Hi there! I'm Jay Bell and I like making up stories! I'm the guy who wrote 
Something Like Summer was published one year ago today, and man, what a year it has been! Over a hundred positive reviews on Amazon, book of the month on many wonderful sites, a movie deal, and now a sequel! The winners of the M/M Romance Member’s Choice Awards were revealed last night, and Something Like Summer did especially well in one particular category, placing first in Best Story that Should/Must have a Sequel. I said this was the best way to make your voice heard and yes, you lovely people, I have listened. As soon as work on my current project is wrapped up, I’ll get started on writing another book featuring Ben and Tim. Something Like Summer will have its sequel, a companion novel that explores Tim’s complete story. Love him or hate him, Tim has one wild tale to tell, and along the way many moments he shared with Ben will be revealed for the first time.
As for birthday presents, in addition to the award for most desired sequel, Something Like Summer also won for Best Young Adult Characters and scored another award for Best Cover. Go Andreas! Crashing the party, Hell’s Pawn won awards for Best World Created and Most Surprising/Unique Plot Device. Along with the total of eight nominations, my little gang of books are really feeling the love. I have all of you to thank for that. Come give me a hug! 2011 was an incredible year, and I promise to work my hardest to make 2012 just as exciting.
Hey Jay! I know, I’m repeating myself, but: Congratulations and it’s very well deserved:)
*hugs*
Thank you, Anke! *hugs right back*
Jay, I’m so happy for you, but even more for us, your readers! Sequel and a movie, how exciting. Now, just one other request. You may or may not remember that I have asked for a sequel to “The Cat in the Cradle”. You teased us a bit with the subtitle “Loka Legends #1″ so I just kinda figured, you know, and all… Well, anyway, I know you only have two hands with which to write, but I want to keep this request in the back of your mind. Many, many good thoughts coming your way Jay!
Don’t worry, Bob. The sequel to The Cat in the Cradle is still on track for summer of this year. Luckily that one is all written and mostly ready to go aside from some illustrations and light editing. I’ll have another contemporary romance novel out late February/early March, which should leave me mostly free for Ben and Tim. *collapses*
OMG!!!! Thank you!!! Congratulations on your wins! I’m proud to say that I am one of the voters for all your books in the award! I have read all your books so far and I just LOVE your work. (Especially SOMETHING LIKE SUMMER.) Now that there’s a sequel and a movie to look forward to. Such delight and excitement.
I am so excited to read about Tim’s perspective on the events that happened and I’m glad you’re going to give us new scenes. I’m even more excited to read about what happens after the end of the first book. (PLEASE DO IT!)
Anyway, wishing you a great 2012!!
Thanks, Ayumi! I love how excited you are! LOL I imagine we will see a little of what happens after Something Like Summer, simply because that ending doesn’t feel like the right place to end the second book. Odd as it seems, I won’t know for sure until I reach that point when writing. How mysterious!
This is so awesome, Jay! I am so happy
As you know I am a big time follower of you, Tim and Ben. Congratulations to Andreas too! He too deserves the time in limelight.
Can’t wait to read Tim’s PoV! I am very interested in knowing what was he thinking when Ben and Tim had to pretend that they weren’t anything more than passing acquaintance in the school hallways. Did he feel the pull towards Ben like Ben did? Most of the subtle scenes get me.
Thanks, Raji! I’m looking forward to exploring Tim’s perspective too. I put myself in his shoes countless times when writing the first book, so it’s familiar territory, but now I’ll finally be able to show the world. I’m sure there will be a few discoveries on the way, since my characters always work to surprise me. We’ll see!
Hi Jay! Congratulations on all the awesome wins!! I’m so happy to hear that there’s going to be a movie and a sequel on Something Like Summer, it really is one of my favourite books.
I’ll be looking forward to reading all about Tim’s point of view in the sequel. My best wishes to you and Andreas! Cheers!
Cheers, Daniella! The whole movie thing still seems so unreal, but I’m looking forward to it too. Thank you for the warm wishes!
Aww , Happy Birthdayy Something Like Summer !! & Yess ! Theres gunnah be another book , yay ! Thanks Jay Bell . Love You Guyss ! *Hugss & kisses*
Hey again, Julian! I suspected you would be happy with this decision.
*bear hug!*
Congrats! I came to see if you posted something after I saw the Winners. Way to start 2012!
Thanks, Robert! I can’t imagine a better start to the year!
Jay,
I am so happy for you. Something Like Summer was the first book I bought on my iPad. I really love Tim and Ben. I can’t wait to read the sequel! Thanks for doing what you do.
My pleasure, Brian! I’m glad Ben and Tim were the first couple to get romantic on your iPad. Er, that’s meant to sound poetic, not dirty.
Wow! I can’t tell you how glad I am that you won the poll for a sequel. Having JUST found your website & learning of the possibility of a sequel, I was disappointed to learn it was closed.
Jay, I just discovered the book this week, read the reviews on Amazon & immediately downloaded it. And couldn’t put it down. Only a few books have touched me as “Something Like Summer” moved me. My partner will confirm that he found me in bed crying last night as I was reading. Your writing brought me back to my own high school and college years. I was reminded of so many people who have passed through my life. Nostalgia swept over me so intensely.
I must say, I found myself root for Tim & Ben throughout the second half of the book. I SO wanted Ben & Tim to reunite.
I cannot wait for the movie. I pray it does justice to your writing. Even more so, I will be anxiously awaiting the sequel. I love the idea of telling the story from Tim’s perspective. Quite intriguing!
Thank you again!
Wow Gregory!
That’s fantastic that Something Like Summer has such an effect on you. I hope the trip down memory lane was a good one, and not too painful. Sometimes crying can be a wonderful catharsis, and I hope you came through the story feeling better for having read it.
I’m also happy to hear that you were rooting for Tim, even in the second half of the book. I was too while writing it, although really I wished all three guys could end up in one big loving relationship. I don’t think Tim or Jace would be down with that idea, so it wasn’t meant to be. Still, the fantasy is nice.
I’ve got my fingers crossed on the movie too. And the sequel, since I don’t want to mess it up.
Thanks for giving Something Like Summer a whirl and for stopping by to share your reaction!
J
Happy birthday! SLS made a big difference in my life and made me a happier man!
Definitely no brent corrigan in the movie! don’t want to see a porn star in an epic movie
Thanks, Eric. I’m really glad the book made a difference! As for Brent Corrigan, I’m surprised at the strong reaction people have toward him. It’ll be a while yet before they start casting, and we’ll see then if his name even comes up.
Hi Jay,
I just finished reading your novel. I never thought I would read such a nice gay love story in my life! I laugh and cried so much! I have been in love for the last 19 years with my boyfriend and now husband. He has been sick for the last 16 years and should have died years ago. It’s a miracle he is still alive and I will never stop taking care of him. Can you imagine how much I cried when Jace died? My heart was broken. Even it the story ends well I was still crying many days later after I finished reading the book. Well done! I cannot wait for the sequel and hope you will continue writing such great love stories. Thank you so much!
Hi Gilles. Sorry to hear about your husband’s struggle. I’m so proud of you for taking care of him. That’s a huge inspiration to me! I wrote that scene with Jace because it’s my worse fear when it comes to my husband Andreas. I don’t know how I would go on without him, but like the end of the book, I know he would want me to try. I hope neither of us has to face that day soon. Stay wonderfully brave and strong, Gilles, and thank you for sharing your story with me.