Category: LGBT YA Fiction

Forever Young by Jeff Erno

18166416Title:  Forever Young

Series:  None

Author:  Jeff Erno

Genre:   Young Adult/Paranormal

Length:  Novel (160 pages)

Publisher:  Ai Press (July 7th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   In less than a summer, shy and introverted Robbie Myers goes from eighteen and never been kissed to the passionate intensity of first love that could last forever. Literally…

Eighteen-year-old Robbie Myers has difficulty talking to people. Not only is he shy, but he seems to say the wrong thing every time he opens his mouth, especially to the mysterious, handsome stranger who shows up at his supermarket job, defends him from an aggressive colleague and then asks him on a date. He can’t believe a hot, worldly badboy like seventeen-year-old Colt Abernathy is actually interested. Yet he can’t deny that the ardor burning in Colt’s dark eyes is just for him. In the space of one breath, Robbie is launched from his plan to attend community college while living at home with his mom and saving up for a car to the tender yet passionate exploration of intense first love. Little does Robbie know…

Brought across during the height of the Civil War, Colt has remained trapped in the body of a lonely seventeen year old. When he spots the slim, blond-haired, blue-eyed young man, pushing a line of shopping carts across a parking lot, Colt knows instantly they’re destined for each other. There’s just one major problem: if he survives the impending battle between vampires and the Matarians – an army of brutal vampire slayers – he’s going to live forever. Robbie isn’t…

Product Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Young-ebook/dp/B00DT9ZU9A

Reviewer: John

Review:  I absolutely loved this novel! Forever Young stars Robbie and Colt. Now, Robbie is very hardworking and sweet kid. He lives with his mom and works at a local grocery store in Boyne City, Michigan. He’s living a normal and boring life, but everything changes when he meets Colt. Why? Because Colt is a hundred and sixty-seven year old vampire.

I loved Robbie’s innocence and shyness. That made him appear weak, but I found him to be a fighter and believer. Colt, on the other hand, was freaking sexy and mysterious. He was a gentleman trapped inside a seventeen-year-old’s body. I loved Jeff Erno’s version of a vampire novel. Twilight had completely destroyed it for me and Mr. Erno made me love vampires once again. This book is filled with several intriguing characters that I found myself wanting to know more of. I really hope that Mr. Erno pens a part two for this amazing and intriguing novel.

I recommend this novel to anyone who loves supernatural novels, a good young love story fill with mystery. Trust me; you won’t regret sitting down and reading this fresh work of fiction.

The Sol of Jupiter by Thaddeus J.

Backcover_wtitles03_zps33ee19eaTitle: The Sol of Jupiter

Series:  N/A 

Author: Thaddeus J.
  
Genre:  Contemporary Romance/Military

Length: Novel (93k word count)

Publisher:  Createspace (July 10th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Mild

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Turner Michaels is an idealistic junior enlisted communicator that wants nothing more than to successfully execute his duties. After being transferred to a light armored reconnaissance unit in the middle of the Mojave Desert, the young U.S. Marine starts to feel a bit overwhelmed and out of place from his usual role of support – that is until he is reunited with his old friend Jace Sozio. Reconnecting with one another is simple, but neither of them could have imagined the intense yet awkward attraction that would grow between them. Though admitting these feelings to one another poses a dilemma for the men, as neither wants it to threaten their close friendship. Taking things to a whole new level raises a number of other questions as well. First and foremost, would their peers accept them, or would they have to forever hide their relationship? And admitting their true feelings for one another is easier said than done. Their harsh supervisor is demanding and makes life miserable for the pair, and they also have a number of very good (though sometimes annoying) friends that make them question if they even need enemies. But with the help of their family and inspiring leaders, the two will discover that loyalty and support are stronger than bigotry and misperception. Proving that the Corps indeed is a sacred brotherhood where men can trust one another with their very lives.
Product Link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/334900

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Sol-of-Jupiter-ebook/dp/B00DUWZD16

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: This is an enduring friends to lovers story that is layered with all the pressures of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell on the conflicted lover’s shoulders. Most of the story occurs during non-combat training in various bases in the U.S. Pressure builds as Turner and Jace each keep secret their attraction for each other, even though Turner has come out to his barracks mate, keeping secrets like this has an ill effect on his performance. Jace’s strange behavior starts raising red flags with another long time friend and bunkmate until the final confrontation explodes into full fury and threats of dishonorable discharge. The details of the barracks, the bases, and surrounding landscape are so descriptive I can’t help but believe the author spent some time serving or working on the bases. This is an HEA, but the struggles to get there kept me glued to the pages throughout.

Necromancy and You! by Missouri Dalton

necromancyandyouTitle: Necromancy and You

Series: Guidebook 02

Author: Missouri Dalton

Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult

Length: Novel (206pgs)

Publisher: Prizm Books (Torquere Press) (3rd July 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Al Skelton is a nearly fifteen-year-old boy with an unusual interest—raising the dead.

When the book Necromancy and You! arrives in the mail and Al’s interest goes from theory to practice as he’s dragged into a world he doesn’t really understand. A world full of undead frogs, vampires, ghouls and a sinister cabal called the Coalition who would like nothing more than to bring Al into their fold—by any means necessary.

Purchase Link: http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=83&products_id=3934

Review: Al Skelton has always been fascinated by raising the dead so he is excited to get his very own copy of Necromancy and You (From A – Zombie) that he sent away for in the back of a magazine and he can finally try to really raise the dead. Al discovers that things have been hidden from him when he actually makes a frog or two rise from the dead and… well, maybe a few bird skeletons. As Al delves into a world of ghosts, vampires, and ghouls and learns to avoid the Coalition, he discovers who he can trust and just what happened to his father.

This is a great young adult adventure that while isn’t strictly GLBT it does have Duncan and Lucas from Vampirism and You for a large part of the storyline. Al has a secret longing, to bring his father back from the dead, Al sends off for a necromancy book in the back of a magazine and he is drawn into a world he never knew existed and makes allies and enemies along the way. The Coalition want Al but Al has been warned about them, dodging them is harder than Al thought and he briefly ends up in their hands. Running from a disgusting organization, Al discovers that he has limited choices, but he also finds he has powerful allies.

This is a great fun story that has slashes of danger, some loss, startling discoveries, and a kindling of love. Al is a brilliant character who is like a typical depressed teenager, he is obsessed with raising the dead, but as Al discovers he can really do it. With the help of his trusty Guidebook and his undead frog familiar, he begins to explore the necromancy world and soon discovers just why he has been warned away from the Coalition by a vampire. Al’s journey is filled with danger and secrets but he soon learns who he can trust. We see quite a bit of Duncan and Lucas and we also find a remorseful ghost, Al has his very first crush on a young female necromancer and he has to face a deadly foe.

I will recommend this to those that love young adult stories that has just a touch of GLBT, great characters, a brilliant storyline, angsty teenagers, danger, lots of dead things and a happy for now ending. 

Jack by James Crawford

jack_leech___book_2_by_james_crawford_by_georgina_gibson-d5g87avTitle: Jack

Series: Leech 02

Author: James Crawford

Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult

Length: Novel Plus (270pgs)

Publisher: James Crawford (26th March 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Every high school has its social elite; the football players and cheerleaders … you know the popular crowd. At Butler High, Jack Barely was as close to the top as they came. Captain of the swim team, great hair, and abs that most would die for. However, that was all before the Leeches attacked, taking away everything: his popularity, his house, his grandmother, and even his best friend, Caleo, whom he secretly loved.

Now, living in a destroyed world, popularity means nothing as Jack struggles just to keep him and his twin sister, Jillian, alive. With attacks happening more frequently, Jack starts to wonder why they are even bothering to try to hold onto the past when it just reminds him of all they have lost. Just when he has given up hope, Jack hears a rumor that Caleo is still alive and sets out on a mission to find him. But will Jack make it to finally tell Caleo how he really feels?

Purchase Link: http://jamescrawfordauthor.weebly.com/ (Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords)

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Leech-ebook/dp/B00C275OE6

Review: This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Jack was the swim team captain at school before everything fell apart, now he is just trying to survive with his sister, Jillian, after losing Caleo, his grandmother, his house and well just about everything. Dealing with attacks is hard, discovering Caleo might be alive drives him to try to find him, but danger lurks everywhere and rescuing Caleo is much harder than he thought, but getting Caleo back is all he can think of.

This story picks up three months after the end of Caleo and is Jack’s story. Jack is still reeling over the loss of Caleo, he never got the chance to tell Caleo how he really felt about him and now he never will. But, when Jack is visited by Caleo’s ghost and is convinced to return to their old high school, it leads to a discovery that has Jack determined to find Caleo and tell him how he really feels. Jack has quite the adventure in this story, rescuing captured humans and dealing with Leeches and he also has to deal with his own jealousy and getting through to Caleo.

I really enjoyed this story and having it from Jack’s POV, seeing his grief and regrets and then his joy and confidence, his jealousy and his strength showed how much of a well-rounded character he was. The storyline is again action pack with danger and angst, it also has loss and anger as well as hope. Nolan returns and we also see Steve again and we finally get to meet Alix, and discover just how twisted some of the Leeches have become. With this story we see how humans come together to survive the hardships thrown at them, crawling out of the ashes to rebuild. I won’t delve further into the book, but if you read Caleo, then you won’t want to miss this book.

I have to recommend this if you love Young Adult stories, paranormal, danger, angst, young love, humor, capture, escapes, death, and anger. And, with an ending that leaves us panting for the next book Nolan.   

 

 

Out by J.W. Kilhey

16006042Title:  Out

Series:  None

Author:  J.W. Kilhey

Genre:   YA

Length:  Novel (234 Pages)

Publisher:  Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (August 4th, 2012)

Heat Level: Medium

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5

Blurb:   Joe Dawson is a driven young man, hard working, and eager to please his father. But Joe has a secret…perhaps he has a few. In small town like Holton, South Carolina, Joe is the biggest thing around: young, talented, destined for greatness. As the pressure builds from the outside, Joe feels close to snapping. He is not being honest with himself about who he is and what he wants. He must make a choice: be what everyone else wants him to be or strike out and be his own man.

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/Out-ebook/dp/B008T8PDR0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372121756&sr=8-1&keywords=out+by+kilhey

Reviewer:   John

Review:  What an emotional ride this was! Whoa, I absolutely loved this novel. Yes, there were times I wanted to strangle Joey, the main guy, but at the end, he came through.

Okay, this very interesting novel stars Joey. Now, Joey is a very sexually confuse jock who would let his geeky friend, Darwin, blow him from time to time. Joey lived for the game and his dad would bully him to make him better (Yeah, what an asshole!). I hated Joey’s dad more than anything in the word. Joey’s relationship with his dad reminded me so much of One Tree Hill’s Nathan Scott with his father.

I don’t want to give the plot away, but this book was really good. Joey went through a lot in his senior year as he came face to face with his sexual orientation. My heart went out to Darwin. He went through hell for Joey, but at the end, everyone found happiness.

This novel is fascinating and I cannot recommend it enough. Yes, there will be times that you would want to kill Joey and Darwin, but just keep on reading and you will end up loving it as much as I did.

The Celestial by Barry Brennessel

 

15836460Title:  The Celestial

Series:  None

Author:  Barry Brennessel

Genre:   YA/Historical

Length:  Novella (180 Pages)

Publisher:  MLR Press (September 7th, 2012)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   Love was the last thing Todd Webster Morgan expected to find while searching for gold in 1870s California. But that was before he met Lâo Jian.

Hardened beyond his nineteen years, Todd Webster Morgan is determined to find gold high in the Sierra Nevadas. But his dream is violently upended. Complicating matters even more, he meets a young Chinese immigrant named Lâo Jian, whose own dreams of finding gold have been quashed by violence.

But life back in Sacramento isn’t any easier. Todd’s mother struggles to make ends meet. His invalid uncle becomes increasing angry. Todd seeks employment with little success. Meanwhile his friendship with Lâo Jian turns to love. But their relationship is strained as anti-Chinese sentiment grows.

Todd vows not to lose Lâo Jian. The couple must risk everything to make a life for themselves. A life that requires facing fear and prejudice head on.

Product Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=BBCELEST

Reviewer:  John

Review:  I really wanted to like this novel. It was well written and thought out. The historical pieces in the novel seemed legit and it showed that the author really did his research; however, this wasn’t my thing.

The Celestials stars Todd Morgan. Now, Todd comes from a very humbled home. He’s very small and people still call him kid even though he’s an adult. Now, Todd wants to find gold in Nevada, but what he finds is the love of his life, a Chinese guy name Lao Jian.

I really liked Todd. He was very determined and outspoken. I loved the fact that he took matters into his own hand and decided to move to Nevada to find gold and a better life for his Ma and Uncle Ed. I also liked Lao Jian. He was sweet, but a part of me didn’t connect with him. There was one character that peek my interest and that was Breandan. He seemed like the perfect guy to take the lead role in the novel, but sadly, he died.

I wanted to like the novel, but after Breandan’s death, I lost interest in it. I liked Todd, but Lao Jian seemed un-relatable to me. What I did like about this novel was the historical parts. The way the Chinese were treated back then was horrible and sickening.

I recommend this novel to anyone who is into old western novels with a very unique young adult couple who would do anything to be together. You may like it. Give it a try.

Gives Light by Rose Christo

15810499Title:  Gives Light

Series:  Gives Light #1

Author:  Rose Christo

Genre:   YA

Length:  Novel (315 Pages)

Publisher:  Rose Christo (July 10th, 2012)

Heat Level:  None

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   “Skylar is my name, tragically.”

Sixteen-year-old Skylar is witty, empathetic, sensitive–and mute. Skylar hasn’t uttered a single word since his mother died eleven years ago, a senseless tragedy he’s grateful he doesn’t have to talk about.

When Skylar’s father mysteriously vanishes one summer afternoon, Skylar is placed in the temporary custody of his only remaining relative, an estranged grandmother living on an Indian reservation in the middle of arid Arizona.

Adapting to a brand new culture is the least of Skylar’s qualms. Because Skylar’s mother did not die a peaceful death. Skylar’s mother was murdered eleven years ago on the Nettlebush Reserve. And her murderer left behind a son.

And he is like nothing Skylar has ever known.

Product Link:  https://www.createspace.com/4005338

Reviewer:   John

Review:  Gives Light is a very touching story. This novel stars Skyler St. Clair, a half Native American boy who lost his mom when he was six. His mom was murdered at their home and he was attacked by her attacker that slit his throat, rendering him mute. I really liked this story, but it just wasn’t for me.

After Sky father’s disappears one day, he goes to the police and he’s put under the protection of his grandmother at a Native American Reserve. Skyler and his dad left the reserve many years ago after the murder of his mother. It is there where he meets Rafael, the son of his mom’s murderer and that’s where the story takes off.

I really liked this novel. I just don’t know why it didn’t appeal to me. The story was well written and planned out. It instantly pulls you into a very rich and cultural world. My respect goes to the Native Americans in the USA. Their culture is rich and very inspirational. Sadly, this novel was not for me. I did appreciate the culture portrayed in this novel though. It was really sweet and a learning experience.

I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a very detailed and cultural novel about friendship, love, family, and forgiveness.

 

 

 

The Year of Ice by Brian Malloy

147993Title:  The Year of Ice

Series:  None

Author:  Brian Malloy

Genre:   YA

Length:  Novel (272 Pages)

Publisher:  St. Martin’s Griffin (October 11th, 2003)

Heat Level:  None

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:   It is 1978 in the Twin Cities, and Kevin Doyle, a high school senior, is a marginal student in love with keggers, rock and roll, and–unbeknownst to anyone else–a boy in his class with thick eyelashes and a bad attitude. His mother Eileen died two years earlier when her car plunged into the icy waters of the Mississippi River, and since then Kevin’s relationship with his father Patrick has become increasingly distant. As lonely women vie for his father’s attention, Kevin discovers Patrick’s own closely guarded secret: he had planned to abandon his family for another woman. More disturbingly, his mother’s death may well have been a suicide, not an accident.

Complicating the family dynamic is the constant meddling of Kevin’s outspoken Aunt Nora–who will never forgive Patrick for Eileen’s death–along with Patrick’s inability to stay single for very long. His loyalties divided between his father and his aunt, between his internal reality and his public persona, Kevin is forced to accept his gay identity and reevaluate his notions of family, and love as painful truths emerge about both.

Product Link:  http://us.macmillan.com/theyearofice/BrianMalloy#buy-the-book

Reviewer:   John

Review:  I absolutely loved The Year of Ice. This novel starred Kevin, a secret closet case who was madly in love with Jon, a straight kid. I fell for Kevin instantly. He lost his mom at a very young age in a car accident and he was left under his dad protection. But as his senior year advances, Kevin becomes a young man and he begins to see his father under a new light.

Kevin, to me, was the bomb. He was the Alpha of his group and loved bossing Jon around just to have him close. In other words, he was simply trying to attract his attention. I also loved Aunt Nora. Yes, she was a little crazy, but she was real and I really liked her. I HATED Kevin’s dad. Yes, he took care of him, but as the story unfolded, we got to see the trash he truly was. Trust me, I was shocked that he was that kind of person because at first glance, he seemed so nice and the perfect dad. Maybe, he was the reason why I fell for Aunt Nora.

You have to read this novel. Kevin’s life was really interesting and entertaining. The one thing I didn’t like was that there were a few spelling errors and missing punctuations throughout the book. Maybe, that happened when they transformed the novel into an eBook format. Overall, this story is pretty awesome since it tells the story of a father and a son as they discover their paths in life.

The Last Blade by Beau Schemery

LastBlade[The]LGTitle: The Last Blade

Series: Verses of Vrelenden 02

Author: Beau Schemery

Genre: High Fantasy, Young Adult

Length: Super Novel (350pgs)

Publisher: Harmony Ink (Dreamspinner Press) (30th May 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Ren Mallorian is finally a hero. He helped Celestrian, the lost unicorn, complete his quest and he defeated the kingdom’s worst enemy, Grimthorn. Now Ren lives in the capital city doing odd quests for the king and his nobles—but he misses Celestrian.

One day the king summons Ren and the Prince of Toads, a noble who has taken the role of irreverent sidekick, and tasks them with assembling a team to combat an uprising in the Zombie Kingdom. On their journey across Vrelenden, they gather allies: Discimus, an accomplished wizard and a smug bastard (it’s a good thing he’s pretty). Jaron A-Dale, the captain of a city guard and an accomplished knight. Acorn, a tiny and mysterious elf girl. And an unexpected and extremely dangerous traveling companion.

But is there more to the Zombie threat and its newly raised army of the undead than meets the eye? Ren is having a tough time keeping his head straight, and with Ren and Dish distracted—both by their romance of convenience and the absence of the men they love—this may prove Ren’s most dangerous quest yet.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3830

Review: This book is part of a series and is best read in order. Ren is now the Kingdom’s Hero after his adventure with Celestrian. But, he misses Celestrian desperately, not knowing when he will see his True Love again. When the King summons Ren and the Prince of Toads (Ren’s adopted sidekick) to take up a Quest, they discover some truths about zombies. They leave to gather a Party that will help them to quell the uprising in the Zombie Kingdom. But collecting their Party is going to be hard, as they have side Quests to fulfill before their allies can join them.

Ahhh, God. I just love fantasy adventures that are filled with the familiar and the new, and that has just the right amount of humor to make an enjoyable story. Ren is back and he is the Kingdom’s Hero. Celestrian is never far from his thoughts, but not knowing when they will next be together has Ren seeking comfort, and he knows Celestrian would never begrudge him those brief moments. Setting off on a new Quest to save the Kingdom has Ren and the Prince seeking the best of the best to complete their party; Discimus, a great wizard, Jaron A-Dale, a mighty warrior and Acorn a great healer. They also pick up the unexpected and dangerous ally Setsuo. They face danger and sneak attacks, they have to help with side quests to get the aid they need and there is bickering, falling out and finally they have friendships developing.

I loved this story, although I was a bit wary at first because Ren and Celestrian are separated and a new man comes into Ren’s life. But as the story progresses you come to see that although Ren finds Quest love, no one will ever replace his True Love. and you just know that Celestrian isn’t sitting chastely waiting for Ren. The characters in this story are just brilliant. Ren has developed his Hero skills greatly, and the Prince is as incorrigible as ever with his drinking and women chasing ways. The new characters, Discimus, A-Dale, and Acorn all add something in their own way to this story. Discimus is vain, smug, and self-involved, but you get used to his abrasiveness. A-Dale is a mighty warrior who has a good heart and seeks justice for those who can’t protect themselves. and then we have Acorn, a young elf girl who repeatedly save the Party’s lives… she is sweet and gentle and just wants to be loved after being terrified by her own father.

This is an action-filled story where the hero’s risk their lives constantly. they meet fascinating characters and have some interesting twists with characters from the previous book The Unlikely Hero, both good and bad, popping up. The villages we visit are wonderful, along with the colorful characters that live there. And there are strong hints of admiration for other high fantasy stories. There are some great scenes where it is hard to stifle your laughter. When some of the party are pretending to be Zombie, it’s just brilliant. The story is brilliantly woven, taking us on adventures that are exciting and at times that need tact. They face death and danger, and an old foe and just want are they going to do if the baddies succeed in making a dragon into a zombie?    

I will recommend this to those who love high fantasy, young adult, fantastic characters, fleeting love, great adventure, danger and an ending that leaves you wondering what Ren will face next.