Heat Wave Astoria by Liam Livings
If you’d like to enter a competition to win a copy of one of Liam Livings’ ebooks, please comment in the boxes below in answer to this question: How are your experiences of living in a small town? Giveaway will close 21st August 9am GMT
RJ Scott: today we have Lucy and Brad from Liam Livings’ latest story,
Heat Wave Astoria. I’m led to believe it’s his first story set in America. Have
you both got your coffees?
Heat Wave Astoria. I’m led to believe it’s his first story set in America. Have
you both got your coffees?
Brad and Lucy: -nodding, raising a cup of coffee each-
RJ Scott: So, what’s it like living in a place like Astoria?
Brad: it’s pretty neat knowing everyone knows you, ever time you walk
to the store you’re gonna meet someone, catch up about your day. It’s where I
grew up, so most people have know me since I was this high -gestures to his
knees-
to the store you’re gonna meet someone, catch up about your day. It’s where I
grew up, so most people have know me since I was this high -gestures to his
knees-
Lucy: yeah, but you’ve changed a bit since then. Bit more naughty now
I’d guess.
I’d guess.
Brad: I don’t agree. That’s totally unfair. I’m a changed man. I’ve put
all that behind me.
all that behind me.
Lucy: remember, no spoilers. Don’t wanna ruin the story for the readers
do we?
do we?
Brad: -shrugs- They’re gonna know it ends happily I’m guessing.
RJ Scott: Of course, who doesn’t love a happy ending. I think everyone
deserves their own happy ending. But Lucy’s right, no spoilers.
deserves their own happy ending. But Lucy’s right, no spoilers.
Brad: -sticks bottom lip out, blinks slowly- OK.
RJ Scott: Is it always good that everyone in Astoria knows you, or are
there some times when it’s been more challenging?
there some times when it’s been more challenging?
Lucy: I have this thing where someone’s always trying to set me up with
someone’s son. He’s such a nice boy, you’ll definitely love him. I must have
you round to meet him. That’s what they always say.
someone’s son. He’s such a nice boy, you’ll definitely love him. I must have
you round to meet him. That’s what they always say.
Brad: And you can’t catch a cold without someone on the other side of
town hearing about it, and telling you the best way to fix it next time you see
them. If you tell one of the sweet old ladies, they all know it by lunchtime
the next day. It spreads, like, something.
town hearing about it, and telling you the best way to fix it next time you see
them. If you tell one of the sweet old ladies, they all know it by lunchtime
the next day. It spreads, like, something.
Lucy: wild fire?
Brad: if you say so.
RJ Scott: Brad, what about you, has the small town caught you out before?
Brad: I’m too smart for that.
Lucy: -spits out her coffee- Err, excuse me, I don’t think so. What
about that time with Chip when he came back from one of his trips and you were
down by the docks and had misjudged if people in the restaurant could see you.
about that time with Chip when he came back from one of his trips and you were
down by the docks and had misjudged if people in the restaurant could see you.
Brad: -sitting up, waving his hands- That was one time. It was a one
time thing and I’ve never repeated it.
time thing and I’ve never repeated it.
Lucy: only ’cause the mayor banned you from returning to the docks for
the whole of the next summer. A public disorder bill, or something it was
called.
the whole of the next summer. A public disorder bill, or something it was
called.
Brad: the picture in the local paper wasn’t too flattering either was
it?
it?
Lucy: I don’t know what you’re complaining about, you were hardly in
the picture, only the top of your head was visible. It was Chip’s white butt
everyone got to see.
the picture, only the top of your head was visible. It was Chip’s white butt
everyone got to see.
Brad: yeah, that took some explaining to his dad I can tell you. Lucky
it was only the top of my head, or he’d never have gotten away with saying it
was that girl he was seeing.
it was only the top of my head, or he’d never have gotten away with saying it
was that girl he was seeing.
Lucy: lucky she had short hair too.
RJ Scott: Yes. Erm. I think that’s enough local scandal. What about
James, to what extent would you say he is the sort of man you usually go for?
James, to what extent would you say he is the sort of man you usually go for?
Lucy: -spitting out more coffee-
Brad: Excuse me, can I start?
Lucy: no, I can’t let that one slide. See, the thing is, Brad’s not,
what you’d call picky. He’s doesn’t have what you’d call, a type, or a sort of
man he goes for, do you Brad?
what you’d call picky. He’s doesn’t have what you’d call, a type, or a sort of
man he goes for, do you Brad?
Brad: -hangs head, then sits upright, puffs out chest- No, I don’t. And
what’s wrong with that? I’m a young man in my prime, I’ve got a talent, so why
not use it.
what’s wrong with that? I’m a young man in my prime, I’ve got a talent, so why
not use it.
Lucy: If you walk into any gay bar in Oregon…
Brad: it’s a big city not far from Astoria.
Lucy: if you walk into any gay bar there, I’ll bet you ten dollars if
you showed people a picture of Brad at least one or two would recognise him.
Recognise him in a getting to know you in a biblical sense.
you showed people a picture of Brad at least one or two would recognise him.
Recognise him in a getting to know you in a biblical sense.
Brad: and so what? Some people like driving fast cars, some people
like, making quilts, some people, well, I like sex. And what’s wrong with that.
like, making quilts, some people, well, I like sex. And what’s wrong with that.
RJ Scott: -checks watch- I think we’ll have to keep this clean, we’re
before nine PM here. What first made James catch your eye, when you saw him the
first time in your quilting shop?
before nine PM here. What first made James catch your eye, when you saw him the
first time in your quilting shop?
Brad: he was pretty wide-eyed, looked like he’d just gotten off the
plane. That home-made jacket he wore, well that was something else. And his
accent. As soon as he opened his mouth I had visions of Hugh Grant, and
characters from that costume drama everyone goes crazy for, what’s it called?
-snaps his fingers-
plane. That home-made jacket he wore, well that was something else. And his
accent. As soon as he opened his mouth I had visions of Hugh Grant, and
characters from that costume drama everyone goes crazy for, what’s it called?
-snaps his fingers-
Lucy: Downton Abbey.
Brad: that’s it. It was like he could have been a servant, or a butler,
or something in that. I knew I wanted to get to know him.
or something in that. I knew I wanted to get to know him.
Lucy: and don’t forget the wall chart, ticking off the wall chart.
Brad: I thought James would tick off at least 3 countries on my wall
chart: England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales. Oh, that’s four. So yeah, there was
that too.
chart: England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales. Oh, that’s four. So yeah, there was
that too.
RJ Scott: -raises an eyebrow- the wall chart? Can you tell us more?
Brad: -looks at Lucy-
Lucy: I think it’s best to leave it there. ‘Cause if he starts about
that it’ll be the next thing and before you know it, it’s all. Spoilers…
that it’ll be the next thing and before you know it, it’s all. Spoilers…
RJ Scott: you two really are a pair aren’t you? All we can say is, you definitely
got to know James better didn’t you?
got to know James better didn’t you?
Brad: -smiling- Yes, I did. And he’s such a ‘lovely’ man, as he’d say.
He’s so ‘lovely’. But it wasn’t all so lovely. Oh no.
He’s so ‘lovely’. But it wasn’t all so lovely. Oh no.
Lucy: -shaking her head- Plenty of heart ache. Plenty of sadness. I’ve
never seen him like that. -rubbing Brad’s back-
never seen him like that. -rubbing Brad’s back-
Brad: Thanks. Let’s just say neither of us went into anything expecting
how it turned out. And I’d never experienced the feelings I experienced after I
first met James.
how it turned out. And I’d never experienced the feelings I experienced after I
first met James.
Lucy: spoilers…
Brad: -zips his lips- no more from me.
RJ Scott: -checks her watch- Unfortunately that’s all we’ve got time
for. If you’d like to know more, you can read all about it in Heat Wave Astoria,
by Liam Livings.
for. If you’d like to know more, you can read all about it in Heat Wave Astoria,
by Liam Livings.
If you’d like to enter a competition to win a copy
of one of Liam Livings’ ebooks, please comment in the boxes below in answer to
this question: How are your experiences of living in a small town?
of one of Liam Livings’ ebooks, please comment in the boxes below in answer to
this question: How are your experiences of living in a small town?
Heat Wave Astoria by Liam Livings
Brad’s shop is known as the
most popular tourist attraction for certain men in his home town, Astoria. Brad
doesn’t do relationships – why would he? Brad is an unashamed slut, and he
loves it.
most popular tourist attraction for certain men in his home town, Astoria. Brad
doesn’t do relationships – why would he? Brad is an unashamed slut, and he
loves it.
British IT programmer, James
is much happier working with software and computers than people. He finds escape
in his encyclopaedic knowledge of childhood films like The Goonies & Short
Circuit.
is much happier working with software and computers than people. He finds escape
in his encyclopaedic knowledge of childhood films like The Goonies & Short
Circuit.
When James walks into a quilting shop in Astoria, he decides he’ll take his
brother’s advice and talk to the stranger. That stranger is Brad, melting
slowly behind the counter during the longest heat wave America’s had in years.
brother’s advice and talk to the stranger. That stranger is Brad, melting
slowly behind the counter during the longest heat wave America’s had in years.
Can a man who thinks in binary code and always plans things to the finest
degree, cope with the twists and turns of emotions? Can someone who never
thinks before he leaps allow himself to leap into the biggest unknown, a
relationship? And how will they cope with James’ impending return to
England?
degree, cope with the twists and turns of emotions? Can someone who never
thinks before he leaps allow himself to leap into the biggest unknown, a
relationship? And how will they cope with James’ impending return to
England?
Can two men who never to meet learn to embrace the whole messy relationship
that love brings into their lives?
that love brings into their lives?
About Liam
Livings
Livings
Liam Livings lives where east London ends and
becomes Essex. He shares his house with his boyfriend and cat. He enjoys
baking, cooking, classic cars and socialising with friends. He escapes from
real life with a guilty pleasure book, cries at a sad, funny and camp film –
and he’s been known to watch an awful lot of Gilmore Girls in the name of writing ‘research’.
becomes Essex. He shares his house with his boyfriend and cat. He enjoys
baking, cooking, classic cars and socialising with friends. He escapes from
real life with a guilty pleasure book, cries at a sad, funny and camp film –
and he’s been known to watch an awful lot of Gilmore Girls in the name of writing ‘research’.
He has written since he was a teenager, started
writing with the hope of publication in 2011. His writing focuses on
friendships, British humour, romance with plenty of sparkle.
writing with the hope of publication in 2011. His writing focuses on
friendships, British humour, romance with plenty of sparkle.
You can connect with Liam
Twitter
@LiamLivings
@LiamLivings
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/liam.livings
Blog http://www.liamlivings.com/blog
Website www.liamlivings.com
I have lived in a small town where everyone knows everything and I have lived in cities. I do prefer a city but a small one.
debby236 at gmail dot com
Hi Debby,
a small city can be a good compromise can't it. Liam 🙂
I'm living in a small town now, not liking it much. Having to travel to the next larger town to shop once a week is a pain.
goaliemom0049(at)gmail(dot)com
hi Laurie P,
the lack of facilities can be a bit of a pain in smaller towns I suppose. Small towns definitely aren't perfect, but then again, neither are large ones! Liam 🙂
I grew up in a smaller town in southern California. When people ask me where I am from, I tell them Monrovia and then automatically tell them the larger (more known town ~ Pasadena) it is near. If they still look confused, I just tell them nearest metro ~ Los Angeles! Thanks for the chance! I love the cover; uber hot!
Thanks Suzanne, glad you like the cover! I've heard of Pasadena, it's where Nora Walker's house was in Brothers and Sisters. Liam 🙂
I don't have any experience living in a small town but from what I get from books, tv shows and movies a small town sounds like a interesting close-knit community with it's ups and downs. But I guess that can be said about a small neighborhood too.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
Hi Booklovez, it can be a close-knit community, which can be good and bad as you say. You're right, there are little 'village' neighbourhoods in big cities too. Liam 😉
Great post, and i love the interview 🙂
I grew up in a small town and i loved it. As a child i think there is nothing better than living in a small place because there isn't a lot of crime so it's pretty save to play outside with your friends. I still live in this small village and i never lived in a city so i can't really compare but i love the peace and quiet of a small town and if i want to go to a movie or go shopping i get in my car and i'm in the city in a heartbeat 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway chance.
ahpg(at)ziggo(dot)nl
Hi ramir,
glad you enjoyed the interview. If you love peace and quiet, there's no where else better than a small village. Mum's house is a little village so I'm used to that, and it was easy to jump into a car and be in the city easily.
Liam 🙂
Always been a city girl!
gisu09 (at) gmail (dot) com
Hi gigi,
never been tempted to live in the country for once? I'm a mixture of the two, living in suburbia, half way from the city and the countryside. Liam 🙂
Hi everyone,
Due to a human-based error, Lucy should have been called Rory during this interview. Someone must have put out the wrong name badges *shakes fist at self*
Liam 🙂