So, you might've read Shar's blog post the other day about a new story she and I thought about.
It was a gay romance with a man in the military who falls in love at first sight with a young man he assisted while in Afghanistan. Upon seeing this gentleman, the officer is smitten immediately but their backgrounds and the circumstances force them apart.
Later on in the story, the guys get a second chance but the situation has changed and my protagonist isn't ready to give my secondary character what he wants.
Yep, that's all i'll say for now.
How does it relate to this song? Well, the song is In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel.
The words just spoke to me. My main character falls in love as soon as he sees this man's eyes. The words that Peter talks about embody hope and since the story takes place during modern day war, I thought it appropriate to use it. The song I believe was performed during the South African struggles with Apartheid. And even though the song is not truly a love song, it fit my characters state of mind.
I'm really excited about it. Not sure when we'll write it but I can guarantee it will be written in 2013!
I do love Depeche Mode, old and new because the mood and lyrics in their music are very inspiring.
I picked this one today because of the title, Halo.
In the tune, Dave talks about guilt and being able to see that guilt most likely in the person he loves who might be seeing someone else and isn't telling him.
It made me think of stories about cheating, like my own Vertigo 2 which I haven't finished as of yet but, Hayden and David have that same issue.
This real happening is always a sticking point in romance. Some don't want to see it. Readers demand an HEA all the time with the characters totally faithful.
That is totally unrealistic to think that no one will ever desire someone else in a committed relationship. It's in our makeup to always look. The crime comes when you act on it.
The whole makeup of Vertigo 2 is jealousy for this couple who essentially gave up a lot to be together. They still love one another but within every relationship, there is always a temptation.
Halo tells the story of the other person on the outside looking at his or her lover cheating on him with someone else.
I'm stealing Rawiya's segment since it's about my book anyway and I know she won't mind.
The above video was part of a dance scene I wrote for Kajika Fortier in I Like Em Pretty in addition to the Janet Jackson song I Get So Lonely
I know you're shocked right? Me? The stuffy muse using R&B as a backdrop for a scene?
Er, well, geez I'm not THAT stuffy.
Pfft.
Have a sneak peak at the scene as well as the blurb.
Oh and, I'm about to write the love scene... whew *fans self* It shall be quite entertaining
Blurb: New
Orleans is supposed to be the big easy. One
night changes everything for Frankie Choteau.
New
Orleans. A city rich in tradition, diversity, and on the comeback trail from
hurricane Katrina. Francois “Frankie” Choteau, a resident of this town, a cop
with a hot temper and low tolerance for bs. Kajika Fortier, a transplant from
Oklahoma came here looking for a dream and unfortunately it’s turned into a
nightmare. On a hot summer night, they meet and cross paths during a very
difficult situation. Despite this, the attraction between them is evident and loneliness
for both men is a fate worse than death. They’d both like a chance at happiness
but the cost might be too high of a price to pay.
Unedited excerpt
The game was a bore and Frankie wished
he’d come out a lot earlier than now to see Kajika in action.
Maybe
I shoulda taken him out to dinner then brought him back here for his
performance?
Feeling slightly guilty about it, he
leaned back in the driver’s seat and glanced at the club. “Eh well, too late.
At least I’m here now though!” In a rush, he unhooked his seat belt and opened
the door to a valet who looked him up and down.
“Well hello there sexy. Ain’t seen you
here before.” The chocolate skinned man wearing a black bodysuit showed his
pearly whites and licked his lips.
Frankie could only grin in response.
“First time here.” He dropped the valet key in his hand and kept walking in the
direction of the all black doors. Despite feeling the other’s man’s eyes on
him, he nodded at the men and one of them opened it, letting him inside. At
first glance, the place appeared to be a hole in the wall or like one of those
gay biker or S&M clubs. No color on the hallway walls, a single window with
a nice looking blond lady, dressed in a short red mini-dress there taking money
and tickets. “Hiya sexy. You must be Kajika’s friend. He told me to look out
for a hot looking man, caramel colored with beautiful brown eyes. Gimme ya’
hand so I can stamp the back of it.”
Frankie’s face hurt from smiling but he
flashed it anyway and pulled on his collar. “Thank ya’, darlin’. So I guess I
don’t need a password, then?”
“Naw sugah, you all good. Detective
Choteau?”
“Uh huh. Thank you again, chere,” he
nodded and another burly man waived him inside.
Once he did, N'awlins Exotica looked like
a totally different place. Instead of the dank, seedy appearance it gave off in
the foyer, the main ballroom looked classy. Despite his attraction to men and
women of the beautiful variety, he’d never entered a strip club and only had
interaction with a stripper at a co-worker’s bachelor party several years ago.
This would be a new experience for him, being so close to the adult entertainment
industry.
Instead of the all black paneling on the
outside, the walls were covered in a burgundy with sconces about five feet
apart. The floors, made of a hardwood, most likely bamboo throughout, and the
tables dressed with the same wine colored cloths were filled with people of
every variety, smoking, drinking, and seemingly having a great time.
“Frankie?” A hand gripped his shoulder
tightly and a deep voice that accompanied it disturbed him from his trance.
“Yeah, I am. How did ya’ know my name?”
“Aw, honey, Kajika is my best friend. He
told me to seat cha once ya’ showed up. Naomi Beneviere.” She held out her
hand.
“Frankie Choteau,” he nodded and took it
gladly. This lovely woman with a rather sultry voice, dressed in a long purple
dress or robe, he couldn’t tell which, grip his hand escorting him through the
crowd to a table on the right side of the stage.
“My pleasure and damn you are sexy just
as Kaj says you would be!” She eyed him just as the valet had and suddenly
Frankie felt like a piece of meat on a rotisserie.
“Thanks doll.” Frankie sat down and
glanced at the others already occupying the space. All of them, older ladies
that appeared to be senior citizens, dressed for bingo and not for this club.
“Um…” He only waved at them, sort of nervously.
The greyest of them spoke, wearing a yellow
hat on top of her silver bob cut. “Hiya gorgeous. You one of the dancers? You
look like you could be.”
Frankie chuckled and removed his sport
jacket. “No ma’am. I’m here to see one of them though.”
“Yeah? Well good for you, sweetie. We’re
hopin’ our favorite man dances tonight. We heard Kajika was comin’ in after his
lover killed himself. Sad really but at least he’s available,” she winked.
Snort
Frankie covered his eyes and smirked.
“Yeah he is. Well let’s see if he’s here. I hope so, since I came to see him
specifically.” Frankie didn’t want to go into a long conversation with her
because he was still too embarrassed. All these ladies looked old enough to be
his grandma!
God
rest her soul.
“Oh really? Well, you dunno for sure?
Ol’ Agnes here is complainin’ she’s ready to go if he’s not peformin’. We come
in here right after bingo just to catch him every Thursday and if we’re able,
we’ll catch him on Sundays after church dinner. The boy is smokin’ hot!”
“Mhm, he is…” The other ladies nodded in
agreement and all gave Frankie denture filled or toothless smiles.
Attempting to stop himself from
laughing, he said nothing further and turned around to face the stage. When he
did, Naomi reappeared with a Heiniken in her hand.
“Here ya’ go sweetie. It’s on the house
as is any thing else ya’ want,” she batted her eyelashes and sat on an empty
stool next to him.
“Thanks much, Naomi. Appreciate yer hospitality.” Frankie was glad she joined him at the table with these old
biddies. At least now he had someone close to his age group to converse with.
Not
that I’ll be talkin’ a lot when Kajika’s on stage.
“Ya’ll doin’ okay, ladies? Everyone
good? Been to the bathroom, need water…” Naomi called to all of them.
Frankie didn’t bother turning around.
This whole moment was quite surreal. In a club, a strip club at that with a
bunch of older women and a transsexual.
Never
woulda guessed.
Frankie sipped his beer and grinned,
trying to hold it all in while Naomi chatted up the seniors. When his phone
buzzed in his pocket, he lifted it out and glanced at the screen.
Ready
for me? Kajika XOXOXOXOXO
“Hells yeah, babe,” he mouthed, making
sure no one else heard him. He didn’t want to engage in any further
conversation with the mature women so he kept his thoughts to himself.
Anticipation rising, he gulped a good portion of his beer and held on to it
while leaning on his knees.
The lights went down and the crowd
clapped loudly when the curtain opened to a tall white gentleman dressed in a
tuxedo came out from behind.
“Thank you friends. So, are you ready
for our next to last act?”
The crowd’s reaction was yeah’s and loud
claps. Frankie wondered did anyone know that Kajika was the next to last
performance. Most likely not since they didn’t seem to thrilled. When they
talked, Kajika boasted of his popularity at this place and how he was usually
the headliner.
Perhaps
it’s a surprise.
*** Hope you enjoyed. Yes, I gave you the buildup to the dance scene. Well, I can't show you everything! You won't want to read it. *sulks* Maybe I'll share a small part this coming Saturday on the sip. Until then...
