Love YA Fiction? Want to Donate a Book? This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

The Prince William County PFLAG (VA) youth group is seeking contributions of either young adult (YA) paperbacks or cash donations to purchase books for the PFLAG youth library. If you have any questions or wish to donate, please contact Lynn Schmitz, PFLAG facilitator, at lschmitz1@comcast.net.

Not familiar with PFLAG? PFLAG is Parents, Families,Friends, and Allies united with LGBTQIA people to move equality forward. Their National PFLAG website can be found here. Its also the place to locate your local chapters. More and more of our publishers are turning toward the YA and New Adult market. This includes many publishers you are familiar with such as Dreamspinner Press, with its Harmony Ink YA Press, Interlude Press with its new YA imprint, Duet Books, Torquere Books with its Prizm Press: Young Adult Novels LGBT Characters, Bold Strokes Books (YA division) among the ones that come immediately to mind.

Think about the books you read as a preteen or teenager. Did the great ones, the memorable ones seem to speak to you? Involve characters that you could identity with? I bet some of you are smiling now just remembering those stories that made your day, helped you through a crisis, or just let you know you weren’t alone in your thoughts and problems. These can be tough years and books that take you away or make things that are scary at that age less fearsome are important.

Now image you are a young LGBTQIA child, preteen, teenager, whatever the age. I don’t imagine the local or school libraries have many books that have characters that you can identity with.

Where do you turn for stories where you can see yourself in the characters or situations? That’s where this PFLAG youth library comes in. There are some terrific YA LGBTQIA stories out there. You need look no further than our own Aurora’s YA reviews to see that. Lynn Schmitz and her fellow PFLAG associates are trying to put together such a library. And they need our help.

Write Lynn, see what books she has already been given, what books the library is looking for and how you can help this project grow! Is there a need for such a library in your county or city? Check it all out and see how we can help our LGBTQIA youth find the joys we discovered in books when we were their age. Again Lynn Schmitz email address is lschmitz1@comcast.net

Let’s make a difference…one book at a time!

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, June 7, 2015:

Julie Lynn Hayes – When Will I Be Loved virtual tour and contest
Book Spotlight: Drifting Sands by C.J. Baty (excerpt and giveaway)
Love YA Fiction? Want to Donate a Book? This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, June 8, 2015:

Cover Reveal for ‘Scent of the Heart‘ by Parker Williams (interview, excerpt and giveaway)
Disappear With Me 2nd Edition by Dean Frech tour and contest
A Mika Review: The Bruise Black Sky by John Wiltshire
A MelanieM Review: Counselor to the Wolves by Liv Olteano

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Cara Dee Blog Tour for Northbound and Northland (guest blog and giveaway)
Belinda Burke Totally Bound Tour and Contest
A Mika Review: Northbound by Cara Dee
A BJ Review: Rorschach Blots by RoughDraftHero aka R. D. Hero

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Drama Queen by Joe Cosentino blog release tour and giveaway
Fool School by James Comins‏/Guest Blog and Contest
A Mika Review: Northland (The North Novels #2) by Cara Dee
A BJ Review: In Sunshine or in Shadow (Short Stories, Volume 1) by Josh Lanyon

Thursday, June 11, 2015:

Denial, Deceit, Discovery by J. James Non Fiction Book Tour
Book Spotlight: Cate Ashwood’s The Storm Before the Calm (interview and giveaway)
A Mika Review: Murder and Mayhem by Rhys Ford
A MelanieM Review: Denial, Deceit, Discovery by J. James
Reviewer Author Discovery: BJ on Author Jaye McKenna (new feature)

Friday, June 12, 2015:

Patricia Logan ‘Silver Linings’ Virtual tour and contest
RJ Scott’s “Retrograde” Release Day Celebration and Contest
Brandon Shire’s The Love of Wicked Men Box Set Tour and giveaway
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: When to Hold Them by D. B. Gordon
A MelanieM Review: Diamond Draw by Laura Harner (PF 2015)

YA Saturday, June 13:

An Aurora YA Review: Out of Order by Casey Lawrence

A YA on YA Saturday Special: Aurora on Reading and Writing YA Fiction

A YA on YA Saturday Special

Our YA Reviewer, Aurora, on Reading and Writing YA Fiction

Since I was young, I always liked to read anything and everything. Our house was filled with books, and by the time I was about ten I had read every single one of them. I never bothered with books that were geared toward any specific age group until I went to school, and when I got there I found out some pretty strange things.

I like young adult books a lot, and the genre is growing and gaining popularity every day. However, when I first started reading books that featured teenage protagonists, I found an overwhelming amount of the exact same things. Stories set in high schools that were all about, especially where a female main character was concerned, finding a date to the senior prom and navigating backstabbing friends. I was pretty disappointed with my options, since, although I love almost all books, I’ve always preferred fantasy.

It has been so amazing to see the genre expand in the past few years, and to see young adult books get smarter and smarter. It is a discredit to a young adult writer’s audience for them to assumed that young adults can’t read and appreciate fiction written on the same level fiction geared toward adults is written on. I feel like young adult writers are really beginning to understand that and with every new book that comes out and every book I read that is written in this new golden age of young adult fiction, I get more and more excited about the genre and its future.

Speaking as a writer, inspiration can come from anywhere, and it should. No one should dismiss an idea they’re inspired by simply because they’re writing a book for teenagers rather than for adults. In the books that I write myself, I hope to always show in my books that I view young adults as being just as smart as their older counterparts. They deserve a rich and varied collection of books as much as anyone else does.

As you read young adult books, and as the were grows every day, hopefully we will see less and less of authors talking down to their audience. Already the books I read every day for reviews and for personal enjoyment show such a positive change from what I was reading even a few years ago. I am so proud of the growth in young adult books.

~ Aurora

Some Recent Aurora YA Reviews and Recommended Stories:

An Aurora YA Review: After I Wake by Emma Griffiths

Rating: 4 stars out of 5:

Award-winning teen poet Carter Rogers has made a lot of bad choices in her life, one of which led to losing her hand to frostbite. After a failed suicide attempt, Carter wakes up and takes a hard look at the person she’s become. As her disappointment over her botched effort fades, she begins to accept herself and look forward. Righting past wrongs won’t be easy, but armed with the support of her mother and her friends, and with a new perspective on life, Carter sets out to fix her relationships with the people she cares about and the world of poetry.

This book definitely deals with some sensitive topics, and it’s always hard to toe the line between writing about a sensitive topic and making it realistic to the characters without simply using what happens for shock value. I think this book does that very well. I always felt like all the characters, and Carter in particular, were very real, and none of them seemed to simply be going through something for the sake of the book or so that their problems could be nothing more than a plot device. They all had a lot of depth, and that’s what make the book interesting and enjoyable for me to read.

The author of this book has a very interesting style, and even within the first few pages and certainly the first few chapters you can really tell that the book is written in a different and fresh style that you wouldn’t see in many other books. There were times when, if you weren’t paying close enough attention, because there were a few jumps as far as the time went, it could be a little bit confusing. There were definitely sections where after I got a paragraph or so in, I had to go back because I was a little confused, but over all it was nice to see a different writing style.

After I Wake by Emma Griffiths was definitely a book that I really enjoyed reading and one that I feel can definitely relate to the lives of a lot of teenagers, and LGBT teenagers especially, right now.

Bree Archer is the cover artist. I really like this cover, despite the fact that photo-based covers are not always my favorites. Because the cover of this book is so simplistic, it looks a lot nicer and less generic than some covers I’ve seen that include real photos. It’s also just a really beautiful cover, and I like it a lot. It’s also very fitting as far as the tone of the book goes, in my opinion.

Sales Links: Harmony Ink/DSP – All Romance (ARe) – Amazon Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 180 pages, also in paperback
Published May 14th 2015 by Harmony Ink Press (first published May 14th 2005)
original titleAfter I Wake
ISBN139781634760317
edition languageEnglish

Its Memorial Weekend and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

It’s Memorial Weekend and the roar and rumble from the Rolling Thunder bikes going by is a fresh reminder of exactly why and who we are remembering this weekend.

A lunch in town saw people passing out poppies in rememberance and thanks for those that fought in the many wars. My dad was beyond pleased to accept the poppy and the person’s thanks for his service when she gave it to him. That and an invitation to the VFW luncheon on Monday…well, his day was made.

As was mine.

The concert on the Mall is tomorrow but its the memorials that drew people in today in crowds. While the weather was perfect, the grief and stillness at the memorials, especially the Black Wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was immeasurable. And haunting. For me, the Wall and all the artifacts and aura of loss that lingers over it, has the most lasting impact of collective grief and sacrifice that I have seen outside of Arlington Cemetery.

If you come to Washington, DC, whether to see the Cherry Blossoms or the Capital or White House, take time to head over to the Mall. Visit the WWII Memorial, then head over to the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial, also known as The Wall, or The Wall That Heals. Here is The Wall’s page link for those of you who have never seen it. On the home page you will find these words.

“If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.

Major Michael Davis O’Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
Listed as KIA February 7, 1978

Then proceed thru the website. It’s moving, its painful and their sacrifice for us in war becomes fresh once more.

Take some time this weekend to thank a veteran, in person or in memory.

This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, May 24 – Ireland Did It, They Really Did It! Woohoo!

Its Memorial Weekend and This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, May 25:

Jane Davitt’s “Closing the Loop” Tour and Riptide Contest
In the Book Spotlight: His Womanly Ways by K. Lynn (excerpt and giveaway)
Book Tour: The Hidden Wolf by Sue Brown (excerpt and giveaway)
A BJ Review: Mountain Prey by Lyn Gala
A MelanieM Review: The Hidden Wolf by Sue Brown

Tuesday, May 26:

Lane Hayes cover reveal for The Right Time – cover reveal and giveaway
Annabeth Albert’s ‘Delivered Fast‘ (Book 3 of the series) book blast and giveaway
A MelanieM Review: Delivered Fast by Annabeth Albert
A Mika Review: Time Waits by C. B. Lewis

Wednesday, May 27:

Joy Lynn Fielding – Blowing Off Steam (Virtual tour and contest)
From the Ashes by Lillian T. MacGowan book blast and giveaway
A MelanieM Review: Blood and Ghosts by Shira Anthony
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Butt Riders on the Range Anthology

Thursday, May 28:

In the Spotlight: Mia Kerick’s Love Spell (excerpt and giveaway)
Annabelle Jacobs The Altered 2 Tour and Contest
A Stella Review: Cliff’s Edge by Laura Harner
A MelanieM Review: The Line by Angel Martinez

Friday, May 29:

Tour for Lexi Alexander and Alpha Trine
A Stella Review: No Matter What (Sex & Mayhem #4) by K.A. Merikan
A BJ Review: Human Frailties, Human Strengths by Jaye McKenna
A MelanieM Review: Tall With Room by A.J. Llewellyn

Saturday, May 30:

YA Saturday Continues:

An Aurora YA Review: After I Wake by Emma Griffiths‏

A Mika Review: The Book of Ethan by Russell J. Sanders

Rating: 4 star out of 5 stars

Ethan Harker is the son of The Prophet, the stern, demanding leader of a small Southwestern polygamous community. Ethan has been groomed to one day take his place as the leader of this isolated cult.

But things happen that compel Ethan to flee his stifling community and find his way in the world beyond it. Totally out of his depth, he is sheltered by a remarkable group of people from a loving and accepting church. From them, he learns what family truly means and begins to construct a life free from the restrictions he’s grown up with. Little by little he dismisses the assumptions he was taught about the “evil” people in the outside world.

Amid all this, Ethan realizes something about himself when he meets rapper Kyan, a boy his age. Although he’s been brought up to fear and hate members of Kyan’s race, he can’t help falling in love with Kyan. Fueled by a new understanding and new friends, Ethan gains the strength and courage to conquer the confusing world he has been thrust into.

The book was not on my radar until my “Ethan” brought it to me. I had never read anything by this author so I didn’t know what to expect. I’m very curious about reading books pertaining religion tropes outside of Christianity. For me it’s nice to see how other people’s faith details how they will live their lives.

I think the author did a good job on Ethan’s questions involving the world. I don’t know any person that doesn’t have question about how the world works. I know from experience growing up in a Baptist church we were expected of certain things, and I had all these question about general people. It shows in the author’s writing his familiarity with curious. I’m not familiar with the Mormon religion, and I don’t know if what I’ve read is correct, but if it’s like this then someone needs to pray for the children involved.   I loved Ethan, I didn’t see him standing up for himself. I did not see him standing up for other people or questioning folks.

I think the author did a very good job on Kyan. I seldom see African American YA male characters, but to see one who is not closeted, not scared to admit him being gay is amazing. What else is amazing is having a supportive mother like Kyan does. It brought tears to my eyes because she didn’t stop loving him because of that, she didn’t want him to rap. It seems silly seeing as this is present day, but her reasons are validated. I think this books shows courage, strength, and seeing good in people.   If I had to find fault in the story it was my displeasure of the author having Kyan speak in constant slang or Ebonics. I will say, it turned me off in the beginning alot. I didn’t like it, still don’t like it, but it’s a part in the book Ethan mentions that he loves how Ky could turn off his street self, and turn on the son of a professor. I get it’s just a book, but I think we could have done without it.

I really enjoyed the diversity in this book. It had such a supporting cast, and I appreciated everyone in this book. I do love that it was such a positive note instead of the negative things like runaways, prostitution, or drugs something that could have easily happened to Ethan. It had sad moments but it’s life. I will probably be on the look out for more from this author.

Cover art by Anne Caine. I liked this cover a lot, it showed the boys in the most simplistic view. I liked that we didn’t get to see a full picture of Ethan seeing as in the book he talked about vanity being a sin, and trying to not gauge his looks in the mirror often. I think they did a very good job on the cover.

Sales Links: Harmony Ink Press (DPS YA Press) – All Romance (ARe) – Amazon Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 266 pages, also in paperback
Published April 23rd 2015 by Harmony Ink Press
ISBN139781634760065
edition languageEnglish
url http://www.harmonyinkpress.com

NOH8 and this week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Soooo, its Sunday and after a week of birthday and Mother’s Day celebrations (all splendid of course), I’m off to meet up with some M/M Romance friends in DC for a photoshoot, a very special one. It’s for the NOH8 Campaign. I’m sure you have seen the many photos of people with duct tape on the mouth and NOH8 on their cheeks. I have linked to their website above. Check out some of the photos of those that have joined the campaign. Here is the event today:

NOH8 Open Photo Shoot in Washington, D.C.
START DATE: 05/17/2015
END DATE: 05/17/2015

Join the #NOH8Worldwide movement in WASHINGTON, D.C. and add your face to the fight for equal human rights!

WHERE: Bar Dupont in The Dupont Circle Hotel
1500 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036

DATE: Sunday May 17th, 2015

TIME: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

COST:
Single/Solo Photos: $40
Couple/Group Photos: $25 per person

It a marvelous way to demonstrate your support for equality and help push for acceptance for all everywhere. Here is the missions statement:

The NOH8 Campaign is a charitable organization whose mission is to promote marriage, gender and human equality through education, advocacy, social media, and visual protest.

On November 4, 2008 Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The defeat provoked a groundswell of initiative within the GLBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response.

The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska (http://www.bouska.net) and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with “NOH8” painted on one cheek in protest.

Five years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to nearly 33,000 faces and continues to grow at an exponential rate. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more.

While inspired by the passage of Prop 8, the scope of the NOH8 Campaign has grown to stand against discrimination and bullying of all kinds. The message of ‘No Hate’ can be interpreted and applied broadly, and speaks to each person in their own way.

The NOH8 Campaign has received overwhelming support from around the world, and has appeared in various local and national news programs and publications. The images are widely used on various social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to spread the message of equality.

I’m adding my photo to the ever growing number. How about you? Check it out and see if NOH8 is coming soon to a neighborhood near you.

Now for the week ahead at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, May 17:

Our Schedule This Week and NOH8 Open Photo Shoot in DC

Monday, May 18:

Laura Harner’s Cliff’s Edge Book Tour & Contest
A Sammy Review: Apple Polisher by Heidi Belleau
A Stella Review: Healing Hunter’s Heart by Charlie Cochet
A BJ Review: Just a Bit Unhealthy (Straight Guys, #3) by Alessandra Hazard

Tuesday, May 19:

Lee Benoit – Songbook: Paulo & Preston Shorts book blast and giveaway
A BJ Review: The Heracian Affair by Liv Olteano
A MelanieM Review: The Rebuilding Year, Part 2 by Kaje Harper
A Paul B Review: The Exiled Omega (The Exiled Omega #1) by Alex Ashmore

Wednesday, May 20:

Press Spotlight: MCB Quarterly Tour (Mischief Corner Books) and giveaway
Book Spotlight: Jude Sierra ‘Hush‘ Tour and Giveaway
Tour and Contest: Buzz and Blow- Shave and Shimmer- Fade and Fluff by Author: Alex Carreras
Light a Candle by VJ Summers Riptide tour and contest
A BJ Review: Sarge by Bey Decker

Thursday, May 21:

Book Spotlight: Brad Vance ‘Would I Lie To You?’ Tour and Contest
A MelanieM Review: Dead Blind by Havan Fellows (PF2015 #2)
A BJ Review: A Perfect Game by Reno MacLeod and Jaye Valentine
A Paul B Review: Bound to Brody (Shifters and Lovers #1) by Ali Atwood

Friday, May 22:

Cover Reveal for The Pinch of the Game by Charley Descoteaux (cover reveal and contest)
Cover Reveal for Lissa Kasey ‘Model Citizen’ (cover reveal and contest)
Book Spotlight: NR Walker ‘Cronin’s Key II’ (tour and contest)
A MelanieM Review: Blood and Ghosts by Shira Anthony
A MelanieM Review: Stud Player (PF2015) by Havan Fellows

Saturday, May 23:

A Mika YA Review: The Book of Ethan by Russell J. Sanders

We continue to bring you reviews on books you might never have heard of, new books off your radar, and books by authors you’ve been meaning to get to. Check us and the books out all week long!

An Aurora YA Review: Slaying Isidore’s Dragons by C. Kennedy

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

5 Best friends, 4 Vicious brothers, 3 STD tests, 2 Guys in love, 1 Car bombing & nowhere to run

Follow the burgeoning love of two teens during the worst year of their lives. Irish-born Declan David de Quirke II is the son of two ambassadors, one Irish and one American. He is ‘out’ to his parents but to no one else. French-born Jean Isidore de Sauveterre is also the son of two ambassadors, one Catalan and one Parisian. His four half brothers have been told to cure him of his homosexuality. Both teens have lost a parent in a London car bombing.

5 Weeks of hell, 4 Attempts on their lives, 3 Law enforcement agencies, 2 Dead high school seniors, 1 Jealous friend & a love that won’t be denied

Declan and Isidore meet at the beginning of their senior year at a private academy in the United States. Declan is immediately smitten with Isidore and becomes his knight in shining armor. Isidore wants to keep what is left of his sanity and needs Declan’s love to do it. One is beaten, one is drugged, one is nearly raped, one has been raped. They are harassed by professors and police, and have fights at school, but none of it compares to running for their lives. When the headmaster’s popular son attempts suicide and someone tries to assassinate Declan’s mother, they are thrown headlong into chaos, betrayal, conspiracy, allegations of sexual coercion, even murder. And one of them carries a secret that may get them killed.

5 New family members, 4 BFF’s, 3 Countries, 2 Extraordinary Psychologists, 1 Courageous Mother & a new beginning for two young men in love

I took me a chapter or so to really get into this book, but as soon as I did, I was absolutely hooked. I saw the title, and I saw the cover and I was pretty sure going in that I was going to love it. And I totally did. It was so wonderfully written, I loved the imagery, the characterization, everything. This is, for me, a must-read and a must-recommend. The only criticism that I could possibly come up with is that there were a few parts that were a little bit slow. But this is definitely not enough to bring the quality of the book down or make me enjoy it any less. As soon as I realized for even a second that it had slowed down, it was right back to a fast pace.

I think the author did a good job of using language for the teenage characters that teenagers actually use. There are times when I’m reading books that are aimed toward young adults and they’re really enjoyable, but I just laugh out loud at some of the things the authors have their teenage characters saying. I didn’t find myself questioning the slang terms or language used by teenagers in this book. It really seemed like a couple of friends talking, and I really loved that about it. Even not considering the language aspects, the characters all seemed very real and relateable to me as a teenager, which I love so much in young adult books.

Another thing about the book that I loved is just that Declan is so cool. Not to say that he’s without flaws or anything, but it’s so nice to read a book where I just feel like I would have so much fun hanging out with the main character. He’s really well written, he has a lot of depth, he’s very interesting as a character. And all of the characters are. But Declan, especially, seems like such a good and interesting person, beyond just being a great character. I feel like a lot of teenagers who are reading this book will empathize with him because in a lot of ways he and his friends are just normal teenagers with is really refreshing to read. Sometimes young adult books just write teenagers as small adults which they aren’t, exactly, and it’s nice to see a teenage character with depth and a personality without it being ignored that he is a teenager.

This book was really well written, really enjoyable from start to finish, and I loved reading it. I think teens will really relate to the characters and feel at home reading it. Personally, I loved it, it’s been one of my favorite books to review. If you have a chance, at least read the first two chapters and I can almost guarantee that you won’t be able to put this book down.

This cover by Reese Dante is so nice. It draws the eyes straight away with the orange in the foreground and then the blue background is really smooth and lovely. It’s very easy on the eyes and then as you look at it a little more there’s more details that you understand as you read through the book. If I saw this cover I would definitely pick it up in a book store.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press – All Romance (ARe) – Amazon – /

Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 443 pages, also in paperback
Published April 9th 2015 by Harmony Ink Press (a DSP press)
original titleSlaying Isidore’s Dragons
ISBN139781634760034
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.harmonyinkpress.com
author’s website: C. Kennedy (read the 1st chapter here)

An Aurora YA Review: A Scout is Brave by Jay Jordan Hawke

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Sequel to Pukawiss The Outcast
The Two-spirit Chronicles: Book Two

In the months following the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, fourteen-year-old Joshua, a half Native American boy, is new to a Boy Scout troop and spending a week camping in northern Wisconsin. The weaker kids in the troop soon realize Joshua is not afraid to stand up to the troop’s ruthless bullies. Joshua’s bravery and kindness is infectious, and the bullied Scouts quickly find their own inner strength.

Joshua, however, is plagued by self-doubt as he realizes he has feelings for Cody, the son of the troop’s harsh and puritanical Scoutmaster. The two discover they have more in common than Scouting as they share their deepest secrets and develop a close friendship. That friendship faces its greatest challenge as the homophobic bullies claim a “faggot” has “infected” their troop. As if struggling to come to terms with his sexuality while dealing with hatred and bigotry isn’t enough, Joshua discovers the camp holds another dark mystery, one that will make him summon all his courage and learn for the first time what it truly means to be brave.

I really enjoyed this book and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting and fresh novel with plenty of action that still keeps the characters and their personalities as the main focus. It’s very realistic and I think a lot of LGBT youths will be able to relate to the things the characters are going through. Joshua, the main character, is incredibly likable, and I definitely read the book wanting to see him flourish. All of the characters are very realistic, down to the bullies who act very similar to a lot of real life teenagers, as well as Pastor Bob, the Scoutmaster and Cody’s father.

Cody is another character who is very likable. The main characters certainly aren’t perfect throughout the book, and that’s a lot of the appeal to me. I also really like the fact that the main character is half Native American and it’s well recognized within the story! Even as LGBT fiction, and more specifically young adult fiction, becomes more popular, we often see white, upper-middle class leads. Which is absolutely fine! But adding more diversity to a specific genre and treating the character’s heritage with respect, as this book does, is always a positive thing in my mind. There are LGBT teens of every race and culture, and seeing themselves represented from a young age is so important that it really just made me very happy to see that in the main character.

The story itself was really, really great. All in all, the action and mystery made it a fun read. There were times when the things the bullies in the book said made me uncomfortable, but I think they were designed for that purpose and I really commend the author on getting people to think about how they talk. The story of Joshua dealing with the camp bullies was very relateable and interesting, and added to him exploring the secrets of the camp and getting some mystery and action in there made this seem very multi-faceted and well thought out. It really kept my attention and I definitely enjoyed the read plot-wise, as well.

If there’s one thing about the book that I might criticize, it’s that there were times when the writing felt a little clunky. Not enough to bring me out of the story or really take away from me enjoying the book, but there were a few sentences here and there that could have been a little smoother.

That being said, I definitely enjoyed the book and it was a really great read on a lot of different levels.

Cover Artist: Anne Cain. Anne Cain is one of my absolute favorite cover artists and I love this cover a lot! It’s pretty, it represents the book well, and it isn’t too busy. It definitely would have drawn my eye in a store, and I really like the design.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner (Harmony Ink Press) All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy It here

Book Details:

ebook, 180 pages, also available in paperback
Published December 18th 2014 by Harmony Ink Press (first published January 11th 2011)
original titleA Scout is Brave
ISBN 1632166933 (ISBN13: 978163216693

The Two-Spirit Chronicles:

Pukawiss The Outcast-The Two-spirit Chronicles: Book One*
A Scout is Brave-The Two-spirit Chronicles: Book Two

*The 2014 Timmy Award for the Most Realistic Characters Portrayed in a Story (2014), Lambda Literary Award Finalist for Best Young Adult Fiction

A Mika Review: The Glass House by Suki Fleet

Rating: 5 star out of 5 stars

At seventeen, Sasha is a little lost and a lot lonely. He craves friendship and love, but although he’s outwardly confident, his self-destructive tendencies cause problems, and he pushes people away. Making sculptures out of the broken glass he collects is the only thing that brings him any peace, but it’s not enough and everyday he feels himself dying a little more inside. Until he meets Thomas.

Thomas is shy but sure of himself in a way Sasha can’t understand. He makes it his mission to prove to Sasha that he is worthy of love, and doesn’t give up even when Sasha hurts him. Little by little Sasha begins to trust Thomas. And when Sasha is forced to confront his past he realises accepting the love Thomas gives him is the only way to push back the darkness.

I’m telling you that Suki Fleet is becoming a favorite of mine. Her writing is so beautifully done. She has the power to reach inside of you, and rip out all your emotions. I expect to cry reading her books, and I love every second of it. The Glass House was no different. It flowed from beginning to end effortlessly. I absolutely loved her characters in this one, and I liked the concept…a lot. I normally don’t read YA but this YA had definitely surpassed all expectations. I loved every second of it..

Sasha is remorseful, and cynical in a way a teenager should not be. I was rooting for him from the start. He doesn’t have it easy with his life. I almost felt sorry for him, but then I stopped because he stopped feeling sorry for himself. I know all about teenage angst and the ability to lash out to hurt others in order to protect yourself. Goodness, someone was looking out for him, because they sent Sasha a beautiful loving angel in Thomas. Thomas made me smile so much. He did not want much; he just wanted to be loved and to give love. I truly like how they came together; there was such innocence about them together.

I think Sasha reacted in a way that made sense. He’s still emotionally closed off from being abandoned by his mother. Her reappearance in his life had the potential to push him over the edge. If it wasn’t for Corinne and Thomas I don’t think emotionally Sasha could have recovered.

I liked Corinne and Thomas’s grandmother; those two women were very supportive in these boys’ lives. I was so happy at the end, and even those moments of uncertainty weren’t enough to steer clear for me. I will be reading more by Suki Fleet.

Cover Art by: Aaron Anderson. I think this cover was beautifully done. This is how Sasha sees himself, and he was in the darkness for a long time, before he was able to come into the light. I like the symbolism of it.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 180 pages, also available in paperback
Published April 16th 2015 by Harmony Ink Press
original titleThe Glass House
ISBN139781634760515
edition languageEnglish

A Stella Review: Moment Of Clarity (Moments in Time #3) by Karen Stivali

Rating 4 stars out of 5

Spending the summer together on Fire Island brought Collin and Tanner closer than ever, but back in their conservative college town, challenges confront them at every turn.  As they search for their new normal in their old environment, Collin’s brother Sean surprises them with help when they need it most. But when word about their relationship gets out, trouble erupts with friends and family. When Collin’s relationship with Tanner becomes an issue in his brother’s custody battle and Tanner struggles with his feelings for a heartbroken Wendy, Collin wonders if everyone he cares about would be better off without him in the picture.  In order to save them both, Tanner must make it clear to Collin that their love for each other is all that matters.

In general I’m not a huge fan of YA and NA books but this series is really well done. After reading Moment of Clarity, the last one in the series, I can say it was totally worth my time and I’m happy to have discovered Karen’s work.

The book starts where Moment of Truth ended. After spending the summer together on the Fire Island, Collin and Tanner are back to college just to find out their room not available due to some flooding. Spending weeks in the campus gym sleeping with other guys and having no time alone with Tanner is not what Collin was expecting. Luckly Sean, Collin’s brother, is back in his life and the only one in his family to support the relationship with Tanner. Sean offers not only his apologies but a place to be to Collin and Tanner while waiting for their college room back.

Hereafter some things will happen. First of all these young men meet hatred again in the character of Laura first, Sean’s ex-wife, and some college mates then. The scenes and the words used are really hard to take. The author chooses to send Collin and Tanner through homophobia again even if it’s a theme she already talked about in the first book (and I would have preferred some new elements, not the old ones again, risking to be repetitive, too angst and last boring. It becomes hard to find positiveness in this central part). Only this time the one more hurt by is Tanner, not used to be rejected and treat like that. On a good note I love how Sean is supportive and never have a wrong word to say to Collin, even if he’s threatened to take his kids from him.

Next we get a break from the drama with some “cargasm” (LOL). Nope I’m not going to post a snippet of the cargasm scenes but a sweet moment between Collin and Tanner at the end of it.

Our lives were still a mess—no place to live, Wendy still pissed, my family in a shambles—but I’d never been more thankful, because I had Tanner. As we reached the main road, I stopped.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing.” I pulled my shoulder strap aside and leaned across to give him one more kiss. “I just love you.”
At that moment, nothing else mattered.

Most of all be ready to at least a couple of WTH moments with Tanner and Collin too, I was so ready to beat some sense into them (sorry for the violent streak). Especially Collin goes out of him mind. The feeling of guilty about everything happening in his life, even the hate Tanner got, will bring him to put on really unbelievable moves.

And after a while all these became too much to me and in some way it lost realism. I’m not sure if this drama was necessary in the final book of the series. I’m positive I could have gone without it. I wasn’t going to give it 4 stars cause I was hoping in something different for the final installment in this series, something lighter maybe but the ending part was perfect (almost too much and that’s why I liked it!). I couldn’t overlook on all the sweetness, rightness and great sense of family I got. And the fact that love overcome everything.

So my opinion on the Moments In Time series is definitely a positive one, I want to recommend it. It was a lovely journey reading about Collin and Tanner and all their struggles and fears. Moreover I discovered a new to me author and now I’m curious to see what she’ll write next.

Cover art by Anna Sikorska. My feeling on this third cover is the same I got from the second one. Of course it’s a well done cover, but the one of the first book is absolutely my favorite.

Sales links: Dreamspinner Press All Romance (ARe) Amazon Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook, 114 pages
Expected publication: May 6th 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781632167033
edition languageEnglish
url
seriesMoments in Time #3
other editions
None found

Moments In Time Series

Moment of Impact #1 https://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/2015/01/26/a-stella-review-moment-of-impact-by-karen-stivali/

Moment of Truth #2 https://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/2015/03/18/a-stella-review-moment-of-truth-moments-in-time-2-by-karen-stivali/

Moment of Clarity #3
SALE LINKS

ARE
AMAZON
DSP http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6283

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Our YA Reviewer, Aurora, on Reading and Writing YA Fiction

~ Aurora

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