Book Excerpt
Hayden
wasn’t sure what to make of Sean Flanagan. There was something odd about him,
something he was hiding. When Sean had walked in the door, the fear on his face
had been clear and he’d physically flinched when Carmen had hugged him as if he
was expecting to be hit. A thousand emotions had flashed across his face and
tears had welled in his eyes. It was as if he was expecting to be rejected, or
as if he’d never been hugged before.
Hayden’s
empathy kicked in and he wanted to ask Carly about it, but now wasn’t the time.
Now he
was sitting next to Mr. Delectably Different, trying to weasel some more
information out of him, but he was being remarkably taciturn. “How long are you
in Houston?”
“Six
weeks.”
“So
you’ll go home after Bridget’s wedding?”
Sean
nodded.
“What are you planning to do while you’re
here?”
“No
plans.”
“If you
want some recommendations, let me know. I planned an itinerary for my aunt when
she came to visit last year.”
“Thanks.”
Wow, a
monkey would be chattier. Hayden resisted rolling his eyes. So much for Irish
hospitality and gregariousness. He couldn’t help himself, couldn’t resist
teasing. “I can show you some great gay bars.”
Sean
was taking a sip of his drink and he choked, slapping his hand over his mouth
to swallow before coughing, his eyes wide.
“Are
you all right?” Carmen asked.
Sean
didn’t look at Hayden. “Just swallowed down the wrong pipe.”
When
everyone was back to eating, Hayden whispered, “Don’t worry, it’s not contagious.”
Sean’s
ears went red, but otherwise he didn’t respond.
What
was it about the man that made Hayden want to get a response from him? He was
used to men feeling uncomfortable around him. He wasn’t what he’d call flaming
gay, but people couldn’t doubt it after spending a couple of hours with him. He
refused to hide who he was and had been open about his sexuality since he was a
teen. The world could take him as he was, or not at all.
It was
disappointing Sean was one of the haters. Carly had been so excited to meet
him, all of the Flanagans had been. They’d spoken about him constantly in the
lead-up to his arrival and Hayden had had high expectations.
It
didn’t really matter. It wasn’t as if he was going to spend much time with
Sean. He’d see him at the weddings and that was it. He wouldn’t mention to
Carly that her brother was homophobic.
About the Book
Title: Place to Belong
Author: Claire Boston
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sean Flanagan has spent a lifetime alone and rejected, constantly hiding who he really is.
With a father who deserted him and a
mother who despised him, Sean didn’t think things could get much worse …
until he was kicked out of home for being gay. Now he’s discovered he
has three half-sisters on the other side of the world. This might be his
last chance to find people who will love and accept him. But he’s
terrified that if they find out who he really is then they’ll reject him
like the rest of his family.
Sean arrives in Houston and is stunned
by the warm welcome he receives from his sisters. He begins to hope that
maybe this time things will be different. That’s when he meets Hayden
Johnson. To follow his heart means risking everything with his newfound
family.
Hayden is tired of endless dating. He’s
looking for a man to love, someone to spend the rest of his life with.
His boss’s new brother ticks all the boxes on the attraction scale, but
there’s just one problem – he’s not gay.
Will Sean let his fears rule him, or will he let in the chance of love and find a place where he belongs?
Author Bio
Claire
Boston is the best-selling author of The Texan Quartet. In 2014 she was
nominated for an Australian Romance Readers Award as Favourite New
Romance Author.
Her debut contemporary romance novel, What Goes on Tour caught
the attention of Momentum’s Joel Naoum when her first scene was read
aloud at the Romance Writers’ of Australia (RWA) conference in 2013.
This led to a four book contract for The Texan Quartet series.
Claire is proactive in organising social
gatherings and educational opportunities for local authors. She is an
active volunteer for RWA, as a mentor for aspiring authors and the
reader judge coordinator.
When Claire’s not writing she can be
found in the garden attempting to grow vegetables, or racing around a
vintage motocross track. If she can convince anyone to play with her,
she also enjoys cards and board games.
Claire lives in Western Australia, just
south of Perth, with her husband, who loves even her most annoying
quirks, and her grubby, but adorable Australian bulldog.
Contact
Please email Claire with any questions claire@claireboston.com
Social Networks
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