Push (Music in Motion #1) by B.L. Morticia
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: April Martinez
Sales Links:
Dreamspinner Press Ebook and Paperback | Universal Buy Link
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host B.L. Morticia today on tour with her latest novel, Push. Welcome to our author’s chair!
Scattered Thoughts Rogue Words Interview with B.L. Morticia
Q: How much of you goes into the character?
A: I’d say a little depending on the book. For this one, I’d say Malakei’s passion about proving how much he knows about heavy metal because he is black. Even during the editing process, I had to explain to the interviewer why I wrote what I did. Many times when I’m at a live show or in conversation at a bar it’s as if some people don’t believe a middle aged black woman can love hard rock. I totally do. *smiles*
Q: Have you ever had to put an ‘in progress’ story aside because of the emotional ties with it? You were hurting with the characters or didn’t know how to proceed?
A: Oh yes, plenty of times. Not with this one because it flowed through me and I didn’t have to stop. However, I did recently do that with a story because the characters weren’t doing as I wanted them to. The one time I actually want to guide a story in the right direction. Pfft! Anyway, yeah, once I let go of the reins sort of speak, the book turned out great. I suppose that’s the issue when you write by the seat of your pants.
Q: Do you read romances, as a teenager and as an adult?
A: Yes, I do. Admittedly, I read more MM instead of MF, but there are still some authors in het romance I love. LJ Shen being one of them. When I was a teen, I devoured my grandmothers Harlequins. Fern Michaels, Danielle Steel, and later Jackie Collins. *snorts* That’s where I got my naughty from.
Q: How do you choose your covers?
A: I want my covers to convey the mood of the story. For this one, I asked the cover artist for a lighter colored background because it isn’t an angsty story. There are some moments, but I figured the light brown told the tone of the book. Also, as an author of color who writes gay men of color, 95 percent of the time, I’d like that man on the front. While I know this might be a problem when it comes to sales, I don’t allow it to stop me from showing my diverse characters. This is very important to me in regards to representation.
Q: Ever drunk written a chapter and then read it the next day and still been happy with it? Trust me there’s a whole world of us drunk writers dying to know.
A: *laughs* I certainly have. More times than I can count. This usually ends up being the love scenes in books because a little libation helps me relax. The first hot scene with Malakei and Seth on the pool table was written with the help of a few beers and a shot or two of whiskey. I remember it well because I raved to my author friends about it the next day.
Q: What’s next for you as an author?
A: Next for this muse, who is BLMorticia, is another story co-written with fellow DSP author and friend, Remmy Duchene. You can find out more on BLMorticia’s website.
Thanks for having me!
About Push Music In Motion: Book One
Malakei Oakley, aka rapper M. Prophet, is at the top of his game—but deep in the closet. Handsome, wealthy, and successful as the head of 315East Entertainment, Malakei should be on cloud nine. Despite his awards and a Midas touch that has every musician clamoring to work with him, something is missing.
Seth “Reaper” Davies is ready for stardom. His band High Stakes plays to small, packed houses all over Birmingham and London but has yet to get their big break. But Seth isn’t giving up on his dream—no matter what it takes.
A viral video prompts a message from a person he doesn’t expect—the talented M. Prophet. Their musical styles are worlds apart, and Seth has no desire to change his style to sell records. But his curiosity—and his attraction to Malakei—wins out.
Malakei can’t get Seth out of his mind. He also can’t come out without ruining his reputation. No matter how much he wants the sexy singer, his only option is to push Seth away. But he’s about to find out Seth isn’t one to give up on what he wants—and he might be just what Malakei needs.
Excerpt from Push – This is the initial meeting between Seth and Malakei. From the first handshake you can feel the sparks!
Malakei had gotten a text from Lena that she’d be coming in with High Stakes and family soon. He could barely hold in his excitement about seeing Seth Davies up close. Dang.
“Focus, M.” Malakei mentally checked himself and stood up when he heard the door open. He had to keep this as business because he wasn’t sure what to expect. However, Malakei had a hard time, knowing the fine guitarist was only feet away from his grasp.
“Malakei? We’re here.”
Malakei took another deep breath, then stood up. Making his way toward them, he glanced at everyone who appeared to be starstruck.
“Hello there. High Stakes and family, I presume. It’s so good to meet you.”
Lena cleared her throat. “Um, Malakei, from the left is Morty, the bassist, his girlfriend, Gina. Gio, and his mother, Theresa, and Seth along with his mother, Ethel.”
All of them said hi, and Malakei made sure he started with Morty, before greeting Seth and his mother. He kissed all the ladies’ hands and shook the band members’ hands as a gentlemanly display. The women blushed, apparently in awe.
Though Malakei didn’t spend that much time holding Seth’s hand, the feel of it wasn’t lost on him. As expected, it was rough, calloused, prickly around the tips from playing his guitar without a pick or even tape. He was a hard rocker through and through, not concerned with protecting the skin. Seth exuded rock and roll because in the minds of people like him, hard music meant sacrifice.
Other than the texture of Seth’s palms, Malakei couldn’t help but notice the outfit. Seth wore black jeans again and this time a classic Metallica T-shirt. Both hugged his lanky body like a glove, and as with most metal musicians he’d known of, they didn’t care for heavy coats. Seth wore a small leather jacket full of buttons on both lapels. Yes, he looked every bit of the part of the quintessential metalhead.
“Gods, you are even more handsome in person.” Ethel smiled at him.
“Um, thank you.” He chuckled. “And you, young lady have a very talented son. Along with his friends, I think we could help them be something special.” Malakei tried keeping his tone even. Out the corner of his eye, he could see Seth was actually at a loss for words.
“Um, yeah, Malakei,” Seth said. He held out his hand again and bowed his head slightly. “Thanks again for this opportunity. I’m totally gobsmacked you’ve asked us to play for you.”
Malakei accepted it again and gripped it firmly. “No, it is my honor. Can we offer you all something to drink? Coffee, tea, water, or soda?”
“Water for me, thank you.” Ethel spoke up first.
“Same with me,” Gina said, as did Gio’s mother.
“I’ll take soda,” Morty said.
“Me too,” added Gio.
Seth grinned at Malakei again. “Do you mind if I be different and ask for coffee? I’m a little drained and need to wake up.”
Malakei wished to follow that up with a snide remark, but he kept it to himself. “Of course. Lena, please grab refreshments while I show the ladies and gentlemen around the studio.”
Lena smiled at Malakei and walked out.
Malakei clapped his hands. “So, I was thinking we’d do a small tour of my space here; then I’ll listen to you guys play. I have a good friend of mine coming in that I’m working on a project with to help DIY bands like yourselves. He’s from my old label, Mustang.”
“Oh? May I ask why? We will not sign with a label.” Seth spoke up.
“Yes, I know, but if we come to some kind of agreement, Peter will help. Besides, he saw your video too. He was very impressed.”
“Al’right. Well, I s’pose that couldn’t hurt. Just reminding ya about what you said. No pressure.”
Malakei nodded. “That’s right. None. Follow me, please.”
About the Author
BLMorticia
BLMorticia entertains her readers with hot and smexy sex, humor, and lots of swear words. She attempts to incorporate metal music or the military in most of her works. Nothin’ sexier than metalheads or military servicemen and women!
Website – https://blmorticia.wordpress.com/
Metalrotica – https://metalrotica.wordpress.com/
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4436911.B_L_Morticia
Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/BLMorticia/
Facebook Profile – https://www.facebook.com/bl.morticia.16
Twitter – https://twitter.com/BLMorticia
Follow Me on BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bl-morticia
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 