Tag: queer books

Unspeakable Secrets with Sinclair A. Macabre

~ Will Forrest ~ Leave a comment

Well look they have to be a little bit speakable otherwise how did they write an entire book about it? Yes hello I am a smart-arse, thanks for noticing.

For real though, this book is in that sweet spot of grumpy v sunshine if sunshine was a red-headed fae you should never have had a relationship with in the first place NEVER MIND get a second chance with that will be immediately endangered by the entire rest of the plot. In terms of microtrope, this is top tier. But don’t just take my word for it…

The Skeletons in our Closet

For as long as he can recall, Daedalus Macabre has been bound to one rule above all else: Don’t Step Out of Line.
He’s always followed it to the letter—his days spent training in elegant forms of fighting, his nights spent studying in his library, and the breaths between spent lost in the worn keys of his piano. He keeps his head down, and he does what he’s told.
But when Daedalus moves to Nemoure and meets Cain Sidrelle, his meticulously crafted control and rigorous adherence to the rules seem to disappear overnight. Without realizing it, his entire world narrows down to a pretty rich boy with hair like hellfire. A hellfire that threatens to consume him with every passing smile and shared glance.
Still, his mother’s expectations are a heavy burden, and her anger only grows with his continued distraction and blatant disregard for her rules. The longer Daedalus allows himself his dalliance with Cain, the more dire the consequences become. Until one day those consequences arrive, and Daedalus is faced with a punishment he cannot run away from.
Separated by forces outside their control, Daedalus and Cain must overcome years of distance and longing when fate deems to grant them a second chance. But as others start to find themselves in Daedalus’ way, Cain begins to question whether this is the man he once knew, and if there can be any hope for the two of them in the end.

From the author’s bio:

Sinclair A. Macabre is a non-binary poet and author from little ol’ New England. Their work typically explores sexuality, gender, trauma, and the darker side of romance. When they aren’t writing or reading, they’re talking to their friends, or hanging out with their cat and fiancée.

Find Sinclair here: https://sinclairamacabre.carrd.co/

Read The Skeletons in our Closet here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FL9Z6983

Exiles and Epics with Noah Bodie

~ Will Forrest ~ Leave a comment

We’re reaching back to the early days of the Indie Author Spotlight to shine a light on Noah Bodie.

I feel honor-bound to give everyone their turn even if it’s been weeks (months? sorry!) since their profile in my author newsletter (which you can always join here for free books and other cool stuff.)

Bulwark: Book 2 of the Desert Rose Saga

The next installment of the Desert Rose Saga follows Simon and Andreas as old wounds are reopened, and they’re forced to confront their growing feelings for one another.

What awaits them as they leave the city of Sebree eight months after being sent into isolation? Will Simon be able to confront his inner demons? Will Andreas uncover answers to a surprising revelation about his family? What challenges lie ahead as new foes emerge and a hidden piece of the world’s history claws to light?

From the author’s bio:

Noah is a queer author and illustrator living on the east coast. He’s a proud parent to a teenager, two cats, and a dog. He’s been praised for his world building, emotional storytelling and ‘swoon-worthy’ male characters.

Find Noah’s work here: https://noahbodie.com/

Read Bulwark: Book 2 of the Desert Rose Saga here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6CYBT11

WHY I READ* ROMANCE

~ Will Forrest ~ Leave a comment

TL:DR because I don’t trust other fiction.

I toddled down a rabbit hole this morning.  I say toddled because I got myself out so quickly instead of losing 2 hours to doomscrolling.

I was following a series of increasingly strident flags declaring that THIS  is “the great gay American novel.”  And I mean, I like great novels and gay people and am interested in America and anyone who has the nerve to lift the curtain.  But like I always do, I started by reading the worst reviews. That’s where the gold is, the truth, the ick, or in some cases “this was too horny for me and had too many queer characters” in which case it’s a one-click buy. But sometimes it’s:

“FUCK. THIS. BOOK.” 

That’s a one-click read, that review. If it inspires such vitriol then either it’s a masterpiece or a steaming turd.

Ah.  The latter.

Because I’m absolutely not a little bit sorry, but The Great Gay American Novel is not allowed to be a goddamn Kill-Your-Gays trope.  Not a fucking chance.

We’ve heard those stories. They’re called queer history.  Despair, isolation, mental illness, and often the only defence is to destroy all human feeling in your soul so you don’t have to cope with the fact that if everyone knew you for who you are, they wouldn’t just hate you, they would want you dead.

Boring.

Boooooooorrrrrrrring because it’s horrible and spiritually deadening and it still happens in real life all the time and so we don’t need a 700 page novel about a loser who spends the whole book being awful to everyone and experiencing zero emotional growth but he just happens to be a gay man in a book about gay men so that makes it THE GREAT GAY AMERICAN NOVEL. It just feels like more trauma porn: look, here’s a walking, talking tragedy, let’s zoom in closer on all his faults. Now closer. NOW CLOSER. 

Look, I haven’t read this book and under no circumstances will I ever read it (ok, a million dollars but I get half in advance.) I am basing my opinions on one review and the blurb of the book. And an interview in which the author said they didn’t believe in psychology and that people who were broken should essentially just stay broken.

That’s when I realized I’d *never* read the book, nor probably anything else this author has written. The way to help someone who is broken is to see them, hear them, love them, help them. “I see your pain.  Your pain is real.  Pain ends.  I trust you. I believe you.” You don’t shrug and then take character notes.  I refuse to read 700 pages about someone who refuses to grow, who gets no help, and whose main characteristic is being an irredeemable piece of shit.  Just sounds like a novel about straight people.

*and write