The Strength of a Man

Introduction Not too long after my first gay romance novel was published, I joined Goodreads. Soon after that, I was introduced to the M/M Romance Group. It was fun getting to know the readers and writers there, but the real fun began with the Hot Summer Days event taking place the summer of 2011. I was honored to be a participant that year. I fell in love with a beautiful picture and this prompt from group member Harper: Dear Author, Where is this guy? What’s he looking at, I wonder? And is that guy down the hall watching him with longing? Maybe he’s been too shy to make his move before now. Maybe he’s trying to build up his courage. So, what do you think? Can you help the shy little guy get his happy ending? I had so many ideas from that inspiring prompt, I couldn’t capture all I felt was possible before the stories had to be turned in. My short story, Starting Over, was sweet and the boys were content, but I was sure there was more to the story. Within a few months of the Hot Summer Days anthologies being published, I began working on the story again, intent on telling James and Kurt’s story the way I’d imagined it from the beginning. The Strength of a Man is the story I wanted to tell the first time around, more than twice the length of the original story and with more raw emotion and depth than I thought was possible. I want to thank the M/M Romance Group for giving me the platform and Harper for the idea. And you, the reader, for allowing me to share this story with you.