Kris Bryant's Blog

A lot of readers who enjoyed Temptation have reached out wanting more Brook and Cassie. I thought their story was over. And while they are basking in their happily ever after, they've stepped into Cherish to help someone else find her true love.

Josie Lockner is granted a residency at the Wellington Beach Property - called Revere Estates in Goda, MA - a made up town that resembles Provincetown. Brook and Cassie picked her out of hundreds of applicants. The timing couldn't be better since Josie's future is cloudy and she has no backup plan. She's 23 and hungry and determined to make it as an artist in this world. Unfortunately, very few graduating artists can make a living out of commissioned art. But that isn't the point of this story. No. True love happens when you least expect it.

On her first day in Goda, Josie is completely drawn to a mysterious woman on the beach. Beautiful with a DO NOT THINK ABOUT APPROACHING ME ice queen vibe. So, naturally, Josie wants to get to know her. With help from Brook and Cassie during key moments of the summer, Josie makes bold moves to become a part of Olivia's closed off life.

This is a true beach read. Just a simple romance where characters you loved from Temptation return and you are given a peek into what's been going on with the Wellingtons - Cassie, Brook, Noah - and who could Ava possibly be??? Erica, the hilarious sister-in-law, plays an important role in this book, too.

I had to get this book out while I was grieving. My mother passed away at the end of last year and I still had to go through the motions of life (work, writing, living), while my heart was broken. I'm doing better, but it's been rough. I'm taking a break now. I had two book contracts - this one and Dreamer. Dreamer is in edits now so I have a bit of breathing room before the next book is due.

I hope you enjoy the return of the Wellingtons even though Cherish isn't their story. There are still a lot of tropes - age gap, financial gap, ice queen - to name a few.

Cherish is at the Bold Strokes Books's webstore Sept 1 and everywhere else Sept 12. I hope you enjoy!

I'm reaching out to see who would want to read and review a copy of Not Guilty - the full length lesbian erotica romance. It's the other side of the novella Shameless so it would be best if you've already read Shameless. It works as a stand-alone though, too, but it might heighten the experience if you've read the novella. I won't have reviewer copies until the end of April/beginning of May. Just something to consider as you schedule your readings/reviews per month.

Thanks,

Brit/Kris

This year has been hard, no doubt. The pandemic has brought the world to its knees and we're going to be down here for a while. We're all struggling with so much change in our lives. Our country is dealing with a Covidiot in the oval office, wildfires that are burning homes, towns, people, animals, and protests are happening all over to bring about much needed change. It's overwhelming. With so much death and destruction, how am I supposed to write?

Deadlines are hard, but for me, writing during a pandemic is almost impossible. Meghan O'Brien posted on FB how she can barely string a sentence together because she feels broken. I couldn't have said it better. I'm broken.

I like to write about the happily ever afters, but it's hard to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel. I'm doing everything I'm supposed to - staying home, wearing a mask, and social distancing. When was the last time I was hugged? If you know me, I'm a hugger. I will hug strangers. Human contact is so important to your mood. Hugs knock down all walls. How many times have you cried either tears of joy, or sorrow just from a hug? They are needed and necessary for us to cope with life. Now we can't even hug because we could possibly be spreading a virus that could kill us or our loved ones.

I know I have a job to do, but even I have breakdown moments. I know that writing books helps so many people out there escape from this hot mess of a pandemic we are in. I have to meet my deadlines even though I'm struggling inside. I'm teetering on the brink of darkness and I really hope I can stay focused because writing will help me. Your comments and reviews are uplifting and make me smile throughout the day. They give me hope. Writers spend a lot of free time creating stories because we know our community needs a voice. We don't get rich from writing. It's a passion we share and we want representation for generations to read. This is an important time for the LGBTQ community. I plan on sticking with it, but just know I'm struggling with you, but trying my best to move forward in a positive light.

I love getting reviews. I read them all. Most writers say they don't but I do. It's validation. I'm excited to see if readers enjoy the storyline or catch the tiny little Easter eggs I leave behind.

I'm not above asking people to transfer their reviews to Amazon. I love seeing a new review there because when other readers (maybe new to GR or who don't even know about it) want to read a lesbian romance, they almost always head to Amazon first. High rankings and lots of reviews really help influence a buyer. I know that when I want to buy something - I look for high # of reviews and good ones. Any consumer does.

So I'm asking reviewers to consider transferring their reviews over to Amazon for me and for other writers. No purchase necessary. You don't have to buy a copy to leave a review.

Listen has been sitting at (59) reviews for a few months now. If you know me, you know that part of my anxiety is odd numbers. They make me itch.

Temptation is doing very well and I want to thank all of you for your support. I'm truly blessed and I'm living the dream I've always wanted. You are all a part of it. You have given me the success I've wanted as a writer. So, thank you.

My editor and I go back and forth about how my characters act based on their age. Ash (my editor) is early 30s so she has a handle on a much younger generation, whereas I have a handle on believable actions of "older than 30" characters.

Cassie is a 24 year old nanny who is fighting her attraction to her boss, Brook Wellington. She has been warned by her Nana to not even think about hitting on Brook. And even Cassie knows it's a bad idea. She could stand to lose everything if she makes a move... everything that has made her able to stand on her own two feet. Does she take the risk?

So, what does she do? She looks at other options even though in the back of her mind, it's always Brook. And at 24, her actions are not uncommon. I've always appreciated a beautiful woman. And beauty is different for everyone - but I can see and talk to somebody I find attractive, and not want to sleep with them. Cassie's the same way. She knows she shouldn't be attracted to her boss, so she looks for other avenues. She never acts on them because even though she's flirty with them - it's still always going to be Brook.

A lot of readers were put off by Cassie's actions. When Cassie met with Noah's teacher for drinks, she was excited that maybe she was going to be in a relationship after all. There's nothing wrong with dating somebody else when you are attracted to somebody you think is untouchable. Crushes do exist. But then she sees Brook at the same restaurant and the idea of dating Noah's teacher feels wrong for the right reasons. She's still learning relationships. How many of us knew what we wanted or had deep relationships at 24?

I like Cassie. She's human. Attractive people attract attractive people. She makes mistakes, but she learns from them. Who doesn't? Not all of my characters have her charming awkwardness, but she's one of the youngest characters I've written. I'm watching the L Word - Gen Q and I enjoy the young queer characters because they are fresh and make mistakes and bad decisions. They are learning through experience and that is the best way to learn.

Having a young editor keeps me fresh. She lectures me when I say something that is no longer acceptable and I learn so much from her. One thing we always talk about is age appropriate behavior and conversation. My favorite age to write is early 30s because that's when my characters seem to have their shit together and know what they want. At 24, my expectations were too high, but damn was it a fun journey learning my limits.

I didn't plan well for May. My book Temptation was due on May 1st, BUT it was also the BSB release day for Falling. When I should have been promoting the book, I was busy editing and making last minute changes to my WIP. That's my fault. I should have upped the due date. When Sandy told me May 1st, my brain refused to change it to something practical like April 30, so I drag it out until 10:30 p.m. May 1st.

On top of that, Golden Crown Literary Society released the finalists for Goldie awards. Two of my books were nominated - Breakthrough and Against All Odds. I can't tell you how big of a deal that is. Yes, it's great I was nominated, but first person books are a hard sell. A lot of readers are set in their ways and if they don't like something, they won't read it. I'm guilty of that, too. I have a hard time with out of this world books. New planets and towns and names blow my mind. So, it's not my go-to genre. There are only so many hours in a day and I have to pick carefully the books I'm going to read. I have to work and write books, too.

Back to May 1st. My day job has been crazy and not in a good way. I have to sneak in any social media and check reviews in secret. That's hard to do, especially during meetings when I should be paying attention.

BUT, despite the whirlwind beginning, I'm very thankful for my success and accomplishments. Writing has always been my dream and I am thankful I'm living it.

Several readers have asked me how Clio the cat managed to get into Listen.

Animals are very calming. Even if it's a high strung dog with tons of energy, it's a positive experience because the relationship people have with animals is so uncomplicated and pure. When a dog gets the "zoomies" you laugh. You forget about everything and watch this dog do figure eights in the house or in the yard or wherever and just love them even more for getting your mind off of life and the problems you might have.

Lily needed to be needed. Clio was a stray cat who showed up one day on her fire escape (8 stories high). She never had a pet before, but she knew she needed him and he needed her and the rest is history.

Most of you know Molly. She's my crippled Westie who is my heart. I can have a horrible day and go home to unconditional love. It breaks my heart to know that she will never be able to do "zoomies" in the house or outside, but we make one another happy. She's my puppy and I'm her person. We make it work.

Author RJ Samuel had a beautiful support dog named Clio. Clio was very popular on FB and RJ did a "bit" called On the Floor with Clio where authors would get on the floor and pose with Clio. Writers are not extroverts. At least I'm not. Put a dog or a cat in a room, and we turn into different people. Unfortunately, Clio passed away, but I wanted to capture what she did for me and for others - hence Clio the cat was born. A support warrior, yet just as standoffish as Lily could be at times.

Where would we be without our fur babies? They are our hearts and we would do anything for them. Clio the cat saved Lily before Hope swooped in and finished the rescue. Animals keep us going. They are beautiful and I surround myself with them every chance I get. True story. I am the animal whisperer...

I have days where I love to be around people. I have wonderful friends and spending time with them is important. But, I also have to psych myself up, too. I am an introvert. I like time alone, but know that I am not a lonely person. There is a difference. Time alone is decompressing from the day's events and the chance to take a few deep breaths. I can always tell when anxiety starts creeping in because I get fidgety. It's not something I can will away. When it hits, I have to figure out what to do. I tap my fingers back and forth on my thumb, I count to anything - noises, clicks, a clock ticking - anything repetitive. The worst is when I can't figure out what to do and start to panic. When that happens, I have to spread my fingers apart because I can't stand them touching and then I pace the floor. Sometimes I just leave whatever situation I am. My friends joke that I ghost them, but they are used to this about me and they understand that sometimes I just have to go.

Anxiety comes in all forms and is different for all people. I wrote Listen because I wanted to tell a story that encourages people who suffer from anxiety and let them know so many of us do. And you know what? It's okay. And people, all kinds of people, come together and form everlasting relationships with happily ever after endings.

I hope you take the time to read Listen - out February 1st. Even if you don't have anxiety, I promise you somebody in your life does. Maybe it will explain things better or maybe you'll find a bit of yourself in this book.

I'm 10k words into Temptation. I had a hard time coming up with a title for this one. It's vague, but it does the story justice.

Cassie Miller gets financially cut off from her parents. She's 24 and drops out of medical school, but wants to continue her education. She accepts a full time nanny job which caters to her college schedule perfectly. How hard can it be to watch a six year old? The kid isn't the problem. The problem is his very attractive, very smart, very successful mother, Brook Wellington.

I'm going to have fun with this book coming off of 3 books back-to-back that covered heavy topics - mass shooting, anxiety, and a plane crash. This one will be sexually charged with minimal angst. It covers age gap (14 years), rich / poor, main character with a child, boss / employee, and other fun topics that readers enjoy.

Temptation is everywhere around us. I'm dropping this character into a situation where she is tempted daily. Not just sexually, but just in life. She's a dreamer. What if this happens? What if that happens?

I like this girl. She's respectful, but she has sexual desires about her boss and isn't afraid to mentally daydream about Brook. We've all done it. Maybe not be attracted to our bosses, but constantly think about somebody in our lives that we know we shouldn't think about sexually. That's the beauty of our thoughts. They are ours. We keep them bottled up and hidden inside. Sometimes we blurt them out because we hope that there's a chance, but most of the time we keep our secret longings to ourselves. Nobody wants to tip the apple cart until we are guaranteed a happy ending or outcome. Very few people take that chance. Even fewer people are successful.

The older we get, the deeper our roots are, and the harder it is to break free. Life is about chances and missed opportunities. Either we take them, or we don't. There's no in-between. Both of my characters will be faced with choices they either take or walk away from. Will they be risk takers? Will they understand true sacrifice? Will they be selfish? Or will they let go in hopes that love returns? I'm excited to see their story unfold.

The older I get, the more I understand social anxiety. Before, I chalked it up to me just simply being a wallflower, because I didn't know that anxiety was a real thing that so many people struggle with daily.

I never liked public speaking and died every single time I had to give a presentation in school. I actually skipped out on my German presentation in college because my nerves were too much. Side note: in the Facebook Live video I'm in the foreground and I'm displaying all signs of nervousness - playing with my hair, fidgeting, crossing and uncrossing my legs, etc.

I wrote Listen as therapy for me and to relate to others out there who have anxiety. I learned it was okay to have it and I know that I will always have it.

My main character completely loses it - has a breakdown - because of the stresses of her childhood. Her parents discover she a music prodigy and exploit her talents for their own benefit. She is pushed and pushed until she's at a ledge and falls.

I thought I was going to have a hard time writing about anxiety and how encompassing it is, but it was actually therapeutic for me.

Of course it's a love story and my character wins the girl in the end, but she also learns it's okay to be the person she wants to be - not what's expected of her.

This book is dedicated to several readers for several reasons. It's for the readers who suffer from anxiety. It's for the readers who played instruments when they were kids and the big dreams they had until life got in the way. It's for the dreamers. It's for everybody who wants that happy ending.

This book is personal to me. Yes, all of my books are, but there is a lot of me in this particular one. This book will take you on a roller coaster of emotions and ups and downs. This book is straight from my heart to yours. This book is dedicated to you.