Young Adult Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary Romance, Magical Realism,
Contemporary Fiction
Date Published: May 30, 2026
What if the second chance you wished for came at the cost of everything
you loved?
At eighteen, Solehn has everything figured out. A thriving social life in New
York, a close-knit circle of friends, and a future she's carefully imagined.
But when her family unexpectedly falls apart, she's uprooted from everything
familiar and forced to spend her final semester of high school in Austin,
Texas. Determined not to disappear into a life she never chose, Solehn
reinvents herself. She trades vulnerability for sharp edges, falls into
friendships that demand more than they give, and slowly becomes someone she
barely recognizes. Then there's Alexander. Quiet, observant, and seemingly
immune to Solehn's carefully constructed defenses, Alexander is the boy next
door who sees the person beneath her performance. Their unlikely connection
grows through rooftop conversations, shared silences, and an understanding
neither knows how to ask for. But when tragedy strikes, Solehn discovers that
a mysterious yellow umbrella holds an impossible promise: the chance to go
back and change everything. Armed with knowledge of what lies ahead, Solehn
sets out to rewrite the past. Yet the closer she gets to saving the person she
loves, the more she questions whether love means holding on, letting go, or
accepting what cannot be controlled. Because second chances aren't always
gifts. Sometimes, they come with a price.
Seasons of Blooming is an emotional coming-of-age novel exploring messy
girlhood, complicated families, friendship breakups, first love, grief, and
the desire to undo our greatest regrets. Blending contemporary realism with
magical realism, Doreen Otaru explores what it means to lose yourself, find
your people, and discover that growing up isn't about becoming perfect. It's
about learning when and how to bloom. For readers who love complex characters,
slow-burn romance, found family, unexpected twists, and stories that linger
long after the final page.
About the Author
Doreen Otaru is a multidisciplinary storyteller and creative strategist whose
work explores human connection, culture, and the evolving relationship between
media and community. Drawing from experiences across storytelling, design, and
collaborative creative spaces, her work is rooted in curiosity, emotional
honesty, and a deep appreciation for the ways stories shape how people see
themselves and each other.
A Wholesome Middle-Grade and Young Adult Fantasy Adventure by N.J.
McConnell
In the magical world of Selah, humans, dwarves, caruans, and
other remarkable peoples have lived together in peace for generations. But
beyond the safety of their kingdoms, an ancient evil has awakened—one
determined to divide the nations and conquer the world.
To prepare his people for the coming darkness, El Selah sends his spirits into
the world, blessing chosen individuals with extraordinary magical gifts.
Runric has spent his childhood living a quiet, isolated life in the forest.
Now coming of age, he leaves everything familiar behind and journeys with his
loyal caruan friend, Falid, to compete in a worldwide magic contest. Blessed
with six different forms of magic, Runric quickly attracts attention in the
neighboring kingdom of Palanda—along with a level of fame he never
wanted.
As the competition draws him into a dazzling world of princesses, kings,
mysterious creatures, and rival magic wielders, Runric begins to uncover
secrets about his own family. The ancient enemy threatening Selah may be
connected to a danger first discovered by his father—and by the mother
Runric has long believed was lost.
Torn between the simplicity of his forest home and the responsibility that
comes with his remarkable abilities, Runric must decide whether he is ready to
embrace his destiny. His greatest challenge will not simply be learning how to
control his magic, but developing the faith, wisdom, mercy, and discernment
needed to use it well.
Heartwell: Heir of the Wizard is a captivating middle-grade and young adult
fantasy adventure filled with imaginative world-building, memorable
friendships, wholesome humor, magical contests, family mysteries, and an
unforgettable battle between good and evil.
Perfect for readers in fifth grade and above—and for families who enjoy
clean fantasy fiction—this coming-of-age adventure explores:
● Faith, courage, and personal responsibility
● Friendship across cultures and kingdoms
● The importance of wisdom and discernment
● Family, identity, and belonging
● Using one’s gifts for a greater purpose
● Choosing what is right when darkness begins to rise
Enter the world of Heartwell and discover a family-friendly fantasy story
where magic reflects character, unlikely heroes find their courage, and one
young man’s gifts may hold the key to saving all of Selah.
About the Author
N.J. McConnell is a Texas-based author of wholesome middle-grade and young
adult fantasy. A software engineer with degrees in computer science, he brings
the logic of a programmer and the imagination of a lifelong fantasy reader to
his richly developed stories.
Inspired by reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit as a child, McConnell
began writing the kind of relatable, family-friendly fantasy adventures he
wished he had encountered more often growing up. For more than a decade, he
has developed the magical world of Heartwell—a place filled with
memorable characters, imaginative kingdoms, exciting quests, and meaningful
lessons about faith, wisdom, mercy, courage, and discernment.
McConnell is the author of Heartwell: Heir of the Wizard, a coming-of-age
fantasy adventure for readers in fifth grade and above. Through compelling
characters, wholesome humor, magical contests, and timeless conflicts between
good and evil, he hopes to create stories that entertain the entire family
while encouraging readers to use their unique gifts with integrity and
purpose.
Born and raised in Texas, N.J. McConnell lives in San Antonio with his wife
and two children. When he is not writing, reading fantasy, or developing
software, he enjoys coaching youth basketball and teaching Bible classes.
Seeing his children experience the world and characters he spent years
creating has made his journey as an author especially meaningful.
Learn more about N.J. McConnell and the Heartwell fantasy series at
heartwellstories.com.
The Wind City Child is an inspirational young adult fiction and
coming-of-age story. Follow Amina, a determined and motivated girl navigating
life between the bustling city and her grandmother’s traditional
countryside. Along the way, she learns the power of discipline, hard work,
leadership, cultural values, and self-belief. From excelling in high school to
pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer, Amina’s story is filled with
perseverance, personal growth, and empowerment. This motivational fiction
inspires teens and young readers to believe in themselves, embrace their
roots, and overcome obstacles to achieve success.The Wind City Child is a
must-read inspirational story for anyone looking for empowerment, life
lessons, and personal development in teen fiction.
About the Author
NGOUNOU PESSEU grew up in Cameroon. He is an author, Petroleum and Natural Gas
Engineer, and a graduate of West Virginia University. He also holds a Ph.D. in
Metaphysics & Sciences and is passionate about leadership, personal
development, and empowering minds.With over 15 years of experience in the
utilities industry, Pesseu has inspired and educated individuals across the
globe. As an author, he focuses on creating motivational and young adult
fiction that teaches resilience, cultural values, and self-belief, guiding
readers to embrace discipline, leadership, and purpose in their personal
growth journey.
What if the most important lessons in life came from the ordinary
moments we often overlook?
A Boy Becoming: A Renewed Vision for a Kinder,
Gentler World is an inspiring coming-of-age memoir that invites readers into
the private journals, drawings, reflections, and life experiences of young
author Eddy Yang. Compiled from diary entries written between the ages of ten
and sixteen, this powerful memoir chronicles the journey of a young boy
learning how to navigate family, faith, friendship, sports, responsibility,
and personal growth.
Through honest reflections and meaningful life
lessons, Eddy explores what it means to build character in a world that often
values achievement over integrity. Along the way, he learns that becoming a
better person is not about perfection—it is about practice.
As an
ice hockey goalie, Eddy discovers courage, resilience, humility, discipline,
and the ability to recover from failure. Through conversations with his
parents, guidance from teachers and coaches, experiences with service, and
moments of self-reflection, he learns that true strength comes from within and
that growth happens one choice at a time.
Filled with wisdom beyond his
years, A Boy Becoming explores timeless themes including:
✔ Character
Development and Personal Growth
✔ Kindness, Compassion, and Empathy
✔ Family
Values and Faith
✔ Self-Reflection and Emotional Growth
✔ Discipline,
Responsibility, and Resilience
✔ Youth Leadership and Positive Decision-Making
✔
Sportsmanship and Life Lessons from Hockey
✔ Gratitude, Forgiveness, and
Humility
✔ Identity, Purpose, and Self-Discovery
At the heart of this
reflective memoir is a simple but powerful truth: character is built slowly
through ordinary moments. Every mistake, every challenge, every act of
kindness, every lesson learned, and every effort to improve becomes part of
the process of becoming.
Perfect for teens, young adults, parents,
educators, coaches, mentors, and anyone interested in personal development, A
Boy Becoming offers encouragement, insight, and hope for readers navigating
their own journey of growth.
Inside You'll Discover:
●
Honest diary reflections from childhood through adolescence
●
Life lessons from family, faith, sports, and service
●
Thought-provoking insights about character and
self-improvement
● Inspirational messages for young
people facing challenges and uncertainty
● Practical wisdom about
becoming someone you respect
Memorable Quotes from the Book
"Kind is more
important than smart. Logic has no moral. We must be nice no matter what."
"Forgiveness
frees you more than it frees the other person."
"Possessions should not
possess you."
"A distracted driver misses exits. A distracted life misses
destiny."
"Remember: you are not your trophies. You are not your
mistakes. You are the daily effort that nobody sees."
If you enjoy
inspirational memoirs, coming-of-age stories, personal growth books, youth
leadership, family-centered nonfiction, or books that encourage reflection and
character development, A Boy Becoming will resonate long after the final
page.
Because becoming a better person isn't a destination—it's a
lifelong journey.
About the Author
Eddy Yang is a student, writer, ice hockey goalie, and young author whose work
focuses on self-reflection, personal growth, family values, faith, discipline,
and character development.
His passion for writing began long before he
imagined becoming an author. Throughout childhood, Eddy kept journals, diary
entries, drawings, comics, and reflections that documented his experiences,
thoughts, challenges, and questions about life.
Over time, these personal
writings evolved into something larger—a record of growth from childhood
into adolescence.
The Beginning of a Writer
Eddy never started writing
with the intention of publishing a book.
He wrote to understand
himself.
Sometimes he wrote after difficult experiences. Other times he
wrote after learning valuable lessons from parents, teachers, coaches,
teammates, or faith. Writing became a way to process emotions, reflect on
mistakes, and preserve important moments.
As he revisited years of
journals and drawings, he recognized a story unfolding: the story of
becoming.
Hockey and Character
As an ice hockey goalie, Eddy has learned
lessons that extend far beyond the rink.
Goaltending taught him courage,
resilience, humility, patience, and discipline. It taught him how to handle
pressure, recover from failure, and continue improving after setbacks.
These
experiences became a powerful influence on his understanding of personal
growth and are woven throughout his writing.
Why He Wrote A Boy
Becoming
Eddy wrote A Boy Becoming because he believes growth happens through
ordinary moments.
Character is not built overnight.
It develops
through repeated choices, honest reflection, mistakes, perseverance,
gratitude, forgiveness, and love.
His hope is that
readers—especially young people—will recognize that they are not
alone in their struggles and that becoming a better person is a lifelong
journey worth embracing.
Mission
Through his writing, Eddy hopes to
inspire readers to:
● Practice kindness
● Develop discipline
●
Embrace humility
● Learn from mistakes
● Strengthen character
●
Value family and faith
● Continue growing every day
"Kind is more
important than smart. Logic has no moral. We must be nice no matter what."
What would you do with the last 24 hours of your life?
For nineteen-year-old Tina, the answer is simple: live.
After receiving devastating news, Tina refuses to spend her final hours
confined to a hospital bed. With time slipping away and an impossible dream
still burning inside her, she convinces Jake, a fellow patient, to run.
Together, they escape the hospital, steal a car, and set out for New York
City—determined to squeeze an entire lifetime into one unforgettable
day.
As their frantic parents race to find them, Tina and Jake chase freedom
through the heart of the city. From the peaceful lawns of Central Park to the
dazzling lights of Times Square, every stop becomes a stolen moment, every
laugh an act of defiance, and every heartbeat a reminder that time is the one
thing no one can bargain for.
But as the sun begins to set, their breathtaking adventure turns into a race
toward one final, symbolic destination—one that will test their courage,
their bond, and the meaning of a life fully lived.
Emotional, urgent, and deeply human, Summer of the Blue Jay is a poignant
contemporary novella about friendship, love, resilience, and the power of
choosing joy when the clock is running out.
Perfect for readers who enjoy heartfelt coming-of-age fiction, emotional
literary stories, and thought-provoking books that ask life’s biggest
questions, this unforgettable debut reminds us that tomorrow is never
promised—and that one day can hold the meaning of a lifetime.
About the Author
Mike DeMaio is an author and seasoned technology professional whose
career has spanned more than twenty-five years in corporate Information
Technology, including leadership roles supporting global teams across the
pharmaceutical, biotech, and specialty food industries.
After decades of solving complex technical challenges, Mike turned to writing
as a way to explore the human stories behind pressure, change, resilience, and
time. What began as humorous reflections on life in IT soon evolved into a
deeper creative calling, leading him from industry commentary and tech-focused
articles into fiction.
His debut novella, Summer of the Blue Jay, asks one of life’s most
powerful questions: what would you do if you only had twenty-four hours left?
Inspired by Mike’s own reflections on career disruption, identity, and
the urgency of living intentionally, the story blends emotional depth with a
fast-paced journey about friendship, courage, and the priceless value of the
present moment.
Mike continues to develop a diverse range of writing projects, including
humorous technology-inspired work, fiction, and thriller concepts. Through his
storytelling, he hopes to remind readers that time is never
guaranteed—and that the moments we choose to truly live are the ones
that matter most.
A Faith-Filled Coming of Age Story About Influence, Identity, and Purpose
Coming of Age, Christian
Date Published: April 25, 2026
Jade didn’t set out to become famous.
She just wanted to be seen.
When eighteen-year-old Jade Zachary begins experimenting with social media,
what starts as curiosity quickly turns into something bigger. Her posts gain
attention. Her following grows. But the spotlight comes with a cost. Harsh
comments begin piling up, accusations spread online, and strange anonymous
messages start appearing in her inbox. Someone is watching her more closely
than she realizes.
As the pressure of influence grows, Jade must confront questions far deeper
than likes or followers.
Who is she trying to impress?
What does real influence actually look like?
Guided by her faith, her family, and trusted friends, Jade begins to discover
that influence is not about popularity or clout. It is about purpose,
integrity, and the responsibility that comes with having a voice.
Blending Christian fantasy, suspense, and inspirational storytelling,
Influence God’s Way With Us explores the unseen spiritual principles
behind identity, discernment, and influence in today’s attention-driven
culture. Through Jade’s journey, readers discover powerful lessons about
authenticity, humility, leadership, and staying grounded in faith in a world
obsessed with approval.
The internet gave Jade a platform.
Faith will decide how she uses it.
This is not just a story about going viral.
It is a story about identity, boundaries, faith, and the courage to influence
the world God’s way.
If you’ve ever questioned the pressure of social media, identity, or
purpose, this story will challenge and inspire you. Get your copy today and
join Jade’s journey.
About the Author
Lola Salvador Akinwunmi is a writer, songwriter, and leadership architect with
a passion for shaping people who shape the world. Drawing from years of
creative and leadership work, Lola brings a rare voice to every room she
enters, one that is equally at home crafting a lyric, building a leader, and
telling a story that stirs the soul.
Her debut novella, Influence God's Way With Us, is the culmination of that
journey. It explores what it truly means to lead with divine influence, not
ego, strategy, or title, but surrender and purpose. Lola writes for the leader
who knows there is something deeper available and is ready to reach for it.
She has been featured in Addicted2Success, LinkedIn, Thrive Global, Brit +Co,
CEOWorld Magazine, The Good Men Project, and writes for Entrepreneur Magazine.
Amid the vibrant landscape of San Francisco in the late 1960s,
eleven-year-old Jamie steps into the confines of a dark confessional booth.
With promises of confidentiality, Father Nelson uncovers a chilling secret
buried deep within the young boy’s subconscious.
Intrigued by his grave past, Father Nelson brings him into the church as an
altar boy under the mentorship of Harry, an older acolyte. The priest quickly
gains control over Jamie, using the boy’s complicated history and his
own undisputed authority to initiate a dark turn in their relationship. Jamie
falls deeper into the world of religion, and his blooming friendship with
Harry becomes a needed distraction from the somber realities of the church.
Shaped by major cultural events, from the Manson murders to the moon landing,
to Woodstock and the Civil Rights Movement, Jamie’s life unfolds as he
navigates religion, power, and loss of innocence. A haunting coming of age
story, Boy Altared explores a seismic shift into adulthood during one of the
most turbulent decades in history.
About the Author
J.S. Pavoggi was born in 1957 and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, the sixth of
eight children in a devout Catholic family. He attended parochial school,
served as an altar boy, and came of age during the turbulence of the Vietnam
War era and the cultural upheaval that followed.
After a 40-year career in public service with the United States Postal
Service—where he also served as a union representative—Pavoggi
experienced a life-altering heart procedure that changed the way he saw the
world. What began as an impulse to write a better streaming series evolved
into a powerful, fictionalized account of survival and healing.
His debut novel, Boy Altared, is a deeply personal work of historical fiction
rooted in memory, silence, and resilience. Pavoggi lives in Arizona with his
wife of 38 years. They have three children and four grandchildren.
I’ve always been afraid of the monster inside me. Now I might have to finally unleash it.
Blurb
A hilarious, high-action M/M Buffy the Vampire Slayer—but all grown up, made spicier, and with a scrappy and lovable monster as the hero.
Perfect for fans of TJ Klune, David R. Slayton, and K.D. Edwards.
I was born an incubus, a literal soul-sucking sex demon. But I’ve deliberately never fed, so I don't have any powers.
Still, that doesn't stop an arrogant fae prince from blackmailing me into stealing a magical watch from a creepy San Francisco mansion.
Turns out, the artifact contains Collin, an all-knowing spirit with serious golden retriever vibes who looks like a cute twentysomething guy my age. If I can keep him from the fae, he swears we can be together—even physically—without anyone getting hurt.
The wrinkle? He’s also being hunted by bloodthirsty vampires who need the watch to end the world.
And my only ally? A smoking-hot monster slayer who's all "touch him and die" whenever I'm in danger but who would most certainly kill me if he ever discovered what I was.
I’ve spent my whole life trying to be good—and okay, maybe dreaming of someone who could make me feel less alone. But to save Collin and stop the apocalypse, I'll have to feed.
And once I taste a soul, there might be no coming back.
The Reluctant Incubus kicks off the New Adult M/M urban fantasy duet Alvin Alonso's Secret Files. There is a cliffhanger in Book 1—but don't worry: Book 2, Incubus Vampire Slayer, will be released on the same day. You will be able to binge the whole story, all the way to Alvin's deeply satisfying HFN.
A totally insane choice since, you know, I'm an actual monster.
And I did this right after finding out that the Hunter, Rafa, has a deep, personal connection with the vampires who are after me—vampires who've kidnapped the teen girl I'm supposed to rescue, and who need the magical watch I'm carrying to end the world.
As for that watch? It imprisons Collin—a handsome spirit who can answer any question and who gets me in a way no one else ever has. Over the last 24 hours, Collin and I have done a whole lot more than just making out.
The truth is, I actually think I'm falling in love with him. Which might be the craziest thing of all, since he still hasn't told me what he really is.
Look, I know I've made some bad decisions lately. But now I have people I need to protect, people I care about. And since I'm feeding, for the first time in my life, I have real power.
So yeah, maybe I'll never be good. But trust me—I am done running.
Because it's time to show those vampires what a real monster can do.
Incubus Vampire Slayer concludes the thrilling, laugh-out-loud adventure that began in The Reluctant Incubus, Book 1 of the MM urban fantasy duet Alvin Alonso's Secret Files. I recommend starting with The Reluctant Incubus so you can binge the whole story from the beginning through to Alvin's deeply satisfying HFN.
Excerpt from The Reluctant Incubus
BLAM! The final vampire bites the dust. I don’t even bother to look back to see if the undead creature was able to get anywhere near the badass Monster Hunter before it was cut down. Instead, I jump to my feet and run for the stairs in a blind panic.
“Wait!” Mr. Terminator yells, voice deep and gruff, clearly expecting complete compliance.
I am not waiting. I book it down the hallway, still gripping the shard of wood.
Collin jogs alongside, having no trouble keeping up. “Alvin? What are you doing?”
I ignore him and almost get to the first stair, but the Monster Hunter is so fast, he swings himself in front of me before I can even put a single foot on that OSHA disaster and grabs my shoulders, fully stopping me. He’s well over six feet. I am child-sized compared to him.
“Slow down, buddy. You don’t need to run. I got ’em.”
He’s less than a foot away from me, his shotgun shoved into some kind of back holster peeking out from under his duster. Without even thinking, I shove back hard against his chest with both of my palms, dropping the stake and using all my strength to try to get out of whatever his “paranormal-creature-smelling” range might be. But at this point I’m a sweaty mess, I’ve got the weak-ass muscles of a committed couch potato, and his grip is so strong, I don’t go anywhere.
In response, he pulls me in tight, into a full-on hug. (Oh, my God! What’s with all the hugs, scary strangers?!)
“Breathe. Breathe! You’re safe. I promise.”
He squeezes me tighter. I can’t breathe. I am so going to die.
About the Author
Alex Woolfson writes action-packed adventures with lovable gay heroes.
An East-Coaster who now calls the Bay Area home, Alex spent twenty years editing films and video before turning to comics, where he created the Lambda Literary Award finalist graphic novel Artifice and the long-running LGBTQ-superhero webcomic The Young Protectors.
His debut MM urban-fantasy novel, The Reluctant Incubus, kicks off the Alvin Alonso's Secret Files duet, delivering high stakes action, slow-burn romance, and queer heroes who save the world and each other.
When Alex isn't at his treadmill desk writing, you'll find him traveling the globe with his husband, on the hunt for the perfect taco.
One choice. One moment. A ripple that changes everything.
In The Smallest of Miracles, Douglas Carpenter crafts a masterful literary
debut that merges gripping storytelling with profound life lessons. The novel
follows Ted Carrington, a wealthy, brilliant, and emotionally distant man on
the autism spectrum, who returns to the private elementary school that shaped
him—for better and worse. He intends to make a large donation, but what
begins as a business transaction slowly becomes a reckoning with his past.
As the story transitions between Ted’s present and his childhood,
readers meet the deeply flawed, often cruel boy he once was—especially
to a vulnerable new classmate named Anna. But life, in its quiet way, begins
to turn his world upside down.
What emerges is not only Ted’s transformation, but an invitation to the
reader: to reflect, to slow down, and to reconsider how the smallest
decisions—the ones we barely notice—can lead to the greatest
changes.
This is not just a novel. It’s a call to awareness. A self-improvement
guide disguised as a coming-of-age story.
📘 "Just like everything in life, meaning is found in the small details."
📘
"A golfer knows a 2-inch putt counts the same as a 200-yard drive. Life is
very similar..."
📘 "Change is the fertilizer of life. It often stinks,
but it is necessary for growth."
🔹 Perfect for fans of literary fiction with depth
🔹 A powerful read for young adults and up
🔹 Ideal for classrooms and book clubs seeking discussion-worthy themes
Read it once for the story. Read it again for the insight.
About the Author
Douglas Carpenter is not your typical author. A Certified Public
Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Douglas became the
youngest stockbroker in the U.S. at just 17 and currently owns two accounting
firms and an asset management company in New York. Despite a thriving career
in finance, his true passion lies in storytelling.
His debut novel, The Smallest of Miracles, took ten years to write—a
deeply personal and intricately crafted journey of self-discovery and
transformation. Drawing on his keen eye for detail and analysis, Douglas
poured over every word, shaping a literary fiction novel that functions as
both an engaging story and a guide to personal growth.
The book explores how tiny, seemingly insignificant choices shape our lives
far more than major events. Readers are invited to slow down, reflect, and
discover truths hidden in the smallest details—just as Douglas has done
through his writing.
Douglas hopes his novel will find a place in high school curricula and on the
bookshelves of thoughtful readers young and old. His message is clear: "The
truth is always hidden behind things that are out of place."
Connect with Douglas Carpenter to discover a new perspective on life,
character, and the miraculous power of small decisions.
A story that lingers like a bruise you can't stop touching.
This post contains material suitable only for readers 18+.
Blurb
Liam is just trying to finish high school and keep his secrets to himself. Mr. Hilton, his English teacher, is everything Liam shouldn't want—straight, married, and way off-limits—but possibly...interested. What starts as an innocent crush blurs into something more real, more intense, and more dangerous than either of them can control.
Because some lines should not be crossed. Some lessons can't be unlearned. And some desires come at a terrible price.
The Teacher Inside Me is an emotionally charged LGBTQ+ psychological thriller about longing, power, and the darkness within us all.
Originally racking up 2.6 million reads by a global audience on Wattpad before it was banned, this newly revised and completely uncensored edition invites you back into the shadows—rawer, deeper, and more haunting than ever.
This is the book they tried to bury—but The Teacher Inside Me is too disruptive to ever disappear.
Excerpt
I can’t believe he’s wearing that cologne again. Today of all days. A test day. A day when we get handed an exam with a series of questions about the Anton Chekhov play, The Seagull. A day when we have to scribble answers in the form of short essays to prove not only that we read the play from beginning to end but also that we thought about it deeply. First line: “Why do you always wear black?” Last line: “The fact is, he’s shot himself.” And everything in between.
I’m sitting in the front of the classroom, dead center, because we all were randomly assigned seats at the beginning of the school year and I guess I happened to be unlucky. Never before have I willingly chosen to be this far up front, an open target for questions posed, stripped of the privilege of blending in. But in this class, I don’t mind all that much because it means I get to be close to Mr. Hilton, closer than any other student.
I can smell him from here, and it’s making me swoon. I know it’s an old-fashioned word, “swoon,” but that’s the best way to describe how I’m feeling. How am I going to make it through this test? The scent—his scent—has managed to crawl far up my nose. And that may sound like a complaint. But it’s not.
I’ve always been sensitive to smells. And when the smell is wafting from a man I find extremely attractive, a man in his early thirties who seems simultaneously young and mature, a man whose rugged stubble covers a boyish face, a man whose wavy dark brown hair is short enough to be considered clean-cut but long enough for someone like his wife to run her fingers through, a man whose slim blue jeans and red dress shirt reveal the contours of his fit body, a man who doesn’t belong in a quiet suburb of Los Angeles teaching English but does belong in between the pages of a men’s fashion magazine . . . well . . .
The room is spinning a little, the way it does when I sometimes get up out of bed too fast. A comforting warmth fills my entire head and melts down onto my shoulders and the rest of my body. My heart: is it beating faster? My stomach: is it tightening up? Down further: what?
To put it simply: his cologne is driving me crazy. Like I want to leap out of my chair, pin him against the chalkboard, and ram my tongue down his mouth so deep and so long that I could tell exactly what he had for breakfast. Gross, I know. But these are my thoughts. And if I can’t be honest in my thoughts, then life would suck even more than it does now. I mean, I can’t be honest in my words and actions. And that’s one of the reasons I can’t wait to graduate. To get out of this city, Point Liberty, where I was born and where I don’t want to die. I want to move to a place where nobody knows me and I can finally be myself.
Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors
Ornery Owl's Review
Rating: Five out of Five Stars
This book is absolutely, positively for readers 18+ only.
Now that we've got that out of the way, let's get into the review.
This book provides an exceptionally thrilling journey into the darkest areas of the troubled psyche. To write this story off as lurid, age-gap erotica penned to deliver a cheap thrill would do it a disservice. While it delves into a forbidden relationship that crosses multiple lines, there are deep subtleties in both the plot and characters. Despite being oversexed and often overly dramatic, the troubled actors in this passion play are not simple stereotypes. They are archetypes.
The story contains elements of comedy, drama, and tragedy. Past the midpoint, Liam's erotic obsession with Mr. Hilton takes a dark turn. The author adeptly uses foreshadowing in scene descriptions, employing light and dark elements to hint at something sinister lurking in the shadows. The story also contains dark comedy elements. It is more intellectual than I expected, including references to Anton Checkhov's works both literally and via the plot.
The author has had trouble with people attempting to ban his work. Although this story contains many startling elements, nothing about it warrantsit being banned. I hope schools, particularly at the college level, will start teaching about the use of metaphor in literature and, above all, about engaging in critical thinking again. The literary world becomes boring when everything is overly sanitized.
About the Author
Anthony Auswat is the author of hot and dangerous gay thrillers, including The Teacher Inside Me and Hunter’s Hidden Camera—which collectively racked up more than three million reads on Wattpad before being banned. He lives in Los Angeles, where he writes under a pen name to protect the guilty, hide from his bosses, and get away with murder.
Nonfiction/Memoir, Adventure, Coming of Age, Drama
Date Published: March 24, 2025
Publisher: MindStir Media
"Life on the road was a dream. Destinations were shaping up to be
cold, hard, complicated realities."
The call of the open road, the music that fuels them, and the night that
changed everything... In the early 1990s, amidst the gritty allure of
Southern California's burgeoning music scene, 18-year-old Denver finds
herself at a crossroads. Her father has been missing for over a year,
leaving behind a void that haunts her every moment. After high school
graduation, Denver and her best friend hit the road for a transformative
journey across the country.
About the Author
You might say Dandy’s lifelong pursuit of healing began in many
places: with parents who both abandoned her in different ways; with the
incredible cross-country road trip she embarked on as a teenager; or with a
transcendent night in Washington D.C.
The truth is, healing is not about beginnings or about endings. It’s
an invitation that beckons to every one of us.
