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Brains, Brawn, & Rural Mysteries
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Of Smoke & Steel Synopsis
Long-held secrets and simmering tensions are about to boil over in the small Texas town of Harmony. Jake Stone has called the local boarding house home for over a decade, living a quiet life alongside sisters Hattie and Maisie. But when he falls in love with Ethan Granger, Jake's world is turned upside down as he navigates his first-ever relationship in a town resistant to change.
As Jake and Ethan's romance blossoms, it challenges Harmony's conservative values, pushing the community to its breaking point. Sheriff Roddy Clark struggles to maintain order while his mother, Helen, launches a zealous crusade against what she deems "immoral," her actions spiraling into a dangerous web of lies and violence.
With racial tensions flaring and lives hanging in the balance, Jake and his chosen family at the boarding house find themselves at the center of a storm that threatens to tear Harmony apart. As dark secrets come to light, they must confront not only their neighbors' prejudices but also their own painful pasts.
In this gripping tale of love, loyalty, and the high cost of intolerance, debut author Alec Wood delivers a powerful exploration of the human heart. "Of Smoke and Steel" reminds us that true harmony comes not from conformity, but from embracing our differences and standing up for what's right, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Alec Wood is a debut author whose first novel, 'Of Smoke and Steel,' blends LGBTQ+ fiction with historical drama. A Texas native, Wood draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of Southern culture and the complexities of human relationships. His passion for cigars and appreciation for the nuances of rural life infuse his writing with authenticity and depth.
Wood's journey as a writer began with a desire to explore the hidden histories of LGBTQ+ individuals in small-town America. When not writing, he can often be found enjoying a good cigar or delving into research for his next novel.
'Of Smoke and Steel' is a labor of love, born from Wood's commitment to bringing diverse voices and experiences to the forefront of literature. He currently resides in Vero Beach, Florida, and is hard at work on his next book.