Forged in Grace book blitz

Forged In Grace by Jordan E. Rosenfeld



Forged In Grace

Synopsis - from goodreads

Grace Jensen survived a horrific fire at age 15. The flames changed her: badly scarred in body and mind, Grace developed an ability to feel other people’s pain. Unable to bear human touch, she has made a small life for herself in Northern California, living with her hoarder mother, tending wounded animals, and falling a little in love with her former doctor.

Her safe world explodes when the magnetic Marly Kennet reappears in town; Grace falls right back into the dynamic of their complicated friendship. Marly is the holder of many secrets, including one that has haunted Grace for over a decade: what really happened the night of the fire?

When Marly exhorts Grace to join her in Las Vegas, to make up for the years they have been lost to each other, Grace takes a leap of faith and goes. Although Marly is not entirely honest about her intentions, neither woman anticipates that enlarging Grace’s world will magnify her ability to sense the suffering of others—or that she will begin to heal wounds by swallowing her own pain and laying her hands on the afflicted.

This gift soon turns darker when the truth of Marly’s life—and the real reason she ended her friendship with Grace—pushes the boundaries of loyalty and exposes both women to danger.

Exerpt from Forged In Grace

 

Marly’s shriek of alarm wakes me. I am alone in her bed, still in my clothes. On her night table sits the bowl I cleaned her face with, the bloody water now a murky brown. Marly shrieks again, the sound coming from the bathroom. My leap is so fast that the skin of my right leg stretches painfully in indignation. In the bathroom she is turned sideways inspecting herself in the mirror.

“Don’t look. It makes it hurt worse when you look.” I know exactly what it’s like to wake up totally changed from your former self. I can remember Adam as a young resident in training, holding a mirror tilted upward at a careful angle so that all I could see in it were the tiny pinhole dots of ceiling tiles—a galaxy of symmetry. Thirteen years before I raised that mirror with terror, bits coming into view as foreign as if I had stepped off the plane onto Mars. There was no me in this view, only raised, raw, red mounds of flesh. Chewed, ruined, scourged, masticated, swollen, raw.

“What did you do to me?” she says now in a tight, low voice.

Why didn’t I call 911 and make them take her to the emergency room? What kind of a friend am I? “I’m so sorry Marly. I just didn’t want to fight you…”

Slowly she pivots toward me.

“That’s…not…possible,” I say when I see her.

No bruises. No swelling. No traces of blood. Her few chicken pox scars are gone and her skin is truly glowing. I am grateful to have so few hair follicles, for those remaining are all standing painfully on end. Marly walks toward me and I have the urge to back away, like she has been made undead.

“You healed me, Grace.” Marly’s eyes are wide and bright. They unnerve me.

“That’s ridiculous.” My voice is a barely audible whisper. “That’s impossible.”

“Grace, I’ve read about this type of thing. Marly runs her hands across her face. “I looked like Mike Tyson’s handiwork last night. There is a bowl of bloody water by my bedside, so you can’t tell me it wasn’t real.” She runs a finger down her smooth cheek. “You have a gift, Grace.” She sounds euphoric, like she is about to fall at my feet and kiss the hem of my skirt.

I’m not saying it’s possible but…How? Why now?”

The top of her head seems to grow taller with the widening of her eyes. “What do you mean ‘why now!’ Grace, you always…always saved my ass.” She bows her head, and I have a bright and unwelcome flash of memory: Marly in a yellow dress, smeared with blood. “You’ve never tried until now, have you?”

I stare at her, forming a protest. Of course not! Touch is painful to me. I close my eyes, rest my palms against my cheeks, and take a deep breath, wondering if I’ll feel that serpent-like energy again.

Marly circles her right wrist with the fingers of her left hand with a suddenly wistful expression. “Oh,” she says softly. “It’s gone.”

“What?”

She looks up at me with ocean-dark eyes. “Oh…it’s stupid.”

“Well now I want to know for sure.”
“I had a scar from the fire.” She sounds afraid of what I’ll say.

“I always wondered if you had any, if you were burned.” A laugh, slightly hysterical, wants to escape but I bite it back.

She keeps rubbing the skin, as though burnishing a piece of silver. “It was a part of me I was used to. But it’s gone now.”

There’s something more under the surface that I can’t read, but I’m so shaken by what’s happened I can’t begin to sort out her unspoken feelings, too.

I stand there for several minutes, breathing in and breathing out, trying to clear my mind. If I could, if I did remove Marly’s scars, what could I do for my own body? I hold an image of my cheeks as they were before…smooth and freckled, my eyelashes long and reddish-blonde. I’d thought myself plain, especially in comparison to Marly. Now, I’d consider myself a supermodel to look that way again. Foolish as I feel, I place my hands on my face. After what must be ten minutes I feel something—the strain of holding my hands up to my face. My shoulders ache and I drop them with a sigh.

Marly looks at me, hopeful.

“Nothing.”

“It was real,” she says, “what happened. You can do it again.”

Her certainty makes me uncomfortable. I want to put our feet back in the real world. “Whatever happened, you do realize we have no proof now that Loser attacked you. There’s nothing to take to the police.”

 

About The Author

Jordan E. Rosenfeld learned early on that people prefer a storyteller to a know-it-all. She channeled any Hermione-esque tendencies into a career as a writing coach, editor and freelance journalist and saves the Tall Tales for her novels. She earned her MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars and is the author of the books, Make A Scene: Crafting a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time (Writer’s Digest Books) and Write Free! Attracting the Creative Life with Rebecca Lawton (BeijaFlor Books).

 

Jordan’s essays and articles have appeared in such publications asAlterNet.org, Publisher’s Weekly, The San Francisco Chronicle, The St. Petersburg Times, The Writer and Writer’s Digest magazine. Her book commentaries have appeared on The California Report, a news-magazine produced by NPR-affiliate KQED radio. She lives in Northern California with her Batman-obsessed son and Psychologist husband. www.jordanrosenfeld.net

Author Links:

Website: http://jordanrosenfeld.net/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1319884.Jordan_E_Rosenfeld

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jordanrosenfeld 

 

Giveaway

Win an ecopy of Forged In Grace. Please check the rules on my giveaway page before entering. Good luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday - Twisted Perfection

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and it allows readers to share the books that they are most looking forwards to reading.

This week the book i have chosen to feature is Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines.

Title: Twisted Perfection

Author: Abbi Glines

Series: Too Far

Expected Publication: 23rd April 2013

Publisher: Self published

Links: goodreads





Synopsis

Life outside of her house was a new experience for Della Sloane. The dark secrets of her past weren’t something she ever intended to share with anyone. They would never understand. No one would ever get close enough to find out. Besides there was always a chance she’d go crazy sooner than they expected…

Woods Kerrington had never been one to be attracted to fragile females. They seemed like too much work. He wasn’t in it for the work just the pleasure. A night full of naughty fun had been exactly what was on his mind when he’d laid eyes on the hot little number that didn’t know how to pump gas and needed some help.

What he didn’t know was she was as fragile as they came.

The carefree girl who spoke her mind and didn’t care what the world thought of her was more breakable than he could ever imagine...

My thoughts

So like most Abbi Glines fans i very recently read Never Too Far and as expected i really loved it. I am now anxiously awaiting her next book which is Twisted Perfection. This book is about Woods who is a secondary character in Fallen Too Far and Never Too Far. I really liked him in the past two books and i can't wait to see more. As well as sexy he seems sweet, thoughtful and romantic with a bit of a naughty side which in my opinion is what makes the perfect guy. More than anything i am just looking forwards to my next Abbi Glines fix :P

Review of Dangerous (Element Preservers #1)

Dangerous

Synopsis - from goodreads

Ria is an 18-year-old girl who has just started going to the University of Magic, a special university for those who have one of the four elements: fire, water, air and earth. There she meets Michael, a boy whose element is different from hers, which makes their romantic involvement seem impossible because mixing of elements can have horrible consequences.

She also feels threatened by Adrian, a very dangerous magic disease carrier. Magic disease, which surged as a result of bad mixing of elements, turns people into cold-hearted killers, who have a strong desire to take someone's element as they do not have their own.

Ria's best friend, Paula, is fascinated by Adrian like most of the girls at the University and wants him to help her with her research about the disease.

All Ria's beliefs are put to test when she starts having the symptoms of the disease and the only person she can turn to is Adrian.

Review

I had a very bizarre experience reading this book because there is so much that i didn't like but strangely i still really enjoyed the book overall. Dangerous certainly isn’t perfect. There are quite a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes, not to mention the problems I had with the characters, but for some reason I still liked it.

One of my biggest problems with this book was the main character. She wasn’t particularly well developed and it almost seemed like she was two different people as her personality was all over the place. Half the time she seemed thoughtful, kind-hearted and caring whilst at other times she was the exact opposite; shallow, spoiled, mean and quite frankly a bitch. I think if these different aspects of her personality had been blended better she may have come across as a deep multi-faceted character, instead I just found her unbelievable.

I also truly hated Adrian for a significant part of the book; he comes across as the bad guy for a lot of the book. Not even just misunderstood but truly horrible. He does slightly redeem himself later in the book but he isn’t much of a hero. Michael however I did like. He comes across as the perfect romantic interest, he seems like a nice guy and he gives Ria a chance to show some of the more likeable parts of her personality; the girl who is willing to put aside her prejudices for someone she cares about. This book also contains one of my pet peeves, something that usually makes me hate a book.

The best part of this book was probably the premise and the world it is set in; a world almost exactly the same as the one we live in only everyone has elemental magic. I also found the magic disease aspect of the book interesting. The storyline holds incredible potential, there was great action and I loved lots of what happened.

Despite all its many issues this book has something very special. On finishing this, despite having other books I should read and zero money, I went straight onto amazon and bought the second book. I also bought and read the third right after finishing the second. This series has me hooked! The later books do improve where the characters are concerned and by the third Ria seems well developed and I really like Adrian. I would say this series is definitely worth reading; each book gets better and better and I can’t wait for the fourth!

Interview with Victoria Smith

Today i have NA author Victoria Smith on my blog for an interview. She is the author of The Crimson Hunt, Holiday Fling and the soon to be released The Space Between. She is also one of the contributors of the amazing blog NA Alley. Her next book The Space Between releases on the 18th of March.

The Space Between

The Space Between

Synopsis

When Drake started the night at his father’s campaign fundraiser, he never imagined he’d end it being conned into buying drugs on the West Side. Losing high-stakes poker has its consequences, but he’d repeatedly face them just to hear Lacey Douglas sing. Drake sees Lacey light up the stage, and he has to have her. But his intentions for being on her side of town turn out to be the reason he can’t.

Chicago native Lacey has dreams of the opera, but life has its obstacles. Lacey has come to know her hardships as part of living in the real world and accepts them fully. When Lacey meets the intense and invigorating Drake, a fire is lit inside her, unleashing those dreams again.

Two paths that should have never crossed prove to create the exact pairing the other needs. But when their worlds take time to catch up, everything they have is tested. Finding the space between the two sides that challenge them will be hard, but it’s the only place that will keep them together.

The Space Between is a new adult contemporary romance.

Interview with Victoria Smith

Why did you decide to become an author?

I decided to write novels because I wanted a certain type of book to read and wasn’t finding it. I had just started grad school at the time and wanted to find both relatable and enjoyable books to offset all the poly-sci literature I had to read in college. More specifically, I wanted something that dealt with issues and struggles relevant to the things people my age go through. While searching for those types of books, I quickly discovered my options were slim. So, I decided to write my own book and that’s how The Crimson Hunt, my new adult sci-fi romance, was born. Since then, I’ve written six other books, my latest being my contemporary romance, The Space Between.

How do you balance writing with other things in your life?

I put a lot of time into writing and sort of “fit” everything else in around it. Some days I balance my time better than others, lol.

What are your favourite books?

My favorite books are pretty much anything new adult. I read all kinds. My recent favorites are Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion and The Host by Stephanie Meyer. As far as YA, I love The Hunger Games trilogy and Harry Potter :)

Are there any books/authors that inspired you to write?

Jennifer Echols, Simone Elkeles, and SC Stephens inspired me after I started writing. I didn’t read much before I started. But after I did, I tried to find books that were similar to what I wrote and people really recommended those authors to me. I’ve pretty much read all of their work and have been fortunate enough to meet all of them. They’re a great group of ladies.

Describe your book in one sentence.

The Space Between is the story about a politician’s son from the North Shore of Chicago and a young songstress from the West Side of the city, and how they overcome the challenges of their backgrounds as they form a relationship.

Where did you get the idea for this book, did anything inspire you to write it?

My idea for the book was inspired by the relationships around me. I have friends in interracial relationships and I’m in one as well. I also wanted to broaden NA a bit with the subject matter. It’s hard to find urban stories like this, so I thought it would be great to explore this world.

What made you decide to write in the NA category?

When I wrote The Crimson Hunt, I was basically writing something that A, didn’t exist and B, I had never read before. I just wrote something that I wanted to read and was fortunate that new adult formed around me while I wrote. I’ve written all types of NA from sci-fi and urban fantasy to now contemporary. I find I like it all. The Space Between was a really fun project, and I look forward to writing more contemporary NA in the future.

What would you say makes your book unique and worth reading?

I think what makes my book unique in regards to what’s out there right now is the urban setting and the cultural element. Lacey and Drake are not only having to deal with trying to make a new relationship work, which is hard for any new couple, but also the effects that stem from that relationship in regards to the world around them. Objections from their families, friends, and society in general test them every day. Interracial relationships can be hard, and I wanted to create something that was relatable to the people who are in them while at the same time exposing a new world to the readers who aren’t. I think generally everyone can understand the trials of a new relationship, though. So I hope everyone can get something out of it :-)

Is there any specific message you wanted to convey in the book?

What I really wanted to come across in my book was how important is to stay true to yourself. When pressured, it’s easy to want to conform, but doing what you feel is right for you is most important.

What other books do you have currently written?

I’ve got a few books I’m trying to push out this year. The second book to The Crimson Hunt and its novella about a side character are two of those. I also have an urban fantasy and, if all goes well, the sequel to The Space Between. Dates are all tentative, but hopefully all of those should be out by the end of 2013/ the beginning of 2014.

What are your plans for future books?

The Crimson Hunt is a trilogy with a few more novellas, so I have those to finish up. Outside of that series, I have The Space Between’s sequel in the works as well as a standalone book for one of its side characters. I also have a NA romantic comedy that I plan to start soon. It’s a little bit of Bridget Jones’ Diary with a nerdy hero twist.

Do you have any hobbies and Interests unrelated to books?

I am an extreme couponer. I have a mini stockpile and everything. Believe the rumors about getting groceries for free. After using my coupons, I walked out of Walmart with $75 worth of stuff that they PAID me $15 to take, which means I made money. Couponing works, my friends! Oh and a tip from me to the book lovers: sign up for Barnes and Noble coupons. I got Easy by Tammara Webber for $2.50 between in store promos stacked with my coupons. You really can coupon everywhere :-)

Would you ever consider putting these (answer to above) into any of your books?

My family asks me if I would ever have a couponer in my books all the time. I tell them I make no promises that it will happen, but I can’t say it won’t. ;D

Thanks for having me on Laura!

It was great to have you on the blog Victoria! I am looking forwards to the NA romantic comedy with a nerdy hero. I think the idea sounds awesome.

Excerpt from The Space Between

“Please. Please. I’ll do anything,” she said.

My ears perked. “Anything?”

She snapped her hand away from my bicep like I burned her. “I won’t sleep with you, Drake.”

Actually, that thought hadn’t crossed my mind until she said it, but because she did, the visions loomed. Her body beneath mine would be perfect; sweaty and hot. My hand moving over that rich, caramel skin in places I physically fought myself from touching when we met sizzled my blood just from the thought. Damn, this girl didn’t know what she did to me.

“I know you’re thinking about sex with that look in your eyes, Drake, and I told you: I’m not sleeping with you.”

When she smacked my chest, I actually laughed. “Sorry. Had a brief guy moment.”

She bit her lip, despite the fact the piercing wasn’t there, and laughed, too.

 

Stacking the Shelves / Showcase Sunday #6

Showcase Sunday is hosted by Vicky @Books, Biscuits, and Tea and Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and they both give bloggers the opportunity to share the books they have received in the past week.

This week i received a few paperbacks and i also downloaded several free kindle ebooks. Also this week i passed 500 twitter followers so when i also reach 100 GFC followers i will do a giveaway in celebration. Talking about giveaways i currently have several running and they are for some incredible books, check out my giveaway page for links.

For Review

I recieved an e-arc of the New Adult contemporary romance The Space Between. I have an excerpt of this book going up on here my blog tomorrow as well as an interview with the author. Visit back tomorrow to check that out and i should also have a review up in a few weeks.

Heart of a Stripper

This book took part in the read to review programme we run at the New Adult book club this week. All the available copies went in just a few minutes so i predict this book is going to be huge, it certainly sounds very interesting. The author gave me a copy to review and i am really looking forwards to reading it.








Netgalley

Warm Bodies

I recieved one book from netgalley this week and that was Warm Bodies. I have heard lots about this book and the film. I really want to watch the film but i will wait until i have read the book first. Anyone watch the film yet?








Won

Dance of Shadows

*Paperback*

I have been desperately wanting to read this book for ages - it was even my WoW a few weeks ago - so i was really happy to win a copy as part of the blog tour. I won it from the publishers through one of my favourite blogs A Daydreamer's Thoughts. So glad i can now finally read it!

To Stand Beside Her

This book first came to my attention as it is going to be part of the read to review programme on the New Adult book club in about 2 weeks. It is a New Adult fantasy and i think it sounds incredible, i have wanted to read this since i first read the synopsis.








Amazon Freebies

I downloaded several free books from amazon this week, i think most of them may still be free. I love the look of them all.

Ocean Kills

Year of the Tiger

XII Genesis

Branded

The Hills Party

Swapped

I recieved two paperback books this week from Nina @ Death, Books and Tea. I have been wanting both books for a while so im glad to have them. Thank you Nina for both books and hopefully you will recieve your book from me soon :)

Angel Dust

The Glimpse

So what do you think of the books i recieved this week? Have you read any of them? Feel free to share your Stacking the Shelves post in the comments.

Cover reveal - The Love Game

Today i have the cover reveal for the NA romance novel The Love Game by Emma Hart. The book will release on the 29th of March. So here is the incredibly beautiful cover along with the full synopsis and an excerpt.

The Love Game

 



The Love Game

Synopsis

His challenge? Make her fall in love with him.

Her challenge? Play the player.

Until life changes the rules of the game.
 

Maddie Stevens hated Braden Carter on sight. Arrogant, egotistical, and the playboy of the University of California, Berkeley, he's everything her brother Pearce has taught her to despise. So why, when the girls challenge her to play the player, doesn't she say no? She doesn't know either.
 

Braden wanted fiery little Maddie the second he laid eyes on her - and he'd do anything to have her, hence why he's agreed to make her fall in love with him. After all, it's the only way he'll get what he wants. Sex.
 

But, as Braden discovers, there's more to the girl from Brooklyn than he ever imagined - and he can't help but care about the broken girl behind those pretty green eyes.
 

Maddie finds Braden isn't just a walking erection - he actually has feelings. He can be sweet, funny and his good looks don't exactly hurt. That means trouble - but when her brother Pearce turns up in Berkeley begging for her help, she realises Braden and Pearce aren't so alike anymore.

And maybe, just maybe, they're exactly what each other needs.

 

Excerpt

He slides one of his arms around me and pulls me to him so my back is flush against his chest, both of our arms wrapping my stomach. “See? I've got you. It's fine, Angel.”

“This is crazy. Never again is Megan organizing a date.”

“Yeah, she got a good one with this.” He laughs again and I shake my head.

“No, no, she didn't. This is terrible.”

“Really? I would have thought that being up against me would be a good thing.”

“Maybe it would be if I could actually focus on the fact I'm pressed against your body.”

“Well, then.” He spins so he's in front of me, skating backwards.

“Braden, you can't see where we're going!”

“That's your job.”

“Oh my god.” I try looking over his shoulder but I can't. He's too tall, dammit. “You're too tall!”

“Then you just have to trust me.” His lips take mine in a searing kiss and I gasp inwardly, grabbing hold of him tightly. His hands find my waist and pull my hips against him, our speed slowing slightly. He goes to deepen the kiss, his tongue tracing between my lips, and I nip his bottom lip before I open to him. My fingers tangle in his hair as our tongues meet, starting an intricate dance of want.

For a second, I forget the game. I forget the fake relationship. I forget the fact I'm on roller-skates and Braden isn't-

“Oomph!” Braden grunts, hitting the floor. I laugh, rolling off him.

“I told you we didn't know where we were going!” I say through my laughter, blades of grass tickling my ears.

“Hey.” He rolls towards me, propping himself up on his elbow. His hair flops down towards my face, casting little shadows over us. “I totally knew where we were going until you distracted me.”

“I distracted you? Oh no, mister. You kissed me, not the other way around.”

“And I didn't hear any complaints about that.”

“Maybe that's because there weren't any.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let's try again.”

 

New Adult books - What they are, why i love them and why you should read them

So a few weeks ago i did a guest post on the blog YA contemporary all about New Adult fiction. I thought it might be nice for me to repost it here for anyone who missed it. Hope you all enjoy it.

New Adult Books

You have probably heard the term New Adult books. As a category it is rapidly growing and it is doing very well with books often in the New York Times bestseller list. However not every knows what NA is so that is what I am here to talk about today. This post includes my own knowledge and thoughts about NA as well as author authors and readers opinions.

What are New Adult books?

There is quite a lot I could say about what makes a book New Adult, but explained in its simplest form they are books that are about and are aimed at “new” adults. In the same way that YA books are aimed at 13 – 17 year olds (ish) NA books are aimed at readers who are roughly 18 – 25 years old.

NA books are about the main character learning to be an adult. Often in books they are living away from their parents for the first time at college or they might be struggling with their first job.

Are New Adult books all about sex?

No. This is a common misconception people have about NA because of the way it has been portrayed by journalists. New Adult books do generally have more sex than Young Adult books but this makes sense if you think of the characters ages. 20 year olds are almost definitely going to have sex at some point, 15 year olds, not so much. Also as these books are aimed at slightly older readers authors don’t have to be scared to write sex scenes; if they feel that is where the characters are going then it will probably happen.

Sex in NA books is like sex in adult books, it might happen but not be described, it might be described in detail or it might not even happen at all. I have read some NA books that are less sexual than your average YA.

Are New Adult books only contemporary?

No. New Adult is an age category not a genre, it can and does encompass all genres. Currently NA is completely dominated by contemporary romance, this is because it was contemporary authors such as Jamie McGuire, Tammara Webber, Abbi Glines and others who got the category well known. It is already starting to grow and there are many new and future releases that are other genres.

Why do so many people love New Adult books?

Being a New Adult is a very exciting stage of life; there are lots of new experiences to be had, you are no longer being controlled by your parents, you are finally discovering who you are as a person and you are starting to decide what you want for your future. This makes NA books very interesting and enjoyable to read no matter your age.

For me my favourite part of New Adult books are the relatability. I am 19 and I am starting to want to occasionally read older books than YA (though I am still a YA fan and probably always will be) but at the same time I don’t want to read chick-lit books were the characters are married and have children. It is always nice to read a book where the characters have similar experiences to yourself and you can understand what they are going through. That is what allows me to get lost in a book and fall in love with it.

“I love NA, because I can relate to it. I'm in the middle of the age group that the genre is about, and it's always fun to read about people your age.

I suppose that I really love NA because there's so much self-exploration going on with the main characters. They aren't exactly sure who they are, or who they want to be, and they haven't made it big into a career. It makes for very interesting and relatable reading.” – Brianna age 22, NA reader

Of course not all readers are of the new adult age and they have their own reasons for loving NA whether it is the innocence of the characters, the feel to the books, or simply that it reminds them of a time in their life that they loved.

“For me it's that the emotions are so raw and intense, everything is felt deeply. Also, that they believe in true love and 'forever' (although not always true). Adult books can be very cynical whereas I am an idealist I guess.  I have to say romance always reminds me what it feels like to fall in love. Perhaps that's why I like NA as I met and fell in love with my husband when I was at University and only 21.” – Sarah age 30, NA reader

“I love the age group of NA because they [the characters] are not usually burdened by the "real world" quite yet or only just starting to experience it so they are still open to many new experiences and not held back by obligations.” – Ashley age 28, NA reader

Why do authors love writing New Adult books?

Lots of authors are now starting to write NA, many of these used to write YA. I think there are many reasons for this one being that they always have written them but they just couldn’t get them published. I have heard several authors mention that in the past they had to reduce the age of their characters and remove the more mature material of the book simply so they could get it published. Publishers and agents are now embracing NA books so this is less likely to happen now.

Also authors seem to like the freedom of writing NA books as there are less constraints. They don’t need to worry about it being too dark, and too sexual like they do when writing NA. For some of the reasons that people enjoy reading NA authors enjoy writing NA.

“I like writing for the age category NA because it's fun. It's not about a bunch of jaded old people fretting about mortgages and whether or not their kids are getting enough protein/sunshine/sheltering. It's not a bunch of young kids who still have to ask permission to go out with friends or have a boy over. It's the wonderful time when life stretches out endlessly before you and everything seems possible. Yeah, there are heartaches and roadbumps and jobs that seem to go nowhere, but you still feel like you're working toward something bigger and better, whether it's romance or a career. Plus, the kissing parts aren't bad either :D” – Dawn Rae Miller, YA/NA author

“NA is a space where I can see fiction that correlates more with my actual life. It can address all the issues I used to see in YA, but from an infinitely bigger and more mature perspective. I don't feel like I'm being spoken down to by the author, and I don't feel like the authors are scared because there might be some 14 year olds in the room.

As a writer, this is the type of audience I've always wanted, I just didn't know it existed! I don't want to write YA, because my stories tackle tougher issues that have more weight than most teens are ready for; but it does so with teens and young adults, so it might not be suited for an older audience. I want to talk about the bigness of the world, drinking, sex, and loneliness, but beyond the walls of a high school.” – Chris age 24, NA reader and author

“I love to read and write about characters who overcome trials, and who grow, and who fall in love for real (not that that doesn't happen in YA, but usually it feels...less mature), so I'm drawn to NA because you can find that more easily. It's a genre full of firsts, instead of Adult, where most of these things have been conquered or at least addressed before.” – Alexandra Lanc, NA author

Why should I read New Adult books?

Lots of people love NA and you might too but you won’t know unless you try it. If you love young adult books but want to try something slightly more mature then these books will be perfect. If you are in your late teens or early twenties then what are you waiting for? These books are written for you!

If you want to try NA but don’t know where to start, I would recommend Easy by Tammara Webber. It is a perfect example of an NA book and it also isn’t overly sexual. Some other NA books that I have loved are The Edge of Never by J.A Redmerski, Taking Chances by Molly McAdams, Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines, Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire and Slumber by Samantha Young.

If you are interested in knowing how New Adult books started this is a great post - http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/new-adult-what-is-it

His Allure Her Passion book blitz - excerpt and giveaway

His Allure Her Passion by Juliana Haygert

Synopsis

In his father’s eyes, Dylan Deveraux is just a playboy spending the family fortune on prostitutes, alcohol, and fast cars. And it isn't even with the cars his father produces. Because of that, his father forbids his presence at the ball that will mark the launch of the US plant of his company, strategically scheduled on Valentine’s Day.

Hayley Allen is a failing model with the worse luck in the world. She always ends up in the hands of cruel designers and photographers. At least, that’s what she tells herself. Better than admit having a weak nervous system that always reacted during her gigs. Desperate, she would do anything to help her career.

Dylan shows up at her door, wasted as usual. Friends for a long time, Hayley is the only one able to put up with Dylan’s bullshit, and he appreciates that, but not the way her heart wants.

Even though he doesn't believe in Valentine's Day, Dylan has an idea for his father's ball. When he suggests a deal to Hayley, a deal that could finally put her in the spotlight of success and help him impress his father, she doesn't hesitate. Even if it means hurting her heart a little more.

**New Adult Contemporary Romance novella (30k words)**

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16440870-his-allure-her-passion

Purchase:

--Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/juliana-haygert

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.ca/s?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Juliana%20Haygert&search-alias=digital-text

Excerpt

On tiptoes, Dylan crossed the short corridor and found Hayley sleeping on the couch. She looked peaceful, but he doubted she was really comfortable there. The pillow was on the floor, the comforter pressed in between her legs and arms, as if she was hugging it, her delicate feet propped on the arm of the couch. Her long amber hair fell around her shoulders, her tank top had ridden up, showing a piece of her soft midriff skin, and her breasts barely fit inside her tight top.

Shit. He turned his back to her, ashamed at having stared at her body.
 

But it was such a nice body, how could he resist? He peeked at her over his shoulder. He didn’t understand how she wasn’t a famous model yet. She was so, so beautiful.
 

He smiled, remembering the first time he saw her. They were at a party, and he spent over six hours trying to woo her, but she didn’t fall for his bullshit. No girl had ever resisted him—except Hayley. She was the first and only. And that’s how their friendship was born. Even though his instinct was to try and kiss her and sleep with her each time he saw her, Dylan had found a true friend in her, and for that he put his physical needs aside. She was the only one who understood his problems, his dark moments, who endured him, who saw past the bullshit, and didn’t throw herself at him. More importantly, she didn’t care about his fortune.
 

Hayley stirred, moaned, and opened her eyes. “What are you smiling about?”
 

Was he smiling? “Nothing.” He sat in an armchair beside the couch. As she sat up, she pulled the comforter up to hide herself. “Hey, hmm, sorry. I didn’t mean to take your bed.”
 

“I know.” She smiled and her green eyes shone.

 

“Was I too much of a jerk?”
 

“The usual.”
 

Their eyes locked and she lost her smile. There was so much he wanted to tell her, so much shit about his life, but he was always afraid he'd push her away if she found out every one of his little messes. Wouldn’t it be better, though? For her? To be away from him and his bad influence? But then who would give him pep talks and receive drunken him with open arms in the wee hours of the night? Who would tell him everything would be okay? Who would give him a hug when he was down because of his brother? He had driven many, many times from Princeton to New York just to have one of those hugs.
 

She was one of those rare jewels and he couldn’t afford to lose her.
 

Feeling like a coward, Dylan averted his gaze.

 

About The Author

 



Author Bio

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Author Links

Website: http://www.julianahaygert.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juhaygert
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Juliana_Haygert

Giveaway!

This is a tour wide giveaway for His Allure Her Passion. I am not in charge of distributing prizes. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover reveal (with giveaway) - Pretending He's Mine

Today i have the cover reveal for Pretending He's Mine by Lauren Blakely. I recently read Lauren's first book Caught Up In Us and i really enjoyed it (review coming soon). Despite only having been released just over a month ago it has had huge success and is already on the New York Times bestseller list! Lots of people are now eagerly awaiting to see what Laurens next book is. Pretending He's Mine is a companion novella rather than a sequel so it is not necessary to have read Caught Up In Us first though i highly recommend reading it.

Some of you may remember that last month i had Lauren on my blog to do a guest post which if you haven't seen yet you can check out here. I'm sure you are all impatient to see the cover now so here it is and there is also an amazing excerpt for you all.

Pretending He's Mine

Pretending He's Mine

Synopsis

Once upon a time in New York City, there was a down-on-his-luck actor named Reeve, who was talented and gorgeous in that dreamy, broody sort of way that makes all the women swoon. But show biz is a rough biz –
he lost out on a part in a big film, and now his day job hours have been cut too. What’s a handsome young thing in need of a role to do?

Enter Sutton Brenner. She’s sexy and shrewd and the most top-notch casting director there is. She’s this close to landing a coveted gig casting a film based on a best-selling mega-romance novel, but there’s a catch. After one too many transgressions with lovely single ladies,
the film’s philandering producer has been put on a short leash by his wife, who’s forbidden him from working with anyone unattached.

So the happily single Sutton strikes a pact with Reeve – play the role of her fiancee until she closes the deal, and he’s guaranteed to get an audition for the starring role in the film.

But as the two play pretend, the lines between make-believe and matters of the heart start to blur. Especially after that hot night in the balcony of the Broadway theatre. And that scorching afternoon in the stacks of the New York Public Library. Who’s playing who? Or is someone else really the director in the secret affair of their lives?

PRETENDING HE’S MINE is a 30,000 word companion novella in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling CAUGHT UP IN US series.

Excerpt

“You were all weird and awkward when I kissed you at your office,” he added.
“I’m sorry. I was just surprised.”

“I know. But we need to make sure you don’t jump the next time I kiss you.”

“We do?”

“Well that would give it away, wouldn’t it? You need to get used to being kissed by me.”

“Okay,” she said with a business-like nod.

“That means we need to practice.”

“Practice kiss,” she said slowly, then nodded quickly. “Right. Of course. Like a stage kiss. Like actors. So of course we’ll stage kiss.”

She sounded chipper and cheery, as if she were trying to convince herself. She seemed to need the convincing, so he went along with it.

“Think of this as a dress rehearsal. We’re prepping for the big kiss scene that makes the audience swoon and totally believe we’re in love.
Got it?”
She nodded.
“Ready?”
“Right here in the dressing room?”
“What better place to rehearse a kiss than a dressing room?”
“Totally. Absolutely. Definitely.”

Reeve wondered how many more adverbs she’d need to utter before he kissed her. Perhaps they were a sort of liquid courage. Either way, he knew he had to lead. He suspected he had more experience with stage kisses than she’d had.

So he looked at her, as if she were the woman he’d been dying to kiss for years. She was his leading lady, she was the only woman he wanted. She returned her gaze, and then it was as if a flame burst. Reeve pictured her ravenous and greedy, wanting to be consumed with kisses, and hands, and so much more. Her lips were parted slightly, and her breathing had become…lustful. Maybe she was acting too. In that moment, he didn’t care. He wanted to taste her lips, he wanted to feel more of her beautiful body. There was something about her, maybe it was the age difference, maybe it was the power play. But there was no time for analysis because his head was turning cloudy with a need he hadn’t had before. He wanted to do things to this woman. He wanted to make her feel the way a good boyfriend would make her feel – desired, wanted, craved. She deserved all that. He could give it to her now. He could give it to her for a week.

My Thoughts

I am so excited for this book! Caught Up In Us was light hearted, fun, sweet, sexy and just enjoyable to read. I'm sure this book will be just as good if not better. This excerpt has me intrigued to find out more, i also thought Reeve seemed like a cool character when we briefly met him is the first book and i can't wait to watch him fall in love.

You can find Lauren and her books here -

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17335490-pretending-he-s-mine
http://laurenblakelybooks.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/laurenblakely3
http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks?ref=ts&fref=ts

Giveaway

Because Lauren is so lovely she is giving away 3 ebook copies of Pretending He's Mine when the book releases on March 2nd. The giveaway will be open until February 25th and winners will have 48 hours to reply to the email i will send. Enter using the rafflecopter below and the giveaway is open to anyone who can recieve ebooks gifted from Amazon or B&N. Please check the rules on my giveaway page and please remember to verify email subscriptions.


a Rafflecopter giveaway