“I consider that I have many responsibilities, but none greater than this: to last…and get my work done.” James Baldwin

 I’m a proud papa: my new novel, Nothing Can Tear Us Apart: RUTHLESS!, has been born! I’m ecstatic—over the moon, in fact. I had the distinct pleasure of evolving my characters—particularly Wesley and Antonio, the two central protagonists—while continuing to expand and enrich the exquisite world of the NCTUA series as a whole.

What’s RUTHLESS! all about? Well, it’s a gripping, emotionally charged, erotic psychological crime thriller. It’s the continuing saga of Wesley Laurence Kelly, an uber-wealthy and powerful Black gay media mogul whose fractured psyche—shaped by childhood trauma and intimate partner violence—threatens to destroy everything he has built.

When a ruthless drug lord launches a deadly vendetta against him, buried secrets, shattered loyalties, and an unbreakable love collide in a desperate race against time. As Wesley fights to prevent a devastating reckoning, the person he has the most to lose is Antonio Miguel Rios, Jr., his deliciously muscular Latino soulmate and Chief of Security—and the man he loves more than anyone.

At the heart of the novel is Wesley’s unwavering relationship with Antonio, whose steadfast love and determination become a lifeline in the face of unimaginable danger. Together, they confront betrayal, loss, and seemingly impossible odds while discovering that healing demands extraordinary courage.

I’m an immersive writer—one who crafts stories so vivid and emotionally resonant that readers feel as though they have stepped inside the world of the story rather than merely observing it. I believe readers should be able to see, hear, feel, taste, and smell the characters and experience the unfolding events as though they are living them themselves.

This is one of the primary ways I establish that direct, intimate connection with the reader; I’m in communion with them. I want the reader to feel as though we’re two old friends sitting across from each other, engaged in an intimate, candid conversation. That connection matters a lot to me. (I was a stand-up comedian back in the day, so I suppose that helps! LOL.)

Hey! May I share a secret? Just between you and me, I’m hard at work on adapting Nothing Can Tear Us Apart for the screen! Remember: you mustn’t tell anybody. Not just yet, anyway.

Now, why did I make intimate partner violence and abuse a significant theme in the series? You see, this dysfunctional, demoralizing–and potentially deadly– syndrome of behavior is more prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community than we’d like to acknowledge. It’s continually swept under the rug, deadbolted in the closet.

Stigma can cause this pattern of abuse to be dramatically underreported. I know this because I’m an IPV/A subject matter expert (SME), advocate, and speaker.

And a survivor.

Let’s delve deeper into what IPV/A really is, along with its consequences and ramifications.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) states, “It is a pattern of behaviors utilized by one partner (the abuser or batterer) to exert and maintain control over another person (the survivor or victim) where there exists an intimate, loving, and dependent relationship. It is used to establish power and control through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence, when one person believes that they are entitled to control another.”

According to the NCADV, 26% of gay/SGL men, or 1 in 4, have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. For bisexual men, the figure rises to 37.3%—more than 1 in 3. This directly challenges the misconception that intimate-partner violence is primarily a problem affecting heterosexual women.

The organization also states that gay and bisexual men experience abuse in intimate relationships at a rate of approximately 2 in 5. The organization’s materials also highlight the intersection of race and LGBTQ+ IPV/A: Black/African American LGBTQ+ victims are more likely to experience physical intimate-partner violence.

Meanwhile, underreporting is a major issue. The NCADV specifically notes that LGBTQ+ domestic violence is vastly underreported and underacknowledged, and that abuse may be reported as something other than domestic violence. It identifies fear of discrimination or bias from police, courts, and other systems as one barrier to seeking assistance.

Among lesbian women experiencing IPV/A, the figure is 43.8%, while among bisexual women it reaches 61.1%.

And regarding transgender individuals: very high levels of intimate-partner violence occur. For example:

  • Transgender individuals are almost twice as likely to experience threats and intimidation in abusive relationships.
  • Are particularly vulnerable to harassment based on their transgender identity by an abusive partner.
  • Are more likely to suffer injuries and require medical attention due to IPV/A.

Therefore, it is imperative to bring intimate partner violence and abuse out of the shadows and into the spotlight, sparking conversations wherever and whenever possible.

Now, back to Nothing Can Tear Us Apart: RUTHLESS! Thus far, there are two major events on the calendar:

On Wednesday, August 26, I hope you’ll be able to join us for the RUTHLESS! official national launch event, sponsored by Brothers of the Desert (BOD) and my publisher, Rainbow Advocacy Press! BOD’s mission is to nurture and support Black gay/SGL men and their allies through philanthropy, volunteerism, mentorship, education, advocacy, and social networking.

Hosted by BOD board member and journalist Will Dean, the in-person and virtual event is free; refreshments will be served. Mr. Dean will put me in the “hot seat,” dig deep, and ask the questions I may—or may not—be prepared to answer. (Actually, I’ll answer each and every one. I promise! LOL.)

For more info, visit  https://www.brothersofthedesert.org/events/ruthless-author-explores-love-intimacy-among-black-gay-men. 

And this October, RUTHLESS! crosses the pond and heads to Merry Old England—London—for an exciting in-person and virtual book reading and IPV/A seminar. More details are forthcoming.

In the meantime, get to know Wesley, Antonio, Ruffkut, and the other unforgettable characters who inhabit the world of Nothing Can Tear Us Apart: RUTHLESS! Step into their world—it’s an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime!