Hi guys! Today I am so excited to welcome back the fabulous Poppy Dennison to the blog. Poppy is here to talk to us more about her latest release, Born This Way (which I reviewed yesterday and really liked).  Poppy has also brought a copy of the book to give away to one lucky reader.  So please join me in giving Poppy a big welcome! 

Questioning the “Q”

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine pointed out something really interesting to me—something I hadn’t really taken time to consider before. What exactly is that Q at the end of LGBTQ?

I’ve heard a couple different explanations. One is “Questioning” and that makes a lot of sense to me. Sexuality and personal identity is a pretty large concept. Some of us know from our first breath who we are and who we are meant to be. I have a good friend who knew from the time she was in Kindergarten that she wanted to be a lawyer. Me? Yeah, I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, although I think this writing gig is what I’m meant to be doing right now. Understanding your sexuality has to fall somewhere in between for people too. Some people “know” and some are still trying to figure it out.

It’s the other Q word that really made me think though. Queer. It’s a pretty powerful word when you think about it. It has some pretty negative connotations, doesn’t it? Even the definition isn’t the best: “strange, odd”.

I read an article recently that explained why some members of the LGBTQ community oppose using Queer as part of the acronym. I get it. I really do. Who wants to be thought of as strange or odd? I know I don’t. But that’s part of the problem, isn’t it?

Going a little deeper into the reading reveals that there’s more to queer than meets the eye. It’s more than strange or odd. It’s different. It’s about questioning the heteronormative standards currently in place in our society. It’s about finding your place in the world and about accepting that different can be better.

Maybe I’ve got this all wrong—it’s a distinct possibility—but when I think of the word queer in those terms, I feel a connection with the word I never felt before. I’d have never said I was queer, but I don’t exactly follow those “standards”. I’m single and happy to be. No children and don’t want any. The thought of a “white picket fence” gives me hives. Add to that what I write and the fact that I value equal rights and marriage equality—well, I suddenly think the word queer applies to me too.

Aren’t we all a bit strange and odd? I mean, I’m deathly allergic to wine, think clowns are pretty much the scariest thing on the planet, find listening to Bubblegum Oldies really soothing, and don’t understand folks who would rather stay up late than get up early. Plenty of people find any and all of those things strange and odd.

But hey, maybe Lady Gaga really did say it best: I was born to survive. I was born to be brave. Baby, I was Born This Way. And maybe that means standing up and embracing the Q. Something to think about, isn’t it? I’d love to hear what you think.


Born This Way

born this wayDayton Whitmore injures his arm playing basketball with his lion-shifter friends, and his best friend asks Dayton to check on her estranged brother Hart while he’s in Atlanta visiting a specialist. Though Dayton and Hart were never close, he grudgingly agrees.

Banishment from his pride meant Hart Sherman could never see his family again. His liger heritage—a tiger mother and lion father—was a thorn in his alpha father’s side. He always planned to go back for Dayton, the man he knows is his mate, but he uses his career as an entertainment attorney as an excuse to avoid risking Dayton’s rejection. When Dayton shows up unannounced on his doorstep, Hart wants nothing more than to claim him.

Knowing what it means to be a lion’s mate, Dayton isn’t in any hurry to make a lifetime commitment. To convince Dayton he’s serious, Hart must come to terms with the circumstances of his birth—and find a place in the pride for them both.

Now available from Dreamspinner Press


Bio

A sassy southern lady, Poppy Dennison developed an obsession with things that go bump in the night in her early years after a barn door flew off its hinges and nearly squashed her. Convinced it was a ghost trying to get her attention, she started looking for other strange and mysterious happenings around her. Not satisfied with what she found, Poppy has traveled to Greece, Malaysia and England to find inspiration for the burly bears and silver foxes that melt her butter. Her love of paranormal continues to flourish nearly thirty years later, and she writes steamy love stories about the very things that used to keep her up all night. If her childhood ghost is lucky, maybe one day she’ll give him his own happily ever after.


Giveaway

Poppy has brought a copy of Born This Way to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter.  The contest closes on Sunday, June 23rd at 11:59 pm EST.

  • 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.
  • 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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