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Spread the love and support for our LGBTQ community this Pride Month 2021

Let it all hang out

I know there are several tags going around to celebrate Pride month, but they weren’t quite the right fit for me so.. Here I am making my own and hoping you’ll like it.

Enjoy!

The Rules:

• Link back to the creator(that’s me), Sheri @ ReadBetwixtWords
• If you don’t know an LGBTQ book or character that fits, choose any you feel is suitable to the question.
• Tag some friends!
• And just have fun!

(Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Any purchases made through my links may earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

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A character that grows to accept themselves:

Amber Farrell: Main Character

Sleight of Hand by Mark Henwick

Publication date: August 2012
Pages: 575
Genre: Fantasy fiction, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Series: Book 1 of 7: Bite Back

Former military turned PI Amber Farrell knows what it’s like to fight against who you are.. Even the military are sadly uninformed about Farrell’s condition so, when she begins experiencing unusual changes, it will be up to finding others like her for answers.

But once the truth is out.. Will she be able to accept herself?

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A book with one of your favorite LGBTQ characters:

Neuma: Side Character

Sacrificed in Shadows by S.M.Reine

Publication date: July 2013
Pages: 323
Genre: Fiction, Urban fantasy, Paranormal romance, Mystery, Suspense
Series: Book 1 of 8: The Ascension Series

This author is a favorite of mine for supernatural fiction

In this series, our main protagonist Elise befriends a half-succubus Neuma. She’s foul-mouthed, inappropriate, and hilarious.

If you like dark, gritty, and action-packed supernatural fiction with a take no prisoners female protagonist and an assortment of unusual side characters? Need more angels, demons, Gods and.. the government? As they all attempt to get their hands on the woman known as the ‘Godslayer’.

This series is part of ‘The Descentverse’, and to get the full impact of this unique world Reine’s created, I would suggest reading them in this order..
The Descent Series,
The Cain Chronicles,
The Ascension Series,
War of the Alphas

(However, only ‘The Descent’ and ‘The Ascension’ series follow Elise as the main character.)

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An LGBTQ character who’s loud and proud:

Magnus Bane: Debatable

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare

Publication date: April 2019
Pages: 369
Genre: Novel, Young adult, LGBTQ, Fantasy fiction, Paranormal fiction
Series: Book 1 of 2: The Eldest Curses

A big personality paired with a wicked ego, Magnus is(what I consider) the only real star in nearly all of Cassandra Clare‘s books. Making his first appearance in ‘The Mortal Instruments’, he may go a little overboard sometimes, but it’s the confidence in knowing who he is and what he wants that make him such an fantastic character.

For more of Magnus check out:

The Bane Chronicles
A Collection of Eleven Short Stories centered around Magnus Bane.
The Eldest Curses
A series that follows the adventures of both Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood.

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A book/character that doesn’t judge:

Merry Gentry: Main Character

A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton

Publication date: January 2001
Pages: 480
Genre: Novel, Fantasy fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fantasy, Erotic literature
Series: Book 1 of 9: A Merry Gentry Novel

Warning: VERY Mature. Detailed sex scenes, taboo sex, rape, murder, violence, and so much more.

One thing I love about fantasy is that there are very few supernatural races that judge you for your sexual proclivities. This book sure won’t.

Merry Gentry is the niece to the queen of the fae. Being half Sidhe, a quarter brownie, and a quarter human makes her barely fae enough to be welcome and just human enough to invite outright contempt. (Talk about an identity crisis.) Being raised in court, and exposed the their carnal ways, the fae have no shame for what pleasures they find in one another.. making Merry one of the most understanding and open-minded characters to follow.

I just have to say.. I really do love how Hamilton writes her characters and how much acceptance there is in regards to the body, the way we see it, and how we allow it to effect our interactions with others.

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A book with lovable LGBTQ characters:

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Publication date: September 2012
Pages: 468
Genre: Young adult, Paranormal fiction, Romance, Occult fiction, Mystery
Series: Book 1 of 4: The Raven Cycle

I love how it takes no time at all before this strange group of unusual boys takes Blue in and gives her somewhere to belong. They’re all very loyal to one another, and when they finally learn of Blue’s secret, instead of persecuting her.. they offer understanding.

These books are wonderful. The characters Stiefvater has created here, their journey together, the support and acceptance found in eachtoher.. it’s truly heartwarming.

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A book with plenty of diversity:

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton

Publication date: September 2002
Pages: 300
Genre: Novel, Horror, Urban fantasy, Mystery, Erotic literature, Occult Fiction
Series: Book 1 of 28: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter

Yes. A second series from Laurell K. Hamilton. That says a lot, doesn’t it?

You’re absolutely sure to find a wide array of characters, creatures, interests, sexual orientations, personalities, and beliefs in this one. I feel like the author has done a wonderful job portraying instances of both tolerance and discrimination in an intelligent and considerate way. Hamilton has this way of creating such raw and authentic characters, and if they’re a comfortable with themselves.. why shouldn’t we be?

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An LGBTQ book you have no interest in reading:

I’m sensing a theme.

Least favorite princess ever. In all fairness, I’m not hating on Cinderella here(not a lot, at least).. I’m just kind of tired of reading this particular story thirteen thousand different ways. Cyborgs and princess competitions, unhappily ever afters, OhMy! Let’s rewrite The Emperor’s New Groove or something.

Side note:
Drew Barrymore(such a big fan) did a movie in the 90’s called ‘Ever After‘, a beautifully reimagined Cinderella story that still enchants me, and I highly recommend watching it.
And the film ‘Ella Enchanted‘ is adorable. Anne Hathaway is such a great actress, and already familiar with princess rolls, this part was practically made for her. If you’re a fan of Disney’s ‘Tangled‘, you would probably really enjoy this.

Maybe I just got Cinderella out of my system in the nineties. Who knows? But you won’t find these two books on my shelf any time soon.

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An LGBTQ book on your tbr:

Look! More fairy tales! 😂

I can really appreciate the genius behind combining two fairy tales the way Heather Walter has done.. it’s a really intelligent way of revamping the original stories without straying too far from the initial concept.

The other two I know almost nothing about beyond that they sound unusual.. and I find the strange to be very interesting. I’m looking forward to reading them!

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A book that welcomes all kinds:

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Publication date: April 2017
Pages: 174
Genre: Dark fantasy, Fairy tale, LGBTQ, Fantasy fiction
Series: Book 1 of 7: Wayward Children

Seanan McGuire is one of those authors I’ll read anything from.
On that note.. I read this earlier in the year(2021) and I loved it. You can check out my review here.

This book gives these odd and outcast children a home, a place to comfortably be themselves, surrounded by others who are simply looking for somewhere to belong. Away from the judgment and dismissal at home.. this is where they find others who can relate and a safe place to just exist.

What a lovely message to the future, right?

“Love has no gender – compassion has no religion – character has no race.”

Love is love.

It would be nice to think that in the future we’ll be more kind to one another, and perhaps there are a few of us left with open minds and open hearts, but there will always be those who choose hate.

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