Blog Tour: Always by Kindle Alexander

Born to a prestigious political family, Avery Adams plays as hard as he works. The gorgeous, charismatic attorney is used to getting what he wants, even the frequent one-night stands that earn him his well-deserved playboy reputation. When some of the most prominent men in politics suggest he run for senate, Avery decides the time has come to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. With a strategy in place and the campaign wheels rolling, Avery is ready to jump on the legislative fast track, full steam ahead. But no amount of planning prepares him for the handsome, uptight restaurateur who might derail his political future.

Easy isn't even in the top thousand words to describe Kane Dalton's life after his father, a devout southern Baptist minister, kicks him out of the family home for questioning his sexual orientation. Despite all the rotten tomatoes life throws his way, Kane makes something of himself. Between owning a thriving upscale Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown Minneapolis and managing his long-term boyfriend, his plate is full. He struggles to get past the teachings of his childhood to fully accept his sexuality and rid himself of the doubts brought on by his religious upbringing. The last thing he needs is the yummy, sophisticated, blond-haired distraction sitting at table thirty-four.

4.5 Star Review by Jen Skewes

Going into this book I honestly wasn't sure I was ready for what I was about to read.  The truth is I heard Kindle Alexander had a new book coming out and automatically signed up for it, not even reading the blurb.  Always is a powerful love story about two men who after meeting each one night knew they were meant to be.  The pull that they felt towards each other was that strong and that intense.  Avery and Kane were soul mates in every way and this is their story.

Avery Adams grew up in the world of politics.  He is sexy, charming and a hard worker.  He is back home and ready to follow in his grandfathers footsteps and run for Senate.  Avery Adams has had the occasional hookup with different men but running for Senate means trying to keep his personal life and sexuality out of the race.  Avery has a plan, but that plan did not include meeting and falling in love with Kane Dalton.  Meeting Kane Dalton by chance one night left him completely speechless and I mean that literally.  Kane was most definitely the most gorgeous man that he had ever laid his eyes on.  But it wasn't just the physical attraction that Avery felt, he felt this intense connection and knew from that moment that Kane was meant to be in his life, forever.

Kane is the owner of La Bella Luna restaurant.  The only family that he has is the people that work at his restaurant.  Paulie, the head chef is like a father to him.  He met him shortly after his minister father kicked him to the curb for being gay.  Paulie has been the one constant in his life since meeting him.  He is the one person who loves him unconditionally and treats him like his own son.  Kane has been known to work to hard and be a little too intense for some people, including his previous boyfriends.  When Kane finds out that Avery Adams will be dining at his restaurant he makes sure that his staff gives him the VIP treatment.  What Kane didn't realize then is that, Avery Adams dining at his restaurant would change his life forever.

There is so much to this story that I do not want to give away.  What I love about this book is that it takes place over the course of Avery and Kane's life together.  From the moment they met 40 years ago to the present.  We see all of the obstacles that they faced in their careers and their love life.  We see the moment they first met, the sweet and tender moments that they shared as well as the hot and sexy ones.  We see in detail the ups and downs of their careers as well as their desire to have a family and what effect that will have on all of them. They started dating at a time when homosexuality was certainly looked down upon.  But for Kane and Avery what mattered to them the most was the love that they had for each other.  Yes the world was full of hatred and their relationship would have a negative impact on Avery's political career but these two men loved each other with everything they had.  And any obstacle they faced they faced together.

Always is a beautiful story about what true love really is.  These men were souls mates, best friends and lovers.  They made each other whole.  Avery helped bring Kane out of his shell and see what it was like to live outside the box a little.  Kane has very strong religious beliefs and Avery supported his beliefs and understood them.  Kane is an amazing man who has a kind and gentle heart.  I loved both men but I think Kane stole a little piece of my heart.  Their story is certainly an inspiring one.  They proved time and again how intense their love for each other is.  They showed what lengths someone will go for love and to protect the ones they love.  Kindle Alexander has done an amazing job with this story.  I loved the writing, loved how the storyline was set up and honestly there are no words to describe the beautiful ending.  Kane and Avery completed each other and no matter what happened they would get through it together, they were each other's heart and souls; forever and always! A very touching story and one that is a must read.  

BONUS SCENE:  MEETING PAULIE

Paulie used the short sleeve of his T-shirt to wipe at the annoying sheen of sweat forming on his brow. He pulled a perfectly cooked pie from the hot brick oven he’d had built into the kitchen of his downtown Birmingham pizzeria. The sliver end panel caught his reflection, and his expression grew more solid. The reflection showed a permanent frown, one years in the making. Four years to be exact.   

He scrubbed a floured covered hand over his face as a pang of loneliness stung his heart. His desolate soul deeply mourned the loss of the son he’d been so proud to have… Just the thought built pressure in his chest. He’d lost so much. First, his son who died a hero’s death serving in the United States Army, and then a few years later his beloved wife Marjorie. The aloneness he felt reared itself often and weighed heavily on his shoulders. The burden of their loss was almost too much to bear. Even after all this time, nothing had changed and it damn sure hadn’t gotten easier. He still missed them both.   

“Paulie! I need that large Pepperoni!” His long time waiter and good friend Sal barked at him. “I don’t know why you’re staring at yourself like that. You ain’t getin’ any prettier.”  

Sal’s cackle faded as he left the ordering window. Paulie didn’t even have it in him to attempt a clever comeback. Damn he had it bad. It was then he lifted his eyes to the heavens. “I need you to give me a purpose or take me from this earth.” His voice was little more than a raspy whisper and most definitely a plea of help from his creator. 

“Paulie, you gotta see this one!” Sal called out from somewhere in the dining room. A second or two passed as he waited for a merciful death. He’d thought perhaps he’d get something quick. Maybe a heart attack. Surely asking for death had to mean something, but when nothing happened he turned toward the window to see a young man standing there, staring back at him.

“Sir, I’m looking for any work you can give me. You don’t have to pay me. I’ll work for dinner,” the young man said. Paulie looked the guy over and something definitely struck him as odd. He was younger than he first thought. Extremely clean cut, good looking kid with kakhi slacks, short sleeve plaid button down, and short, close cropped hair, yet he was dirty. His clothes looked like he’d worn them for days. The odd mix had him narrowing his brow as he moved closer.  

“How old are you?” Paulie asked.  

“We don’t need anyone right now, Paulie,” Sal yelled from the back of the restaurant.  

“We ain’t talking to you! Ignore him. How old are you?” Paulie asked, this time grabbing a towel to wipe his hands before he drug it over his face.

“I’m eighteen, sir.”

“And what’s your name?” Paulie asked, coming around the dividing wall to get a closer look at the kid.  

“Kane Dalton, sir.”

“You sure got some good manners,” Paulie said, still eyeing him closely. That comment hadn’t prompted a response, but two things happened simultaneously, the juke box stopped playing and a loud rumble came from Kane’s stomach. The kid was hungry. “Are you looking for a free meal?”

“No, sir. I’ll work for anything you’ll give me,” Kane said.

“When was the last time you ate?” Paulie asked, not sure where that question had even come from.  

“It’s been a day or two,” Kane said. This time there was no “sir” added, and Kane lowered his eyes. He looked disgraced.  

“Get back in the kitchen. You can get a bite to eat, then do the dishes. We’ll go from there,” Paulie said, and Kane’s face lifted, relief was clear in his eyes.  

“Thank you, sir!” Kane followed him back to the kitchen.

***

 “So what’s your story, kid?” Paulie asked. It was two in the morning now and Kane was on his hands and knees scrubbing behind the oven. The kitchen was cleaner than he’d ever remembered seeing. The kid could work.   

“If you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk about it,” Kane said, dipping his hands back in the water bucket, wringing out the sponge. He never looked over at him, but Paulie could hear the pain in the words.   

“Parent’s put you out?”  Paulie asked after a minute. Kane didn’t respond, instead he worried his lip as he continued to scrub. “You ain’t on that dope are you?”

“No sir,” Kane immediately shot back.  

“You don’t look like the type. So what’s a clean cut, good boy done so bad that his parent’s put him out of the house? You get a girl with a child?”  

“No sir.” And that drew the first smile Paulie had seen on the kid. Kane glanced his way as if sharing some private joke until he had realized what he had done and looked immediately down. Paulie swore he saw shame on the young man’s face. Paulie stood there staring at the kid. He was a twenty year retired Navy veteran. He had seen this before.  

“You’re parents in the ministry?”

“Yes sir,” Kane looked up surprised, then went straight back to scrubbing.  

“Yeah, I figured. You’re one of them homosexuals, aren’t you?”  Kane’s eyes shot back up to his, panic shown clear on the young man’s his face.  

“I can leave,” Kane said, rising immediately, taking fast steps toward the backdoor.

“Nah, you aint goin’ nowhere. That higher being… You know, he works in mysterious ways. I got a place out back. It’s not much, but it’s just me now. You can stay there until you get on your feet. The pay ain’t great, but I could use the help in here. Sal’s a whiney ass, old man. I needed to get rid of him fifteen years ago. You’ll have to put up with him. I should probably give you a raise just thinkin’ about you having to deal with him,” Paulie said, changing the subject as he slowly began turning off the lights and guiding the skittish kid out the door. It never ceased to amaze him how a parent could put a child out for some of the stupidest reasons, when all he wanted was to have his son back.

“Thank you, sir,” Kane said from behind him. He was glad Kane had followed him. He hadn’t gave him a choice really, but the kid could have walked out the front door with all the shame he’d seen on his face.  

“Lose the, sir. Call me Paulie.”           

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Best Selling Author Kindle Alexander is an innovative writer, and a genre-crosser who writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and erotica in both the male/male and male/female genres. It's always a surprise to see what's coming next!

I live in the suburbs of Dallas where it's true, the only thing bigger than an over active imagination, may be women's hair!

Usually, I try for funny. Humor is a major part of my life - I love to laugh, and it seems to be the thing I do in most situations - regardless of the situation, but jokes are a tricky deal... I don't want to offend anyone and jokes tend to offend. So instead I'm going to tell you about Kindle.

I tragically lost my sixteen year old daughter to a drunk driver. She had just been at home, it was early in the night and I heard the accident happen. I'll never forget that moment. The sirens were immediate and something inside me just knew. I left my house, drove straight to the accident on nothing more than instinct. I got to be there when my little girl died - weirdly, I consider that a true gift from above. She didn't have to be alone.

That time in my life was terrible. It's everything you think it would be times about a billion. I love that kid. I loved being her mother and I loved watching her grow into this incredibly beautiful person, both inside and out. She was such a gift to me. To have it all ripped away so suddenly broke me.

Her name was Kindle. Honest to goodness - it was her name and she died a few weeks before Amazon released their brand new Kindle ereader. She had no idea it was coming out and she would have finally gotten her name on something! Try finding a ruler with the name Kindle on it.. It never happened.

Through the course of that crippling event I was lucky enough to begin to write with a dear friend in the fan fiction world of Facebook. She got me through those dark days with her unwavering support and friendship. There wasn't a time she wasn't there for me. Sometimes together and sometimes by myself, we built a world where Kindle lives and stands for peace, love and harmony. It's its own kind of support group. I know without question I wouldn't be here today without her.

Find out more by visiting www.kindlealexander.com or email me at kindle@kindlealexander.com

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