The Letter Z - release day interview

An interview you were promised and an interview you shall have. Today is the official release day for Marie Sexton's third book, a novella entitled The Letter Z, a sequel to A to Z and a kinda-sorta spin-off from Promises. I'm about to hand over my blog to Piper Holt, the 'heroine' of my novel Long Time Coming and see how she gets along with Angelo Green, one of Marie's more...um...boisterous...characters, so here's hoping they don't burn the place down around my ears...

Oh, but before they have at each other, I'm going to be all businesslike and give you the information you need to purchase TLZ.

Behold - blurbage!

Zach and Angelo have settled into their new lives in Coda, Colorado, finding their place in the community with the help of their good friends Matt and Jared. Zach and Angelo are also working out the particulars of their relationship, but when they make a decision Jared disagrees with, Angelo finds himself at odds with his partner's best friend. And his best friend's partner.

When the four decide on a quick trip to Vegas, Angelo thinks he and Jared may be back on the right track. But a chance encounter with Zach’s ex-boyfriend will make Angelo question everything about himself and his relationship with Zach. Matt and Jared have always been there when Zach and Angelo needed help. But when it comes to sorting out their relationship, their friends may do more harm than good.

Available from Dreamspinner Press.

Okay, on with the interview...

*crosses fingers*

***

Piper: Guess I better be all polite and welcome you to the blog, Angelo. Look, I know you’re pissed at Marie for her making you come over here, especially as I appear in a heterosexual erotic romance, but-

Angelo: Yeah, I know all ‘bout you, lady. Marie told me ‘bout that book you’re in. I’m not into it, but whatever floats your boat.

Piper: Look, Scarlett’s a fan of the woman who created you, so here you are. They cooked this up; blame them. Better just put up with it. Frankly I’d rather be in bed with Leo-

Angelo: Yeah, so would Cole if that last interview was anything to go by-

Piper: You-

Angelo: [Laughs.] It’s cool, man. I mean, I guess I gotta do what Marie says. And I don’t get to travel much, so bein’ a guest here is actually kinda fun. Don’t tell Matt I said that though. He’ll never quit givin’ me shit.

Piper: So. Ang. Tell us what you really think of Jared. [Hides behind settee and waits for nuc-lear blast to clear.]

Angelo: Are you fuckin' kiddin' me? Jesus Christ, lady. I can't answer that. No matter what I say, I get in trouble with somebody, don't I? Suffice it to say, he's Zach's best friend and my best friend's partner. I'm walkin' on quicksand no matter what.

Piper: Oh come on! You’re not the kind of guy to hold back saying what you think. I’ve read about you.

Angelo: Yeah, I’ve read about you too, lady.

Alright, fine. You know Jared and I don't always see eye to eye. Don't ask me why. I don't fuckin' know. He's just so damn happy all the time. And I think we all know, I'm not! And sometimes I just want to punch him in the face just to see if he'll actually quit smilin' for half a damn minute. But the truth is, he's cute as hell. Sometimes he drives me nuts, but some-times...

Shit.

You got another question for me, or what?

Piper: Aaaaanyway...Without wanting to spoiler TLZ, how surprised were you at Zach's...shall we say...liberal attitude to relationships?

Angelo: At first, I was pretty surprised. 'Cause Zach seems like such a fuckin' Boy Scout, you know? But once I thought 'bout it, I realized, it makes sense. Zach's mellow. He doesn't let shit get to him like most people do. And he knows that sex don't have to be 'bout love.

Piper: You're a bit of a goer, really, aren't you?

Angelo: What the fuck does that mean?

Piper: You know – a party animal. Someone who’s free with their favours.

Angelo: What the fuck you tryin' to say, man? You callin' me an easy lay? Don’t go pullin’ that babes in the wood bullshit on me, lady. I may not be an angel, no matter what Zach thinks, but you’re not either. I lost count of the guys you fucked ‘fore you started whinin’ ‘bout bein’ in love with that Leo guy.

Piper: What, just ‘cause a woman gets some action, that’s a big deal, is it? There’s only Andrew and Gray before Leo, and they were all- hey, look, this is about you, remember? So. You gonna answer the damn question or what?

Angelo: The truth is... Yeah. Once upon a time, maybe I was. What the fuck ever. I don't think I am anymore. Those things that happened in TLZ, I'm not sayin' they're never gonna happen again. But it's not somethin' that'll be happenin' on any kind of regular basis, that's for sure.

Piper: Fair enough. Moving swiftly on...I've noticed you have something in common with Cole - an appreciation for art. (Even though you're not too familiar with big names like Dali). What were your first impressions of Vegas, including the galleries? You seemed like a kid in a playground to me.

Angelo: Vegas is awesome! I had no idea everything would be so fuckin' big, you know? Roller coasters on top of buildings and shit. It's amazing! And yeah, the guys all gave me shit for weeks 'bout bein' a wide-eyed kid while we were there. But, what the fuck ever, man. I bet they were the same way the first time they went there too.

Now, 'bout Cole, I had no clue he liked art. But then again, I barely know the guy. Truth is, I had no clue I liked art either 'til we found that gallery. Guess I always thought art was just lame-ass paintings of fruit and shit, but those pictures were incredible. Really beautiful. wish like hell I had money like Cole so I coulda brought one of ‘em home.

And speakin’ of Cole, I kinda wish Scarlett would STFU about him, you know? I mean, I know he’s cute and all, but ain’t that bitch ever gonna realize the guy’s a fuckin’ fruit?

Piper: Yeah, she knows. Some women like gay guys, though. Fuck knows why.

Angelo: Hey, screw you-

Piper: Never in a million years.

Angelo: Sure as hell wasn’t offerin’ lady. Wouldn’t have you anyway-

Piper: Look, let’s just get this done, huh? So. Turns out you’re developing into a bit of a bookworm too as well as an art lover. Tell us how that came about.

Angelo: Started out with Matt givin’ me that book in A to Z. It was Ender’s Game. And it was awe-some. Guess maybe I could relate to Ender a bit, you know? Not that I’m brilliant like him or anything. But bein’ young and feelin’ like you’re on your own. So then I had to read the next one, and the next one. And then Matt told me to just take any book I wanted off his shelves. And he’s gotta fuckin’ lot of ‘em. So yeah, I guess I’m readin’ a lot more.

Piper: Think you’ll ever read something with girls in it?

Angelo: What? You mean like your book? Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me? Not a chance, lady. I don’t re-ally read sex-type books anyway. [Wicked grin.] I got other ways of gettin’ off.

Piper: Well okay. We’ll get back to books involving men alone. We won't go into the story of TLZ any further, or it'll spoil it for readers, but were you miffed that Marie gave you a novella this time instead of a full-length novel?

Angelo: Not really. I mean, I was sorta pissed when A to Z ended, you know? 'Cause I knew we weren't done. And I kept tellin' Marie that, and she wasn't listenin'. She kept sayin' the story was over. Then she kept bitchin' 'bout how I wouldn't shut up and leave her the hell alone - well 'course I wouldn't! I mean, what the hell was she thinkin' stoppin' where she did?

Anyway, now that TLZ is out, I think we're good for a bit, you know? I might stop naggin' her so much now.

Piper: Any idea where Marie’s books are going now?

Angelo: I don’t know, man. I’m not sure Marie even knows. Now that Strawberries for Dessert is done, she’s kinda gone full circle, which is what she wanted to do from the start. Not sure who’s left for her to talk ‘bout, ‘cept that dickhead Tom. And I don’t think anybody gives a shit ‘bout him. She says she might do some more short stories with some combination of the six of us. I don’t really know. She’s open to suggestions.

And don’t worry, lady. She knows what Scarlett thinks she should write!

Piper: Okay, okay. I’ll tell her to lay off the fangirl squeeing for Cole. What’s up for you and Zach next? And that’s not a euphemism, as the man himself might say.

Angelo: Next month, Zach’s takin’ me to Oregon like he promised. Fresh crab, and the ocean. Zach rented this incredible place on the beach. Know what? I never had sex on a beach before. It’s gonna be great. Not sure yet if Marie’s gonna let you all in on it or not. Just have to wait and see.

Piper: Suppose I should be all polite and give you the last word or Scarlett will only be pissed off.

Angelo: Uh...buy the book, man. Or don't. What the fuck ever.

***

Well...that didn't go too badly, did it? The walls are still standing, and no one got injured...

Ahem. Yeah, so... there it is. Hopefully this blog will be back to normal soon, whatever 'normal' is...