Happy Release Day to Lane Hayes!
It is always a pleasure to welcome Lane Hayes back to Sinfully, especially on the release day of her latest novel A Kind of Truth… which was a FIVE star read for our Alan!
A Word from Lane Hayes
Writing a rock and roll story is a challenge. Or at least I thought it would be. Sure, I love music, but I don’t play any instruments. I didn’t want my lack of practical skill to get in the way of my storyline. Then again, if I had questions about the guitar, bass or drums, I could always ask my in-house experts. My husband plays guitar and my son plays everything. But A Kind of Truth isn’t a manual on how to play guitar (even though the incredible cover art by Aaron Anderson makes me want to learn!). It’s a love story about reaching for impossible dreams and finding unexpected truths along the way.
My love of music is borderline obsessive at times. I was a teenager in the 80s and I readily admit that MTV helped shaped my undying affection for British bands. I was a huge fan of bands like The Specials, The Jam, Duran Duran and U2 or artists like Billy Idol and Elvis Costello. Eventually I became interested in finding out more about the acts that influenced new wave and punk. Suddenly David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison and Led Zeppelin were albums I had to own. And yes, I mean vinyl records. I am a proud owner of an extensive vinyl collection, not to mention a ridiculous amount of CDs too. I would pour over each track, memorizing my favorite lyrics and wishing I could express myself musically. Words were my passion, but the fusion of poignant words with music was magic. A beautiful turn of phrase accompanied by a gorgeous melody played on acoustic guitar by a sexy, soulful artist? Swoon!
We all grow up sometime. I’m far removed now from fanatical days spent obsessing over my favorite rock gods. Truthfully, I don’t have time. Besides I’ve discovered in the past couple years that I’d prefer to write my own characters and let the rhythm of their story serve as a melody to the overall message of self-discovery and hope. If you’ve read any of my other books, you may have noticed that I occasionally reference a song or an artist. It’s meant to pay homage to some influential musicians and in some cases, to set a tone (Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata in The Right Time or John Coltrane in Better Than Safe).
A Kind of Truth is my eighth published novel and the first one in which I’ve written about two musicians, Rand and Will, the extroverted rock star wannabe and the shy, quiet band geek who finds solace and strength behind a piano or with a guitar on his knee. True to form, I’ve paid homage to the Rolling Stones and even Michael Jackson in this book, but the real music comes from the characters. They move in a curious circle around each other until the magnetic pull of music and attraction make it difficult to deny their chemistry and synchrony.
A Kind of Truth is book one in a new series set in my favorite place, New York City. As with all of my books, this is a standalone, but it’s also a spin-off of the Better Than Stories series. Rand O’Malley is Seth’s best friend in Better Than Safe. Rand is opinionated, overbearing and cocky, but he’s also funny, charismatic and sexy as hell! He’s my ideal of that lead singer from my favorite band that I adored as a teenager and secretly wished was good boyfriend material. He is my ode to lost youth and truth through the beauty of music. He made writing a rock and roll story a joy. I hope you enjoy!
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”— Victor Hugo
Thank you for hosting me today! Happy Reading!
Lane Hayes xo
A Kind of Truth
Lane Hayes
Publisher ~ Dreamspinner Press
Published ~ 8th January 2016
Genre ~ Contemporary M/M Romance
Rating
Synopsis
Rand O’Malley dreams of superstardom. He hopes to one day sing the blues like a rock god. Moving to New York City and hiring a new manager are steps to make his dreams a reality. But nothing moves as fast as Rand would like, and everyone has opinions, which include he keep certain pieces of himself quiet if he plans on making it in the Big Apple. Like his bisexuality.
Will Sanders is a gifted musician who dazzles Rand with his ability to coax gorgeous notes from an electric guitar one moment and play the piano like a professional the next. He’s a geek, but Rand isn’t concerned about Will’s pressed exterior clashing with his tattoos. His focus is music. Yet there’s something about Will that makes Rand think there’s much more to the quiet college student than he lets on. As Rand’s dreams begin to materialize, he’s forced to reconsider his priorities and find his own kind of truth. One that might include Will.
::: REVIEW :::
Purchase Link
Meet Lane Hayes
Lane Hayes is finally doing what she loves best. Writing! An avid reader from an early age, Lane has always been drawn to romance novels. She truly believes there is nothing more inspiring than a well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Lane discovered the M/M genre a fews ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel, Better Than Good, was a 2013 Rainbow Awards finalist. She loves travel, chocolate, and wine (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and their very old dog in an almost empty nest.
Giveaway
Lane Hayes is gifting to one lucky reader a $25 Amazon Gift Card. For your chance to win, all you need to do is enter the Rafflecopter below.
Congrats to Lane for this new release. I love stories about musicians and I loved NY (only went there once, but I hope to get back there another time or more). This synopsis looks right up my alley and your book just found its place on my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance at the giveaway.
Thank you! NYC is the best! So much energy. Hope you enjoy Rand & Will!
DeleteCongratulations on the new release, Lane. I love music as well, there is always some song playing whenever I'm at home, whether classic or rock or pop... It just depends on my mood! ;)
ReplyDeleteI loved your post. Music is a passion of mine and your description of the magic made when beautiful words mix with music is dead on. This book is at the top of my TBR. I just love a good rock star romance. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammy! Music is everything. Hope you enjoy Will and Rand's story!
DeleteCongratulations on your new release Lane the book sounds fab and is on my wish list.,
ReplyDeleteHi Shirley! Thanks so much! xo
DeleteCongratulations on your release Lane Hayes!
ReplyDeletealso, great review!
Thank you! And yes, fabulous review from Alan. I'm thrilled!
DeleteCongrats on the new release! I'm starting the book tonight.
ReplyDeleteYay!! Hope you enjoy it Serena!
Deletecant wait to read this
ReplyDeleteOh good! Hope you enjoy it!
Deletecongrats on the book I know you will do well
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeanine! I appreciate that! xo
DeleteCongrats on the release! Love the cover and the story sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Marcy! I love the cover too :-) Aaron Anderson did another beautiful job!
DeleteCongratulations on the new book! I can't wait to read it; there's been great reviews for this one already! Thank you for the post and the giveaway as well!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen! Thank you and good luck on the giveaway!
DeleteLooking forward to this!
ReplyDelete--Trix
Yay! Thank you!
DeleteSounds wonderful. I'm all for shy, quiet musicians (especially pianists). Congrats on the wonderful review. :-)
ReplyDeleteWill plays a few instruments, but his passion is the guitar... and the piano :-). I have a soft spot for the shy, quiet types too.
Deletecongrats on the new release...sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lee!
DeleteCongrats on the new release! Looking forward to giving it a read.
ReplyDeleteThanks H.B.!
DeleteCongratulations on the new release Lane!! Book sounds great! Can't wait to pick it up!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gen! Hope you enjoy Will & Rand's story!
DeleteMTV - great memories. I'm going to enjoy this thank you.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Is that the truth? I remember recording my favorite videos on VHS. Cue the eye roll. Seems like yesterday though.
Deletecongratulations Lane on the release of your book!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and yours and the best of luck with your writing & sales this 2016!
thanks for the chance at a $25 Amazon GC! :D
Bless your heart! Happy New Year to you too & Good luck!
DeleteThis sounds like a great read, bonus that its hot rockers! Fingers crossed xxxxx
ReplyDeleteThere's something about a bad boy rock star, isn't there? Thank you and good luck, Laura!
DeleteI like that the author believes there is nothing more inspiring than a well-told love story with beautifully written characters
ReplyDeleteI believe it whole-heartedly. To me, it's what makes a love story relatable and real. Thank you for your comment. xo
DeleteCongrats! Sounds like a rockin' good read.
ReplyDeleteLol! Thanks Richard!
DeleteCongrats on your newest release! I am a huge fan and cannot wait to read this one! Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteThank you! And good luck! :-)
DeleteCongratulations on your new release! It sounds great! I have it loaded on my kindle and read to read! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yay!! Enjoy xo
DeleteCongrats on the release! I love stories about musicians because I don't have an artistic bone in my body. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I wish I could play an instrument. I tried piano for a while but I got frustrated too easily. I appreciate their skill a million times over!
DeleteI'm doing showtunes, not quite your character's style but "Who wants to be a millionaire, I do" or at least $25 of amazon credits.
ReplyDeleteI love show tunes! In our house, show tunes, pop, classical and everything in between rule. I have a feeling Will appreciates them too ;-) Good luck on the giveaway!
DeleteCongrats on the New Release and thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI love stories about musicians because I love music and I have such a respect for those that can create it .
Thank you. I agree. Musicians are easy to fall for because they're brave enough to sing from the soul.
DeleteCongrats on your success!
ReplyDeleteI like the top of this book.
Also that it's set in NY which is my favorite city.
thank you
Thank you Barbara. I agree! Aaron Anderson did a beautiful job on the cover. And you know now I love NYC too! xo
DeleteThank you for explaining the inspiration behind the story and revealing some of your background. Many of us have that same connection to music and now to books - and I enjoy seeing two of my passions combined. I also admit I was looking at the cover and wondered if the guitar could fall over...
ReplyDeleteLOL! I'd love to be there when the guitar slipped too! I agree that music and books are very intertwined. A soundtrack usually unfolds in my head when I read or write. It's very interesting...it can be classical music or an old pop song, but it's something meaningful in the moment.
DeleteI love that music plays such a big part in inspiring your characters!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris. It definitely does. Music is inspiration. xo
ReplyDeleteI can't wait read it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lou! Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteSounds quite good. Congratulations and much success to you, Ms. Hayes!
ReplyDeletetaina1959 @ yahoo.com
Thank you!
DeleteThis book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne! I appreciate it!
DeleteI have read all of Lane's Better Than series and Right and Wrong series-loved them and her. Can't wait to try this one also!!!
ReplyDeleteFairly new to m/m romance, and it is now all I read. Looking forward to reading your books--the new ones, and all the ones I have missed out on enjoying.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your eight book! Thanks for the post and the review. I was a teen in the 80s, too, and remember how influential MTV was. :-)
ReplyDelete