reviews_and_ramblings | Blog Tour: Onwaachig the Dreamer by Jay Jordan Hawke

Onwaachige the Dreamer (The Two-spirit Chronicles 3) by Jay Jordan Hawke
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press; 1 edition (December 17, 2015)
Amazon Kindle: Onwaachige the Dreamer (The Two-spirit Chronicles 3)

Blurb: What would you do for the boy you loved? What if to save him you had to abandon him forever?

Fourteen-year-old Joshua Ishkoday faces an impossible decision as a terrifying dream sets him upon a thrilling and treacherous journey of self-exploration through the dangerous vastness of the Wisconsin northwoods. There, along with his best friends, Mokwa and Little Deer, Joshua summons the power to confront his greatest fears. To do so, all he has to do is trust in his dreams. Unfortunately, Joshua discovers that his dreams have been deceiving him thanks to the intrusion of strange creatures. For out in the middle of the forest dwell the enigmatic Memegwesi, bizarre manitous who have a special plan for Joshua. Joshua soon realizes that he has three monsters to battle: the extraordinary creatures haunting his dreams, the dangerous torrential storm brewing in the northwoods, and finally, the greatest demon of all—his homophobic mother.

Excerpt:

A Scout is Brave

“What the hell are you reading, Indian Boy?”

Joshua was taken aback by the interest the boys suddenly showed in him. They had virtually ignored him for the entire trip. And besides, what was the big deal in reading a section about Indians? Everyone in the Boy Scout troop was supposed to have read the handbook. Joshua didn’t know how to respond.

He didn’t have to. Before he had the chance, another boy joined in on the conversation.

“Don’t worry,” he said with a wicked grin. “We’ll show him some real reading material later,” he added, no doubt referring to the Playboy that he had just shoved into his backpack. The other boys laughed.

Just great, Joshua thought. What the hell have I gotten myself into? These Boy Scouts are a bunch of perverts. He got up from his seat and made his way to the exit. Finally, Troop 24 had arrived at Camp Nishkendan. It was going to be an interesting week.

Pukawiss the Outcast

Hearing about Pukawiss only strengthened his determination to learn everything he could about being an Indian. This was the one place he knew he fit in—where God and the manitous acknowledged and even celebrated him. Joshua never felt that in the Christian faith.

While Joshua never quite took to Christianity, with such a devout mother, he pretended to. He went through the motions, but he didn’t embrace it. He didn’t fit into it anywhere. Hearing his mother’s hate-filled antigay sermons didn’t exactly help. Those only deepened the chasm between him and the church. His mother’s words became the church’s words in Joshua’s mind, and he wanted nothing to do with it.

And now he had something better. Now Joshua knew that God did in fact have a place for him. The Ojibwe God did, at least. Mokwa had informed him that God was called Gitchee Manitou. Though often translated as God, Mokwa told him it meant “the Great Mystery.” Mostly, people on the reservation simply used the word “Creator” when talking of God. Joshua liked that. There was no dogma attached to it. It was simple and straightforward.

Joshua also wanted to experience this exhibition powwow because it would give him more insight into Pukawiss. After all, according to Mokwa, Pukawiss was the legendary inventor of the powwow.

Of course, Joshua knew there was a more worldly reason he was so excited about the powwow. Mokwa would be dancing. The chance to see Mokwa all decked out in his dance costume was enough to get Joshua out of the house. Regalia, Joshua immediately corrected himself. Mokwa had told him never to refer to powwow attire as a costume. The tourists made that mistake all the time.

Meet the author: Jay Jordan Hawke holds a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in history, as well as a second master’s in Outdoor Education. He loves everything sci-fi, especially Star Trek! He teaches high school history and anxiously awaits the day when he can write full time. His hobbies include camping, movies, reading, running, and writing. His first book, Pukawiss the Outcast, was a Lambda Literary Award finalist for Best Young Adult Gay Fiction. He resides in one of the Great Lakes states.

Where to find the author:
Facebook: (fanpage) https://www.facebook.com/JayJordanHawke
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/jay.hawke
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jayjordanhawke
Tumblr: http://jayjordanhawke.tumblr.com/
Homepage: www.jayjordanhawke.com
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/JayJordanHawke

Tour Dates & Stops:
17-Dec The Hat Party
18-Dec Inked Rainbow Reads
21-Dec Velvet Panic
22-Dec Elisa - My Reviews and Ramblings
23-Dec BFD Book Blog
24-Dec Havan Fellows
25-Dec Prism Book Alliance
28-Dec The Jena Wade; Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
29-Dec MM Good Book Reviews
29-Dec Love Bytes
30-Dec Bayou Book Junkie; Happily Ever Chapter