Hi guys! We have Mia Kerick stopping by today with her new re-release Love Spell, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant $10 NineStar GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Love Spell
by
Mia Kerick
Chance César is fabulously gay, but his gender identity—or, as he phrases it, “being stuck in the gray area between girl and boy”—remains confusing. Nonetheless, he struts his stuff on the catwalk in black patent leather pumps and a snug-in-all-the-right (wrong)-places orange tuxedo as the winner of this year’s Miss (ter) Harvest Moon Festival. He rules supreme at the local Beans and Greens Farm’s annual fall celebration, serenaded by the enthusiastic catcalls of his BFF, Emily Benson.
Although he refuses to visually fade into the background of his rural New Hampshire town, Chance is socially invisible—except when being tormented by familiar bullies. But sparks fly when Chance, Pumpkin Pageant Queen, meets Jasper (Jazz) Donahue, winner of the Pumpkin Carving King contest. Chance wants to be noticed and admired and romantically embraced by Jazz, in all of his neon-orange-haired glory.
And so at a sleepover, Chance and Emily conduct intense, late-night research, and find an online article: “Ten Scientifically Proven Ways to Make a Man Fall in Love With You.” Along with a bonus love spell thrown in for good measure, it becomes the basis of their strategy to capture Jazz’s heart.
But will this “no-fail” plan work? Can Chance and Jazz fall under the fickle spell of love?
Hi guys! We have Mia Kerick stopping by today with the cover for her upcoming re-release Love Spell, we have a brilliant $5 Amazon GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Love Spell
by
Mia Kerick
Having come to terms with being gay, Chance César is still uneasy with his gender identity, or, as he phrases it, “being stuck in the gray area between girl and boy.” This concern, however, doesn’t stop him from strutting his fabulous stuff on the catwalk in black patent leather pumps and a snug-in-all-the-right (wrong)-places orange tuxedo as the winner of this year’s Miss (ter) Harvest Moon Festival at the local Beans and Greens Farm’s annual fall celebration, serenaded by the enthusiastic catcalls of his BFF, Emily Benson. Although he refuses to visually fade into the background of his rural New Hampshire town, Chance is socially invisible—except when being tormented or beat up by familiar bullies. But when Chance, the Harvest Moon Festival’s mockingly-elected Pumpkin Pageant Queen, meets Jasper Donahue (Jazz), the legitimate winner of the Pumpkin Carving King contest, sparks fly. Chance wants to be noticed and admired and romantically embraced by Jazz, in all of his neon orange-haired glory.
And so at a sleepover, Chance and Emily conduct intense research on their laptop computers, and come up with an article in an online women’s magazine called “Ten Scientifically Proven Ways to Make a Man Fall in Love with You.” Along with a bonus love spell thrown in for good measure, it becomes the basis of their strategy to capture Jazz’s heart.
Quirky, comical, definitely “sickening” (this is a good thing), and with an inner core of poignancy, Love Spell celebrates the diversity of a gender-fluid teen.
Release date: 27th August 2018
Pre-orders available on 24th August 2018: NineStar Press
About Mia!
Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—a daughter in law school, another in dance school, a third studying at Mia’s alma mater, Boston College, and her lone son still in high school. She writes LGBTQ romance when not editing National Honor Society essays, offering opinions on college and law school applications, helping to create dance bios, and reviewing English papers. Her husband of twenty-four years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about this, as it is a sensitive subject.
Mia focuses her stories on emotional growth in turbulent relationships. As she has a great affinity for the tortured hero, there is, at minimum, one in each book. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with tales of said tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to Dreamspinner Press and Harmony Ink Press for providing alternate places to stash her stories.
Her books have won a Best YA Lesbian Rainbow Award, a Reader Views’ Book by Book Publicity Literary Award, the Jack Eadon Award for Best Book in Contemporary Drama, an Indie Fab Award, and a Royal Dragonfly Award for Cultural Diversity, among other awards.
Mia is a Progressive, a little bit too obsessed by politics, and cheers for each and every victory in the name of human rights. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.
Contact Mia at miakerick@gmail.com. Visit herwebsitefor updates on what is going on in Mia’s world, rants, music, parties, and pictures, and maybe even a little bit of inspiration.
Hi guys, we have Kate Evangelista popping in today with her new release No Holding Back, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
No Holding Back
(Dodge Cove 02)
by
Kate Evangelista
A romantic European vacation is the perfect excuse to let go in this highly anticipated sequel to No Love Allowed by Kate Evangelista.
Everyone knows that Nathan is in love with his best friend, Preston…Everyone except Preston. Nathan has always accepted that Preston was too focused on his swim training to worry about love. But Preston is heading off to train for the Olympics soon, so if Nathan wants his chance at love, he has to speak up now. But saying “I love you” is surprisingly difficult, even for someone as confident as Nathan. Maybe a whirlwind vacation in Europe could help? But… what if it doesn’t work out and he loses the best friend he’s ever had?
Hi guys, we have Ryan Loveless popping in today with her upcoming YA release Ethan, we have a brilliant guest post from Ryan and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Ethan
by
Ryan Loveless
Carter Stevenson is looking forward to a fresh start in a new high school on the other side of the country. It’ll give him a chance to escape his reputation for twitching and stuttering. He’ll have the summer to himself in his new home in California, and in the fall, he won’t get involved in any activity that puts his Tourette’s center stage. He won’t stand out as different.
But his new neighbor, Ethan, isn’t just going to change his plans. He’s going to change Carter’s life.
Ethan Hart is recovering from a traumatic brain injury, but it doesn’t dampen his enthusiasm or love for life. As soon as he sees Carter, who moves like the music Ethan sees between the clouds and the grass, he’s determined to become his friend, and then his boyfriend. And even if his parents say their romance can’t get physical, Ethan won’t let it stand in the way of falling in love.
Stepping into the spotlight was the last thing Carter ever wanted, but Ethan, along with a group of friends who like him just the way he is—tics and all—starts to change his mind.
Adapted as a YA edition of the award-winning novel Ethan, Who Loved Carter by Ryan Loveless.
Hi guys we have j. leigh Bailey stopping by today with her upcoming Y/A release Do-Gooder, we have a fantastic guest post where j. leigh chats about the setting of Do-Gooder, we have a great excerpt and there’s also a chance to win a fabulous giveaway, so guys check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Do-Gooder
by
j. leigh bailey
No good deed goes unpunished, and for seventeen-year-old Isaiah Martin, that’s certainly the case. The gun he was caught with wasn’t even his, for God’s sake. He only had it to keep a friend from doing something stupid. No one wants to hear it, though, and Isaiah is banished—or so it seems to him—to live with his missionary father in politically conflicted Cameroon, Africa.
However, when he arrives, his father is so busy doing his good deeds that he sends Henry, the young, surprisingly hot do-gooder with a mysterious past, to pick up Isaiah and keep him out of trouble. Even while Isaiah is counting down the days until he can go home, he and Henry get caught in the political unrest of the region. Kidnapped by militant forces, the two have to work together to survive until they are rescued—unless they manage to find a way to save each other first.
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press, Dreamspinner Press (7 April 2013)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: There is no Plan B.
After being outed in an especially brutal way and briefly running away from home, Micah Johnson has sworn to get his life back on the straight and narrow. Well, not so much straight, but you know what he means.
Unfortunately the path to redemption is not an easy one. With fights at school and on the football field and an all-round snarky attitude as his number one defense mechanism, will Micah survive the school year and the training camps to achieve his dream of making the national draft and becoming a professional AFL player?
His mentor, Declan Tyler, believes in him, but Micah wishes he had the same confidence in himself. Only time will tell if the ongoing reformation of Micah Johnson will be successful.
Review:The Ongoing Reformation of Micah Johnson is an awesome book. I’m just going to state that fact outright. I will admit that part of the attraction of reading Sean Kennedy is that I love reading Australian authors, yet at the same time I also love his writing style. It is just so easy on the eye and easy on the brain to process.
Not only that, for me this book was refreshing because normally when I read sport/young adult MM novels, it’s sports that are generally not on my radar – i.e. gridiron, rowing and ice hockey, although I love those books too. Here we are in the world of Aussie Rules, AFL, football and I at least am familiar with the rules!
Although to be honest, I don’t like or follow AFL, does that mean my citizenship gets revoked?!
Anyway, before getting to the actual story, I think I will give a few warnings as there are themes here that are definitely not to the liking of everyone. 1) As I said, this one involves sports, 2) it is a young adult story, so no heavy sex, and 3) something which I know is important to a lot of people, this is not really a romance story, although there is the slightest hint of one.
However, none of this mattered to me in what shaped up to be a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The book is narrated by titular character, Micah Johnson. He’s a young guy – around 17/18 years old – who is basically trying to grow into his own skin. He had a difficult time coming out, as mentioned in the blurb. In his own words he is a reformed arsehole, though let’s face it. He’s still a bit of a sarcastic arse with a twisted sense of humour which I totally love and totally relate to.
Though things are looking up for him, he’s still having some issues at home and at school. But he has great parents and a cheeky younger brother, as well as some friends at school which include a straight guy, a lesbian and the new chick in school who happens to be bisexual. However, with life moving ahead – school finishing up and attending AFL draft camp (it’s here that there is a hint of romance on Micah’s horizon), things are busy and it’s up to Micah to stay reformed.
Readers and lovers of Sean Kennedy’s books Tigers and Devils and Tigerland may be excited to see the appearance of Dec and Simon who had previously battled the fickle world of AFL and being openly gay (seriously, something that the AFL really needs in real life!). Dec especially is there filling the role as mentor to Micah, as he prepares and works towards being drafted for the upcoming AFL season.
There is one bit that will only be funny to Australians and that’s one part where Micah is watching Family Feud on TV and he makes mention of the host’s small stature, something that is pretty common when it comes to Grant Denyer over here. I have been laughing for over an hour over the line:
“…“Excuse you, but I need to know the seven things one hundred Australians think are smaller than Grant Denyer. It’s a tough round.”…”
This is a really fun and uplifting book. Micah meets a number of interesting people along the way as we see him develop into a man through the course of the book. Do I see hints of an upcoming sequel at the end of the book? I sure hope so. I’ll glad go back into Micah’s world and see how things go for him professionally and personally and perhaps even romantically!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press, Dreamspinner Press (7 April 2013)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: There is no Plan B.
After being outed in an especially brutal way and briefly running away from home, Micah Johnson has sworn to get his life back on the straight and narrow. Well, not so much straight, but you know what he means.
Unfortunately the path to redemption is not an easy one. With fights at school and on the football field and an all-round snarky attitude as his number one defense mechanism, will Micah survive the school year and the training camps to achieve his dream of making the national draft and becoming a professional AFL player?
His mentor, Declan Tyler, believes in him, but Micah wishes he had the same confidence in himself. Only time will tell if the ongoing reformation of Micah Johnson will be successful.
Review:The Ongoing Reformation of Micah Johnson is an awesome book. I’m just going to state that fact outright. I will admit that part of the attraction of reading Sean Kennedy is that I love reading Australian authors, yet at the same time I also love his writing style. It is just so easy on the eye and easy on the brain to process.
Not only that, for me this book was refreshing because normally when I read sport/young adult MM novels, it’s sports that are generally not on my radar – i.e. gridiron, rowing and ice hockey, although I love those books too. Here we are in the world of Aussie Rules, AFL, football and I at least am familiar with the rules!
Although to be honest, I don’t like or follow AFL, does that mean my citizenship gets revoked?!
Anyway, before getting to the actual story, I think I will give a few warnings as there are themes here that are definitely not to the liking of everyone. 1) As I said, this one involves sports, 2) it is a young adult story, so no heavy sex, and 3) something which I know is important to a lot of people, this is not really a romance story, although there is the slightest hint of one.
However, none of this mattered to me in what shaped up to be a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The book is narrated by titular character, Micah Johnson. He’s a young guy – around 17/18 years old – who is basically trying to grow into his own skin. He had a difficult time coming out, as mentioned in the blurb. In his own words he is a reformed arsehole, though let’s face it. He’s still a bit of a sarcastic arse with a twisted sense of humour which I totally love and totally relate to.
Though things are looking up for him, he’s still having some issues at home and at school. But he has great parents and a cheeky younger brother, as well as some friends at school which include a straight guy, a lesbian and the new chick in school who happens to be bisexual. However, with life moving ahead – school finishing up and attending AFL draft camp (it’s here that there is a hint of romance on Micah’s horizon), things are busy and it’s up to Micah to stay reformed.
Readers and lovers of Sean Kennedy’s books Tigers and Devils and Tigerland may be excited to see the appearance of Dec and Simon who had previously battled the fickle world of AFL and being openly gay (seriously, something that the AFL really needs in real life!). Dec especially is there, filling the role as mentor to Micah as he prepares and works towards being drafted for the upcoming AFL season.
This is a really fun and uplifting book. Micah meets a number of interesting people along the way as we see him develop into a man through the course of the book. Do I see hints of an upcoming sequel at the end of the book? I sure hope so, I’ll glad go back into Micah’s world and see how things go for him professionally and personally and perhaps even romantically!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi guys, we have Phil Marcello visiting to show off the cover to his upcoming debut release Finding Shawn, we also have a great excerpt for you to check out so admire that cover and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Finding Shawn
(Dangerous Lives of High School Athletes 01)
by
Phil Marcello
Shawn and Alex have been friends since first grade.
Alex, the rock star quarterback, appears to be basking in the limelight of his success and his new romance with Pam. But appearances can be deceiving.
Shawn is the key man in the football team’s solid defense. He’s also the senior class’ most eligible bachelor. But Shawn has no time to get involved with a girl—at least, that’s what he tells his friends.
In reality, he does have a love interest… Tony Valito.
Side-by-side, the relationships between the two couples blossom. One in the open. The other in secret. That is, until Shawn’s world erupts when the rumor that he’s gay gathers momentum.
In trying to find Shawn, perhaps his friends will end up finding themselves. And everyone will discover how dangerous are the lives of high school athletes.
Title: Ball Caps and Khakis Series: Deep Secrets and Hope, #6 Author: Jo Ramsey Genre: Contemporary Length: 180 pages Publisher: Queer-Spectrum, Harmony Ink Press (February 25, 2016) Heat Level: None Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts Blurb: Man-Shik “Manny” Park, grandson of strict Korean immigrants, is trying to protect his friend Jim Frankel from bullies who don’t think Jim should be allowed to live in Ludington, Michigan, let alone have any friends. Manny is determined to stand by Jim, even if Jim isn’t willing to defend himself.
But Jim’s problems aren’t the only ones facing Manny. Against his parents’ wishes, Manny yearns to be an artist. He’s also more attracted to guys than girls, and he’s asexual. Only Jim knows these secrets, and Manny knows a few of Jim’s too.
Bonded by their shared confidences, Manny supports Jim after he’s accused of sending explicit Facebook messages to middle school girls, including Manny’s sister. While Manny sets out to prove Jim’s innocence, things go from bad to worse. Soon after the incident, Manny and Jim receive intimidating messages, and Jim is put in danger.
To help his friend, Manny risks everything to try to learn who’s behind the threats and why they want to destroy Jim’s life.
Review: I have only read one book by this author and I have to say that Jo does know how to put a story together. However when I saw the title to this I thought the story would go in another direction.
That is until I saw the blurb and wasn’t really sure what to think. It is a very touching story and talks about friendship. However I am not really sure what to think other than that. I am never one for books with teenagers so I wished I had taken another look at it.
Jim had been dating two girls at one time and had been having sexual relations with them. Then they both turned on him and said that he had raped them. He spent time in a teen’s correctional center but he had always blamed himself. He had not been the great guy, but he never thought he would get time for rape.
So when he moved away he decided to stay away from everyone. However Manny refused to let him do that. He had one friend in town and maybe three others who trusted him. Then a girl in town decided to get him in trouble, and messages were showing up. He really needed someone to stand by him.
Manny was a great kid who didn’t let anyone talk shit about others. He had made the choice to be friends with Jim, even when Jim pushed him away. He knew Jim had not done anything towards the girls. And that they had a witness to the fact that he had not. Also he knew Jim hadn’t posted those notes, seems whoever did had no clue you could find the truth. It seems Jim has found a true friend.
It was well written and fully developed, although when I started reading I realized that I had no clue what happened in the beginning so I was a bit lost. It was told with a serious tone and very little humor in it which was another part that didn’t work for me. I will admit that it is a great story but was not for me. I don’t much care for stories with teens so I don’t really have much to say on it.
However like I said it is a really good story with a great story line and plot. The author rocked it perfectly.
It is a very touching story and I would recommend it.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Finding the Sky Series: N/A Author: A.M. Burns Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Length: 180 pages Publisher: Harmony Ink Press, Dreamspinner Press (February 11th, 2016) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: For the entire school year, Dillon Smith has resisted the gang trying to coerce him into joining, and he can’t wait to escape them for the summer. Before he manages, he gets mixed up in a convenience store robbery. Due to Dillon’s late father’s involvement with the gang, no one believes Dillon was only in that store as a customer. Even his mother doubts him, so she sends him to his Uncle Bryan’s home in the country.
On the way Dylan and Bryan discover an injured hawk on the road, and they take the bird to a group of wildlife rehabbers in the area. While helping to care for the hawk, Dillon begins to see the world in new and different ways.
He even finds love with the rehabbers’ son, Scott, but the gang doesn’t plan to let Dillon get away from them without a fight.
Review: Being in the wrong place at the wrong time seems to be an unfortunate situation for Dillon Smith. He was excited for the school year to end but when a mishap comes to be at a convenient store, his mother sends him to live with her brother in the countryside.
Out in the country, Dillon meets Scott, a boy who has some things figured out and has the charm to keep Dillon from looking back.
But when an unforeseen circumstance comes to Dillon’s mother, life gets rough and complicated for Dillon.
Scott remains nearby as a comforting shoulder but could there be more? Will something come between Scott and Dillon?
Or bring them closer together? * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi guys we have Naomi MacKenzie stopping by today with her debut novel Lodestones, we chatted briefly with Naomi, we have a great excerpt and there’s a brilliant giveaway so guys enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Lodestones
by
Naomi MacKenzie
On the eve of a new school year, several groups of college students cross paths as they seek out a secret end-of-summer lake party—including Robin and Charlie, two inseparable friends who discover of the course of the twenty-four hours that their relationship is something much deeper than simple friendship.
Hiya guys, we have Mia Kerick stopping by with the tour for her newest young adult release A Hard Day’s Night, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
A Hard Day’s Night
by
Mia Kerick
High school senior Kalin (Lennon) Macready knows several facts for certain: John Lennon is his hero. Beaumont Finley Danforth II (Fin) is his best friend. And—this is the complicated one—he feels more for Fin than mere friendship.
For weeks, Lennon pesters Fin, who like Lennon admits to questioning his sexual orientation, for a commitment to spend twenty-four hours together exploring “the gay side of life.” Fin reluctantly agrees. Each boy will seek to answer the daunting question, Am I gay? Lennon pre-plans the day, filling the hours with what he assumes “gay life” is all about: shopping for fashionable clothing, indulging in lavish dessert crepes, boogying to Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off”, and yes, listening to show tunes.
However, Lennon quickly realizes that in creating his plan he has succumbed to the most common and distorted of gay stereotypes. Can he be gay and not fit them? And more importantly, is it possible that spending one very hard day and night together will help Fin accept that he’s gay, too? If so, maybe Lennon has a shot at winning the heart of the boy of his dreams.
“A Hard Day’s Night” is an amusing young adult contemporary romance about two boys who seek to discover if they must fulfill stereotypes to be together.
Title: On the Right Track Series: Vocal Growth, #1 Author: Sam Kadence Narrator: Michael Stellman Genre: Young Adult Length: 5 hours and 59 minutes Publisher: Harmony Ink, Dreamspinner Press (10-29-2014) Heat Level: Mild Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: Ryunoski “Ru” Nakimura knows all about the trappings of fame. Expelled from a boy band for coming out as gay, he still wants to continue his career in music. Too bad his ex finds nothing better to do than exploit their relationship in the press, so Ru leaves California behind to lie low in Minnesota for a while.
Adam Corbin attends a Minnesota high school and wants to coast through as a typical student. He’s friends with an openly gay student, Bas Axelrod, but while Adam plays football, he also stays away from much socializing. Blending in and not outing himself has been easy because he’s never really been seriously interested in any of the guys he’s encountered.
When Adam meets Ru in a library, Adam begins to think he’s found that special young man who might make it worthwhile to just be himself. And for Ru, Adam looks like someone he might trade his fame for, if they could be together. Ru and Adam will both come to realize that courage and love must go hand in hand if they are to have a future.
Review: Seventeen year old Ru Nakimura has few people in his young life he can trust. His mother is an absentee parent in every way, unless she needs money. His father who lived and breathed turning Ru into the best musician he could be, walked out and abandoned Ru at just thirteen when Ru confided in his father he liked boys instead of girls. Recently outed by his fame hungry ex-boyfriend and subsequently kicked out of his band for refusing to go back into the closet, the only person he can rely on is his best friend and former band mate, Tommy.
Sixteen year old Adam Corbin has coasted through life virtually unscathed. He’s not a jock, or a brain, or emo, he is just Adam. Until the afternoon he sees the intriguing young man with black hair and beautiful eyes in the library, Adam never really realized he was gay because he never put much thought into it.
His mission in life is has to been to make as small an impression as possible, coast under the radar, it’s safer that way. These two young men that have gone out of their way to be invisible, start to shine and glow once they meet each other. Adam is participating more in school, he is more confident and secure in his own skin now that he has Ru in his life.
But being a gay rock star in the world today doesn’t come without its pitfalls. Ru has to go out-of-town a lot for appearances and shows, which is hard for Adam to deal with at times. And then the mixture of a power-hungry, former band mate of Ru’s and a deeply closeted former friend of Adams, becomes dangerous and volatile. Adam and Ru will have to grow up way too fast and sacrifice part of their youth on their journey to happiness.
This just might be the best contemporary gay YA story I’ve ever listened to. For starters, it was rich with content, for just over five hours it felt more like I’d been listening for days I got so much content. The characters were perfectly penned for their ages, the situations they faced, the decisions they had to make included some immaturity arising occasionally and played out perfectly.
Adam is very young a little bit naïve, his parents have been kindly strict. He has a curfew and rules and consequences, and most important, he is not allowed on social media. This placed him inside almost a protective barrier, so his reaction to things that happened in the story was so innocent and natural.
Ru is almost polar opposite. For someone only seventeen years of age, he has experienced more pain and disappointment than some grown ass men. His father shaped and molded him into the best musician he could be and then in one night’s time, walked out of Ru’s life forever rather than raise a gay son. His ex-bandmate is so insanely jealous of Ru, his talent and his accomplishments. So much so, that he makes it his life mission to make Ru’s a living hell. Including getting Ru’s ex to out him publically, but he crosses a line when he goes after Adam.
And while I loved everything about this story from start to finish, I think that the conversation at the breakfast table when Adam told his mom he was gay and she just reinforced her unconditional love, barely blinking, was the best thing about this story. Parents of LGBTQ young adults and teenagers should have to spend a day with Adam’s mother, so she can teach them how to react to your child telling you he is gay. There is no reaction! You love them without strings, the way god intended it to be when he loaned you that precious soul to raise.
As I said before, there is a lot of content. Life, love, bullying, brief thoughts of suicide, friendship and tolerance. The balance between the hate, anger and abuse of some people that surround Ru and Adam is perfectly balanced with love, understanding and support from the people in their life that truly matter. Definitely an age appropriate story about two young men that find each other in the strangest place, fall in love, and fight ignorance and intolerance in order to be together. But the story is so well written I think it will appeal to listeners of all ages.
Narrated by Michael Stellman who was able to immerse himself into the various characters of the story easily, changing tones and nuances from the start to match the way the different characters were written. I could hear the innocence Adam carried in the way Stellman told his story, and while Ru was wiser in the ways of the world, he is only seventeen, and Stellman captured that worldly smart but sometimes confused characterization.
I cannot wait for the sequel, Unicorns and Rainbow Poop, to become available on Audible. Bass was such an eccentric character. I can’t wait to listen to his story.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Caught in the Middle Series: Caught in the Act 02 Author: Robbie Michaels Genre: Contemporary Length: Novel (180 pages) Publisher: Harmony Ink. Dreamspinner Press LLC (May 28th 2015) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts Blurb: After a rocky start to the school year, Ben and Adam are getting their feet on solid ground, despite a lot of obstacles. Amelia, Ben’s former girlfriend, isn’t willing to let Ben go so easily.
At Christmas, Amelia delivers a bombshell that keeps Adam and Ben apart over the holiday. When Adam returns from seeing his family, Ben, who avoids conflict at all cost, will not talk to him.
Adam figures out Amelia’s scheme, and when he confronts her, she retaliates by arranging an ambush in the school parking lot one night.
Ben is horrified when he sees Adam lying battered in the hospital. Adam is more than physically broken. His spirit is wounded, and he sees only the negative, the struggle ahead, and Ben’s betrayal. Healing, both in body and mind, is a long arduous road.
It’s up to Ben to convince Adam that there is still good in life and that he’ll be there to help Adam every step of the way. If Adam will let him.
Review: This is part of a series. This book picks up where Caught in the Act left off, so I suggest you read them in order.
Warning: Tissues will be needed.
In the first book, I really didn’t like Ben. In this book, I came to hate him. I understood they were kids, but both Adam and Ben are living in men’s roles, especially Ben.
Since Ben has been helping his mom run the farm, I expected him to be the more grown-up of the two. Instead, the spoiled city boy was more of a man than him.
I really felt sorry for Adam after the betrayal and though I should have seen it coming especially since it is in the blurb I didn’t see the attack being so bad until it happened.
This is a very good story. There is a lot of angst and heartache. I loved Adam being so strong and fighting for what he wanted. I will say it pushed my limits on believability with Adam practically fending for himself though his dad is in the picture he is usually in the city, hours away.
The crime on Adam was very fierce and being a hate crime you would have thought more would have been done… but it is fiction and it did serve its purpose well in the story. It brought Ben back to his senses.
Caught in the middle is a beautiful story of love, heartache, and growth.
If you like young adult stories, angst, drama and, young love this is for you.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: For a Price Series: N/A Author: Hallie Burton Genre: Young Adult Romance Length: Novel (180 pages) Publisher: Harmony Ink Press, Dreamspinner Press (May 29th 2014) Heat Level: Mild Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts Blurb: At seventeen, Charles “Trey” Maddox Taft III has had better years. His father ran off with a younger woman and with no alimony or child support, his family has to move from affluent Coconut Grove to a rough neighborhood near Miami’s Little Havana. It’s a completely different world, but Trey is determined to make the best of a bad situation, if only no one finds out he’s gay.
On Trey’s first day in his new territory, he’s saved from being run over by local bad boy Bobby Cruz. Bobby is an unabashedly gay, sexually active high school senior who’s tired of one-night stands. After meeting preppie Trey, Bobby decides to try something new.
Things go well at first, but being in a relationship is tricky and might take more work than either wants to do.
Review: Trey Taft, his mom and his sister are fresh off a messy divorce and having to downsize their lives considerably. Moving to a poorer neighborhood and losing all the amenities he’s used to having won’t bring Trey down though. He is determined to make friends and make the best of a bad situation. He’s out walking around his new neighborhood when he meets bad boy Bobby.
Bobby Cruz is a loner of sorts, sleeping his way around Little Havana and making sure his friends don’t get rundown. When he first meets Trey he’s kind of shocked. The kid is sort of adorkable with his pants that miss the ground by a few too many inches, shiny shoes and neon green polo shirt.
Trey is definitely the nerd type, so everything about him clashes with Bobby’s torn jeans, beat up cons and leather jacket. Regardless, sparks fly and soon the two are making out on rooftops and spending every waking moment when they aren’t at school or work together.
Inexperience and youth are working against them beating the odds and finding a way to stay together though. Bobby is Trey’s first real crush, his first real boyfriend. And Trey quickly shows to be the jealous type. Still, they both give it all they’ve got until Trey is handed the opportunity to kiss another guy on a silver platter. Can Bobby overlook one small lapse in judgement? Or will he walk away from Trey and chalk the relationship up to simple infatuation?
I really enjoyed the relationship that Bobby and Trey had throughout the book. They were smitten from the start, but they became friends and got to know each other as well. Through the entire book they were continuing to learn more about each other and grow, sure they both made some mistakes, but there was still growth and learning.
Sadly, the constant dialogue in the story and jumping around through multiple characters confused me sometimes, and it was so busy with little descriptives and so much dialogue that it hindered my enjoyment of the story several times.
This was just an okay read for me, but I will say again I loved the two ML and how their stories developed from start to finish. The book is definitely age appropriate for teen and YA LGBT youth to read and enjoy as well.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Title: Wild Summer Series: a novella in the Love Story Universe; a follow-up to This is Not a Love Story Author: Suki Fleet Genre: Young Adult Length: Novella (138 pages) Publisher: Harmony Ink Press, Dreamspinner Press (October 23rd 2014) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Blurb: This is Crash’s Story.
At fifteen, Christopher falls in love with a boy whose life he saves. But things go wrong and four years later, he wishes he’d acted differently. His conscience begins to haunt him and he knows he must find Summer again.
At seventeen, Summer pushes away the boy who saved him. Four years later, he is stuck in an abusive, damaging relationship. When he sees Christopher again, it’s a sign he can’t go on living like he is, but he can’t begin to see a way out.
For either boy to stand a chance at happiness, they must find each other and obliterate the wrongs of their shared past.
Review:While this book can be read as a standalone, you would have a better understanding of Crash and his circumstance if you read ‘This is Not a Love Story’ first.
Crash is sixteen, deaf and alone in such a great big world. When a blue haired boy steals his bag with everything he owns in it, Crash follows and winds up saving the guys life. Over the next twenty-four hours, they talk and get to know each other, on an intimate level, while trying to get Crash’s stuff back. When they get in over their heads, Crash is scared and confused and does nothing to help Summer, and then he pushes Crash away.
Four years later, fate brings them back into each other’s lives, but Crash is too scared to pursue the guy he’s loved since that fateful day four years ago. With a gentle shove from his foster mom and his friends, Julian and Romeo, he takes a leap of faith and goes to find his Wild Summer.
This was just a fast, not always fun, but definitely passionate read. Christopher, named Crash by Summer when he saved him and they crashed to the ground, goes from a scared and confused teenager to a strong and loving young man in the time he and Summer are apart. While Summer has possibly suffered at the hands of his abusive lover most of that time, he still has this wild spirit to him that Crash fell in love with all those years ago.
The overall flow was steady and engaging as the story went back and forth between past and present from Crash’s POV. I was never confused though, and while there is darkness in this story, the passion and cohesion of the story definitely outshone that darkness.
If you are looking for a short read that will keep you glued to the pages, needing to know where the characters will wind up in the end, and then grab a copy of this amazing story today!
Again, it’s a standalone, but I’m happy I read ‘This is Not a Love Story’ first because that novella introduced Crash and gave you a lot of his back story.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Series: No Letting Go Author: Danni Keane Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Length: Novella (159 pages) ISBN: 9781632167255 Publisher: Harmony Ink Press, Dreamspinner Press (February 5, 2015) Heat Level: Moderate Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.5 Hearts Reviewer: Zane Blurb: Still reeling from his father’s death and stuck in a job he hates, the only moments of happiness in Josh Roberts’ life are those he spends with his boyfriend, Bradley. The boys are inseparable, and when they lose their virginity together, Josh feels closer to Bradley than he ever imagined.
But Josh’s mum, proud of her son and his biggest supporter, expects Josh to go to university after his year off. He doesn’t want to disappoint her by telling her he’s changed his mind, and he struggles to find a solution.
When Bradley moves in with Josh and his mum, Josh truly believes life can be perfect again. But before long, their still-fragile feelings of connection and intimacy are tested when Bradley becomes secretive and distant. Anxious and confused, Josh is desperate to find out why Bradley is rejecting his affections. Bradley finally opens up, but what he reveals will change every aspect of their young love and quite possibly the rest of their lives.
Review: “No Big Deal” is the latest in the series “Not Letting Go”. Though you don’t need to read the first two short stories (Sunshineand Buttercups, Not Letting Go), I’d suggest you do so in order to get a better understanding of Joshua and Bradley, whom I don’t always like, but I absolutely adore.
Author Danni Keane has given a true portrayal of young love, not hesitating to show the flaws of selfishness and self-centeredness, which we know, is so prevalent in those years. The very same characters that come across as cocky and know-it-all still manage to show innocence and vulnerability, often in the same scene.
Though the things these young lovers have to deal with are gravely serious and would be hardships at any age, to say they don’t handle them well would be somewhat of an understatement. While there were quite a few moments that I wanted to wring their necks, I never stopped rooting for them. One of the things that I love and don’t always find in a young adult novella – Joshy and Bradley are painfully and honestly written. Kudos to Ms. Keane for this accomplishment and for having written what is one of the most realistic ‘first time sex’ scenes I have ever read.
Whether it’s the sweet mush of Right Hand Red or the wacky British humor of The Lord of Twink’s Bottom, I absolutely love reading this author. She writes sadness and pain in such a way that it brings tears to your eyes but not horrible angst to your heart. Her refreshing portrayal of young adults hits me in all the ‘feels’ every time.
Danni Keane has become an auto buy for me; I happily recommend this (as well as the other two reads I mentioned) in the hopes that she becomes an auto-buy for you as well.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through www.mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com **
Title: Maps Series: N/A Author: Nash Summers Genre: Young Adult/ Gay for You Length: Novella (71 Pages) Publisher: Nash Summers (January 12th, 2015) Heat Level: Low Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts Reviewer: Aerin Blurb: If Maps ruled the world, his best pal Benji would be court jester, and every day would celebrate a new experiment.
No, scratch that.
If Maps ruled the world, his best pal would still be living next door, and there wouldn’t be any gap-toothed new guy staring at him as if he’s bonkers.
Review: This is a fantastic book! I liked this author’s previous books a lot, but this…I absolutely loved!!! In fact, I still feel all gooey inside, all soft and bubbling with happiness; when a writer is capable of writing a book that affects me this way, I’m a forever fan.
This is a YA story and there’s no sex involved so if you’re looking for something steamier, you’re in the wrong place. That being said, this book is still worth reading, if only for a chance to meet these adorable and quirky characters.
Maps is a 16-year-old boy who’s being overly dramatic because his best friend Benji is moving away…..a block away. I adore Maps. he’s such a hilarious character! I started laughing at the first paragraph and I pretty much continued until right before the last one….because that one put this stupid smile on my face that doesn’t seem like it will go anywhere for a while.
Maps is geeky, smart, funny, sarcastic, overly dramatic, self-centered, and socially inapt; all those characteristics shouldn’t work together, right? Well they do and the end result is a character that’s going to stay with me for a long time.
Lane is Maps’ new neighbor, and he’s the polar opposite of Maps. Lane is a jock; he’s big and tall, manly, kind and not quite so smart. Lane and Maps become good friends but there’s this chemistry, this intensity between them that I felt every time these two were around each other. They’re both young and while Lane knows he’s straight, Maps is just now discovering his sexuality. The attraction Maps feels towards Lane doesn’t go unnoticed by anyone, including
Maps’ parents and his best friend Benji. Their acceptance and support was incredibly heartwarming. But Maps is unlike anyone Lane has ever met and he can’t help but be drawn to him. So, Lane likes girls…and Maps.
This isn’t one of those in-your-face love stories, it’s subtle and sneaky and it packs a serious punch, I’m still reeling from it. And that “ending” was so perfect…because it’s not really an ending, at least that’s not the way I look at it.
“Be mine, even just for a little while.”
I hope we see more of Maps and Lane, because I believe their story is just beginning.
I recommend this book to everyone, whether you like YA or not, I guarantee you’ll love it!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Hi guys, we have Christopher Koehler stopping by with his lastest release POZ, Christopher talks to us about what inspired POZ and I’ve nicked an excerpt from Dreamspinner Press for you to check out 🙂 , there’s a great giveaway and we have Prime’s review for you to enjoy. So enjoy the post then click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
POZ
(The Lives of Remy and Michael 01)
by
Christopher Koehler
Remy Babcock and Mikey Castelreigh are stalwart members of the Capital City Rowing Club’s junior crew, pulling their hardest to earn scholarships to rowing powerhouses like California Pacific. Just a couple of all-American boys, they face the usual pressures of life in an academic hothouse and playing a varsity sport. Add to that the stifling confines of the closet, and sometimes life isn’t always easy, even in the golden bubble of their accepting community. Because Remy and Mikey have a secret: they’re both gay. While Mikey has never hidden it, Remy is a parka and a pair of mittens away from Narnia.
Mikey has always been open about wanting more than friendship, but Remy is as uncomfortable in his own skin as he is a demon on the water. After their signals cross, and a man mistakes Remy for a college student, Remy takes the plunge and hooks up with him. After a furious Mikey cuts Remy off, Remy falls to the pressure of teenage life, wanting to be more and needing it now. In his innocence and naiveté, Remy makes mistakes that have life-long consequences. When Remy falls in the midst of the most important regatta of his life, he can only hope Mikey will be there to catch him when he needs it most.
Hi guys we have new author Leona Windwalker visiting us today with her first release Sol’s Solstice, we have a great excerpt and there’s a fantastic giveaway where two lucky winners will get their very own copy of Sol’s Solstice. So check out the post and leave a comment to enter the giveaway! <3 ~Pixie~
Sol’s Solstice
(New Beginnings 01)
by
Leona Windwwalker
Sol is used to flying under his family’s radar, unless focusing unwanted attention away from his more outgoing, older twin. The day comes when he pays a steep price for attempting to shield his brother. Running for his life, he is nearly run down by a car driven by Seth. Can Seth help Sol find his way back from the darkness?
Hi guys! We have Mia Kerick stopping by today with her new re-release Love Spell, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant $10 NineStar GC giveaway so check out the post and enter the giveaway! ❤ ~Pixie~
Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—a daughter in law school, another in dance school, a third studying at Mia’s alma mater, Boston College, and her lone son still in high school. She writes LGBTQ romance when not editing National Honor Society essays, offering opinions on college and law school applications, helping to create dance bios, and reviewing English papers. Her husband of twenty-four years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about this, as it is a sensitive subject.
![OngoingReformationofMicahJohnson[The]LG](https://mmgoodbookreviews.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/ongoingreformationofmicahjohnsonthelg.jpg?w=300)
Title: The Ongoing Reformation of Micah Johnson
Title: The Ongoing Reformation of Micah Johnson
Title: Ball Caps and Khakis
Title: Finding the Sky
Title: On the Right Track
Title: Caught in the Middle
Title: For a Price
Title: Wild Summer
Title: No Big Deal
Title: Maps
