YA LGBT Books discussion

This is for YA books with significant LGBT content released in December 2014 - anyone can post books here (author or not.) If the book is on Goodreads please link it (and maybe show us the cover.) If you read it, feel free to add a short comment or synopsis. Consider also adding the book to our group bookshelf.

Thanks for helping to keep our group up to date.

Released 16th December by Bold Stroke Books

Driving Lessons: A You Know Who Girls Novel by Annameekee Hesik

Abbey Brooks has recovered from her end-of-freshman-year heartbreak and has vowed that this year, her sophomore year at Gila High, will be different in every way. Her to-do list: get her driver’s license, come out to her mom, get (and keep) a girlfriend, and survive another year of basketball. As always, though, nothing goes according to plan. Who will be there for her as her plans start to unravel? Who will bring her back to life after another round of heartache and betrayal? These remain a mystery—even to Abbey.

But one thing is for sure, she’s not confused about who she is. And that is going to make all the difference.

This is a book in the same series as The You Know Who Girls of Gila High

Released 16th December by Bold Stroke Books

Asher's Shot by Elizabeth Wheeler

After uncovering the truth about his parents’ divorce and his brother’s death, fifteen-year-old Asher Price is ready for a shot at happiness. Armed with a Canon camera borrowed from his nutty neighbor, a date to homecoming, and revitalized relationships with family and friends, Asher’s on the right track. Even though Asher’s black-and-white view of the world has shifted to color, he still believes the only way to protect the people he loves is by keeping their secrets. His candid pictures capture the truth, but what if his success as a photographer requires exposing an enemy? In the end, Asher discovers protecting the people he loves can have devastating consequences, and his only shot at happiness involves revealing secrets of his own

The Language of Hoofbeats , by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Released 4th December by Harmony Ink Press

Ragnarök by Ari Bach

Sequel to Valhalla

After a year spent hunting for Mishka and Wulfgar, V team is no closer to finding them. If they're going to locate their nemeses, they're going to have to break some rules. As they begin their most dangerous mission yet, the stakes grow higher than they ever imagined as they uncover not only the subjects of their hunt, but the greatest threat the Earth has ever known.

To save the planet, their path will take them across the globe, across the solar system, and deeper into their relationships with each other than they've ever dared to look. Sacred bonds will be tested, the closest alliances will fall, and Violet will come face-to-face with a far more daunting and dangerous challenge than saving the planet—her growing love for Vibeke—a love that could be her salvation, or the cause of her ultimate downfall.

Released 11th December by Harmony Ink Press
Caught by Robbie Michaels

Caught in the Act: Book One

When Adam’s father catches him in bed with his best friend, he rips Adam away from his comfortable life in the city and sends him to a farm in the country, hoping some hard work will "fix" him. Adam is supposed to work with Ben, a hostile young man who clearly doesn’t want him there, no matter how hard Adam tries to prove himself. When Ben kisses him, Adam is shocked and delighted but terrified his father will once again pull him away from a home he’s grown to like.

As their relationship grows in secret, Ben promises to stay with Adam when school starts to help him get to know the place and the people. However, Amelia, a young woman Ben had dated, latches on to Ben again. Adam is furious at being abandoned to fend for himself on his first day in a new school. A physical confrontation with Amelia lands Adam in trouble again, and his father's involvement complicates all their lives. Betrayal and an uncertain future threaten Adam and Ben's budding summer relationship.

The You Know Who Girls: Sophomore Year is "coming out" on December 1st! It's called DRIVING LESSONS! Annameekee Hesik

Abbey Brooks has recovered from her end-of-freshman-year heartbreak and has vowed that this year, her sophomore year at Gila High, will be different in every way. Her to-do list: get her driver’s license, come out to her mom, get (and keep) a girlfriend, and survive another year of basketball. As always, though, nothing goes according to plan. Who will be there for her as her plans start to unravel? Who will bring her back to life after another round of heartache and betrayal? These remain a mystery–even to Abbey.

But one thing is for sure, she’s not confused about who she is. And that is going to make all the difference this time.

Annameekee wrote: "The You Know Who Girls: Sophomore Year is "coming out" on December 1st! It's called DRIVING LESSONS! Annameekee Hesik

Abbey Brooks has recovered from her end-of-freshman-year hear..."

Congrats on the upcoming release :) - that's actually the first one K found for this month (mssg 2 :)

Oh! I see it there! oops! sorry for the repost :) Oh, while I'm here- there's a freebie for it coming at you in the next day or so- signed copy :)

I'm happy to report that A Scout is Brave, (sequel to Pukawiss the Outcast) is being released by Harmony Ink Press on December 18.

Description:

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.

Pre-order now!
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/stor...

Will this book, A Scout is Brave, also be available as an ebook on Amazon Kindle?

Jeffrey wrote: "Will this book, A Scout is Brave, also be available as an ebook on Amazon Kindle?"

Hi Jeffrey - my understanding is that it will be available for both the Kindle and Nook, as well as paperback - all on the same day, December 18. If I remember correctly from when my first novel was released, it goes active on Amazon on that date.

I will write it down and keep an eye out for it. Since I was a Boy Scout and gay at the same time it will be interesting to see your take on it. Back when I was a boy scout you could be kicked out of a troop for being gay. At least that has changed recently. Now if we can just get them to lift the ban on gay scout leaders.

There is a book on Amazon.com called "A Scout is Brave" by Jay Jordan Hawke that was published on January 12, 2011. It's price is a whopping $65.00 new. Is this the same book?

Jeffrey wrote: "I will write it down and keep an eye out for it. Since I was a Boy Scout and gay at the same time it will be interesting to see your take on it. Back when I was a boy scout you could be kicked out ..."

The book takes place in the 1990s when the ban on gay youth was still in effect.

Jeffrey wrote: "There is a book on Amazon.com called "A Scout is Brave" by Jay Jordan Hawke that was published on January 12, 2011. It's price is a whopping $65.00 new. Is this the same book?"

Yes, I self-published it a few years ago and discontinued it when I submitted it for consideration to Harmony Ink Press. They are publishing the 2nd edition.

Jay, is there a romance in the book?

Jeffrey wrote: "There is a book on Amazon.com called "A Scout is Brave" by Jay Jordan Hawke that was published on January 12, 2011. It's price is a whopping $65.00 new. Is this the same book?"

There are weird huge prices sometimes for seller copies listed on AZ - someone told me that it's done to increase some kind of linking for the used copy owner. Who knows. I wish some of my paper books were worth $100 used LOL.

I actually saw a used copy of the book above that was going for $928. Don't you know that made my jaw drop! :)

willaful wrote: "Jay, is there a romance in the book?"

Yes, the lead character, Joshua, falls for Cody, son of the troop's virulently anti-gay Scoutmaster.

The Goodreads page for it is now live. Here it is!

A Scout is Brave

Hi! Chris here, nice to meet you all!

My co-author and I thought that we should show you this. It is the first book in a new kind of series/genre. We would love to get any type of feedback/opinion/review on it. Anyone interested? :D

http://elkinbooks.wordpress.com/2014/...


Book Blurb:
“Oh wow! You’re looking at our book!
Yes, let’s see…

Unconventional music composer Aidan Prowl, a canine in his right mind (sometimes), wants to go in search of an ancient musical instrument. Yes, all well and good, but the journey is dangerous and he knows that he shouldn’t go alone.

When opportunity strikes, quite literally—through his window—he gleefully blackmails Zack, a down-to-earth feline, into going with him. Aidan and Zack may end up finding more than they were looking for, and not only in the romantic sense—if they can both stay alive long enough—trapped in this thrilling treasure hunt filled with bandits, puzzles, suspenseful chases and so much more.

Keep your paws crossed and hold on tight as this book will take you through the most incredible furry adventure you will ever read, with colorful characters and, yes, steampunk nuances.”

- Chris and Cooper

The book includes:
- Over 30 beautiful pieces of paw-drawn artwork and illustrations
- A complete “Making Of” section that shows how the characters and the world came to be
- Text! (no, really, we checked)
- A little surprise on the final page (Don’t peek!)


Any questions? Hit us up and we'll be more than glad to answer.

Out at Home

Hi there! My name is Katie and my first YA book (Out at Home - see above for link!) was published as an ebook on December 6, 2014 and it fits perfectly with this group's interests :)

Out at Home description:

This young adult novel combines gay themes with sports and high school relationships.

Caleb Hanson and his newly single mom pack up their car and drive from the only home he’s ever known in New York City to his uncle’s house in middle-of-nowhere Kentucky. In NYC, Caleb was the star pitcher of his high school’s baseball team and openly fooled around with his best friend, Jackson.

In Kentucky, Caleb opts to stay in the closet, but is forced to sit the bench because the Bullfrogs’ roster is already full. When Caleb is paired up with Danny Thompson, the team’s distractingly attractive catcher, to throw batting practice, Caleb realizes that being stuck in small-town America might have some perks after all.

Something clicks between the boys, though their newfound friendship is soon challenged when signs are misread and accusations are made. Caleb and Danny rely on each other to work through their insecurities and find themselves growing closer on and off the field. But will small-minded teammates and the pressures of being someone other people expect you to be be enough to break Caleb and Danny's burgeoning relationship, or can their love of the game take them and the Bullfrogs to another State Championship?

Katie wrote: "Out at Home

Hi there! My name is Katie and my first YA book (Out at Home - see above for link!) was published as an ebook on December 6, 2014 and it fits perfectly with this group'..."

Good luck, Katie!

Brent wrote: "Katie wrote: "Out at Home

Hi there! My name is Katie and my first YA book (Out at Home - see above for link!) was published as an ebook on December 6, 2014 and it fits perfectly wi..."

Thank you so much! (I kind of just swore loudly - I've enjoyed reading your books, so it means a lot to me to receive your well wishes :) )

The book Out at Home is on my Kindle Wish List for next month. Sounds like a good book that I will be able to relate to.

Thanks, Katie. You just made me smile. ;-)

Jeffrey wrote: "The book Out at Home is on my Kindle Wish List for next month. Sounds like a good book that I will be able to relate to."

If there was a "Like" button on here, I would have pressed it with enthusiasm and then wished for the ability to press it again. Thank you in advance for giving me and my book a chance :)

Jay wrote: "The Goodreads page for it is now live. Here it is!

A Scout is Brave"

I've marked it to-read and will buy it soon. And although the ban on gay scouts is lifted, not so much or evenly on gay scouts serving in peer leadership capacity. Boys who worked as camp counselors last summer could be out to friends, but not camp officials. Being a leader and gay, even as a boy, is still largely forbidden. The issue is not yet resolved.

I'm glad it is finally re-released as a kindle book. I put it on my wish list and will buy it in a few days when I get paid again. Having been a gay scout back in the 1970's when it was forbidden to even mention I think I will be able to relate to this book.

Jay wrote: "I've marked it to-read and will buy it soon. And although the ban on gay scouts is lifted, not so much or evenly on gay scouts serving in peer leadership capacity. Boys who worked as camp counselors last summer could be out to friends, but not camp officials. Being a leader and gay, even as a boy, is still largely forbidden. The issue is not yet resolved."

Thanks for your comments, Jay. I just wrote a blog post about this for the Harmony Ink Press webpage. The policy is quite disheartening. Here is the article if anyone is interested: http://harmonyinkpress.com/five-reaso...

~Jay Hawke

Jeffrey wrote: "Having been a gay scout back in the 1970's when it was forbidden to even mention I think I will be able to relate to this book."

Thanks Jeffrey. I hope you like it!

~Jay Hawke