GUEST POST with PRE-RELEASE REVIEW: Karen Stivali of 'Moment of Fate'
Title: Moment of Fate
Series: Moments in Time #5
Author: Karen Stivali
Published: February 24, 2017
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Anna Sikorska
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Erotic Romance; New Adult
Length: 244 Pages
Tags: Gay; M/M; College; Rock Star/Musician; First Time; Friends to Lovers; Angst-Light; HEA
About Moment of Fate
Bryan Dane’s been living the dream—photography student by day, up-and-coming rocker by night. His summer goals are to earn his last few credits, graduate from NYU, spend as much time in the recording studio as possible, and survive the next few months without sex so he can complete his yearlong goal of self-imposed celibacy. Everything is on track, until he meets Oliver Newcastle.
For years Oliver planned a marriage of convenience with his high school BFF, but now that she’s fallen in love for real, with someone else, it’s no longer convenient. So Oliver came out to his family, quit his job, and left small-town New England for NYC, an intensive summer study program, and a chance to find his own happiness.
From the moment they meet the sexual tension between Bryan and Oliver sizzles. But Bryan wants no part of a relationship, and Oliver wants to sew his wild oats—he just isn’t sure how. Oliver seeks Bryan’s help navigating the NYC gay scene, which throws them together in increasingly more sexual situations until they can no longer deny they're hot for each other. Bryan is desperate to keep things simple, but fate might have other plans.
A lot of people ask how I come up with the titles for my books and with the Moments In Time series that’s really easy to explain. Everyone has moments in their life that they can point to where suddenly everything changes. Those moments are significant and stick with us, stronger than average memories. That’s particularly true in relationships. Every relationship has multiple moments that once they’ve occurred everything after them is different.
For this series each title reflects one (or many) of these moments and that’s where the title comes into play.
Moment Of Impact. Remember the very first time you met someone who was special? Or the first time you realized “wow, I’m in love with this person”? That’s the impact. Something you’ll never forget.
Moment Of Truth. Every relationship grows and changes and sometimes leaves you wondering what’s going on. You know that exact second when you finally get it? When you see what’s going on and realize you trust the other person? Huge step in any relationship.
Moment Of Clarity. I don’t think anyone’s ever had a relationship that doesn’t include this moment. That time when you finally realize “Oh wow, I’m in love with this person and they’re in love with me too.” Suddenly everything is clear. It’s a great feeling.
Moment Of Doubt. Unfortunately every relationship has these too. Whether it’s a breakup or just a period where you’re wondering if things are going to work out and you start second guessing everything – yourself, the other person, the whole thing. Those moments, in a word, suck. But sometimes they’re necessary to move things forward. And who doesn’t agree that getting past the doubt to something deeper and more solid (and having awesome makeup sex) isn’t worth the heartache of those doubts?
Moment Of Silence. Sometimes no matter how much you love someone there are times when life interferes, or uncertainty or situations beyond your control cause you to be separated. Gut wrenching. Filled with tension and existential angst. But when the silence is over you have a new truth and hopefully an even deeper understanding.
Moment Of Fate. Whether you believe in fate or not most people can think of people they’ve met who seem as if they’ve been brought into their life for a reason. People you wouldn’t have normally met or a strange circumstance that causes you to meet or creates an instant bond between you. Some might call it coincidence but I call it fate. The Universe stepping in to place people in your path at just the right time.
So, that’s where my titles come from and the meaning behind them. Looking at my own life I can see all these moments occurring over and over again, through the years. I like how they stick with me and I love thinking about their significance after the fact. Passing those moments on to my characters as they journey toward their happily ever afters is a tribute to those moments from my own life. Moments that change absolutely everything.
About the Author
Karen Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies, and fictional British men. She's also the multiple award-winning author of contemporary and erotic romances. She writes novels about love...like real life, only hotter.
Karen's lifelong fascination with people has led her to careers ranging from hand-drawn animator, to party planner, to marriage and family counselor, but writing has always been her passion. Karen enjoys nothing more than following her characters on their journey toward love. Whether the couples are m/f or m/m, it’s guaranteed that Karen's novels are filled with food, friendship, love, and smoking hot sex—all the best things in life.
When Karen isn’t writing (and often when she is), she can be found on Twitter attempting witty banter and detailing the antics of her fruit-loving cat, BadKitteh. She loves to hear from readers (and other writers), so don't hesitate to contact/follow/like her at:
For more works from Karen visit her website.
