Deal Sharing Aunt: TIED IN KNOTS by Z.B. Heller Interview

Friday, February 5, 2016

TIED IN KNOTS by Z.B. Heller Interview

Roses are red, violets are blue. They tied the knot, what kind of crazy will ensue? Ryan Keller and Brandon Ford have promised to be Tied Together forever. Seven years later, life is moving along according to their plan. Ryan gave up his job as a television producer to be a stay at home dad to their son, while Brandon works long hours as an OBGYN at the hospital. With baby number two on the way, life's about to get bumpy when someone from Brandon's abusive past reappears. Fearing Ryan won't understand his feelings, Brandon confides in the handsome male nurse who's always had a thing for the doctor. When Ryan discovers the truth, he's hurt, betrayed, and uncertain if their family is as strong as he believed. When a crisis arises with the surrogate carrying their second child, can Brandon and Ryan untangle to knots in their marriage to prove they can overcome anything that stands in their way?

Question #1 When and how did you guys meet? Ryan: We were in high school. I was serving as knight and shining armor, when I came to his rescue. Brandon: It was our senior year. Let’s just say that I was the target of some unwanted attention at school. Ryan: He was being bullied and I showed up on my gallant steed. Brandon: You walked up wearing your chucks, jeans and sweater. Ryan: Aww, you remember what I was wearing? That’s so sweet. Question #2 Was it love a first sight? Ryan: I would say lust at first sight. He was very shy and I had to drag information out of him to get him to open up. Brandon: I had a bit of trust issues then. I didn’t really understand my feelings. Ryan: You were sporting wood under that table in the café. Brandon: Okay, maybe I was feeling some attraction. Question #3 What is your favorite trait about each other? Brandon: Ryan has a great sense of humor. You could easily put him in the middle of a crowd that he doesn’t know and he’ll leave there being everyone’s best friend. He’s kind and fiercely loyal to those close to him. Ryan: Brandon is the most selfless person I know. He is willing to put others first, I think that’s what makes him a great doctor. He listens to people and genuinely cares what others need. That and he has a huge… Brandon: RYAN! Question #4 What are your favorite physical attributes of each others? Brandon: Ryan has a beautiful smile. He does this thing that when he talks, the tip of his nose wiggles. Ryan: It does not! Brandon: Yeah, it does. And I like that he’s just a little shorter than me. When we hug, we fit together like a puzzle. Ryan: That is so…lame. Brandon: * laughs* Ryan: I love him eyes. They’re passionate and warm. There is a lot behind those eyes. A lot of stories to tell, both good and bad. And he has a huge… Brandon: Dude, seriously. *shakes head, blushing. Question #4 What was your toughest obstacle you had to overcome in your relationship? Brandon: Coming to terms with my sexuality. It wasn’t easy for me at all because I have an abusive past. But I eventually was able to come to terms with it thanks to the help of some support around me. Ryan: I was an asshole in college. Brandon was really struggling and I didn’t give him the support he needed at the time. We had to spend time apart and I needed to grow up. It was a total fluke on how we met up again. Question #5 Why should people be interested in your story? Ryan: Because we’re super awesome studs. *Brandon gives Ryan a side eye and smirk* Ryan: Fine, he’s the awesome stud and I’m just the jester in his king’s court. Brandon: Because at the end of the day, you don’t get to the goal without having some issues getting there. Our relationship and story is about laughter, love and some heartache. That’s what makes human’s who they are. Ryan and I balance each other out in all ways. Not everyone agrees on how we got to where we are, but we got here. And that’s all that matters. Ryan: I agree with all of that. And because he has a huge…

Ryan Keller had it all when he came out in high school; accepting parents, friends and his own credit line for J. Crew. His cocky attitude and good looks got him what he wanted, including samples off the man meat buffet. Then he found his favorite dessert, Brandon. But Brandon wasn’t sending out a rainbow vibe so Ryan was sent to the land that crushes dread, the friend zone. Brandon Ford was buried so deep down in the closet that clothes from the seventies had a better chance of coming out. His anxieties of acting on his desires could keep a therapist entertained for hours. Even though he did his best to build his emotions out of bricks, it was no use against Ryan’s charms. Follow Ryan and Brandon’s relationship from high school, to college and beyond to find out if they will be Tied Together. Warning: No Anaconda Turtles have been harmed in the making of this book.

As a little girl it was always a dream for Z.B. Heller to become She-Ra Princess of Power. Since this dream was unobtainable, she spent what was probably way to long in college trying to "find herself". Becoming an artist scratched the creative itch until the stories in her head were getting to be to loud for her to get anything else accomplished. She lives in St. Louis with her husband, son and Flemish Giant rabbit Chloe. In her spare time she likes to read, stalk celebrities on Twitter and create the type of art that people scratch their heads about.