Diverse Reader: Saturday Author Spotlight: Avery Duran #Interview #Giveaway

Hello and Happy Saturday to you! It's royal wedding day, I know, but today here on Diverse Reader we have something better. Avery Duran is hanging out talking books, answering questions, and doing a giveaway! Grab a chair and stay awhile :D

Brooklyn Realtor Josh Perlman desperately wants to settle down. Unfortunately he can’t find a man who wants the same. Tired of disastrous dates, he travels to explore his heritage.

Yaron is an Israeli security guard and medic charged with looking after Josh and his pilgrimage group. For Yaron, the need to protect has become more a duty than an honor since he lost his long-term boyfriend to a terrorist attack—a loss that continues to haunt him.

As they embark on their journey through the Holy Land, it’s hard to deny the attraction that sparks between Josh and Yaron. Yet with America calling Josh home, and Israel, and the death of his lover holding Yaron prisoner, it seems only a miracle can keep them together.

But Israel is an ancient land, one that has seen miracles before. Surrounded by structures that have been destroyed and rebuilt time after time, Josh and Yaron might just learn that their futures can be found in the wisdom of the past.

World of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the globe.

Links

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon US

Amazon UK

B&N

Google Play

Kobo

Books2Read

Gabe Cotter is an out-and-proud elementary school teacher who has moved back to the New York City neighborhood where he grew up—hoping to pave the way by example for others, since it was a rocky road for him. When a false alarm brings a handsome, but ornery, firefighter right to his doorstep--he can’t help but be intrigued, especially when Fate keeps bringing them together, and Gabe catches a glimpse of the cranky man's softer side.

Chris Mancini has learned the hard way that some things are better left unsaid. A third-generation firefighter, his job and family responsibilities keep him firmly in the closet. He can’t get the feisty teacher he met on a false alarm call out of his mind, though. When they meet in a bar, his reservations go out the window and they share a passionate night together.

One night leads to another, and to another, until the men are spending all of their free time in each other’s company. The deeper their feelings grow, the more Gabe struggles with balancing the open life he is trying to live with Chris’s closeted one. When Gabe realizes he can no longer live with the secrecy, Chris is faced with making a decision that cuts both ways.

Free with Kindle Unlimited

AMAZON

Interview

Thank you for hanging out with us this fine Saturday. I’m excited because I’ve never had the opportunity to interview you. I promise to be gentle.

Thank you in advance!!!

Let’s start off easy. If someone just came across your books, where would you suggest they start and why?

Ahava is Love, its part of the Dreamspinner Press World of Love Series, which means it’s a great love story in a unique environment, Israel. The best part – it will leave with one of those really good sappy smiles! I’m a big proponent of books that leave you with the warm fuzzies.

If we were to read your bio what are three things you can tell us about yourself we wouldn’t see on there?

1) I am a huge fan of Duran Duran and have seen them every time they’ve come to the NYC area since 1983 – I’m well into double digits at this point.

2) I was raised in a Kosher home and stopped eating meat when I was in 4^th grade, so I’ve never had bacon. Now, everywhere I look I see bacon flavored stuff, but I don’t understand the hype! My husband thinks I’m crazy, he loves the stuff.

3) I am terrified of clowns. With three sons, keeping my house a clown-free zone has not been easy.

When you’re not writing up a storm what do you enjoy doing?

Reading – of course! I read a LOT! I also love to craft – crocheting especially. I tend to stick with small projects since I get bored easily (I have an embarrassing amount of half-finished afghans). I’ve gotten really good at crocheting Pokémon themed accessories though.

Will you be attending GRL or any other conventions or signings for the remainder of the year?

Yes, I am attending GRL as a supporting author, it will be my first and I am excited and nervous. If you see me, please come say, “Hello!” I’ll be the woman trying not to hide in the corner.

I have authors who inspire me daily. What authors have inspired you in your life?

This is a tough one, I couldn’t even begin to narrow it down, and every time I write a name, someone else comes to mind. I often turn to books when I need to be comforted, lifted up or to find a new path. Right now I am reading Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman and it is fascinating. It’s all about the mind, intuition, and how we think.

The writers who have most influenced my writing are Stephen King and Nora Roberts. Stephen King is a master of pacing and setting a scene. His use of humor and cynicism in the most unexpected places took horror tropes and turned them around. I have a pretty dry sense of humor, so it really appealed to me. The first novella I wrote was actually a horror story, anyone who reads it can tell which author inspired me! I started reading Nora Roberts in category romances, and followed her as she grew. I loved that she had strong independent heroines, at a time when most were more…demure. I’m no shrinking violet, so I appreciated seeing strong women finding love without giving up their independence. Her dialogue is always snappy and moves the story along. She’s still an auto buy for me.

If one of your books could be made into a motion picture, which book and who would you cast?

I would love to cast Joey Graceffa and his boyfriend, Daniel Preda for the motion picture version of Double Edged Sword (A Memories with The Breakfast Club Kindle World Novella). His video for Don’t Wait totally inspired the renaissance faire that takes place in the book. My project boards and pins were filled with pictures of them.

Can you tell us what you’re currently working on or future projects?

Yes, I am working on expanding and re-releasing my first release, Matzo Ball. It was originally part off an anthology for a publisher that has since closed. It’s interesting to see how much my writing has changed, but my voice is still there. I also am about to type, “The End” and submit a full length novel – but I’m too superstitious to say anything more about it…yet!

How can readers follow your work: Blog, website, FB, Twitter etc…

Is there a subject, topic, or genre you believe you’ll never write in or about?

I am a firm believer in never saying never!

What would be a dream come true for you?

Other than becoming a bestselling author? Meeting Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran!