Books like I Say a Little Prayer by E. Lynn Harris

Chauncey Greer owns the Cute Boy Card Company in Atlanta and has long been a figure admired by both men and women. A former boyband member, he left the music scene when his close friendship with a male bandmate was revealed. After a series of disappointing dates, Chauncey spends time in his local church where a minister’s inspiring message pushes him to pursue his dream of singing again. Returning to music, he writes songs that echo memories of his former lover. His impassioned performance earns a standing ovation and an invitation to participate in an upcoming revival. At the same time, a fundamentalist preacher plans to use the revival to denounce gay people and gay marriage. In response, Chauncey leads a group of gay church members in a “Day of Absence,” withholding their participation to protest the homophobia. The crisis deepens when the former bandmate surfaces, forcing Chauncey to confront his past and make a decisive choice about his future.

First publish date: 2006