Guest Post and Giveaway: Say Yes by JR Gray

We’re so pleased to have author JR Gray joining us today on the tour for the re-release of his short novel Say Yes. Gray is giving us a peek at the inspiration for the book’s MC, James, and there’s also a giveaway, so be sure to check out the Rafflecopter widget below for entry details.

Welcome, Gray!

James was born from pure real life inspiration. I had a wedding to attend so I wandered into one of my favorite menswear stores to browse. I wasn’t there long when this beautiful man approached me. He had angelic like features. His blond hair was cut long and messy and his green eyes had a hint of playfulness behind them. I was struck a little dumb when he spoke, it took me a moment to recover. I have this bad habit of giving people I meet personalities and backstories inside my mind, and instantly he was a submissive, which of course wasn’t helped by him dropping to his knees and insisting on measuring my inseam. I let him, and then informed him I was mostly there to look for ties. We chatted, he was entirely flirty and delightful, and had excellent taste. I bought more ties than I meant to, but he deserved the sales, and left with his number on my receipt. I never called him. I knew his character would be much better in my head, and on paper than he could ever live up to in real life.

So with this little seed I had the outline of James (I changed his name for his protection). I didn’t want James to be fully submissive. From the very beginning of writing Say Yes, I wanted the theme of the book to be the seduction of the submissive, the constant battle of wills with a bratty sub who put up a fight. Throughout the book James is interested in Charles, but he isn’t sure he’s going to take Charles up on his offer. Not only is he fighting his upbringing, but he’s also fighting a battle to give in and just Say Yes.

About the Book

Title: Say Yes
Author: J.R. Gray
Publisher: Self
Release Date (Ebook & Print): July 24
Note: Say Yes was originally published in an alternative form by OmniLit Publishing on December 1, 2015.
Length: 35K words, 126 pages
Subgenre: Contemporary M/M BDSM
All buy links or pre-order links: Publisher | Amazon
Blurb: James failed.

He tried to be what they wanted.

He tried to deny it.

He tried to be a good Catholic boy…but it’s become too much.

He craves pain, submission.

He’s denied himself far too long, and it’s eating him alive.

Charles thrives off the exchange of power. He knows the world revolves around control. It’s given and taken like currency, in business and in pleasure. He won’t get attached, though, or so he tells himself, until James turns his world upside down. He’s defiant and snarky, but Charles can taste the submission on him.

Charles holds the key to his salvation but James has to Say Yes.

Tour-wide Excerpt

“It’s a good thing I never lose.” He turned away, with astute arrogance which couldn’t be faked. It took years of Upper East Side inbreeding to obtain the level of innate sophistication, above even the level of wealth James had been raised with.

“Maybe this will be the first time,” even as James said the words he wanted to swallow them back.

“I don’t think so.” Charles’s voice was almost sing-songy.

“Cocky dick,” James muttered under his breath, not loud enough for Charles to hear him, or so he thought.

“I think you need a little bit of this dick.” He kept getting further away, and James felt like he was losing him.

“Come back here.”

“Well since you asked so nicely.” He flashed him a wink and stalked in close, like the last twenty minutes hadn’t happened. He lifted a hand and placed it at the base of James’ neck.

“Not here.” James glanced around. No one was looking, but they were still so exposed, which seemed an absurd idea considering where they were, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it—yet.

Yet? Where had that idea come from? James was reeling. He’d never even given in to the temptation of fucking a man, and now he was considering submitting to one in public. He must have lost his damn mind.

Charles fisted a hand in his shirt. “Tell me where?”

The look in his eyes made his knees weak. “Who’s the dominant here?”

Charles tightened his grip on James’ throat. The pressure wasn’t suffocating, but arousing, owning—possessive even. He’d never felt so turned on in his life. The next morning he’d expect to find bruises.

“I want you, and I’m going to have you.” Charles’ voice had dropped so low, James could barely hear it.

About the Author

When not staying up all night writing, J.R. Gray can be found at the gym where it’s half assumed he is a permanent resident to fulfill his self-inflicted masochism. A dominant and a pilot, Gray finds it hard to be in the passenger seat of any car. He frequently interrupts real life, including normal sleep patterns and conversations, to jot down notes or plot bunnies. Commas are the bane of his existence even though it’s been fully acknowledged they are necessary, they continue to baffle and bewilder. If Gray wasn’t writing…well, that’s not possible. The buildup of untold stories would haunt Gray into an early grave, insanity or both. The idea of haunting has always appealed to him. J.R. Gray is genderqueer and prefers he/him pronouns.

Connect with J.R. Gray: Website | Twitter – Personal | Twitter – Books | Facebook | Facebook Group | Tumblr | Mailing List | Amazon Author Page

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js