Tragic - Book Blast!

TRAGIC: Rook and Ronin, #1
By J. A. Huss
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Published May 15, 2013
Science Future Press

Rook Walsh is TRAGIC

Because life so far – just sucks. Some girls get parents. Rook got the foster care system. Some girls get Prince Charming. Rook got an abusive frog. Some girls get lucky…

Rook got a second chance.

And she took it. Because when fate throws you a bone – you grab it with both hands and run.

Antoine Chaput knows the minute he spies Rook in his photography studio that she’s got The Look. The dark and desperate look he must have to land the exclusive TRAGIC media contract.

Rook is paired up with top model, Ronin, and he’s everything her abusive ex-boyfriend wasn’t. Patient, gentle, happy, attentive, and sexy! He knows exactly what to do to make Rook blush for Antoine’s camera.

Rook’s luck changes in an instant and suddenly she’s the darling of the modeling world. It’s a dream job to go with a dream guy and all she has to do is look pretty and follow directions. But there’s always a price to pay – and Rook is about to get the bill.

New Adult Contemporary Romance *Mature Content* Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language usage

**Does contain strong language

I gather up all my clothes and stick them in the stackable washer in the closet just off the bedroom. The breeze caresses my naked limbs and gives me the chills, but I enjoy it. The goose bumps travel up my arms and spread out to my whole body. I shiver for a second and then head to the kitchen.

And stop dead in the living room.

Ronin fucking Flynn is sleeping on the couch.

What is he doing here? My eyes track to the front door and I suppose it's my fault, I left it open. There's nothing but a screen door between this apartment and the terrace. My gaze wanders back to the sleeping man. He's lying on his stomach, his one arm tucked underneath him, the other falling over the edge of the cushion, and he's shirtless.

And then I realize I'm naked.

"Shit!"

He stirs and I make a break for the bedroom. It's one thing to let him see me naked half hidden in darkness and quite another to be fully illuminated by the bright morning sunshine. I wrangle the sheet around my body and then head back to the living room, wistfully looking at the washer that contains every single article of clothing I own.

"Ronin!" I say loudly.

Nothing except a half-muffled snore from him. Lord, this man has the most perfectly chiseled and muscular back I've ever seen. Both hands pull up and go under his face, like he's blocking out the sunlight, and this gives me the perfect opportunity to study his flexing biceps. The muscles are thick and hard-looking near his shoulders. They curve down, dip into a little valley, and then climb once again.

I lean down and smell him.

"Why are you sniffing me?" he asks groggily.

"Uh—" Because you smell delicious, the inner Rook says. But luckily the outer Rook says, "I'm checking to see if you're drunk. Why are you sleeping on my couch?"

He peeks up, opening one eye in my direction, squints, and then croaks out some words. "I love your outfit." He grins, winks, and then drops his head back down into his arms.

"Are you leaving?" I ask, frustrated and confused at the same time. "I mean, why are you here?"

"I told you I'd come back with dinner. But when I got here, the lights were on and you were in bed. I only sat down for a second to think up a rational excuse to wake you up, but I guess I fell asleep." He raises his head again, grins sheepishly, and then rolls over on his back, tucks his hands behind his neck, and flashes his perfect body at me as he closes his eyes, probably confident that I'll be checking him out.

I do check him out. It's quite hard not to notice that he's got the perfect six-pack abs and that absolutely adorable fuzzy happy trail you see on a shirtless designer jeans model. Hmmmm… maybe he is that model? "You have no shirt on."

Yes, after all that gawking, I finally manage the obvious.

He opens the one eye to look at me again. "Neither do you."

Purchase your copyAvailable on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.

J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

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Rebecca Ethington Book Blast!

Joclyn Despain has been marred by a brand on her skin. She doesn't know why the mark appeared on her neck, but she doesn't want anyone to see it, including her best friend Ryland, who knows everything else about her. The scar is the reason she hides herself behind baggy clothes, and won't let the idea of kissing Ryland enter her mind, no matter how much she wants to.

The scar is the reason she is being hunted.

If only she knew that she was.

If only she had known that the cursed stone her estranged father sent for her 16th birthday would trigger a change in her. Now, she is being stalked by a tall blonde man, and is miraculously throwing her high school bully ten feet in the air.

Joclyn attempts to find some answers and the courage to follow her heart. When Ryland finds her scar; only he knows what it means, and who will kill her because of it.

“Loved the world, the concept, all of the characters (good and bad), and just everything about this story! On to the next one!” -Jena, Shortie Says

“I loved this book from the very first lines… I think it will be hard to move on to another story for a while. -Steele Reviews

“It’s amazing and left me at the edge of my seat through the night as I read.” - Zach’s YA Reviews

On May 15th - 16th Kiss of Fire will be free on Amazon!

AMAZON

Can also be found on Barnes & Noble

Book 2 in the Imdalind series!

Joclyn is in hiding, hunted by the man she still desperately loves. Ryland is gone, his mind erased, no memory of Joclyn remains. But, Joclyn’s heart desperately begs her to hold out hope. While, in reality the black eyed monster that possesses him, attempts to kill her over and over.

If it wasn’t for Ilyan, Joclyn would be dead by now.

Ilyan. The man who once stalked her, is now Joclyn’s protector, the only thing she has left. He protects Joclyn from the men who seek to end her life, and while she is haunted by dreams where Ryland begs her to break the bond between them.

Ilyan is there. Always there.

Ilyan trains and prepares her, teaching her everything she needs to know in the hope that one day she can avenge Ryland, if not protect herself from him.

And then there is her father.

The man who has never been there, is suddenly responsible for everything. And who he is has made Joclyn into something she never wanted to be.

The Silnỳ.

"If you like magic and paranormal books you NEED to read this series." - Book Briefs

"Eyes of Ember was so amazing! I can't even put into words how amazing. It's Brilliant." - Imagine a World

Get your copy of Eyes of Ember for only $.99! 

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Rebecca Ethington is a story teller and author from Salt Lake City, Utah. She has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then in stage with years of theatrical performances. Rebecca’s first stint into the world of literary writing, The Imdalind Series, was released in October 2012 and since its release each book has been found in several top 100 lists on Amazon. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her crazy family.

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Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Hi everyone!  I'm back with another review: 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

My boyfriend's sister bought me a copy for my birthday.  I recently read Sharp Objects, Flynn's debut novel, and fell in love with her writing style, creepy tone, and unbelievably good plot twists.

Here's the synopsis, for anyone who hasn't already read this bestseller (I'm so behind on bestsellers...):

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? 

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

I loved that the POV switched from chapter-to-chapter, between Nick Dunne's narration and Amy Dunne's diary entries.  Each character's voice is distinct - really unique - and there is the perfect dash of humor thrown in with the creepiness.  

This was one of those books that made me nearly miss my train stops.  I couldn't put it down.  I couldn't stop reading once I was off the train, either.  

From reading other reviews and talking to friends and family, it appears that there's an even divide between people who liked the ending and didn't like the ending.  I think I'm in the latter camp, unfortunately.  One of the main things I enjoyed about this book was its pacing; I feel like the ending was rushed - very sudden - and this took me out of the story a bit.

However, this will not deter me from reading Flynn's other novel, Dark Places.  It's certainly up high on my "must read" list.  I also eagerly await for whatever she writes next!

So, Gone Girl readers: how did you feel about the ending?  [no spoilers, please] 

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

I'm sort of embarrassed to say it's taken me this long to read Jennifer Egan's A Visit from the Goon Squad.  

The book, published in June of 2010, received some really stellar praise: it was a National Book Critics Circle Award Winner, a PEN/Faulkner Award finalist, and a New York Times Book Review "Best Book."  

And it's taken me (gasp)... 3 years to read it.  I can't really tell you why; I think I was just busy reading other things.  If I could go back in time, I would've read it the day it came out.  And again.  And again, a few months later.  

I fell in love with this book.

Here's the synopsis, for anyone who may not know it:

Bennie is an aging former punk rocker and record executive. Sasha is the passionate, troubled young woman he employs. Here Jennifer Egan brilliantly reveals their pasts, along with the inner lives of a host of other characters whose paths intersect with theirs. With music pulsing on every page, A Visit from the Goon Squad is a startling, exhilarating novel of self-destruction and redemption.

What I loved most about this book, I think, was how it made me think as a writer.  Egan does some really wonderful things with point-of-view and formatting.  Some segments are third-person; some segments are first person.  One chapter is in the form of PowerPoint presentation slides!  It took a little time to get used to it, but that segment was one of the most moving in the book.

The characters have enchanting quirks (Bennie sprinkles gold flakes in his coffee, in hopes that their aphrodisiac properties will get him feeling again).  Each chapter is a new lens into a group of people affected by time and circumstance.  There is humor (quite a bit), and there is emotion.  Reading A Visit from the Goon Squad made me eager to take chances with my own writing; I don't think I could pull off PowerPoint slides as well as Egan, but it sure as heck made me want to try.    

My Entry in Pixelhose Second Writing Competition!

Hi everyone!  I'm thrilled to report that my creative non-fiction piece, "Girls I Shouldn't Know," is a qualified entry for the Second Writing Competition at Pixelhose.

You can find the story here: "Girls I Shouldn't Know"

I'd love if you could leave a comment underneath the story, "like" it, or share on Twitter.  Please help spread the word!

(And, remember that you can follow me on Twitter: @daniellevillano.)

An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken

Elizbeth McCracken wrote one of my favorite books, The Giant's House. It's a book that I've picked up many times throughout the years. I'm always blown away by the beautiful language and unforgettable characters.

Reading An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination was just as much an unforgettable experience. Knowing that this is not a fictional piece, but memoir, adds a tremendous weight to the words. This is a heartbreaking story told with such precision and care - it took everything in me not to sob on the train home from work. 

Here's the synopsis from Amazon:

"This is the happiest story in the world with the saddest ending," writes Elizabeth McCracken in her powerful, inspiring memoir. A prize-winning, successful novelist in her 30s, McCracken was happy to be an itinerant writer and self-proclaimed spinster. But suddenly she fell in love, got married, and two years ago was living in a remote part of France, working on her novel, and waiting for the birth of her first child.

This book is about what happened next. In her ninth month of pregnancy, she learned that her baby boy had died. How do you deal with and recover from this kind of loss? Of course you don't--but you go on. And if you have ever experienced loss or love someone who has, the company of this remarkable book will help you go on.

With humor and warmth and unfailing generosity, McCracken considers the nature of love and grief. She opens her heart and leaves all of ours the richer for it.

Though the situation presented is not something I can relate to in my own life, I felt emotions alongside McCracken. I will continue to be inspired by this writer's attention to detail and mastery of language.

Check out a Clip from the Z Audiobook!

Hi everyone! It's certainly been awhile, and I apologize for that.  I recently took a week-long vacation to Florida with my boyfriend, which was super relaxing.  I confess, I didn't get much reading done - there was too much lounging to do ;-)

But now I'm back, with some reviews and posts lined up.  But first:

Do you remember my review of Therese Anne Fowler's Z?  I absolutely adored this book.  Well, I was contacted by the people at Macmillan Audio with the opportunity to listen to an excerpt of the audiobook version!  

Jenna Lamia reads, and her voice has me hooked.  In my mind, she's Zelda Fitzgerald.  I think that listening to this book would be an entirely new and exciting experience!  

Here's the clip, which I'm so thrilled to share with you!

Once again, be sure to check out my previously-posted review here.  And let me know what you think of the audio clip!