CM: Thanks Renae, it’s great to be here.
Renae: Now, you have to tell me – am I popping your interview-cherry here? Have you been interviewed before?
CM: No, this is a real first for me!
Renae: I had the pleasure of catching CM for coffee recently, and it was wonderful. She expressed to me the exact thing I felt when I first went to meet a couple of MM reviewers who live in my city – Oh, how wonderful to talk to people who understand!
CM: Yes, it’s great to talk about something that I love and not have to explain MM or deal with the multitude of reactions to the subject.
Renae: I guess we’d better get on and talk about your book instead of chatting for hours like we did that day.
**clears throat** CM Corett is a debut author who has just released her first story as part of Dreamspinner’s Daily Dose 2015 package. The story is called Bindings and Books.
Bindings and Books - blurb
James Connell is adamant—he’s not getting involved. The forty-two-year-old bookstore owner’s life is governed by respectability, order, and a dash of OCD—just the way he likes it. There is absolutely no place in his life for a way-too-young, sexy, carefree guy like Ash. What would people think?
Ash Bradley-Mills is determined—he wants James. Traveling the world testing snowboards and sports equipment has been great fun for Ash, but he’s ready for something more. He wants an adrenaline rush of a different kind, and tall, dark, handsome, and older James fits the criteria perfectly. Now all Ash needs to do is break through James’s defenses and lifelong fear of judgment. Easy! He’s got the perfect plan to push James out of his comfort zone and into his arms.
CM: No **chuckles** Definitely not. Ash is 28—a grown man, but he looks quite a bit younger.
Renae: It sounds like a 42yo’s wet dream – to have a young guy panting over him. How come James is balking at it?
CM: Yeah, a young, hot guy determined to pursue you—what’s not to like? Right? But James has a serious issue from the past and until he meets Ash, he thinks he’s dealt with it reasonably well. His OCD tendencies show otherwise. He’s mainly just used avoidance and developed control and coping mechanisms. James it torn between using the tried and true method of avoiding the young, sexy guy he really, really wants—and give in and enjoy it while it lasts. Because it can’t last, right?
Renae: Does the age thing bother Ash?
CM: Nope, not at all. In fact, meeting James has made him realise he’s been looking in all the wrong places for a serious relationship. Working in the extreme sports business, Ash leads a life of highs—high adrenaline, high adventure, and a high risk of relationship failure. Ash wants a real relationship, one with the potential for forever.
Renae: So, are there any twists or unexpected turns in the story?
CM: Well, without giving too much away, let’s just say that events give James a major shock and he is faced with a situation he can’t control—no one can. Suddenly, the issues of his past seem insignificant and he’s left trying to solve the unsolvable.
Renae: The subject of Dreamspinner’s Daily Dose package this year was Never Too Late – in other words, characters who were older than forty. Did you write Bindings and Books to fit the criteria? Or did you already have a WIP tucked away that met the guidelines?
CM: Basically, Bindings and Books was already completed. It just needed a little editing and ‘tweaking’.
Renae: And the story takes place on the Australian ski slopes? Does Australia have snow??? **gasp** I never knew!
CM: Yes. Australia has snow!!!! Although I don’t use any names, the setting for Bindings and Books is based on Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham in Victoria, Australia. It’s my favourite holiday destination. And Bright cabin, where James stays, is real too!
CM: Well a little of both, but there will always be the judgers and we can’t control what strangers think. We can, however, control our own thoughts and how we react. Worrying about what may or may not be in someone else’s mind will drive you crazy and keep you from living the life you want. So… Stop worrying about what people think—and be happy!
Renae: Now this is your first story published. Was it exciting?
CM: Absolutely. It’s a whole bunch of firsts. The first story I’ve written, first publisher I submitted to, first acceptance… I got an email from the USA around midnight to offer me a contract. What??? I was so excited I woke up ‘the teenager’ who mumbled “yeah, that’s great mum” and then rolled over and went back to sleep. I, of course, couldn’t sleep for the rest of the night.
Renae: And do you have follow up plans? More of these characters? A different book? Will you keep on writing MM?
CM: I haven’t been writing for very long, but now that I’ve discovered that ‘thing’ that makes me happy, I can’t imagine I’ll ever stop. I’ve almost completed an MM historical set in Victorian era England, and I’ve started a Sci-fi/time travel novella. I know, I know… people tell me I should pick a sub-genre and stick to it, but I say—stop worrying about what other people think—and be happy. And writing, in all shapes and genres, makes me happy.
Renae: Do you have a website where people can contact you? Social media?
CM: Yep. Here they are:
Website - https://www.cmcorett.com
Email – [email protected]
Facebook Author Page – https://www.facebook.com/CMCorett
Renae: Thanks for coming along and having fun with me. I look forward to reading this (I try to read all Aussie MM) and also hope to see your name on the Coming Soon list again.
CM: My pleasure, thanks Renae.