Thank you for joining me today at The Novel Approach. My latest release is Hijacked Love, a blend of romance and true crime. I think it’s unlike anything I’ve written before, and I hope readers enjoy it.
I’m having a bit of fun today and played 20 Questions. Following that is a unique excerpt.
1. Do you own slippers?
A: Yes. Superman ones.
2. What color shirt are you in?
A: Orange
3. Do you like sleeping in satin sheets?
A: Not satin but I do love high thread count Egyptian cotton.
4. Can you whistle?
A: No and I’ve always wished I could.
5. Where are you now?
A: In my living room on my couch.
6. Tattoos?
A: One. On my left shoulder. Taken from a comic called The Mark of Aeacus.
7. What song do you sing in the shower?
A: I am not a shower singer. Not a singer at all. Can’t carry a tune with a bucket.
8. Favorite sports team?
A: Sorry, not a sports fan.
9. What’s in your pocket?
A: Two pennies and some lint.
10. The last thing that made you laugh?
A: An episode of The Office. Steve Carrell as Michael Scott never fails to make me literally laugh out loud. I’ve seen the entire run several times and I’m still not tired of it.
11. What’s your favorite animal?
A: Oh my God. That’s a tough question. I’m an animal lover. Right now, I’m hopelessly in love with my Siamese cat, Gandalf.
12. Worst injury?
A: I’ve never broken a bone in my life, thank God. However, one time I dropped thirty pounds of computer boards on my right toe. I’d thought I’d broken it and almost passed out. It was just bruised though.
13. How many TV’s in your house?
A: Five. My gosh, that sounds horrible.
14. What do you keep in your bedside table?
A: Lube. Candy. Pens. Charging cables.
15. If you could be any Disney character, who would you be, and why?
A: If he were gay, I’d choose Flynn from Tangled. He’s smart and funny and so dang hot.
16. Tardis or DeLorean?
A: Tardis. For sure. So many more options.
17. Light saber or a Sonic screwdriver?
A: Light saber all the way.
18. Twinks or bears?
A: Both have their benefits but in the end, I prefer to snuggle up against a big hairy dude who can hold me and make me feel safe.
19. World of Warcraft or Everquest?
A: My boyfriend is a huge Everquest fan. I call myself an Everquest Widower.
20. Fisting or Watersports?
A: I’ve been the giver and receiver of water sports and the giver in a fisting. Neither one really appealed to me. I do like to occasionally watch some water sports porn. Was that TMI?
The following exclusive excerpt takes place after Zack’s gruff FBI partner figures out Zack is gay.
I was dressed and ready way before nine Saturday morning, not wanting to give Duke any reason to come inside again. When I spotted him pulling up, I was out the door in a flash.
He gave me a nod of acknowledgement as I climbed into the car, but didn’t speak. It wasn’t totally unlike him to be quiet, but we’d been building a rapport and I’d gotten used to conversation.
I noticed he had a Thermos of coffee and I reached for it, but he stopped me. “Sorry, didn’t bring an extra cup.”
“Oh…okay. No problem. I’ll survive.”
After several minutes of silence, he cleared his throat and spoke. “There’s a reason I don’t get to know the people I work with. I don’t want to know about their personal lives or what they do when they’re not on the job. I wish I hadn’t come by your place because now I know something I really, really wish I didn’t.”
My chest tightened and it took effort to breathe. Was he talking about what I thought he was? This was my worst fear. Being found out. Being exposed. The damage it could do to my career.
“I liked you, Pomeroy. I did. Thought you had good instincts. But this…” He shook his head.
I had to try to convince him he was wrong, even if he was spot on. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Duke.”
He scowled at me and I instantly stopped talking. The man was not happy.
“Do not think I’m stupid, Pomeroy. I’m many things, but a moron is not one of them.” He gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. “You and your…roommate…were acting nervous when I showed up. Thought maybe a girl was there and you were having a twofer or something. Fuck, I wish that’s what it was.”
“Duke, listen…” Another glare cut me off.
“I peeked into that bedroom for a reason,” he said. “It was obvious no one sleeps in there.”
“Phil’s a clean freak.”
“The closet doors were open. There were no clothes.”
I rubbed my left temple; I had a headache coming on.
“The bathroom, which I assume is the one Phil should be using, didn’t have any toiletries. No toothbrush or comb or deodorant. Nothing, Pomeroy. Shit like that might fool your family, but not an FBI agent, especially not one who has been on the job as long as I have.”
Shit, I hadn’t thought about any of those things. Of course, we didn’t have much straight company. Any friends who came over were either gay or knew Phil and I were a couple. Phil didn’t talk to his family and my dad was too sick to visit.
“You’re a pansy, ain’t ya, Pomeroy? A fucking cocksucking faggot.” There was no doubt about his feelings now.
“Yes, I’m gay, but I don’t see how it matters.”
He snapped his head round to face me. “Ya think it doesn’t matter? That’s like saying I just found out my partner likes to bugger dogs or little girls but it shouldn’t matter.”
“There’s a big difference between going after kids or animals and being queer.”
He shook his head. “I don’t agree. Not at all.”
There was obviously no talking him out of his beliefs. His mind was set and all I could do was deal with the fallout.
“What’re you going to do? If you tell Donaldson, my career is dead.”
“I don’t give a fuck about your career. But I do care about my job. I don’t want your stink rubbing off on me. If I spill the beans about you there’ll be splashback. Everyone will think I knew about it or was one of your butt buddies.”
Well, that was somewhat good news. An ounce of relief washed through me, but it wasn’t going to be great working beside a man who hated my lifestyle.
Duke said, “I have to work with you, right now, but as soon as I can I’m gonna cut ties. While we’re together, we should work separately as much as possible. I don’t want you touching me or anything of mine, you got it?”
I nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Don’t talk to me unless you have to. And so help me God, Pomeroy; if you ever hit on me I will split your head open.”
Why did so many straight guys think we queers wanted them? Duke was definitely not my type. Not even close. Someone into Daddies might like him, but that wasn’t me. That was another argument I wouldn’t win so I nodded.
My career wasn’t dead, but it was teetering on the precipice. I had to tread carefully or I’d end up filing papers in some dark basement.
Our visit with Sadie went well despite my new anti-partnership with Duke. She admitted she thought her friend, David Campbell, could be D.B. Cooper. He had been a civilian employee on an airbase loading cargo onto planes. That fit with the knowledge the hijacker had possessed regarding how planes worked. We would have to investigate further.
Duke dropped me off at 11:30 and didn’t say a word when I said good-bye.
This was not going to be easy. Not at all.
About the Book
Length: 89 Pages
Category: Mystery, 1970’s, D.B. Cooper, True Crime, Hijacking, FBI, Gay
Blurb: It’s the winter of 1971 and FBI Agent Zack Pomeroy is hoping to make a name for himself when he’s assigned the case of the century—the hijacking of an airplane by D.B. Cooper. Zack’s used to hiding his sexuality but working with Duke Magruder is even more of a challenge. Not only do they do have vastly different personalities but also contrasting opinions on how to work the case. Nonetheless, Zack is able to earn Duke’s begrudging respect.
Until Duke learns Zack’s secret.
When Zack finds a lead on the case Duke not only refuses to listen, he also refuses to work with Zack any longer. Zack’s career and his assignment are at jeopardy but that doesn’t mean he’s about to give up on finding Cooper, no matter how many years it takes.
Hijacked Love is a blend of mystery and historical fiction with a bit of romance thrown in.
About the Author
Ethan Stone
Romance on the Edge
Ethan Stone doesn’t write your typical boy meets boy stories. With a combination of love and suspense he makes his characters work hard for their HEAs. If they can survive what he puts them through, then they can survive anything. He enjoys Romance with an Edge.
Ethan has been reading mysteries and thrillers since he was young. He’s had a thing for guys in uniform for just as long. That may have influenced the stories he writes.
He’s a native Oregonian with two kids. One of whom has made him a grandfather three times over; even though he is way too young.
Readers can find Ethan online: Website || Facebook || Twitter @ethanjstone || Pinterest || Tumblr || Email || His Books || Queer Romance Ink
The Novel Approach Reviews 
Thank you for sharing and answering those 20 question =) Congrats on the new book!
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