Excerpt & #Giveaway: The Way Alex Sees Me (Aphrodite in Disguise #2) by Dann Hazel
- Archaeolibrarian
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Book Details:
Book Title: The Way Alex Sees Me:
Book Two in the Aphrodite in Disguise Gay Romance Series
Author: Dann Hazel
Publisher: The Original Press
Cover Artist: Josh Fippen
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Tense/POV: Past tense (except for Chapter One), first person POV
Genres: Dark MM Romance, Historical, Paranormal
Tropes: Love and loss, like father like son, young gay love, identity and self-discovery, second chance
Themes: Coming out, forgiveness, gay empowerment
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Length: 94 600 words/332 pages
It is part of a series, but can easily be read as a standalone.
It does not end on a cliffhanger.
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High school senior Rusty Finch is in a pickle.
His grades are plummeting even though everyone says he’s got a good head on his shoulders. He and his mother Gloria are not getting along. Neither of them knows why.
He’s convinced that his mom lied to him when she said his father died when he was two. But if her story is true, why can’t she show him his father’s grave?
And now, to top it all off, he’s pretty sure he’s gay. But Bill, campus jerk and all-around bully, is absolutely certain on that point. He takes perverse pleasure in tormenting Rusty on a daily basis.
What’s a confused and impetuous boy to do?
Destroy the enemy, of course!
But for Rusty, an unintentional detour from a lonely road and into a ditch thwarts that ill-fated plan. Rusty finds himself in the hospital.
A stranger appears at his bedside. “Rusty? I’m your father.”
With those four words, his life begins to come into focus...
…only to get really blurry again when Frank comes along and sparks feelings that Rusty's not equipped to handle.
If you like your gay romance spiced with a touch of suspense and plenty of youthful angst, you’ll love The Way Alex Sees Me.
This novel, the second book in the Aphrodite in Disguise series, is a Dark Gay Romance with elements of recent history, the supernatural, young love, family strife, and dark hidden secrets. Though embedded in the not-so-distant past, this novel speaks to timeless experience.
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I nodded, but kept silent. How could I tell Frank anything? The more of my father's story I discovered, the more complicated it became. Even Frank might balk at the complex nuances. Or, worse, he might milk the story for everything it was worth, just for its theatrical qualities, demeaning their importance to me.
"Well, my little stud muffins, here are your drinks—one with fortification and one—ahem—virgin." He stood tall above us after placing our drinks on the table. "What else can I get for you?"
"I think we're good for right now." I glanced at him and smiled. "Thanks."
He leaned toward us confidentially. "Look, boys. Since you're new in town, I want to give you a heads-up about some trouble we've been having. Lately, a few dickheads have been getting their jollies by harassing our customers. We keep reporting them to the cops, but these boys are smart and quick. Besides, I'm not sure we're high on the police force's list of priorities. I'm telling you this because you need to watch your cute little asses when you leave. Couples really set their panties on fire. Just last month, they beat two of our customers with a chain. Then, while the lankier one was getting his ass beat, his partner pulled a gun on the assailants, and off they ran, like the pussies they are. Still, boys, they'll hurt you bad, if you're not prepared."
"Thanks for the warning," Frank said. "We'll be careful."
Then, our waiter whirled away to retrieve a round of drinks for another table.
Frank grabbed my arm. "Okay, buddy. Tell me. What the hell is going on?"
I bristled. "What are you talking about?"
"You think I'm blind? Fuck that. I can see just how preoccupied you are. What's the deal with that table over there?" Frank glanced toward the restroom. "Besides, I saw the guy who was with your father at the fair. It's Ben, right?"
I jerked my arm from Frank's grasp, not fully understanding why he upset me so. "Just drop it, Frank. It doesn't matter."
Frank rested his arms on the table. "Like hell it doesn't. I've been watching you, Rusty. You're as preoccupied as a horny bitch in a dog show. What really happened between you and your father tonight?"
I scowled. "Jesus, Frank. Everything that happens in the world is not high drama."
"Are you sure about that?" I could tell from his voice how determined he was to get me to talk. "Something's going on with you, and I want to know about it." Frank took a sip from his cocktail. Now, I'd begun to wish I'd ordered one. "You might as well tell me, Rusty. You know damn well I'm not giving up until you do. We can't be real friends if we don't help each other out."
I turned my head toward the dance floor, where two middle-aged men, their arms wrapped tightly around one another, swayed gently to a slow tune. One whispered something in the other's ear. Both men laughed softly. Theirs was a romance I envied.
"Does it have anything to do with the fight with your father?"
Pressure mounted inside my heart and head, even as my stomach churned. Frank was not going to give up. Not tonight. Not with the vodka on board.
"Tell me, damn it! Don't keep secrets from your best friend."
"Okay!" I shouted. Several startled men looked our way. Embarrassed, I lowered my voice. "The man you mentioned. Ben. Remember? He and those other guys were talking about Dad. Apparently, Ben wants more from my father than he seems willing to give."
Confused, Frank stared at me, obviously confused. "What do you mean? More from your father. Why the fuck would Ben be interested in a straight man?"
I looked steadily into Frank's face. "Who said he was straight?"
For an unusual moment, Frank was both stunned—and speechless. "No way! Really? Your old man is gay? I mean, Rusty, really. That is so fucking awesome."
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one of five e-book copies of the first novel in the Aphrodite in Disguise Dark Gay Romance Series, Armed and Ready for Love.
As a Florida-based author of both fiction and nonfiction, Dann worked as an educator on both the secondary and post-secondary levels. But since high school, when he served as a reporter for the school newspaper, he’s always had a passion for both reading and writing. Dann lives in Lake Wales, FL, with his husband, Josh (also a writer) and their adorable Eskie (American Eskimo), Flurry. She's definitely part of the family, with boundless energy and appetite! Dann is passionate about scenic walks and jogs around a local lake, enjoying Walt Disney World, staying healthy, reading, streaming movies and provocative TV series (especially those based on novels!) and current events. His pronouns are he/him/his.
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