From the Universe to Me: Age Gap M/M Romance by Scott E. Garrison ➱ Book Tour with Author Interview

Book Title: From the Universe to Me

Author: Scott E. Garrison

Publisher: NineStar Press 

Cover Artist: Jaycee DeLorenzo

Release Date: April 11, 2023

Genres: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: friends to lovers, coming of age

Themes: age gap, college, family drama, in the closet, mental illness, new adult, teaching

Length: 59 500 words/220 pages

It is a standalone book and does not end on a cliffhanger.

Heat Rating: 3 flames

Goodreads

Buy Links

Publisher  |   Amazon US   |  Amazon UK

Learning to accept himself is not the only lesson the universe has planned for him.

Blurb

Eighteen-year-old Tobias Gavin is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. For many years, the what-ifs of coming out have swirled around his head, so he has chosen to live a lie to keep from disrupting the “normal” life he has created with his family and friends.

That is until he meets Gareth David the day he enrolls for his first semester as a college student. He feels an immediate connection with Gareth...a connection that pushes Tobias to question the way he has been living his life. When Gareth coincidentally becomes Tobias’s History professor, Tobias is forced to confront his feelings and confront the universe.

Tobias must come to terms with his depression, anxiety, heartbreak, and his sexuality before he can even begin to heal his wounds. He believes that everything happens for a reason, but he learns that some experiences are meant to teach even if they cause heartbreak. Once he comes to terms with himself, he might find his knight in shining armor.

Tobias must learn to trust himself and those around him if he wants to find happiness.

Excerpt 

I’m startled out of my thoughts when I hear doors open, but to avoid any more agonizing contact with Anna, I don’t glance over until I hear the deep voice of a man talking to Anna.

I glimpse Anna out of the corner of my eye and notice her entire personality has changed. She appears more alive and filled with energy. She twirls her hair between her pointer and middle fingers, flirting with the man, which goes unnoticed by him. He is standing there exchanging pleasantries with her. When he turns to look in my direction, my heart literally skips a beat.

He is beautiful.

Wow. Drop-dead gorgeous isn’t even the best phrase to describe the man standing before me. The stylish brown hair rising in waves from the top of his head looks natural and void of any hair products, like he rolls out of bed looking like McDreamy from Grey’s Anatomy on a daily basis. His light brown skin and dark brown eyes shimmer, reminding me of silky, smooth milk chocolate. Everything with me always goes back to chocolate, which is why I can’t stop looking at him as he stands next to the receptionist’s desk talking to Anna.

He isn’t ridiculously muscular, but his biceps look statuesque underneath his tight plaid button-down shirt. Dark Levi’s accentuate every muscle and curve his lower body has to offer. My mind immediately drifts to what his legs would look like if he set them free with short shorts or even his underwear. What is wrong with me?

Without even moving, he exudes confidence I only wish I could have. My mediocre body isn’t nearly as memorable as the physique standing before me. Anyone would want to talk to him, to be near his gorgeous face...touch his toned body. This man hit the gene-pool lottery when whatever higher being or the masters of the universe made him.

“Hello... Hey.... Is somebody in there?” he asks, waving his hand near my face.

My eyes adjust to his waving hand, and I realize I have been staring at him with an open mouth, looking like a brainless buffoon.

“Uuhhhh...what?!” I say like a blubbering fool.

“I asked if you are here to meet with me,” he responds with the sweetest expression, ignoring my inability to carry a conversation, which makes my cheeks burn red.

“Hahaha... I wish.” I freeze... What the fuck did I say? Oh my god, I could die. I should run out the door and lay down in the street, praying someone will take pity on me and end my suffering. I’m positive I have turned as red as the couches I’m sitting on.

He chuckles and gives me a bright and warm grin, revealing his perfectly whitened teeth. He towers over me, holding out his hand. “My name is Gareth David. I’m Dr. Richard’s teaching assistant. Who are you?”

Suddenly, an overwhelming urge to jump into his arms and put my hand through his radiantly manicured hair skips jauntily through my mind. That is perfectly acceptable for people to do, right?

I grab his hand, applying enough pressure to give an adequate handshake, so I look less like a dope.

When our hands meet, a rush of warmth spreads throughout my entire body. He glances at our hands and back into my eyes, giving me that perfect grin again. I can’t help but wonder if he observed the same jolt of energy when our hands met. The way he is looking at me makes me feel something I can’t put my finger on, but I don’t want the erotic energy to end.

After gaining my composure, I respond, “My name is Tobias Gavin. I’m here to meet with Dr. Richards about setting up my schedule for the fall semester.”

An Adonis-like smile spreads across his face, and I melt again. “Are you a freshman? I haven’t seen you around or in any of my classes.”

I look at him confused. “Didn’t you say you’re her assistant?”

He chuckles. “Teaching assistant. However, I teach my own classes and cover her classes when she is away. I know it seems weird, but Dr. Richards has taught me well. Besides, I’m almost finished with my graduate degree. I turned in my thesis a few weeks ago.”

His voice exhibits pure kindness that sends warmth through by body, helping me relax.

“May I have my hand back?” He laughs.

Shit.

My body going tense again, I realize I’m still holding his hand. I hesitate for a millisecond—my body wanting our embrace to continue—before letting go of his hand.

“I’m so sorry. I was listening to you talk and forgot to let go.” Kill me. Someone, please hire a ninja assassin to come kill me now.

Interview with Scott E. Garrison

Introduce yourself and your writing 

• I am currently 35 years old. I’ve been married for 8 years and together 10 years with my husband, Josh. I have two dogs, Jarvis and Friday, and a cat, Meryl Streep. I’ve worked in the library field around 9 years. I love the horror genre! My favorite horror movie is the Scream Franchise, and my favorite tv show is Doctor Who. Also, I’m a huge nerd!

• I like to pull inspiration from my personal life to write. From the Universe to Me is my first novel, and it was important to me to write and finish because it helped me heal and get some frustrations off my chest. I was able to tell a story that let me take scenarios from my own life and write them into this story. There are some scenes that reflect how I wish certain things would have gone in my own life. It was a little cathartic. 

What/who inspired you to start writing?

• I’ve wanted to write a novel since junior high school, and I’ve finally accomplished that! However, my senior English teacher, Mrs. Roberts, told me something that has stuck with me over the years. When I graduated, she said, “I can’t wait to read your book someday.” I have thought about this for so many years, but I was never able to finish a project. I didn’t believe that I could accomplish something of this magnitude. I began to let this dream go until one day Tobias started screaming at me, yelling at me to tell his story. If it wasn’t for the support of my husband and my two beta readers, David and KP, From the Universe to Me wouldn’t exist. 

How did you decide on the title?

• The idea of the universe putting things in a person’s path plays a huge role in From the Universe to Me. Tobias believes that things and people are brought into our lives for a reason, which is something that I believe. When it came to creating the title, From the Universe to Me just made sense.  

What are you working on at present? Would you like to share a snippet?  

• My second novel takes place in the same universe as From the Universe to Me, but it is a standalone book. I don’t want to give away too much, but readers will see familiar characters pop up and there will be a few call backs to my first book. Also, there are a few sections that are much darker than From the Universe to Me. 

What is the hardest part of writing any book? 

• Writing a book! I’m joking, but I’m not. It is SO difficult to write a book especially if you don’t let yourself adapt and veer from the original plan. Sometimes, characters want to go in a completely different direction than you originally planned. It’s also important to let yourself be vulnerable. I think that it creates a more authentic story. This is only my first novel, so I hope to learn and grow as a writer, but I think I told the story I needed to tell. 

Why M/M?

• It’s what I know as a gay man, but most importantly, I think we need more queer representation in different creative mediums. We were headed in the right direction, but recently, there are people who wish to erase that we exist. I know that the LGBT+ communities are not the only communities that these people want to control, so I think it’s important for these communities to come together and be as vocal as possible to show that no matter what they do we exist. We can do this through mediums like movies, tv shows, songs, books, etc. 

Do you have genres you prefer reading, and if so what are they? 

• I’m a huge fan of horror and psychological thrillers. I find them so entertaining!

What book/s are you reading at the moment?

• I’ve recently become a Holly Jackson convert. I read the entire Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series and then started her most recent book, Five Survive.

What novels do you adore/re-read?

• My favorite books are The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter, Heartsong by TJ Klune, Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, and of course, my book!

Which other writers do you follow? 

• Too many to count. TJ Klune, Shaun David Hutchinson, Karin Slaughter, Adam Silvera, John Marrs, Nick Cutter, Paul Tremblay, and so many more. 

Are any of your characters based on you or people you know?

• In a way, yes. When writing the characters in From the Universe to Me, I took characteristics from different people I know to create the characters, so one character is not just based on one person in my life, but multiple people. 

Do you get emails asking why characters didn’t get together and whether you’re going to write more about them?

• Not yet, but I hope to some day!!

Are you a cat person or a dog person?  Tell us about your pets.

• I love all animals, but I’m definitely more a dog person. I have a cat, Meryl Streep, who doesn’t really like people. She keeps to herself until she wants your attention, which doesn’t last very long. I have a papillon-dachshund mix named Jarvis. He is the kindest and smartest dog I’ve ever known. He can sense when you need cuddles. He is my boy! I have a greyhound named Friday. She is such a good dog. She thinks she is a small dog, but she is not. She is the best cuddler!

Are there big events in your life that affect your writing?

• This books contains a lot of them, but I would definitely say coming out was the biggest thing that affected From the Universe to Me. Coming out is never easy even if you know that the person you come out to will react positively. The what-ifs can stop you from doing it sometimes. 

If you could choose any superpower or magical ability, what would it be and why? What would you do with it? 

• Moving things with my mind. I want to be like Jean Grey! I wouldn’t be lazy with the powers, but I would have fun with them. And, they would come in handy if I was ever attacked!

About the Author

Scott E. Garrison is a debut author, who wants to share new, queer stories with the world. He currently lives in the Oklahoma City, OK area.

Alongside writing, he has a Masters in Library and Information Studies and works as a Librarian for an Oklahoma-based library system. He spends his free time reading, baking, watching movies and TV shows with his husband, and cuddling with his dogs, Jarvis and F.R.I.D.A.Y.

Author Links

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