Today, I have author Stephen G Hardy in the interview chair. We’re discussing his latest series release The Christopher Books, a contemporary, LGBTQ+ novel with speculative elements.
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THE CHRISTOPHER BOOKS by Stephen G Hardy
Follow Christopher as he explores various types of relationships and the impact he has on the lives of others.
The books need to be read in order.
Overall Heat Rating for the series: 1 flame
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1. Hi, Stephen. First off, readers have an idea of the writer you, but what about the everyday you? Can you share about your personal life?
Stephen: Before making writing novels a profession, I was a stay-at-home dad for my husband and my two sons, whom we adopted when they were six and seven years old. They are now grown and out of the house. Prior to parenthood, I worked in the apparel business as a designer and had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Asia. In addition to my writing, I sit on the board of Ballet Arizona and am involved with several other arts organizations. My husband and I have been together for 22 years.
2. I’ve been perusing your Goodreads page and see this is your first series, along with your first three novels. Why did you choose LGBTQ+ fiction to write?
Stephen: I am not sure that I did choose it as much as it fit best in this genre. My hope is that this series appeals to many people outside the LGBTQ+ community, and it seems that straight women are strongly drawn to the stories. That said, I will probably continue to write novels with LGBTQ+ characters as I am a gay man and can write from experience.
3. Can you share what inspired you to create this series?
Stephen: Believe it or not, I was inspired to write the first book in the series due to a conversation with another couple over brunch one day. The husband remarked on the similarities between his wife and me, especially in what and how we say things, that he forgets who said what. It got me thinking about a man who is able to understand for sexes. This led to the creation of Christopher. When I finished the first book, I knew that there was more I had to write about, and the two sequels followed in quick succession.
4. Let’s talk about the main characters. What do you love most about Christopher, Laura, and David?
Stephen: There is a lot of me in Christopher, but he is so much more. He is the type of person I think everyone should have in their lives. What I love most about him is his ability to understand any situation instantly. Laura is a difficult character, but I think reflects the middle child syndrome perfectly. Many readers say they don’t like her, and I can understand why, but I like the growth she makes in the series. Of all the characters, her arc has the biggest change. I had a crush on David from the moment I started to write about him. I loved that he was so open to change.
5. We all have quirks. Can you share a quirk about Christopher, Laura, and David?
Stephen: Christopher’s quirk is tilting his head to one side when he is considering what someone has said. Laura twirls a lock of hair around her finger when thinking. David’s quirk is color-coding the clothes in his closet.
6. Without giving away any spoilers, what was your favourite scene to write and why?
Stephen: In my opinion, what sets The Christopher Books apart is that they ask the reader to look within themselves for their own truths and challenge preconceived notions about what it means to be human. I have a 74-year-old friend who said that the first book made her feel normal for the first time in her life. She also told me that the series made her wish they had been available when she was a teenager because had she understood herself better, she wouldn’t have regretted things she did or did not do because of that lack of understanding.
8. If a reader asked you why they should read The Christopher Books, what would you tell them?
Stephen: By reading these books, you will become part of the conversation and, in doing so, may have found your own catalyst for change or have a cathartic moment.
9. What can we expect from you in the future?
Stephen: I am currently planning out a spin-off series featuring two minor characters from this series. In addition, I am writing a prequel to my favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice, exploring the friendship between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. The challenge is making the novel seem as though Jane Austen wrote it herself.
10. I enjoy doing random questions, so humour me:
- What’s your favourite movie?
I have two, Amelie and Enchanted April. - What book is currently in your e-reader?
I am a history buff, so I am reading a biography of Francis I, King of France. - Who’s your favourite musical group?
Tennis - What song puts a smile on your face?
Love Triangle by New Order. Dating myself.
11. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Stephen: It is more important to be a person who does a good thing than to be a good person. This is what I call a Christopherism.
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Title: Search for Complete
Series: The Christopher Books, book one
Author: Stephen G Hardy
Genres: Contemporary LGBTQ+ Fiction with speculative elements.
Tropes: Friends to Platonic lovers
Themes: Interpersonal relationships, Conversations as Catalyst for Change
Length: 80 127 words /335 pages
Release Date: June 4, 2023
Blurb: “Why do I get the feeling that Christopher is the type of man that would make the perfect husband for any woman and, at the same time, the perfect wife for any man?” Laura says shortly after Christopher begins his new job at the TV station. Laura’s statement would turn out to hold more truth than she could imagine. No one who meets Christopher, especially not Laura, as well as David, a gay man he meets at a party, understands what it is about him that draws them to him. They also don’t realize that Christopher is searching for something, a search complicated by their desires for him.
Note: It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
I began to question accepting Laura’s invitation when I heard the noise coming from the backyard as we approached the house. I disliked crowds, and it sounded like an immense crowd was on the other side of the gate.
People were everywhere—seated on lounge chairs scattered around the patio or at the rectangular dining table or milling about in various groups—talking loudly over the blaring music. Laura’s voice broke through the noise.
“I don’t see Peter anywhere. He might be inside. Shall we find him?”
“By all means. I would feel uncomfortable attending his party without meeting him.”
I followed Laura into the house. As we passed through the living room, my eyes fell on a few framed photos of a handsome couple on the wall.
In the kitchen, a solitary male figure was removing a tray of croissants from the oven.
“Hello, Peter.”
As he turned around, I recognized Peter as one of the men in the photos. Tall and slender, with dark hair and a mustache waxed into handlebars, there was a dapperness to him that I found pleasing.
“Hey, Laura. Lovely to see you!”
After setting the hot tray down, Peter hugged her.
“Peter, I want you to meet Christopher. He just moved here from Seattle and works with me at the station.”
“How do you do, Peter?“
Having grown used to the reaction my presence caused, I smiled patiently as Peter, unable to speak right away, shook my offered hand.
“I hope you do not mind my crashing your party. Laura assured me that you would not object to her bringing me.”
“No, of course, I don’t mind.”
The words tumbled out one on top of the other.
“Is there anything we can do to assist you?”
“No, I have it all under control, thanks. Please help yourself to the food and drinks out on the patio.”
“We will. Thanks,” Laura said, taking my arm and steering me back through the living room.
“Peter is very nice,” I commented as we stepped through the doors and headed towards the drinks table. “Can I make you something?”
“A mimosa, thanks. Yes, Peter’s a sweetie.”
We stood sipping our drinks as I scanned the crowd of mostly men, a mix of young and old, before Laura took me around, introducing me to the people she knew.
I instinctively searched their eyes for the essence of another while ignoring Laura’s scrutinizing gaze.
Laura needed to use the bathroom, so she left me standing under the large Ficus tree where we had sought shade from the sun. Within minutes of her departure, I was surrounded by a large group of people vying for my attention. Carrying on multiple conversations was challenging, but I did my best to make each person feel they had my full attention.
He caught my attention on the periphery of my vision: tall and well-built, resembling the small statue of the god Mars that sat on the table in Joseph’s shop. Our eyes met, and I felt my heart skip a beat, seeing something flash in his eyes. Smiling hopefully, I extended my hand to him.
“Hello, my name is Christopher Dunn.”
As he shook my hand, I took the opportunity to search his golden-brown eyes. My initial hope turned to disappointment, for while something was there, it was not another’s essence. Though disappointed, I was intrigued.
“Davidmartelli.”
He slurred the two names into one in his haste to get the words out.
As I gazed into his eyes, the feeling of a purpose to our meeting appeared—first Laura and now David.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, David Martelli,” I said, saying his name distinctly.
David blushed attractively, causing a twinge in my heart.
“Can I get you a drink?”
He looked so crestfallen when I held up my cup that I was tempted to down my drink and ask him for another.
“Oh, you have one.”
“I do, but I appreciate you asking.”
I gave him a smile to back up my words. It was apparent that David was struggling to find something to say, the frustration evident in his handsome features. I wanted to get him away from the people surrounding us and talk to him alone, but I did not see how I could do so without offending everyone else.
Conscious of the eyes watching us, David blushed again and backed away.
For some reason, I knew that this behavior was out of character for him. Watching him walk away, I hoped we would meet again as I wanted to discover what I saw in his eyes.
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Title: The Price of Happiness
Series: The Christopher Books, book two
Author: Stephen G Hardy
Genres: Contemporary LGBTQ+ Literary Fiction
Tropes: Love and loss
Themes: Parenthood, interpersonal relationships, finding oneself
Length: 84 447 words/330 pages
Release Date: November 24, 2023
Blurb: As Search for Complete left off, the birth of his twins had just completed Christopher. However, though he has what he had searched so long for, he now must deal with the associated costs, namely the unraveling of his relationship with Laura, the mother of his twins. The birth of the twins should have brought Laura joy, yet, instead, she finds herself on an intense emotional rollercoaster. Laura resents Christopher’s happiness—resents that he is a better mother than she is. But most of all, Laura resents that the twins are Christopher’s spitting image—nowhere does she see herself in them. Christopher fears his happiness in becoming a father has become Laura’s undoing. As he tries to help her adjust to the reality of their situation, Laura struggles to find herself in the tangled mess of their relationship.
In The Price of Happiness, Stephen Hardy has created a profound and moving novel on the themes of parenthood, identity, love and loss—and the cost of getting what we want.
Note: It is not a standalone story and ends on a cliffhanger.
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
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Title: When the Sun and Moon Touch
Series: The Christopher Books, book two
Author: Stephen G Hardy
Genres: Contemporary LGBTQ+ Literary Fiction
Tropes: M2M relationships
Themes: Finding oneself, forgiveness, love
Length: 87 639 words/353 Pages
Release Date: March 29, 2024
Blurb: Christopher has settled into life as a single father to his twins, Loren and Christine. Content with his life, he is contemplating the imminent return of their mother Laura, who has been traveling through Europe for nearly a year, when he meets Benjamin, a direct descendant of the sun. Suddenly, his contentment is upended as he tries to understand the reason for their meeting. Despite what Benjamin says, that they are meant to be together, Christopher initially tries to hold
Benjamin at arm’s length, believing that he is only to be for Benjamin what Joseph was to him—a friend and mentor.
Note: The stories need to be read in order. This book does not end on a cliffhanger.
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
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Stephen Hardy was born in the San Francisco Bay Area but grew up in the Pacific Northwest. His career as a fashion designer took him back to San Francisco before he headed to New York City, where he met his husband of twenty years. Tiring of the hectic pace of the fashion industry, Stephen gave up his career to become a stay-at-home dad for his and his husband’s two adopted sons and a quiet life in Connecticut.
Now residing in Phoenix, Arizona, and with the kids grown, Stephen returned to university, where he rediscovered his love for writing. His focus is on contemporary fiction, examining social issues regarding gender, sexuality, and relationships. Search for Complete is his first novel, and a sequel is expected in early 2024.
Follow Stephen: Blog/Website | Facebook | Instagram
Maggie Blackbird 