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Book Title: A Soul Unbroken
Author: A.D. Britten
Publisher: Self-Published
Original Release Date: May 26, 2019 - Recently re-edited
Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Length: 412 pages
It is a standalone book
Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited
A hustler’s life drastically changes after he enters a homeless shelter.
Blurb
Joey Christopher has never had an easy life, but living with Allen made everything better. His mere presence made Joey happy and made life seem more manageable despite Allen's serious faults. However, when Allen is arrested during a drug bust Joey must learn to live on his own for the first time. He even spends some time in a homeless shelter, while he does everything possible to get Allen home to return to the life they once lived only better.
Excerpt
For the rest of that day Joey told himself that he wouldn’t go to Gary’s party; he couldn’t go. He meant to take the card out and tear it up before leaving work, but forgot. When he got home later that night he meant to take it out and rip it up, but he was so tired that he just got ready for bed and went to sleep. The end of the week came and the card was still there in his jeans pocket. He happened to wear the same pair of jeans that Friday that he had worn on the day of Gary’s visit. Joey took a deep breath as the last customer left and he went through the store rearranging misplaced books on the shelf and tidying up the store. At around 5:30pm, Mr. Griffin came out of his office and told Joey that he could go home early. He would finish up.
The next day was going to be busy with another book signing and Joey was going to be the only person that morning. The older woman who had worked there last time, Mr. Griffin’s cousin, could not make it there until later in the day.
So Joey left the store and told himself he was going home and he meant to go home. But somehow he found himself at 7 pm standing on Gary’s porch, one of the first to arrive at his party. He lived at the same address he always had. As soon as Gary looked through the peephole and saw Joey standing at his door, he opened it and invited him in.
Joey, looking a little uncertain, walked in. He had not taken two steps when Gary drew him close and planted a long and ardent kiss on his lips. Joey was surprised by it but didn’t resist. It had been so long that although he was never deeply attracted to Gary, he relished the feeling. “It’s been a long time, Joey,” Gary said afterwards. Joey wanted the kiss to continue, against his better judgement, but Gary’s attention turned to the room. It was then that he noticed some of the familiar faces in the living room and kitchen, all people from Gary’s small publishing house.
“Hi, how are you?” Madeline said smiling. She was sitting at the dining table with a few other people, a man and a woman, with whom she had been talking. She raised a glass of wine to Joey, having recognized him from the earlier party. Joey wanted to melt. He suddenly realized that it had been a long time since he’d had any alcohol. Why on earth was he being so celibate about everything now? He asked Gary for a glass of wine, which he dutifully poured for him, until a previously unseen large, fluffy, gray cat hopped up on the table, spilling the bottle in the process.
“Awwwww!” Madeline said, standing up to avoid the spill. “Silly cat!”
Gary went to the kitchen to get some paper towels.
Joey stood there, a little stunned. “You have a cat?” he asked.
“Yes, what’s wrong? Are you allergic?” Gary asked concerned.
“No,” Joey replied. “You just don’t seem the cat type.”
“Well, he’s the last remains of Hollis, an old boyfriend,” Gary said with a slight weariness to his voice.
Madeline picked up the now mostly empty wine bottle and went to the sideboard to replace it, while Gary and another guest continued to clean up the mess. “I told you, you should’ve gotten rid of him,” Madeline playfully chastised. “As soon as he was gone, that cat should have been gone too. Why keep memories of Hollis around anyway? You’re over him now, or so you say.”
Gary just smiled at Joey as he got up from the floor, threw away the red, wet paper towels and took Joey by the hand, leading him to the back of the house where Gary’s bedroom was.
Author Interview
When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer?
When I was very small. That was the first thing that I wanted to be. Then I tried to make a book after “writing” and “illustrating” a little book of Goldilocks and the 3 Bears. The book did not turn out very well, of course. But I still gravitated toward writing. I have been writing creatively for many years.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
I find it challenging to find enough time to write. Ideas come pretty easily. I even get inspired just by watching TV. But it’s hard to find the time to write everything you’d like when creative writing is not your main profession and there are other priorities and activities that take up your time.
Where is your favorite place to write?
Any place that is quiet with secure wifi.
When you develop characters do you already know who they are before you begin writing or do you let them develop as you go?
I generally know the main characters before I begin. I usually don’t use an outline unless there are some unusual challenges in writing the story. I generally have an idea of the plot, the main point of the story, who the characters are, and some of what they are going to do from the beginning.
Do you aim for a set number of words/pages per day?
No, I aim for completion by a set day, so that can mean a lot of writing one day, and less writing another day, as long as it’s done by a certain time.
Do you use images to develop your character’s looks?
No, I usually have a good idea of how the characters look from the start. I used to vaguely describe them since I wanted the reader to imagine anyone in that role of the main character, which probably does not make sense. But when I was a kid, I thought that was beneficial since it would make the main character more relatable. But of course, that is not really possible when you are trying to tell a detailed story. The reader needs to know who you are writing about.
Are your characters based on people you know?
Not really, although there might be some quality in myself or someone that I know that is in some of the characters.
Do you ever get writer’s block?
No, not really.
What do you think makes a good story?
Eloquence, not necessarily using elevated or flowery language, but using the right words at the right time and being economical with the use of words. Having a unique point of view is also helpful in creating a good story.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
It definitely energizes me. If I could write creatively all day, I’d have the ability to write more stories.
What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
I did a reading when I lived in Florida and one of the people there asked about how can someone be like one of the characters, Mrs. Winston. I was surprised by the question because I had not thought that anyone would try to be like her, as if she were like a sort of role model for how someone would act. She is certainly an interesting character and certainly does good things but I never thought of her as a role model.
What do your friends and family think about you being a writer?
They have always been encouraging and supportive. I am selective about what writing I show some of them, however. I am out to my immediate family and friends but some family are rather conservative and might not like a story like A Soul Unbroken.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I work, talk to family and friends, date, practice music.
Do you like music or silence when your write? Do you outline or do you just write?
Music or silence is fine. I rarely outline. I just write the story.
Do you prefer pen and paper or computer?
My handwriting is atrocious so using the computer is helpful. Plus since so many things are digital now, it makes sense to have the whole book or story on the computer from the beginning.
Do you write as routine or do you write when you feel like it?
I write when inspired and when I have the time. That might not make sense, but I don’t write everyday so it’s not a routine and I certainly don’t write when I feel like it because I often feel like it but can’t due to other commitments.
What do you love best about your current book?
I like its uniqueness and that, based on the reviews I’ve gotten so far, that people like the story, it moves along, and is an engaging read.
What is your next project?
Ideally, a mythology book, but it will take lots of research to complete.
About the Author
A.D. Britten is a published author of various short stories, articles, and two novels.
Author Links
Blog/Website | Twitter: @ADBritten1
Giveaway
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