Hi, I’m Les Brown. In 2022, I sat down and wrote my first novel. Then I wrote three more. Now I’m working on my fifth. They’re part of a series called We Are Not Saints—LGBTQ novels exploring what it means to be a person of faith when the church doesn’t think that’s possible. My characters are priests and monks, teenagers and acolytes, all trying to figure out who they are in a world that demands they choose between their identity and their faith.
Compelling Drama with Depth Compelling Drama with Depth– This book delves into the complexities of morality, redemption, and the human condition with gripping intensity. Through Bishop Sean Foley’s turbulent journey, readers are drawn into a world of intrigue, heartache, and ultimately, resilience. With its authentic portrayal of flawed characters and ethical dilemmas, it leaves a lasting impact that prompts reflection and empathy.
This book and series face an intense issue that is common in the Catholic Church. Tackles it head on in fact, and for that the author should be praised. Not always the easiest read, this is still an important one and would recommend to those interested in the inner dynamics of the Catholic Church and its priests.
A Well-written, Effective Story A gay Roman Catholic clergyman faces the sharp scrutiny of a homophobic dignitary in Brown’s novel, the fourth in a series. A Well-written, Effective Story A gay Roman Catholic clergyman faces the sharp scrutiny of a homophobic dignitary in Brown’s novel, the fourth in a series.
Intriguing PageTurner—Absolutely brilliant. Les Brown tells a story that is complex, multi-layered, full of strange landscapes as divergent as organized crime and monastic life, yet one so well crafted that the reader becomes engrossed in it, unable to put it down. Intriguing PageTurner—Absolutely brilliant. Les Brown tells a story that is complex, multi-layered, full of strange landscapes as divergent as organized crime and monastic life, yet one so well crafted that the reader becomes engrossed in it, unable to put it down.
Wow! So much more than I expected from book 3. I had a hard time putting this one down. This story has everything, and it’s about a monk! Entertaining, suspenseful, heartfelt, and intelligent including a difficult and disturbing subject matter. Well done. I again look forward to the next book in this series!
In this religious fiction sequel, a gay teen tries to navigate faith, tumultuous family secrets, and first love. Fifteen-year-old Randy Carter lives in Las Vegas and loves skateboarding barefoot, spending time with his best friend, Keisha, and being an acolyte to his caring priest and mentor, Father Sean. In many ways, Randy would seem to be the typical, self-proclaimed “skater boy,” but two things set him apart: He hopes to one day become a priest, and he is gay. Just as Father Sean is helping Randy to understand how his religion and his sexuality do not have to be contradictions,…
Randy, the acolyte, is bright, earnest, honest, talented, and very naive. With a deep sense of vocation to the priesthood, he learns that being gay is just one of many challenges to be met. Bullies, teen suicide, betrayal, family dysfunction, and having to fend for himself bring out his sterling qualities and his shadows as well. But nothing tests him quite so sharply as learning the truth about Michael, his first deep love. This coming-of-age story is Brown at his finest.
“A fun, deliciously scandalous … depiction of queers in the clergy.” Brown’s prose straddles the vigorous, the poignant, and the sordid in equal measure, particularly during moments when Jared embraces his wild side and when Paul’s faith is tested against his deeply felt attraction to Jared … Though the characters lose some of their early allure, a surprise twist revives things. Brown channels his former vocation as a minister and spiritual director into creating a narrative that is authentically pious but riddled with sex and shocking secrets. For readers of queer romance yarns, this novel will satisfy on several levels…