A huge thanks to The Novel Approach for having me by today to talk about my upcoming release titled Forty-two Stairs.
It’s been said that sometimes a person has to lose everything they’ve ever wanted, to understand what it is they actually need. In Forty-two Stairs, Owen is all too familiar with loss. He lost his partner, his home, his job, and his license. He also came way too close to losing his freedom. And the only person Owen has to blame for all that is himself. See … Owen is an alcoholic.
Forty-two Stairs follows Owen through his recovery (not to mention a budding, yet poorly-timed romance with an odd young man named Sebastian) and I thought it would be interesting to wander through the six major steps – yes, six – of overcoming addiction, as Owen experiences them, with some short teasers.
The American Psychological Association summarizes the process as follows (not verbatim):
1) Acknowledging that you are powerless to control your addiction;
2) Recognizing a higher power to draw strength from;
3) Examining past errors with the help of a sponsor;
4) Making amends for those errors;
5) Learning a new way to live life;
6) Helping others who are struggling with similar addictions.
** Today, step two, but if you’re interested, please feel free to follow along with the rest of the tour for steps one, and three to six. Be sure to read through to the end to find out about your chance to win you own eBook copy of Forty-two Stairs, a $50 gift certificate to the Less Than Three Press Book Market, and an awesome simulated amethyst and silver bib necklace and earring set. **
Step Two – Higher Powers
For a person already seeking assistance for something they have so little control over, the further act of having to come to terms with a higher power can be overwhelming. One’s head starts running wild with the idea of church bells and confessionals – a serious issue for those out there that aren’t comfortable with the idea of organized religion. The cool thing about seeking out a higher power, however, is the realization that a force greater than one’s self can mean something different for everyone.
Forty-two Stairs
Excerpt – Chapter 2 – Higher Powers
Through the window of the coffee shop a mother walked past, two young girls in tow, and they caught Owen’s eye immediately. It wasn’t fashion or bling that entranced him, though. It was the way they moved together, as if something above the coffee shop had watched Owen’s and Craig’s exchange and, for once, was making a point that Owen could relate to.
The woman didn’t grip the girls’ wrists in an effort to keep them in place. No tethers, no scowls and no rebukes kept the younger versions of herself in line. Full plastic bags bearing the logo and name of a local dollar-mart bounced against the thighs of all three of them; no doubt full of discounts and deals best purchased there as opposed to the fancier, better-stocked shelves of the supermarkets. They looked happy. Sunlight glinted off plastic sunglasses, and tan lines marked the edges of well-worn but cute summer clothing. As if in sudden inspiration, one of the girls ran the few steps forward to call for her mother’s attention. There was no exaggerated sigh or rolling of eyes as the woman stopped, bent, and had a brief discussion with the child. When the woman finally rose, she extended a hand towards the girl with a smile. She didn’t grab for it. She didn’t insist on it. She just smiled and stretched out her arm, offering her palm, and the girl took it happily, skipping alongside her mother as the three of them continued down the street.
Cars passed. A bicycle courier flew by with the kind of daring disregard that only those that chose that trade seemed to manage successfully. Birds lighted on baking sidewalks and somewhere, unseen insects trudged by, following unknowable paths from nest to food and back again. And no one saw the exchange between the children and their parent. No one stopped to praise the woman for the fact that her daughters were obedient and happy. Not a being gave consideration to the happiness that shone on their faces, despite the fact they carried discount products in cheap plastic bags. There were no pats on shoulders to the children that followed so respectfully. And that, Owen thought, that right there was how it should be. Following something, someone, because they made you happy and you trusted the connection. Not because of fear or guilt or consequence, but out of love for its courtesy and emotional contribution.
Owen had heard so many beliefs on God and religion over his lifetime that he could have written a book on them. When one told others that one was an atheist, a lot of people seemed obligated to try and push their own thoughts into what they perceived to be a space that was lacking. To fuck his hole, Owen had thought on more than one occasion, with the cock of belief. So while he got the concept of what he was being force-fed about needing a spiritual being to support his efforts, Owen also knew that he hadn’t reconciled what that presence was yet.
“Well, Craig,” Owen said finally, “you have nothing to worry about then. I have no more patience for false anythings than I do for a cookie-cutter God.” He smiled at Craig and placed his coffee cup back on the table. “My ‘slot’—'” he copied Craig’s finger-quote gesture, “—is not empty. It’s full of disbelief and disillusion. It’s packed with regret and guilt. But on top of all of that is a good strong layer of determination and will to succeed. I will not let myself fall again. Because if I do, then I’m no better than the mindless minions who chase invisible men in robes that promise everlasting life. You’re right, alcohol was my saviour.” He shook his head and pushed his chair back, rising to Craig’s surprise. “But I don’t believe in saviours anymore.”
Owen pulled a toonie out of his pocket and dropped it on the table. If that didn’t cover the coffee, then too bad, Craig would have to spring for the rest. He tapped his chest as Craig started to stand as well. “The only one that can save me is me.”
Copyright © 2014, A.F. Henley
Forty-two Stairs
by A.F. Henley
Owen has been struggling with addiction since he was a teenager, but it takes a DUI involving another vehicle for him to finally face his issues. The road to recovery is a rough one, and for Owen it’s a journey made harder by bankruptcy, loneliness, and repressed memories.
His new apartment doesn’t help either. It’s small, worn, and hot as hell. The only way to reach it is a tedious stretch of stairs that seems like the final insult on top of a whole pile of misery. Thankfully, the mess comes with one bright spot: intense, pretty Sebastian, who seems to have a knack for keeping his head up and finding the beauty in everything.
Published by Less Than Three Press
M/M Contemporary Romance
44,000 words
Now Available for Pre-order
Save 15% until June 25th
Purchase Link – LT3
Purchase Line – Amazon
So, you might be thinking … I’d love a shot at winning this eBook, not to mention that generous LT3 gift certificate and totally awesome pendant and earring set.
Very cool. I’m glad to hear that. Comment on this blog post to be entered into a random number draw for an ebook copy of Forty-two Stairs. As for the rest of the prize, please click here for the Rafflecopter entry.
THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED
Please note, one ebook copy of Forty-two Stairs will be given away for each site visit, and the balance of this contest (the gift certificate and the jewelry) is open to all blog tour participants, post one to six. For a full list of contest rules, including eligibility, please click HERE.
About the Author: Henley was born with a full-blown passion for run-on sentences, a zealous indulgence in all words descriptive, and the endearing tendency to overuse punctuation. Since the early years Henley has been an enthusiastic writer, from the first few I-love-my-dog stories to the current leap into erotica.
A self-professed Google genius, Henley lives for the hours spent digging through the Internet for ‘research purposes’ which, more often than not, lead seven thousand miles away from first intentions but bring Henley to new discoveries and ideas that, once seeded, tend to flourish.
Henley has been proudly working with LT3 since 2012, and has been writing like mad ever since—an indentured servant to the belief that romance and true love can mend the most broken soul. Even when presented in prose.
Find me at:
AFHenley.com | Less Than Three Press | Amazon | Goodreads | Twitter
Thanks for the giveayway! The story sounds great. =)
Thanks, Serena! Best of luck with it :D
Have this one on my TBR list. Thanks for the post and giveaway!
Thank YOU, Jen! Good luck! :->
Thanks for the interesting post and giveaway. The story sounds really good, onto the TBR list it goes.
So glad to read that! Thank you, and good luck! =)
*sing songs* It can’t get here fast enough~~~~ *taps foot impatiently*
<3
LOL! Thank you so much :-*
Sounds like a good story. Thanks for the chance. :)
You’re welcome! Thank you for the kind comment and good luck! :D
Oh wow, this sounds like a really book with a REALLY powerful story. Alcoholism touches most of us in one way or another and it’s nice to see someone write a story that recognizes the devastating effect it can have on life while at the same time offering hope. As the child of an alcoholic I know from personal experience that sometimes the love of another person is the only thing that gets us through the day.
I agree, Carly. Being able to accept love from others and maintain a love of self are one of the strongest indicators of a healthy mind. Glad you made it through. <3
The book sounds really different and I’m adding it to my TBR pile.
ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk
Thanks, Shirley, glad you think so! Best of luck with the giveaway! =)
This sounds like another really good book from A.F.!
Thanks, Mel! ^.^
Incredibly interesting viewpoint, there…it resonates most because so many of us have no use for organized religion anymore.
Congrats on another awesome segment of your tour! <3
Hi, Vin! Unfortunately, organized religion has done the damage to itself. That doesn’t mean we won’t find our peace and freedom outside the assembly though. *hugs* Thanks for the comment and good luck! :->
The book sounds great and I love the cover.
Thank you! I was pumped when I saw what LT3 had decided on! It was created by Megan Derr, and it couldn’t be more fitting for the MC’s outlook on that staircase! :D
I like Owen’s comment when he tells Craig, ““The only one that can save me is me.” I’ve never liked rule 2. It’s like giving your power away and is too religious sounding.
I agree. It’s a tough one to come to terms with. Belief in self, to me, should be the basis of everything. I like to think that a higher power in one’s life does help, as long as that power is one that the individual has recognized and responded to, as opposed to someone (thing) that’s being force-fed to them. I’d love to hear what you think of the novel if/when you get a chance to read it. :D
It sounds like it will be heartrending at times, but really worthwhile to read!
Thanks, Trix! Here’s hoping you find an equal amount if heart-warming. =D
I’ve been waiting for AF Henley’s latest book. Thanks for the gvieaway.
Thank you so much, Hannah <3 Good luck with the giveaway!
What if Fate itself is the higher power? And what if it is the kind of higher force, we, ourselves, have the power to influence? Making the decisions that are necessary to change our lives. Starting to recognize this power we have and the responsibilities that are coming with it can indeed be overwhelming for those so deep in trouble that they can not see the woods for the trees.
This will be a great story with wonderful and strong characters. :) I believe it has the potential to spark a lot of deep thinking.
Amen, sir. Amen. *hugs* Thank you so much. <3
In the end it is up to you if you want to save yourself from any form of addiction, even from a life/job that it is making you unhappy, then you are just lucky if you have people that care/love to support you. I would be very interested to find out what happens in this book, so thank you for a chance to win a copy
You’re very welcome, Sula. I’d live to read what you think of it if you get the chance to read it. :)
please count me in :)
You betcha! Good luck! :->
Sounds like a wonderful read. Thank you for the giveaway!
Thanks so much! Good luck with it! ^.^
This sounds like a really good read. Adding it to my TBR shelf. Thanks for the excerpt and giveaway.
Thanks, Michelle, glad to read that! Good luck with the giveaway! =)
I love the book cover.
Thanks, Kim! Megan Derr was the designer and I couldn’t be more thrilled with what Megan did with it. :)
I’m sure this will be another great read from you. Looking forward to it
What a kind thing to say! Thank you so much! #^.^#
It’s going to be interesting to see how Owen deals with all of these steps, me thinks.
*grins* Tune in next week and see how our hero manages the next… wait… wrong genre. Sorry. XD
Thanks for the comment and for following along with the posts. :D
The story sounds moving. Thanks for the giveaway
Thank you so much! And you’re very welcome :D
I would love to read about Owen’s journey. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m honoured to read that, thank you! Good luck with it! =D
This sounds like a really powerful book, I would love to read it.
Thank you very much, chickie. Good luck with the giveaway! :D
Sounds like an awesome story! Thank you for the chance
Hi, everyone, thanks so much for following along on AF Henley’s Forty-two Stairs blog tour. The comment-to-win portion of the contest is now closed, and the winner selected from The Novel Approach is
Sula
Congratulations, Sula! I’ve just sent Henley your contact information, so expect to receive your e-copy of the book soon.
As for the Grand Prize giveaway, one commenter from TNA has moved on as a semi-finalist, so congratulations for that goes to JenCW. The grand prize drawing will be conducted and the winner announced very soon.
Yay and thank you Lisa, I have been contacted and I look forward to reading this book soon :D
Congratulations also to JenCW :)
That’s great, Sula! Congratulations to you, again, and have a fantastic weekend. :-)