September Reading and Sports (cont’d. This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

September Reading and Sports (cont’d)

So with the sounds of Friday night high school football as well as the Saturday game that plays behind me still ringing in my ears, I’m well aware of the place that September has as a marker for certain sports. Fall especially. It trumpets the call to the line, the shout of “play ball”, and the loud roar of air horns so ubiquitous at games these days. Football once again is flooding the media with team speculation, games, and player drama of all types. One player was let go after being fined for repeated bad behavior and immediately resigned and rehired (Antonio Brown from the raiders to the Patriots), another famously retired pre 30 early leaving millions on the table because of injuries and pain (Andrew Luck). That drew some derision from some corners, support from much more considering what we know now about brain injuries and the treatment of players as a commodity. And then there is this.

One that pertains to this community and certainly our stories. A story and excerpt in The Advocate about NFL lineman Ryan O’Callaghan and his new story My Life on the Line: How the NFL Damn Near Killed Me, and Ended Up Saving My Life by Ryan O’Callaghan and Cyd Zeigler, courtesy of Akashic Books.

The Exact Moment NFL Player Ryan O’Callaghan Came Out

If we are ever inclined to think that perhaps these authors take it too far in these stories, make the angst and pain too much, make the terror of discovery, and have a character collapse under the weight of being closeted or being unable to face those he loves with the truth that he is gay, well, just read even the excerpt from The Advocate to know perhaps how much some of those authors may have been holding back. This book is now on my list for this month and I will be reviewing it here. But go to that link and bring a box of tissues and prepare for a window into courage.

I think we sometimes forget the reality behind our stories. The grit beneath the sweet contemporary, the raw behind the warm-hearted goodness. Reading the excerpt from My Life On the Line was a swift and needed reminder of the men who still fight for the right to be who they are in professional and non professional sports these days. We still have so far to go.

Have a great Sunday.

Now for this week ahead…

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, September 8:

Dine with Me by Layla Reyne Promo
September Reading and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, September 9:

Review Tour – Sam Burns – Wolf Lost
Blog Tour – Last Call in Wonderland by Rob Browatzke
Check our the Tour for T.A.D.: The Art of Death by M.D. Neu
An Alisa Review: The Ninth Elixir by Pelaam
An Ashlez Review: Wolf Lost (The Wolves of Kismet #1) by Sam Burns
Caryn Review : Last Call in Wonderland by Rob Browatzke

Tuesday, September 10:

Release Blitz Happy For You by Anyta Sunday
Release Blitz SOULBOUND #3 by Hailey Turner
PROMO Andrew Grey
An Alisa Review: Kept in the Dark (Locke and Keyes Agency #1) by Charlie Cochet
A MelanieM Prerelease Review: Goalie Interference (Hat Trick #2) by Avon Gale and Piper Vaughn
A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Dead Man Stalking (Blood and Bone #1) by T.A. Moore

Wednesday, September 11:

PROMO PARKER WILLIAMS
Cover Reveal, for FLAME AND ASH by Morgan Brice
An Alisa Review: Love Potion #9 by Tinnean
A Lucy Review: Happy for You (Love and Family #3) by Anyta Sunday
A MelanieM Audio Review: Family Camp (Daddy Dearest #1) by Eli Easton and Matthew Shaw (Narrator)

Thursday, September 12:

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW TOUR – Tainted Life by Mel Gough
Blog Post – Sam Burns – Wolf Lost
PROMO Rowan McAllister
A Chaos Moondrawn Review: Hellion (415 Ink #3) by Rhys Ford
A Stella Review :Stained Hearts (Links in the Chain #3) by Parker Williams
An Alisa Audio Review: Dirty Mind by Roe Horvat and Vance Bastian (Narrator)

Friday, September 13:

Audio Review Tour for Family Camp (Daddy Dearest #1) by Eli Easton and Matthew Shaw (Narrator)
Release Blitz Garrett Leigh – Fated Hearts
Promo Tara Lain
A Lila Review: Mystery of the Bones (Snow in Winter #4) by C.S. Poe
An Alisa Review: Hearts of Blood (Chevalier) by Kay Doherty
An Ashlez Review Resonance (Rhythm of Love #2) by Neve Wilder