King of the Mountain, Love at Lake Clyde #1 by Aiden Ainslie | Book Review ~ Author Guest Post ~ Giveaway | M/M Romance ~ Cycling ~Elite Sports
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
Book Details
King of the Mountain by Aiden Ainslie Series: Love at Lake Clyde #1
Published by Amazon.com Services LLC on July 11, 2021
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 332
Source: Goddess Fish Promotions, Kindle UnlimitedAmerican cycling sensation and heartthrob Clifford Du Frey is riding the wave of success. Brand Du Frey is a multi-million-dollar business, and during the Tour de France, Clifford is mobbed by fans wherever he goes. The superstar must focus on winning the Tour de France and maintaining the image of the athletic hetero alpha male at all costs.
But Clifford has a secret. He has fallen hard for Gabe O’Reilly – the dreamy art student from San Francisco whom he met on a summer’s day in Paris.
Can Clifford and Gabe’s budding relationship withstand the media storm and other forces arraigned against them? Can the grit and determination that propelled Clifford to the top of his sport help him break out to find true love and happiness?
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Excerpt from King of the Mountain
CLIFFORD
In my line of work as a professional cyclist, me-time was rationed like the tiny, individually wrapped squares of chocolate my mother would give me as a reward for good school results. Of course, once I had found her secret stash, I used to help myself and haughtily decline her miserly tokens of approval.
But there was no secret stash of time. I had to live with the given rations to deal with my anxieties. I knew what none of the team even suspected – this was do-or-die, my last attempt at finally pulling off the big win that had eluded me throughout my ten-year professional career. I knew that I would not be able to muster the hunger for another Tour – to withstand the hundreds of hours of training rides in extreme heat and the Alps’ arctic altitude. This was it.
But if my cycling career was at an end – then what? It was all I had ever done. My grueling schedule had not allowed me to attend college. At twenty-eight, I stared into the chasm of obscurity, a has-been, yesterday’s hero discarded with yesterday’s trash.
I nursed a coffee and was about to spiral into a pit of self-doubt and anxiety when I noticed a young man at the restaurant entrance. His indecision was palpable. He had a camera on a strap around his neck. Who still used cameras? Didn’t everyone have a smartphone? And he held a copy of the Lonely Planet in one hand. He wore cargo shorts, a UC San Francisco T-shirt, and leather sandals. There was something so open, innocent, and vulnerable about him that it tugged at my jaded heart.
He might as well have had “American student – rip me off” tattooed on his forehead. Physically he was gorgeous – average height with sun-tanned skin and the perfect proportions that come from working on a farm or construction site. The soft curls of his dark hair shone in the midday sun and fell in unruly waves over his forehead. I had the fleeting, insane urge to push my fingers through that hair so that I could get a good look at his eyes. A few well-heeled ladies in the bistro were giving him the once-over, but he was utterly oblivious.
The man bit his lower lip as he studied the menu, and it was as though I could read his mind. The hand in his pocket was no doubt assessing how many euros he had and whether he could afford the expensive bistro which the Lonely Planet recommended as a “must-do.” Again, his eyes scanned the packed restaurant, and the waiters were too busy to notice his dilemma.
To this day, I do not know what made me do it. I, who had wanted anonymity, to get away from the oppressive togetherness of a competitive sports team in a foreign country. I, who desperately needed time to straighten out my head. I, who definitely did not need any distractions in my life. I rose from my seat and beckoned for the stranger to join me at the intimate table with its white tablecloth, the vase with lavender, and the table-setting for two.
Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.
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Purchase Links for King of the Mountain
Amazon – OneLink for every country
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN: LOVE ...Shop on Amazon
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My thoughts on King of the Mountain
“King of the Mountain (Love at Lake Clyde, #1)” by Aiden Ainslie is a captivating M/M romance novel that seamlessly blends the worlds of sports and contemporary romance. At the center of this emotionally charged story is American cycling sensation Clifford Du Frey, whose life appears to be the epitome of success and heteronormative masculinity. As the face of Brand Du Frey and a star in the competitive world of cycling, Clifford’s fame and fortune are undeniable, yet hidden beneath the façade is a secret that could upend his carefully constructed image.
A chance encounter with Gabe O’Reilly, an enchanting art student from San Francisco, ignites a passionate connection that challenges Clifford’s preconceived notions and forces him to confront his true desires. The chemistry between Clifford and Gabe is palpable, and their budding relationship becomes a source of solace and vulnerability amid the media frenzy and external pressures.
Ainslie skillfully navigates the complexities of fame, identity, and the clash between personal desires and societal expectations. The juxtaposition of Clifford’s high-stakes cycling career with his burgeoning romance with Gabe creates a dynamic narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The author’s vivid descriptions evoke the atmosphere of the Tour de France, while also delving deep into the emotional turmoil of characters grappling with their authentic selves.
As the story unfolds, readers are treated to a rollercoaster of emotions, from heartwarming moments of connection to tense confrontations with the challenges that stand in the way of Clifford and Gabe’s happiness. Ainslie’s writing is emotionally charged, capturing the raw intensity of the characters’ experiences and making their journey feel relatable and deeply personal.
In Conclusion
“King of the Mountain” is a tale of love, self-discovery, and the courage to break free from societal norms to find true happiness. With its compelling characters, engaging storyline, and skillful exploration of themes, Aiden Ainslie’s novel is a must-read for fans of M/M romance, sports romance, and contemporary fiction. This book not only celebrates the power of love but also underscores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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About Aiden Ainslie
Aiden Ainslie lives in the Diablo foothills, east of San Francisco. He grew up in various small towns and loves to draw on that small-town feel for his romances: the sense of community but also the petty grievances, intrigue and rivalries. “An author has to draw on personal experience to create authentic stories.”
According to Aiden, setting and mood are critical parts of a romantic story, hence he is always taking pictures of romantic settings to be used in future novels. Check them out on his website listed below.
When Aiden is not writing or listening to audiobooks, he likes to cycle and hike. During those solitary pursuits, he dreams up the characters and plots for his MM Romance novels. He also enjoys zipping around town on his motor scooter, drinking coffee at the local coffee shops, and watching people to get inspiration for his writing.
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Guest Post from the author of King of the Mountain
Weaving Threads into the Story
A reader recently wrote to me and commented, “I can’t believe the way you brought all the strands together at the end of KING OF THE MOUNTAIN. There were times I thought certain scenes were a digression but then I realized that they were the start of threads that got woven into the story for a reason.”
I cherish that email and consider it high praise. An author should of course plot out the main strands of the story to build an arc of suspense and lead the reader to a climax. But what I really appreciate is the little additional threads woven into the fabric of the story. They provide color and nuance to flesh out the characters and the plot. They are the things you might only notice when you read a favorite book for the second or third time.
By Tonchino, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17108487
One such thread in KING OF THE MOUNTAIN is Gabe’s love for stained glass. It comes up early in the story when Gabe and Clifford visit Sacre Coeur Basilica in Paris and Gabe is awed by the stained glass windows. He later on chooses to specialize in stained glass as is his preferred art form and this theme is carried through right to the finale. Without giving away too much of the story, here is a tiny excerpt from Gabe’s perspective.
I pushed the door open and gasped. The inside was bathed in a riot of colors that ricocheted off the walls. The humble hut seemed transformed into a sanctuary, and the ground was strewn with rose petals. I was reminded of a tiny way-side church I had seen in France. Then it struck me. My stained glass art piece – Gratitude – was installed in one of the windows. I gaped.
The funny thing is that this whole thread wasn’t planned; it simply emerged. Initially I just had Gabe enthusing about the colorful windows in the cathedral but then it turned into a metaphor for who he was. He was someone who exuded vitality, life, warmth and color. His love for the sun is made obvious by references to his tanned skin and sun-streaked hair.
By contrast, Clifford has ice blue eyes and Gabe describes him as follows when the two of them spend time together at the beach.
Cliff stood in the shallows. His pale skin gave him the quality of a Michelangelo marble statue. His body had magnificent, classical proportions. Every muscle was clearly defined as though chiseled in stone and smoothed to perfection under the loving hand of a master sculptor. I wondered if he realized just how beautiful he was.
A marble statue can be just as stunning as a beautifully crafted stained glass window. They just happen to be different art forms that express different types of beauty. This thread of hot and cold, color vs. marble, took on a life of its own and became an effective way to contrast the two main characters.
Another thread started when Gabe drew a little pencil sketch near the beginning of the story and gave it to Clifford as a thank you for a dinner invitation. Just a polite act by an art student who had nothing else to give.
But then this sketch appears years later in a poignant scene of reminiscence and regret. I’d never intended that closure when Gabe first dashed off the sketch and handed it to Clifford. But, as it turns out, Gabe’s sketches and paintings just kept re-emerging as a way for him to express his feelings toward Clifford.
To me as an author, it is particularly gratifying when I find that I have intuitively woven threads like this into the story. And it is even better when readers see how they help bring the characters to life.
Do let me know if you spot any more threads in the tapestry of KING OF THE MOUNTAIN.
Some ideas of what modern stain glass artists can do. These are designs by Terraza.
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Easy Amazon Info Link
Amazon – OneLink for every country
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN: LOVE ...Shop on Amazon
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Giveaway!
The author will award a randomly drawn winner a $25 Amazon/BN gift card.
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for King of the Mountain
Full Tour Schedule:
August 8: Rogue’s Angels
August 8: Author Deb Bailey
August 15: Sandra’s Book Club
August 22: Fabulous and Brunette
August 29: Gina Rae Mitchell – review
September 5: Westveil Publishing
September 12: Dawn’s Reading Nook
September 19: Maggie Blackbird – review
September 26: Iron Canuck Reviews & More – review only
September 26: Long and Short Reviews
October 3: Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
October 10: Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books! – review only
October 10: The Avid Reader
October 17: Never Hollowed By The Stare
October 24: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess
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How many hours do you spend per day writing?
Tracie, my apologies, I missed your question. When I’m on a roll I write 3 to 4 hours a day. I take myself down to the local library where I can work without distractions. My biggest challenge is to just keep writing and not always go back and edit. But the story has a way of evolving and sometimes my characters just force me to go back and change things 😉
Thanks much for the your insightful response, at the ripe old age of 50 I am still avid questioner and learner and truly learning more about the writing process and the person behind the pen so to speak!
[…] Gina Rae Mitchell […]
The book sounds very interesting. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on King of the Mountain , this sounds like a wonderful story and I am looking forward to reading it myself
This sounds like a very interesting book.
Great cover. Looks like a good read.
This sounds good!
Thank you so much for hosting me and my book! I hope your readers enjoy it.
You a very welcome, Aiden. Best of luck on your book tour.
Sounds like a good book.
Many thanks for hosting today!