Saying Goodbye to Colin and Martin

Guest post by Drew Hunt ...

It was with mixed emotions that I said goodbye to Colin Rogers and Martin Kellam. Remaining with the same characters over a series of stories (four in this case) tends to stunt my creativity. I thought I’d struggle to find something new and interesting for them to do. From the events of the third book Colin and Martin’s Australian Christmas, I already had a basic outline of what would happen -- they will leave Great Britain to begin new lives down under. But when I sat down and began to type, things went in a direction I didn’t expect.

Colin and Martin’s Goodbye Christmas is, as you might guess, about saying goodbye. No, neither man is on his deathbed. Recently my sister and her family emigrated to Australia and I found myself exploring my feelings surrounding that. It made the piece a little darker than one would expect for a Christmas story. Goodbyes are bitter-sweet, yes, there’s the excitement of beginning something new, but there’s also the pain of parting from loved ones.

As always, I had fun describing Colin’s child-like enthusiasm for Christmas, and how Martin has to go to increasingly elaborate lengths to keep Colin and his presents away from each other until Christmas morning.

Because Martin is totally blind, Colin always struggles to find interesting gifts for his man. Plus this year whatever they give each other has to fit in their suitcases.

Each man deals differently with the prospect of leaving Great Britain. Martin is estranged from his family, so there’s little holding him back. Colin is the centre of Martin’s world, so wherever Colin is, that’s where Martin wants to be. However, leaving is harder for Colin. He’s close to his parents and when his mother confesses a secret at the Christmas dinner table, the two men’s plans to emigrate are thrown into doubt. To be honest, as I wrote out these scenes, I didn’t know whether Colin and Martin would go or stay. You’ll have to read the story and find out what they decided.

For a chance to win a free e-book copy, leave a comment here OR on our Tumblr blog. Don't include your e-mail address in your comment. We'll post the winner's name on Thursday, December 6, and you can check back to see how to claim your prize

Drew Hunt
drew-hunt.co.uk

Drew Hunt on Colin and Martin

Guest post by Drew Hunt ...

A few years ago I thought I’d try and do something different with the age-old finding love at Christmas type of story. Martin Kellam is blind and lives alone save for his guide dog. Christmas is rapidly approaching and Martin isn’t relishing the thought of spending it by himself.

Londoner Colin Rogers delivers Martin’s groceries every week and enjoys the brief times he spends with Martin, marvelling at how well the man copes with his disability.

Colin tells Martin he will spend the day avoiding his housemate and the housemate’s amorous girlfriend. So, before he can chicken out, Martin offers to cook Christmas dinner for the two of them.

Food isn’t the only thing they share.

Like Martin, I am legally blind. I got the idea for the story from my dealings with the Staples delivery guy. He had such a dreamy London accent. I ordered way more stationery than I needed, just so I could talk to the man for a couple of minutes on my doorstep. Eventually the man changed routes, got another job or something, so I ceased my purchases. That was about six years ago and I’m still using up all those envelopes, boxes of paper, and packets of plastic wallets.

Download Colin and Martin's First Christmas for free today only at the JMS Books website!

Drew Hunt
drew-hunt.co.uk

Colin and Martin's Goodbye Christmas by Drew Hunt

Colin and Martin's Goodbye Christmas by Drew Hunt is now available in e-book format!

The fourth and final Colin and Martin Christmas story sees the two men leaving Yorkshire to begin new lives in Australia.

Martin Kellam has no qualms about saying goodbye to what remains of his family, while Colin’s parting gift to Martin’s brother is a well-deserved punch in the nose.

Before leaving, the two men have one final Christmas in London with Colin’s parents, who are pulling out all the stops to make it an occasion to remember.

Martin enjoys teasing his husband. He knows Colin can never resist going in search of presents before Christmas Day. As this is their last winter Christmas, Martin boxes up a lump of coal and puts it somewhere where Colin will find it.

The festivities are brought to an abrupt halt when Colin’s mother reveals disturbing news that throws Colin and Martin’s emigration plans into turmoil.

Despite Martin’s much-needed comfort and reassurance, Colin is torn between family obligation and the future he and Martin have longed for. Can Martin show him that he can have both?

Read an excerpt or buy a copy today!

Colin and Martin's Australian Christmas by Drew Hunt

TITLE: Colin and Martin's Australian Christmas
AUTHOR: Drew Hunt

GENRE: Contemporary • Erotica • Gay Fiction
LENGTH: 13,500 words
PRICE: $2.99

PURCHASE EBOOK

Colin Rogers and his civil partner, Martin Kellam, are invited to spend Christmas down under with Colin’s uncle Matt on his sheep station.

Colin has lost his job and worries about the airfare. But Matt offers to help with the cost, and also mentions the possibility that the pair will like Australia so much they’ll agree to emigrate.

Two years earlier when Matt spent Christmas with Colin’s family in London, he’d talked about his feelings for Bruce, his foreman. However, on arrival it soon becomes obvious he hasn’t said anything to Bruce, so Colin and Martin decide to play matchmakers.

Many decisions have to be made. Can Matt trust his heart? Will Australia be the new start Colin and Martin need? Or is England, despite its cool temperatures and warm beer, too comfortable and familiar to leave?