Today I am so pleased to welcome Jay Bell to Joyfully Jay. Jay has come to talk to us about his latest release, Something Like Stories: Volume Three. He has also brought along a great giveaway. Please join me in giving Jay a big welcome!
I once saw Ozzy Osbourne drunk and slumped over a table. This was back in the early nineties. Ozzy was signing autographs at a Best Buy somewhere in Kansas, when conscious enough to do so. My best friend dragged me there to see him, which we only managed from a distance, because the place was packed. Why? It was his final tour—the last time anyone would have a chance to see the man perform live! As you can probably guess, Ozzy would tour again. He’s still touring, even though he announced—yet again—that his final tour would be last year. He’s not the first artist to repeatedly announce the end, only to continue on.
Why does this happen? I always assumed it was a need for money until recent events made me think otherwise. Over two years ago, I announced the end of the Something Like… series. My precious baby had run its course and it was time to let go. So I did, even though it nearly broke my heart. I consoled myself on occasion by writing little stories to share with the hardcore fans, who like me, were eager for any excuse to revisit their old friends again. This continued until the stories weren’t so little anymore, and well, Something Like Stories: Volume Three is the result. Eighteen stories, one-hundred and sixty thousand words, and the final book in a series of twelve. I mean it this time. The feeling is different. I’m not clutching my chest in emotional pain. Instead I feel like I’ve given the characters the best send-off possible. As cheesy as it might sound, I am at peace.
There’s always the chance that, like so many artists before me, I’ll rest and recoup only to discover that I’m not actually finished. I’d be surprised though. I feel like I achieved my goal with this series. I managed to depict the lives of queer people in a way that is optimistic without pulling any punches. Perhaps most important of all, because the story is authentic, it can help those who are going through the same struggles as the characters, promising that they too can find happiness further down the road. I wish I had that when growing up. With one exception, I only had access to what straight people perceived my kind to be, and that did more damage than good, no matter the intention. So I hope that this series will continue to be a big rainbow beacon of hope for those who are feeling lost. Not driving it into the ground with endless releases seems the best way of ensuring that.
I realize that, while I am saying goodbye, many of you might not be familiar with the books at all. Or maybe you started the series some years ago and never finished. If so, no problem! I’m here to give away three copies of any installment from the series. You can choose eBook, paperback, or audiobook. Up to you! Cast your eyes down the long list of titles, and if one of them catches your eye, toss your name in the hat. This might just be your lucky day!
Each Something Like… book follows the life of a different character, usually from the end of high school and well into their adult lives. While the series doesn’t shy away from sexual content, it also focuses deeply on emotion, resulting in an experience that will stay with you long after the final page is turned.
The Something Like… series:
01: Something Like Summer
02: Something Like Autumn
03: Something Like Winter
04: Something Like Spring
05: Something Like Lightning
06: Something Like Thunder
07: Something Like Stories – Volume One
08: Something Like Hail
09: Something Like Rain
10: Something Like Stories – Volume Two
11: Something Like Forever
12: Something Like Stories – Volume Three
Blurb
Embark on a final trip through the Something Like… universe with this special collection of stories that promises heartwarming reunions and gut-wrenching closure.
Something Like Stars playfully explores what would happen if a movie was made about Ben’s love for Tim and Jace. Harold attempts to befriend Noah and Felix in Something Like Us, causing unrequited feelings to challenge their relationship. Marcello prepares for the inevitable while revealing secrets from his past in Something Like Goodbye. And in Something Like Heaven, Ben must decide once and for all who his heart—and his future—belongs to.
Eighteen stories await you, some short and sweet, others lengthy and dramatic, all of them emotional. Say farewell to old friends in this ultimate epilogue to the Something Like… series!
Bio
Jay Bell led a quiet life in Kansas until the day he met a handsome foreign exchange student who swept him off his feet and carried him all the way to Germany. Much to their delight, marriage awaited them when they got there. While living so distant from friends and family, Jay began writing in an effort to reconcile the mixture of devotion and alienation he felt. This resulted in a Lambda Literary Award and a film option for his best-selling novel Something Like Summer. Jay and his family have since relocated to Chicago where their adventures continue, as do those of the characters in their emotionally driven Something Like… series. Jay pens the stories and his husband provides the cover art, making them books about love, forged by love.
Giveaway
Jay has brought a copy of any Something Like… book, any format (eBook, paperback, audio book) to give away to three lucky readers. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Tuesday, June 2nd at 11:59 pm ET.
- 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.
It’s quite an oeuvre, you’ve accomplished a lot!
Welcome, Jay, and congratulations on this new finish…and, hey, twelve is such a nice round number! Best wishes on whatever comes next.
Congratulations on finishing the series!
I absolutely love the cover art- it’s what led me to pick up the first book!
Your books were some of the first I read when I discovered mm romance. Thank you for years of reading enjoyment. You and your books are a treasure.
Jay – you rock!! What a ride! I listened to all of them and read anything not on audio. Look forward to this final one in this most wonderful series!!! Best to you in all your future endeavors. Cheers!!
I absolutely loved Something Like Summer & would love a chance to read more in the series. Congrats on completing the series!
These were some of my first MM books.
Whoa, I never realized how many books were part of the series. Congrats on completing the series.
I only knew about the main books. Now I have a lot of reading to do to catch up. Thank you for the post and giveaway, Jay!
I have not read this series and need to. Great reading in my future. Thanks
Something Like Summer was one of the first MM books I ever read and I believe it’s the same for many others. Not only was it the first boon in your journey, but it started many of your readers on theirs too.
Thanks for the opportunity. I, for one, am not familiar with the series, but it sounds really good so I will surely add it to my trl.
This series is new to me and looks amazing! Congrats! Thanks for the chance!
Wishing you all the best as you step away from these and head into new adventures.
I love long series, this is a new one to me. Thanks for a chance.
I’ve been wanting to start this series, and I love being able to start a completed series. Thank you!
Congratulations. It looks incredible. Thanks for the opportunity
Congrats on completing the series. A bittersweet accomplishment for sure, but a great one.
Never tried any books by Jay Bell, would love to give one a listen.
You are a new to me author, even though I do have Something Like Summer in my digital library. I would love to receive anything other than book one but my wish would be for an audio copy of book 2. I can use US or UK Audible codes.
I loved something like summer and could like to continue the series.
I am one of those who have started but not finished the series. I would love the chance to get back into the series. Thanks for the chance!
Looking forward to reading one of your books!
The cover art for the books are beautiful… Can’t wait to start reading the others
This sounds like an interesting series and I bet the characters have become like family to you. Congrats on the new release and thank you for the generous giveaway.
I am really glad that Something like Forever is not the last installment. After reading the whole series I still want moooorree, and I bet it’ll feel like coming home reading Something like Stories volume 3 ????
Wow, First Off Congratulations! I’m very intrigued by this series and cannot wait to check it out. The blurb was very well written and eye catching