Author Visit & Giveaway: Jay Bell

JAY BELL IS HEEEEERRRRRRRREEEEE!!!!!!!!! And he brought goodies! We have an excerpt from his upcoming book, Something Like Thunder (*squee*). It's his tenth book (Congrats, Jay!) and to celebrate he has an amazing giveaway.

Cover & Blurb:

This isn’t a coming out story. Nor is it the tale of a lonely heart seeking companionship. This is about how I learned to fight.

My name is Nathaniel Courtney and I’m a survivor. I didn’t let the cruelty of others wear me down, and I’ve weathered the more subtle hardships of the heart. Love is a Trojan horse, slipping past your guard and leaving you ransacked and vulnerable. I emerged from that war not unscathed but as a new man. The only mistake I ever made was letting the right guy get away. Now I’ve got one more chance. This is the final battle, because if I fail now… I won’t. You’ll see. Just listen to my story, Kelly Phillips, and when I’m done, please don’t walk away. Take this weary soldier into your arms so we can find peace together.

Something Like Thunder is the sixth book in the ongoing Something Like… series, shedding light on past events while leading the reader toward an exciting new future.

Excerpt:

“What now?” Caesar asked, glancing around the tent. They had their own, and aside from a couple of sleeping bags, an electric lamp, and privacy, they didn’t have much to work with.

“What now?” Nathaniel repeated with an incredulous twist. “You’re ready for the next adventure already?”

Caesar grinned at him. “Sure!”

“I’m ready to sleep,” Nathaniel said. “It’s late.”

Caesar groaned, as if disappointed. Then he stripped off his shirt, tossing it casually aside before reaching for his jeans. “What about tomorrow?”

Nathaniel forced himself to focus on unzipping his sleeping bag. “Up to you. Maybe we’ll go back to Warton. But at night, this time. We’ll hang out in the graveyard, light some candles, spill some blood. Then we’ll see if any ghosts want to share their secrets with us.”

“Dude,” Caesar said. “You’re freaking me out. Seriously.”

Nathaniel smirked. “Don’t like ghost stories?”

“Nope.”

He looked over to find Caesar already in his sleeping bag, his jeans a crumpled pile next to him. He didn’t see any underwear, but that still seemed awfully undressed for a chilly spring night. Nathaniel left his clothes on and reached to turn off the lamp. A few minutes later, he started sweating. Whatever material these bags were made of, they were hardcore. He squirmed out of his to shed some clothes.

“What are you doing?” Caesar whispered.

“Getting naked.”

“These sleeping bags are hot, huh?”

“Yeah.”

The silence was thick with sexual tension, even if it was one-sided. Stripping down to his underwear this close to Caesar felt erotic. Nathaniel started to hurry, becoming aroused and wishing he had taken care of business in the communal shower room earlier. Maybe he could wait until Caesar fell asleep or—

“Hey.”

Nathaniel made sure he was back in his sleeping bag before he answered. “What?”

“You’re not alone.”

Nathaniel scrunched up his face in confusion, despite his expression being invisible in the dark. “Huh?”

“What you said earlier, about being gay. You’re not alone.”

Pep talk. That was sweet, but he didn’t need it. “Okay,” Nathaniel replied, rolling over and getting comfortable. His eyes shot open soon after. Was Caesar simply trying to cheer him up? Or was there more to it? “I know there are other gay people,” he whispered. “I told you, I’ve been on dates and stuff.”

A long pause. Had Caesar fallen asleep? No. “There was this guy I met once. Well, I didn’t meet him. I called an ambulance because my grandma was having a stroke and he picked me up— Not like that! I don’t mean he flirted with me. Ugh, I’m telling it all wrong.”

Nathaniel tried not to laugh. “You met a paramedic once, and he turned out to be gay. Unless you’ve got his email address for me, I don’t see your point.”

“That’s not what I was trying to say.”

Caesar sounded hurt, so Nathaniel made sure his voice was softer when he spoke. “Try again.”

“He was beautiful,” Caesar said hurriedly. “Even though he was only in my life a few minutes, I never stopped thinking about him.”

A guy calling another guy beautiful… That didn’t happen often. Any guy could tell if another was hot and might mention that in conversation. Johnny Depp sure is a good-looking motherfucker. Guy probably gets all the girls! Banter like that didn’t raise red flags. But a gentle word like ‘beautiful,’ was something different. Still, Nathaniel didn’t leap to any conclusions, despite being tempted.

“There’s a difference between admiring a guy and finding him attractive.”

“Sometimes it’s both.”

“But you and Steph…”

“I love her,” Caesar said. “I’m into girls. Especially her. But I’ve always noticed guys too. I used to think I lacked a filter or just hadn’t made up my mind about who I am. But I don’t wonder anymore. Like I said… Sometimes it’s both.”

Bisexual? Nathaniel felt like sighing and groaning at the same time. Over the past few weeks, he had wished more than once that they were compatible, that Caesar was gay. He should have been more specific because he got his wish. He and Caesar could be together. Except Caesar already had someone he loved. The revelation was bittersweet. Mostly bitter though.

“Nathaniel?” Caesar said.

“Hm?” he managed.

“I’m really glad we met.”

Nathaniel kept his expression neutral. When he remembered he couldn’t be seen, he allowed the pain to show. “Yeah. Me too.”

About Jay Bell:
Jay Bell never gave much thought to Germany until he met a handsome foreign exchange student. At that moment, beer and pretzels became the most important thing in the world. After moving to Germany and getting married, Jay found himself desperate to communicate the feelings of alienation, adventure, and love that surrounded this decision, and has been putting pen to paper ever since.

Author Links:
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

 Are you ready for the awesomeness of this prize pack? Here it goes...
  • Any book from Jay's back catalog (excluding Thunder), in eBook or Paperback format
  • A set of autographed art cards
  • A $25 Amazon gift card
  • A download code for any of Jay's Audible audiobooks
OMG, right? I know. All you have to do is comment below with your contact info (email, Goodreads, Twitter, etc.) and you'll be entered to win this prize pack! The giveaway ends May 26th at 9:00 PM (PST) and a winner will be randomly drawn. Good luck!

56 comments:

  1. Daniel Bestmann
    Unit 4
    27 Fenton Street
    Fairfield QLD Australia 4103
    daniel.bestmann@gmail.com
    0468872342

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  3. Congratulations on your new release Jay and it's your tenth book!!! The excerpt was really good and I'm looking forward to reading the book.

    ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk

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  5. I love Jay Bell's books and I'm really looking forward to reading Thunder. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. :)
    xaphania_12@yahoo.co.uk

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  6. I'm so excited to read this book!
    tattooedtragedy(at)gmail.com

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  7. Hey! A different excerpt! My... how badly I want this book. Just started re reading the series. Seriously, read Something Like Summer in under two days. Got apprehensive about starting Something Like Winter shortly after, my heart having been torn in two... but about to have my heart torn in four's. Next time (Something Like Autumn) in eight's. You get the idea.

    Phoenixisrising4(at)aim(dot)com

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  8. Congrats on the new release, Jay! And thank you for the chance to win!

    trishaboylove@gmail.com

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  9. Congrats, Jay! Always happy to hear of your successes!

    Greg Grimes :)
    grimesg@bgsu.edu

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  10. Hi Jay, hi all!
    Oh, wow Jay, another book in the series! Well done, I'm so looking forward to the new volume!

    I don't remember a time when Jay and Andreas weren't on my social media feed, and I wasn't waiting with bated breath for the next instalment of 'Something...' from Jay. I've read all of the Somethings, the Kamikaze Boys and Language Lessons. Aside from the books, I love how Jay engages in an on-going online conversation with his followers/fan base. As many of you know, he's got quite a track record now as an author, with amazing credentials from his peers because he's recognised as a really good storyteller. I'm also just chuffed to part of his cyber-entourage and enjoy his updates, and learning a bit about his life with Andreas. It was quite a gamble to head to Germany, but following your heart has paid off in so many ways, hasn't it?

    I love the 'Something like...' series, because I think it speaks to universal themes of human experience and it always has such faith in people when they, like Jay in real life, follow their hearts. The body of work in the 'Something like' series is really impressive, and I'm so looking forward to seeing how the first book translates to the silver screen... now that's pretty awesome! mrliquidpaddy at gee mail dot com... SeanR/Dublin xx

    Before I end, I also adored 'Kamikaze Boys' too, perhaps if we are really good Santa will bring us a sequel one day. In time. In the meantime, I've got thunder in my heart for Jay's new book... well done on reaching your 10th anniversary and keeping us munchkins happy, very happy. Andreas has instructions to give you a big hug from the fans (it may go on a while ;>)

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  11. Congratulations to Jay, a wonderful author!

    wbanks87@ymail.com
    @usernamenoway Twitter
    @wbanks87 Instagram

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  12. Marc A. Martinez
    7166 Hooker st
    Westminster, CO 80030
    kingdef3oh3@yahoo.com

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  13. I'm ready for tomorrow, it can't come fast enough. I'm so freaking ready for thunder!
    Ceb3187@gmail.com

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  14. ANGELA:

    Happy Anniversary Jay :)
    And congrats on the upcoming release of Something Like Thunder.

    Thank you for the great giveaway.

    ahpg(at)ziggo(dot)nl

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  15. Congrats Jay! Today has been long in coming ( well, actually tomorrow) for all us loyal fans. I can't wait to add this book to my collection of great Jay Bell books!
    Mthompsonbsn@gmail.com

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  16. Residualshadow@yahoo.com good luck, everyone!

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  17. I love this series (including the first four seasons books)! Thanks for the excerpt and fantastic contest. Congrats on your 10th published book.

    jen(dot)f(at)mac(dot)com

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  18. Happy Anniversary!
    Grüsse aus Berlin :)

    febo.phevos@hotmail.com

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  19. Thanks for the giveaway!
    serena91291@gmail.com

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  20. Can't wait to read thunder!!! ewaanmuurphyy12345@Gmail.com

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  21. Really enjoy your books! ptkat@live.com

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  22. Can't wait for this tomorrow!

    carolina_dudeman@hotmail.com

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  23. I am obsessed with your series!

    nytonelete@gmail.com

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  24. Can't wait for the release of the new book.

    birdog1us@gmail.com

    :)
    Chuck D

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  25. Thanks for the excerpt & giveaway.
    legacylandlisa@gmail.com

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  26. Thanks for the giveaway! Love you Jay!
    bothecat123@gmail.com

    -Robb

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  27. Congratulations!!
    karadg@hotmail.com

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  28. I am really looking forward to Something Like Thunder!

    aniko.laczko@hotmail.com

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  29. Congrats on your 10th published book, Jay! And thank you for the great excerpt and wonderful giveaway! :)

    qbeeqt@yahoo.com

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  30. Congrats on another book. Looks excellent.
    debby236 at gmail dot com

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  31. Congratulations on your newest book! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway chance as well!

    jczlapin@gmail.com

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  32. Awesome books, awesome giveaway! Thanks, Jay!

    caroaz [at] ymail [dot] com

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  33. Congrats on Thunder. Can't wait to read it!
    Joe Finocchio
    Raysdad512@verizon.net

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  34. Much success to you, Jay and congrats on your newest release! I've loved the books I've read of yours and this one sounds like a winner as well. Thanks for the great giveaway!
    taina1959 @ yahoo.com

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  35. Congrats on your new release. This is definitely going on my TBR list. Thanks for a chance in the giveaway.

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    1. Sorry... flutterfli01 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  36. Awesome!!! 10 years! Congrats!

    sabconradi (at) gmail dot com

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  37. NEW BOOK!

    guyofthelostforest@hotmail.com

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  38. Awesome, can't wait to start reading.
    Contact via Twitter: http://twitter.com/jordy_s

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  39. Huge Jay Bell fan!! Look forward to reading his latest book. Thank you for the chance at this great giveaway. ardent(dot)ereader(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. I'm really looking forward to the new book!
    kimandpete at me dot com

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  41. sounds GREAT
    Jeffrey Rhodes
    26 berry st baden pa 15005

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  42. Anthony G. Garza
    Anthonygalateo@outlook.com

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  43. oh my god, yaaaaaaaaaaaas!
    e-mail: ivantsukino@aol.com
    goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/21884513-ivan-de-santiago

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  44. Yay my copy of Thunder was in the mail today! Off to read now HUGS!
    christietaylor@mac.com

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  45. I can't wait to read it. I'm behind in the series! My best friend held these gems from me for over three years! lol
    twitter.com/_trance4life

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  46. I can't wait to read Thunder so excited, love this series.
    susyyadira@aol.com

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  47. Wow I am so excited for this book! I wanted to order it but I have no money. These book have been so amazing to me. The characters are so relatable and their stories are so interesting! I relate to Ben the most, but I think Spring is my favorite! I would love so much to win this giveaway!

    Samuelmfurman@hotmail.com

    Twitter: SamuelFurman

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  48. Congratulations! Something Like Summer nearly killed me, but I'm determined to get through the rest of the books. :)

    debdeege (at) optonline (dot) net

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  49. Can't wait to read the new book!!
    https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7304906-sonja

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  50. Big congrats to the newest release!

    dannyfiredragon@aol.com

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  51. Big congrats to the newest release!

    dannyfiredragon@aol.com

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  52. Congrats on you 10th writing aniversary!!! mevalem258 AT gmail DOT com

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  53. Thank you for a chance to win this wonderful prize, fingers crossed I might be lucky :) Happy 10th writing anniversary and I am also looking forward to the Something Like Summer movie. slholland22 {at} hotmail {dot} com

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  54. Congrats on reaching such an amazing landmark number. Enjoy all the celebrating you're entitled to do. :)

    waxapplelover (at) gmail (dot) com

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  55. A big fan of the Something Like series and in love with all the characters!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Eugene Chua
    ecpj_4@hotmail.com

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