Title: Escape
Authors: Sean Ian O'Meidhir & Connal Braginsky
Series: Crossing Nuwa #1
Genre: M/M Romance, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Release Date: July 9, 2019
Publisher: DSP Publications
For sheltered Robbie, one week of freedom leads to sexual awakening and adventure… but when his world intersects with Theo’s, they’ll need all their wits and Theo’s magic to fight for their future.
Rare male weresnake Robbie has had his whole life decided for him down to his meals. But when the time comes for him to perform an unspeakable duty to his clan, he runs.
San Francisco Pride is in full swing when technomage Theo spots a scared-looking young man with brilliant emerald eyes. He’s only looking for a hookup, but before he knows why, he’s taking Robbie home and introducing him to champagne and enchiladas. He doesn’t have any intention of falling in love.
Robbie doesn’t want to return to his clan, at least not without trying to fit a lifetime of experiences into a week, but every day he stays puts Theo in more danger.
“Reality started to sink back in, and I was standing under the water, trying desperately to have the boiling spray chase away my ruminations from the previous night on the run. I don’t know how long I had been in there when a stir of air tickled across my back, alerting me that I wasn’t alone. I spun around to see him standing there. Naked! He was incredibly tall (which is saying something considering I’m six foot two and felt dwarfed), with his broad shoulders and a thick furry chest, bristly goatee, and the bright curly electric-blue hair that somehow shone in the fluorescents of the bathroom in a way that it hadn’t under the sun. His dark skin tone also shone differently with the indoor lighting, which seemed to illuminate the differences between us with my much paler skin. My eyes drifted down over his soft chubby belly to his manhood, which was sticking straight out at me! The burn of shame flowed over my entire head and shoulders as I almost lost my balance turning my immediate arousal away from him.
“Man, I hope you’re a bottom.” He exhaled as his huge arms encircled me. “I’ve never been wrong before.” His breath, warm against my ear, sent a cascade of goose bumps down my side.
My brain practically short-circuited. I was no longer thinking about Mother and my aunt chasing me. I was no longer worrying about where I was going to go or what I was going to do. The only thing I could focus on was the soft comforting pillow of his belly against my back coupled with the enticing hard pressure that slid against my rear and made my breath catch for reasons I couldn’t begin to process. I had never experienced anything like it in my life and was suddenly bombarded by too many emotions I couldn’t identify, had never experienced. Above all of them was exhilaration as every nerve felt electrified, alive. And then his hands were everywhere. He was holding… soap? The small knobbed bar of hotel soap slid across my chest and flat belly… lower, encircling me with a few gentle strokes that sparked sensations throughout my entire body, then back up over my shoulders, kneading gently but firmly.
Who are some of your favorite authors and/or books to read when you need to relax?
Sean: My favorite authors include James Butcher, Jonathan Kellerman, Dean Koontz, and Stephen King. In the MM world, I’ve met some amazing authors including Tarian P.S. and Ian Lewis who have simply been inspirational, and Sloane Kennedy and Elle Kennedy whose art I aspire to. Though to relax, these days you can find me writing.
Connal: Right now I am reading books on analytical psychology and esoteric topics, mostly written by Carl Jung, but also few other noted authors. A few other favorites: Peter Kingsley, Stephan A. Hoeller and Marie-Louise von Franz
If you were approached to have your book made into a film, who would you cast?
Sean: I think I’d go with unknowns. Theo is a big Polynesian teddy bear. I don’t know any actors out there that would fit that, and I’d love to have young actors discovered with our work.
Connal: For Robbie a young Kit Harington, for Theo, a younger and fuller “The Rock”.
It's often asked what is your favorite part of being a writer but what is the easiest or most natural part of the creative process for you?
Sean: For me the easiest and most natural part is character creation. It sometimes feels like these characters exist somewhere in the cosmos and that I’m just here to channel their lives. Perhaps a romantic notion, but with the possibility of multiverses - who knows….?
Connal: Visualizing fantastical scenes feels natural to me. Sometimes, I think, to the point where it may be too weird for most people.
Is there any one character you've created that is most like you? If yes, who and why?
Sean: Conn says that Robbie and Theo are equal and opposite sides of my personality. The gregarious hero who is misunderstood by many and holds his cards close to his vest vs the scared child who is venturing out, just trying to find confidence and stand up for themselves. I can’t help but admit I think he’s right. And a lot of my own personal life stories have been woven into the narrative.
Connal: Nathen from the forthcoming DarkLight series that Sean and I also co-wrote, is a character that is most like me. I’ve always been interested in Vampires, and this gave me a chance to live out that fantasy… in literary form.
If you could go anywhere(finances, time, & obligations not an issue) where would you go and why?
Sean: I want to see the world - so many places and the list grows all the time. And since it is something that is in the works (Asia and UK possibly within the next year; Australia and New Zealand after that…), I think I’ll take this question in another direction and say I’d love to visit my past. Both of my parents are deceased (Da in 2004 and Mom in 2010). If only one trip (and assuming I’m able to return) - I’d go back to early 2004 and spend a little time with each of them independently. I live my life with absolutely no regrets and live every day to the fullest. But, one never does know what they have till it’s gone and I would love to reel in the ego of youth to let both of my parents know that they did an amazing job. That I’m grateful and that in 15 years or so I’d be writing - something Da always encouraged (if only he could see the content!)
Connal: A few places, Kyoto, Japan, and Israel. I really like Japanese culture and history, and have visited Kyoto in the past. I really enjoyed my time there. I also want to visit Israel for historical and spiritual reasons.
Sean: My favorite authors include James Butcher, Jonathan Kellerman, Dean Koontz, and Stephen King. In the MM world, I’ve met some amazing authors including Tarian P.S. and Ian Lewis who have simply been inspirational, and Sloane Kennedy and Elle Kennedy whose art I aspire to. Though to relax, these days you can find me writing.
Connal: Right now I am reading books on analytical psychology and esoteric topics, mostly written by Carl Jung, but also few other noted authors. A few other favorites: Peter Kingsley, Stephan A. Hoeller and Marie-Louise von Franz
If you were approached to have your book made into a film, who would you cast?
Sean: I think I’d go with unknowns. Theo is a big Polynesian teddy bear. I don’t know any actors out there that would fit that, and I’d love to have young actors discovered with our work.
Connal: For Robbie a young Kit Harington, for Theo, a younger and fuller “The Rock”.
It's often asked what is your favorite part of being a writer but what is the easiest or most natural part of the creative process for you?
Sean: For me the easiest and most natural part is character creation. It sometimes feels like these characters exist somewhere in the cosmos and that I’m just here to channel their lives. Perhaps a romantic notion, but with the possibility of multiverses - who knows….?
Connal: Visualizing fantastical scenes feels natural to me. Sometimes, I think, to the point where it may be too weird for most people.
Is there any one character you've created that is most like you? If yes, who and why?
Sean: Conn says that Robbie and Theo are equal and opposite sides of my personality. The gregarious hero who is misunderstood by many and holds his cards close to his vest vs the scared child who is venturing out, just trying to find confidence and stand up for themselves. I can’t help but admit I think he’s right. And a lot of my own personal life stories have been woven into the narrative.
Connal: Nathen from the forthcoming DarkLight series that Sean and I also co-wrote, is a character that is most like me. I’ve always been interested in Vampires, and this gave me a chance to live out that fantasy… in literary form.
If you could go anywhere(finances, time, & obligations not an issue) where would you go and why?
Sean: I want to see the world - so many places and the list grows all the time. And since it is something that is in the works (Asia and UK possibly within the next year; Australia and New Zealand after that…), I think I’ll take this question in another direction and say I’d love to visit my past. Both of my parents are deceased (Da in 2004 and Mom in 2010). If only one trip (and assuming I’m able to return) - I’d go back to early 2004 and spend a little time with each of them independently. I live my life with absolutely no regrets and live every day to the fullest. But, one never does know what they have till it’s gone and I would love to reel in the ego of youth to let both of my parents know that they did an amazing job. That I’m grateful and that in 15 years or so I’d be writing - something Da always encouraged (if only he could see the content!)
Connal: A few places, Kyoto, Japan, and Israel. I really like Japanese culture and history, and have visited Kyoto in the past. I really enjoyed my time there. I also want to visit Israel for historical and spiritual reasons.
Sean is a shrink who by day spends time in jails and prisons (evaluating criminals) and by night writes romantic fiction. Sean and partner live in San Francisco ruled by their three cats and can often be found trying new restaurants. With the understanding that they live in Heaven, Sean adores spending time sitting near the water with a laptop in hand, gazing at the bay and making daydreams a reality for others to enjoy. To read more about Sean's adventures, please visit his website.
Connal Braginsky
Connal Braginsky is a tech nerd that has taken a leap of faith and took a chance on writing. Born to Russian immigrants, he came out as gay at 19, and was recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asperger's Syndrome).
He loves to read, and learn about Technology, Esoteric subjects and considers himself a transhumanist (the Russian Cosmism variety). His other pastimes revolve around philosophy which includes Panpsychism, Process Philosophy, Taoism, Buddhism and Gnosticism. He is also interested in various scientific fields, including Quantum Physics, Quantum Biology, Neurology, Psychology, and Sociology.
Sean Ian O'Meidhir
Connal Braginsky
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