Book Title: Abstract Love
Author: Sara Dobie Bauer
Publisher: Self-published
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Release Date: September 4, 2020
Genre/s: Contemporary MM romance
Trope/s: enemies-to-lovers, age gap, co-workers, office romance,
bisexuality, businessmen, artists, bondage, comedy
Themes: sexual awakening
Possible triggers: depression, suicidal ideations, biphobia
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 71 000 words
It is a standalone book.
Buy Links - Available on Kindle Unlimited
I hate Sam Shelby. So why do I want to kiss him?
Blurb
Sam never expected to move back to Cleveland.
Donovan never expected to be attracted to a man.
Well, shit happens.
After high school, Sam Shelby moved to New York. Eight years later, he returns to Cleveland and lands a job at the best ad firm in town. It would be the perfect gig, if his boss weren’t such an ass.
After his wife leaves, Donovan Cooper questions everything. The arrival of a young, arrogant, gifted graphic designer at Donovan’s firm is the last straw.
Tempers flare over office gossip, and following a nasty argument and scathing kiss, Donovan flails away from heterosexuality while Sam struggles to keep his “no relationship” rule intact.
Despite ugly socks, fiery fights, and their best intentions to not fall in love, these bullheaded coworkers can’t deny their chemistry. Donovan seeks happiness while Sam seeks success, but is there room for more?
Interview Questions
Before you started, had you done any fan fiction? If so, what fandom?
Before I started? I still write so much fan fiction ha! I started in the BBC Sherlock Johnlock crowd but eventually moved into the Call Me By Your Name/Armie Hammer/Timothee Chalamet group. Seriously, Charmie writes itself.
Are you in agreement that writing fan fiction is a great way to hone ones’ craft - why or why not?
Writing fan fiction is just great in general. Sure, it’s a good way to practice, but more important is the community you build by sharing the same fandom. It’s also amazing to get immediate feedback, AND fan fic readers are usually so enthusiastic. It’s like an instant ego boost—which is excellent for a newbie writer, putting him or herself out there for the first time.
What are your thoughts on erotica?
Um … yes?
If you write gay romance or erotica, just how descriptive are you in their sex scenes?
Sex scenes should never be gratuitous. Sex scenes should show something about the characters as people and the shape of their relationship. The explicit level of every sex scene, therefore, depends on the characters. It’s up to them to put on the show. I just record it.
Recently, a writer sabotaged her career by answering a bad review on a blog. How would you have handled this and do you think authors should answer their reviews?
Never feed the trolls. I’ve had newbie authors ask about this exact thing—whether they should respond to their reviews. I tell them, “WHY ARE YOU EVEN READING YOUR REVIEWS?” It’s fine to skim a couple 5-stars to make you smile, but there is no reason to torture yourself by reading about how much someone thinks your work sucks. Let the reviewers do their thing, and I repeat: never feed the trolls.
How much research do you do regarding attitudes, sex scenes etc. of gay men? What methods do you use?
My research generally entails getting my gay guy friends drunk, asking a million dirty questions, and writing things down. I love my job.
Fun questions
Name two male celebs that you’d like to see in a hot make out session?
Since I’ve already had the pleasure of watching Armie Hammer and Timothee Chalamet in several lip locks, I’d like to see Timmy make out with Harry Styles. Can you IMAGINE?
Your favorite gay celeb?
Adam Lambert. I’ve loved Queen my entire life, and to see him headline with them is incredible. Freddie Mercury would approve … and that’s saying something.
Favorite character in one of your books?
That changes pretty often, but right now, it’s gotta be Sam Shelby in Abstract Love. He’s fearless, confident, funny, and drop dead gorgeous. What’s not to like???
Have you attended a pride parade? If so, were you inspired when doing so?
Hell yes. I love our pride parade here in Cleveland. It’s such a celebration. I’m bisexual, so it’s lovely to feel safe openly kissing my girlfriends in the street. Inspired? Sure! It’s hard to not be when surrounded by joy.
Excerpt
Donovan sifted through a few hand-drawn logos on the desk and froze when he found a crudely drawn sketch of himself. Sam must have done it during a meeting at some point, capturing Donovan’s faux hawk, wide jaw, and severe expression.
Jesus, was this what other people saw when they looked at him? Did he really look so miserable?
“Make yourself at home?”
Donovan dropped the picture and stood straight at the sound of Sam’s voice.
He leaned against the doorframe, with one ankle crossed over the other.
“It’s really bullshit when people say that, you know?” Sam said. “Make yourself at home. No one actually wants their friends to take off their pants, drink all their beer, and binge The Great British Bake Off.” He paused. “What are you doing in my office?”
“I didn’t mean to snoop.”
The office door closed as he stepped inside. “Sure you did, or you wouldn’t be in here, so what’s up?”
Sam circled the desk, so Donovan circled the other way, although he noticed it was true what coworkers said: Sam did smell good—like clean laundry and cedar. “I think we started off on the wrong foot.”
Sam snort laughed and flipped through some files on his desk. “More like wrong continent, man.” When he found what he was looking for, he tapped the file’s corner against his palm. “I can handle guys like you, you know.”
Donovan shifted back on his heels. “Guys like me?”
“Hmm. Corporate assholes. All you see are dollar signs. You take no pleasure in your work. Advertising is money to you, not art, but without the artists, there wouldn’t be advertising, so…” He sucked his cheeks into his mouth, a momentary fish face.
Donovan wanted to tell him it wasn’t true. Donovan loved art.
He used to love art.
Sam continued, “I know I look like a six-foot-two Disney princess, but you’re not gonna rattle me.” To prove his point, Sam got right up in Donovan’s personal space until Donovan took a step back. Again, he was not used to dealing with someone his own height. “And I’m right about the Great Lakes ad campaign. If you’d pull your head out of your ass, maybe you’d notice.” He turned away abruptly.
“Sam.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry.” Ouch, that hurt coming out.
Sam’s rebuttal: “Prove it.”
“Excuse me?”
He rested a hand on the desk and cocked his hip out—the very picture of young attitude. “Listen to me in meetings.”
“I was listening.”
“Nope.” He shook his head and ran a hand through his unkempt, unprofessional hair. “No, you were hearing. I need you to listen. There’s a difference. And I know I’m just some fucking kid to you, but I ruled the New York City advertising scene. I know what I’m doing, Donovan, so let me do it.”
“Fine.” He’d had enough. He’d apologized, okay, so he’d done his Monica-enforced duty. He didn’t owe Sam anything else.
He didn’t run for the door, but he definitely moved with speed.
About the Author
Sara Dobie Bauer is a bestselling author, model, and mental health / LGBTQ advocate with a creative writing degree from Ohio University. She lives with her hottie husband and two precious pups in Northeast Ohio, although she’d really like to live in a Tim Burton film.
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