Title: Grounded

Author: Aidan Wayne

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: August 21

Heat Level: 2 – Fade to Black Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 40000

Genre: Contemporary, chefs, children, contemporary, sports, gay, pansexual, trans

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Synopsis:

Between raising his daughter Camille, his work as a full-time pastry chef, and his hobby of capoeira, Baz’s life is pretty full. He may be a little lonely, but he’s too busy to think about it all that much.

When his cousin Alaina introduces him to Terry, another capoeira student, Baz is instantly drawn to him. Though quiet and withdrawn, Terry ends up being a fun, interesting person who Baz can’t help but fall for. And when Baz does things, he doesn’t do them halfway.

Terry is a successful voice actor and a talented martial artist. But the fact that he’s shy, on top of being a trans man, has kept him from really dating. He likes Baz, he does—he just doesn’t want to mess up their friendship by failing at romance. Still, Baz is nothing if not stubborn, and Terry is willing to give things a try.

Excerpt:

Grounded
Aidan Wayne © 2017
All Rights Reserved

Chapter One

Baz was going to throw up.

It was finally time for the Roda Capoeira showcase. Baz’s martial arts school put on a demo once a year, and he was one of two people demonstrating advanced flips. He was ready, he’d been practicing for weeks, the show started in ten minutes, he was the eighth performer out of twelve, and he was going to seriously throw up if he thought anymore about performing in front of an audience. He was fine with regular capoeira games, the fighting dance performed in a rodacircle. But for some reason this felt a lot different from playing a game with his regular group.

Maybe it was because Andre and Aunt Emma had collaborated with the local community broadcast system, so there were television cameras around.

There was a quick rapping on the dressing room door—three sharp knocks to warn them all before it was pushed open. Someone Baz had never seen before walked in, looking for all the world like they belonged there.

“Terry!” Lydia, who was closest to the door, immediately rushed at them, throwing her arms around their neck. They looked tiny next to Lydia’s five-ten frame but didn’t buckle after being practically jumped on. “Oh my god, Terry, you’re back! Guys, Terry’s here!”

Baz turned to get a better look, grateful for the distraction, as all of the eleven other performers made their way toward the door and the short dark-haired newcomer, who quickly disappeared underneath a multitude of hugs. Dee, who had been putting on their makeup, practically tripped over themselves to run forward.

“Hey everyone,” Terry said, muffled under Dee and Alaina. “Missed you.”

“I’m glad you made it. Welcome back.” Andre grinned, clapping Terry on the back.

“Well, I couldn’t miss the showcase,” Terry said, smiling down at the floor. They spoke quietly, but in a way that carried. “And I’ll be coming back to classes finally. Got my schedule changed around. Just wanted to tell you all that I’m here. Put on a good show so I can see what I missed?”

“Yeah, of course,” Lydia said.

“I’ll let you guys finish getting ready. See you all soon.”

They left with a wave and a bunch of goodbyes, with a promise to Andre they’d come backstage again after the show.

Baz caught Alaina’s arm as she made her way back to the mirrors to finish helping Dee with their makeup. (Dee used they/them pronouns, so when it doubt, that was what Baz had learned to default to.) “Who was that? I’ve never seen them before.”

Alaina looked delighted. “That was Terry. I think I’ve mentioned him to you before? He’s the guy who does Tae Kwon Do and likes all the same bands as you. You’d be great friends. I’m so glad he’s back—I’ve been dying to introduce you. And, you know, see him again.”

“Has he been coming to capoeira for a long time?”

“He’s been pretty off and on. But it sounds like he’s going to be back.”

“Five minutes till curtain, everyone,” Andre called. “Let’s get into our seats.”

The performers all rushed around finishing up last-minute touches, and Baz was distracted enough by the commotion and the rest of the showcase that his nerves died down, at least a little bit.

Exclusive Content:

What’s harder, naming your characters, creating the title for your book or the cover design process?

Naming my characters. While titles are sometimes a struggle, I often come up with titles even before I start to write the book. As for the cover design process…well, that can be be difficult too, as I’m not at all artistically inclined and so very rarely have a cover idea in my head. But I can’t write a story until my characters are named, and sometimes I get so stuck that I actually have to put a story idea on hold.

How do you answer the question “Oh, you’re an author…what do you write?”

“Queer stories with happy endings.” Then I elaborate if they ask.

What does your family think of your writing?

My immediate family knows that/what I write. While they haven’t read any of it, they’re proud of me for pursuing something I love so much.

Tell us about your current work in process and what you’ve got planned for the future.

I’m currently in the middle of…three(?) stories. One playing with the idea of soulmarks, one about the journalings of an anti-hero who thinks he’s a villain, and one about the aforementioned Broadway star. My plans for the future is to finish all of them.

Do you have any advice for all the aspiring writers out there?

Write. Keep writing. Write what you want to write, because that’s what you’ll be happiest doing. Even if that work never sees the light of day, the more you write, the more you’ll improve. Start with just ten words. You can edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank one.

Review

Grounded by Aidan Wayne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Grounded (ARC) was graciously provided to me by IndiGo Marketing & Design for an honest review.

“Amour, acceptation, et macarons..”

I just finished reading a new book that was such a sweet story; one that was overflowing with wonderfully adorable and realistic father daughter moments, eye-opening and peaceful revelations, which were also interlaced with acceptance and support from friends and family members, all of which was made even sweeter by the various sprinklings of delicious yumminess created by one of the mc’s, Baz, who is a pastry-chef. As a result of having just read, Grounded, by Aiden Wayne, fluffy, sparkly and misty clouds made of sugar decadence, are now pouring off of me like fairy dust all due to the feel-good, overall sense of goodness and that flows from this story.

Grounded is a story about (Bastian) Baz, a single parent, who is currently raising his adorable daughter Camille, while working very hard as a pastry chef, and at times, as a sous chef as well. While attempting to maintain his healthy lifestyle, he also participates in various capoeira exercise classes. At one of these classes, he meets..Terry Cohen, a transgender man who is a voice over actor and former martial arts instructor. Cool, huh? As this was my very first experience with a story which had at least one character who was transgender, I was so glad to have had the opportunity to read it, and, I think I can say that my heart grew even more for individuals who are valiantly trying to live a life as they wish to live.

This is a story about opening one’s heart and loving someone regardless of gender. Regardless of anything at all, and, loving the actual person. It’s about plowing forward and working hard to be able to have everything that one desires.

I found this to be a very good and welcoming short story. I thought Baz deserved an all-around gold medal for his kindness, patience, strength and his perseverance. I thought he was amazing. I absolutely loved how he was raising his daughter, got chills every time they spoke French, and, was so proud of him for following his heart.

I was also so proud of Terry for beginning the transition, but, was slightly confused as well. I thought that unless there was something from his childhood that was causing his insecurity and doubt..his insecurities were a bit much. It seemed like they didn’t completely have anything to do with his transitioning, so, I felt it was a bit excessive, and, Baz’ patience with him, was incredible. I was just as proud when he was able to let his guard down and open up to not only Baz but also to Camille, regardless of any short-comings.

I was excited to be able to read about the developing relationship between Baz and Terry. It was so nice to see it progressing. That being said, I felt that it was still on the outskirts of a relationship, and, needed more depth. I was sporadically able to feel the chemistry between the two, regardless of the barely there fade-to-black heat. I felt more of a connection, in general, between Baz and Camille, and, Baz and all of his relatives, than with Terry. I needed more.

The plot and pace of the story were great, regardless of the need for more character development, background, and a need for an actual setting to the story. There were many secondary characters, and, with capoeira being such a huge part of Baz’ life, I had wished that it was developed more within the story.

I really liked Grounded. I absolutely loved the father daughter moments, the incorporation of the French language, and the food as well. *yummm* I enjoyed seeing how important family was to Baz and other family members. There were times when I was eager for things to develop, and, did find myself cheering when individuals simply..let loose. On the other hand, I had also wished that there was more development in various areas, and, less in others. I actually found myself snort giggling at one such lengthy part, regardless of it’s content, and wondering…“umm..really?” Bottom line is..it’s a good story, with good characters, and a great plot, all of which I hope to see more of in the future..:)

*star rating: 3 short-story stars*

Purchase:

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Meet the Author:

Aidan Wayne has been a jeweler, paralegal, neurofeedback technician, and martial arts instructor. And that’s not even the whole list. They’ve been in constant motion since before they were born (pity Aidan’s mom!)—and being born didn’t change anything. When not moving, Aidan is usually writing, so things tend to balance out. They primarily write character-driven stories with happy endings, because, dammit, queer people deserve happy endings too.

Aidan has several plants: Viola and Baby V., the African violets; George, the ponytail palm; Antigone, the orchid; and an unidentified succulent, the-plant-that-has-not-yet-been-named-but-is-often-called-Steve. They live with their plants on the seventh floor of an apartment building. The building has an elevator, but Aidan refuses to acknowledge its existence.