NEW RELEASE and GIVEAWAY
Fan Art
by Sarah Tregay
This book blitz and giveaway for Fan Art is brought to you by YA Bound Book Tours.
Description
When the picture tells the story…
Senior year is almost over, and Jamie Peterson has a big problem. Not college - that’s all set. Not prom - he’ll find a date somehow. No, it’s the worst problem of all: he’s fallen for his best friend.
As much as Jamie tries to keep it under wraps, everyone seems to know where his affections lie, and the giggling girls in art class are determined to help Jamie get together with Mason. But Jamie isn’t sure if that’s what he wants - because as much as Jamie would like to come clean to Mason, what if the truth ruins everything? What if there are no more road trips, taco dinners, or movie nights? Does he dare risk a childhood friendship for romance?
This book is about what happens when a picture reveals what we can’t say, when art is truer than life, and how falling in love is easy, except when it’s not. Fan Art explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and how facing our worst fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most.
Excerpt
No. No, no. No.
I did not just do that. I can’t believe I just did that! Mason and I have been friends since third grade, and I have never looked at him like that. Other guys, yeah, but not him. It should be in the Bible. Thou shalt not check out thy best friend.
I wait a minute to catch my breath and the last shred of my sanity before I follow Mason into the locker room. I head for the sinks and splash water onto my face in an attempt to straighten out my thoughts. I’m okay with bent thoughts - I have them all the time - but checking out Mason? That’s going too far. He’s my best friend. And everyone knows friend crushes are the worst - even guy-girl friend crushes - drama, angst, broken hearts, you name it. It’s bad - real bad. And straight-guy-gay-guy friend crushes? I don’t even want to think about that apocalypse.
I take a deep breath and watch as the water collects along my upper lip. I mouth the words, Mason. Is. Not. Cute.
Featured Review
By Pacey1927
Fan Art has been on my radar for quite awhile. I really enjoy YA novels and although that has been rooted mostly in Fantasy and Paranormal genres, lately I have found myself reading more Contemporary works. I also am well over the intended target range for YA novels in general but I am completely unapologetic for it. I find that some of the best characterization comes from YA novels. Fan Art is no exception. The strengths of the book lies with these great characters especially our narrator Jamie. The novel starts as Jamie’s Senior Year of high school is coming to end. He needs to find a prom date asap and he is busy working on the school’s literary magazine which will be going to print very soon. He also is trying to figure out how to come out to his best friend Mason. His family knows he is gay but Jamie is still in the closet at school and with Mason. Jamie is afraid he will lose Mason when his friend learns that not only is Jamie gay but Jamie also has a crush on Mason. Now girls, being girls, seem to all realize that Jamie is gay. And they ‘ship’ him with Mason. One of these ladies makes a cartoon story about two gay boys and Jamie fights to get it in the school magazine. He is vetoed because the other students feel that it could cause an uproar that leaves them without funding the next year. Jamie has to make a tough choice that very well may ‘out’ him at school and with Mason.
I found the book to be entertaining and engaging. I empathized with Jamie and his dilemma. I also loved how accepting that his group of friends was… however not everyone was so open minded which is also (unfortunately) realistic. Fan Art was a good book with a great message but I have to be really wow’d to give a five star review and I wasn’t quite there. For instance I knew what was up with Mason and I didn’t quite buy that Jamie was oblivious. I applaud the novels which feature LGBT youth and show them in such a realistic and positive light. Although I have read several myself and am aware of others out there, I still can’t wait for the day that they are even more common.
Guest Post by the Author
Undercover with Sarah Tregay’s Novel Fan Art
I listen to a lot of audio books, and from time to time I’ll read something on a Kindle. While both are convenient ways to get immersed in a story, I miss seeing the book itself. Because I am a graphic designer in my day job, I enjoy the little details in a printed book, such as the typeface, an illustration, or a beautiful chapter heading. Hardcover books are a treat because you can peek under the jacket and see the art on the binding.
So, in case you borrow a copy of Fan Art from your library or read it on your iPad, here is the art under the cover:
Also, Melissa DeJesus did an amazing job illustrating the graphic short story within Fan Art:
About the Author
Raised without television, Sarah Tregay started writing her own middle grade novels after she had read all of the ones in the library. She later discovered YA books, but never did make it to the adult section. When she's not jotting down poems at stoplights, she can be found hanging out with her "little sister" from Big Brothers Big Sisters. Sarah lives in Eagle, Idaho, with her husband, two Boston Terriers, and an appaloosa named Mr. Pots. Her latest book, Fan Art, was released June 2014.
Giveaway
Enter the blitz-wide giveaway for a chance to win one of two signed ARCs of Fan Art by Sarah Tregay (US/Canada only).
Links
