Interview with Bryan T. Clark
Today we are chatting with Bryan T. Clark, author of Diego’s Secret. Bryan writes M/M Romance with an emphasis on moral dilemma. His multicultural characters and riveting plots embody real life, filled with challenges, personal growth, and, of course, what we all desire—love.
1. Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
- I was an investigator for twenty-seven years prior to releasing my first book, ‘Ancient House of Cards’ in 2014. Although I dabbled a little with writing fiction in high school, I never had any aspirations of being published. I just wrote for fun.
2. What kind of books do you write?
- I write romance books that present a moral dilemma that the characters have to resolve in order for their relationship to work. I try to infuse real emotions into real situations that someone in the LGBTQ community would face, whether it’s at their job, coming out to family members, or going against the grain of what is expected of them. Love doesn’t always come at the most convenient time.
3. What inspired you to write?
- At the age of fifteen, I accidently stumbled onto a book called ‘The Front Runner’ by Patricia Neil Warren on my mother’s bookshelf. Admittedly, it was the cover that really caught my eye! However, it was Patricia’s emotional tale of romance between two men that opened my eyes to a whole new world, not only in literature, but for my own life. Later on, I also discovered Maya Angelou and Iyanla Vanzant. They taught me that you can put real, raw, emotions on paper. I learned so much about the world through other people’s writing. Now, I want people, when they read my books, to feel the experience of falling in love and to be enriched in some way by what I have written.
4. Tell us a little about your recent release, Diego’s Secret.
- This is a book about two opposites-Winston Makena, age 32, is rich and successful, but finds no joy in life after the death of his beloved husband Parker LeBlanc. Seeking solace in the gardens that Parker designed to surround their estate, he finds a new love interest in Diego Castillo, the 25-year-old gardener trained by Parker to maintain the property. However, Diego has a secret life. He is not just a closeted gay man, but also an undocumented Mexican immigrant. The two men meet by chance in Parker’s garden and together, share their memories of Parker. It is a story about falling in love when you least expect it.
5. The major characters in each of your novels are always faced with a moral dilemma surrounding their relationship with one another. Why is the concept of moral dilemma so central to all of your novels?
It’s my brand; it is the one consistent thing in all of my books. It is that delicate mixture of romance and suspense. You can’t help but root for my characters when they struggle with the dilemma that they each face in order to overcome the major obstacles and hurdles in finding true love. And, when the last page is turned, and the book is closed, you feel as if you were a part of something special, the birth of a beautiful love story.
6. All of your novels have really well-developed primary and secondary characters. Do you have a particular method you use to develop your characters?
- It is important for me to create characters that are believable, three-dimensional and flawed. Finding love is easy; understanding yourself enough to participate in a healthy, loving, sustaining relationship, is the hard part. As the story progresses, I measure their growth from where they are at the beginning of the story and compare and contrast their development to where they are at the end, and detail all along the way how their transformation happens. This dynamic process, for me, is the heart and soul and the pure joy in writing!
7. What’s next?
- I am always polishing my next novel getting it ready for publication and have several waiting in the pipeline. My current work in progress deals with homelessness and prostitution. There is so much that is misunderstood about these issues and how they impact the LGBT community. I think we could be doing a better job in protecting our most vulnerable youth and I hope to shine a little light on these issues.
Bryan is currently on his book tour promoting his latest novel, Diego’s Secret.
For more information visited www.BTClark.com
Cover Design: Krista Lynn Design
Length: 80,921 words
Blurb
Are the challenges worth the struggle?
Eight years ago, at the age of seventeen, Diego Castillo came to the United States illegally from Mexico. Working long hours in the family landscaping business, he now shares a tiny apartment with his two machismo brothers in Southern California. Diego has worked hard to keep his desires for other men a secret from his brothers. He's worked just as hard to keep his undocumented status a secret from the world he now lives in.
Thirty-two-year-old Winston Makena is beautiful, intelligent, and intimidating. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but no amount of money can relieve the enormous grief he is suffering from his husband's sudden death. He is one of Diego's best accounts and lives a life in stark contrast to his gardener's. Winston's wealthy upbringing has influenced his ideas, leading him to certain biases.
Winston believes he could never love again. Diego believes that his family's lives depend on him keeping his secrets. What neither of them know is that the heart knows no such boundaries. Will social divisions, ideology, and secrets destroy both their chances for happiness?
Can love really conquer all?
Author Bio
May 1 - Dreams & Screams Bookaholics
May 2 - The Novel Approach
May 3 - Katie's Book Corner, Blazing Zane Book Blog
May 4 - Love Bytes Reviews
May 8 - Bayou Book Junkie
May 9 - RAM PA Group, MM Good Book Reviews
May 10 - Joyfully Jay
May 11 - Valerie Ullmer, Mirrigold, Megan's Media Melange, Virginia Lee
May 12 - Making It Happen
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