Tag: Queerteen Press

Clearclay Park by Elliot Arthur Cross

91jsVc7c4cL._SL1500_Title: Clearclay Park

Series: N/A

Author: Elliot Arthur Cross

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Length: Novella (125 Pages)

ISBN: 978-1-6115-2936-4

Publisher: Queerteen Press, JMS Books (October 23rd, 2013)

　

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

　

Blurb: Cody Langdon’s been through a lot. He kissed a boy in the locker room and got brutally harassed for months. Unable to cope, he tried to take his own life. His parents decided a change in scenery would help, so they moved the family to Florida in the middle of the summer. The abrupt move left Cody lonely, bored, and beyond depressed. Stuck in a new state, Cody learned that a demon named Tanglewood had killed his neighbors and was taunting Cody. To save his family, Cody burned his house down.

Cody was lauded as a local hero and inducted into a support group for people who had survived encounters with dangerous demons. The support group introduced Cody to a new world of the supernatural and shared their own horrific experiences with incubi, curses, and ghosts.

Adam Monroe was a teenager just like Cody, until the demon Tanglewood killed his neighbors and his parents. Blamed for the multiple deaths and thought insane, Adam was locked away in a mental facility until Cody stumbled across evidence that cleared his name. The two bonded immediately over their shared trauma and mutual attraction.

After all, of his hardships, Cody is in for the strangest task yet — starting over at a new high school where he knows no one, doesn’t like organized sports, and thinks he’s above the petty social games.

Just as he begins to relax in his new environment, Cody’s parents find a new house to live in. Upon touring one of the identical homes in the Clearclay Park community, Cody discovers that behind the perfect hedges, trimmed lawns, and pristine appearance, a sinister force may lurk.

Forced to juggle his time between school, his parents, and Adam, Cody is confronted with the realization that not all problems are supernatural, and not all solutions are final.

Purchase Link: http://www.queerteen-press.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=102

Review: This book was interesting to say the least. Very bizarre little story line, however I did like it. I found myself laughing at certain parts of it. Cody is a teen who has gone through a really hard time. First he got caught kissing a guy at school and was bullied for it. He had tried to commit suicide but his dad save him. Then he finds out that a demon is terrorizing his neighborhood so he burns the house down. Now here is dealing with a gorgeous boyfriend who had also survived a demon attack. Moving to Clearclay Park, he finds out that it is ran by an incubus and a half demon.

His friends that he hangs out with all survived demon attacks. Even his boyfriend Adam is a survivor. The problem was when the incubus seduces Cody into a kiss and he loses his boyfriend. Now hanging out with his friends from school and his friends of the survivor group, he realizes that they have indeed found some more paranormals. One, which ends him up in the past.

Adam is sorry and wants Cody back, but Cody is not really sure what he wants now. He does know that he wants Adam but for some reason isn’t ready to go back. He has to stop the demons, free the innocents, and turn his friend Hayden’s grandparents back to humans. All in a good days work I suppose. What else could show up I wonder.

I thought that this story was told with a humorous tone, which made it more enjoyable. Although it did catch my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end, it left me with more questions than answers. It was a bit hard to follow at the end of it. I love paranormals stories and this one is pretty good. I loved the mixture of paranormal types in this book. I would recommend it to anyone who loved cute and sexy young men, strange friendships, paranormal’s, danger and excitement.

　

Vivaldi in the Dark by Matthew Metzger

20653514Title: Vivaldi in the Dark

Series:  N/A

Author: Matthew Metzger

Genre: Coming of Age/Coming Out/Young Adult

Length: Novel (296 pages)

Publisher: Queerteen Press (December 8th, 2013)

Heat Level: Mild

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb: Out-and-regretting-it comprehensive attendee Jayden Phillips turns his cast-iron plans for life upside-down by falling in love with private-school violinist Darren Peace, a sardonic boy with the craziest hair Jayden’s ever seen.

But all is not what it seems, and Jayden’s bullying problem becomes meaningless when he is confronted with what the music does to Darren. How do you stop a dangerous depression rooted in the same thing that makes someone what they are? Dark moods, blank apathy, and the undertow of self-loathing all simmer beneath Darren’s dry and beautiful veneer and Jayden feel powerless to stop them.

Then a mugging gone wrong takes the music forcibly away, and Jayden is finally given the chance to change Darren’s life — and, quite literally, his mind.

Product Link: http://www.queerteen-press.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=112

Reviewer:   GiGi

Review: This is a great YA read, about coming of age, sexual discovery and coming out. There is also so much more, including the topics of bullying and depression.

Jayden and Darren come into their relationship with different obstacles. Jayden has a couple supportive friends and a family that does not necessarily know about him being gay. They are otherwise very supportive and loving. His school life is made hell by constant bullying and his confidence in the matter is very lacking. Darren has a couple of great friends who suspect he might be gay, seems outwardly confident, defends Jayden against his bullies, has oodles of talent but a family that is cold and distant with high expectations. Both these boys feel the pressure, but are powerfully drawn to each other and let a slowly burning relationship build without too much sexual pressure. Their bond keeps growing and Jayden is excited but Darren has to disclose his serious bouts of depression. Is it too much for a young boyfriend to handle?

This book deals with the very serious issues of bullying and depression which all by themselves can be debilitating, add to that the pressures of coming out and your first fumbling sexual relationships. These topics are handled so well, and the young love between the two main characters taken seriously and treated delicately. Depression, which is such a vague term in reality, is handled so very well in this story. The description of the depression, the results of the “bad days” are felt in such a way as to make them feel real, not just words on a page but a weight on my chest. I’m very impressed with this young adult story.

The sexual encounters are vague but honest, and the two different family reactions to their gay sons are a great illustration of the choices individuals have to accept, or lose their children’s trust. I loved this book. There are some harrowing times, but one is left hopeful and excited for both main characters as they face these hurdles and leap forward into the future.

Tanglewood Road by Elliott Arthur Cross

tanglewoodroadTitle: Tanglewood Road

Author: Elliot Arthur Cross

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Length: Novella (130pgs)

Publisher: Queerteen Press (24th May 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Cody Langdon moves to Florida to start over after a failed suicide attempt. His mom hopes the change in scenery will do him more good than the medication he refuses to take, but Cody hates the sweltering summer heat and the loneliness of living in a state without any friends.

With several weeks to go until school begins, Cody sulks alone in the house while his mom works. Refusing to acclimatize himself to his new surroundings, he insists on wearing his usual black clothing and cranks the air conditioning all day.

The odd thing is, Cody hasn’t seen a single sign of life since his arrival on Tanglewood Road. The lawns are well-kept, cars are parked in the driveways, and trash is put out once a week, but Cody has never actually seen anyone living on the street. Slowly, his thoughts spiral into obsession and paranoia. Where is everyone?

Then Cody stumbles upon a support group for those who have survived demonic attacks. The posts online only strengthen Cody’s resolve when he learns about a murderous demon who has long stalked Southwest Florida. Has this same demon set up residence on Tanglewood Road, or is Cody’s cabin fever getting the best of him?

Purchase Link: http://www.queerteen-press.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=87

Review: Cody’s family moved to Florida after Cody’s failed suicide attempt in the hopes that a new start will bring Cody out of his depression. Cody hates Florida, so he sulks alone in his house waiting for school to start. But, he begins to notice something wrong on the street. There are no signs of life. Cody begins to investigate the strange absence of neighbors and comes across a demonic survivors’ group on-line that talks about his street, and Cody strengthens his resolve not to fall victim to the terrible monster.

This is a great young adult paranormal story that delicately borders the horror genre. Cody is sixteen; he suffered bullying when he was outed by someone he thought liked him. Now, after a failed suicide attempt his parents have moved to Florida so he can have a new start. Cody has noticed something wrong on their street though and is determined to get to the bottom of it. It leads his to make horrifying discoveries and leads him on a path that will test his sanity and make some unusual friends.

I really enjoyed this book with its mysterious paranormal aspects and the friendships Cody discovers with a diverse group of demonic attack survivors and the sweet relationship he develops with Adam, a young man who survived an attack similar to his own. The way the story develops is wonderful. Making you wonder, at first, if Cody isn’t really just imagining it all and is losing his sanity. The way that it further develops to include everyone from the DSG and leads us on a further adventure than just Tanglewood.

Cody is a typical teenager. he mopes and whines, is depressed and doesn’t want to do anything. The new friends he meets are brilliant. Adam, a teenager who has been through hell and locked up in a mental institution. Dominic, an older gentleman who has been hunted by a curse. Lin, who lost her son to an evil spirit. Caleb, who lost a friend in a strange way and Naomi who had a narrow escape from a succubus’s son. Together they come together to help each other out and it makes a great story. I am looking forward to the sequel Clearclay Park to see what this group of people faces next.

I recommend this to those who love young adult stories, paranormal bordering on horror, twists and taking on the paranormal and a happy for now ending.  

Gold in the Clouds by Hayden Thorne

Gold_in_the_Clouds_400x600Title: Gold in the Clouds

Author: Hayden Thorne

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Length: Novel (200pgs)

Publisher: Queerteen Press (14th April 2013) 

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4 Heart 

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: After his fifteenth birthday, Blythe Midwinter finds himself in a bit of a pickle. It’s high time for him to be a productive member of his family, taking up work he detests in order for his older sister, Molly, to follow her dreams of success as a talented baker. Though the three orphaned Midwinter siblings — Molly, Bertie, and Blythe — are lucky enough to work, they still earn only enough to keep themselves clothed and fed. Blythe desperately wishes for more, and it doesn’t help that his best and only friend, Jack Wicket, refuses hard, honest work in favor of good luck as the only means for quick success and instant riches.

Blythe’s dreams of a better life get more desperate when he attracts the attention of another boy, the youngest son of a rebellious old artist, whose family rises well above Blythe’s in wealth and station. Embarrassment and shame muddle Blythe’s perceptions of luck, work, and the promise of love — that is, until Jack Wicket’s foolish decision to exchange his beloved cow for a handful of magic beans forces Blythe to look past castles in the clouds and understand what it is that truly measures a man’s worth.

Purchase Link: http://www.queerteen-press.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=84

Review: Blythe is fifteen and his sister, Molly, has decided it is time for him to start work. turfed out of bed every morning at dawn to sell bread is not Blythe’s idea of a decent job, but Molly is insistent that Blythe sells the bread while she concentrates on baking cakes. Blythe wishes for an easier life and it isn’t helped by his layabout friend, Jack, and his sore feet. But, letting Molly down isn’t an option, if he wishes to keep his hearing and not be strung up by his sister. When Blythe meets Edrik, a well off boy, he is tempted by Jack’s dreams of luck.

This is a great young adult fantasy story that shows a lad’s changing views, as he enters manhood and the hardships of adulthood. Blythe suddenly has to start bringing in the money when he turns fifteen. Although, he whines that he is too young, his sister, Molly, points out that both herself and their brother, Bertie, both started work at fifteen. As Blythe reluctantly takes over the bread selling, which according to Blythe is a girl’s job, he still dreams of an easier life. Jack keeps trying to tempt him with doing nothing, but hoping for luck. When Blythe meets Edrik, he can’t understand why the other boy would be interested in him. He’s poor and Edrik’s family is rich.

Blythe is like so many other young adults in his town. He’s at the age where he should choose what he wants for a job, but he wants to cling to the last vestige of childhood. Having a friend like Jack doesn’t help him. Jack believes in luck and that he doesn’t have to do anything and riches will fall in his lap. When Blythe is embarrassed in front of Edrik, he is tempted by Jack’s offer of instant riches. Hayden Thorne has created a wonderful fantasy world where gossip is abound about fairy-tale horrors. A boy catches the eye of a rich boy and where a friend has his head in the clouds. Blythe is a wonderful character who is down to earth and cheeky, Jack is obnoxious, Molly is trying to keep her family going, and Bertie has really bad night gas and Edrik is sweet on Blythe.

I thought this story was vastly entertaining, with its down to earth characters. With the simple dreams of the characters and with its gentle learning curve for Blythe. This story is all from Blythe’s perspective, so we get the unfettered view of life from a fifteen year old boy with his hopes and dreams, but, also with him learning that life isn’t perfect, but you can be happy with what you have. Jack’s a character that does get up your nose, Edrik you don’t see very often but he is a lovely character who is super sweet on Blythe and what we see of Molly and Bertie is good.  

I recommend this story to those that love fantasy, young adult, obnoxious boys, growing up, finding a sweetheart, a touch of adventure and a happy ending. 

 

New Suburbia by Stephen Jerrome

new_suburbia_400x600130311_0721Title:  New Suburbia

Series:  None

Author: Stephen Jerrome

Genre:   Young Adult

Length:  Novel (266 Pages)

Publisher:  Queerteen Press (March 10th, 2013)

Heat Level:  Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:  A few weeks before his 21st birthday, Lance Brody gets his first tattoo. Lance is determined to live ‘the life,’ as he calls it — as the eldest kid of musical legends Dale and Cheryl Brody, he is eager to claim his place in the world of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. Pity about his two much younger siblings, Chester and Lucy, though. With their father dead and their mother in rehab, Lance is the designated adult, a role that doesn’t come easily to him.

Fortunately Lance’s best friend and fellow rockstar-child Kevin Day is more responsible. Lance becomes a roadie for Summer Day, Kevin’s rockstar sister, and Kevin helps with Chester and Lucy while juggling his musical composition studies and a collaboration with the handsome, if infuriating, choreographer Aadi Chandar.

Kevin struggles with his temperamental sister for quiet time to work with Aadi as Summer’s chaotic lifestyle, which now includes Lance, threatens to overtake their entire house. Looming signs of a classic rock ‘n’ roll meltdown put Chester and Lucy in serious jeopardy.

As crises looms, they are pushed to redefine their definition of ‘family.’

Product Link: http://www.amazon.com/New-Suburbia-ebook/dp/B00BSIF9FY

Reviewer:   John

Review:  I have to be honest; I’m not a fan of rock and roll so keep that in mind. This story stars twenty-one year old Kevin Day and twenty year old Lance Brody. Kevin is a sensitive music-composition student unlike his rock and roll parents and older sister, Summer Day. He gets stuck with a class assignment and seeks the help of choreographer Aadi Chandar. That’s when things get interesting.

I liked Kevin Day. He was sweet and intelligent. The one thing that I didn’t like about him was that he was still not sure about his sexual orientation. What twenty-one year old man is not sure about his sexual identity these days? Who? I loved his relationship with Chess and Lucy. Those two are Lance’s younger siblings who Lance has custody of because their mother is in rehab. I disliked Lance so much. He was reckless and did not give a damn about his younger siblings since all he wanted was to be is a rock star, live life and chase after Kevin’s older sister. Summer Day was bitch. She only cared about herself only, screwing others in the process. She and Lance were perfectly made for each other. At the end, they got what they deserved.

All in all, Kevin managed to survive all the drama surrounding his life and got himself a nice boyfriend and a great family. Truthfully, this was a fun read. Beware, if you’re not a fan of rock and roll, you might not like this one, but keep a positive mind and try it. You might end up liking it like me.

Boys Will Be Boys by Paul Alan Fahay

Title: Boys Will Be Boys

Author: Paul Alan Fahey

Genre: Young Adult, Historical (1950s)

Length: Short Story

Publisher:  Queerteen Press (October 14th, 2012

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb:  In the late 1950’s, fourteen year old Philip Noland is a gay but sexually inexperienced freshman at St. Sebastian’s, a Catholic high school for boys. Alone and emotionally isolated, with the exception of two friends named O’Riley and Carlin, there are no familiar guideposts for Philip to follow, just an excess of rules and regulations that make no sense to him.

A late bloomer, Philip learns to masturbate effectively and fall in love for the first time, but his greatest challenge isn’t the regimented behavior at St. Sebastian’s — it’s surviving a bully named Molinara who has set his sights on Philip.

Can Philip navigate the minefields of St. Sebastian’s and emerge victorious?

Product Link:  http://www.queerteen-press.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=57

Reviewer:  Madison

Review:  I enjoyed the author’s writing style. The way the report cards and other notices were incorporated into the story was both unique and effective in terms of establishing the setting and characters.

I wonder what the intended audience’s age is for this story (I’m guessing it’s fairly young). The entire time I was reading, all signs led to impending tragedy, but that climactic moment wasn’t really that bad. It could’ve been much darker.

Overall, this is a touching short story about young friendship and love. Yay, Smith!

 

Dr. Morbid's Castle of Blood by Hayden Thorne

Title: Dr. Morbid’s Castle Of Blood

Series: Masks 06

Author: Hayden Thorne

Genre: Young Adult, Superheroes

Length: Novel (173pgs)

Publisher: Queerteen Press (JMS Books) (19th August 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Following the attacks on Vintage City by the Deathtrap Debutantes, life quiets down, and the superheroes are temporarily without work. Unfortunately, unemployed superheroes mean bored superheroes, and with Peter’s birthday just around the corner, Eric asks for help in coming up with the most creative gift he can give a boy who’s got everything. Tapping into everyone’s fondness for computer games, Eric enlists the heroes’ help in experimenting with a video game in a desperate bid to amaze Peter with something unique.

What they don’t expect is a game that’s been sabotaged by an old nemesis. Eric and the heroes suddenly find themselves trapped in a horror game, forced to advance against the clock or be stuck in it forever. With three of their friends vanishing from the group, Eric and Ridley are forced to use their wits and their limited abilities to fight their way through monsters that are meant to keep them from finding the others. Outside, Althea as Spirit Wire, along with unexpected allies, scrambles to keep a delicate connection with her friends as she tries to save them all.

Purchase Link: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=574

Review: This book is part of a series and is best read in order. Eric is struggling to come up with a birthday gift for his superhero boyfriend, Peter; the guy who has everything he could ever want. So, Eric with the help of a few of his superhero friends sets out to get the coolest best present that a boy could ever want, a 3D interactive computer game.  But, it goes wrong when an old nemesis sabotages the game and they are stuck inside fighting zombies and monsters, trying to find their friends with a time limit to finish the game and escape.

This is a great story for young adults and those not quite so young adults who love gay superhero stories and great fun. Eric just can’t think of anything to give Peter for his birthday (except the obvious, but then he is sixteen and horny. So, when he strikes upon the idea of a unique gift he pleads with his friend Althea to help him out. So everything is planned and the game seems to be going great and then everything goes wrong, as they find themselves trapped having to complete the game before the time runs out. then three of them go missing and Eric and Ridley have to battle their way through the rest of the game trying to find their friends with the limited help the Althea and two unexpected allies.

Okay, so I have to admit to being a fan of the Mask series. I just love being able to read a book that can take me back to my teenage years of dreaming about superheroes and the weird and wacky things of the teenage imagination. This story is great; Hayden Thorne really does manage to get into a teenage psyche to give us the weird and wonderful life of Eric and his friends. the adventures they have are unique and very funny in places. This story is no different. Eric and Peter are a great couple, but other than them being boyfriends and horny, most of the story is focused on Eric trying to find the perfect gift and then on the adventure of being stuck in a game.

This is a really well written story for those of us who love trying to recapture those fleeting teenage feelings and this is an excellent story for young adults who want to let their lives go briefly and sink into an imagination filled world which is fun, amusing and just a touch angsty. I know people will pull a face, but my favorite bit out of the entire story has to be the scene with the zombie baby. It was just so disgusting and amusing and oh, so wrong to laugh, that I still chuckle when I think about it.

So, I recommend this if you love a gay teenage superhero, their faithful not superhero boyfriend, angsty teenage problems, adventures that only a teenager could do, horny teenage boys, chuckles and laughter and an amusing story.

 

 

The Haunted Glade by Hayden Thorne

Title: The Haunted Glade

Series: N/A

Author: Hayden Thorne

Genre: Fantasy; Gay Fiction; Historical; Paranormal; Young Adult

Length: 19 pages/5,128 words/ Short Story

Publisher:  Queerteen Press, JMS Books (January 15th 2012)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥3Hearts

Blurb: from Queerteens Press (JMS Books LLC) – Legend talks about a haunted glade somewhere deep in a nearby wood. While most residents of a tiny village regard those fireside stories as nothing more than cautionary tales meant to keep children in line, curious adolescents attempt to solve the puzzle of the haunted glade. Rumors of a strange twilight melody that seems to come from somewhere in the wood only feed youthful recklessness, and no one but the village potter knows the truth behind this mysterious music. He alone in his generation has heard the haunted glade’s call, and he knows that someone among those young adventurers is now being summoned, as well. The task of finding that special boy and grooming him for his destiny falls on Irwin’s shoulders.

Product Link: http://www.queerteen-press.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=13&zenid=mbr7u1nfn4juslm27e5kqv6347

Reviewer: Adrienne

Review: A sweet, young adult story of growth, and learning to acceptance and understanding oneself, written with vivid imagery. Seventeen year old Yves Milford seems the only person in the village who can hear the music coming from the nearby haunted glade, where fanciful legends and warning stories have been passed down for generations to keep villagers out.  When Yves’ peers begin pairing off into couples, thirty-six year old village potter, Irwin Blythe, confides in the young man that he also can hear the songs from the glen. This music is only heard by certain people and Irwin tells Yves that since he can hear it, he will soon discover what it means to be accepted by others like him. After Yves turns eighteen and learns what is in the glen, he realizes this acceptance and understands that he one day will be called upon to help those from his village who have similar yearnings.

A very enjoyable read…