Thank you for hosting me today on my blog tour for my newest novella, As Big As the Sky, my second book from MLR Press.
Today, I’m talking web comics and manga!
In As Big As the Sky, there are several references made to Bo’s favourite web comic, Scythe and Swords. The inspiration for Scythe and Swords, believe it or not, came to me in a dream (I’m not even kidding). Bo has just taken over running his sister’s animal rehab centre while she’s away taking a course for a few months, and he’s all alone in a new town, with no family or friends. Scythe and Swords, and other comics, are his way of escaping, just like books, for me, are my way of escaping.
My favourite web comic is an m/m one called Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it. It’s funny and sweet and will keep you hooked for hours. It’s about a figure skater turned college hockey player who loves to bake pies. There’s lots of hockey, lots of banter, lots of friendships, and an adorable romance between said figure skater turned hockey player and one of his teammates.
Another favourite is The Young Protectors. Think X-Men but with a gay lead.
As for manga, I will admit to not having read much, so if you have any suggestions, I’m all ears! One that I love is Cardcaptor Sakura, which is funny and full of magic.
One day I will write the novel based on Scythe and Swords…but that day is very far away :)
Length: 37,000 words
Publisher: MLR Press
Blurb
Sam McAuley is having a rough start to the summer: Not only is he being sued, but the new guy running the animal rehabilitation center next door has no idea what he’s doing and his runaway chickens constantly end up in Sam’s pristine yard.
Everything is temporary for Bo Novak. For as long as he can remember, it’s been one town to the next, one school to the next, one job to the next. Even his current job—running his sister’s animal rehab center while she’s away on a four-month leave—is temporary. And he does know what he’s doing, thank you very much. Sure, things don’t always run smoothly, but the stick-in-the-mud next door could be a little nicer about it.
One overheard conversation, an olive branch, and a baseball game might show these guys that being at odds isn’t really what they want, and that what they want might just be each other.
Review
As Big As The Sky begins
with two characters who couldn't be more wrong about each other. Their
discovery of who the other really is is a fun, sweet and sexy journey.
When
we meet Sam McAuley, he is not having a great day, a great summer
really. He is being sued and has a very pesky chicken in his prized
garden. He lives next door to an animal rehabilitation center that is
temporarily being run by the owner's brother.
Bo
Novak is running his sister's animal rehabilitation center for four
months while she's away furthering her education. Bo is at a crossroads
in life, has been for awhile now. He's moved or been moved around all
his life. Everyone may see him as a flake, but Bo is just finding his
way. The grumpy neighbor next door to his sister isn't helping. Bo was
hoping to make a new friend, but all he made was a bad first impression.
Sam
overhears Bo one night and realizes how lonely he is and extends the
offer of friendship. The two start spending time together, share meals
and Sam takes Bo to his first baseball game. These two find out that
they genuinely like each other and that sometimes first impressions are
wrong. Sam is still dealing with being sued and Bo with being treated
like a flake by his sister. Life feels a little easier and a lot sweeter
when you have someone on your side though. Bo and Sam will each have
some decisions to make when summers over. Luckily, these two might just
want the same things.
I
found myself really caring about Sam and especially, about Bo! These
guys are so sweet to each other and so sexy together. It's so nice to
read a book that has so much heart. 5 stars for me.
August 4 - Xtreme Delusions
August 7 - The Geekery Book Review
August 8 - Bayou Book Junkie
August 9 - Millsy Loves Books, Cupcakes and Bookshelves
August 10 - MM Good Book Reviews
August 11 - Au Boudior Ecarlate, Sarandipity, Making It Happen
August 14 - Diverse Reader, Books Lovers 4Ever, Bayou Book Junkie, Nicole's Book Musings, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Wicked Faerie's Tales & Reviews, Jessie G Books
August 15 - Love Bytes
August 18 - My Fiction Nook
Author Bio
Amy started writing on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class was forced to stay inside for recess. Tales of adventures with her classmates quickly morphed into tales of adventures with the characters in her head. Based in the suburbs of Toronto, Amy is a marketer at a large environmental non-profit in Toronto by day, and a writer by night. Book enthusiast, animal lover and (very) amateur photographer, Amy's interests are many and varied, including travelling, astronomy, ecology, and baking.
Amy loves connecting with readers! You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter or sign up for her infrequent newsletter at www.amyaislin.com/signup
Amy started writing on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class was forced to stay inside for recess. Tales of adventures with her classmates quickly morphed into tales of adventures with the characters in her head. Based in the suburbs of Toronto, Amy is a marketer at a large environmental non-profit in Toronto by day, and a writer by night. Book enthusiast, animal lover and (very) amateur photographer, Amy's interests are many and varied, including travelling, astronomy, ecology, and baking.
Amy loves connecting with readers! You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter or sign up for her infrequent newsletter at www.amyaislin.com/signup
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