Summary:
There are plenty of firsts for a big league baseball player. There’s the first time up to bat. There’s the first time you hit a home run, and there’s the first time you go to bed with a man.
Eric’s team, the Charlotte Yellowjackets, has experienced the coming out of two players and a coach all in one season. Romance fever has gripped the fans, and straight arrow Eric fears everyone is ignoring his banner season. Then he meets Harley, the right fielder called up to replace his best friend, Chase.
Harley grew up as a small-town boy from southern Indiana. He’s been a journeyman over six seasons in the minor leagues. When he thinks his baseball career is nearly over, he’s called up by the Yellowjackets to take over right field. He’s muscular and fast, and he’s pursued only women until he meets Eric.
It’s not long before one night together turns into a relationship sharing custody of their dog, Rudy, from Harley’s local charitable cause, an animal shelter. They move in, come out, make plans for the future, and then the roof caves in. Will love, the support of friends, and a national movement of fans be enough to keep the new couple together?
First Time Up is a 55,000-word first-time-gay baseball romance. It is book 3 in the Living Legends series and includes characters from both earlier books, but it can be read as a standalone story. The book includes steamy scenes and a guaranteed happy ending.
Summary:
The third time’s a charm. It has to be when you get a second try at a second chance.
Baseball brought Andy and Zane together for the first time eight years ago in San Antonio, Texas. Neither played the game, but instead, they cheered for the big league RoadRunners dancing on top of the dugout and shooting T-Shirts into the crowd. After two summers of dating and dancing ended in an ugly breakup, neither expected to see the other again.
Spurred on by the encouragement of a golden moment with a big league pitcher, Andy attended an open tryout, and, against all odds, he was signed to play big league baseball. While he struggled in his third season, the Charlotte Yellowjackets made a leap of faith signing him to plug a gap in their outfield.
Zane left San Antonio to pursue a career in sports journalism. After one of his local pieces went viral, Charlotte’s legendary sportswriter Medford Post invited him to the city as a protege. Although the odds were slim, Zane also saw it as an unexpected opportunity for a second chance.
With the backdrop of a Charlotte Yellowjackets run for the World Series, Andy and Zane try to heal their past scars while building a relationship for the future. It’s not smooth sailing, and they need the support of friends and professional colleagues to search for their happily ever after.
Distant Replay is a 55,000-word second-chance baseball romance. It is book 4 in the Living Legends series and includes characters from all of the earlier books, but it can be read as a standalone story. The book includes steamy scenes and a guaranteed happy ending.
Four previously published novels make up the Living Legends series box set. They tell the story of the legendary gay romance explosion on the expansion big-league baseball team the Charlotte Yellowjackets. Each book tells the story of a different couple. All of the books are individual standalone romance stories, but they are best read as one. Characters are interwoven with their friends across the books. The stores are packed with steamy scenes and guaranteed happily ever after endings.
A Brand New Ballgame
“Never have sex with the boss!” Chase’s sister Celia shouted the words with the extra emphasis only personal experience could provide. Fortunately, Chase’s situation was different. He was saying goodbye to the minor leagues, and he was unlikely to see his manager regularly ever again, much less play baseball for him. The opportunity to go to bed with Aaron Beck was Chase’s parting gift for leading the Rock City Ramblers to a second-place finish, and the gift was perfect. Then Aaron got called up just months after Chase, and the flames of passion were rekindled, this time in the big leagues.
The Money Pitch
Jack had friends from college who married men more than thirteen years older than them, but he didn’t know anyone who dated their father’s public nemesis. An interview opportunity for a book Jack is writing brings him face-to-face with aging relief pitcher Mo Sadler. They meet at Mo’s Hatteras Island house, and attraction blossoms into desire. There are only two big problems. Mo is Jack’s father’s legendary baseball enemy, and Jack abhors the celebrity spotlight. Both men know the relationship should be impossible, but the heart wants what it wants and won’t give up so easily.
First Time Up
There are plenty of possible firsts for a big-league baseball player. There’s the first time up to bat. There’s the first time you hit a home run, and there just might be the first time you go to bed with a man. One hot night of love between veteran player, Eric, and new arrival from the minors, Harley, soon turns into a relationship sharing custody of their shelter dog, Rudy. They move in, come out, make plans for the future, and then the roof caves in. Will love, the support of friends, and a national movement of fans be enough to keep the new couple together?
Distant Replay
The third time’s a charm. It has to be when you get a second try at a second chance. Baseball brought Andy and Zane together for the first time eight years ago in San Antonio, Texas. Neither played the game, but instead, they cheered for the big league RoadRunners by dancing on top of the dugout and shooting T-Shirts into the crowd. After two summers of dating and dancing ended in an ugly breakup, neither expected to see the other again. With the backdrop of a Charlotte Yellowjackets run for the World Series, Andy and Zane try to heal their past scars while building a relationship for the future.
First Time Up #3
Prologue
“Oh, hell, Eric! How do you think it works? It’s pretty much tab A fits into slot B.”
Chase shook his head as he sipped his double espresso with enough sugar in it to choke a horse. No wonder he was always full of energy.
I said, “But B is more like a slot, and A is like a log. What the hell? Ouch! At least when you do it with a woman, her body is designed a little differently, and I understand how it…”
“Fuck no, we’re not going there. I don’t need a lesson in female anatomy. Why the hell do you need to know these details all of a sudden anyway?”
Chase was a little loud, and I glanced around to make sure nobody was listening in. I’d already pushed him to sit outside along the sidewalk so it would be harder to hear us.
I wrapped my fingers tight around my cup of coffee feeling the warmth soak into my hands. I didn’t know if I could say it out loud yet. It didn’t feel real. Sex with a guy? That wasn’t in my life plan.
Chase suddenly understood without me telling him. He reached up and swept his fingers through his hair. “Oh my God, no. Seriously, Eric? You? Damn, you’re my best friend. Be careful, please. Safety first. Make sure he…”
I held up a hand to cut him off. “We’ll be safe.” I leaned forward and whispered, “He’s new to it, too.”
Thirty seconds of silence passed between us before Chase erupted again. “Holy shit! You, and…two guys both virgins to gay sex going at it for the first time? I sort of wish my first time was like that. And, fuck, you’re one of them, Eric? It couldn’t happen to a better guy, well, other than me.” Chase threw his head back and laughed out loud.
The laughter drifted away to a low chuckle. It was one of the best sounds in the world. I counted to five, and Chase held a hand up to each side of his head leaning forward. “Damn! I want to be that fly on the wall. Can I set up a video camera? Seriously, you won’t even notice it.”
Chase’s eyes sparkled, and I said, “You’re not fucking serious.”
“Oh, man, yeah…I mean no, I’m not, but I kinda sorta am. You know me. I’m a horn dog, buddy. That’s how I got in trouble with Aaron in the first place.”
“I think you’ve got your hands full with Aaron. So can you at least be helpful here? Do you have any real pointers? How much does it hurt?”
The caffeine was getting to Chase. I heard it in his voice as he grew more animated. “Oh man, well, for most guys it does hurt at first, but hell, you’re a jock. It’s not nearly as bad as a groin muscle pull or a dislocated shoulder. Maybe it’s a little more like a muscle cramp, and it goes away. And then…wow.” He leaned forward across the table. “And who’s the lucky guy? Did you hook up with one of those fans in the bar, and both of you got curious? Some cute ones hang out there.”
“So it’s pretty easy then. I can handle that.”
“Damn, it’s sex, buddy. It’s natural, and once you see his cock, you’ll want it. Oh hell, I remember the first time I saw Aaron’s. You know how those veins bulge? His are like a road map to horny nirvana. Damn, it’s a beautiful thing, and I get to grip it like a fucking throttle when I’m inside.”
I laughed. Chase was way too happy to describe his exploits in bed, but then Chase was always excited to talk about anything in his life. Still, he was one of the best friends a man could have.
“And don’t forget to try it both ways. Switch it up. Top and bottom. It’s the best way to be. At least that’s my humble opinion.” Chase rubbed his chin trying to look like the sage of the bedroom.
I whispered, “It’s Harley.”
Chase nearly fell out of his chair, and then he pounded both hands on the table. A few drops of his espresso splashed out over the rim of the cup. “Oh, fuck! You aren’t serious, are you? He’s got…” Chase rubbed his own bicep, “And I’ve seen him in the uniform up close. The way those pants…I interviewed him for the radio. Are you sure he’s not straight? Oh my God, Eric, you have to film this. You’ve fucking got to film this!”
Distant Replay #4
Prologue - Andy
Eric grabbed my arm as we each headed for our cars in the parking garage. I spun around and asked, “What’s up?”
“All I can say is, buck up buttercup! Get your head in the game. Now! Not tomorrow or next week. You have to do it now!”
“What? Is this because I went golfing for that one pitch? I thought it was a pretty good game. The fans weren’t complaining.”
Eric growled, “I’m not talking about the game. I mean your life. You’re acting like a blooming idiot. It’s painful to watch, like a slow-motion train wreck with a guy waving at you like a maniac in the middle of the track..” He shoved on my shoulder. “Wake up!”
It was obvious that Eric missed the memo, but I wondered if I could draw the conversation out for a little good-natured revenge. I saw help on its way.
Harley walked up behind Eric. I glanced at him and asked, “What the fuck is this about, Harley?”
Harley shrugged. “Just got here. Don’t look at me. They had leftover hot dogs outside the press room. I grabbed one. I’m starving. It wasn’t half bad. Add some ketchup, mustard, and relish…”
Eric ignored Harley’s tale of hunger. He glared at me. “Do I have to spell it out for you? The name is Zane. Z-A-N-E. He’s totally into you.”
I grinned. I had Eric by the nuts, and he didn’t know it. I suddenly felt more pleasure than I should have. I knew that I should stop, but I couldn’t prevent myself from stringing him along. I did my best to adopt a completely blank look on my face. With all the manufactured innocence I could muster, I asked, “Do you mean Medford’s guy?”
“No, I mean the singer. What the fuck, Andy?”
I glanced at Harley again and clenched my jaw. He needed to keep his trap shut at least for a minute or two. As he gestured showing a zip of his lips, I nearly laughed, but I caught it in my throat. I said, “He shit on me, Eric. I told you the story.”
“But you were wrong. You know that, too. Maybe he’s the one that’s wrong about you. You’re acting like a clueless jerk.”
Suddenly, a massive grin spread from one side of my face to the other. I spoke directly to Harley. “Should I put him out of his misery?”
Harley nodded yes. He didn’t speak out. His lips were still zipped.
Eric asked, “Misery? Me? I’ve got my man, and I pay attention to him. Our communication is great.”
“Uh, yeah, you go with that, Eric.”
“What do you mean?”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I mean I had a lunch date with Zane, and I bought him flowers. Harley, the great communicator, helped me pick them out.”
Eric spun on his heel. “And you didn’t tell me?”
The sheepish grin on Harley’s face was priceless. I wished I could pull out the camera on my phone and save the pic for posterity. I said, “Well, Harley.”
Harley whispered, “Uh…oops.” His face blushed beet red.
As Eric turned back around, I asked, “Have I earned an apology?”
I watched Eric cringe. He started to open his mouth. I held up my hand. Harley spoke up instead saying, “Fuck, I’m sorry. Eric was an ass to you just a minute ago from what I heard.”
Eric started to speak again, and I shook my head to stop him. I smiled and said, “No apology needed. I’m sure it’s all a failure to communicate. Now, if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I need to get home to prepare for a date.”
I turned on my heel to head for my car. I desperately wanted to turn back around to listen to the discussion between the lovebirds, but time was running short for my date with Zane. He was twice as important as my need to gloat over my fellow outfielders.
Saturday's Series Spotlight
Author Bio:
Declan Rhodes is an author of gay romance. He is fascinated by exploring male/male relationships in a world changed by worldwide progress in lgbtq civil rights.
He is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and loves men, cooking for friends and family, travel, and long walks along the shore of Lake Michigan not necessarily in that order.
First Time Up #3
Distant Replay #4
Box Set
