Today
I have a special guest Thomas Grant Bruso. He’s given a peek into his life and
brought along a blurb and excerpt from his new release Winter’s Light.
Hello, my
name is
Thomas Grant Bruso. I write fiction and M/M romance. I also review books for my
local newspaper, The Press Republican. Being a writer is everything I hoped it
would be. It is challenging, rewarding, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
I take pride in my disciplined work ethic. I’ve always wanted to write genre
fiction. I love reading and writing mystery and crime stories. At the moment I
am writing M/M romance for publication. My latest work of fiction, a novella
titled “Winter’s Light,” is the sequel to my 2014 short story, “A Light in the
Dark.” Both stories are published by JMS Books, LLC.
My
biggest strength is my loyalty and love toward people and animals. My biggest
weakness: I am a workaholic.
I am luckily married to a wonderful man named Paul.
I am luckily married to a wonderful man named Paul.
I
am all-around animal lover. If I had more free time, I’d enjoy volunteering my
services to animal causes.
If
I could live anywhere, I’d live somewhere in Maine.
My
favorite meal is anything with tofu. I enjoy cooking. It is relaxing,
especially after a long day at work.
My
favorite color is any shade of blue.
I
prefer coffee to tea. Strong coffee, black, unless it is a hot cup of
loose-leaf jasmine green tea. Then all bets are off.
~*~
Thomas
has brought along the blurb and excerpt from his new release, Winter’s Light.
Blurb:
(Sequel to A Light in the Dark)
During the past year, author
Christian Rivers has sold his house and moved in with the love of his life,
Milestone County’s chief of police, Sheriff Philip Erickson. Things couldn't be
better for them and their dog, Darth Vader.
The week before Christmas is a busy
one for Christian, who is on the road for a book tour to promote his newest
novel. Also, both of their families are arriving soon to visit for the holiday.
This will be the first time since Philip and Christian announced their
relationship that the two sets of parents will meet each other.
Whatever Christian expects Christmas
to be like, he doesn’t anticipate running into his ex-boyfriend Russ. He also
doesn’t expect his sister Paula to arrive with his parents. And he most
certainly doesn’t expect to hear that his beloved father is very ill.
With so many curve balls thrown at
them all at once, can Christian and Philip manage to have a joyful Christmas after
all? Will they start the New Year with an even deeper commitment to one
another, or end up on the rocks after the holidays? Where so much love abounds,
anything is possible.
Excerpt:
“I’m getting too old for sex,” Philip says to me
ten minutes later when we are propped up in bed, listening to the wind
thrashing the holly bushes outside the bedside window.
He sips his whiskey.
I turn to him, grinning. “Too old?”
“As old as time,” he whispers, leaning into my
mouth with his boozy breath and kissing me.
I place my hands on his cheek. “Age is just a
number. You’ll always be my silver fox.”
He slides a hand over mine, grinning. “I’m the
luckiest fellow in the world to have someone as special as you.” He takes the
last gulp of booze, swallows back noisily, and sets the glass down on the
bedside coaster.
I curl up next to him. “I think you have that
backwards.” I stare over at my handsome man.
“I just never thought --” The words trail off and
then he says, “So, how was your day?”
I turn to him. “What were you going to say?”
He closes his eyes and his head falls in front of
him, as if the alcohol has already taken effect. A few minutes later, he looks
up at me and manages a weak smile. “I just don’t know what I would do without
you. You make me happy to come home every night.”
I slip my fingers through his thick mane of greying
hair. “I am the lucky one.”
His head falls across my shoulder, and his warm
body curled up against mine is comforting.
“Life is good,” he says, pulling the comforter
around us.
The buttery glow of the lamplight spills across the
room and envelops us in its homey warmth. The rich cherry wood walls enclose
us. I hear the wind pick up and rattle chimes on the back porch.
“Thanks again for lunch today,” Philip says. “It
hit the spot.”
“Anytime.”
After a long pause, Philip says, “I apologize for
what happened this afternoon with Deputy Samson. It won’t happen again.”
“I’ve known Mark for years. Growing up in a narrow-minded
family is never easy. I think we can both relate to some degree.”
“It doesn’t excuse his behavior on the job. He was
out of control. He stepped over a line he should not have crossed.”
I cannot help but smile at Philip’s compassion.
“Mark had a rough childhood.”
“It’s inexcusable in the workplace. We all need to
take responsibility for our own actions. Deputy Samson chose not to exercise
those rights today.”
“You’re sexy when you get riled.”
He gazes at me. “Does it really turn you on?”
I nod. “Very much.”
Our lively laughter jolts Darth awake at the foot
of the bed. Sleepy-eyed, he pops his head up at us.
In the next ten minutes, we settle down. We listen
to each other’s deep breathing. I think Philip is asleep when he doesn’t answer
me. “Philip, hon, is something the matter?”
He shifts under the comforter. “Huh? I’m sorry. I’m
just tired. Long day.”
“What’s wrong?”
Sucking in a breath, he groans, pulling me under
his arm. “I don’t know what’s happening to our nice little town.”
Tucking my face in the crook of his arm, I rake my
fingers through his chest hair. “What happened?”
“In the last few days I can’t tell you how many
traffic stops have netted a handful of heroin and cocaine arrests. These are
twenty-something year old kids, mostly boys, who are dealing drugs. Really
potent stuff.” He pauses. “The drugs are being smuggled in through the Canadian
border.” He shakes his head. “It’s a shame that these young people will be
spending their lives behind bars.”
“I didn’t realize things were so dismal.”
“There’s no silver lining. I don’t see it getting
better.”
Pause.
I say, “Not to change the subject, but --”
“Please do. I don’t want to talk about work
anymore.”
“I’m afraid my news is just as grim.”
There is a hint of amusement in his voice. “Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse.”
~*~
