for me too. The chair Kade uses, in fact, is the same one I use J
The parts that are hard to write aren’t the differences, the types, or the like. What’s hard at times is the pain that comes with being different. The pain James went through due to rejection and abuse. The horror and guilt Chase suffered due to his loss as a teen. The pain and empty place Alex endures from being beaten and thrown away when caught out as genderfluid by his family... I could go on, but the point is the same, it’s the characters journey, their past, and their pain that's hard to write and to know, not the type of character to write.
I love my guys! (Even when they are being ornery, lol.)
About the Author:
Tempeste O’Riley is an out and proud pansexual genderfluid whose best friend growing up had the courage to do what they couldn’t—defy the hate and come out. He has been their hero ever since.
Tempe is a hopeless romantic who loves strong relationships and happily-ever-afters. Though new to writing M/M, they has done many things in their life, yet writing has always drawn them back—no matter what else life has thrown their way. They counts her friends, family, and Muse as their greatest blessings in life. They lives in Wisconsin with their children, reading, writing, and enjoying life.
Tempe is also a proud PAN member of Romance Writers of America®, WisRWA, and Rainbow Romance Writers. Tempe’s preferred pronouns are they/them/their/theirs/themselves. To learn more about Tempeste and their writing, visit http://tempesteoriley.com.
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