Everglade swamps, heartfelt characters, and Second Chance Sam! Interview and giveaway with Bren Christopher.
I’ve excited to welcome Bren Christopher to my blog! Bren’s smash hit books include Big Cyprus Crossroads, The Professor’s Assistant, and Friday Night Jamie. This week, she’s celebrating a new release from Loose Id, Second Chance Sam.
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Q. Please us about your exciting new release, Second Chance Sam.
It is an m/m contemporary—or an m/m/m contemporary. I’m never quite sure what to call it, as the main love story is between two guys who grew up together and become lovers, but there is a third partner and a ménage scene. Perhaps the blurb will help:
Tristan and Cory have been together forever and thought they always would be—until Sam comes into their lives. In a fit of jealousy, Tristan commits an inexcusable act of anger. Unable to trust his own temper, he leaves Cory although it breaks both of their hearts. Even if Cory can forgive him, Tristan can never forgive himself.
Cory is determined to prove that Tristan has nothing to fear and that, together, they can find a way to put the past behind them. Then an old guilt of his own arises to weaken his resolve.
Somehow in this morass of jealousy, remorse and grief, Sam must find a way to reunite the couple he inadvertently tore apart. But the ghosts of Tristan’s difficult childhood threaten to keep them separated despite Sam’s best efforts.
Now Sam must be more than a friend to the two if he is going to bring them back together. He’ll do whatever is necessary, and if his plan happens to lead to a bit of fun for all three of them… surely no one can blame him for enjoying it just a little. But if Sam succeeds, will it mean the end of his own chance for happiness?
The idea of the friends who meet as children and then grow to become lovers is an attractive plot, but not a new one, so I needed to find a way to make the story a little different. I’m not usually drawn to ménages as I find them a bit unrealistic unless very well-written. In this case, though, it just seemed to fit. With Tristan’s childhood history of a jealous, abusive father, it seems logical that the only thing that could destroy his close relationship with Cory would be suspicion and temper, and the only person who could bring them back together would be the man who inadvertently triggered Tristan’s jealousy. It’s emotional stuff, but with some flashes of humor sprinkled in to lighten the story.
Q. Your stories have a lot of heart, steamy passion, and some amazing characters. How do you create the people in your stories? Are any of them inspired by real life?
The characters always come first, don’t they? They do for me, anyway, 
although I know everyone writes differently. I hardly ever think of a plot idea first. It’s always the characters and their relationships that occur to me, and then I have to think of a conflict to make a good story.
I don’t know that any of the characters are really inspired by anyone I know, but there are certain traits and characteristics of friends and family that may end up in the stories. I try to be careful not to be too specific. For example, I have a friend whose family has big Sunday dinner get-togethers like Noah’s family in Big Cyprus Crossroads, but lots of Southern families do that and there’s not much else in Noah that is similar my friend.
Q. You’ve written novels set in some diverse places – London 1885 (and parallel universes!) everglade swamps, New York. And you live in Florida! How important is a sense of place to the worlds you create?
Place is very important. It can be like another character in the book. I particularly felt this way with Big Cyprus Crossroads. If that story had been set anywhere besides Miami and the Everglades, it would have been a different plot and very different characters. In Second Chance Sam, one of the characters attends the University of Florida, which is where I went to school, so I was able to give some local details that may make the setting feel more real.
I’m most familiar with Florida as I’ve traveled all over the state. But I was born in upstate New York and I enjoy visiting the City. That’s why I use those two places the most. On the other hand, I grew up on science fiction. I love the genre and I have an outline for an m/m science fiction romance that I want to get started on. Too many ideas, not enough time.
Q. Tell us about a typical writing day – if there is such a thing! – in the life of Bren Christopher.
I wish I had a typical writing day. I’m afraid I’m not disciplined enough to say I’m going to write so many words a day like some writers do. For me, it goes in cycles. I’m pretty slow getting started on a new project, but once I get a basic outline figured out and get the first couple of chapters written, I pick up speed. I wish I were faster and more disciplined but I’m just a slow writer.
Q. If you had to be snowed in for a week with one of your 
characters, who would you chose? And who would be your last choice?
Oh boy… hmm… I’d have to say Matt from Friday Night Jamie. He’s just really competent so he could make sure the fireplace stayed lit and the roof didn’t leak. But he’s also sweet and has a great sense of humor. What more could you ask for? Oh that’s right… Yeah, he’s hot. Really, really hot, in that dark-eyed Italian way of his.
Q. Have you got any exciting WIPs to tell your fans about?
I’m working on a sequel to my Christmas novella, Patchouli for Christmas. I really like those characters. When I left Michael and Jude at the end of the last book, they had just started dating, so I wanted to check in with them and see how they were progressing. I meant to get that story out in time for this last Christmas, but… um… see above answer to typical writing day. Yes, slow.
Second Chance Sam is out now from Loose Id. You can also read an excerpt there, and another excerpt at Bren Christopher’s page.
Thank you so much for having me here, Kay. I really enjoyed it. I’ll be hanging around today in case anyone has any questions. I’d love to give away a copy of Second Chance Sam to one lucky commenter, so let’s see some comments and questions!
Remember to leave your email when prompted by the comment box, but don’t worry – it will not be displayed publically or used for any other purpose 
Comp. closes 22nd January.
Remember to pop over and comment on Kate McMurray’s interview too, for a chance to win Show and Tell. You can also win my guest blogger, Viki Lyn’s Sins of Lust here and a copy of Bound to the Beast, one of my (Kay Berrisford’s) Greenwood novels, at Viki’s blog here.
Thank you for dropping by, Bren – the books sounds amazing!
Lovely interview. I’m new to your books but they sound amazing. I’d love the chance to ready Second Chance Sam!
January 17, 2013 at 10:27 am
Thanks, Kath
January 18, 2013 at 6:23 pm
I have read some of your books before and would love to read this one.
January 17, 2013 at 10:50 am
Me too – thanks for commenting, Debra
January 18, 2013 at 6:24 pm
Oooh~ I absolutely LOVE M/M/M books! I actually haven’t read any of Bren’s books but Second Chance Sam seems like a most wonderful place to start!!
>__< I hope I'm lucky enough to win!
Adding it to my wishlist/to-buy for sure~~ <3
Enjoyed the post!
Judi
arella3173_loveless@yahoo(dot)com
January 17, 2013 at 12:08 pm
Yay – glad you enjoyed
Thanks for dropping by 
January 18, 2013 at 6:24 pm
Please count me in! I love m/m/m and this one sounds right up my alley!
January 17, 2013 at 1:36 pm
*g*! Me too – thanks for commenting, Mandy
January 18, 2013 at 6:25 pm
Big family get togethers scare the bejsus out of me, but I’d still love to read Big Cyprus Crossroads. I really enjoyed Patchouli for Christmas and can’t wait to drop in on the guys again! Good luck with the writing.
January 17, 2013 at 3:22 pm
They scare me too, Lauren. The Sunday dinners at my husband’s family’s house are big enough, but the holdiday get togethers are even bigger! It took a little while to get used to. Thanks!
January 17, 2013 at 6:04 pm
Which of your books would you recommend to someone who loves Upstate NY and hasn’t read any of yours yet?
Sorry, but that’s me. Your books sound wonderful, though, so I will be adding at least one to my nook soon. Please toss my name in the hat for your giveaway — maybe I’ll by-pass the Wish List and nab a book!
Thanks & have a great one!
Charley
c.descoteauxwrites at gmail.com
January 17, 2013 at 5:45 pm
Hi Charley. I Friday Night Jamie and Patchouli for Christmas take place in New York City, but not in New York out of the City. It is beautiful country though. I have plans for writing more set in New York.
January 17, 2013 at 6:02 pm
Thanks, Bren! Your Christmas story caught my eye, so I’ll start with that one. I have a soft spot for holiday stories this year.
January 17, 2013 at 8:10 pm
Your bookcovers look amazing!
January 17, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Thanks, Lianne. I think so too. The publisher, Loose Id, does a very good job with the cover art.
January 17, 2013 at 6:57 pm
I have to agree with Lianne, really gorgeous covers, and I love the sound of the books too. Some more for the ‘to read’ list
January 17, 2013 at 9:10 pm
Def. on my ‘to read’ list too
Thanks!
January 18, 2013 at 6:25 pm
Great interview! Please count me in. Thanks!
January 17, 2013 at 11:09 pm
Yay! You’re in – thanks
January 18, 2013 at 6:26 pm
I love finding new authors! I look forward to reading your Stuff. Thanks!
brendurbanist at gmail dot com
January 18, 2013 at 1:19 am
Yay! Thanks for your lovely comment
January 18, 2013 at 6:27 pm
Love your writing; please count me in.
January 18, 2013 at 2:41 am
You’re in – thank you
January 18, 2013 at 6:28 pm
Thanks for the interview and the blurb. You are a new to me author and would love to know more about/of your stories. I am quite disorganized when it comes to my own writing. Time to put the calendar/planner to good use.
Thanks for the chance at winning your book.
January 18, 2013 at 2:52 am
I’m not the most organized person either, I have to admit
Good luck with the planning and thanks for your comment 
January 18, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Thank you…I haven’t read Bren yet but Big Cypress Crossroads is on my TBR pile…Great Interview. Count me in for the contest please.
chellebee66(at)gmail(dot)com
January 18, 2013 at 3:16 am
You’re in – thank you
January 18, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Good interview
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
January 18, 2013 at 6:26 am
Glad you liked – thanks
January 18, 2013 at 6:30 pm
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I already have this book on my Wish List so I’d love to win a copy. Thanks for the contest opportunity.
January 18, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Yay – thanks for dropping by
January 18, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Second chance sam looks good and is goingon the wish list, so would love a chance (!) at it. Also. Going off to look at Patchouli for Christmas, I love a good holiday story and like the title!
January 18, 2013 at 3:09 pm
I love a good holiday story too
Happy reading and thanks for your comment 
January 18, 2013 at 6:31 pm
I’ve read all of your other books and enjoyed them all. I look forward to reading Second Chance Sam.
January 18, 2013 at 4:02 pm
Yay – thanks for dropping by
January 18, 2013 at 6:32 pm
Very entertaining interview! Would love to win Second Chance Sam
smaccall AT comcast.net
January 19, 2013 at 2:35 am
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Sarah. Kay is a great host. Good Luck!
January 19, 2013 at 2:43 am
An interesting premise for a story there, and I love the cover too.
January 19, 2013 at 9:26 am
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Great interview. I haven’t read anything by this author, so I am looking forward to checking these out. Please enter me into the contest. Thanks.
January 19, 2013 at 5:08 pm
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Count me in please. Love our work.
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
January 20, 2013 at 1:26 pm
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I just wanted to say one last thank you to everyone who participated. I had a lot of fun reading all the comments. See you next time!
January 24, 2013 at 7:21 pm