Young Adult Fiction

Facebook Giveaway!

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on the edge cover

For YA and contemporary romance lovers, I’ve got a great giveaway happening on my facebook page. Allison Van Diepen is a fabulous writer, and she has a new book out. Pop by my facebook page for a chance to win a sign, hardcover copy of On The Edge:

Wrong place. Wrong time.

Maddie Diaz never should have taken that shortcut through the park. If she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have seen two gang members attacking a homeless man. Now, as the only witness, Maddie knows there’s a target on her back.

But her courage has also caught the attention of Lobo, the mysterious leader of a rival gang, who promises to protect her. Lobo might be out for his own revenge, but Maddie knows she can trust him. And even though Lobo tries to push her away, she is determined to find out the truth about him. As sparks fly between them, Maddie is drawn deeper into his dangerous world…until there’s no turning back.

When you live on the edge, any moment could be your last.

Guest Author: Colleen Gleason & Giveaway!!

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Colleen Gleason

I’m really pleased to be featuring acclaimed paranormal and historical romance author Colleen Gleason to the blog.  Colleen also writes Young Adult novels, and she’s got a fabulous new book out this week–the first in what is sure to be a really cool series about the sister of Bram Stoker (of Dracula fame) and the niece of Sherlock Holmes, who team up to solve mysteries in Victorian London.

The Clockwork Scarab is already getting great reviews, too:

“The author’s writing exudes energy, romance, and humor, and she gives her heroines strong, vibrant personalities as they puzzle out the expansive mystery unfolding before them.”—Publishers Weekly

“This book has it all… the vivid setting and the finely drawn, compelling heroines make this a fine choice for readers who like their stories with steampunk spice and smart, strong women.”—School Library Journal

Clockwork Scarab

Here’s the blurb:

Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes never meant to get into the family business. But when you’re the sister of Bram and the niece of Sherlock, vampire hunting and mystery solving are in your blood.

And when two society girls go missing, there’s no one more qualified to investigate. Now fierce Evaline and logical Mina must resolve their rivalry, navigate the advances of not just one but three mysterious gentlemen, and solve murder with only one clue: a strange Egyptian scarab.

The stakes are high. If Stoker and Holmes don’t unravel why the belles of London society are in such danger, they’ll become the next victims.

Sounds great, doesn’t it?  You can find out more about the book on the website dedicated to the new series.  And check out this book trailer with a great steampunk vibe!

For my readers today, Colleen is giving away a $10 gift card to the winner’s choice of retailer.  Just let us know which actors play your favorite version of Sherlock Holmes or Dracula for a chance to win!

Guest Author: Lea Wait & Giveway!!

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Do you love mysteries?  I do, so I’m very pleased to welcome Lea Wait to the blog today.  Lea writes the Agatha-finalist Shadows Antique Print Mystery series for adults featuring protagonist Maggie Summer, and also historical novels for ages 8-14.

You live in Maine and you run an antique print business. How has your background influenced your writing?

Although I haven’t lived in Maine all of my life, it’s where my heart has been. Of the ten books I’ve had published so far, and the five under contract, all but four are set in Maine. Luckily, my readers seem to love Maine, too! And I grew up in the antiques business – my great-grandfather, my grandmother and my mother were all dealers – and I’ve never lived in a house built after 1920.  The one I live in now was built in 1774. So even when my stories take place today, antiques, and history are part of who I am, and parts of the stories I write.

Your new book is called Shadows on a Cape Cod Wedding. What’s it about?

This is one of my mysteries that clearly doesn’t take place in Maine! My protagonist, antique print dealer Maggie Summer, is on Cape Cod to help her best friend with pre-wedding preparations. Of course every wedding has its last minute challenges … this one includes the murder of someone whose daughter thought he’d died two years before, a feisty prospective mother-in-law, a strange woman with an unusual hobby, and a town full of private New Englanders with secrets to uncover.  And then Maggie’s own beau decides he’s had enough of her crime solving, a hurricane hits, bullets start flying … and Maggie herself becomes a target. But, of course, the wedding must go on!

You also write novels for young people. What can you tell us about them?

I’m writing a group of novels for ages 8-14 all set in the same town (Wiscasset, Maine) in the 19th century. The main characters are fictional, but the minor characters are the real people who lived in the town then, and the events in the books really happened. My goal is to show how life changed in small town American over the years. I’m thrilled that the four books published so far (Stopping to Home, Seaward Born, Wintering Well, and Finest Kind,) have been honored by being put on reading lists throughout the country.

What’s up next in Lea’s writing world?

Uncertain Glory, the next of my books for young people, set during the first two weeks of the Civil War, will be published in April of 2014. Then in the fall of 2014 the next in the Shadows series, Shadows on a Maine Christmas will be published, and, I’m excited to announce, Kensington will also be publishing the first in my new mystery series, set in (where else?) Haven Harbor, Maine. Its title will be Time’s Twisted Threads. I invite everyone to check my website and friend me on Facebook for more about my books. Thank you for having me here!

Lea, thanks so much for joining us today!  Readers, Lea is graciously giving away a copy of Shadows on a Cape Cod Weddings.  Just tell us who your favorite sleuth is–literary or on film or TV–for a chance to win.

Guest Author: Juliana Stone & Giveaway!!

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I’m thrilled to have my pal Juliana Stone on the blog today.  Juliana writes in several genres, including critically acclaimed paranormal romance and young adult.  But she also writes fantastic contemporary romance that’s sexy, entertaining, and also incredibly emotional.  Her new book, The Summer He Came Home, just came out.  It garnered a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was also named one of their top ten picks of Spring 2013.

Let’s have a little chat with Juliana, shall we?

You write both paranormal romance, YA, and contemporary romance.  Did you find it difficult to switch between genres?  Do you prefer one over the other?

Good question, Vanessa!  For me, this is something I don’t have a problem doing and that’s probably because I have a lot of voices and ideas in my head that need to get out! LOL.  That being said, not every writer can write in multiple genres; you have to have the voice to make it work, but fortunately for me, I was able to get it done.

As to whether I prefer one genre over another, it’s hard to say. They’re different beasts for sure.  I find that paranormal can be a little exhausting. The world building is incredibly intricate, so at the moment I’m finding writing contempt are somewhat soothing to the soul and when I dive back into the paranormal world, I’ll be really excited to do so.

You’ve called your new book, THE SUMMER HE CAME HOME, the book of your heart.  Why is that and what can you tell us about the story?

The Summer He Came Home is a book that I’d been dreaming of writing.  It features a hero who is a rocker, and I had so many people tell me I’d never sell a romance with that kind of guy, that I was determined to make it work.  I love everything about my hero, Cain Black.  He’s a combination of my love of Jon Bon Jovi and Nikki Sixx, and because music is such a huge influence in my life, when I found out I’d sold this series I was over the moon!

This book is about family, healing, redemption and the power of love.

You’ve got another contemporary romance coming out in May, and other projects on the burner.  How do you manage to be so productive and not go insane?

Oh my God, I am busy but I love it.  I think it’s more the question of, how keeping busy keeps me sane.  I have so many stories inside me, that I’m grateful to be able to get them out there for my readers.  The Barker Triplets have been a blast to write, and the third book, CONCEAL releases in late May.  Along with the YA and my Bad Boys books, those voices and stories in my head are getting some mileage!

What’s up next in the Bad Boys of Crystal Lake world?

Book 2 in the series, THE CHRISTMAS HE LOVED HER, will be out October 1, 2013. It features Jake Edwards, brother to the twin whose funeral in book 1 was the catalyst for all the boys returning home to Crystal Lake. He’s dealing with a lot of demons and boy does he need an HEA!  The third book will be released in April 2014!

We’ll be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!  Readers, Juliana is graciously giving away one of her books today – one commenter will win either a digital copy of one of Juliana’s Barker Boys books, or a signed copy of The Christmas He Loved Her when it comes out in October.  Just tell us what you love about contemporary romance – or what you don’t love – for a chance to win.

 

Guest Author: Marilyn Brant & Giveaway!

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I’m very happy to have one of my writing pals on the blog today.  She’s acclaimed women’s fiction author, Marilyn Brant.  Marilyn has spent most of her life immersed in the written word.  She’s a former teacher, a library staff member, freelance magazine writer, and national book reviewer.  It’s no wonder, then, that she writes award-wining books that are witty, smart, and totally engaging.

Marilyn burst onto the scene with her debut book, According to Jane, which won the prestigious Golden Heart Award from the Romance Writers of America.

Take a gander at the blurb for this book:

It begins one day in sophomore English class, just as Ellie Barnett’s teacher is assigning Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. From nowhere comes a quiet “tsk” of displeasure. The target: Sam Blaine, the cute bad boy who’s teasing Ellie mercilessly, just as he has since kindergarten. Entirely unbidden, as Jane might say, the author’s ghost has taken up residence in Ellie’s mind, and seems determined to stay there.

Jane’s wise and witty advice guides Ellie through the trauma of adolescence and beyond, serving as the voice she trusts, usually more than her own. Years and boyfriends come and go, but Jane’s counsel is constant, and on the subject of Sam, quite insistent. Stay away, Jane demands. He is your Mr. Wickham.

Still, everyone has something to learn about love — perhaps even Jane herself. And lately, the voice in Ellie’s head is being drowned out by another, urging her to look beyond all she thought she knew and seek out her very own, very unexpected, happy ending…

Seriously, doesn’t that sound great?  Readers can certainly see why reviewers called Marilyn’s debut smart and wildly inventive.  Marilyn’s second book, Friday Mornings at Nine, was a Doubleday Book Club & Book-of-the-Month Club Featured Alternate Selection for October 2010.  Wow!  Impressive, eh?

And here’s what NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Simone Elkeles had to say about Marilyn’s books:

“Reading a Marilyn Brant book is like eating a piece of rich chocolate – it gets you excited, it’s deliciously satisfying, and it leaves a smile on your face after you’ve finished it!”

Marilyn’s fans are eagerly anticipating her next book, A Summer in Europe, which will be released by Kensington Publishing on November 29.

This book has already been picked as a Literary Guild & Rhapsody Book Club Featured Alternate Selection for December 2011.  How cool is that?

Here’s the blurb for A Summer In Europe:

On her 30th birthday, Gwendolyn Reese receives and unexpected present from her widowed Aunt Bea: a grand tour of Europe in the company of Bea’s Sudoku and Mahjongg Club. The prospect isn’t entirely appealing. But when the gift she is expecting — an engagement ring from her boyfriend — doesn’t materialize, Gwen decides to go.

At first, Gwen approaches the trip as if it’s the math homework she assigns her students, diligently checking monuments off her must-see list. But amid the bougainvillea and beauty of southern Italy, something changes. Gwen begins to live in the moment — skipping down stone staircases in Capri, running her fingers over a glacier in view of the Matterhorn, racing through the Louvre and taste-testing pastries, wine and gelato. Reveling in every new experience — especially her attraction to a charismatic British physics professor — Gwen discovers that the ancient wonders around her are nothing compared to the renaissance unfolding within…

A Summer in Europe has already been getting fantastic reviews, which you can check out on Marilyn’s website.  If you like beautiful, warm stories with lots of wit and heart, I think you’ll really love Marilyn’s books.  And by the way, while you’re visiting Marilyn’s website, check out her ebooks – two really fun romantic comedies.

For my readers today, Marilyn has graciously donated a copy of A Summer in Europe.  Since the book takes place in Europe, let’s talk about that.  If there was only one country you could visit on that wonderful continent, which one would it be, and why?  One person who comments will win a copy of Marilyn’s book!

 

 

 

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