BLOG TOUR: A Destined Christmas Miracle by Jaiyde Thomas (Excerpt & Giveaway + Q&A with Author)
BLOG TOUR
Title: A Destined Christmas Miracle (All Access Book 1)
Author and Publisher: Jaiyde Thomas
Cover Artist: Cyan Avogadoyle
Release Date: February 14, 2023
Genre: Contemporary gay romance
Tropes: Hurt/comfort, BDSM, slow burn
Themes: Learning to trust after trauma, forgiveness, finding yourself
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Length: 136 000 words / 514 pages
It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.
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When trauma leaves you unable to trust anyone including yourself, how do you cope?
Blurb
Welcome to All Access, a new BDSM club that promotes inclusivity. When you step through these doors, you are bound to find equality, acceptance, and even… love.
Colin
For the past year all I’ve known is heartbreak, and going to All Access was supposed to be a distraction from the pain. However, when I see my former play partner happy and in love, I flee the club, vowing never to return.
Leaving Ohio and travelling to Alabama for a few days should help me to clear my head and help me to forget, but no amount of beautiful scenery, hot men, and southern accents could prepare me for what awaited me at the hardcore BDSM club, Flame of Fury.
When I wake to find myself in my hotel room, I’m reeking of vomit and in extreme pain. Nothing makes sense, except for the vaguely familiar man who promises to never leave my side, even after I tell him what I remember.
As I try to put my life back together, Stephen’s loyalty, belief, and kindness never wavers, but can I trust him after all that I’ve endured?
Stephen
I’ve never allowed my blindness to hinder me, and that includes my sex life. As a Dominant, my primary goal is to fulfill the needs of my play partners.
When a heartbroken submissive asks for a scene, my instincts are on alert as I agree, but after ten spankings, Colin flees, and I’m left wondering about the boy with an ache in my heart.
A year later All Access opens, and I’m excited by the prospect of a club that caters to the disabled. More than that, I’m hoping to see Colin again. However, my joy is short-lived, because Colin is in trouble. When I see him respond to an ad that screams DANGER, I refuse to wait around. With a friend in tow I set out to rescue him, but we find him too late: He’s bruised, battered, and alone.
His injuries and trauma are too much for him to bear so I agree to help him through it, but as altruism turns into guiding, nurturing, and training, I can’t help but wonder about the future.
But can I be what Colin needs after all that he’s endured?
This book is intended for readers ages 18+
Excerpt
I smiled at the young man with a gold earring in his ear as he attached a wristband to my arm. They signified ranking: mine was blue, which told men I was a bottom. I scanned the bar’s main area, watching men in various activities. Sensuously groping one another in dark areas of the bar, making out, their eyes only for each other, grinding slowly to the Trey Songz song that pulsed from the speakers.
I closed my eyes as my mind wandered to the last time Josaiah and I were here. I was carrying him out of the bar, his body heavy, not just from his weight, but because of the alcohol he had consumed. I had watched as he downed glass after glass of something or other, his hands and mouth greedily taking what he wanted from multiple men.
I could hear my ragged breathing in my ears and opened my eyes. I swiftly walked to the bar, hoisted myself onto a stool, and waited patiently for the bartender, Joey, to serve me. Maybe I’ll order something strong. It’s not like I am getting fucked tonight. Although on second thought, if I were to get fucked, a non-alcoholic beverage would keep my head clear so that I could remember the experience.
“Yo, man. What can I get for you?”
“A water, please.” Suddenly, I felt like I was going to cry, and the cold beverage would help keep the tears at bay.
“I haven’t seen you since you carried Jo outta here. How is he?” he asked as he filled a cup with ice.
I lowered my eyes, a lump the size of a golf ball forming in my throat.
Please, don’t cry, not here!
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Yes,” I said softly as I took the glass from him, the coldness from the ice cooling my now warm hands. I took a long swig, set the glass on the bar, and regarded Joey. I shook my head. “I’m not sure how he’s doing.”
“Oooh, trouble in paradise?” He looked at me expectantly, awaiting my answer, but I turned my head.
It’s none of your business.
“Okay, so you don’t wanna talk? Why are you here then? You look like you’ve had one helluva week. Want something stronger?”
I dropped my head into my hands, not wanting to divulge the pain, hurt, and anger that I felt. Inhaling deeply to calm myself, I turned back toward him and shook my head.
“Suit yourself,” he muttered as he walked away to serve other patrons.
Sipping on my water, I watched the men. Some wore practically nothing while others wore leather outfits, the material hugging their muscles and curves just right. I tore my eyes away as I watched a twink with a nose ring on his knees, his Dominant’s hand tousling his hair as he reached to fasten a play collar around his neck. I squeezed my eyes shut again, wishing with all my might that I could just forget BDSM altogether.
After meeting Josaiah, I did a little more research into the subject and the different implements used for pain and pleasure. It seemed everywhere I looked, something jarred a memory or a thought of the lifestyle, and I hated it so much! Maybe it was a mistake coming back here. Slamming my glass down on the bar, I raised my hand. One more drink, and I’ll leave. I could feel the tension building in my shoulders.
“Joey!” I snapped, not caring about my tone of voice.
“What’s up?” His eyes were searching my face, concern evident in his expression.
“Another glass of water, please,” I huffed, avoiding his gaze and looked at the patrons surrounding the bar.
Most men were engaged in conversation, but others were eating, drinking, and laughing loudly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man sitting alone at the far-left corner of the bar, and I snickered. His hair is fucking purple!
I focused on his body language: how his folded, hairy arms rested on the bar, his long fingers tapped the glass that he was holding, and he seemed oblivious to the men ogling him.
Why am I looking at other men? I knew that Josaiah and I were over, and he had betrayed me, but I still felt a tug in my heart when I thought about him. Maybe this was a mistake. All I had wanted was to get away from my thoughts of Josaiah, and just be in the moment.
Jaycee’s Saloon was where I used to come and unwind after a long week, getting fucked and sucked, but now all it held were memories, both good and bad. There was nothing left for me here. As I stood to go, I took one last glance at the guy with the purple hair. He seemed not to notice anything around him.
I walked a few steps in his direction to get a better view. Holy fuck! He was hotter up close, the muscles in his arms and back taut, his hair combed back making it appear smooth, his face shaven and clean. I licked my lips and walked closer to the man. I stopped as he turned toward me. He raised his face in my direction, and I couldn’t take my eyes off his. He didn’t look at me directly, and his eyes were cloudy.
Inhaling deeply, I stepped back and squeezed my lips together. He’s blind, could he know Josaiah?
Q&A with Jaiyde Thomas
What/who inspired you to start writing?
I was asked to beta read a friend’s gay romance novel. I was hesitant at first, but once I started reading, I couldn’t put the book down. Since then, I’ve been hooked on gay romance, and I even tried my hand at writing a m/m story before branching out into books. The story was well received and is still being talked about today.
Tell us about your new release. What inspired you to write it?
A Destined Christmas Miracle was inspired by K.C. Wells and Parker Williams’ book, Make Me Soar. ADCM is about healing after trauma, trusting the one that guides and nurtures you, and finding love. Colin is a heartbroken submissive who is looking for a distraction in all of the wrong places, and Stephen is a blind Dominant who hasn’t been able to stop thinking about the lost sub even after a year. The book includes tough subjects including alcoholism of a parent, sexual assault, drugging, kidnapping, and graphic mentions of rape.
How did you decide on the title?
I love this question. I knew that I wanted Christmas to be included in the title, and since Stephen couldn’t stop thinking about Colin even after a year, I knew they were destined to be together. Since Stephen also never leaves Colin’s side after his assault, and because of that, they view each other as each other’s miracles. That’s where the title originated.
What is the hardest part of writing any book?
As a partially blind author, I struggle with describing certain visual aspects. For examples, the color of a character’s eyes, how a light shines off of a person’s skin or hair, etc. I’ve been blind since birth, so I’ve never seen people’s faces or colors. However, to combat this, I’ll ask a sighted person or use what I’ve read from other books to help.
Did you learn anything from writing your recent book? What was it?
A Destined Christmas Miracle is my longest book. I started writing for NanoWrimo in November 2021, and I had a deadline of 100,000 words. The book turned out being 133,515 words when I was finished, and I learned to trust the process and not rush. This book needed to be written, and since there was a lot of research that went into it and a lot of sensitive issues that needed to be handled delicately, there was no room to rush. Taking my time helped with developing the plot and characters, and I’m so grateful I did!
Do you write any other genres?
Under the pen name Kelanie Black, I write BDSM erotic romance.
Do you have genres you prefer reading, and if so what are they?
I prefer reading gay romance, disability based nonfiction or fiction, anything with vampires but mostly romance, fiction, and anything with BDSM.
Which other writers do you follow?
I am a fan of K.C. Wells and Parker Williams, Cherise Sinclair, Tara Sue Me, and Gianni Holmes.
Do you get emails asking why characters didn’t get together and whether you’re going to write more about them?
I don’t get emails, but my friends will question me, yes. That’s how Claim Me, Love Me happened. A friend asked me about Caleb, and I hadn’t given him too much thought, but as I thought more about it, I knew that he needed a story. His story was too important not to tell.
Are you a panster or a plotter?
I do plot out my books. Before I write, I’ll have a general idea of where I want the book to go, but then, I’ll sit down and flesh out my characters, detailing everything from their hair/eye color to their favorite music and foods/beverages. Then, I’ll work on the plot, and finally, I’ll write out a chapter outline up to chapter 20 of what will happen so that I’ll have something to follow.
Are you a cat person or a dog person? Tell us about your pets.
I don’t own any pets at the moment, but I looooooove cats! I’m hoping to own one soon, and since I’m obsessed with the soap opera General Hospital, I hope he’s a black cat with a fierce personality so I can name him Sonny.
If you could go anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go, who would you take with you, if anyone, and why?
I want to visit England! It sounds so beautiful, and I’d love to travel by myself. I like learning about different cultures and customs, and I wonder what it’s like to live in England, what type of food is eaten, is there a required naptime like there is in certain Hispanic cultures, etc. I’d just love to go to experience the country.
About the Author
Jaiyde Thomas is a lover of words and languages. Though her heart is in Alabama, she was born and raised in Ohio. Her first experience with gay romance was when she offered to beta read her friend’s novel. Since then, she’s been hooked on the genre. Her inspirations are Gianni Holmes, K. C. Wells, and Parker Williams, and their books are the reason why Jaiyde started writing.
She loves a good story with complex characters, steamy sex scenes, and happily ever afters.
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Giveaway
Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to be one of 2 winners who will each receive:
1 hardback of A Destined Christmas Miracle
1 audiobook copy of Claim Me, Love Me
1 merch item
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