Komal Kant's Top Five Ingredients In A Contemporary Romance

Komal Kant is here today to tell us about contemporary novels. Yay! It's like one of my favourite genres.

It is so, so cool to have you here, Komal!!

So here are Komal's Top Five Ways To Know You're Reading a Contemporary Novel...

So, as a writer (and reader) of contemporary novels, there are certain things that I have come to expect from a good contemporary novel. These things are what make us so invested in the story and the characters. They make us fall in love, laugh, cry, and sometimes scream out in frustration. I’m specifically focusing on Young Adult/New Adult Contemporary novels for this post. These are some of the elements I think most contemporary novels share. Feel free to add your own! =)

Hot/sexy male character who makes you swoon

Come on. Isn’t this one of the main reasons we read contemporary, to add to our list of fictional boyfriends? What’s a good contemporary novel without a sexy male character for us to drool over?

More drama than a soap opera

It ain’t a contemporary unless there is some major drama going on. So and so slept with the ex-tennis instructor of the butcher’s son. Oh my!

Main character or love interest has a tragic past or serious issue

She has a broken family. He has a violent past. She has commitment phobia. He is allergic to shellfish. Whatever the issue is, you can be sure that at least one of the characters will have something that they need to overcome.

Steamy make out/sex scenes

Um, hello? Of course there has to be a little steaminess present! I love reading about the character’s first kiss or how they get all tingly when the hot guy is near. There can never be enough steaminess to make us swoon!

Misunderstanding

She said WHAT? Misunderstandings can often make up a good portion of a contemporary novel. It’s that super annoying moment when the main characters misinterpret what has been said or done, but we eat it up anyway because we know things will work out in the end, despite the drama. It’s all part of what makes contemporary novels so addictive!

What do you think is a must-have in a YA or NA Contemporary novel?

You can purchase Komal's AWESOME contemporary novels on Amazon.

Impossible

Falling for Hadie

Komal Kant is the author of IMPOSSIBLE and FALLING FOR HADIE, which are the first two novels in her Young Adult Contemporary series. She is currently working on her first YA Paranormal novel, RUNAWAY MORTAL, which is about a girl accused of murdering her powerful angel Headmistress.

Komal lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband, and one too many dogs and cats (although she never seems to think she has enough!) Komal talks too much, laughs too loud, sings out-of-tune, and generally says inappropriate things at appropriate times. She is overly enthusiastic about video games, comic books, Spiderman, Batman films, Byronic heroes, horror movies, baking and pretty shoes.

If you'd like to connect with Komal online, you can check out the links below.

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Series Highlight - A Dark Faerie Tale by Alexia Purdy

Alexia Purdy is a fantastic author who has become a great friend. I really respect her and am totally stoked to have her on YAlicious today.

She's here to tell us about her A Dark Faerie Tale Series as well as 5 things we didn't know about her. Fun!

Welcome to YAlicious, Alexia :)

Ever Shade (A Dark Faerie Tale #1) 
CURRENTLY FREE ON AMAZON

A dark twist on Faeries. 

For Shade, a chance meeting with a powerful Teleen faery warrior who wields electrical currents and blue fires along his skin has her joining him on a treacherous mission for the good Seelie Faerie Court across the land of Faerie. Magic and malice abound and nothing is what it really seems to be.

The evil Unseelie Queen and her treacherous allies are round every corner as Shade makes her way across the breathtaking landscapes of the world of Faerie, which exists alongside the mundane human world. Shade discovers her own uncharted magic and meets some of the most powerful warriors in Faerie while battling evil dryads, conniving Teleen guards and challenges on her life with every step in a world where nothing can be taken for granted.

Ever Fire (A Dark Faerie Tale #2)

Magic & Fire burn...

The Serenity of the Land of Faerie is threatened as the Unseelie Queen Aveta rages war against the three remaining Seelie Realms of Faerie. As Shade's powers grow, she finds she is running out of time to keep the war from spilling into the human world. Winter is growing in strength as the evil Queen's horrifying legions scar the land in their frigid wake. No one is safe. Shade becomes enemy number one for the Unseelie legions. Questioning her true role of power, Shade discovers the cost of winning may come at a much higher price than she ever imagined.

Ever Winter (A Dark Faerie Tale #3)

Shade has been left all, but shattered. Travelling to the Ice kingdom, along with her 'body guard' Dylan-who continues to be bound to her-to where the holder of her magic dwells. The war of Faerie amplifies and her only chance to save it will be to resist the enchantments of the Ice King, one of the Ancient rulers of Faerie. But, he has his own agenda and will do anything to stop her from making it to the Summer Kingdom, with her family, to claim back her throne

These Ancients of Faerie don't want her to succeed, and the wards between the land of Faerie and the mortal world are blurring rapidly. Shade must face treacheries in every crevice of the land, even among the human mortals and trusted allies, before all is lost.

Alexia currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada–Sin City! She loves to spend every free moment writing or playing with her four rambunctious kids. Writing has always been her dream and she has been writing ever since she can remember. She loves writing paranormal fantasy and poetry and devours books daily. Alexia also enjoys watching movies, dancing, singing loudly in the car and Italian food.

5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ALEXIA

1. I’m a twin, yep, I look nothing like my brother!

2. I hate typing. Bad thing for a writer, No?

3. On my bucket list: go to as many beaches as I can to either, A) sleep or B) read lots of books and C) maybe dip my feet in the water (I’m afraid of drowning).

4. Favorite bribe: Mambas, bring me some.

5. When I was 3, I wanted to be a nurse, an author, a dancer, a singer, a movie star, an artist, an ice skater, and be a circus trapeze performer. Yeah, I was ambitious early in life.

LOL. It's always good to have dreams, Alexia :) Thanks so much for sharing and I'm so grateful you decided to become an author.

If you'd like to connect with Alexia online, please follow the links below:

Alexia Purdy’s Blog

Alexia Purdy’s Website

Twitter

Goodreads Author page

Alexia Purdy’s Facebook Fan Page

Ever Shade (A Dark Faerie Tale) Facebook Fan page

Reign of Blood Series Facebook Fan Page

Book Highlight: Stained by Ella James

It is my great pleasure to have Ella James visiting YAlicious today. She is an amazing author with a hefty pile of books to her name. Today she is here to tell us about her Stained Series.

Welcome to YAlicious, Ella! 

BOOK ONE IN THE BESTSELLING STAINED SERIES:

Seventeen-year-old Julia is finally living the good life. She's traded a hard cot in a Memphis orphanage for her very own room in a perfect little house, on a perfect little street, with a perfect set of parents who picked her to be their daughter. 

But Julia is hiding a secret - and one fall night, she returns home from a friend's house to find that her secret has found her. Her 'forever home' is ashes. Her parents are dead. And, in the sky above the flames, a winged creature hunts her.

The Nephilim King, Samyaza, has taken everything from Cayne. After struggling in the darkness for years to piece together his shattered life, Cayne is finally ready to confront his past and avenge the loss of everything he loved. He tracks Samyaza to a Memphis warehouse, where he winds up flat on his back, in the healing hands of a beautiful, dark-haired girl he doesn't need to know. 

Unbeknownst to either of them, they are already bound. Cayne's past holds the answers to Julia's future. But what will pose the greatest threat to her? The bounty placed on her head by the leaders of two Celestial realms, or giving her heart to a man who is predestined to break it? 

- STAINED BOOKS TWO AND THREE LISTED IN AMAZON'S TOP 100 YA EBOOKS OF 2012.

-NOMINATED BEST DEBUT NOVEL AT UTOPYA CONVENTION 2012.

-NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 10 YA ROMANCE BOOKS OF 2011.

-WINNER OF THE FLAMINGNET TOP CHOICE AWARD.

-CAYNE NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 10 BEST BOOK BOYFRIENDS OF 2011.

-FEATURED ON NUMEROUS AMAZON BESTSELLER LISTS.

-FIRST IN A COMPLETED SERIES OF FOUR (INCLUDING STOLEN, CHOSEN, AND EXALTED).

Five Things You Didn't Know About The Stained Series: 

1) I wrote Stained during a break from college in 2006, and then I stuck it in a drawer until my sister gave me a Kindle in 2012. I never planned to finish the series until I put it up for sale online and people wanted other books. 

2) The Stained Series enabled both my husband and I to quit our jobs and pursue writing full-time. We've both written other books, but Stained was what opened doors for us in 2012. 

3) Samyaza is a real name from the Bible, but Cayuzul is one I made up because I needed a Nephilim-iszed form of "Cayne". 

4) I visited Killin, Cayne's hometown in Scotland, during my honeymoon in 2011. It wasn't so different from how I thought it would be. 

5) I'm probably going to do a spinoff featuring two of the Stained characters whose journeys weren't wrapped up in the epilogue of the fourth and final Stained Series book. 

Thanks for sharing those, Ella. I love that you were able to visit Killin. That must have been pretty cool.

You can pick up copies of Ella's books on Amazon.

If you'd like to connect with Ella online, you can follow the links below:
Website
Twitter
Facebook

Betwixt is ON SALE!

BETWIXT IS ON SALE!!

Only $1.99 until March 31st.

"Gripping and evocative. A dark tale that strikes close to your heart, rekindling hope and faith." 

T. G. Ayer - Author of The Valkyrie Novels.

* * * * * * * * * * 

For every copy of Betwixt sold, a portion will be donated to a charity organisation - Love146.

These guys are working to prevent child exploitation and trafficking. They also help with rehabilitation and gifting the freed children a chance at a life filled with hope and promise.

Betwixt is a story about being rescued and redeemed. Love146 does an amazing job at restoring those who have been broken.

* * * * * * * * * * 

Beautiful, wild-chid Nicole Tepper is hit by a car and left for dead. But when she wakes the next morning, Nicole finds herself in bed without a scratch. Perhaps she was more intoxicated than usual, as her mother is giving her the silent treatment and her friends are ignoring her as well. 

Things take a turn for the weird when Nicole soon discovers she is actually hovering between life and death. Her body is lying in the forest while her spirit is searching for anyone who can hear her. Unfortunately the only person who can is Dale Finnigan, the guy she publicly humiliated with a sharp-tongued insult that has left him branded.

Desperate, Nicole has no choice but to haunt Dale and convince the freaked-out senior to help her. Will he find her body before it's too late? Or will the guy who tried to kill her with his car, beat him there and finish her off before anyone finds out?

Check out Amazon stores to purchase a copy.

Amazon USA
Amazon UK

What's Wattpad? Tara West Is Here To Tell Us.

Tara West was the author who first put me onto Wattpad. I'd never heard of this writing platform before, but having spent a little time there, I truly understand its awesomeness. Tara West has had a lot of success on the site, so I have invited her here to tell us a little about it, plus show case a couple of her fantastic books.

Welcome to YAlicious, Tara!

Wattpad rocks on so many levels. It’s like Facebook, Twitter and GoodReads all rolled into one, but only for writers and readers. If you’re a writer trying to reach a target group of readers, look no further than Wattpad. Any level of writer can join, from the novice to the established author.

When I joined Wattpad last year, I was a bit overwhelmed by everything to see and do, but I quickly found my way. Since I posted Sophie’s Secret on Wattpad, it has had over 500 thousand reads (they count each chapter as a read) and it’s earned over 2,500 votes. I’ve made some awesome fans from Wattpad, too, and it’s driven sales to my other three books in the series.

If you are interested in getting your book featured on Wattpad, click on the help section and contact Wattpad. It sometimes takes a few weeks for them to get back to you, but if they agree to feature your book, you will also have a contest opportunity and a chance to write a blog for Wattpad as well. I highly recommend it. It’s driven even more traffic to my page.

If you are an emerging writer, post on Wattpad for feedback on your story. Before uploading, Wattpad has a copyright section where you can check that all rights are reserved on your story, meaning the story belongs to YOU. Emerging writers can also read stories by published authors for free. It’s a perfect way to improve and perfect your own style. Plus get tips on grammar, characterization and plotting.  

Dearest Wattpad,

How I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Published Writers:

1. Connect with fans.

2. Get feedback on your stories.

3. Increase your visibility.

4. Increase your sales.

Emerging writers:

1. Connect with other writers

2. Get feedback on your manuscripts.

3. Learn how to develop your style of writing.

4. Launch your writing career!

I’d like to extend a special thanks to the Wattpad team for giving me an exceptional experience there. If you are still thinking of signing up, especially if you are a YA writer or reader, DO IT ALREADY!    

Thanks for your insights Tara. My suggestion is you listen to her and get yourself over to Wattpad :) It's a ton of fun.

Tara West is the YA paranormal and fantasy author of the Whispers Series and the Keepers of the Stones Saga. Read her paranormal YA, Sophie's Secret, and her fantasy romance, Witch Flame, for free on Wattpad.  http://wattpad.com/TaraWest . You can also download Sophie's Secret and Witch Flame for free at most major ebook retailers. 

If you'd like to connect with Tara online, you can follow the links below:

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Book Highlight - Jordyn by Tiffany King

Tiffany King is a member of one of my Facebook groups. She's great and it's a total pleasure featuring her book, Jordyn on YAlicious today.

Hand to hand combat training: Check

Cardio and strength training: Check

Daemon hunting: Check

Anomaly: Check

Check, check, check, check...That's all my life is. There's nothing ordinary about me. I'm  "special." I know this because I'm reminded of it every stinking day. I can kick a Daemon's ass with both hands tied behind my back. I can run up a mountain without breaking a sweat. Know what I can't do? Get guys to notice me, or hang out with friends like normal people do. I can't just be ordinary because I have an Arch Angel for a mentor who is always breathing down my neck, and a family of angelic Guides and Protectors who scrutinize every little thing I do. Just for a day I want a life where I'm no longer some anomaly, where I don't have to feel like a lab rat.

And then I met Emrys. Okay, so my mentor and family hate him, but probably for good reason. After-all, he is a Soul Trader, and they aren't the most trust worthy beings. But, he is sooo hot with his green eyes, leather jacket and the sexiest tattoo you've ever seen running down his back. And he doesn't treat me like a project.

I've got myself in quite a little quandary here. Choosing between my responsibilities and the Trader that holds my heart is something I didn't sign up for. Torn between two different worlds, I must now decide who to trust and who to walk away from. What's a girl to do? See what I mean? I am an anomaly. I am Jordyn.

Man I love heroines who can kick some butt!! Already receiving great reviews, Jordyn is a must for your reading list.

You can purchase copies on AMAZON and BARNES and NOBLE.

You can also add the book to your reading list on GOODREADS.

Tiffany King is the author of The Saving Angels Series, Wishing for Someday Soon, Forever Changed, Unlikely Allies, Miss Me Not and Jordyn: A Daemon Hunter Novel book one. Writer by day and book fanatic the rest of the time, she is now pursuing her life-long dream of weaving tales for others to enjoy.

She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, and her favorite TV shows.

"Books provide the ultimate getaway for me. A good story is a vehicle that takes you to another place, another time, or another world. I love reading the words and letting my imagination do the rest. I appreciate and respect every author who has the courage to put your work out there for the world to see."

If you'd like to connect with Tiffany online, you can follow the links below:
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

A Chat With Book Reviewer, Alice Priday

For those you who don't know Alice, she is wonderful. A fellow kiwi, an avid reader and such an amazing support to indie authors. She runs a blog called Best Books where she reviews books.

It's incredibly cool to have you join us today, Alice. Welcome to YAlicious.

When did you first discover your love for reading?

I’ve always loved to read, even as a young kid. At age five, I was always top of the class for my reading, and I loved the trips to the school library. As I got older I started to read my mum’s Mills and Boon books and they kept me going until I raided the town library or my high school library.

What is your favorite genre now and why do you like it?

My favorite has to be historical romance. I love the settings, and the way men used to be gentleman, not like they are now. The worlds that the historical romance authors create really draw me in, the clothes, I love it all, and I really think I was born in the wrong time frame lol.

What kinds of book covers draw you in?

I love bright covers with heaps of colour; also covers with hot men on them. Can’t go wrong with those.  If the cover is eye catching then I look at the blurb, if I like what I read there, then I buy it.

What's the most recent book you've read that you thought would make an awesome movie?

Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas, Shadow Falls Series by CC Hunter, Fallen Crest High by TiJan, Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, anything by Abbi Glines, and I think Melissa Pearl’s Time Spirit Series would make an awesome movie.

Are you a fast or slow reader?

I’m a very fast reader. I've already read 85 books this year. I can easily read one or more books a day, depending on how busy I am with work, also helps that I'm an insomniac lol

A REVEIWER'S RECOMMENDATIONS

A traditionally published author you love: Sherrilyn Kenyon is my absolute fave author, been reading her Dark Hunter world since I was 16. Also love Rachel Vincent, Cinda Williams Chima, and Kristin Cashore.

An indie author you love: this one is hard but I have picked my faves, Melissa Pearl of course, her work is amazing, especially Betwixt.  T. G. Ayer, love her Valkyrie series. Abbi Glines, love all of her books and TiJan. I read her books Broken and Screwed, and Fallen Crest High, both are really good books and I highly recommend them.

One of your favorite YA books: again I can’t pick one, The Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer, The Light Blade series by Kylie Griffin, Blood Storm and Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart, Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins, Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas. River of Time Series by Lisa Tawn Bergren.

One of your favorite Adult books: all the Dark Hunter, Were Hunter and Dream Hunter books from Sherrilyn Kenyon, The Shifters series by Rachel Vincent and Dream Man series by Kristen Ashley.

A book you've read more than once and the reason why: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire,  this book is just simply amazing, and every time I read it, it gets better and stays with me longer and longer, and its harder to move onto another book once I have read this one, anxiously awaiting Walking Disaster to be released.

It's so cool to see all your book recommendations. I definitely have som books to add to my TBR. Thanks!

If you'd like to connect with Alice online, you can follow the links below:

Blog

Goodreads

Twitter

Twitter - Best Books

Facebook

Facebook  - Best Books