Elin Gregory

So this is my last interview with a contributor to the Not Quite Shakespeare anthology from Dreamspinner Press. I’m really going to miss all these marvellous guests and the terrific variety of excerpts I’ve enjoyed reading.

The book is available NOW from Dreamspinner – just click on that rather lovely cover to go to the page. As promised I have bought two copies – one for me and one for a commenter to one of the interviews. Please comment to this interview or any of the others for a chance to win. I’ll be announcing the winner on Friday.

My guest today is a contributor who has not added a story to Not Quite Shakespeare but is equally important – Sue Brown the editor of the anthology! Many thanks, Sue for visiting today, and congratulations on your own new publication, Stormin’ Norman, which will be released on Monday.

Hi Sue.

Have you always lived in the UK? If not what drew you back?

I’m a south Londoner born and bred. I live about ten miles from where I grew up.

Is there any place that is a must-see for any visitor to the UK?

London. It’s hardly a surprise I’d say that, is it? I think that London is unique in its feel compared to other cities.

Is this the first time you’ve been the editor of an anthology?

Yes, I was a virgin in all ways.

What did you enjoy most about it/least about it?

Reading the stories. Rejecting great stories.

Could you please tell me about your other work?

I write a mixture of so many sub-genres, contemporary such as the Isle series, or cowboy such as Morning Report series, or just plain tear your heart out, such as Final Admission.

What are you working on at the moment?

A follow-up to Frankie & Al, called Ed & Marchant. If you’ve read the first you’ll remember Frankie’s nasty boss, Ed.

Please could we have an excerpt?

Yes, here’s an excerpt of Stormin’ Norman: Out 9th June 2014

Blurb:

Dan had been Jesse’s partner for many years, and always there for Jesse on his return from difficult assignments. However, after breaking his promise not to leave again, Jesse learns to his cost that Dan can be pushed too far. When he returns home, broken in body and spirit, Jesse finds his house empty and Dan in the arms of someone else.
To fill his life, Jesse decides to get a dog. His friends and neighbours take him to choose a puppy. What he doesn’t expect is for Norman to choose him. As Jesse takes on a new job, with Norman’s assistance, he realises that Dan isn’t far away, and he still loves him. Dan has moved on with his life. Can Jesse do the same?

Jesse knew he was being scoped out from the minute he entered the bar. It was his job to be vigilant, to be aware of any potential danger to himself or others. The man with his gaze fixed on Jesse had the potential to be dangerous, but it had nothing to do with harm and a whole lot to do with a sexual package wrapped up in lean muscle and topped with dark eyes and tousled hair.
He had come to the gay bar knowing it would be quiet this time of day. He just wanted a beer and a chance to unwind without being hit on by hopeful women. In this bar, he could head off any potential interest easily enough and relax. The guy watching him was destined to be disappointed, even as cute as he was. Jesse wasn’t interested.
The barman stopped polishing the glasses and grinned at Jesse. “You’re back again. It’s been a while.”
Jesse inclined his head. It had been ten months, three weeks and five days. He was anal enough to keep records of his whereabouts in case his handler needed to know.
“I’ve been working. It’s good to be back.” He scanned the pumps, searching for the real ale. “Hobgoblin, please, Sean.”
The barman gossiped about the recent gas explosion in the pub down the road Jesse listened with half his attention, keeping an eye on the dark-haired bloke in the corner.
The man didn’t disappoint. As soon as Jesse had his beer, he came over and sat on the bar stool next to Jesse. To give him credit, he didn’t piss about.
“Hi, I’m Dan.”
Jesse assessed him carefully. He was older than he’d appeared in the shadows—early forties maybe, the start of lines around his eyes and a sprinkle of grey at his temples. Not Jesse’s type. Jesse was in his mid-thirties. He usually went for men younger than him, searching for uncomplicated hook-ups and nothing more.
“Hi.” Jesse didn’t say any more, hoping his off-hand tone would tell the guy he was wasting his time.
Dan ordered another beer and turned back to him. “I haven’t seen you in here before.”
“I’ve been away.”
“Do you want a beer, a chat, and then see what happens?”
His approach caught Jesse’s attention. Normally blokes started off with “Do you wanna fuck me?” Nine times out of ten Jesse said no.
“I’m not the marrying kind,” Jesse said.
Dan blinked. “I asked you for a beer, not a ring.”
Jesse shrugged. “You’re older than me. I thought I’d get that off the table.”
“Thanks,” Dan said drily. “So all older men are desperate for a ring and kids. I’ll remember that next time I ask for a hook-up. I’ll only go for the younger twinks.” He got up and smiled sadly at Jesse. “Sometimes a beer is just a beer.”

Author Bio: Sue Brown is owned by her dog and two children. When she isn’t following their orders, she can be found plotting at her laptop. In fact she hides so she can plot, and has become at ignoring the orders.
Sue discovered M/M erotica at the time she woke up to find two men kissing on her favorite television series. The series was boring; the kissing was not. She may be late to the party, but she’s made up for it since, writing fan fiction until she was brave enough to venture out into the world of original fiction.

Come over and talk to Sue at suebrown.stories@gmail.com.
Her website can be found at http://www.suebrownstories.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/suebrownstories
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/suebrownstories
Blog: http://suebrownsstories.blogspot.com/
Email: suebrown.stories@gmail.com