Hello everyone! I am so excited today to welcome back the super amazing Katey Hawthorne to the blog. Katey has a new release in her Superpowered Love series, called Losing Better. You all probably know I love this series and we are lucky ducks because Katey has brought a copy of Losing Better to give away to one lucky commenter. So be sure to enter at the end of the post. And please join me in giving Katey a big welcome back to the blog!
Hi there. I’m Katey Hawthorne and I write a series known as Superpowered Love. So far, all of the SL books have been about people who have normal jobs: students, bookshop managers, small-town punk rockers, salesmen, code monkeys. Seems weird, for someone who deliberately writes about superpowers and grew up on a steady diet of Marvel comics, right? All these superpowers–but no superheroes.
Only because that subject deserved its own book, which is Losing Better, out today from Loose Id. But even here, it’s not exactly Superman. I’ll just let Gabriel, aka Special Agent Genêt, the narrator of Losing Better, explain things for me:
“No autonomous unit, be it an individual or a subversive organization, can be allowed to wield the power of judge, jury, and executioner over its fellow citizens. Justice can only be fair and impartial when executed in the public eye—or, at least, that is the only chance it has. More immediately relevant, it is also the only way to guarantee the accountability of those in power. If a suspect or victim is seriously injured or killed or has his or her rights infringed upon by those in a position of power (read: agents purporting to be on the side of justice), who can speak for them if no one ever knows?”
Wait, before you ask, yes, Gabriel is a pretentious ass. It’s all part of his, um, charm. But this is why, wanting to use his own electrical superpowers on the side of the angels, Gabriel dedicated his life to becoming an FBI agent. And why he was sent to investigate suspicions that an old fling of his, Andrew, is using his own powers as a vigilante. Or, to Andrew’s mind, superhero. What separates a superhero from a vigilante thug is the question that keeps Gabriel and Andrew apart even when the heat between them becomes unbearable… and it’s one that comics have been wrestling with for ages.
Since there have been some excellent examples on the big screen lately, I’ll go with those. Like Batman in the Dark Knight trilogy. It’d be so easy for him to just lose it and become an absolute thug, abusing the power granted by his money and genius for his own gain, his own vendettas–one of the central struggles with the character. That’s why we get Commissioner Jim Gordon there, to legitimize him as more than just an angry thug, but a democratically approved superhero in the eyes of the public.
Even The Avengers need a government seal of approval to operate. Yeah, Iron Man and Thor did their own thing for a while, but S.H.I.E.L.D scooped them up right quick, putting them under the command of the singularly bad-ass Commander Nick Fury. (No matter how much Tony Stark complains. Iron Man fans, you feel me.) Now you belong to the U.S. Government; welcome to legitimacy, my friends. If you can’t beat them, make them work for you, says Fury.
Then there’s always The Amazing Spider-Man, who technically works outside the law, occasionally getting in their way, but craves the approval and validation of Captain Stacy. But let’s not front–that’s probably because he’s in love with the dude’s daughter, right?
Nah.
The issue gets way more complicated in the comics. In the movies, it’s sort of a one-off: Look, our hero is not in fact a sociopath! Gold star! Marvel did an entire franchise-wide crossover event about it (Civil War –it was rough on us all), even. But you can see why the issue needed a book of its own, and two characters that could represent either side of the argument. Side A: the system is imperfect, but it’s the closest thing we have to keeping everyone safe. Side B: the system has utterly failed, and I know I can be trusted with the power to save people.
So what makes a superhero? And what makes a vigilante? And is either of those really so bad? All I know is, these boys do not agree on the subject.
“Because we have a fundamental philosophical disconnect, Gabriel, like I told you. You either go with your mind, or you go with your heart. You’re always gonna pick the former. I’m always gonna pick the latter.”
Blurb
Superpowered Special Agent Gabriel Genêt’s first solo mission: go to Hooperstown, North Carolina, find evidence that Andrew Wynne is operating as a vigilante, then bring him in. Ten years ago, Gabriel spent a summer alternately torturing and hooking up with Andrew as they tried to ignore their parents’ embarrassing affair. Of course Andrew, the big puppy dog, will be happy to see his old friend and never suspect a thing. Career-driven, cocky young Agent Genêt can hardly believe his luck.
A covert game of betrayals ensues. Things start out complicated, with Gabriel using Andrew’s open arms and attraction to him for all it’s worth. Gabriel tells himself he doesn’t reciprocate, and then that he can control it, but it’s too violent for either of them to deny. As he gets closer to the evidence he needs, a heady combination of nostalgia, genuine affection, and even understanding brings Andrew closer to him. Dangerously close, in every sense.
The stakes are much higher than just their livelihoods. Gabriel begins to fear it’ll come down to a choice between everything he’s ever believed in, wanted, and stood for–and the only love he’s ever known.
Giveaway
Katey has brought a copy of Losing Better to give away to one lucky reader. Leave a comment by Friday, February 8th at 11:59 pm EST to enter.
Sounds like a good read,thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks so much for checking it out, Cornelia!
I don’t know if I’m qualified to speak on the subject, since my favorite superhero has always been Super Grover (who gets wrongly vilified as an inept one)! I always figured it was Sesame Street’s way of showing kids that they can solve their own problems, but he does do a much better job than people give him credit for. He just radiates helpfulness, plus he rocks that coal scuttle on his head with such style. But yes, this book does sound fantastic…
Trix, I really must agree that Super Grover is a superior example of a superhero. 100% Always a favorite of mine–growing up and now. Thanks for checking the post out 😀
Absolutely. And he is [stomps, nods head] cute, too!
Yeah pretty much the cutest. More agreement!
I’ve been eyeballing this series for awhile now, but this book sounds like the perfect reason to start the series.
Courtney S
OMG, read this series! You can’t have my beloved Brady (from Riot Boy) but trust me, you will love reading all about him 😉
Ahaha oh man. The brat.
Courtney, thanks for dropping by.
I really enjoy Katey Hawthorne’s books, so please put my name into the ht as well.
Thanks
Hi Dianna! Thank you <3
I’ve really enjoyed this series and can’t wait for this next story! I would love a chance to win!
Thanks for checking this one out too, Juliana!
You are a new writer to me and would love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
~Rush~
Excellent to meet you, Rush. Thanks! <3
My favorite superhero has always been Spider-Man. So angsty. The difference between a superhero and a vigilante is that the superhero strives to serve the public good, while a vigilante seeks private vengeance. Kinda….thanks, I love superheroes.
Spider-Man is my fave too, Urb. Only superhero tattoo I have!
And yeah, I mean, obviously the issue is WAY complicated in the comics, and Spider-Man gets a lot of flack either way (though he’s an Avenger these days too, and all). Totally one of my favorite things about him, though, how he’s always trying to work WITH the police and always getting dumped on. Bless you, Pete. Bless you.
Thanks for stopping by and letting me fangirl on you, Urb 😀
… and I totally forgot to say that I think that’s an important distinction too. Personal vengeance vs. public good. Gabriel draws the line at public accountability more than good, but an FBI agent would. Ha!
I’ve enjoyed Katey’s Fairy Thrall books, but have not read yet any of her Hero books yet. Thanks for the giveaway!
Hey Jess! Thanks for dropping in and reading.
Sounds great! Please count me in. Thanks.
Thanks, Gselle, and good luck!
I love ALL your books Katey 😉 Please keep ’em coming!
I don’t need to be entered to win though – I couldn’t wait so I already purchased a copy.
Then please let me take this opportunity to tell you that I love you, Janette. <3
Katey! Every time Jay interviews you, I tell myself I am going to start this series… and yet somehow it hasn’t happened yet. Suspicious. Maybe I’ll get lucky this time around! And if not, then maybe I’ll actually remember to read it anyway. XD
Ashley, read this series! Start with Riot Boy (seriously, I can’t pimp that book out enough). But read them!
Ahahaha omg. <3
But yes, Ashley, the series can totally be read in any order. (As in, Riot Boy is an appropriate start, yes. Or this one!) Thank you so much for checking it out, and all the good luck.
I kinda like the Ambiguously Gay Duo shorts from SNL. Really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Oh man, Nancy, giving me all the nostalgia right now. Love it. Thanks for stopping in!
Sounds like a very interesting book. Enjoyed your insight into heroes. I would enjoy reading this book and thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
Heya Karl, thanks for giving it a shot–good luck!
Ahh!! I’m going to freaking LOVE this book too. Please count me in~~
Judi
arella3173_loveless@yahoo(dot)com
Why hello there, Judi. Awesome to see you again. Good luck with the drawing <3
I don’t know what it says about me that I like that he’s a pretentious ass. Maybe it’s because I’m so happy to see what love does to that kind of person. This is a new series for me. Sounds like a great one! Thanks for sharing with us, Katey.
Carolyn, I don’t know what it says about me that I wrote a pretentious ass, but I try not to think about it too hard. Thanks for reading <3
Katey, you KILL me!!
I’m not sure whether the books or the music are going to bankrupt me first…
Please count me in!
Mwahaha all of my evil plots are in motion! … or… something.
So much <3 Thanks for stopping in, Tracy.
Yes, you need the music Tracy! This one is lots of 80s awesomeness. But Nobody’s Hero is my favorite song list I think – it is great for cardio!
I love this series and am super-excited to hear there’s another book out 🙂
smaccall AT comcast.net
Hi Sarah! Awesome to see you here, and thank you. Good luck!
Thanks fort eh chance to win!
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
Please add me to the draw.
I love Katey’s books, and also P.L. Nunn’s wonderful covers!
Hello, please count me in., thank you.
I haven’t read any of your books yet and this looks good. Please count me in.
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