You Won't Stop Laughing When You Read This Blog

What a fine day it is when I can invite Stuart West back to my blog with the third release of his Tex the Witch Boy series. Here I go again, reading into the quiet hours of the night, stifling laughs so big, I need to wrestle with myself, so as not to wake my boys, my husband whispering over and over, “Turn out the light, turn out the lights!” And my answering, “No. Just put on your eyeshades.” Anyway, and if you leave a comment, you might just win an e-book copy.

Thanks much, Suzanne, for inviting me back. You rock. Your husband must hate me, though.

Pull up a bean-bag. Light the fireplace. Settle in, get cozy, let’s chat, maybe go on a road to self-discovery. Or at least kill a few minutes.

Well, haven’t got a bean-bag, but I just turned on the fire. (Don’t you just love being able to turn on the fire?)

Lucky gal! Our fireplace has been shot for about ten years. Now it functions as a raccoon trap. Don’t ask!

When Suzanne asked me to come back, she said “just be yourself.” Really, I thought? All writers are a tad bit schizophrenic, crazy people. Surely I’ll offend someone. Actually (childish titter here), I sorta like upsetting people from time to time. Gotta get your kicks where you can. Okay, yes, I am a teenage boy at heart. I am “Tex.” Tex, my teen, awkward, male witch protagonist who’d rather just sorta hang out instead of getting thrown into crazy murder mysteries the universe throws at him

The third book in my Tex, the Witch Boy series just launched. Tex and the God Squad is the definitive finale in the series. Things get ugly, characters die, all storylines are brought to a (not necessarily happy) ending. If you’ve read the first two books, you know no one’s safe. Prepare for the worst, hang on for the best.

Well, geez, I’m really worried now.

Worry, Suzanne, worry like the wind. Heh.

But enough hype.

The other day, someone asked me what the books are about. I mean, really about. I told them topical teen issues: bullying, random high school violence, gay issues, teen suicide, broken families, and, of course, dodge ball. But after I finally finished the trilogy, I realized what the triptych is truly about. A theme that encapsulates everything I’ve been writing about in the three books, something I’ve been building to--sometimes with humor, other times with anger. Guys, we’re talking open-mindedness.  Didn’t even see it ‘til I dropped the final letter on the third book. I’m getting up on my soap-box again, hollering from the rafters that difference--whether it be in life-styles, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, cereal choices, whatever--shouldn’t matter. 

Or I guess you could say ‘tolerance’.

That’s it! 

The Big Bad in Tex and the God Squad is an evil religious sect. The absolute worst close-minded villain in the world.  I haven’t been exactly shy about saying they’re based on the heinous “Westboro Baptist Church.”  Trusted (and wiser than me) pals have said I should keep my big mouth shut. Sigh. If you know me, that ain’t gonna’ happen, the proof is on the page. I had to do it, almost feel like I should apologize since the WBC is a byproduct of Kansas. Sorry.

OMG, I just looked them up and look what I found. Is this frightening or what?

  

Yes, it is. And unfortunately, freedom of speech is a two-way street which allows idiots like the WBC to voice their ugly opinions. But, hey, I’m a big advocate of freedom of speech. Just don’t like what I hear sometimes.

But the book’s not all a searing indictment about religious hypocrites. There’s plenty of fun to be had (although I doubt Tex would see it that way). Let’s see…we have a tornado attack, a hooded murderer, a vengeful witch, a sadistic supernatural cat, a deadly paintball competition (it’s complicated), horrible food, and, of course, doubts about his post-high-school future. But the “Clarendon Baptist Church” is his worst obstacle. Mostly because they’re real.

“Close-mindedness.”  

I want teens to know they’re not alone in their isolated feelings. Forget about jackasses who think their way is the only way. They’re ignorant bullies, whether they be misguided individuals or organized groups disguised as a “church.” Just believe in yourselves, forget the idiots, and know things get better.

I agree. Who are we to judge others, right? 

Right. Okay, Merry Stressmas, y’all! I’m out! (Drops a microphone like a rock star).

Thanks Stuart. As usual, it’s been a blast having you on my blog. Readers don’t forget to leave a comment so you can giggle long into the night and use up a box of tissues wiping your eyes. And here are Stuart West's links so you can buy his books. And I highly recommend that you do. You won't be sorry.

Tex and the God Squad: http://www.amazon.com/Tex-God-Squad-Witch-Boy-ebook/dp/B00H9HPIA4/ref=la_B00B419X5C_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387224409&sr=1-1

Tex, the Witch Boy (book one): http://www.amazon.com/Tex-Witch-Boy-Stuart-West-ebook/dp/B00B3U5OWU/ref=la_B00B419X5C_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387224409&sr=1-2'

Tex and the Gangs of Suburbia (book two): http://www.amazon.com/Tex-Gangs-Suburbia-Witch-Series-ebook/dp/B00E5RWBGA/ref=pd_sim_b_2

MuseItUp author page: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/search?keyword=stuart+r.+west&limitstart=0&option=com_virtuemart&view=category