REVIEW: 'Being Me' by Various Authors

Title: Being Me

Authors: Louisa Mae, Maggie Chatterton, Melissa Costa, Jack L. Pyke, Jo Tannah, Lynn Michaels, Susan Mac Nicol, Lane Swift, Louis J. Harris, Alex Jane, Dilo Keith, Duncan Swallow, Jane Stemp, Viva Gold, and Fiona Glass

Published: November 1, 2017

Publisher: CoolDudes Publishing

Cover Artist: Comeles Bronkhorst

Genre: Contemporary Romance; Young Adult; New Adult

Length: 239 Pages

Tags: Gay; M/M; Bisexual; Transgender; Heterosexual; M/F; Western/Cowboys; May/December; D/s; HEA; HFN; Anthology

About Being Me

16 stories by 15 talented writers to wet your reading appetite this Christmas. Stories about people who feel they are different for any reason. They are bullied, gay, transgender, straight, have weight issues, handicapped, rejected. In all these stories something sets them apart from the usual ‘societal norms’ of acceptance which leads to conflict and angst.

These stories are about people who’ve embraced their differences and own it. ALL story content is suitable for a YA audience. Stories by Louisa Mae, Maggie Chatterton, Melissa Costa, Jack L. Pyke, Jo Tannah, Lynn Michaels, Susan Mac Nicol, Lane Swift, Louis J. Harris, Alex Jane, Dilo Keith, Duncan Swallow, Jane Stemp, Viva Gold and Fiona Glass.

4 HEART READ

REVIEW:

Anthologies typically give you a various range of stories to enjoy, different styles of writing to relish, sometimes new author’s to discover, and in Being Me you are also making a difference with your purchase, which in my mind makes me feel even richer for having read all the poems and short stories within. This benefit book to aid the Being Me Campaign has everything from gay romance to heterosexual, cowboys and aliens, poems about how we see ourselves in the reflection of a mirror, discovering ones bisexuality, how the power of social media can divide us or bring us together, messages about prejudice being manifested by opinions from others…and so much more! Even a few stories that have nothing to do with romantic relationships at all but will make you question society and belief.

Each and every tale has a beautiful message to convey and will touch anyone who has ever felt different in one form or another. And who among us hasn’t?

With scenes that fade to black this collection is perfect for young adults yet will easily appeal to any reader who enjoys when an author is able to touch your heart.

In fact, Louisa Mae’s Lost and Found is a powerful, heart-stopping story of forbidden love, first love, lost love, and second chances all rolled into one, that had me weeping into my pillow during the wee hours of the morning. Melissa Costa uses Losing Sight, the narrative of a blind man finding his independence, to remind us that acceptance takes everyone and we are only blinded by our own self-imposed limitations.

The Wall, by Jack L. Pyke, is a beautiful piece with the emotion we’ve come to expect from this talented author.

Being yourself is challenging enough but add to that a neurobiological disorder, bullying from your peers, and labeling from authorities and that sense of being is magnified. As the protagonist thinks to himself, “Liam was never more happy in his skin, both with his disability and being transgender. Nobody could ever make him feel as scared and confused as not knowing why he felt displaced and in the wrong body. So what he got at school…he’d already been through worse in his own head,” I couldn’t help but be reminded how hard adolescence is.

Then there’s Susan Mac Nicol’s Strawberry Kisses. A gut-wrenching tale of how cruel this world can truly be when someone is bullied simply for having a beautiful birth mark; yet the beauty one person can bestow when they believe in you…allowing you to believe in yourself.

Alex Jane’s Don’t Say It…Gulp! God, this one had me reading with a lump in my throat the whole time.

The societal pressure of being “manly”, of not being able to be your true self, and maybe missing out on something, someone, special for fear of what others may do to you. Alex Jane brings so much emotion to these boys’ story.

If you’re looking for a moving journey of how bullying can impact self-esteem…for years to come... the very worth with which we see ourselves, look no further than Metamorphosis from Viva Gold.

This walk through the emotions of a victim shows us that those same tormentors shape who we are, as he thinks, “It dawned on me then that these people were the making of me. In some perverted rite of passage, they enabled me to achieve my ambitions and become the best at what I do.” He couldn’t be more right! But this short is more than that, it’s also a glimpse into what makes a bully and how they too can be in more pain than we can imagine and need forgiveness as well.

Another author who really touched me is Fiona Glass with The Visitor. Readers are taken on a journey of segregation, time travel style, with so much emotion you yearn for the equality. As the main character channels his anger and begins to fight for inclusion and sees that, “most [people] had simply been perpetuating a habit without thinking about if for themselves,” you realize how important it is for each of us to speak up and advocate. (For youth readers please not there is one line of sexual content in this piece.)

In closing these 15 talented writers bring together 16 tales within Being Me that should, in my humble opinion, be read by everyone - young and old, gay or straight.

Stories that have the power to make each and every one of us think beyond ourselves and empathize with those around us. By opening our minds we open our hearts and have the power to change the world. Buy this book, share it with those you know…and perpetuate the change!

A copy of Being Me was provided to Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter, by Jack L. Pyke, at no cost and with no expectations in return. We offer our fair and honest opinion on behalf of our readers.

NOTE: KEBB Contributor’s also purchased their own for their collections.

100% of proceeds from the purchase of Being Me will be donated directly to the Being Me Campaign whose mission it is to create a world free from bullying, discrimination and prejudice. A world where people are empowered, celebrated and encouraged to be proud of who they are and their differences.

BECOME A BEING ME SCHOOL CHAMPION

A Being Me School Champion is a student who advocates, empowers, encourages and inspires others to be proud of who they are and their differences. They run campaigns to promote equality, acceptance, respect and inclusion to ensure no one in their school community is ever isolated, bullied, discriminated against or subject to prejudice for being who they are. Their work increases student’s self-esteem, self-love, confidence and creates an environment which welcomes and embraces everyone for the unique individual they are.

Donations are welcome.

Website:

http://www.beingmecampaign.com

https://www.justgiving.com/beingmecampaign