Dann here. I'm currently knee-deep in my new novel, tentatively entitled DUSTY'S BEACHIN' GOOD SNACK SHACK.

It's my first foray into the world of "shorter fiction," which is to say the word count will be close to 50,000. It's a "kissing cousin" to my Some Like It Haute! Gay Romance Series. This series is called Savory Short Orders. The idea is that, for the reader who likes to finish a novel in a matter of hours rather than days, these books provide a more streamlined plot and a smaller cast of characters. 

I decided to set this effort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I grew up in the upstate of SC. During my youth my family vacationed at Myrtle Beach quite often. In fact, for several years, it was our go-to vacation destination. My parents were already familiar with the place, and planning "activities" for the kids was as easy as renting a cheap room close to the beach. 

As an older vacationer, I came to regard Myrtle Beach as a little tacky--and yet still, I loved going there! Go figure. Probably the best thing was seeing all the unique travelers who were attracted to the place. I mean, even in something as mainstream as Waccamaw Pottery, wild and crazy people would show up in droves. But in Myrtle Beach, some of the zaniest people I've ever met showed up, year after year. 

It was upon this premise that I created my main character. 

Dusty is a guy who runs a snack shop at the entrance to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. It's a candy/ice cream/pastry shop, and his business attire, consists of swim trunks. He has quite a chest that attracts many people to his shop. In other words, he's a bit of a hottie. His customers are always expressing "interest." Interest which Dusty (usually) politely rebuffs. 

You see, Dusty isn't looking for a good TIME. Instead, he's holding out for a good LIFE with the man of his dreams. Few of these vacationers are dating material. 

But it's all good. He's young. He's got time.

Until Ken drops by the shop. Ken's a rich kid from Virginia, staying a week at the Grand Strand with some friends who outvoted him on where they'd go for spring break. For Dusty, it's like love at first sight. But it doesn't matter. Willie remains uninterested in a scruffy beach bum in a cheesy tourist trap of a community.

Needless to say, Dusty's Beachin' Good Snack Shack is an HEA, though there are a few roadblocks along the way. 

I hope to have a sample passage ready to show off soon.