Welcome to author Mickie B. Ashling and the Exclusive Cover Reveal of her upcoming new novel from NineStar Press, Through My Own Lens!

I’d like to thank The Novel Approach for giving me the opportunity to present the striking cover created by Natasha Snow for my upcoming release, Through My Own Lens. This is the fifth book in the Horizons Series but can be read as a standalone.

Here’s an exclusive excerpt and a chance to win one e-copy of the fourth book in the series, Chyna Doll.

About Through My Lens

Author: Mickie B. Ashling
Series: Horizons
Pre-order Link: NineStar Press
Release Date: November 6, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-947904-18-7
Format: ePub, Mobi, PDF
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Category: Romance
Genre: Contemporary
Word Count: 54700
Sex Content: Explicit
Pairing: MM
Orientation: Gay
Identity: Cisgender, Intersex
Blurb: Luca Dilorio begins his freshman year at Cornell, while his boyfriend, Chyna Davidson, embarks on a modeling career based out of Manhattan, New York. Although Luca is only a five-hour drive away, he may as well be on another planet. Having watched Chyna’s back for years, Luca struggles with the separation. His new roommate, Zeb Araneda, lends an ear, and a solid friendship is born, but it doesn’t keep Luca from worrying.

Chyna learns to navigate the ups and downs of the modeling industry on his own. However, this proves difficult with Luca micromanaging everything, from Chyna’s diet to his choice in a roommate. After rejecting several candidates, Chyna and Luca decide on fellow model, Alex Boulet, who turns out to be perfect in more ways than one.

An unexpected appearance raises a multitude of concerns, and the entire family—Lil, Grier, Clark, Jody, and Chip—descend upon the young couple to offer their help. Will Luca and Chyna weather the storm or succumb to pressure from multiple fronts?

Exclusive Excerpt

“Hey,” Luca whispered into his phone, glancing to his right to see if the incoming call had disturbed Chyna. He was facing the opposite way, and the even breaths meant he was still down for the count. Luca carefully lifted the sheet and slid out of bed. He was eager to talk to Chip who was finally returning his call after ignoring him for days. He stepped into his boxers and headed for the living room.

“Where the hell have you been?” Luca asked. “I have a ton of stuff to run by you.”

“Sorry. My phone broke and it took forever to get a replacement. What’s going on?” Chip asked. “Is Chyna in trouble?”

“No, but he’s thinking of changing his name.”

“What for?”

“Work. Apparently, there’s been some confusion because his name is too feminine.”

“That’s stupid,” Chip said. “There are a ton of male celebrities with female or unisex names.”

“Yeah? Give me some examples.”

“Jamie, Morgan, Taylor, Peyton, Tracy, Sidney…for fuck’s sake, Luca. The list goes on and on. Chyna shouldn’t cave to this needless pressure. Remember how resistant he was to a switch after he was outed?”

Luca groaned. “Dude, I was there.”

“Who’s the idiot that turned this into an issue?”

“I think it’s a combination of different people and incidents.”

“Do Clark and Jody know?”

“Not yet. Chyna’s trying to decide on a name before he runs it by the ’rents.”

“Okay,” Chip said, drawing out the word. “This is newsworthy but not commensurate to all the missed calls and texts. What’s the big emergency?”

“Just me wanting to talk to my best friend.”

“Aww…I miss you, too. What’s going on?”

“I quit football.”

“Wait—what? Why’d you do that?”

“I’m overwhelmed by my schedule,” Luca admitted. “Besides, I’ve lost interest.”

“I’d understand if that were the truth.”

“Why would I lie about something so important?”

Chip’s silence was telling.

“Hey, are you still there?”

Clearing his throat, Chip asked, “Are you sure this isn’t about Chyna?”

“We hardly have time together,” Luca explained. “Throw in football and we might as well break up.”

“You know that’ll never happen,” Chip countered.

“It could,” Luca insisted. “You have no idea what goes on in the modeling world. It’s one temptation after another.”

“And what? You’re doubting him already?”

“No, hell no, but I want to be around as often as possible in case he needs me. Anyway, it’s a done deal. My dads have given the thumbs-up, so I’m free to enjoy my weekends in Manhattan.”

“Luca, you need to chill. Without trust, you guys will break up regardless of your schedule.”

Luca sighed.

“You can’t insulate Chyna forever,” Chip continued in a kinder tone. “Believe me, I tried. My brother has the necessary tools to make good decisions, and you have to remember there’s such a thing as overkill. You don’t want to end up pushing him away by being overbearing.”

“I’m not,” Luca protested. “At least I don’t think I am.”

“Your irrational need to insulate Chyna is coming off as controlling.”

“I’ll try to hold back my need to lock him up and throw away the key,” Luca snarled. “I thought you’d be happy that I’d be around more often.”

“Luca,” Chip soothed. “You’re not doing anything you haven’t done in the past, but things are different now. I wouldn’t let old fears cloud your judgment, or you might as well move back home. It’s time to leave your babysitting days behind.”

“What if someone takes advantage of his innocence?” Luca asked. “He’s too new at this gig to weed out the creeps from the good guys.”

“As usual, you’re overthinking. Unless you’re planning to be around 24/7, there’s nothing you can do from Ithaca to prevent this from happening. Meanwhile, you’ve given up a sport you’ve enjoyed since middle school. That’s beyond lame.”

“You’re harder on me than my own dads.”

“That’s because I know all your dirty secrets,” Chip remarked.

“What secrets? I’m an open book.”

“You like to be in charge,” Chip said. “That’s why you were the quarterback. Letting Chyna freefall is so beyond your comfort zone it’s making you crazy.”

“Shit, yeah,” Luca admitted with a frustrated sigh. “What should I do, Chip? Is there a magic pill for my disease?”

“Work on it,” Chip said kindly. “I know your intentions are good, and the vigilance was much appreciated when Chyna was going through so much turmoil, but it’s got to stop. Talk to him whenever you’re feeling uncomfortable about a given situation. Keeping the lines of communication is a must. This way you can voice your concerns without resorting to dumb moves like quitting football.”

“Will you give my sport a rest already?”

“You should reconsider,” Chip advised. “Football is a great outlet for letting off steam. A winning season will up your confidence and get rid of these unwarranted fears.”

“I doubt my coach will let me back on the team. He was pretty pissed when I quit.”

“You won’t know unless you ask. Enough about you,” Chip said. “Is Chyna available?”

“He might still be sleeping.”

“Will you go and check?”

When Luca opened the bedroom door, Chyna was sitting up and scrolling through his phone.

“Hey,” he said, taking his attention off the screen and smiling. “Where have you been?”

“Chip’s on the phone,” Luca said, handing it over.

A wide smile followed an outstretched hand. “How was the AT?” Chyna asked excitedly.

“Intense but amazing,” Chip remarked. “I broke my phone on the hike, so that’s why I’ve been incommunicado. What’s all this about a new name?”

“Do you approve?” Chyna asked.

“Truth?”

“Of course.”

“I’m not sure I like the idea. You hated Chandler when we suggested a change.”

“Seriously, Chip? Who in their right mind would name a kid Chandler?”

“Dad.”

Chyna cackled. “If I change my name, it’ll be something a lot more interesting.”

“Don’t succumb to pressure, kiddo. Make the change if you can’t live with Chyna anymore, but if that’s not the case, tell the haters to fuck off.”

“It’s not set in stone yet.”

“Good to know,” Chip said, sounding relieved. “After all this time, I’m used to Chyna. Imagining you as anything else is going to be a stretch.”

“I kind of like Flynn.”

“Nope.”

“Do you have a suggestion?”

“How about Precious?” Chip asked in Gollum’s creepy voice.

“Don’t be a jerk,” Chyna said. “I’m asking for your help. Play the name game with me.”

“I don’t have time for this.”

“Hey! You need to make the time after disappearing for ages.”

“What about Phoenix?”

“Why that in particular?”

“It’s the Greek mythological bird that is cyclically regenerated or reborn. Sort of like you.”

“Hmm.”

“Think about it,” Chip suggested. “Or you could simply call yourself by your surname, like they do in sports or the military. Davidson should be manly enough for you.”

Chyna huffed. “This isn’t about me, Chip.”

“Gotcha,” Chip pounced. “You’re giving in to gender bias.”

“I suppose I am.”

“Don’t.”

“You’re not the one who has to deal with the perplexed looks when I walk through the door.”

“Has it occurred to you that they may be stunned by your beauty and not your name?”

“Way to compliment and smack down at the same time.”

“Food for thought, bro. There’s no need to rush into anything.”

About the Author

Mickie B. Ashling is the pseudonym of a multifaceted woman who is a product of her upbringing in multiple cultures, having lived in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East. Fluent in three languages, she’s a citizen of the world and an interesting mixture of East and West. A little bit of this and a lot of that have brought a unique touch to her literary voice she could never learn from textbooks.

By the time Mickie discovered her talent for writing, real life got in the way, and the business of raising four sons took priority. With the advent of e-publishing—and the inevitable emptying nest—dreams of becoming a published writer were resurrected and she’s never looked back.

She stumbled into the world of men who love men in 2002 and continues to draw inspiration from their ongoing struggle to find equality and happiness in this oftentimes skewed and intolerant world. Her award-winning novels have been called “gut wrenching, daring, and thought provoking.” She admits to being an angst queen and making her men work damn hard for their happy endings.

Author Links:  Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads & Ask the Author | Website | Email

The Giveaway ~ An eCopy of Chyna Doll

About Chyna Doll: Lil Lampert’s forty-fifth birthday turns the effervescent architect into a brooding mess, and his partner, Grier Dilorio, takes him to Italy to help him regain his zest for life. The timing is bad—almost-fifteen-year-old Luca has just started high school, and his mother and stepfather are also traveling. Luca is left in the care of Chicago Bear, Clark Stevens, and his partner, Dr. Jody Williams.

Growing up with two dads and two gay uncles has given Luca a unique perspective on gender roles, but not all the answers. He’s had a secret crush on his straight best friend, Chip, for years. Suddenly, Luca finds himself attracted to Chyna, Chip’s twin sister. Now he’s wondering if this means he’s bisexual.

Born with a sexual development disorder, Chyna should have been raised as a male, but due to an epic parenting fail, is being raised as female. Hiding the truth becomes more difficult when Chyna hits puberty, and crushing over Luca adds another element to Chyna’s struggle to fit in.

Is Luca’s moral compass strong enough to guide him successfully through this period of discovery or will he succumb to peer pressure and shatter Chyna’s dreams for happiness?

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js