Authors Erin Callahan & Troy H. Gardner on YA tropes - What has been overdone and what can be saved?

On YA Tropes - What’s been done to death, and what can be saved?

Let’s face it. YA lit has grown into a juggernaut in the past five years. Successful series like The Hunger Games and Twilight have inspired thousands of aspiring writers (including Team Mad World) to throw their hats into the YA ring. A veritable avalanche of both traditionally published and indie published YA books has come crashing down on the marketplace. Now, the natives are getting restless. Although the YA boom is relatively still young, readers and bloggers are already complaining that clichés abound and tropes are overused. The truth is, they’re not wrong. Here’s our take on the “big three” and how we’ve chosen to handle them in the Mad World series.

1. Weak/Klutzy/Milquetoast Female Protag

You know the type. Maybe she’s the new girl in school, eking her way through life while dealing with supersecret unresolved trauma. She’s a mousy, shy violet who, despite her astounding un-specialness, manages to attract the attention of the most drool-worthy guy residing in her area code.

Team Mad World despises this trope, though without it, we probably never would have started writing Mad World. We created Astrid, our female MC, in response to the weak female MCs that seemed to be popping up on every bookstore shelf. Astrid’s damaged, but she doesn’t let that turn her into a dishrag waiting to be saved by a hottie. She’s smart, compassionate, capable...and also more than a little snarky and judgmental. Every character has to have flaws, but the flaw doesn’t have to be an all-consuming cloak of feminine passivity.

To be fair, the Mad World series does include a character who wraps herself up in many of these unfortunate stereotypes. We initially created her as a counterpoint to Astrid, but as the series progresses, she begins to come into her own. And her transformation isn’t attributable to a hottie who saves her, but to her own realization that she’s a person who’s not to be trifled with.

2. Overly-Simplistic Dystopian Regime

We started writing the Mad World series about a year before the dystopian craze was in full swing. But as Hunger Games imitators began flying off the shelves, we couldn’t help but wonder what happened to the thoughtful subtlety and world building of books like The Giver.

If we’d known beforehand that YA Dystopian was going to be all the rage, we might have steered away from including a “regime” in the Mad World series. But we’ve managed to avoid the now tired cliché of an all-powerful evil empire of merciless adults by populating our regime with three-dimensional characters driven by complex motivations. Those behind the Mad World regime don’t always agree with each other and sometimes get tangled up in their own bureaucracy. We’ve also added a layer of historical fiction by tying the regime’s history to real events and historical figures. By giving our regime a realistic context, we’ve made it less simplistic and more believable.

3. The Love Triangle

Girl meets boy and it’s love at first sight. But wait...there’s another boy. A boy she didn’t notice at first because he’s the dark, smoldering, polar opposite of boy number one. Who will she choose?

This kind of hetero-centric love triangle truly has been done to death. Very rarely can it carry a plot and even when it’s served up as a side dish, it feels like a distraction from the main course.

But readers love love, and lust, especially when it parades itself as love. We don’t want to get all Freudian, but these two complex emotions are often at the core of human behavior, particularly hormonal teenage behavior. Writers will never be able to kill the love triangle. Thus, our best option is to subvert it. We’ve buried a love triangle deep within the Mad World series. It’s so atypical that most readers probably won’t even see it until it’s standing right in front of them in all its unexpected glory.

If you have questions or want to chat more about YA tropes, feel free to leave a comment, email us (madworldseries@gmail.com), or send us a tweet (@madworldseries).

Young Adult Paranormal
Date Published: October 2012

Orphans Astrid Chalke and Max Fisher meet when they’re sent to live at Wakefield, a residential and educational facility for teens with psychiatric and behavioral problems. Astrid’s roommate cuts herself with anything sharp she can get her hands on and Max’s roommate threatens him upon introduction.

Just as Astrid and Max develop a strong bond and begin to adjust to the constant chaos surrounding them, a charming and mysterious resident of Wakefield named Teddy claims he has unexplainable abilities. Sometimes he can move things without touching them. Sometimes he can see people’s voices emanating from their mouths. Teddy also thinks that some of the Wakefield staff are on to him.

At first, Astrid and Max think Teddy is paranoid, but Max’s strange, recurring dreams and a series of unsettling events force them to reconsider Teddy’s claims. Are they a product of his supposedly disturbed mind or is the truth stranger than insanity?

Buy links

Also available at MuseItUp Publishing

Author bio:

Erin Callahan lives with her husband in the bustling metropolis of Hooksett, New Hampshire, and works for the federal government. She enjoys reading and writing young adult fiction, playing recreational volleyball, and mining the depths of pop culture for new and interesting ideas. A year after graduating from law school, she found herself unemployed and took a job as a case manager at a residential facility similar to the one featured in Wakefield. Though she worked there for just over a year, the strange and amazing kids she met will forever serve as a well of inspiration.

Troy H. Gardner grew up in New Hampshire and graduated with a B.A. in English/Communications with a dual concentration in film and writing from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He spent ten years working in the banking industry dreaming up numerous stories to write. When not writing, which is seldom, Troy busies himself jet-setting from Sunapee, NH to Moultonborough, NH.

Links:

Website: madworldseries.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadWorldSeries
Blog: troyhgardner.wordpress.com
Author Website: troyhgardner.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16076293-wakefield
Twitter: https://twitter.com/madworldseries

Happy Release Day! 'Turning Home (A Small Town Novel)' by Stephanie Nelson

Turning Home (A Small Town Novel) by Stephanie Nelson

When Brooke Kingsley finally captures the interest of her four-year crush—Dylan Crawford—her world turns upside down. Feeling alive for the first time, Brooke decides to spend her last three days of summer with Dylan and discovers there’s more to him than the rumors being whispered all over town. The problem is, Brooke’s father doesn’t want his daughter anywhere near the blue-collar bad boy. As Brooke leaves for college, she’ll realize that some boys aren’t easy to forget.

Dylan Crawford has hated the Roseville Snobs his entire life, but one particular Snob has captured his eye—Brooke Kingsley. He knows he should stay away from her, but willpower has never been his strong suit. Soon Brooke is all he can think about. When she leaves for school, Dylan tries to move on with other girls, but the memory of Brooke taunts him. There’s an undeniable pull to the very girl he’s been warned to stay away from.

When tragedy strikes the Kingsley household, secrets are uncovered. Brooke and Dylan must decide if what they feel for each other is strong enough to conquer their families’ dark past.

This is an NA (new adult) book and intended for readers 18+

Purchase on Amazon

'Once Upon a Darker Time (Chronicles of the Secret Prince #2)' by M.J. Bell

Once Upon a Darker Time

Series- Chronicles of the Secret Prince Book # 2

By- M.J. Bell

Defying the odds, Deston Lespérance defeated Grossard, the Solitary Faerie who kidnapped his mother and father, and delivered the Light Crystal back to Tir na-nÓg in time to secure the Fae’s reign of the high realm. Now at long last, his dream of having a whole family has come to pass. Unfortunately, “happily ever after” doesn’t last forever, for Grossard lives and is more resolved than ever to get his revenge on the Fae—this time teaming up with Mordred to unleash the darkness which has lain dormant since the earth’s creation.

Deston, though still struggling with his newly found powers, sets off with Margaux on another epic adventure to locate and destroy the Shard of Erebus before Grossard and Mordred can find it. He is fully aware the stakes are high, but he has no idea the scope of sacrifices he’ll be required to make. As his world crumbles around him and his friends fall, he holds onto the only glimmer of hope he has left … that the Fae power and strength truly does reside within him and that he still has a chance to become the hero they claim him to be.

'The Grimm Chronicles, Vol. 4' by Ken Brosky and Isabella Fontaine

Blurb:

The final volume of The Grimm Chronicles ends with a bang as Alice Goodenough confronts her own mortality while attempting to save the world one last time! As darkness threatens to suffocate her, Alice must find the strength to seek out a mysterious creature that claims to have the power to bring back a loved one. In the process, she'll discover that there's more to the magic pen than meets the eye and will have to journey to a mysterious land filled with familiar--and dangerous--characters.

This volume contains the last three episodes of the series:

Episode 10: The Black Towers

Death has come again, and this time he's claimed a loved one of hero Alice Goodenough. While she reels in the aftermath of a heartbreaking loss, those around her are forced to cope with the terrible consequences of a world without a hero. Alice has learned a terrible lesson: the hero is not safe. Her loved ones are not safe. So long as the Corrupted walk the earth, death will stalk her like a shadow.

In her dreams, she's plagued by a golden boy and a statue with a terrible thirst for darkness. The boy believes he is the key to saving the human race and calls to Alice while she sleeps. But can Alice pull herself from the abyss and sally forth, or will she end up in the heroes' graveyard?

Episodes 11 and 12: A Dance With Death

The hero's journey comes to a close in this epic two-part adventure! Alice Goodenough has passed through Death and now finds herself in a strange land with only her nemesis Sam Grayle for company. Their presence doesn't go unnoticed ... soon, they find themselves in the middle of a war between the good and the Corrupted. Old foes return. New allies are made. Lines are drawn and then crossed as the Corruption spreads, threatening to destroy the land itself and cover this strange world in darkness forever.

Alice and her allies must stop it. But to do that, they'll have to find the source of the Corruption: an old enemy whose power has only grown stronger. And this time, the Golden Dragon has an army ...

Like Katniss in The Hunger Games and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, hero Alice Goodenough is going to need to use more than her fists if she hopes to survive this nightmare!

Available on Amazon

US \ UK \ CAN

Review of Jennifer Comeaux's Edge Series

Just in time for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Jennifer Comeaux has completed her romantic ice skating series. It was fun reading this series with the real skating happening on the TV at the same time. Take a look at each individual book, as well as my thoughts on each one.

Praise for the Edge books:

"Jennifer Comeaux puts you in the action, makes you smell the ice and hear the roar of the crowd during the nail-biting competitions, and she's a master at creating first love jitters in your stomach from the steamy scenes that are so hot without being explicit." - Christina Jean Michaels, author of Epiphany 

“Both touching and suspenseful, Fighting for the Edge is a game changer that will have fans of the series giving both the characters and the author a standing ovation once they've turned the very last page. If I could pass out medals, Jennifer would earn gold for writing my favorite romance of all time.” – Jenna at Jenna Does Books

Blurb:

Nineteen-year-old Emily is new to pairs skating, but she and her partner Chris have a big dream–to be the first American team to win Olympic gold. Their young coach Sergei, who left Russia after a mysterious end to his skating career, believes they can break through and make history. Emily and Chris are on track to be top contenders at the 2002 Winter Games. But when forbidden feelings spark between Emily and Sergei, broken trust and an unexpected enemy threaten to derail Emily’s dreams of gold.

**My thoughts**

I loved this book. I have always enjoyed watching figure skating, partially because I grew up not far from Scott Hamilton. He was always the hometown hero, so we constantly watched him. Even after he retired, I still enjoyed watching programs with my mom. The detail of the skating competitions and practices in this book helped me relive those days. I actually thought that Jennifer must have been a skater, herself, because of the descriptions.

She captured the thoughts and feelings that are surely going through the heads of the skaters as they compete. Drama ensues both on and off the ice in this sport. An added bonus to the story was the flourishing romance between Emily and Sergei. Absolutely it would be inappropriate for a coach and his skater to get involved. But sometimes the heart wants what it wants. As long as both sides can remain professional and no one is being pressured, it really isn't so bad. Emily and Sergei compliment each other and definitely have a spark. Great read for lovers of romance and of the sport.

Buy links

B&N \ Amazon US \ UK \ CA

Blurb:

Emily's skating career and personal life have never been more golden. She and her partner Chris have won every competition they've entered this season, and she's found the man of her dreams in her coach Sergei. But when one of the biggest competitions of the year takes Emily and Sergei to Russia, Sergei's past explodes into the present and makes Emily doubt everything in their future.

**My thoughts**

Revelations about Sergei's past in the first book definitely foreshadow the events unfolding in this book. It was a total given. I am honestly surprised that she didn't pop up sooner in Sergei's life! This book, while it does have some scenes of competition in it, definitely focuses more on the romantic relationship between Emily and Sergei. I did miss the competitive part in this one, but it is also the slower season for the skaters, without the Olympics. Plus, another book that focused so heavily on the competition probably wouldn't go over as well when there is such a hot romance in trouble!

Elena is everything that you love to hate in a woman. Nothing that she says or does really surprises me. In fact, every time Emily makes a faux pas, I can see what Elena's reaction is going to be, well before it even hits. Emily was already in uncharted territory, building her relationship with Sergei, when she hasn't really ever had a relationship before. I have the advantage of age and experience over her. She may not always handle a situation with the most grace, but she definitely learns from all of them. Her mom continues to make me crazy by being so negative all of the time. I get wanting to protect your kid from harm, but you have to let her experience some life and make some of her own mistakes! I did also enjoy meeting Sergei's parents and would love to get to know his father better.

Fun sequel to the first book.

Buy links

B&N \ Amazon US \ UK \ CA

Blurb:

Emily has waited over two years to give herself to Sergei. She couldn't have asked for a more patient man. Now they've finally reached their wedding night, and after all Sergei's patience and understanding, Emily wants to be everything for him. How will their first night together compare to their dreams?

This is a 3500-word short story that contains mature content not suitable for younger readers. Reaching the Edge is part of the EDGE series, but this story can be enjoyed as a standalone read.

**My thoughts**

I got this as a free download on Amazon US. (I believe most places it is free.) I needed to read it, because I have this thing about reading every single story involved with a series. Plus, Sergei and Emily had been waiting for a really long time. That was another one of her admirable qualities - saving herself for marriage. I have no idea how they stayed together so long and waited, but kudos to them!

The story is okay. I don't know that everyone can have as magical a first time as Emily did. Then again, who would want to read anything less in a steamy love story?

Definitely not for the younger crowd. Definitely not necessary for the continuity of the series, but a fun, quick read for those who are seeking the spice.

Buy links

B&N \ Amazon US \ UK \ CA

Fighting for the Edge (Edge #3)
by Jennifer Comeaux
Release Date: 11/05/13

Summary from Goodreads:

Two friends. Two dreams. One night that changes everything…

Ice dancer Aubrey London scoffs at romance. She’s focused on winning a medal at the upcoming Olympics and uses that as her excuse to avoid serious relationships. But when she and longtime friend Chris Grayden are thrown together by unforeseen circumstances, Aubrey finds herself questioning everything she's ever known about love, complicating her life both on and off the ice.

Pairs skater Emily Petrov embraces romance. She and her husband Sergei still act like honeymooners two years after their wedding. As Emily’s coach, Sergei provides constant support while she prepares to challenge for gold at the Olympics. But Sergei’s support might not be enough to help Emily overcome the one challenge she never saw coming.

With the Games only weeks away, Emily and Aubrey are on the verge of realizing their dreams. But one snowy, stormy night sets in motion a series of events that will test them in ways they never imagined, giving them more to fight for than Olympic medals.

**My thoughts**

I loved getting to know Aubrey and Chris better in this book. Their budding romance is somewhat unexpected, as in the first two books he is happily involved with Marley. But, things can change over the course of a couple of years. When they get thrown together, it is inevitable that sparks are going to fly. 

Emily and Sergei have had their shares of ups and downs along their Olympic journey. Just one more goal is within their reach. But, as is always their luck, a twist in their circumstances threatens to squash those dreams. Their strength and determination should be able to help them through it all, though.

Aubrey and Chris's story was told through Aubrey's third-person POV, while Emily's continued to be told through her first-person POV. While this can sometimes work, I had a hard time with the POV changing within the same chapter. I would have preferred it happening in different chapters. It was also strange to have it alternate between first and third within the same book. While their stories were intertwined, they were still pretty separate. I could have seen either a spinoff title, or perhaps two companion novellas that tell their stories, alluding to the other stories, but from each of their POVs. This trend of telling stories of multiple characters within a book is still being tested out in different fashions. This was how Jennifer chose to handle her book. For others, it is going to feel absolutely fine. I think it is a reader/writer preference in the delivery.

Once I got used to the changeover, I was still able to enjoy the story. I have been rooting for Emily and Sergei from the very beginning. Aubrey has always been a good friend to Emily. I was happy to see her get some happiness and love in her life, as well. All of the characters have been growing up and maturing. Perhaps there is still room for a spinoff series with some of the other characters?

And even though the POV change-up felt odd, you still will want to read this book, just to find out how their story concludes. There may even be a twist or two that you didn't see coming.

Buy links

B&N \ Amazon US \ UK \ CA

**Overall series feelings**

I really did like this series. It was convenient that it was touring in time for the Winter Olympics. It just made me more in the spirit for Team USA. I liked reminiscing about Olympics past, with that added bonus of warm and fuzzies from the romances.

This series definitely falls more into the New Adult age group, but isn't so steamy that YA readers can't enjoy it. I look forward to more of Jennifer Comeaux's books.

About the Author

Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren’t any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a diehard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating. One of her favorite pastimes is travelling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing. Jennifer loves to hear from readers! Visit jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com for contact information and to learn more about her books.


Author Links:

http://jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5368434.Jennifer_Comeaux

http://www.twitter.com/LadyWave4

http://www.facebook.com/jennifercomeauxauthor

http://pinterest.com/jennifercomeaux/

***GIVEAWAY***
$25 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

RULES AND RESTRICTIONS:
Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 13 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal! 'Kasadya Hellhound: Defined (Kasadya #4)' by Karen Swart

Cover Reveal

Book Info -

Title: Kasadya Hellhound Defined

Series: Kasadya, #4

Author: Karen Swart

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Audience: Young Adult 14 years and up

Formats: E-book and Paperback

Publisher: Self Published

Cover by: Melody Simmons

Edited by: Blue Butterfly Editing

Expected Publishing Date: 10 March. 2014

Blurb -

Kasadya: Hellhound Defined (Book #4 of the Kasadya Series)

For centuries his only reason for existence was to destroy evil.  But when he finally found his mate, that all changed for the deadly Chax De Luca. When the hellhound Kasadya captured his heart, he surrended it to her, thinking he’d finally found what he’d been looking for. Little did he know that his mate would sacrifice herself to save them all.

His fury is legend. His wrath, merciless. His love for his mate, undeniable. He’s going to hell to retrieve his heart, and if that means that he must destroy hell itself, then so be it.

Kasadya awakes to a world in peril, her mate forever changed, and a war filled with evil creatures intending to enter Earth’s realm and destroy all that she holds dear. Can she complete her divinity in time to save her loved ones and mankind? Will she have to choose? Or will all be lost in the final battle?

The final battle is here, and with it, secrets are revealed and worlds are changed forever.

Book Links-

Goodreads

About the Author -

Karen lives in a small town in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. She shares her live with her husband, two sons and daughter. If she isn't reading she is writing.

Her preferred genres are Paranormal and Urban fantasy. Karen specializes in payroll and HRIS systems analysis and development. At the age of 21 Karen's professional success reached its highest platform, an outstanding achievement at such a young age.

Media Links –

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Amazon 

Marked Hearts Book Sale & Facebook Event

 

 Marked Hearts are 12 YA and NA authors coming together to celebrate Valentine's Day with stories of love. These are 12 separate stories centered around romance brought to you by some best selling authors: Brina Courtney, Sarah Ashley Jones, Magan Vernon, Dawn Pendalton, Amy Evans, Amber Garr, Morgan Black, Jo Briggs, Jessica Gibson, Tammy Blackwell, Sarah Makela and Michelle D. Argyle. So this Valentine's Day cuddle up with amazing book boyfriends for under a dollar.

Come join the Facebook Party happening Monday February 17th!

 

Purchase on Amazon

Mallory and Luke have been joyously living out their happily ever after. With a baby on the way, they think nothing could ruin their happiness. When the baby's life is in danger, though, they've got a tough decision to make. This novella takes place after all three of the Broken Series books.

Purchase on Amazon

Layla Keyes is back in England. Much has changed in the five years since she moved to New York to pursue a modelling career - On the outside she appears independent, self-assured and enjoying running her own successful fashion label.

On the inside she is determined to take back what she lost five years ago when jealousy and misunderstandings allowed a so-called friend to manipulate and interfere in destroying her relationship with Evan Carter.

Evan Carter has spent all that time pretending to not be affected by the loss of Layla from his life.

A twist of fate brings the two back together as they are forced to share a few days alone.

Can their love be rekindled despite the secrets they still have to confess to each other?
 

Purchase on Amazon

Jase Donovan always knew exactly what to expect from college: frat parties, coeds, and a spot on one of the most prestigious basketball teams in the nation. It was the life he was destined for... until his sister became the Alpha Pack's Most Wanted. Now he's playing a dangerous game of espionage and subterfuge with the most powerful Shifters and Seers in the world, and if he loses, his life won't be the only one on the line.

Talley Matthews has always been able to look on the sunshine-and-rainbows side of life, but it's getting harder and harder every day with the knowledge that one friend is on the run and another is barely clinging to life. To complicate matters even more, after being pegged as an Alpha Pack Potential, she's having to fend off advances from Shifters who want to use her to gain a little power. The attention might be nice if her heart didn't already belong to someone else.

In this companion to the best-selling Timber Wolves trilogy, readers will finally discover the path Jase and Talley took to discover their love for one another.

Author's Note: All We See & Seem is a novella of 30,000 words.
 

Purchase on Amazon

Wild For You is the fifth book in the Forever Wild Series. (This is a six part series with one book releasing every 3 weeks)

Things seem to be finally looking up for Valerie and Wes.

Valerie finally left her job and started a new company with two of her closest work friends and if that wasn’t enough of a stress reliever, she finally decided to let her true feelings show for Wes. And when they’re reciprocated everything seems to be falling in place for the girl that once thought that she’d never get anything right.

But there are secrets that Wes has been keeping from her that involve her former friends with benefits, Max Green, and when they come to the surface it could put an end to Mr. and Mrs. Wild.

Purchase on Amazon

This is a two book bundle! Special Valentine's Day Price!

Promise Me This: Sarah Ashley Jones

Welcome to the South - where the tea is sweet and the accents are sweeter. This Southern way of life is all Charlie has ever known. It’s not until she loses the only person who pushed her to break free of the Southern Belle mold that she starts living the life she needs and not the life her parents forced on her.

Jhett has lived on the edge for as long as he could remember - constantly teetering back and forth between being a rock star and living a normal life. His rebellious and sometimes arrogant attitude is known to get him into trouble, especially with the girls who hang on his every move.

Charlie never thought that a trip to pack up her brother’s apartment would leave her feeling even more unsettled about the grainy details of her brother’s death. Her quest for information leads her straight to his old hangout and into arms of Jhett, who suspiciously knows more about her situation than he ever should.

Only a few questions remain - Can you trust someone based on their word alone? And if you make a promise, how far will you go to keep it?

Stealing Promises: Brina Courtney

Promises are made to be kept, never stolen. But that's exactly what happened to Victoria Blane and Levi Manor. Tragedy strikes their perfect relationship leaving Victoria struggling to overcome the darkness that threatens to bury her.

Brighton Hanley knows what it's like to lose someone. He knows what it's like to be haunted by things that can never change. When he meets Victoria he recognizes the pain she's trying to bury deep in her eyes. He knows she's trying to hide, but he also knows that you can't hide forever.

Victoria is drawn to Brighton in ways she never expected. But is she ready to let go of the past and grab on to her future? Or will she run away from Brighton before she can be hurt again?

 

Purchase on Amazon

 

Kelley Carson is successful, beautiful, and celibate. But that last part certainly isn’t by choice. Seems every time Kelley meets someone who might be able to help her scratch her physical itch something always goes terribly wrong. Then she meets Lawson; a hot real estate attorney, who by the looks of him doesn’t have a problem getting ladies into bed, she desperately wants him to take her home. Will she make it through one date without totally screwing it up? Or will she go home alone again? This is Kelley’s first entry in her diary of her dating mishaps.

Purchase on Amazon

First love is the sweetest....

Jax and Jacey are everyone's favorite couple, even though they've barely kissed.

In kindergarten, Jax pulled out a chair for Jacey and swept the play dough off so that she would sit down next to him and he's been carving out ways for them to stick together ever since. Though everyone in their conservative, small beach town sees them as a couple, they're not, exactly. Because while they both want more, they've agreed to wait.

Jacey works hard, respects her elders and follows every spoken and silent rule about fitting in and doing the ‘right’ thing. She doesn't dare give the gossips more fodder from her family, so she's kept Jax firmly in the friendzone. It takes a hurricane for her to realize timing is everything, but months later she’s still too afraid to put her heart on the line and tell him how she feels. Then plans change – hers for summer and his for college, and Jacey needs to make the most of the time she and Jax have left, or stay stuck in the land of missed beginnings forever  

Purchase on Amazon

Lorelei Peters had everything she had ever dreamed of. Amazing friends, a sexy boyfriend, and a job that she absolutely loved. Dillon Brockwell was all she had ever wanted. Handsome, successful, and he loved her as much as she loved him. Life was going along the way it was supposed to, until someone from Dillon’s past shows up and shatters everything to pieces. Can Lorelei and Dillon get through all the craziness and make it down the aisle? Or will lies of omission be enough to derail them forever.  

Purchase on Amazon

THE WITCH WHO CRIED WOLF - A Cry Wolf Novella
New Adult Paranormal Romance

Be careful what you wish for…

A potion gone wrong: Mia Brooks is a reluctant witch, with powers that she tries to hold in check. But when her magic gets mixed up, supernatural forces are unleashed and suddenly she’s being pursued by werewolves—that she didn’t even realize existed…

Hidden emotions: Ethan Parker, Mia’s brother’s best friend, is home from deployment for the holidays. Mia’s not only hiding from werewolves, she’s trying to keep her feelings for Ethan secret; it would be a disaster if he knew she’s been nursing a long-time crush…

The power of love: things take a terrifying turn when Mia and Ethan are attacked by a werewolf. Ethan is amazed when Mia reveals her paranormal prowess as she tries to shield them from danger. But can she really protect them from the darkness that lurks? And how can he tell her that, for ages, he’s been denying what he really wants? Mia...  

Purchase on Amazon

Everyone has their demons.

Before Conner Hoffman began his new life free of collecting souls for his demon father, he spent centuries fighting against his true nature. As a cambion with a conscience, guilt plagued his mind, while the sweet taste of souls satisfied more than just his incubus cravings.

A chance encounter with a beautiful harpy leads Conner down a road to his inevitable fate. Hunted for his unique heritage, he’s forced to embrace his demon side in order to defeat those determined to see him destroyed. With friends masquerading as enemies, trusting his instincts may mean sacrificing part of his humanity.

And that’s the very last thing Conner Hoffman wants to do.  

Purchase on Amazon

**Catch is a novella. It should take most readers 1 or 2 hours to read.**

When eighteen-year-old Miranda chases a purse snatcher on the Las Vegas Strip, the last thing she expects is for the pursuit to turn into an extended game of hide-and-seek. All Miranda wants are the old black and white photographs buried at the bottom of her purse. They're the only things she has left of the grandmother she never knew. But how much is she willing to put on the line to save them? And is it possible she's falling in love with a thief?

Review of 'The Recipe' by Maisy Dee

The Recipe

by Maisy Dee

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Craig has pined for Emily since the fourth grade. Imagine his surprise when, when at the start of his junior year, he discovers that she has finally noticed him. When Emily returns to school the fall of her junior year, she finds that her old friend Craig has transformed from a gangly, brace-faced adolescent into a blue-eyed babe who is making her insides tingle.

Craig and Emily stir up a sweet and sexy adventure, exploring new recipes both in and out of the kitchen. But when things heat up on New Year’s Eve, Craig is not sure he can stand it. Is he man enough for Emily? And what recipes have his closest friends Ryan and John been cooking up without telling him?

In alternating points of view, Emily and Craig search for the secret ingredients of friendship, love and intimacy. This isn’t really a book about cooking. Recipes, however, are included.

Read an excerpt:

She sat down at the end of the blue denim sofa, leaving me to choose how close I should sit next to her. Still feeling unsure of myself, I sat neither right next to her nor at the opposite end of the sofa, but exactly in between, which put me in an uncomfortable spot at the break between two cushions.

“You want me to kick your ass at Need for Speed?” challenged Emily, her eyebrows raised and her mouth curved in amusement. While the room décor hadn’t been updated, they had definitely invested in the electronics. There was a large flat-screen TV and an XBOX 360. And Emily knew how to play. Despite my best efforts, she did, in fact, kick my ass. And well, it was hot. It didn’t help that I kept getting distracted by watching her play. I loved the way she stared intently at the screen, pursing her lips and scrunching her eyebrows together. The more intensely she played, the further she slid forward until her ass balanced on the very edge of the couch. Her torso arched forward, revealing a gap of creamy skin on her lower back. She thrust her chest forward as she gripped the game device, accentuating the small, round curve of her breasts. I was glad that she was so focused on the game, and that I didn’t have to face her directly, seeing as I was uncomfortably erect in my jeans.

**My thoughts**

This is a young adult book that explores those mysterious feelings of first love and lust. Hormones are raging during the teenage years. Those boys and girls who were just filled with cooties are suddenly causing funny feelings and physical reactions. Playing around has a whole new meaning. Puppy love comes on strong and can sometimes turn into something much stronger and feel very real.

I did think of Judy Blume's book Forever, which we devoured time and time again when I was a middle grader and high schooler (even before reading the author's comments). That was my generation's book about first love. I felt like the characters in this book seemed younger than they were supposed to be, more like 14 or 15, instead of 17. The intimate scenes are definitely much more explicit than Judy Blume ever was. Because I felt like the characters seemed younger, sometimes I felt a little uncomfortable reading about their intimacy. I wonder if it is because I have been reading more new adult lately, and any young adult books haven't had as much of the sex piece in them?

The curiosity of uncharted territory is definitely captured, as well as the conversations had between the friends following every little step along the way. The confusion of the parents, their frustration, concern, and sadness at watching their kids grow up, while also embracing their independence, is also captured. I think it is a much more accurate portrayal of what really happens during those awkward moments of exploration, rather than an instant lesson of all of the bad things that can come of having sex, or a fairytale romance that fits into a usual formula.

Available on Amazon

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

It was Back to School Night, and my parents were headed to the High School. I looked up from my book long enough to describe all my teachers. For example: “My science teacher will be wearing black chinos pulled waaay too high and a short-sleeved button-down with pens in the pocket. He has Mr. McGoo glasses and a three-strand comb-over. He’s totally weird.”

My parents returned to tell me a) I was grounded until I brought my grades up, and b) I had an uncanny ability to describe people. The teenage me, stressed out from deciding who I was and what I was supposed to do, snapped, “Yeah? Well, what job does that get me?!”

My mother gazed at me calmly. “You could be a writer. But for now, you’re grounded.”

I have never forgotten that moment. I took creative writing classes in college and continued to read a lot, but it wasn’t until I had children of my own that the idea for “The Recipe” came to me. My girls are avid readers, and I spent a lot of time hanging out in the youth room at the public library. I read a ton of current YA novels, and reread books from my teenage years. I began to look for contemporary stories about early sexual experiences that were as honest and non-judgmental as Judy Blume’s Forever. I didn’t find any, but I did find a dangerous mixed message.

On the one hand, overwhelming, irresistible (even paranormal) passion is presented as the ideal romantic experience. That unrealistic expectation, along with all the other unrealistic sexual images they find in books, movies, cable tv, and the internet, is bound to result disappointment in the real thing.

On the other hand, sexually active teen characters in books are invariably punished with pregnancy, violence, humiliation, heartbreak, or a sexually transmitted disease so virulent that it will not even let you die. Yes. If our teens give in to their normal, healthy impulses, they will surely become vampires.

So I decided to write a book about first love and “the first time” that would offer my daughters one story that is a little closer to the truth–things are bound to be less than perfect, and that’s not the end of the world (or the beginning of life after death, no matter what the French call it.) The process was difficult, rewarding, and a lot of fun, and there’s a good chance my daughters will never read it, because who wants to read a book about sex that your mother wrote. Gross.

I’m currently working on my second novel, and yeah, there will be more teens having sex in that one too.

Contact/Links:

maisy@maisydee.com
www.maisydee.com
https://www.facebook.com/maisy.dee.94
@MaisyDeeRecipe (twitter)

Maisy will be awarding a $50 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Follow the tour for more chances to win!