The Secret Lives of Rock Stars by Suzanne Lazear

Don't judge a book by its cover. We've all heard that. And we shouldn't. May amazing works have bland or mediocre covers. On the flip-side,
sometimes you see a book cover and you're like "Ooh...I've got to check this out."

Between the cool blues and violets of the color palette and the message threading the premise I knew I just had to pick this read up. Let's give a Happy Book Birthday Week to Suzanne Lazear and her beautiful book!

The Secret Lives of Rockstars

by Suzanne Lazear

Genre: NA Urban Fantasy/Elfpunk
Release Date: September 26th 2016
Publisher: Leap Books, Shine

Summary: Saving the world, one tour stop at a time.

Eighteen-year-old Bitsy Butler has never quite fit in, not with the dragons who raised her, the druid who took her in, or even with the non-human members of the cirque noir punk band she thinks of as family. Her chance to prove she can make it on her own comes with her band's first big solo tour. It’s all going according to plan when an angel walks into a bar and demands help with his demon problem. 

If she doesn't step up, a magical war will break out, threatening Arizona and all those who call it home. With the help of a human, a sexy dragon, and the members of her band, Bitsy must stop an angry mob of chaos demons before the band leaves for their next tour stop.

It’s nice to be needed, but Bitsy has no idea how to defeat the demons and she just might get herself killed trying. But then, at least one problem would be solved...

Fitting in doesn’t matter if you’re dead.

Buy Link: Amazon

 

About the Author
Suzanne Lazear spins tales of the fantastic. She’s the author of the New Adult Elfpunk The Secret Lives of Rockstars (Leap Books) and the YA dark fairytale steampunk series The Aether Chronicles (Flux). Suzanne lives in Southern California with her daughter and husband where she’s trying to make tiny dragons out of wool. One day she’ll actually create a working cupcake cannon.

Author Links:

GIVEAWAY:
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What's your take on Elfpunk? Ever heard of it? Ever read any elfpunk stories? Please share because I'm new to the genre, but it sounds so intriguing!

New Adult ~ Expanding Beyond the College Campus

A dear blogging friend has agreed to splatter the Alleyway with her thoughts on writing in the latest new genre of New Adult. I absolutely love this post. I'm sure you will, too.

New adult contemporary romance: expanding beyond the college campus

by Kitsy Clare

New adult romance exploded on the scene a few years after St. Martins Press ran a contest that stated: “Since twenty-somethings are devouring YA, St. Martin’s Press is seeking fiction similar to YA that can be published and marketed as adult—a sort of an “older YA” or “new adult” fiction.” Readers clamored for novels that described the college experience, first full-time jobs, and their first steamy adult romances as people hit their twenties.

NA authors delved deeply into issues such as in Tammara Webber’s powerful exploration of abuse in Easy, but the novels were always set in college, the drama often occurring in dorms and fraternity parties.

As the genre grows, authors are eager to expand into new subgenres and settings outside of college walls and break out of narrow confines that squeeze the genre into limited pigeonholes. Courtney Lewis, a librarian and blogger, otherwise known as the Sassy Librarian reports on a recent NA panel she attended: “It was suggested that the genre might gain more legitimacy when readers (and librarians and publishers) begin associating it with other genres, broadening the scope of the label.” I heartily agree.

Gritty NA romance that deals with more universal survival skills than the limited setting of the dorm scene is popping up all over. One example is J.R. Redmerski’s The Edge of Never, where the setting is literally the highway. Camryn decides to take a long road trip to reassess the life she’s lived thus far. Another is Collide by Gail McHugh, where Emily moves to NYC to be closer to her boyfriend, but ends up working in an Italian restaurant and meeting a new love. A third example is Nikki Turner’s Project Chick, the saga of a young urban single mom.

In writing my first NA romance, Model Position I stuck to the well-oiled trope template and set it in college. Well, I did stray a little; setting it in art school, where no one lived in dorms, but already had their own edgy apartments in Manhattan’s East Village. Still, many of the scenes were set in the drawing class.

But for the next in my NA Art of Love series, Private Internship I had a different idea for the setting. Artist Sienna’s bad-boy love interest is a sculptor she interns for. He creates installations out of sugar. What better setting than the factory building I’ve been I’ve been obsessed with for decades: specifically the Domino Sugar Factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In it, Caz Mason has tons and tons of sugar to play around with!

You see, I moved right around the corner from that spooky factory before the neighborhood became a hipster paradise. I recall strolling by it when it was still in business, ever eager to see which cargo ship had docked on its East River port. They came from Cuba, Brazil, even Thailand—a myriad of exotic, faraway places. Here’s a summary of Private Internship:

Sienna’s bestie, Harper warned her not to intern for famous bad boy artist, Casper Mason. After all, he just fired Harper who helped Sienna get the interview. But the moment Sienna sees Casper—or Caz—sweaty and practically shirtless and swinging from chains while he works on his sculpture, she’s hooked. He’s the richest, hottest artist in New York, and he lives in the fabulous Williamsburg Sugar Factory. But he’s also an incorrigible game-player, who seems to relish testing Sienna’s loyalty with a string of unsettling tests.

She knows she should get away fast. But by the time Sienna sneaks into his locked storage room and begins to unearth his dark and terrifying secret, she’s fallen way too hard for the handsome, charismatic Caz.

Little did I know that my setting for this novel was going to be a constant fixture in the news last summer when famous sculptress Kara Walker would set up her regal sugar sphinx mama in that doomed place. As Walker explains through her sugar slave boys who, in the heat of the summer, were literally melting—an arm dropping off here, a nose there, the sugar trade was a very nasty business, fueled by oppressed slaves hauled in from Africa to the Caribbean and elsewhere.

Coincidentally, in Private Internship I have Caz quoting from Voltaire’s Candide, when a horrified Candide comes across a slave boy who’s lost an arm and leg. The boy explains: “When we work in the sugar mills and get a finger caught in the machinery, they cut off the hand; but if we try to run away, they cut off a leg … it is the price we pay for the sugar you eat in Europe.”

Caz is no fool; he’s aware of the dark side of his spun-sugar art medium. Ironically, as he tears three sugar packets and pours one after the other into his gourmet blend coffee, he says to Sienna in all seriousness, “Sugar, it’s delicious yet deadly, sweet yet bitter to the arteries. It’s no good for anyone.”

Still, out of Caz and Sienna’s power struggles, a sweet romance just might emerge. And what better place to set it in than an actual defunct sugar factory! So, choose your settings with care. Make sure you’re as passionate about them as you are about your characters and the steamy romance blossoming between them. Don’t get me wrong, a good college romance can still be a fabulous read. But if you’re writing NA romance, be brave, and consider writing beyond the confines of dorm life. If it’s an exciting time and place to you, it will surely be exciting to your readers, as well.

Kitsy Clare hails from Philly and lives in New York. A romantic at heart, she loves to write about the sexy intrigue of the city, and particularly of the art world. She knows it well, having shown her paintings here before turning to writing. Her new adult romance series The Art of Love is about artist Sienna and her friends. Living in a Bookworld says: “Beautifully written! We get to learn things about art & painting, which is refreshing. A colorful story from a promising new adult author.” Kitsy also writes YA as Catherine Stine. Her futuristic thriller, Ruby’s Fire was a YA finalist in the Next Generation Indie book awards. Fireseed One, its companion novel, was a finalist in YA and Sci-Fi in the USA News International Book Awards, and an Indie Reader notable. Her YA horror, Dorianna, launches on Oct. 24 with Evernight Teen.Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

AMAZON | B&N | KOBO | ALL Romance Ebooks

PRIVATE INTERNSHIP: An Art of Love by Kitsy Clare
Release Date: September 29, 2014 Publisher: Inkspell
Description: 

Sugar’s not so sweet and secrets can be deadly … especially with matters of the heart

Sienna’s bestie, Harper warned her not to intern for famous bad boy artist, Casper Mason. After all, he just fired Harper who helped Sienna get the interview. But the moment Sienna sees Casper—or Caz—sweaty and practically shirtless and swinging from chains while he works on his sculpture, she’s hooked. He’s the richest, hottest artist in New York, and he lives in the fabulous Williamsburg Sugar Factory. But he’s also an incorrigible game-player, who seems to relish challenging Sienna’s loyalty with a string of unsettling tests.

She knows she should get away fast. But by the time Sienna sneaks into his locked storage room and begins to unearth his dark and terrifying secret, she’s fallen way too hard for the handsome, charismatic Caz.

Book reviewers are saying:

"Beautiful. Amazing. A fantastic read that left me wanting more." -XoXo Book Blog

"A juicy read full of passion and magnetic chemistry that will have you hooked from beginning to end." -From the Purple Matter Book Blog.

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Wistful YA ~ BONESEEKER & Giveaway!

Wistful YA is my reoccurring spotlight, giving young adult literature center stage.

I'm thrilled to be a part of this next blog tour. I'll save you my blabber, partially because I'm leaving for a two-week vacation tomorrow, but mostly because this book will speak for itself. I'd recommend this as a good summer read!

AMAZON | GOODREADS

BONESEEKER by Brynn Chapman
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction; Mystery Publisher: Month9Books Published Date: June 17, 2014   I'd like to thank the publisher for supplying me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
Favorite Line/Passage: Henry POV ~ I gently slide the hair from her cheek and over her shoulder. It reaches her bottom like a red-headed Rapunzel. Her fringe of hair brushes her thick eyelashes, which twitch as she dreams.
Arabella POV ~ The sky is dark and brooding, much like Henry.
He's barely uttered a sentence. He's contemplating, trying to work out what he wants to say. The weather seems to mimic his mood, as if the breeze holds its breath in similar anticipation.
Description: Arabella Holmes was born different and raised different. After it became apparent she wouldn't fit the role of a proper 1900's lady, her father, Sherlock, called in some lingering favors, and landed her a position at the Mutter Museum. The museum was Arabella's dream; she was to become a purveyor of abnormal science. What her father called a BoneSeeker.
Henry Watson arrives at the Mutter Museum with a double assignment--to become a finder of abnormal antiquities and to watch over and keep Arabella Holmes. An easy task, if he could only get her to speak to him instead of throwing knives in his general direction.

But this is no time for child's play. The two teens are assigned to a most secret exploration, when the hand of a Nephilim is unearthed in upstate New York. Soon, Arabella and Henry are caught in a fight for their lives as scientific debate swirls around them. Are the bones from a Neanderthal ... or are they living proof of fallen angels, who supposedly mated with humans according to ancient scrolls?

Sent to recover the skeleton, they discover they are the second team to have been deployed and the entire first team is dead. And now they must trust their instincts and rely on one another in order to survive and uncover the truth.

NIGHTSTAND WORTHY

My Splats: In the flair of second-generation Sherlock Holmes, there's mystery, danger, romance, and definitely major snark.

The story opens in the past with a group of men discussing a matter of importance and their willingness to do whatever is necessary for their cause ... a cause vaguely disclosed to the reader. From here the story moves into the present then to another chapter from the point-of-view of one of the lead characters. The next chapter is then from the other man lead's point-of-view. I wasn't sure I was going to like the story from the way the opening was structured, but the MC's voices along with the snippet of mystery introduced urged me to keep reading. I'm glad I did. 
I loved the fact that Arabella is introduced as Sherlock Holmes' daughter and her BFF (best friend forever and eventual boyfriend forever) Henry as Watson's son. I'm not giving anything away by describing Henry as I just did. Trust me. It will be obvious to you from the start that these two are destined to be together and have been since childhood. But don't let that fool you. The author does a wonderful job of tossing up roadblocks to get in their way.
Arabella and Henry have been life-long friends. How could they not with the tempestuous friendship between their fathers? They find themselves employed on a bone recovery mission for a museum after a few years apart. Between the bone recovery dig itself, murder, physical attacks, their childhood memories and snarky fromance (friendship/romance), and Henry's alleged promiscuity, this is no simple tale. 
Through Bella and Henry's taunting romance, a mystery slowly rears its annoying head. It appears someone is sabotaging the dig. This is where Arabella's traits of details and detection, obviously gained from her Holmes' father, begin to work overtime. It was fun watching her, all while poor Henry did his best to keep her out of trouble--deja vu to their fathers' relationship.
Arabella is witty, bold nonsense, and at times she felt too old for her age. But she can't really be to blame. Having the amazing Scotland Yard detective as a father was not easy. She's learned that life is all scientific with no room for the unexplained--love being one of those unexplained. But Henry has something to say about that. I found it amazing how Arabella's capacity for love goes from nonexcited (knowing she feels different when Henry's around), to full-fledged passion. All I can say about Henry is that I love him and his internal struggle to resist Arabella. He desperately tries to fend it off, but alas ... 
The writing is both poetic and dreamy. There are strong, forceful moments, yet extreme tender ones, too. The author has a nice command over the language of the time period. At times, the tale held a CSI feel, crime scenes and all. 
My only negative is the overall feel of the story is a mixture of young adult and new adult. The lead characters are both in a profession, both hold a demeanor of older characters, and both tend to think with more wisdom than the average YAer.   I have to tell you. I am head-over-oodles in love with Henry. Wish they'd put a snippet of him on the cover. Even a faded out background. #growls
~ ABOUT the Author ~ 
Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brynn Chapman is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love—not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger’s syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society’s downtrodden. In fiction, she’s a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. She also writes non-fiction and lectures on the subjects of autism and sensory integration and is a medical contributor to online journal The Age of Autism.
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What's the last time-period piece you've read or heard was good?

The Zest & Zeal of Motherhood ~ A to Z Challenge

My A to Z Challenge.  What I'm doing: OFF the CUFF ~ Basically, I'll be keeping posts short and writing about whatever moves me~themes, inspirations, causes, and silliness. I'll stick to my normal posting of Mondays & Wednesdays (possibly an occasional other day), highlighting the appropriate letter for said day. But I will visit blogs throughout the week. I am looking forward to reading your words!

So I thought I'd exit this year's A to Z Challenge with some ZESTY humor to show you that my almost twenty-one-years of motherhood has not stolen all my ZEAL. 

First up ~ The Angst of the Toilet Seat *** Set the scene: We only have three kids ages 7, 3, & 1 at the time. I'm putting 1-year-old for a nap and hear a bellow from the half bathroom. #2nd child--who's head is still too dang big for his short body--was on the toilet and leaned forward to play with his huge firetruck that he brought into the bathroom with him. His gigantic head was too heavy for him to hold up, and its weight pulled him towards the floor. Only ... um ... his 'thingy' got stuck between the toilet seat and the porcelain, stretching the freaking thing out. You should have seen it. It was bleeding, black and blue, and ... OMGosh ... try explaining that one to your pediatrician. (NOTE: Luckily for us, our pediatrician knew our 2nd child well. His mischievousness had already gotten him into so much physical trouble, he was a regular in her office. I could write a book about him alone. We dubbed him Denis the Menace.)

Second for today ~ High Aspirations  *** Mom: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" 4th child/10yr-old: "I want to be the forty-year-old creeper in the basement designing video games and living off YouTube."

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Lastly ~ Youngest Child's Broadened Mind *** Set the scene: I'm in the kitchen preparing dinner. The time is during the last presidential race. A political commercial airs. It's message is encouraging voters to head out to the polls to vote.  4th Child: Mom? Mom: What? 4th Child: Are those polls like stripper poles? 

I have many, many more Sherisms to share with you from my twenty years of motherhood. So stay tuned! It's been a pleasure sharing this year's A to Z Challenge with you. 
Until next time .... Have any interesting stories either you or your kiddos have done? 

I do have one other surprise for today, although it doesn't have to do with the A to Z. Those who know me know I LUV supporting my fellow author. A while back, I released a review for KEEP YOU FROM HARM by the talented Debra Doxer. Today is her cover release day for book II in the series. I just had to share for her. 

ADD to your GOODREADS

To Have and to Harm (The Remedy Series) by Author Debra Doxer  Cover Design: Okay Creations  Release Day: JUNE 10TH 
 About the Book: She kept everyone from harm, except herself… Raielle’s life was shrouded in secrets. Her power was a secret and so was her past. When she came to Fort Upton, everything changed. She discovered her family, and she found the boy who would own her heart forever. But it couldn’t last. Knowing so little about her power nearly destroyed her. She had to leave and break both their hearts.
Now she’s back in California, and she doesn’t have to hide who she is anymore. But there is no relief in that because she’s drowning in regret. She knew it would take a miracle or a sin to save her, and there was no miracle. Her survival came at too high a price. She found her father, but she can’t go back to Lucas until she finds redemption. 
 She saved him. Then she left him… 
She came out of nowhere and changed him forever, then she disappeared and left him reeling. Her whole life, she never had anyone who really loved her. Until him. Did she think he wouldn’t come for her? Did she believe she wasn’t worth it? 
 Lucas leaves everything behind to follow Raielle. When he finds her, she’s a pale shadow of the girl he remembers. Her power is betraying her and so are the people around her, but one thing hasn’t changed. She selflessly wants to save the world, and he just wants to save her. 
With more secrets to uncover and dark truths to face, Raielle and Lucas must make sacrifices to be together again. But in the end, will those sacrifices bring them closer together or tear them apart? When he’s forced to make the ultimate sacrifice, will she turn her back on everything she believes in to save him again? 
~ This book is intended for mature readers due to sexual situations and strong language. ~ 
 And now, what you’ve all been waiting for!!! Debra is give away a signed set of her Remedy Series! Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wistful NA ~ MODEL POSITION & an Attitude of Gratitude

Kitsy Clare on FACEBOOK

A wonderful lady and very talented writer is splatting her signature on the Graffiti Wall! I've shared her work here before, but today I'm helping her celebrate the release of her very first NA title.

*Alleywalkers cheer, toss confetti*

Meet Young Adult and New Adult Author Catherine Stine aka Kitsy Clare. WEBSITE | CS on FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BLOG

AMAZON | B&N

In Manhattan’s glitzy gallery scene love and art are perilous games. 

Will Sienna dare to play?

All too soon, artist Sienna Karr will graduate art school and be flung out into Manhattan’s glamorous but cutthroat gallery scene. Luckily, she’s just met Dave Hightower, heir to the hippest gallery ever. He’s asked her on a date, and offered to introduce her to the gallery owner, his intimidating Aunt Lydia. Sienna’s excited! Now she’ll be able to climb the ranks and make those all-important art connections.

Trouble is, she’s falling hard for the sexy live drawing model, Erik, whose sizzling green eyes seem to pierce right into her soul. Dare she risk losing those potential art contacts for love? Erik insists that Sienna is a real talent and her painting stands out above all the others. But she worries that he whispers this come-on line to every pretty art student who flocks around him during breaks. And her friends worry, is Erik up to her pay grade? What kind of guy chooses modeling for a living? Who is he, really? Her choice may be her ruin… or not, but she must decide fast. Everything in Sienna’s super-organized life is turning to terrifying yet sweet chaos.

Guest Post:

The Importance of Gratitude

By Catherine Stine, and writing romance as Kitsy Clare

I learned from my first serious career, painting and showing work in galleries, that it’s valuable to acknowledge and celebrate each milestone. God knows, both the business of creating art and writing novels is hard, gut-wrenching work. It means many hours alone in one’s studio, sweating out plot lines or visual compositions.

In the case of the visual artist, he or she has one show a year with a one-month display. Then it’s back to the studio. At least in a writer’s case, a novel plays out in the world for longer. And books are a heckuva lot cheaper than paintings. I laugh when I hear folks grumbling about the high cost of ebooks “$3.99 for a novella, harrumph!” Really? A painting costs upwards of $3,000, and even a fancy pants coffee confection at Starbucks costs more than an ebook. Plus stories are spicier, sweeter, more satisfying—to the body and soul.

I learned from an art critic early on that it was essential to develop leathery skin, iron determination, a compulsion to create and a genuine spirit of gratitude to keep afloat no matter what kind of turmoil swirled around me.

I also discovered it’s good to write a gratitude list, and periodically update it. It’s quite helpful to read the list on those days you’re down and insecure—but also on any day, to celebrate your hard work. Here’s my gratitude list:

Take your writing seriously: I’m grateful I got the confidence to take my writing seriously by getting an MFA in creative writing, where I met a core of fellow aspiring writers who I’m still in touch with, and whose accomplishments I help celebrate.

That first sale: I’m grateful that my MFA thesis was sold and published as my first YA (Refugees).

Side jobs that teach you things: I’m grateful that I got a ghostwriting job that taught me I could plot and write a novel much faster than I thought possible (I wrote VolunteerVets #12/End of the Race in one month!).

How rejection can help push you: I’m grateful that my editor at Random House turned down my next novel because I’d written the teen’s mom as a pot addict (“Why write a mom like that?”) because it made me realize that if that editor didn’t get why, she wasn’t the right editor for me. It also helped compel me to try indie publishing. (Fireseed One and Ruby’s Fire). I still want to publish that novel about the girl whose hippie-come-lately mom is a pot addict!

The community: I’m grateful for the online community—awesome people like you, Sheri—who are talented, savvy and generous to others in the blogosphere!

More about the pool of talent: I’m grateful to the super-accomplished editors, book designers and art directors who I jumped to hire when they became freelancers after the economic collapse (Many got laid off from big pubbers). These folks are now getting tons of work from indies in the publishing revolution! Oh, and there is so much indie editorial talent too!

Grateful for past experiences: I’m grateful that I had exhilarating, frustrating and quirky art experiences to pull for story material in my newest venture, a new adult romance novella, Model Position, set in the Manhattan art world. (Out with Inkspell, under my pen name for romance, Kitsy Clare)

Risk-taking can be valuable: I’m grateful that at heart I’m a risk-taker, that I had the nerve to try my hand at writing romance. I learned that I really enjoy it.

What would you put on your gratitude list?

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New Adult~ALL OF YOU by Christina Lee

GRAFFITI PROMOTIONS is a regular feature on Writer's Alley for members of the publishing world to share valuable wisdom and experience, and to promote their work. Features include Author or Character Interviews, Book Promos, Seven Sneaky Secrets, and Guest Posts. Just signup to be featured!
***Note to MG & PB readers: today's highlight is a New Adult genre.

Some of you already know her. But for those of you who don't, I want you to meet a dear cyber-friend, New Adult Author Christina Lee. Blog | Facebook | Twitter
Hey, Christina! *waves* Give the folks a little dish about yourself. Once upon a time, I lived in New York City and was a fashion stylist. I spent my days shopping for photo shoots, getting into cabs, eating amazing food, and drinking coffee at my favorite hangouts. 
Um ... exciting! Well, at least the shopping for shoots part.  Now I live in my hometown of Cleveland, with my husband and son—my two favorite guys. I’ve always been an avid reader—reading was actually my favorite time of day when I taught second and third grade. But it wasn’t until I became a local newspaper columnist that something clicked. I finally realized I could turn my love of words into my dream of writing fiction. I write Young Adult and New Adult fiction. I am represented by Sara Megibow of the Nelson Literary Agency. Hugs. Sara is like ... Whoa ... awesome! What else is there to know about Christina?  I also own a hand-stamped jewelry business called Tags-n-Stones, which requires me to stamp letters and/or words onto pieces of silver. They go hand-in-hand perfectly. And I've seen some of her jewelry. It's gorgeous. Let's take a peek at your book, ALL OF YOU. 

AMAZON \ B&N

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance Publisher: Penguin/InterMix Released: September 2013 Description: In this powerfully emotional debut New Adult novel, Avery has just met her hot upstairs neighbor. He’s irresistible. Tattooed. And a virgin. Nursing student Avery Michaels wants nothing to do with dating—she’s perfectly happy single. Privy to too many of her mother’s bad decisions and even worse taste in boyfriends, all Avery can handle is a string of uncomplicated hookups whenever the mood strikes. When she meets smoking hot tattoo artist Bennett, she wants him—for just one night. But he won’t accept a no-strings-attached arrangement. He lives by a straight-laced code of values based on his own troubled upbringing. Bennett sees something special in Avery and he wants more from her. Way more. As Avery wrestles with her emotions for Bennett, danger and tragedy force them to open up to each other. And Avery must face the terrifying realization that she wants more from him, too. So she needs to make a choice—let Bennett go or finally let him in.
How did the cover image and blurb come to life?  This book is an adult romance with plenty of steam. But my Bennett is a virgin and I knew that I didn't want a shirtless guy on the cover because it just didn't fit him or the story. The image and the color palette Penguin came up with for my ALL OF YOU blew me away. The cover for book two is also very cool. So, I cannot wait to see what they come up with for book three. Teaser!!!

Oooh ... ;)
What is your favorite part of the story? When Avery and Bennett finally negotiate their feelings and allow each other into their worlds--into their hearts--it's MAGIC. Aw...sounds like it!
Share something quirky about yourself. I keep handwritten lists upon lists of things I need to get done or want to accomplish all over my office. It's ridiculous and is certainly not the best system to have. =) What can your fans expect from you next? My next book, a companion novel to ALL OF YOU, releases on February 18th, 2014. It's called BEFORE YOU BREAK and tells Ella's story. That is next month. Woot! On that note, here's Christina's header on her site. Book II & III covers have already been designed. Great stuff!

To top it all off, Christina has offered up an eCopy of ALL OF YOU to one lucky winner!

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AND if you haven't done so already, feel free to take my writer's pledge for 2014. Just go HERE or click on the badge in my right sidebar to signup! LUV to have you.

Let me ask you this: how do you think being a young adult (age 14 - 18) differs from this new adult (age 19 - 22) age?

New Adult ~ THE LAST HYBRID: Bloodlines of Angels

Can I just say, as a children's author how much I love this new category of New Adult literature?!!! I really do love that the literary world has found a place for what I like to call 'the lost years'-- the three or four years after a young adult graduates from high school.

Although I do not write NA, I do enjoy it and respect all those who write it. So without anymore jabbering from me, here's my latest New Adult spotlight - a book the publishers asked me to read before the summer months, but hit some snags and the whole deal got delayed. I'm excited to share this one with you now!

The Last HYBRID: Bloodline of Angels by Lee Wilson
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Publisher: William and Keats Publishing
Released date: April 2013
Pages: 324

I'd like to thank the publisher for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Favorite Line/Passage: "I got in a fight at the mall. I think it was a set up. He was probably trying to take me to the ones he works for. Or maybe he was going to kidnap you and force me to do something for them to get you back. I'd rather run, than risk your safety." (Daniel, pg. 131)

Description: When Hannah Sawyer dropped out of college after losing her scholarship she spent five years weaning herself of alpha males and alcohol, but when she decides to return to finish her degree she finds those things rolled into one in the intoxicating blue eyes of fellow non-traditional student Daniel Keith. 

What she soon learns is that her newfound addiction to Daniel impairs her judgment beyond any mixed drink a frat boy could have handed her. She should have left when he cut his arm with a car key to show her his white blood. Or when he had a run-in with a dark angel on one of their dates. But Hannah stays, entranced by this man who remains a mystery to her. 

Who or what is Daniel? And why does the small town of Spring Hill, Tennessee seem to summon his enemies? As romance lures Hannah further into a shadowy world most people never see, she realizes she s gotten herself in deeper than she knew possible. And this time there's no option of dropping out.

NIGHTSTAND WORTHY!

My Splats: Enter the energetic world of the twenty-somethings, filled with teasing, mystery, passion...and in this case, a world most cannot see yet has touched every life since the beginning of time.

Prologues are elements of a story that I can live with, but also live without. It all depends on the story. In this story, a prologue was used to capture attention and tease the reader to piece together what could possibly follow. It did its job - I wanted to read on and did.

From the onset, I felt a mature voice telling the story, which added stability to the somewhat chaotic and tumultuous age of new adult material. Clues, of the everlasting yet unseen world to most humans, dropped subtly before me as I read, working their magic to add intrigue and a need to discover what happened next. Odd glances or gestures by certain characters filtered in more clues about the underlining elements brewing below the surface of what could be seen. 

The concept of fallen angels or them being referred as vampires is nothing new; however, Wilson adds a unique twist to their 'becoming', which flavored the world created - as well as the world the reader begins to foresee evolving. Relationships complicated this already troubled hidden world of angels and rebels (angels), who want to forge their own path. As Daniel and Hannah, along with most of their friends, sink deeper into prophecies and Daniel's true heritage, dangerous bargains are offered; some made, while others are refused, leaving the reader parched as the final few chapters approach and hoping for the thirst to be quenched. 

The writing is crisp and eager, as is the dialog, which is often punchy and quick witted. I really enjoyed the flirtatious verbal rants between Daniel and Hannah - lead characters. Both showed tendencies to keep their relationship playful and free, with real passion brimming slowly beneath the surface. This tease yet feisty touches is classic NA and what sets it apart from mere young adult literature. There is a fine line between the two and in this case the line was walked carefully and eloquently, shown through gentle embraces as well as subtle nuances that upped the heat - all tastefully done.   

Another element that was fully NA was the sense of dipping deeper into the emotional entanglements of the characters. Whether characters one on one or a multitude, the reader is given full knowledge that they are in their real world, making real decisions for themselves.

My only negative about the story was my confusion because of a few underdeveloped elements like those explaining the human - hybrid (half/angel) - angel - vampire (dark angel) relationships. In defense, there was a ton to explain. Overall, it was well written, described, and delivered. I'd recommend this book to any paranormal or angel enthusiast, romance lover, and even physical fight scene admirer-due to a few of Daniel's impressive fight scenes-of the upper teen, college, or adult age. Oh, and also for any sequel lovers because there will be a Book II to this book! I will definitely read the next book. I need to find out what happens to Daniel and Hannah. 

Two questions: What do you think of this newer New Adult literary category  and have you read a NA novel recently?