


Cakewalk (Audiobook)
Living a Lie or Loving Out Loud? Bryan’s Journey to Spiritual Truth in Cakewalk
Douglas Bell’s debut novel, Cakewalk, is a bold and emotionally charged story about love, identity, and the painful journey toward self-acceptance. It asks us to look beyond appearances and truly see each other—to recognize the humanity in every person, no matter how unfamiliar their truth may seem. You will be mad at Bryan—because he mirrors the tension between who we are and who we’re afraid to become when fear and shame rule our lives. There is truly nothing else like Cakewalk on the market today.
Set in 2015, the novel follows Bryan Hicks, a successful Black executive at a major oil and gas company in conservative Texas. Bryan hides his relationship with Nadia, a transgender woman, terrified of what it would cost him—his reputation, his family’s approval, and his career. While he appears to have it all, Bryan is burdened by the shame his family and professional circles attach to being associated with the LGBTQ community. At the same time, he struggles to accept his openly queer son, Lance, because he hasn't yet learned to accept himself.
Through raw, intimate, and unapologetic scenes, Bell exposes the private complexities of love, sexuality, and personal transformation. This is Bryan’s journey, where he uses meditation as a path to clarity. In moments of stillness, he begins peeling back the layers of his identity, learning that vulnerability isn’t weakness but the beginning of freedom. He comes to understand that who you are is more than where you come from or how others define you.
If you are struggling to live authentically—or to understand someone who is—Cakewalk is for you. This book is not just a story—it’s a mirror. It challenges, awakens, and ultimately helps you grow.
Audiobook version includes both the chapter MP3s and a chaptered epub file that can be used with the media player of your choice!
Living a Lie or Loving Out Loud? Bryan’s Journey to Spiritual Truth in Cakewalk
Douglas Bell’s debut novel, Cakewalk, is a bold and emotionally charged story about love, identity, and the painful journey toward self-acceptance. It asks us to look beyond appearances and truly see each other—to recognize the humanity in every person, no matter how unfamiliar their truth may seem. You will be mad at Bryan—because he mirrors the tension between who we are and who we’re afraid to become when fear and shame rule our lives. There is truly nothing else like Cakewalk on the market today.
Set in 2015, the novel follows Bryan Hicks, a successful Black executive at a major oil and gas company in conservative Texas. Bryan hides his relationship with Nadia, a transgender woman, terrified of what it would cost him—his reputation, his family’s approval, and his career. While he appears to have it all, Bryan is burdened by the shame his family and professional circles attach to being associated with the LGBTQ community. At the same time, he struggles to accept his openly queer son, Lance, because he hasn't yet learned to accept himself.
Through raw, intimate, and unapologetic scenes, Bell exposes the private complexities of love, sexuality, and personal transformation. This is Bryan’s journey, where he uses meditation as a path to clarity. In moments of stillness, he begins peeling back the layers of his identity, learning that vulnerability isn’t weakness but the beginning of freedom. He comes to understand that who you are is more than where you come from or how others define you.
If you are struggling to live authentically—or to understand someone who is—Cakewalk is for you. This book is not just a story—it’s a mirror. It challenges, awakens, and ultimately helps you grow.
Audiobook version includes both the chapter MP3s and a chaptered epub file that can be used with the media player of your choice!
Living a Lie or Loving Out Loud? Bryan’s Journey to Spiritual Truth in Cakewalk
Douglas Bell’s debut novel, Cakewalk, is a bold and emotionally charged story about love, identity, and the painful journey toward self-acceptance. It asks us to look beyond appearances and truly see each other—to recognize the humanity in every person, no matter how unfamiliar their truth may seem. You will be mad at Bryan—because he mirrors the tension between who we are and who we’re afraid to become when fear and shame rule our lives. There is truly nothing else like Cakewalk on the market today.
Set in 2015, the novel follows Bryan Hicks, a successful Black executive at a major oil and gas company in conservative Texas. Bryan hides his relationship with Nadia, a transgender woman, terrified of what it would cost him—his reputation, his family’s approval, and his career. While he appears to have it all, Bryan is burdened by the shame his family and professional circles attach to being associated with the LGBTQ community. At the same time, he struggles to accept his openly queer son, Lance, because he hasn't yet learned to accept himself.
Through raw, intimate, and unapologetic scenes, Bell exposes the private complexities of love, sexuality, and personal transformation. This is Bryan’s journey, where he uses meditation as a path to clarity. In moments of stillness, he begins peeling back the layers of his identity, learning that vulnerability isn’t weakness but the beginning of freedom. He comes to understand that who you are is more than where you come from or how others define you.
If you are struggling to live authentically—or to understand someone who is—Cakewalk is for you. This book is not just a story—it’s a mirror. It challenges, awakens, and ultimately helps you grow.
Audiobook version includes both the chapter MP3s and a chaptered epub file that can be used with the media player of your choice!
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