Hello everyone! Today I am SO excited to welcome the fabulous Jay Bell to the blog. He is here to chat with us about his latest release, Something Like Spring. This is the fourth book in his series that kicked off with Something Like Summer, which we reviewed here and loved. Jay has also brought FOUR books to give away today, so be sure to check out the details at the end of the post. Welcome Jay!
So I’ve got this series, except it was never really meant to be one, which has left me in an awkward situation. Something Like Summer started out as an experiment, a break from what I imagined would be a lucrative career as a fantasy author. (Ha!) I never expected to enjoy writing romance so much, and I certainly never dreamed that anyone would actually like reading Summer. I loved writing that book, and enough wonderfully kind readers kept asking me for more. As usual, I was eager to put out. Keeping the story going seemed only natural. Expect I didn’t. Not exactly. Instead I retold the story from another character’s perspective.
Why do that? I’ve given a lot of reasons over the years. Usually I say I wanted people to understand a certain character who can come across the wrong way. But I also didn’t want to push the story further, because life can get complicated. You ever notice how all those Hollywood romances pretty much end once the couple gets together? Sure there might be an argument or a conniving ex, but past all the conflict the couple agrees to get hitched, the credits start rolling, and it’s happily ever after. Except life is never that simple. Marriage is a huge pain in the ass. Pun intended. I love my husband and I love being with him, but keeping our relationship emotionally vibrant takes a lot of work. Unfortunately it’s not the kind of work that makes for interesting reading. Listening to each other, being respectful of differing opinions, the need for personal space, making the other person feel appreciated, keeping them healthy, happy, and horny… All that is great to live through, but not near as exciting as cheating and divorces and Big Misunderstandings. Those are exactly the sorts of things I didn’t want to put the happy couple in Summer through. I quite simply love them too much.
So rather than depict a boring future or one fraught with conflict, I fleshed out the same story by telling it from a new perspective in Winter. Then I did so again in Autumn. I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for that pesky fourth season. I’m afraid I can’t use the same trick again. So how do I keep the victorious couple in Something Like Summer safe? Especially since this is the last season, meaning it should be a grand finale, the stakes higher than ever before. Surely that’s got to be more than just one of them surprising the other with pancakes in the morning. It’s gotta be big, like a terminal disease or infidelity involving a entire football team of ridiculously hung mermen from outer space. Ugh.
In the end, I decided to tell another story entirely. Jason Grant is a teenager in foster care who has nothing but an old guitar, a bunch of painful memories, and an attitude that both keeps him safe and ensures he’ll never have a proper home. Just like the other books in the series, we get to see the main character grow up. Years go by and Jason becomes a man, and because the laws of fiction are cruel, a number of conflicts shape who he becomes. Eventually though, Jason ends up right at the end of those other three books. This time I don’t drop the curtain there. No credits roll, and neither are the reins handed over to more familiar faces. Instead we continue on with Jason. Surrounding him are the remnants of those old stories. Faces and names and references that get one final moment in the spotlight, even if they aren’t on center stage. And that’s exactly how I want it, because being center stage also means being in the crosshairs. So that couple from the first book, they’re safe. Thanks to a stranger, they can carry on without a care in the world. At least that was my intention. The best laid plans and all that…
So that’s my grand finale. A new beginning. I’m not sure if it makes sense, or if anyone will like it, but I’m grateful that so many of you have stuck with me thus far. If this is the book that makes you turn on me, I only ask that you wait until afternoon before showing up with pitchforks and torches. I can’t stand noise in the morning, and you really don’t want to see my bed head. Trust me.
Something Like Spring is available in paperback format today from Amazon, and is due out in eBook format on January 30th. You can already preorder it from iTunes, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords. But hey, if you’re feeling thrifty, I’m also giving away four copies of whichever season tickles your fancy. Just comment below to enter!
About Jay
Jay Bell never gave much thought to Germany until he met a handsome foreign exchange student. At that moment, beer and pretzels became the most important thing in the world. After moving to Germany and getting married, Jay found himself desperate to communicate the feelings of alienation, adventure, and love that surrounded this decision. He has been putting pen to paper ever since.
Giveaway
Jay is offering up four books to give away to some of our lucky readers. Winners can choose a book from any of the four seasons. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Friday, January 31st 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.
I just read all three books back to back, I couldn’t put them down. Now I have to wait on Amazon to ship Something like Spring and it’s driving me crazy. Thanks Jay for making such wonderful characters.
I have read all your books and im anxiously awaiting the release of Something like Spring! I Can’t wait!!!! Love Love your books! They are truly amazing!
I fell in love with the characters in Something Like Summer and have been sharing it with my friends. Can’t wait for Something Like Spring!
I’ve been with this series from the beginning, always keeping tabs on the updates for when the next book in the series is to be released. And now, I’m more than excited to see that Spring is here! I can’t wait to read it. Giveaway or not, I will be reading this book! 😀
I’ve loved this books! I got them online first and after being blown away–these stories are just filled with beautiful moments?– I had to get the physical copies! Can’t wait for the next one!
I love, love, loved the Something Like… books. I feel in love with all the characters and I shared it with my friends and they too are fallen in love with the book. I am currently book 3 and cannot wait for book 4 so my friends and I can have a book club discussions. Love.
I have been a fan for a very long time and have read all of your books! I absolutely LOVE the “Something Like” books and look forward to reading Something Like Spring!
I started reading something like summer during a difficult part of my like and the end of a relationship and I’m so glad I did. Jay is a amazing writer and reading the story and falling in love with Ben and feeling hurt with him helped me see what I needed to see and to start over . I only hope that after spring there might be something else similar on its way???
The Something Like… series changes my life. When i first picked up Something Like Summer, I could not put it down. At the time I started reading it, I was really not secure with who I was, but this book allowed me to be comfortable with who I was. (Please update us on the status of the movies!)
Awesome books all of them! Thank you for writing and sharing . Am so excited about the movie Also !!
Jay, I just want to say thank you. Meeting Ben and Tim, reading about what happened to them and seeing everything through the eyes of Jace has had a monumental impact on my life. They helped me to accept myself, and figure out what I wanted to do with my own life, write for LGBT youth, to give them hope the same way you gave me hope. So thank you, for being a role model for a not so young writer.
I loved Something Like Summer and Something Like Winter. I just started Something Like Autumn tonight but and so scared. I loved Jace and I know Jay Bell can tear my heart out in the best way possible. Many authors can learn from this series on how to write a sequel from the opposite POV and not do a total retelling of the story. I just love this series.
Great books!! Really ecstatic about the movie as well. Your work is greatly appreciated, and loved by others. Thank you!
I absolutely love your books. This series is by far the best book series I’ve ever read. I’ve felt sad, excited and much more. Lol thank you for everything you’ve done and written. Keep writing please. LOL
Jay, Your books inspire me, I’ve read all three at least six times a piece, I’ve bought copies for all my friends both newly gay and recently gay,as well as straight people. Ever since the first book I’ve been in love with the characters and have waited with anticipation to see what happens to them all. I’m purchasing spring at midnight on my kindle.I’m excited to read it but at same time im sad to see the series end. Thanks for the wonderful stories. I can’t wait for the movie of Summer and more books.
Been a fan of Jay’s since I first read “Something Like Summer”. I fell in love with the characters instantly. “Something Like Spring” arrives tomorrow on my doorstep, what a great weekend it will be. Thank Jay.
I agree with you, life’s never that easy. I liked getting to read the story from different characters’ perspectives, it gives you a deeper understanding of the story. I can’t wait to read Spring, as Jason sounds like a character I’m going to fall in love with.
And on a completely random side note, I love your author bio, so sweet 🙂
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
All of these books are amazing! They really helped me come to love myself!
I started searching for a gay novel and came across “Something Like Summer.” Never have i read a book that i can relate to and bring me to incredible tears. I truly love these books, after reading the first i immeadiatley read the remaining volumes (ebooks). I cant wait to read the newest installment, and wait anxiously for the film. I hope to meet Jay Bell one day in a book signing and just give him a hug, no autograph, no introduction, just a hug….
I’ve read the 3 books (summer, winter and autumn) when I was doing my chemotherapy. That was 4 months ago. Its so ironic that my life happened to move on the same way the seasons pass. I’m really excited about this book. I think this will be a good closure to the whole series as well as what i’ve been through in the past year.
Omg. I bought Something Like Spring on Kindle. I got it at 12 on the dot. I’m already almost done with the first chapter. What a great Job Jay. Can’t wait to finish Jason’s story.
I love the covers on the books! I have not read them yet but I can’t wait to! 😀
Got the 1st book ocasional after a recommendation in a YouTube video and now I’m. totally. obsessed.
Just bought Winter from Amazon and it’ll take like 10 days for it to arrive here in Brazil and I’m dying on expectations. Unfortunately you can’t find it in our libraries here 🙁
Loved it. For real.
I’ve read the first 3 and I love them. Did not love Jace in the beginning, but with something like autumn, he became my favorite character. Love these books! Thanks!
Book 2 is my fave ‘cus I’m a sucker for Tim! I wanted to smack him so often in Summer, but when reading Winter I was able to understand his motives and fall in love with him more! Jay is so gooood at creating dynamic characters you can love and want to shake some sense into at the same time!
-V
I had not heard of these books but they sound very interesting to me. I will begin at the beginning soon.
Jay, I always look forward to your books. I can’t wait for the next one to be out!
The first three books were amazing! I don’t know how you did it, but each one was better then the last!! I’m really looking forward to reading the final book. Looking forward to one final horray for Tim and Ben! I’m also curious as to how Jason will fit into this “cycle” series. So excited!! 🙂
Just popped in to say – I LOVE these books and I love the author! 🙂