Defining his sexuality didn’t make sense until his
best friend spelled it out.
Doug Archer did some pretty idiotic things in the first eight weeks of his junior year of college. First, he kissed his gay best friend, and second, he kissed a guy he’d mistaken for a girl. Not stellar moments for Doug. If he isn’t careful, he’ll lose his spot on the soccer team to the new freshman, or worse, he might misconstrue his new friend Rob’s overly affectionate tendencies for flirting. But if Doug isn’t bothered by another guy’s attention, and he normally dates girls, does that mean he’s gay or bisexual?
Sam Garber suppressed his same-sex attraction his entire life. His father told him it was immoral, and Sam did everything he could to bury his feelings. However, after meeting Doug at a party and kissing him, Sam can’t think of anything else. He decides dating girls is the best way to keep his secret hidden. With playoffs in sight, this is no time to think about guys in any other context than soccer. Only neither boy anticipates the difficulty in suppressing his attraction for another jock!
Hello, Wade Kelly here. My new novel, Back Off! That’s My Jock came out last Friday. This is the next installment in the JOCK Series, and is a must have for fans. The story picks up on the same day that JOCK 2 ends, so if you haven’t read book 2, then maybe you should consider it. You can buy book 3 from Dreamspinner Press,
Tams gives this one 5 Stars...
Doug Archer has been questioning his sexuality for a while now. After making a pass at his best friend and roommate, Chris, Doug has to entertain the idea that he just might be attracted to the same sex. Add to that a date with Sam Garber, who at the time was dressed like a chick, and Doug's sexual identity is in crisis. He worries about what his parents will think, what his other teammates might say and Doug really doesn't like labels.
Sam Garber was only wearing a dress the night of the party because he lost a bet. As much as he enjoyed the time he spent with Doug, the abuse he's suffered at the hands of his homophobic father causes Sam to deny his feelings for Doug. He even goes so far as to cut off his gorgeous hair and date a girl, all in an attempt to prove to his father and himself that he's straight. But the heart wants what the heart wants. Stolen moments and shared kisses start to chip away at Sam's resolve where Doug is concerned. While Doug quickly discovers his concerns while valid with some, are not a concern at all with most. He is ever patient with Sam while he struggles to come to terms with the fact that he's in love with Doug.
Wade Kelly is an auto buy for me. I don't even have to know what the story is about, I know I'm going to love it. Her stories are real, raw and poetic. Her characters are broken but beautiful, their struggles are real and they have depth because of the reality to their storylines. I think it's Kelly's faith that gives her the ability to create these perfectly flawed characters and make the reader not only relate to them, but root for them as well. What I enjoyed most about this story in particular was how both young men struggled with similar identity crisis, but eventually found their way. Especially Doug. He was so patient with Sam and that just made his character much more endearing for me.
Definitely a must read for those that are a fan of the Author and, or the series. Readers who like detailed stories, hard fought happy ever afters and stories about young adults that are drowning in angst will surely enjoy this book as well. I highly recommend starting with the first Jock book though if you're new or you'll be lost. But that's just my two cents.
Wade: If you’ve been following my blog tour for JOCK 3, as I
call it for short, then you know I’ve been doing a series of interviews with my
characters from the JOCK Series. Today on TTC Books and More, Chris Jackson is
joining us to ask me some questions. He is the main character from book 2, and
is the best friend of the main character, Doug, in book 3. I hope you find this
interview entertaining. Sometimes it is difficult to come up with ideas for a
blog tour, but after this one I’m not sure there is anything else to know about
me. I’ve laid it all out there for you.
Welcome Chris. Take it away.
Chris: Hello, readers. As Wade said, I’m the main character
from book 2, No! Jocks Don’t Date Guys. I’d say I’m the star of the McDaniel
soccer team, but it is a team sport and we have loads of great players. My best
bud Doug is one of them. I’ve been playing soccer with him for years and we
clicked better than anyone else until Sam joined the team. So Wade… why did you
write a book for Doug? Not that he didn’t deserve one, but what made you chose
him instead of someone else on the team or on the campus?
Wade: I chose Doug because I really liked his character when
he was in book 2. I liked the struggles he had and I saw potential for a
bisexual character. I hadn’t written one before. Some could argue that Nick
Jones from Names Can Never Hurt Me was bisexual, but I never stated it outright
and I didn’t go into the book thinking to make him bisexual. In my mind he was
gay, but hadn’t figured it out yet. Doug Archer is bisexual, but hasn’t figured
it out yet. I wanted to write a character with aggression and a temper and
boom! Doug was that guy. I had to write the next book for Doug.
Chris: I love the guy, but he has always been a little
dense. I’m glad you paired him up with someone who could compliment his
personality. What was the hardest part about writing this book?
Wade: Getting all
the facts straight. Since this is a series, I couldn’t get characters names
wrong or dates wrong or forget which players were on the team. I had to try to
keep Cole in character and Rob. I had to remember YOU were Doug’s best friend
and make all the relationships believable. I think writing book 4 will be even
harder.
Chris: What did you
enjoy most about writing this book?
Wade: Writing about places I’ve been and things I’ve seen.
Chapter 6 was especially fun. I love the interaction with all the characters. I
was a challenge to write so many into the story, but it was also fun!
Chris: I’m glad you included so many of my fellow teammates,
especially Cullen. What would you say characterizes your style of writing?
Wade: Unpredictability. I think all my books are different.
I see them as character driven and since all my characters are different, the
stories are too. This may frustrate some people, because they look for
uniformity, but I can’t write that way. I pretty much write whatever falls out
of my head. Since my brain is a pinball machine, there isn’t much chance of two
stories being the same. I see them as stories of the heart and since every
person’s heart is different, every story is different.
Chris: I agree. I would think it more difficult to write
books that are all the same if the people are different. I’m glad you mix
things up. I love to read and I enjoy adventures. If every great explorer did
the same exact think and thought the same exact way, I probably would get bored
reading their stories. I like that people have passions for exploring the arctic,
while others want to study mountain lions. As they say, variety is the spice of
life.
Wade: Yup!
Chris: Here’s a question for you. If you were on a deserted
island, which three people would you want to have with you and why? However,
one person is a character from your book, one is a character from another
author’s book, and one is a famous person that isn’t family or a friend.
Wade: Somehow, this feels like something Rob would ask.
Chris: *chuckles* Yes, I imagine he would.
Wade: Okay. My book, Rob McAvoy because I think he’s funny
and has enough energy to keep the conversation going when I’m bored and
frustrated. A different character: Victor Bayne, because he’s super sarcastic
and I think it would be entertaining to see him argue with Rob when he talks
too much. If we are all stranded, then dying from boredom would probably come
before starvation so keeping ourselves entertained is key. LOL And one famous
person? That’s a difficult choice. Matt Damon maybe? He seems interesting.
Intelligent and creative, I could pick his brain about his success, and maybe
we could collaborate and write a movie script while we are stranded. Who would
you pick? And you can pick someone other than a character of yours since you
don’t write.
Chris: I’d love to meet John Muir because he writes
beautifully, Douglas Mawson because he’s my favorite explorer, and out of your
books Keith Leppo because I think he’s got a similar temperament to my pal Doug
Archer. They are both hotheads so I think I could stand being stranded on an
island with him because I understand how to deal with that. Plus, we’d both be
missing our sweethearts so we could console one another while we waited to be
rescued. Although, I bet Doulas Mawson would be the kind of guy to find a way
off the island.
Wade: I like your choices and the way you think! Thank you
for joining me here on TTC Books & More. I have just one more stop on my
blog tour and then I’ll pick some winners. I have noticed I have a small
contingent of fans who are most consistent in commenting. Thank you Jen CW,
Ineztey Garcia, Jen f., Christina Az., H.B., Lisa, and Trix! You guys make me
smile whenever I see your names next to a comment! One of you will most likely
win the grand prize!
If any readers out there haven’t read JOCK 1, My Roommate’s
a Jock? Well, Crap! I recommend you read that one first. And don’t forget I
wrote a free short titled: Oh, Crap! This Jock’s Getting Married. Visit All
Romance eBooks for a copy or email me. writerwadekelly @gmail.com. After those,
then read book 2, No! Jocks Don’t Date Guys. You’ll be all caught up for book
3.
And if you are interested in the book Chris referenced
featuring Keith Leppo, Misplaced Affection, then visit my website for details
or Amazon, or All Romance eBooks. As an aside, I am offering to bring this book
TO YOU in Kansas City if you are going to GRL. Check
out my google doc here.
I think I’ll end it here. Thank you for visiting. If you are looking for more fun, here are the
other stops of this blog tour. Remember to comment:
July 27th
– Caraway Carter’s Wednesday Walkabout
August 1st
– Jeff and Will’s Big Gay Fiction Podcast.
August 17th
– 2 Chicks Obsessed
August 19th
– Prism Alliance
August 22nd
– Love Bytes Reviews
August 24th
– Ashley John’s blog
August 25th
– Dreamspinner Press’ Blog
August 26th
– Release Day! I’m on Elisa Rolle’s blog
August 29TH
– Joyfully Jay
August 30th
– Long & Short Reviews
August 31st
– TTC Books & More
September 2nd
– MM Good Book Reviews
I hope you enjoy
release day as much as I will! Whoot!!!
As for the
giveaways… I, Wade Kelly, will be giving
away one GRAND PRIZE (items listed below) and three runner up prizes of a $10
gift card for Amazon. What you need to do is leave a comment. ALL comments are
logged for a chance at the prizes. ONLY those who leave a comment on ALL eleven
blog stops will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. Last time I think
there were 15 people in the Grand Prize drawing.
Note: If we’ve never
chatted and you aren’t on Facebook, it is a good idea to leave an e-mail
address because I need to know how to reach you. If I can’t, and I reply to
your comment on the blog post that you’ve won but don’t hear from you, I have
to give the prize to the next person on my list. Each comment gets you a chance
in the drawing. If you leave one on each, that is eleven entries PLUS you are
listed in the Grand Prize drawing. For a reminder if the rules, and where I’m
stopping next, visit my blog post HERE.
Grand Prize includes
all of the following:
1)
One of
my famous spoons in the colors of your choice
2)
A $10
gift card from Amazon
3)
One
paperback signed from my back list (Not counting JOCK 3)
4)
An
e-book copy of JOCK 4, when it comes out.
5)
And
last, but not least, a soccer jersey for the player of your choice from the
players in JOCK 3. (I’ll list them on my website along with pictures of the
jerseys. They come in adult S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, & 4XL)
So there you go. If
you have any questions, please let me know. Comment here or email me: writerwadekelly@gmail.com
Author Links: WWW :: Facebook :: Facebook Fan Group :: Blog :: Twitter
In addition to Wade's generous giveaway; every comment on Eeery blog post is entered into a monthly giftcard giveaway.
Remember to leave your contact info when you comment!
Seriously it's my pleasure following you through the blog tours, and the giveaway is just bonus.
ReplyDeleteI wish I lived in US just so that I could go to those Cons and finally meet my fave authors but alas...
I envy you guys your creativity but then as you said writing a series is tough what with having to keep everything straight, especially since us, readers, will go through it with a fine tooth comb (not me I have the memory of a goldfish xDDD), so then my envy goes away xDD =D
Thank you for another entertaining interview see you at your last stop in 2 days *writes note in hand so she won't forget*
nonexicted at yahoo dot gr
Well, Maybe one day I'll visit wherever you are :D
DeleteIt's been a long tour, so I am very happy you've stuck around and enjoyed it.
I have been following your tour.
ReplyDeleteA great interview. The continuity must drive you crazy with a series.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Continuity is a concern. I like things to mesh. :D
DeleteI really enjoyed reading the entire post today. This is a new author for me so thank you for the reveal!
ReplyDeleteNew author? Cool. I'm sure Tams can tell you which book she's liked the most.
Delete<3
Deletegreat interview...congrats
ReplyDeletejmarinich33@aol.com
Thank you so much!
DeleteThanks, Tam, for the great review!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I loved Chris' question about picking three people. That was a new twist.
jen(dot)f(at)mac(dot)com
Cool! Thank you. I'm glad you appreciate me trying to be different.
DeleteAnother rave review, awesome!
ReplyDelete--Trix, vitajex(at)aol(Dot)com
Thank you Trix
DeleteGreat interview with Chris. Thank you for the review too.
ReplyDeletehumhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
Thank you H.B.
DeleteAnother great interview and post - so much fun and it reminds me how much I have loved all of these characters! This tour has been a blast!
ReplyDeletejenndonald00(at)gmail(dot)com
One more day not he tour on Friday! Glad you are having fun!
DeleteThank you for the review and another great interview! This book tour has been a blast!
ReplyDeleteJczlapin@gmail.com
YAY! I was trying to be fun.
DeleteAnother great interview. I would take Rob too if I was stranded. He would keep me entertained and I would give him all the hugs in the world for however long he wanted them.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Rob needs people.
DeleteSo sad I just found out about the tour today, but on the plus side my boss is gone so I have been able to go back and read them!!! Count the wins when you can!!!
ReplyDeleteFalling in love totally makes you question your sanity for sure...LOL
kristianerdmann@yahoo.com
I'm so glad you found time. I set a time of Monday for that very reason. Sometimes people work and I wanted people to have time. THANK YOU for taking the time to stop by! :)
DeleteAnd yes, Love makes people do crazy things
This is been a fun tour- I need to get my hands on This Jock's Getting Married though! Looks so cute!
ReplyDeletepsshepherd(at)earthlink(dot)net
Sheila. How fun! You are showing up everywhere :) thank you for stopping by! <3
DeleteIf you have trouble downloading Getting Married, then email me and I'll send it to you.
Deletewriterwadekelly@gmail.com
Another great interview! Love the 3 person question! Popecat at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks. I was trying to make it fun!
DeleteCongrats on the new release! I love this series, I can't wait to read it. Is there going to be a book 4?
ReplyDeleteserena91291@gmail.com
I'm writing book 4 now. And there will be a book 5.
DeleteAnother great interview! Love the 3 person question! Popecat at yahoo dot Com
ReplyDeleteThanks! Grace Pope
Thanks for the mention, Wade! I've enjoyed the tour.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that 11 people diligently followed each and every post! WOW! Thanks for being one of them!
DeleteHello, lovely people. I have picked the winners.
DeleteThe runners-up for a $10 gift card from Amazon are:
Kristian E.
Sheila S
Ineztey G.
There were 11 contestants in the final grand prize drawing.
The winner is... drum roll....
Jen CW
I appreciate all of you following the tour around to 12 stops! WOW. Such dedication. I hope you will come back the next time I have a book tour. I'm still writing JOCK 4, but I hope that one will be out next year. We'll see. I need to finish writing it first. Thank you for your support!