Must-read m/m YA romance: 'Wet Paint' by Will Parkinson

Wet Paint by Will Parkinson

What it's about (courtesy of Harmony Ink Press):

Transitions: Book Two

Although Addy's heart and body bear the scars from his life before he was adopted by the Deans, he's ached for something he thought he would never find. Until he met Benny. He isn't sure how anyone can care for someone as broken as he is, even though he wants it desperately.

High school senior Benny Peters has his whole life planned out for him, until a chaste kiss at summer camp opens a new world of possibilities. Determined to erase Addy's insecurities, Benny works to take away his boyfriend's pain and replace it with love.

When Addy's past intrudes on their future, it's going to take everything Benny can muster to show that no matter what–or who–they face, they belong together.

Why you should read it: Wet Paint is the long-awaited sequel to the popular Young Adult book Pitch. Pitch featured high school students Taylor and Jackson, who were gay and just beginning to figure out who they are. Taylor's best friend, Benny, was introduced, as well as Benny's friend Addy. Wet Paint picks up where Pitch left off.

Wise beyond his years, Benny is a counselor at Camp Care, a camp for abused and neglected children. Addy has had a very difficult childhood, abused by his father to the point he had to be removed from the home when his father went to prison. He is adopted by a good and gentle couple, but Addy is still wary and unable to believe anyone could really love him.

When Addy's past comes calling, all the terror he grew up with is revisited. Addy is small and often the victim of the local bullies at school. Benny tries to protect him, but Addy has the opposite reaction Benny expects. Addy is also very jealous of anyone who shows Benny attention, so when another troubled teenager tries to break them up at camp, Addy too easily falls for Liam's schemes. The title comes from Addy's talent as an artist and his ability to teach others to use art to express what they may not be able to say.

This is a character-driven story with angst that goes beyond normal teenage fears and concerns. Instead of worrying about a date to the prom or pimples, Addy is worried about being beaten to death or having to live on the street. Benny is worried about convincing the boy he has fallen in love with that sex is good but isn't the only way to show love. This is a YA story written for and about teenagers, but let me assure you it is a book for adults, as well. I thoroughly enjoyed both Pitch and Wet Paint. Wet Paint can be read as a stand-alone, but reading the stories in order will enhance the reader's understanding of the characters' backstories. Mr. Parkinson is a gifted author with the ability to bring life to characters of all ages and allow readers to identify with them. A highly recommended book.

INTERVIEW WITH WILL PARKINSON

Becky: Pitch was the first book in the Transitions series. At what point did you realize that there was another story that needed to be told?

Will: I share my writing with some very good friends as the story unfolds. They kept insisting that Benny had to have a story, but in my mind he was going to simply be the straight best friend. Until he met Addy. Then all of a sudden his whole story unfolded for me. The ending of Pitch was supposed to be just that, but Benny wanted it told another way. And if there is one thing I've learned, listen to your characters, because if you don't, they're going to come back at you with a vengeance (usually while you're asleep, and then you have to get out of bed, rush to the computer, and start jotting notes before they let you get comfortable again).

Becky: Why is it important to you to write Young Adult stories for gay teens and adults?

Will: When I was growing up, there were no YA novels (featuring gay characters). At the time you'd have been hard-pressed to find adult novels unless you went through a gay bookseller, and even then you were limited to mostly very sanitized versions of stories. Young people need to know that they're not alone in the world. With the spate of suicides by young people perceived to be LGBT, I think it makes a difference for them to read about people like them. Eden Winters told me that the group she works with (PFLAG) started a library of YA titles, and one of their younger folks was shocked that there were books about people like them.

Becky: Are any of these characters representative of you in your youth?

Will: A little bit of everyone, I think. Mostly Taylor, though. His father didn't approve of his art, mine didn't approve of my writing. Where Taylor continued to draw, I gave up trying to tell stories for the longest time. Jackson and his need to belong also struck a chord with me. Being a gay teen in the '80s, you dared not tell anyone, and it was a darn lonely life. And, of course, Benny. He's what I always wanted to have. A best friend who was a nurturer and defender. I try to do that now (even if I'm no longer a teen), because I think people need it.

Becky: You have introduced a few other secondary characters whose paths have crossed with Benny and Addy as well as with Taylor and Jackson from Pitch. Are there any plans to write additional stories in the Transitions series?

Will: The future is never truly written. I have had a couple of reviewers insist that two of the characters in Wet Paint need a story, but if they get done it will be two different authors (Will and my adult storyteller Parker), because one of them hit 18 in Wet Paint and is about to find himself in a whole mess of trouble.

Becky: You co-write with KC Wells and next year will be team writing Pulp Friction 2015 with Laura Harner, Lee Brazil, Havan Fellows and Tom Webb. Which is easier, writing alone or in collaboration with other authors?

Will: I *love* writing with KC Wells. She is so amazing. Her ideas flow like a never-ending stream. We have at least two more books planned (well, KC and Parker) in the coming year, and I'm thrilled to write with her. As for Pulp Friction, I have been watching these books unfold as they come together. I've never imagined the writing process like this, but these four people are so incredible in the way they can each tell their individual stories, but also make them work within the overall story arc. When they asked me to join them for 2015, I was (and still am) scared out of my mind. I only hope that I can fit into the seamless group they've created.

I think that writing solo is easier, because you don't have to worry about how your ideas might be perceived by people you're working with, but writing together, you get a feel for the group and always have someone you can bounce your thoughts off.

Becky: You have a business called Pride Promotions, which offers promotional services to authors of LGBTQ books and stories. You also are a full-time author. Do you have a website where people can find out more about Pride Promotions, your books and your works in progress?

Will: Pride Promotions is www.pride-promotions.com, my website for Will is www.willparkinson.com, and my site for Parker is www.parkerwilliamsauthor.com.

Becky Condit is a widow, mother of three and grandmother of 10 who reads all kinds of books, but her go-to comfort books are erotic romances. A romance novel coupled with just-out-of-the-oven chocolate-chip cookies and a glass of cold milk is her idea of heaven. She reads and reviews more than 250 books a year, so you won't often find her without her Kindle in hand, but when you do, she'll probably be gardening, doing needle crafts, working in her upholstery workshop and spending time with her family.