When I'm in Your Arms - behind the story

When I'm in Your Arms is A Kelly's second novel. It begs you to keep an open mind as the story will take you on a roller coaster journey of love, lust, and obsession.

Here is the story behind the story.

Q1: Why did you write this book?

One Valentine eve, I caught a segment of an Australian news program The Project where one of the presenters shared her experience hiring a male escort (dining, pampering, cuddling - no sex involved). Intrigued, I did some research and wow, was I inspired!

Most male escorts' clients are men, but some escorts offer services for women and couples. Service limits are at the discretion of the individual escort, which usually depend on the level of trust he has with a client. Interestingly, client-escort relationships can sometimes go beyond physical or transactional. It doesn't mean they fall in love, but the experience is often more than just bang, pay and go. This fascinating aspect was the first trigger for my writing this book.

In addition, women's sexual need, unfortunately, is still considered taboo by many. People generally shy away from the subject, afraid of being politically incorrect. It shouldn't be the case; because women sexuality is important, and there is a lot to learn.

Q2: So what's your take on women's sexuality?

May I say women's sexual need is like a chameleon - it changes according to the environment around and within them, be it hormones, life events, interactions etc. One day it may simply be a physical need (just do it; no lovey dovey required), another time it may manifest into a need to be loved, to be understood or to be close to someone. Sometimes a sexual need is about opening up and feeling safe in your partner's arms. 

Great male escorts are expert chameleons - in a sense that they change who they are professionally to accommodate their clients' needs and often fantasies. The reasons women hire male escorts vary - from needing a 'plus one' at their colleague's wedding, loneliness, fulfilling a fantasy, to specific circumstances such as healing a sexual trauma or even sex ed. Many such women feel they could be themselves in the company of their escorts, and one woman even said she felt human again after years of hurt and void.

Q3: How does this book differ from mainstream romance or erotica?

Most reviewers so far agree When I'm in Your Arms is nothing like any book they've read before, which I am very proud of. The story digs deep into women's sexuality from both a man's and woman's perspectives without holding back. It emphasises the need to explore romance and erotica as a genre beyond I love yous, blushing kisses and earth-shattering climaxes.

Q4: Do you think prostitution is wrong?

Prostitution has existed since ancient Mesopotamia.

It's absolutely wrong when it involves minors. It is wrong when it is conducted against a person's free will. It is wrong when there is unfairness in the transaction - where one party gets more than what they've agreed on, when someone is abused, robbed of their rights or threatened.

As an occupation, no, I don't think it's wrong. It is a service, it is a source of income. Some male escorts have such deep empathy they give women an experience no other people can. The experience can be life changing - can you condemn it?

When prostitution gets in a way of a marriage or relationship, well, it's not the work itself that is wrong; the responsibility lies with the clients. 

Q5: How did you get insights into an escort's life?

I read a few interviews and articles, and I also got to know a couple of professional male escorts. They were lovely men, ridiculously handsome and very respectful. On the one hand they were discreet, on the other they were quite open about sharing their life stories and their ups and downs of being an escort.

Q6: Why do you classify this book as LGBT?

Frederico is gay, although there are compelling reasons why he becomes attracted to Andrea. There is also a big twist in the story that makes it relevant to LGBT. 

Q7: What's next for A Kelly?

I'm writing a trilogy. It is about a beautiful but troubled woman who is running away from her guilt of her father's suicide, from her mother's illness, her psychopath husband and ultimately herself. In her escape she meets a loving, loyal and handsome single father who tries to make amends from his previous marriage. 

The story is mainly set in a sleepy town of Penguin, located in Australia's nature heaven - Tasmania. Both main characters are animal lovers, so be prepared for some canine cuteness along the way (although I must warn there is an element of cruelty here, which both characters fight against furiously).