Hi Everyone, I’m so excited to be on TNA blog today. My new release, Pray The Gay Away, wasn’t supposed to be as big of a book as it turned out to be. I’d planned on maybe doing 20,000 words for 3 or 4 titles that Jared Rackler and I were joking about with Kiernan Kelly. I wasn’t prepared for the characters that came to me, demanding their story be told. But when Jack introduced himself to me, I knew he needed more than 20,000 words to say what he wanted to say. Andrew, his boyfriend, also needed more than 20,000 words to tell his story. So A Southern Thing series was born and the boys from Sweet, Georgia came to life.
This project required more than just writing, though. I wanted a certain cover and none of the stock photo sites were giving me what I needed. My stomach twisted when I came to the decision that I would need to shoot the cover with models I found in the city where I lived. I’d never done a model search before, and I didn’t have any clue if I’d find two young guys willing to pose on the front of a gay book.
Finally I had the models in place and the location picked, and then we just had to wait for a sunny day. A sunny day came along and the models assembled. I took a few shots, and I knew I had something great after about ten, but we kept on going, taking about ten total. There were five shots in the final running for the cover of Pray The Gay Away. I’m very happy with the final product.
Being responsible for all aspects of this book was scary. There’ve been periods of extreme worry that it wouldn’t be good enough, and lots of doubt that I chose the wrong shot for the cover.
Now that Pray The Gay Away is finalized and ready for primetime, I’m excited. I hope you like Jack and Andrew. If you do, please tell a friend. And remember, Jack and Andrew’s story isn’t finished; it’s only just begun in Pray The Gay Away.
Pray The Gay Away blurb:
Star football player, Jack Miller, had it all. The perfect family, looks, girls hanging on his every word, and the respect of most people in his town. But one thing was missing–a man to be his own.
When Andrew Collins showed up in small town, conservative Sweet, Georgia, he looked more scrawny mutt than high school senior. Andrew’s plan was to keep his head down and graduate high school, leaving his family behind to start his real life.
When he meets Andrew, Jack thinks he’s found heaven, but reality holds him in check until one night when his lips gently slide across Andrew’s and fireworks go off.
As lust and something a little deeper brings them together, compelling them to take chances, people start to notice. Then the unthinkable happens, and Jack’s parents find out he likes guys. The battle lines are drawn and they vow to pray the gay away.
Pray The Gay Away can be purchased from All Romance eBooks And other online retailers
Visit Sara at http://sarayork.com
Giveaway
Make sure to enter the Raffelcopter drawing for a 16GB Kindle Fire from Amazon or comparable gift certificate for residents outside of the United States for one lucky winner.
I can only imagine how hard it is to find an image to accurately represent a story you have put so much effort into. The one you chose is beautiful. Thanks for a look into the process. The book sounds very interesting and is going on my TBR list.
The cover is beautiful, can’t wait to read the book.
This looks really good! Another for my to-read list.
Wow! I really appreciate all the thought you put into making *all* the details right on this story. I’m sure that care and attention will shine through in the telling as well. :-)
The story sounds interesting. I’ve added it to my wishlist.
To answer the rafflecopter question: I’ve never been kissed by anyone outside my family…although there was this one time when I was a kid and kissed by the lunch lady.
Love the cover! I dod love the stock covers that get used quite often, but it’s nice to see something original! Also, I just heard of this book today via Kindle Alexander’s facebook page! I had already put it on my Amazon wishlist! Can’t wait to read about Jack and Andrew!
Well, I was actually 5/6 when I had my first kiss on the cheek, and I was in 3rd grade when I had my first kiss on the lips.