TNA: Hi, KC, thanks so much for being here with us today. Why don’t we start out by having you tell us a little bit about yourself, hobbies, interests, things we might not know about you but should?
K.C.: Hahaha – hobbies? Well, I used to paint portraits until the EDJ kicked that into touch. Then the writing came along. Yep, you’ve guessed it – no more painting.
I love reading, watching movies, and I also play the clarinet.
TNA: Have you always written M/M Romance, or is that something that came along later in your writing career? What is it that drew you to explore gay relationships in your writing?
K.C.: Since I started writing, it’s always been M/M Romance.
I started off reading MM novels, and after two or three years, I got the idea for a story of my own. Those books proved inspirational.
From the start, there was something about gay relationships that appealed to me. I had gay friends from my late teens – and one day I really must write about those times! – but most of my present friends came into being since I began writing.
TNA: What was your first published M/M title? If you could go back in time, to the moment you sat down and began writing it, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give yourself, now that you have the benefit of experience?
K.C.: My first M/M title was Learning to Love: Michael & Sean.
Wow. When I read it now, there is so much about it that I would change. For a start? Less sex. No, really. Those guys were BUNNIES!
Then there was the way the guys talked to each other. Wait until the final book in the series comes out in August – they’ve really grown up.
TNA: Do you remember the first M/M book you ever read? If so, what was it, and what about it made the most lasting impression upon you?
K.C.: The first M/M book I ever read was Bareback by Chris Owen. I loved the relationship between Jake and Tor, the depth of emotions that they went through.
TNA: How would you describe your books to someone who hasn’t read them yet? Do your characters share common qualities? If so, what’s your idea of a great protagonist?
K.C.: My books are all about love – usually romantic, and definitely with a HEA. I’m not a great fan of writing a lot of angst into my books, and this has had a mixed reception. Some readers really like their angst, whereas others are not that keen. I try to keep the situations as realistic as possible.
I do like the idea of a flawed main character, someone who knows they’re not perfect but tries their best to overcome their own failings. And someone who cares deeply for the people in their life.
TNA: Let’s talk a little bit about your new book Love Lessons Learned. Tell us, if you will, what are some of the things you love most about John Wainwright and Brett Sanderson?
K.C.: I love John’s forgiving nature. With all the shit that Brett put him through, he still holds out for love.
As for Brett? I love how Brett slowly comes to realize that he has to change, that his lifestyle isn’t enough for him anymore. Even better? He’s prepared to do something about it.
TNA: Did John and Brett go easy on you, or was theirs a difficult story to tell? In what ways was it simple/challenging?
K.C.: Brett was a pain! There is one stubborn man.
John was easier. That boy just stumbled from one incident to another, and I just trailed behind, clearing up his messes.
I knew it would all work out in the end.
TNA: If I were to ask John and Brett, what are some things they’d say they love most about each other?
K.C.: John would say how much he loves Brett’s sense of what’s right and wrong. Even though Brett put him through hell, he was doing it because of his principles.
Brett loves John’s easygoing nature, and that John always sees the best in him.
TNA: Would you care to share an excerpt from the book with us?
K.C.: It’s just after the Christmas party at Evan and Daniel’s. John surprised everyone with his turn, but now the party’s over, he’s left thinking about Brett.
Blurb: John Wainwright is having a momentous day. To start off, he lands his first teaching job. Then his brother, Evan, and Evan’s husband, Daniel, take him out to celebrate in Manchester’s gay village. An encounter with a sexy man forces John to admit what he’s been denying for too long—he’s gay. His coming out proves he’s supported and loved by his family and roommates. What more could a man want? There’s just one small problem: John’s dishy Head Teacher, Brett Sanderson, and John’s gigantic crush on him. Too bad Brett is straight.
Brett Sanderson leads a double life. At thirty-three, he is the Head Teacher of a primary school. But for seven years now, during every school holiday, Brett has fled to Brighton, where he becomes ‘Rob,’ a man who has a different guy in his bed every night but has never had a relationship.
Once he’s back in school, Brett is firmly back in that closet, until his newest staff member starts prying open the door. When John pulls out all the stops to get Brett’s attention, neither man is prepared for the consequences.
Well, you certainly enjoyed yourself tonight. And it was true. It had felt so good to let go of everything. He gazed at his reflection, instantly recalling the feel of Connor’s hand around his cock, the appreciative look in his eye as he’d regarded John, the feeling of being wanted, desired. There’d been no doubting that.
Then why doesn’t Brett want me? What the fuck is wrong with me?
And just like that, all the enjoyment he’d gained from the evening fled him, leaving him feeling hollow inside. He hadn’t wanted Connor—but he did want Brett. He closed his eyes, and suddenly, he could feel Brett’s mouth on his, that bruising kiss that had left him wanting more. He squeezed his eyes tight, but he could still feel Brett’s hands on him as he powered into John, making him cry out.
Oh, fuck, this isn’t helping. He threw back the duvet and climbed into bed, curling up in a tight ball. What will it take to get him out of my mind? And it wasn’t just the sex; that was what made it worse. Brett had gotten under his skin. It was everything about him—the way his face lit up when he smiled, the way he gestured with his hands when he spoke, the reassuring glances he gave when they were discussing John’s progress….
I can’t keep doing this. It’ll drive me mad.
John hugged himself, huddled in a fetal position under the duvet as he shut out the world—and hopefully, all thoughts of Brett. His last thought as he finally succumbed to sleep was that from now on, work would be his focus—work, the charity event, passing his NQT year….
Anything but Brett.
TNA: I know this is sort of like asking you to name your favorite child, but of all the books you’ve written, do you have a favorite? If so, which and why?
K.C.: Oooh, that’s a tough one.
I love An Unlocked Heart, because Leo and Alex are two of my favorite characters. But then I also love Thomas and Peter from Trusting Thomas.
And there’s Ed and Colin in Personal Secrets…
Nope, sorry, but I can’t decide…
TNA: If you could bring one of your characters off the page and into the real world, whom would you choose, and why?
K.C.: Oh, it has to be Leo.
He’s caring, dependable, strong and sexy as hell. He has his weak moments, but here’s a man who’s known grief and has come through it, stronger.
TNA: These next two questions are from Tina. First, the Isle of Wight features heavily in a number of your books. What personal significance does it hold?
K.C.: I love where I live. It’s a truly beautiful, inspirational place. There is so much to see, to experience.
And a wise person once said, write about what you know. I love putting the island into my books. I’m still waiting for the day when someone walks into the Beach Shack café in Steephill Cove and tells Andy, the owner, that they read about it in a book by KC Wells…..
TNA: Next, there have been rumors of a possible move for you and your husband to America. Fact or wishful thinking?
K.C.: Sigh…
My best friend, Max Vos, lives in Florida, and he would LOVE it if I became his neighbor. For that matter, so would I. That seems easy enough, right? Er, no. There’s a husband to convince. And believe me, Max is working on him. LOL.
I would move there in a heartbeat. :(
TNA: Would you care to share a little bit of information on any of your current WIPs with us?
K.C.: Right now I’m writing something completely different, a fantasy, and it features three main characters. So this is a book of firsts: first fantasy, first threesome, and the first book where I’ve already put things in motion to try and organize the cover that I can see in my head. If that comes off, it will be very memorable. ;)
TNA: And finally, would you kindly share with us all the places we can find you on the internet?
K.C.: Okay…
I’m mostly on Facebook. You can always find me at https://www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld
Then there’s my website and blog: http://www.kcwellsworld.com and http://kcwellsworld.blogspot.co.uk
I’m on Google + and my twitter address? Look for @IslandTalesPres
And finally there’s my Goodreads page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6576876.K_C_Wells
The Giveaway: An E-copy of Love Lessons Learned
