Gender, Hope, and First Times

by Tempeste O’Riley

Good morning and thank you Blogger Girls for hosting my newest release! Truth in Lace is not like my other Desires Entwined stories as not only is it a short (one of 3 I’ve done, lol) but it’s not a romance at all. Truth in Lace is also the only story in the series that doesn’t have the word ‘desire’ anywhere in the title, lol. You see, Truth came about completely differently than the other stories and is one that I hope will help youth (and adults) struggling with their gender identity. The concept was ‘first time’, so Truth is about the first time Alex truly embarks on the journey that leads Alex to be the wonderful, scared, person Alex is when you meet him in Temptations of Desire.

As most readers of my stories knows, Alex is gender fluid, but how does one come to terms with that, especially with violently homophobic parents? That’s the crux of the short you can read for free from Dreamspinner Press. What happens when Alex is given his first taste of embracing whom he is inside, when the biological and mental gender don’t match day to day…

Gender fluidity is a very real gender identity. They are not trans*. They are not drag queens, cross dressers, or any of the many other things Alex has been called. I say they, but I should really say we here as I identify as gender fluid as well as one of my children is very adamant on expressing through clothes the gender s/he feels that day (he’s in a lovely sparkly pink sweater and jeans that fade from pink to purple today at school and looks great).

Finding a lover and partner that is open to you, no matter how you present, no matter how you feel or act, is hard even when you only have one gender, having fluidity of gender makes it infinitely harder for many. When I wrote Alex, I wanted to give Alex not only a happy ever after (I write romance, lol, of course he gets that!) but to share the struggles and fears someone like Alex can suffer due to assumptions, prejudice, confusion, and fear. I also wanted to write a story that I felt connected to. Gender is not about the body parts you’re born with; it’s about who you are inside. In Truth in Lace, Alex begins a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. In Temptations of Desire, Alex finds his voice, finds a lover that loves him as is, and thinks he’s hella hot!

About Truth in Lace

When Alexander James Noble looks in the mirror, he sees a freak looking back at him. Despite his high grades and plans for culinary arts school after graduation, his parents would hate him if they really knew him.

Forced on a shopping trip with his twin sister, Lyric, and her friends, Alex eyes the girls jealously, longing to be able to dress like them—to be them. The constant struggle of being “gender fluid,” wrestling with an identity that seems to change daily, begins to wear on Alex. But all those questions and fears seem more manageable when his sister gives him his first skirt and lace panties.

Available FREE at: Dreamspinner Press

Don’t forget to check out Nikyta’s review of Truth in Lace to see what she thought of it!

Other Books in the Desires Entwined Series:

About Tempeste O’Riley

Tempeste O’Riley is an out and proud omnisexual / bi-woman whose best friend growing up had the courage to do what she couldn’t–defy the hate and come out. He has been her hero ever since.

Tempe is a hopeless romantic that loves strong relationships and happily-ever-afters. Though new to writing M/M, she has done many things in her life, though writing has always drawn her back–no matter what else life has thrown her way. She counts her friends, family, and Muse as her greatest blessings in life. She lives in Wisconsin with her children, reading, writing, and enjoying life.

Tempe is also a proud PAN member of Romance Writers of America®, Rainbow Romance Writers, and WisRWA. You can find Tempe at these sites:

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