Today I am so pleased to welcome Wade Kelly to Joyfully Jay. Wade has come to talk to us about her latest release, Back Off! That’s My Jock. She has also brought along a great tour wide giveaway. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!

 

Well, Wade Kelly fans, the next installment in the JOCK Series it out! Yes, indeed. Friday, August 26, 2016 was release day. Not a fan? Never heard of my books? Then let me introduce myself!

My name is Wade Kelly and I’ve been published with Dreamspinner Press since 2009. Yes, 2009. I originally wrote a novel under the pen name Linda Reilly, but I’ve been writing as Wade Kelly since 2011 when I wrote the novel When Love is Not Enough. I strive very strongly to write about controversial subjects and address culture and social issues in the LGBT community. I truly desire for my readers to think about the subjects in my books and not just seek to be entertained. Real life may be stranger than fiction, but fiction can also mirror real life. You can visit my website to learn more about me.

Wade: You’ve probably noticed I’ve done a number of character interviews for this tour where the characters ask ME questions. I thought it was a bit different, and hopefully entertaining. We’ve spoken with Doug Archer, Sam Garber Rob McAvoy, and Ellis Montgomery. Doug is back with us today. He IS the main character so I thought he deserved more attention. You don’t mind do you Doug?

Doug: Not at all.

Wade: I’d like to thank Joyfully Jay for hosting my guest appearance in order that I might talk about my new novel and so the fans and readers might learn more about me and my main character, Doug Archer. So Doug, why don’t you take it away!

Doug: Thanks Wade. One thing I wanted to know was why you picked a guy’s name for your pen name?

Wade: Well, Doug, you are not the only one who asks. I get questioned often if my name is Kelly, not Wade, or online some readers think I’m a guy. Back in 2010 when I had some issues with my church and writing gay characters, I had to pick a different name quickly. There was a TV show in the 90s called Sliders and the female character was named Wade Wells. Her sister on the show was named Kelly. Though I chose Kelly for a different reason, I thought the fact was funny. Wade Wells was a girl, so why not me? My bio online for several years lists “she” as well as has my picture so there is less confusion. But, I love that I’m the only girl named Wade you’ll find. (As far as I know.) I DID, however, find that a Wade Kelly does exist. He is a professor working on his doctorate. We’ve spoken through e-mail and he seems chuffed that I use his name for my pen name. Hence why my website is WRITERwadekelly.com. I am the writer. The other Wade Kelly is the teacher.

Doug: That’s pretty cool. If your name causes some confusion, is there anything about the genre you write that confuses people or people get the wrong impression of?

Wade: Yes, there most definitely is. If I tell people I write romance, many of them assume sex. They think I write porn. If I say gay romance, then it’s assumed to be gay porn. “Oh, you write erotica?” is another question. The answer is “No.” I write romance. The difference is in the plot. With romance, the character interaction moves the plot forward. The sex isn’t the goal, nor is it the central point. Some would question why write sex at all then? Well, some authors don’t. Some chose a fade-to-black approach. For me, I like it so I write it. Even though the sex is never the central point of the story, it does move the characters along. There is always a point in having sex. Sometimes it shows the bonding of the characters. Sometimes it brings out their fears. For me, writing sex deepens the relationship of the characters and I don’t want to have it “off screen” and summarized in the next scene when they are having breakfast. (Or playing soccer.) I want the intimacy right there for readers to experience along with the characters. The assumption from people I meet on the street ,who have never read the genre, assume porn. I’m sorry, but have you seen porn? There really isn’t a plot. It’s just sex in any way you can get it with whomever you can get it with. I’ve even read so titled “erotica” and let me tell you there is more plot in erotica than porn. Devon McCormack writes some erotic stories, yet there is loads of plot. People in the world need a reeducation that the romance market drives the written world and it’s not porn. (Porn is it’s own genre.) And this is me ranting. lol.

Doug: I can tell you and the readers of this post, the sex I have in the book is far from porn. And oh man, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever felt. Sex in Back Off! That’s My Jock is what led me to the conversation Chris and I have in our dorm room. If I hadn’t had sex, I don’t think I would have understood myself. Sex is a human experience that can change so much between two people. I’m glad it was “on-screen,” but not on camera. *winks* What inspires you to write gay romance, Wade? And do you think you may write anything else?

Wade: I started in gay romance because I wrote a story for a gay friend. Since he is gay, I wanted to write something he could relate to and I’m not sure it would have had the same affect with straight characters. I continue to write gay romance because I feel I still have something to say about life, love, and culture in reference to the LGBT community. Will I stop one day? Who knows. I do know I want to write outside contemporary romance. I have a vampire up my sleeve and maybe shape-shifters. I used to write sci-fi before I got published, so there is always a possibility of another genre. For now, I’m happy, and I have about nine more story ideas in my head. I’ll be around a while.

Doug: How do you find or make time to write?

Wade: Lately it’s been difficult. I had a great writing schedule LAST year, but then it got all discombobulated and has been off track ever since. I hope to get myself on track again soon. It’s been a crazy last 13 months, but times are looking up. I do know, however, that a writing schedule is very important to the process. For future writers, finding time and scheduling time is important. I know this in my heart and will straighten myself out one day soon.

Doug: I hope so! I hear JOCK 4 is in the works and I for one, need to know the next bit of the series. What happens to Rob? People gotta know.

Wade: I know. I promise I’ll finish it. I hoped to be done by August 1, but alas, I have not. I apologize to my readers.

Doug: No worries. I’m sure it will all come together. What do you like to read in your free time? Do you read the same genre you write, or something different?

Wade: I love gay romance. I don’t always read contemporary, but I love my male-male reads. Some of my favorite authors are: Jordan Castillo Price, Rhys Ford, Josh Lanyon, Ashlyn Kane, Amy Lane, Kade Boehme, Jordan Hawk, Santino Hassell, Roan Parrish, Z.A. Maxfield, Jeff Adams, and Ashley John. I love mysteries and cop novels, and books about rock bands.

Doug: I don’t read a whole lot, but books about rock bands sounds cool.

Wade: Yup! American Love Songs and Beneath the Stain are two of my all time favorite rocker books. In fact, one of my future stories will be a Rocker book. Anyway, I think this about wraps up the interview for this guest post. Thank you, Doug for joining me, and thank you Joyfully Jay for hosting me.

 

Lovely readers, if you are looking for more fun, here are the other stops of this blog tour:

July 27th – Caraway Carter’s Wednesday Walkabout
August 1st – Jeff and Will’s Big Gay Fiction Podcast.
August 17th – 2 Chicks Obsessed
August 19th – Prism Alliance
August 22nd – Love Bytes Reviews
August 24th – Ashley John’s blog
August 25th – Dreamspinner Press’ Blog
August 26th – Release Day! I’m on Elisa Rolle’s blog
August 29TH – Joyfully Jay
August 30th – Long & Short Reviews
August 31st – TTC Books & More
September 2nd – MM Good Book Reviews

I hope you enjoy release day as much as I will! Whoot!!!


 Blurb

Interview with Wade Kelly and Doug ArcherDefining his sexuality didn’t make sense until his best friend spelled it out.

Doug Archer did some pretty idiotic things in the first eight weeks of his junior year of college. First, he kissed his gay best friend, and second, he kissed a guy he’d mistaken for a girl. Not stellar moments for Doug. If he isn’t careful, he’ll lose his spot on the soccer team to the new freshman, or worse, he might misconstrue his new friend Rob’s overly affectionate tendencies for flirting. But if Doug isn’t bothered by another guy’s attention, and he normally dates girls, does that mean he’s gay or bisexual?

Sam Garber suppressed his same-sex attraction his entire life. His father told him it was immoral, and Sam did everything he could to bury his feelings. However, after meeting Doug at a party and kissing him, Sam can’t think of anything else. He decides dating girls is the best way to keep his secret hidden. With playoffs in sight, this is no time to think about guys in any other context than soccer. Only, neither boy anticipates the difficulty in suppressing his attraction for another jock!


Bio

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Wade Kelly lives and writes in conservative, small-town America on the east coast where it’s not easy to live free and open in one’s beliefs. Wade writes passionately about controversial issues and strives to make a difference by making people think. Wade does not have a background in writing or philosophy, but still draws from personal experience to ponder contentious subjects on paper. There is a lot of pain in the world and people need hope. When not writing, she is thinking about writing, and more than likely scribbling ideas on sticky notes in the car while playing “taxi driver” for her children. She likes snakes, can’t spell, and has a tendency to make people cry.


Giveaway

As for the giveaways…  I, Wade Kelly, will be giving away one GRAND PRIZE (items listed below) and three runner up prizes of a $10 gift card for Amazon. What you need to do is leave a comment. ALL comments are logged for a chance at the prizes. ONLY those who leave a comment on ALL eleven blog stops will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing. Last time I think there were 15 people in the Grand Prize drawing. The contest closes on September 5th.

Note: If we’ve never chatted and you aren’t on Facebook, it is a good idea to leave an e-mail address because I need to know how to reach you. If I can’t, and I reply to your comment on the blog post that you’ve won but don’t hear from you, I have to give the prize to the next person on my list. Each comment gets you a chance in the drawing. If you leave one on each, that is eleven entries PLUS you are listed in the Grand Prize drawing. For a reminder if the rules, and where I’m stopping next, visit my blog post HERE.

Grand Prize includes all of the following:
1) One of my famous spoons in the colors of your choice
2) A $10 gift card from Amazon
3) One paperback signed from my back list (Not counting JOCK 3)
4) An e-book copy of JOCK 4, when it comes out.
5) And last, but not least, a soccer jersey for the player of your choice from the players in JOCK 3. (I’ll list them on my website along with pictures of the jerseys. They come in adult S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, & 4XL)

So there you go. If you have any questions, please let me know. Comment here or email me: writerwadekelly@gmail.com

  • By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win.  The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
  • If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
  • Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
  • Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
  • All book prizes are in electronic format unless otherwise specified.
  • By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
  • Readers may only enter once for each contest.  Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
  • Void where prohibited by law.
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