Jared Thomas has lived his whole life in the small mountain town of Coda,
Colorado. He can’t imagine living anywhere else. Unfortunately, the only other gay man in town is twice his age and used to be his teacher, so Jared is resigned to spending his life alone.
Until Matt Richards walks into his life, that is. Matt has just been hired by the Coda Police Department, and he and Jared immediately become friends. Matt claims he is straight, but for Jared, having a sexy friend like Matt is way too tempting. Facing Matt’s affair with a local woman, his disapproving family, and harassment from Matt’s co-workers, Jared fears they’ll never find a way to be together—if he can even convince Matt to try.
Paperback ISBN: ISBN: 978-1-61581-378-0
eBook ISBN: 978-1-61581-379-7
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6th place in the 2010 Goodreads Choice Awards: Best Romance
(Behind names like JR Ward, Nicholas Sparks, and Nora Roberts, I think 6th place is pretty damn good! Thanks to everybody who voted for me!) |
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Dear Ms. Sexton,
I’m having an interesting experience with your writing. The couple in each story I read seems immediately to become my favorite! I loved Matt and Jared (no disrespect, of course, to Jaime and Levi or Aren and Deacon).
It is lovely to read stories that contain at least one gay or bisexual character who is already out and largely comfortable with him or herself. I often can’t bear tales where everyone wallows in the pain of closeted denial. I could take Matt’s struggles because of Jared’s relative centeredness. Matt, by the way, had an interesting flavor of denial going on. There was a slightly unusual level of separation between his day-to-day awareness of himself and his submerged same-sex attraction. Most LGBT people I’ve known had moments of (at the time) terrifying clarity about their sexuality prior to coming out that led to freaking out and/or acting out. There’s often quite a series of these over time. In Matt’s relationship with Jared he seemed to have one quite monumental freak out quite late in the process of falling in love followed by the expected aftershocks, slow coming to terms, etc. I DID find it believable, especially in light of his history. And I enjoyed reading it. It also makes sense to me in a (relatively) hyper-masculine guy like Matt. There may well be a lack of hyper-masculine coming out stories in my experience.
I’m fairly new to M/M romance novels, though I am certainly glad to have found them. Stories of same-sex love are rarely told (and rarely told well). I love reading them for obvious reasons, but they are also food for my soul. Gay and lesbian people (and bisexual folks in a slightly different way) often grow up in a cultural desert–we do not hear the song of our hearts around us. We are barraged with explicit and implicit stories of different sex love. It is presumed. It is normative. This is deeply harmful to us. It’s why many of us crush such a precious piece of our hearts at a very young age, and have to come out and (hopefully) heal when we are older.
When I was young I fell in love with pairs figure skating. It fascinated me in its beauty and precision. Many years later, by chance, I saw pairs figure skating by two men at the Gay Games in Amsterdam. I was thunderstruck, and burst into tears on the spot. They were so beautiful together! It had never occurred to me, you see, that there was anything sexual or sensual about figure skating at all. Until I saw two men skating together. FYI, I had been out for many years at that point.
I get the obvious surface connection in female/male pairings. I can even analogize to a certain extent. But they’ve never resonated emotionally or sexually for me at all. In my gut they make no sense. No disrespect intended. I can see that such relationships make many people happy, and I am glad for them. It’s just not the way I am wired.
Your stories feed my soul like those two skaters in Amsterdam. Thank you.
Buzz
Hi Buzz! First of all, I want to apologize for not responding sooner. I’ve been out of town for the last few days at GayRomLit in Albuquerque.
Thanks so much for your comment. The story of the figure skaters is wonderful and really telling. I once had somebody ask me if I worried about the kind of message I was sending to my child by having a picture in my office of two men kissing. I was so shocked by the question. Had it been a man and a woman, this woman wouldn’t have batted an eye, but because it was two men, she seemed to think it should be hidden. I told her the truth: that if my daughter sees two men kiss, she doesn’t think twice about it. And I think THAT is what we’re working for. At least, it’s what I hope we can all work toward — a culture where no type of love is somehow more “normal” than another.
Anyway, I’m not sure I said that as eloquently as I might have liked, but it’s been a long week. :-/
Thanks again very much for your comment, and I’m really glad you’re enjoying the books.
You have a fantastic literary style that captivated and absorbed me immediately. I felt I was IN the story and not a bystander. That say TONS to you for speaking in the book as if you are welcoming and endearing me to Colorado, Matt, Jared and all the other fantastic characters in your book. You are now one of my MOST FAVORITE AUTHORS.
I tried to pre-order the Tucker Springs series for my Nook but found it was only available at Amazon for Kindle. I’d love them when they hit the shelf.
Thanks Don! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the books. If you pre-order the ebook directly from Riptide, you should be able to get a Nook-compatible version, plus you’ll get to download it two days prior to release.
Thanks again!
Hi Marie! I finished Promises and it’s fantastic. I hope to see some more of Matt and Jared in future books? I am currently reading A to Z though it doesn’t appeal to me as much as Promises.
Thanks, Ken. I’m glad you liked Matt and Jared.
You are awesome, Marie! I can’t even tell you how much I love your books!! Especially “Promises”. I am absolutely in love with Matt and Jared. I want more!! Keep up the great work!
Thanks very much, Matt! I appreciate that!
SO LOVING ALL THE CODA BOOKS SO FAR!!! Ill make my way to the other series when im done with these guys *cheesy grin*
So, the reason im really writing was…. (Im not sure if its mentioned in any of you Matt and Jared books *blushing*). But what is Jared’s tattoo of and do you have a picture anywhere that you might be able to share to get a good visual of what it is?!? PRETTY PLEASE!!!
Cheers Tanya
Hi Tanya! I’m glad you’re enjoying the books so far!
I wasn’t sure at first exactly what Jared’s tattoo was of – he never really let me get a good look at it. I knew where it was, and I thought it was round. I pictured it being sort of colorful. Other than that, I had no idea, so back in February, I hosted a contest in which readers hunted for his tattoo. It was so much fun to see what people came up with. You can see some of the entries and the winner here.
Thanks for your question!
Marie
Marie,
Last night I read Promises. OMG….you are incredible. I loved this story. Being from Colorado and loving our mountains and mountain biking….this story hit home for me. Once I started reading…I couldn’t stop…I had to finish it. You have made me a huge fan and I will continue to read your work. Also, this story blows brokeback mountain away. It was a thousand times better with the emotions it evoked. I wish you could make this into a movie. It would be incredible. Thank you for your wonderful writing.
MARK
Mark, thanks so much! Your comment absolutely made my day! I’m so glad you enjoyed Promises. Many of my friends have said, “It’s so Colorado,” and that’s one of the best compliments anybody can pay that story. I’m really proud when people feel that I’ve captured any part of this great state (which I love with all my heart!).
Thanks again, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
Marie
Marie,
I have just discovered you in this world of writing and i have to say i am SOOOOOO happy that i did. I just got all your Coda books and i just finished the first one. You have such a talent for writing, Your characters were awesome. I completly fell for both men is this story and I can’t wait to get home and read the next one in the series. Wow..5 stars from me, loved loved loved it!!!!! Can’t wait to read more from you.
jennifer
Thanks Jennifer! I’m glad you liked Matt and Jared. If you haven’t found it already, there’s a short story on the sidebar called The Promise that is about them, and another short story with them will be released on Valentine’s Day.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the series as well!
Marie, what is Jared’s tattoo of?
I’m not sure, exactly. It’s circular. He’s never let me get a real good look at it.
I just read this book (in a day) and fall in love with it. Definitely one of my top favorites among so many M/M stories I have read this year. THANK YOU, for giving me Jared and Matt
~ from Indonesia
Amie – You’re very welcome!
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Dear Marie,
I have just finished Promises that took me only 3 days as a kind of record for me as I am very slow in reading. It was just amazing and outstanding experience for me. I liked it very much as it was interesting and breathtaking. I am planning to buy a hard copy of Promises and put it into my library as what I read was an electronic one. Just wanted to tell you thanks a lot for writing such an art.
All the best,
Dmitri
Dmitri-
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you liked it!
Hi Marie!
I just want to let you know that I bought yesterday “Promises” and I finished right now. I couldn’t stop to read it!
It’s amazing and so realistic. I really love Jared and Matt, you built two wonderful characters. Be sure I’ll buy your other books!
Thanks!
Thanks so much, Barbara! I’m glad you liked it!
Hi Marie
Have just finished Promises and had to stop in and say…WOW!! I have been reading mm romance for awhile now, which seemed to be a natural progression from fan fic of various fandoms on the internet (e.g. Queer as folk, Shelter, Brokeback Mountain, Nuke, Kish), which eventually lead me to Books on Board and your book was recommended to me. I’ve never been so grateful!
I finished reading it an hour ago and Mick and Jared are still with me. When I look out to the mountains out from my deck I imagine the boys riding there, when I fix myself a coffee I picture that first moment when Mick really touched Jared against the kitchen bench. I adored the character switch, where it was Mick who became confident about their relationship, not Jared – completely unexpected! Mick’s emotions felt so real to me as he (and Jared) worked through his perceived physical boundaries, and the humouros dialogue between the two still has me grinning like an idiot.
Thank you so much for sharing your writing with us, I’m off to buy another of your stories so I can be wrapped up in another world (although I expect that Matt and Jared will be lingering here for awhile longer!)
Thanks so much. I’m glad you enjoyed it and hope you like A to Z as well. Make sure to check back when The Letter Z comes out. You’ll get to see more of Matt and Jared there as well.
I have only started reading Gay Romance novels about 6 months ago. I am addicted! I have a Kindle and am reading approx a book a day. Like some of your other readers I too, stay up till all hours reading. I have shed many a tear over these books but Promises has to be one of the besst I have every read! I fell in love with those two men from the start and suffered along with them thru their trials and tribulations. So glad to hear about Z and thet I can look forwaard to more stories about them. I think what amazes me mostly about the Reply Section is that so many women read these books. Just never thought thatd M/M sex would interest them. Boy was I wrong. Well, keep up the good work and please don’t ever let go of Matt and Jared.
Hi from Germany, I just wanted to let you know how much I loved reading “Promises” and “A to Z”. Can’t wait for “The letter Z”. Are you planning to write more spin- offs? I really hope you decide to write Coles story.
Thanks Christina! I’m actually working on Cole and Jonathan’s story now, so cross you fingers that the voices in my head keep talking!
Marie
Promises transported me to a place of beauty, tenderness and joyous multi-dimensional love. I think your book is exquisitely touching and look forward to purchasing everything you write.
One bit of errata: On page 34 Cherie’s name is inserted as applying to Lizzy. Since “Promises” will definitely need a second printing you may want to fix this.
Thanks so much, Stan! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
That typo on page 34 is so frustrating! I can’t tell you how many times I read through it, and still missed that. Oh well.
Thanks again!
I am a huge fan of Promises. Every once in a while a book comes along that makes me drink 2 cups of Java the next day to stay awake at work. Promises kept me awake until 2am. It was worth it!!
I am looking forward to A -Z. I’m glad it released on a Friday.
Please keep writing wonderful romantic books.
Johanna – Thank you so much! I’m so glad you liked it!
Well, I’ve finished it – would have commented sooner but for a blinding headache and the need to take some painkillers (not connected to the book, honestly…just one of those things).
It’s funny but I always seem to get a piece of grit behind my contacts lenses when I finish a book I enjoy. I wonder if it’s in any way connected to the happy ending? Surely not…
I’m only on chapter 15 and I already know this is one of my favourite reads since I got my ereader. Then today I find out there’s a sequel out soon! (Okay, a book in which Jared and Matt make an appearance; I’m still excited).
At the risk of sounding like a fangirl I am so happy to find a M/M romance where the guys don’t sound like over-emotional chicks with…well, you know.
Jared makes me wish I was a gay guy!
I’m going to force everyone I know with an ereader to buy this book. So there.
(Expect more fangirl ravings when I finish reading the book).
Scarlett – Thanks for the smile today! Feel free to leave fangirl ravings any time.
Really, I’m glad you’re enjoying it and hope you love A to Z just as much.
You’re welcome Marie! I look forward to A to Z. And of course Matt and Jared whom I’ve grown to adore are always welcome back in my heart anytime
From one writer to another, all my best – MZ
Marie — I read a lot of M/M romances. Yeah, color me a romance junkie. I recently purchased Promises. Like the others, I couldn’t put it down. Great book! Plus it’s a treat to read a M/M romance that comes across as quite realistic. Of course it’s a touching human connection between two wonderful men. This book gets filed in to my personal “Winner’s Circle” of good reads. Furthermore, it’s all because of Lizzy’s Jeep that has led us to this wonderful story. Cheers always, Michael Z.
Thanks Michael! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ve been working on a new story, and spending some quality time with Matt and Jared again. I can’t wait to share it with you all!
Just wanted to say how much I loved “Promises.” And I’m very much looking forward to reading more from you in the future. Here’s to wishing you a long and prolific writing career!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth!
I just finished Promises and wanted to let you know how much I loved it! It was so refreshing to read a book where the characters felt real, the men acted like men and they had realistic conversations. I hate it when I have to stop reading a book because I feel like there’s just no way someone acts or talks like that in real life. Frankly there’s so much crap out there in the m/m genre that I think we need more authors like you. I especially liked the way you portrayed Matt. This is exactly how I imagine a closeted gay man would struggle and then come to terms with his sexuality.
Thank you for this wonderful book! I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for your future stories.
Thanks Anita for the positive feedback! I’m so glad you liked it!
Finished your book this morning. LOVED it. I wrote a short review at Goodreads and several of my friends have added your book to their “To read” list. Excellent story. Wonderful characters. I’m gonna suggest it to all my friends that like mm romance and gay fiction.
Link to Promise’s page on Goodreads.
Mike – Thank you so much for the review! I’m glad you liked it!
love promises. looking forward to A to Z. any idea when it’ll come out?
Denise – So glad to hear that you liked Promises!! A to Z’s projected release date is April 2010. BUT, the projected release date for Promises was February. So, I’m hoping that A to Z will be out in March? That might just be wishful thinking on my part though.
A good mountain bike would not have a kick stand.
This looks like an excellent story. Looking forward to reading it when it comes out on e-book in January.