Signs of Desire (Desires Entwined series book 4) Release day Review, Giveaway, Author Interview & Excerpt { @CreativMindsPR | @TTCBooksandmore }

TITLE: Signs of Desire

SERIES: Desires Entwined

AUTHOR: Tempeste O’Riley

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

COVER ARTIST: Reese Dante

LENGTH: 200 Pages

RELEASE DATE: November 30, 2015

BLURB: Desires Entwined: Book Four

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, Simon’s not thrilled, but since he’s not the target and he’s sworn off happily-ever-after anyway, he goes along with it… until he meets Adrian, the object of their efforts, 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 Keys has never let his lack of hearing get in the way of living life. He's an accomplished Professor, he's comfortably well off, has an amazing group of friends, both Hearing and Deaf... the one thing that continues to elude him is love. When his friend Chase sets Adrian up on a blind date of sorts, things don't actually go as planned, Adrian isn't really into the guy. Simon, however, Adrian is very smitten with Simon. 

Unlucky in life and in love, Author Simon Tyler keeps everyone except his close knit group of friends at arms length. The last thing he wants is a relationship, they never end well. Simon finds himself willing to try for the first time in a long time when he meets Adrian. The relationship is slow to start, both men have their own reservations about dating, but the chemistry and the connection is too keen to ignore. Unfortunately, Simon's family is not only homophobic, they are wealthy, and they are trying to stir up trouble.

What a wonderful addition to the Desires Entwined series. Fans of the series will recognize the characters even though they've only been briefly mentioned in previous books. I really enjoyed the way Adrian and Simon's story unfolded. Their concerns with trusting were valid and the author did a great job of addressing them and showing how, both together and as individuals, they overcame their issues as the relationship grew stronger. I also liked that they were very protective of each other and how as the relationship grew stronger, each man grew stronger as a person. 

A must read for my fellow hopeless romantics, cause Adrian is nothing if not a romantic. I don't think I would read this book if I hadn't already read the previous stories in the series. In my opinion, they all compliment each other and would be a better experience for the reader if read in order.

A tap to his shoulder pulled Adrian out of his musings. He turned and realized the server was back with their dinners and blushed at how entranced he’d been. He didn’t usually stare, hating when others did that to him. “Sorry.”

“No sorrys.” Chase hugged Adrian, then dug into his bowl of chicken and dumplings.

Simon waved to get Adrian’s attention and smiled when he looked up from his country-fried steak and mashed potatoes with white gravy. “Chase said you were his teacher before and are now a friend.” Adrian nodded. “How’d he convince you to go out with his skinny butt?”

Heat infused Adrian’s face as he laughed. “Chase was very sweet and asked nicely.”

“I love your laugh, by the way. It’s deep like your voice, kind of carefree.” Simon looked slightly sad. Adrian knew he’d had a hard time lately. Chase said he’d been cheated on a year ago and had refused to date since. Adrian knew the feeling, though he pushed the thought away, hoping not to dwell on why he was alone.

He ducked his head slightly. “Thanks? I don’t know how anyone sounds, even myself, so it’s always weird to get comments like that.”

“I said the same when we went out,” Chase commented. “But don’t let him fool you. He’s an excellent teacher and speaks in all his classes. He knows his voice is good.”

“No, I know it’s clear enough for you to understand. That’s something I work hard to make true, but I have never heard my voice, so I have no idea how I sound. And well…. Chase was the first person to ever say something like that.”

He worked regularly with various computer programs to improve and maintain his speech, knowing if he didn’t it could cost him his position at the college. He had always struggled to make sure he spoke well for Hearing people, considering his family’s opinion of his Deafness. His dad knew sign language, but his mom refused to learn, insisting he learn to be “normal.” Adrian had always thought that was extremely unfair, especially as a child. Considering his hatred of being dependent on others for his communication, he was thankful he could read lips and speak as well as he did.

“Then you know the wrong people, ’cause he’s right.” Simon nodded to emphasize his point, confusing Adrian more. Why would he be so determined with his compliments?

Shrugging off his curiosity, Adrian tried to push past the topic. “What do you do?”

Simon’s eyes tightened at the edges slightly, his shoulders drooping a little more. “I’m a writer.”

“He’s a romance author, and a damn good one,” Jamie, or James as he knew the guy’s actual name was, said. Chase talked about his best friend often, though this was the first they’d met. “Don’t let him talk down about what he does.”

“James, hush. He’s not interested in what kind of writing I do.”

“Yes, I am. I love to read. Would I know any of your work?” Adrian didn’t have a large collection of romances, but he had read some. He couldn’t think of any authors named Simon, though.

“You’re an author?” Grayson asked, turning to join their conversation.

The nod seemed reluctant, but the smile on Simon’s face, while small, looked genuine. “Yeah, I write under the name Tyler Jacobs, a pseudonym, but I have a few books out. But, um, I thought we were trying to get to know Adrian and Grayson, not more about boring ol’ me.”

Adrian looked to Grayson and back, then shrugged. “I thought it was so we could all get to know each other.”

“Actually, I think Chase was trying to play matchmaker,” Rhys said, shoving Chase playfully.

“Matchmaker?” Adrian asked. Whom was he trying to set up with whom? And why?

Chase scowled and swatted Rhys. “I was hoping to introduce a few new friends and hoped everyone got on well, brat.” Chase reached out and patted Adrian’s hand, confusing him further. “I swear, I’m not trying to push you if you don’t want to date anyone right now.”

“Just who were you hoping to match up?” Dale asked, smirking as he stared at Chase.

Honestly, Adrian wanted to know that as well. It was obvious Chase meant to fix him up with one of his other friends, but he couldn’t imagine which one. James was married, Chase was happily with Rhys, and he didn’t know Simon, Dale, or Grayson beyond what he’d learned of them since he’d arrived, really.

Only two of the people at the table even interested him, truth be told, but he couldn’t figure out why anyone would try to set him up with either man. In Adrian’s experience, most Hearing people didn’t overly like dealing with having a Deaf partner. His few exes certainly hadn’t, no matter what he did to seem more “normal.”

Chase shook his head, clamping his lips closed as he glared at Rhys.

“Chase?” Adrian said and signed. “Who were you hoping to set me up with and why?”

Their eyes locked for a few moments before Chase looked away, his shoulders drooping. After a moment, Chase turned back to face Adrian and replied, “Grayson. He’s in IT, like you and I are, he’s super loyal and really cute in that quiet reserved-guy kind of way.”

“Grayson?” Well, he was handsome and seemed nice, if a little stoic. Adrian didn’t know how to feel about Chase trying to set him up with one of his friends, though. “I can get my own dates, Chase.”

“I know that. It…. Grayson is really nice, and I’d love to see Rhys’s buddy happy. And I like you, but we’re not right for each other, either. I thought of you two, though. You’d make a beautiful couple. His Native American features and your slightly Asian ones….”

He couldn’t help it, Adrian chuckled, amused at Chase’s logic. The man was sweet and a total flirt, but it seemed he was a bit of a ditz when it came to understanding his friends. Chase frowned, folding his arms across his chest as he stared at Adrian—more a glare really. “Sorry, sorry.”

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Tempeste O’Riley is an out and proud pansexual genderfluid whose best friend growing up had the courage to do what she couldn’t–defy the hate and come out. He has been her hero ever since.

Tempe is a hopeless romantic that loves strong relationships and happily-ever-afters. Though new to writing M/M, she has done many things in her life, though writing has always drawn her back–no matter what else life has thrown her way. She counts her friends, family, and Muse as her greatest blessings in life. She lives in Wisconsin with her children, reading, writing, and enjoying life.

Tempe is also a proud PAN member of Romance Writers of America®, Rainbow Romance Writers, and WisRWA. Learn more about Tempeste and her writing at http://tempesteoriley.com.

Website ♥ Tempeste's Temptations ♥ Twitter ♥ Facebook ♥ Google + ♥ DSP ♥ Blog

Author Interview with Tempeste O'Riley

Where are you from, and where do you call home?

Born and raised in a teeny tiny town in Florida, but I managed to escape (think of how Dory says it in “Finding Nemo,” lol) and now live in the rather chilly but wonderful state of Wisconsin! I love it here. In fact, Milwaukee, WI is where the entire Desires Entwined series is set J

What inspired you to start writing?

That’s two-fold. Partly my love of the written word. Life is without meaning without books and coffee... just sayin’ ;) And partly the first DE story (which was my debut novel) came about out of frustration at how I was treated as a person on forearm crutched (like James uses. He and I also have the same genetic disorder). But actually, I’ve been writing all my life....

How long have you been writing?

See above, lol. I can’t really remember not writing. In high school, I was even part of a writing and acting club. I love writing and reading!

What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?

Read. Write. Repeat. Never give up.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

Sadly, yes. Mostly due to medical issues, not from lack of ideas. I work with my health care providers and keep pushing until I can get the stories out of my head and onto the page. It’s difficult when chronic migraines get in the way, but the characters don’t just go away, lol.

What Author’s in the genre do you read?

Oh, so many! Andrew Grey, Amy Lane, Mary Calmes, Grace R. Duncan, Wade Kelley, Jordan L. Hawk, Charley Cochet.... .... ....

What comes first, the plot or characters?

The character for me as I write very character driven stories. I am not a plotter. I go where the characters decide (I tried it the other way around... that file shall never see the light of day!)

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to tell us about?

I’m working on “Fangs with a Heart,” the follow-up to “Whiskers of a Chance.” It’s the story of two of the characters you met in Whiskers, Trace and Sasha. It’s slowly taking shape, and oh are they driving my batty ;)

Describe the perfect writing space.

Comfy recliner, laptop, table with all my little fidgets, coffee cup, a glass of iced tea (yes, one must have both), not too bright, and be cool but not cold. Oh, and a magnificent view if possible.

Do you do research for your books? If so, what does that entail?

That depends on the book as to what I do. For Signs it took a lot of researching what is in Milwaukee, even though I live nearby and am there often. I didn’t have to do quite as much on the ASL front as Deaf studies was my minor in college, but deciding how to write that was hard as ASL isn’t signs how we speak or write in English. If I translated it literal, word for word in same order, etc. It would drive most English speakers nuts. So I tried to just give the “feel” instead, for ease of reading while working in a lot of other issues.

In other stories, I’ve had to do a ton more research, as with “Caged Sanctuary” with all the heavy impact with a disabled sub. Thankfully, there are always people willing to be interviewed by authors so things can be shown ‘right’ or at least one version of ‘right.’

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Six novels and a few shorts (that are published now). As for my favorite... I don’t know. “Designs of Desire” will always be special to me because it was my first and because of James, but true favorite... I can’t give you. Sorry J

Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?

I do! I’m always thrilled to get emails and PM’s from readers. Sometimes it’s just to say hi or that they are looking forward to a certain story, sometimes it’s to ask a question or to make a suggestion of a couple they’d like to see, lol. Then there are the ones that write because something I wrote touched them in a true and meaningful way, different than enjoyment. Like the ones with EDS that loved seeing themselves in James’s place or others who are gender fluid who felt connected and hopeful thanks to Alex. I keep every one of those emails and PM’s!

Winner’s Prize: $25 Dreamspinner Press Gift Card

Runner Up’s prize: An ebook from Tempeste’s backlist

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