Hi peeps, we have Jay Jordan Hawke stopping by today with his brand new re-release A Scout is Brave. Jay lets us have a peek at an excerpt and there’s a great giveaway, we also have Cat’s review for you to enjoy. So enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
A Scout is Brave
Jay Jordan Hawke
In the months following the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, fourteen-year-old Joshua, a half Native American boy, is new to a Boy Scout troop and spending a week camping in northern Wisconsin. The weaker kids in the troop soon realize Joshua is not afraid to stand up to the troop’s ruthless bullies. Joshua’s bravery and kindness is infectious, and the bullied Scouts quickly find their own inner strength.
Joshua, however, is plagued by self-doubt as he realizes he has feelings for Cody, the son of the troop’s harsh and puritanical Scoutmaster. The two discover they have more in common than Scouting as they share their deepest secrets and develop a close friendship. That friendship faces its greatest challenge as the homophobic bullies claim a “faggot” has “infected” their troop. As if struggling to come to terms with his sexuality while dealing with hatred and bigotry isn’t enough, Joshua discovers the camp holds another dark mystery, one that will make him summon all his courage and learn for the first time what it truly means to be brave.
Excerpt
Joshua raced down the Tommy Drapos Trail, desperately trying not to slip. The trail had become a waterslide, as it often did during a severe storm. Joshua’s mind had been so intent on laying Tommy to rest that he failed to notice how severe the weather had become. Now he could not help but notice. Even at this distance from camp, Joshua could hear the emergency siren sounding in the background.
The trail was winding and exceptionally slippery from the mud formed since the downpour. Joshua gave full attention to navigating the twists and turns of the slippery trail at the maximum safe speed possible. He failed to notice the dark silhouettes on the trail up ahead that were approaching him fast, and then it was too late. Joshua stopped just before colliding with the darkness. Only then did a brilliant flash of lightning reveal the identities of his visitors.
“Where are you going, faggot?” Levi asked, standing before Joshua, only inches away. Levi’s gang stood silently behind him.
“Let me through!” Joshua threatened, holding his ground.
Two of the gang members positioned themselves behind Joshua. They grabbed his arms from behind and held him tight. Even so, they had trouble keeping him still as Joshua struggled to break free.
Levi removed his own shirt, revealing a black handle stuck in his pants. He clenched it tightly and pulled out the long, sharp knife. Pocketknives were quite common at camp. Hunting knives, however, were strictly forbidden. Even Levi’s gang seemed caught off guard by this maneuver.
“Jesus Christ, Levi! Are you crazy?” Ken Fenton asked as he stood behind Levi, astonished. Levi didn’t answer. He just gazed furiously into Joshua’s eyes. His expression revealed a concentrated abhorrence and disgust.
Extra Bonus Excerpt!
Dark clouds covered a portion of the early evening sky, but no one took notice. The sun still remained uncovered, and in the forest no one really noticed clouds in the distance until they darkened the sun. Thunder was a different story altogether. A discerning listener could fathom a storm coming hours prior to its arrival just by listening for the thunder in the distance. But this storm advanced silently, like a predator stalking its prey.
About author
Jay Jordan Hawke holds a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in history, as well as a second master’s in Outdoor Education. He loves everything sci-fi, especially Star Trek, and hopes to be on the first starship out of here. In the meantime, he teaches at a college prep school and anxiously awaits the day when he can write full time. In addition to all things sci-fi, his hobbies include camping, reading, running, and writing. He has lived in several Midwestern states and currently resides in Indiana. Ugh – get me out of here!
Author Contact:
Giveaway
Jay Jordan Hawke Rafflecopter giveaway!
Review
**There are some minor changes, authors comment nicked off his Facebook page: ‘A Scout is Brave’ is a revision with minor changes – mostly to smooth over the transition between Pukawiss and Scout is Brave. I added a lot of references to Pukawiss throughout the this second edition. I also altered the ending a bit.
Title: A Scout is Brave (2nd Edition)
Series: The Two-spirit Chronicles: Book Two (Sequel to Pukawiss The Outcast)
Author: Jay Jordan Hawke
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Length: Novel (180pgs)
ISBN: 978-1-63216-693-7
Publisher: Harmony Ink (18th December 2014) (Dreamspinner Press Imprint)
Heat Level: None
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥ 3 Hearts
Reviewer: Cat
Blurb: In the months following the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, fourteen-year-old Joshua, a half Native American boy, is new to a Boy Scout troop and spending a week camping in northern Wisconsin. The weaker kids in the troop soon realize Joshua is not afraid to stand up to the troop’s ruthless bullies. Joshua’s bravery and kindness is infectious, and the bullied Scouts quickly find their own inner strength.
Joshua, however, is plagued by self-doubt as he realizes he has feelings for Cody, the son of the troop’s harsh and puritanical Scoutmaster. The two discover they have more in common than Scouting as they share their deepest secrets and develop a close friendship. That friendship faces its greatest challenge as the homophobic bullies claim a “faggot” has “infected” their troop. As if struggling to come to terms with his sexuality while dealing with hatred and bigotry isn’t enough, Joshua discovers the camp holds another dark mystery, one that will make him summon all his courage and learn for the first time what it truly means to be brave.
First Digital Edition published by author, 2010.
First Paperback Edition published by CreateSpace, January 2011.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5817
Review: I didn’t read the first book and I followed this just fine so it stands alone pretty well. Joshua’s mom has taken him from the reservation and brought him to live with her in Illinois, not that she wants him, more so that she wants him raised as a Christian and not learning his Indian customs .Joshua knows he is gay and its ok on the reservation but in white culture it is taboo. Joshua has been sent to scouts to help him fit in.
Between the news of Mathew Shepard’s murder for being gay and the horror story they tell at camp about Tommy’s point, Joshua is afraid of what will happen if his secret gets out. It’s a summer for learning and Joshua will learn many lessons. At Scouts Joshua makes some friends and enemies, but as he will soon learn it’s hard to tell which is which.
This was a very good story of young boys learning hard lessons. I will say that the style was a bit odd to me at first as the view changed frequently, not just occasionally but nearly each paragraph and character. There were some views we got I never did figure out who they were. Now having said that, I am not saying that’s a bad thing. As the story progressed and I got used to it I sort of liked seeing what the other boys and counselors thought and felt. I will say I thought some of the views were unnecessary and didn’t lead much to the story. I loved Joshua. He is a very strong and brave young man. I also liked that we saw his vulnerability and not an inhuman strength for a boy.
The story line about bullying is a very important topic. I liked how the author dealt with in in the setting of scouts a place where young boys should feel save and protected by its leaders not harassed because they are different. Thought there were a lot I didn’t like about the story there was as much I did like. As I said the characters were great, the storyline good and the message fabulous.
If you like young adult stories, coming out, hard life lessons, growing up, bullying, American Indians, Boy Scouts and a unique style of writing this is for you.
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