My guest today is new rising star, C. Kennedy, whose novella, Safe, was recently published by Dreamspinner Press’s young adult imprint, Harmony Ink Press. Want a chance to win a copy of Safe? Comment on this post, and I will choose a winner at random.

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Dani: Welcome Cody. Congratulations on the fabulous success of both your new books. It is a pleasure to have you here at the blog to talk about your current release Safe.

Cody: Thank you, Dani. It’s great to be here and, dare I say, I love the new look of the blog.

Dani: Thanks, Cody. Your first novel Omorphi (released just last month) has caused a big stir in the m/m romance novel world. You dealt with a number of sensitive and controversial subjects. Most readers rave about Christy’s story, but some find that there is more to tell and the most common question I’ve heard is: Will there be more?

Cody: Thank you for asking this important question, Dani. There is much more to be told for Christy and Michael and I’m pleased to say that a sequel is currently under way.

Dani: Back to your current release, Safe, and the reason you are here today. I understand that Safe is a re-publication of the book released in April 2012. Can you tell us a little about that?

Cody: That’s right, Dani. During the beginning edit process for Omorphi this spring, I received notice that Safe’s original publisher would cease operating in June. I contacted Harmony Ink Press and, after consideration, they agreed to re-release it. It goes without saying that I owe a debt of gratitude to all the wonderful people at Dreamspinner/Harmony Ink Press for re-releasing the book.

Dani: Safe is a story of love and courage. I had the pleasure and honor of reading it for a review and must say that it blew me away. It is intense, very real, and the characters are very personal. Tell us why you wrote it.

Cody: It’s no secret that I write stories about hope, courage, and the triumph of reclaiming yourself after abuse. I also wanted to write a story that was geared toward the younger end of the 14-18 young adult genre. Safe tells the story of two boys, Nico and Caleb, who meet at age ten and become best friends. Caleb comes from a “normal,” middle-class home while Nico comes from a lower-class Italian family and a physically abusive home environment. A love blossoms from the boys’ friendship and the love between the boys deepens over the course of eight years, and Caleb becomes ever more determined to keep Nico safe from his violent father.

Dani: Share something with us about this book, your feelings while writing it and how you feel now that it has been re-published?

Cody: One of the main themes of Safe is physical abuse, but it’s also a story about coming out, acceptance, and the strength and courage to move beyond the devastating effects of abuse. Above all, it’s a beautiful story of first love. Life isn’t perfect, and love can’t protect you from pain, but love can give you strength to move beyond it. Writing about abuse isn’t easy but it’s more than overshadowed by the hope, courage and triumph I write into my stories. It goes without saying that I’m very please that it was re-published. The more books in the marketplace that give young adults hope and courage, the better.

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SAFE

They met at ten, they kissed at twelve, and were madly in love by eighteen.

Caleb Deering is the captain of the swim team and the hottest senior in school. He comes from a loving home with a kind father and a caring, but strict, mother who is battling breast cancer. Nico Caro is small and beautiful, and has a father who rules with an iron fist–literally.

One morning Caleb forgets himself, and he pecks Nico on the lips at school. A teacher sees them and tattles to the Headmaster. The accidental outing at school might be the least of their problems, because the ball set in motion by the school’s calls to their parents could get Nico killed. In the face of that very real danger, Caleb knows he has only one mission in life: to keep Nico safe.

Pre-order Safe from Harmony Ink Press

 

SIX CHANCES TO WIN SAFE!

October 21st – The Novel Approach – Halloween Bonus Scene and a chance to win an ecopy of Safe!

October 24th – Release Day Giveaway with Author Shira Anthony! and a discussion about Reporting, Investigating and Prosecuting Child Abuse

October 26th –  Harmony Ink Press on Facebook – Meet Cody Kennedy and a chance to win an ecopy Safe!

November 1st – Sid Love Blog – An Interview with Cody and a chance to win an ecopy of Safe!

November 2nd – Queer Town Abbey – Cody talks about Str8washing and a chance to win an ecopy of Safe!

November 8th – Joyfully Jay – Excerpt Day and a final chance to win an ecopy of Safe!

 

About the Author

Raised on the mean streets and back lots of Hollywood by a Yoda-look-alike grandfather, Cody Kennedy doesn’t conform, doesn’t fit in, is epic awkward and lives to perfect a deep-seated oppositional defiance disorder. In a constant state of fascination with the trivial, Cody contemplates such weighty questions as: If time and space are curved, then where do all the straight people come from? When not writing, Cody can be found taming waves on western shores, pondering the nutritional value of sunsets, appreciating the much maligned dandelion, unhooking guide ropes from stanchions, and marveling at all things ordinary.

Find Cody: Facebook    Goodreads    Twitter @CodyKAuthor

Cody’s Blog – http://www.ckennedyauthor.blogspot.com/

Cody’s Free Serial Story, Fairy – http://www.fairybycodykennedy.blogspot.com/p/about-fairy.html

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Thank you so much for joining us today Cody. Good luck on the release!
and to our readers, at the top Cody offered a give away of safe.
Leave a comment and your EMAIL to have a chance to win