Reviewed by Susan Lee

STORY: The Preacher’s Son/Clay Rocks
BOOK: Lost and Found
AUTHORS: Caitlin Ricci/T. A. Webb
EDITOR: Kris Jacen
PUBLISHER: Featherweight Press
BLURB: Some statistics say that 40% of all homeless teens are GLBT. They’re on the streets after their families have thrown them away, told them that they don’t matter, that they’re not normal. Well, guess what? Those families are wrong. This collection of stories by ten talented authors spans the spectrum (historical, paranormal, transgender, cutter, gay) to show that – it’s okay, there are people out there that care, and these teens are perfect just the way they are.

REVIEW:

The Preacher’s Son & Clay Rocks are corresponding stories about Clay, a young teen kicked out of his home by his religious parents after coming out as gay.  Clay leaves the only home and town he’s over known and heads to live with his sister.  Determined to live a life without shame, Clay quickly makes his mark in a new school with new friends.

The Preacher’s Son is Clay’s story.  It is emotional, as you can imagine, as Clay’s heart is broken by his parents’ actions.  Thankfully he has a supportive and loving sister in Sarah and he’s able to start over in a new town.  He joins the Rainbow Brigade and is accepted among a group of friends for who he is. Clay befriends Zeke, the local preacher’s son. The two share a connection and as their relationship deepens, Clay finds that he is both braver and stronger than he knew.  It is a sweet story about acceptance and young love and surprising allies.  It’s an important message and Clay is a really likable character.

Clay Rocks is Clay’s story from his sister Sarah’s POV.  Sarah has her own challenges as she, too, was basically been pushed out of her parents’ home for being in an interracial relationship (yeah…their parents are kind of awful).  As she supports Clay in his new life, she finds her life’s loose ends needing to be settled.  Finding inspiration from Clay, Sarah and her boyfriend Jess make tough choices to do what makes them both happy.  I found myself rooting for Sarah and thankful for her being there for Clay as well as finding her own HEA.

The premise of thes stories, time and again, breaks my heart. How parents can ever reject and turn their backs on their children is beyond any rational or emotional thought I can even imagine.  To throw your child out of your home without any way to take care of himself is criminal. And the fact that this story is REAL and TRUE and happening OFTEN makes me ANGRY.  Thanks to the authors of this anthology, to the publisher, to those who purchase it, and to Lost-N-Found Youth for all contributing in your own ways to take care of these effected youth.

This is a highly recommended read.

BUY LINKS:

Featherweight Store  ||  Book Store (ebook)  ||  Book Store (Paperback)

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Susan Lee is one of the official reviewers on The Blog of Sid Love.

To read all her reviews, click the link: SUSAN’S REVIEWS
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CONTEST WILL END ON 23rd June, 2013 @ 11:59 PM Central Time!!

There will be a giveaway contest everyday from 16th to 23rd of June, 2013. The blog will be hosting these for the authors who have contributed to this anthology – who will be giving away either any of their books from their backlist (excluding Lost & Found, of course!) or their will be a giveaway of Gift Cards!

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