CAKEWALK: A Novel (The Cake Series) by Douglas Bell (Bumbershoot Press) (26 Reviews)    Price verified 23 minutes ago

"Your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. Yes, I gave this book a six-star rating out of a possible five. Where to even begin with how much I loved this book." Goodreads Reviewer, Transgender Bookworm Die-hard traditional Texas is the backdrop where success and nonconformity cannot coexist for Bryan Hicks, an African-American divorced father of two kids, Lindsey, the athletic golden child, and Lance, the unorthodox queer thespian. Bryan's mother loves bragging to her high-society girlfriends about Bryan's accomplishments and promotion to VP at a large multinational oil/gas company. Bryan vigorously steers clear of conversations with his mother about who he is dating because Bryan has been secretly dating Nadia, a transgender woman. Cakewalk is contemporary fiction based on Douglas Bell's past experiences. Bell speaks from an African-American heteronormative (privileged) cisgender voice to candidly expose the trauma of transphobia and homophobia. Bell wants to humanize the struggle of trans women to live on their terms. Bell asks us to believe in ourselves, trust in ourselves, and don't let society define who you are. There is enough courage within you to be the person you want to be. Editorial Reviews Goodreads Reviewer, Erikka I must say this book absolutely had me by the first chapter. Each character represented someone i have have met or known and truly had me hooked. The fact that as I dove deeper into each page it was as if I was watching a movie of so many lives play out right before me. This up and coming author has truly snatched my attention and made me reflect on the perspectives of others as well as the symbolism throughout this read. If you want to laugh, cry, feel anger, empathy, and reflection on how and who you are as well as get a little hot and heavy this is definitely the right book for you. Step into a world you may have never known existed and watch the similarities of what all humans long for no matter the pronoun.

Genre: Literary Fiction

The Day He Went Away by Jennifer Millikin (JNM LLC) (647 Reviews)    Price verified one minute ago

"This story is far more than a romance. It's a story of healing and hope... of friendship and empathy. A story like this will sear you." - Angie & Jessica's Dreamy Reads Life was roses. I was happy. I had my dream job. I'd finally fallen in love with the man who'd been waiting for me since he was a boy. Soon his four years in the Army would be over, and we'd be together forever. My perfect life was squarely in my palm. And then it was snatched from me. The harshest, cruelest truth became my reality. And I turned into a shell of my former self. Then a stranger arrived, wearing Army fatigues and closely cropped dark hair. Fulfilling a promise to his comrade-in-arms brought him to my front door. And the focus of his promise, it turned out, was me. His mission was simple: Care for me. Heal me. Bring me back to life. But what started out as an uncomplicated mission is quickly turning personal. He came here to take care of me. But neither of us expected how much he'd need me, too. And we definitely didn't expect these feelings. My broken heart knows how wrong it is. We'll fight it, harder than we've ever fought anything. I'm afraid to win, and I'm even more terrified to lose. Of all his missions, I may be his most dangerous.

Genre: Literary Fiction