A Time Before Me

In this poignant coming-of-age novel, a gay teen struggles to find his identity in the contrasting worlds of rural Mississippi and the big city of New Orleans.Growing up in a small Mississippi town in the early 1990s, shy and inexperienced Mason spends much of his time with his best friend and secret childhood crush, the charming and daring Billy. When a six-pack of beer leads to a passionate encounter between the two teenagers, Mason believes his dreams may have finally come true. Billy's apparent disregard for the incident, however, leaves Mason feeling confused and betrayed.When Billy slips off to glamorous New York City immediately after high school graduation, Mason fears he's doomed to spend another humid Mississippi summer scooping ice cream. But Mason's life changes dramatically when vivacious Aunt Savannah invites him to live with her in New Orleans and work in the box office of her drag queen cabaret. It's there-in the decadent and liberating French Quarter-that Mason begins to fall for Joey, a strikingly handsome and sweet nineteen-year-old, who may just be ready to open his heart to someone new.A surprise visit from Billy hints that he may be ready to return Mason's feelings, and Mason faces a difficult choice. With the help of his spirited aunt and a sassy drag queen, Miss Althea, Mason learns that sometimes it's best to roll life's dice and take a chance. In this poignant coming-of-age novel, a gay teen struggles to find his identity in the contrasting worlds of rural Mississippi and the big city of New Orleans. Growing up in a small Mississippi town in the early 1990s, shy and inexperienced Mason spends much of his time with his best friend and secret childhood crush, the charming and daring Billy. When a six-pack of beer leads to a passionate encounter between the two teenagers, Mason believes his dreams may have finally come true. Billys apparent disregard for the incident, however, leaves Mason feeling confused and betrayed. When Billy slips off to glamorous New York City immediately after high school graduation, Mason fears hes doomed to spend another humid Mississippi summer scooping ice cream. But Masons life changes dramatically when vivacious Aunt Savannah invites him to live with her in New Orleans and work in the box office of her drag queen cabaret. Its therein the decadent and liberating French Quarterthat Mason begins to fall for Joey, a strikingly handsome and sweet nineteen-year-old, who may just be ready to open his heart to someone new. A surprise visit from Billy hints that he may be ready to return Masons feelings, and Mason faces a difficult choice. With the help of his spirited aunt and a sassy drag queen, Miss Althea, Mason learns that sometimes its best to roll lifes dice and take a chance.

growing Up In A Small Mississippi Town, Shy And Inexperienced Mason Spends Much Of His Time With His Best Friend And Childhood Crush, Billy. When A Six-pack Of Beer Leads To A Kiss Between The Two, Mason Believes His Dreams Have Come True. Billy's Disregard For The Incident, However, Dashes Mason's Hopes.

After Graduation, Mason Fears He's Doomed To Spend A Humid Mississippi Summer Scooping Ice Cream. But Everything Changes When His Vivacious Aunt Savannah Invites Him To Live With Her In New Orleans And Work In The Box Office Of Her Drag Queen Cabaret. It's There- In The Decadent And Liberating French Quarter- That Mason Begins To Fall For Joey, A Strikingly Handsome And Sweet Nineteen Year Old, Who May Just Be Ready To Open His Heart To Someone New.

When Mason's Lingering Feelings For Billy Threaten His New Romance, He Must Make A Choice. With The Help Of His Aunt And A Sassy Drag Queen, Miss Althea, Mason Learns That The Only Way To Get Anywhere In Life Is To Roll Life's Dice And Take A Chance.

edition #15 - Books To Watch Out For

sweet And Imaginative...a Time Before Me Laces Its Sentimentality With Enough Jagged Reality To Give It An Interesting Edge.