BLOG TOUR with AUTHOR INTERVIEW
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.
Goodreads
Buy Links
Universal Buy Link
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+
INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
The book that holds everlasting resonance…
I’d have to say Jane Eyre. I’ve read that book more than twice now, and I’m a sucker for a romance with a happily ever after. I think the book is so special to me, because of the ending. Jane doesn’t care that Mr. Rochester is blind. Because of that, the book holds a special place in my heart.
The film you can watch time and time again…
Well, there’s two. I can watch the Fifty Shades trilogy over and over, but I believe the reason has changed. At first, it was the BDSM that had me glued to the TV and how the characters interacted with each other. Now, I think I watch it to analyze and criticize, because I’ve learned so much since my first time watching.
Drumline is my second favorite movie. I was a drummer in middle and high school, and I know what it’s like to have conflict within a percussion section. I can quote almost every line from the movie, and it has a good lesson behind it: never lie and trust the others around you!
The song that means the most to you…
I’d have to say “Same Love” by Macklemore. The first few lines get to me every time, and the chorus holds so much promise. That song really brought to the surface all of the injustice the LGBTQIA community was facing, and I’m so glad that it’s my top song. It holds so much promise for our future as a nation.
The happiest moment you will cherish forever…
I attended a blind school from seventh grade until graduation. In eighth grade, I was a part of the blind marching band that was invited to participate in the Tournament of Roses parade in 2010. Our marching band was the first blind band to have done so, and as we crossed the five-mile mark, tears streamed down my face. All of our hard work had paid off! We had made history that day!
Your early recollections of writing fiction…
At nine years old, I was obsessed with the Naked Brothers Band, a rock band. I loved the lead singer, Nat Wolff, and I wanted to write songs just like him, So, I did that up until I was thirteen. I started writing stories of pregnant teenagers and babymama drama for a year, and then, because I was a section leader of the percussion section in marching band, I used my own experiences to create a series based off of what I was dealing with.
The figure from history you would most like to buy a pie and a pint…
Since I could remember, I have been interested in Helen Keller and her life. I’ve watched movies and plays, read books, and am planning on visiting the Helen Keller museum soon. She is a blind and deaf activist and speaker, and I would love to meet her.
The treasured item you lost and wish you could have again…
The item that comes to mind is a bracelet that was bought for me by a friend who has recently died of cancer. It was a bracelet that I had been wanting for a while, but never had the money to afford. I asked him if he could buy it for me, and for a while, I never took it out of my pocket. I had moved it from my coat pocket to my nightstand drawer, and at some point, it was stolen from me. What I would give to touch and wear that bracelet.
The philosophy that underpins your life…
I’ve always had this attitude about my disability. I never allow my blindness to hinder me, and I think I picked that up in marching band. Before that, I was very strong willed and adamant, but after attending the Rose Bowl parade, I was even more determined to not let my disability define me. I’ve accomplished some great things as a blind African American woman, and I am so proud that I didn’t allow my disability to hold me back.
The character you enjoyed writing the most…
Stephen from A Destined Christmas Miracle. BDSM is so fascinating to me, and I enjoyed getting into his head as a Dominant, and figuring out what made him tick and what motivated him. He is also blind like me, so we had something in common.
The book you enjoyed planning/writing the most…
A Destined Christmas Miracle is my longest book. Participating in NanoWrimo was the best thing I did in 2021, because it allowed me time to fully plot out this book and take my time writing. There was a lot of research that went into this book and a lot of sensitive issues that needed to be handled delicately, so that was another fun part of the planning process.
Thank you.
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?
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.
Author Links
LinkTree
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
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hosted by Gay Book Promotions
Lily G Blunt 