NEW RELEASE and GIVEAWAY - Losing Francesca by J. A. Huss

I am so excited to see that Losing Francesca is now available. I purchased a copy straight away and e-mailed the author to ask if she'd be willing to visit YAlicious with a guest post about the book. She very kindly obliged :)

Welcome to YAlicious, Julie. It's awesome to have you.

Soul Mates

Losing Francesca is not a story I typically write. I’m a science fiction writer first, a smexy new adult romance writer second, and although I do read young adult books, they are almost always paranormal or science fiction.

So why write this story?  Well, it’s a contemporary romance with a twist and I like twists.  It’s a mystery actually – you see, no one knows what happened to Fiona Sullivan twelve years ago when she and her mother went missing in Italy on vacation, but there’s a whole community of people dying to figure this out.

And one of those people who desperately needs to know if Francesca Sabatini is the same little girl who was stolen from his life when he was just seven years old is Brody Mason.

Brody admits he’s been obsessed with Fiona since her disappearance and the day he was told she was never coming back was the last day he really lived his life, because he spent the next several years desperate with longing to see her again.

Why is Brody so interested in the missing Fiona Sullivan?

Fiona Sullivan was his soul mate.  He loved this girl as a child, he loved this girl as they rode the bus together in their early school years, and he’s got it in his head that Francesca is Fiona. They are the same girl.  He feels this to be true even though he has no proof and she denies over and over again that she is not Fiona Sullivan.

It doesn’t matter to Brody, because a soul mate knows.  He just knows.  That’s the major theme running through Losing Francesca.  Normally I like to make statements with my books, at least make people think a little about some issue or another – see it in a different way.  But this book is just about love.  The kind of love that not only comes once in a lifetime, but once in eternity. Soul mates are forever.  There is no limit to that love.

So why is Brody so tortured?

Imagine you and your soul mate were born living next door to each other.  How wonderful to spend your entire life within a few minutes walking distance to your one true love.

Now imagine that your soul mate was taken away.  How empty and desperate would your life become?

Brody Mason fully understands both of those feelings because that’s what happened to him.

Losing Francesca is about a family that was broken apart, a boy who was torn to pieces, and a girl who needs to put herself back together again. It’s a sweet mysterious romance that will take your mind off life, maybe make you cry a bit, and leave you hopeful at the end.

Losing Francesca By J. A. Huss

Published: July 1, 2013

Genre: Mature Young Adult Contemporary Romance

WARNING: This book contains no smut. It’s not smexy or hot. It’s sweet and filled with a longing so deep, your heart will ache and maybe even break. This book is about bare feet on the beach, the sound of crashing waves, first kisses, losing your faith and then, against all odds, finding it again. This book is about bad things that change people’s lives, a father’s love for his daughter, a brother’s love for his sister, a bad boy who finally figures out why he’s so broken, and a girl who grows up.

Francesca Sabatini came to America to take in the sights, celebrate her high school graduation, and have fun wasting time before college starts in the fall.

That’s not what happens.

Fresh off the plane and barely on American soil more than a handful of minutes, Francesca’s face is recognized by TSA scanners to be a match for a child who was kidnapped twelve years ago.

Brody Mason remembers the day Fiona Sullivan went missing during a family vacation in Italy and it’s haunted him his whole life. So when Francesca shows up at the Sullivan farm down the road, he’s compelled to figure out if this girl really is his long lost friend.

But Francesca knows she’s not Fiona Sullivan. She knows exactly who she is. At least she thinks she knows – until Brody Mason relentlessly pursues her and she begins to have feelings for him. Maybe being Fiona isn’t so bad?

Reality becomes blurred, secrets are revealed, and life will never be the same when the final questions are answered: Is she Francesca or Fiona? And where does she really belong?

Losing Francesca is a YA/NA crossover contemporary romance. :)

GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17404206-losing-francesca

KOBO link: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Losing-Francesca/book-m3NVblrIfUy3kAqen3Rm2g/page1.html?s=bvG6Nhh_M0-USe8yiPFc4A&r=3

B&N link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/losing-francesca-j-a-huss/1115844179?ean=2940016771748

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Losing-Francesca-ebook/dp/B00DMVZ4DM/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JA Huss is a SF and new adult romance junkie, has a love-hate relationship with the bad boys, and likes to write new adult books about people with real problems. She lives with her family on a small acreage farm in Colorado and has two donkeys named Paris and Nicole. Before writing fiction, she authored almost two hundred science workbooks and always has at least three works in progress. Losing Francesca is her first young adult romance.

GOODREADS PROFILE: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6446815.J_A_Huss

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJAHuss

WEBSITE: http://jahuss.com/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/JAHusS

BLOG: http://newadultaddiction.blogspot.com/

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COVER REVEAL - Forged by Legacy: Beginnings by Angela Orlowski-Peart

The third book in the Forged series, Forged by Legacy: Beginnings is coming out on July 10, 2013. Look for it on Amazon first, since their publishing machine works the fastest. Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Sony will follow soon too.
Cover design: Jeannie Ruesch  

Genre: Young Adult paranormal.
Synopsis: Forged by Legacy: Beginnings is the second of two prequels to the Forged series. It is a collection of five short stories, each told from a different character's point-of-view. These stories explain some of the behind-the-scenes facts from the Forged series. Do you want to know how the protagonists, Jatred and Jasmira fell in love? And what really happened during the deadly plane crash? How about the reason behind Savannah and Logan's breakup? Or how do the teens shape shift for the first time? Forged by Legacy: Beginnings answers all these questions - and more.    
Angela Orlowski-Peart was born and raised in Poland. She describes herself as European born, American by choice. She was just seven-years-old when she decided to learn English and translate her favorite Polish fairytales. Angela is the author of the Young Adult and New Adult fiction novels, including YA paranormal/urban fantasy series, The Forged. First book in series, Forged by Greed, was published on September 20, 2012. There are two anthologies of short stories, serving as the prequels to the series. First of them, Forged by Magic: Origins was published on May 31st, 2013. The second anthology, Forged by Legacy: Beginnings, will be out on July 10, 2013. Next three full size novels, including Forged by Coalescence, will be released in 2013 and 2014. Angela is passionate about watercolor painting, fashion—especially stilettos, rock climbing, environment, and organic food and gardening. She lives in the Seattle area with her family and a chronically curious cat. Angela can be found on her website, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest. Stay in touch by signing for Angela’s newsletter HERE.

AUTHOR HIGHLIGHT - Sarah Alderson

I discovered this talented lady when a friend of mine gifted me her book, Hunting Lila. It took me a while to get around to reading it, but when I did.... oh my goodness!!!! I devoured it...and then I immediately purchased Losing Lila (2nd book in the series) and promptly devoured that as well.

Sarah Alderson KNOWS how to write. Her Lila books were fast paced, filled with complex characters, and had one of the best romances I've read in a while. Oh yeah, she's also the queen of similes.

It is my absolute pleasure to have her visit YAlicious today and tell us a little more about the Lila series and her own writing.

First off, I just want to say how much I loved these books. The thing that drew me in more than anything was the awesome romance between Alex and Lila. When you created Alex you must have been swooning. What do you love most about him?
Thanks! Yes indeed, Alex was very much my dream man. When I wrote the book I was completely in love with him (still am). He basically was a composite of a few people and had all the qualities I find attractive in a man. I think what I love most about him is that he's just quietly protective. I'm so sick of reading books about alpha guys who are basically a'holes. You know the ones where they're really aggressive and controlling to the point of being psycho stalkers? That's not sexy. Come on girls. I wish people would read more critically as that's just damaging to young girls who grow up then thinking that's what an ideal man should be like. I love Alex's honour and integrity. That's hot.

You have so many fantastic characters in these books. I ended up liking so many of them. They felt like family somehow. Do you have a favourite among them or one that you felt most connected to?
Oh wow. I'm so connected to all the characters in these books. They're very real to me so it's hard to say, especially as I've spent time in most of their heads now for a short story collection coming out in October, so I feel I know them even better. I love Alex and Lila but I suppose my heart really goes out to Demos. I think he's such a noble character and so misunderstood. He's acting from a place of love and deep mourning. But if I was going to be stranded on a desert island with one of them it would be Alex.

It must have been fun coming up with the different powers some of your characters have. If you had a power, what would you want it to be?
I think Jack's which only get's revealed in Losing Lila. I just love it. But being Nate would be cool too - I wouldn't mind being able to project anywhere I wanted. Imagine the things you could learn if you were a fly on the wall. I'd get all my celeb gossip first hand. I'd hang out a lot with Brangelina and the Obamas.

These books are packed full of awesome action. I love that Alex and Lila's brother are military trained. Did you have any challenges with writing these stories, making sure you were getting the finer details right?
That's why I'm grateful to write in the age of Wikipedia! Between that and reading other military websites and visiting Oceanside where the base is, I think I managed to pull it off. Also I watched Top Gun a lot as a kid. Does that count?

Do you have any future stories planned for Lila and Alex...or any of the other characters?
Tormenting Lila just came out. That's a short story ebook that's set 8 weeks after the end of Losing Lila. I also have a short story collection coming out in October which will include Turning Amber and Catching Suki as well as some new ones. Then there's a very R-rated deleted scene from Losing Lila that's being issued as part of an ebook bind up of the two Lila books - out in January. Everyone keeps asking me about a third Lila book and my feeling is that I will start writing it this year. I just want to make sure that the story is the best story I can think of before I commit. I wouldn't want to let anyone down.

Also the film of Hunting Lila is in the early stages of development - but if it gets the green light, which I'm hoping it does (and soon!) then yes, there will most definitely be a third book. 

Top 5
Music Style: Everything. Currently listening to The XX, The Lumineers, John Martyn, Joni Mitchell, The Civil Wars, Bon Iver, Mumford & Sons, Ohio. I guess I like folk and indie.

Movie Genre: Everything! Fave movies of the last six months: Argo, Django Unchained, Searching for Sugarman.

Book Genre: Young adult and literary fiction.

Ice cream flavour: Chocolate.

Place to write: Anywhere - but preferably my studio overlooking the rice paddies in Bali.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions, Sarah. I'm really excited about the latest short story and the collection you have coming out. Fingers crossed for the movie deal too!! How cool would that be!

If you'd like to purchase any of these awesome books, you can visit Sarah's AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE.

You can also connect with Sarah on her WEBSITE, TWITTER, GOODREADS and FACEBOOK.

A Chat With Book Reviewer - Sharon from Obsession With Books

This lady is one of my favourite reviewers. She writes such great reviews and I love the things she points out in a story.

It is my total pleasure to have her on YAlicious today :)

When did you first discover your love for reading? I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love and enjoy reading; I was a very nerdy child (nothing’s changed) and always had a book in my hand – my mother is constantly telling me I drove her crazy because I was off in fairy land with my books and she couldn’t get me to do anything or go anywhere.

What is your favourite genre now and why do you like? I enjoy a variety of genres and tend to change depending on my mood, at the moment it is Young Adult to include Paranormal, UF, Fantasy, Contemporary, Dystopian and Sci-fi – all must have romance though.

How do you like to feel when you finish a book? It depends on the book, if it evokes a lot of emotion it tends to stay with me for a long while after but I always like to feel a sense of fulfillment and happiness whether it was from the characters getting a HEA or an issue being resolved. I’m not a big fan of books that make me feel down, confused or angered, I love a happy, euphoric and content feeling.

What do you like most about reviewing books for authors? Promoting a book I have read and loved by sharing my thoughts and encouraging others to hopefully pick it up and enjoy it as much as I have.

Where's your favourite place to read? I can read anywhere and everywhere J we have a few beautiful parks near my home which are so peaceful so on a quiet day I will take my book there to read otherwise I am snuggled up on our comfy lounge, at the moment it so cold so it’s with the heat going & usually a hot drink in hand.

A REVIEWER'S RECOMMENDATIONS

A traditionally published author you love: Karen Marie Moning, Jennifer L. Armentrout

An indie author you love: M.R. Merrick, Marie Landry, Yourself!

One of your favourite YA books: Can I cheat & choose series ;) Covenant & Lux by Jennifer L. Armentrout and Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

One of your favourite Adult books: The Sea of Tranquility

A book you've read more than once and the reason why: I am obsessed with the Fever series by KMM so they are my go to books when I am in a slump or just want to revisit the amazing characters and story.

Thank-you, Melissa

It's my total pleasure. Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us a little about yourself :)

If you'd like to connect with Sharon online, you can follow the links below...

Blog

Goodreads

Twitter

Facebook

New Release - Rourk by Julia Crane

Julia Crane is an amazing author. It is my total privilege to feature her latest novella: Rourk.

Rourk Kavanagh is an elite elfin warrior, and a member of a human Special Forces team. During a routine mission in Afghanistan, he crosses paths with a dark supernatural creature—a d'jinn. 

His world gets turned upside down when the unthinkable happens: Keegan, his one true love, is kidnapped by an evil d'jinn. The d'jinn is seeking revenge for the death of his brother at Rourk's hands.

Fueled by fear over the potential loss of his wife, Rourk has only one thought—embrace the rage.

Purchase on AMAZON or BARNES and NOBLE.

However, because I like this lady so much, I am running a giveaway. I am gifting 5 digital copies of Rourk to anyone who'd like to enter.

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Indie Inked Solstice Sale - Friday's Books of the Day!

HAPPY SOLSTICE EVERYONE! Today is the final day of the sale and your last chance to enter the amazing signed paperback giveaway.

Entry details are on the Rafflecopter form below.

We have an awesome line up for you today.

SET IN STONE by Beth Balmanno

Fifteen year-old Valerie is used to losing things–she lost her dad to his job ages ago and her best friend moved with no warning...and hasn't been heard from since. During a weekend camping trip with her emotionally distant parents, she stumbles upon a hidden, mysterious stone and she finds herself desperate to keep it, to possess it. Two strange and beautiful boys have other plans, however. They follow her home–Leo, warm and seductive, who covets the stone and will stop at nothing to get it; and Noel, dark-haired and wise, who pledges to protect her and keep her safe.

As she delves deeper into the magic of the stone and the Celtic lore that surrounds it, Valerie realizes that she's losing. Again. But this loss might involve more than a magical stone – this time, she just might lose her heart.

PURCHASE ON AMAZON.

FREAK OF NATURE by Julia Crane

Donate Body to Science. Check.
When seventeen-year-old Kaitlyn checked the box, she never suspected she’d have her life–and her body–stolen from her. She awakens one day in a secret laboratory to discover that her body is now half-robot and is forced to hide her own secret: that she still has human emotions and a human mind. If the scientists who made her find out, they’ll erase what remains of who she was.

Kaitlyn finds an unlikely ally in Lucas, a handsome, brilliant scientist who can’t get over the guilt he feels knowing she was once a vibrant, beautiful young woman. He never expected a science project to affect him the way she does. As he tries to help her rediscover her past, he finds himself falling for the brave girl struggling to find her place and acceptance between the human and computer worlds.

PURCHASE ON AMAZON and BARNES and NOBLE.

SELLING SCARLETT by Ella James

Elizabeth DeVille doesn't belong at a party like this—one where the gowns cost more than her Camry and cigars run higher than her grad school utility bills. Dragged out of seclusion by her best friend Suri, Elizabeth is merely playing dress-up, rubbing elbows with a crowd that banished her troubled family years ago.

Hunter West is tired. Tired of parties, tired of pretending, and tired of trying to right a wrong that haunts him every day. Bourbon heir and professional poker player by day, by night Hunter is gambling with his life in a high-stakes game of crime and blackmail.

When Elizabeth stumbles into Hunter's den of vices, she's a light in the darkness, a flame in the void. And, just like everything he touches, Hunter mars her in a record time. To rectify the damage done, Elizabeth needs money she doesn't have, and she's come up with a foolproof way to get it.

Follow Elizabeth—code-named Scarlett—to the lush Nevada brothel where she'll auction her virginity and risk the only thing that's not for sale: her heart. The highest bidder is a familiar face, with wicked hands and the devil's mouth. And a secret so dark that it could cost her life.

PURCHASE ON AMAZON and BARNES and NOBLE.

RECALLED by Cambria Hebert

Love or Death? A simple question really. The choice seems obvious. But. What if you never knew love, what if your life was spent just trying to survive? What if you knew your fate before you were fully grown?

And then you died.

And you were given another chance. A better chance.

This new life depended upon one thing: your job. And so you agreed. You thought it would be simple. You thought it would be cut and dry.

It never is.

And now you are left holding the fate of someone else in the palm of your hand and you have to make the ultimate choice.

Love or Death?

PURCHASE ON AMAZON.

Also: today is the cover reveal for the second book in the Death Escorts Series - Charmed. Check it out!

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Indie Inked Solstice Sale - Thursday's Books of the Day!

For the next week, we are going to be doing daily highlights for the Solstice Sale. Remember, we are also running an amazing signed paperback giveaway.

Entry details are on the Rafflecopter form below.

We have an awesome line up for you today.

UNKNOWN by Melissa Pearl

Darkness is covering the land. As the city of Mezrah grows with power and greed, the rest of the world can only stand by and wait for their inevitable destruction. The only hope against this growing power is an ancient prophecy that people have stopped believing in.

Then a star begins to fall.

Princess Kyla of Taramon stopped believing in the power of light the day her father died. Trapped in a city she does not care for, under the watchful glare of her mother, the queen, she struggles to accept her fate.

Then a star begins to fall.

Jethro has loved Kyla for as long as he can remember. Learning that she was to marry his cousin drove a wedge between him and the feisty princess. Watching her from a distance is a torture he is unable to free himself from.

Then a star begins to fall, sparking an ember of hope and sending two seekers on a treacherous journey into the unknown.

PURCHASE on AMAZON.

TRAGIC by JA Huss

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.

PURCHASE on AMAZON, and BARNES and NOBLE.

FOREVER FAE by LP Dover

He leans down, lips parted, and then our lips connect... We didn’t know that this one kiss has FOREVER changed the Land of the Fae.

According to the Prophecy proclaimed many years ago, Princess Calista of the Summer Court is destined to change the Land of the Fae from the evil determined to destroy it. Her powers are phenomenal, and she secretly trains for battle with her handsome warrior friend, Merrick, who unbeknownst to her protects her heart as well, in hopes of keeping it for himself. At least, until the seductive Prince Ryder attends the Guardian Ceremony and instantly sends a fire burning through her veins and a connection so deep they both discover a love above anything imaginable.
No one knows how Calista is destined to change the kingdoms, but there is one that does. He not only craves Calista’s power, but her body as well, and his goal is to steal her power, make her his Dark Queen, and take over the Land of the Fae.
Will the evil succeed in claiming Calista’s soul? Or will the two men that fight for her heart save her from despair, and help her fulfill her destiny to become what she was meant to be.

PURCHASE on AMAZON.

FORGED BY GREED and FORGED BY MAGIC: ORIGINS by Angela Orlowski-Peart

Two Seattle 16-year-olds, Jatred and Jasmira, are not your typical star-crossed lovers. They are not even your typical Shape Shifters. Sure, they try to live an ordinary life. At least, as ordinary as the Prince and the Princess of the rivaling ancient Races--the Winter wolves and the Summer leopards--can live. But eventually they learn that not much about their existence can be normal. Especially when the Races' two commanding Goddesses are involved.

One of the Goddesses is on a quest to tilt the scale of power to her side. The other will never let it happen, even if it means kicking Jatred and Jasmira's love to the curb. Nothing is off limits, including removing Jatred's memories of Jasmira.

To complicate things even more, there are the Universe's powers to consider. They are trapped in an ancient Amulet in order to protect the stability of the world. But the Universe has a mind of its own, and when the powers are unleashed, the forces of nature are disturbed; earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions shake the Earth. All Shifters of both Races are summoned by their respective Goddesses to fight in the name of, or against, the normalcy of the world.

PURCHASE on AMAZON.

Forged by Magic: Origins is a collection of FIVE Young Adult (teen) fantasy short stories, featuring the characters from the Forged series. This is the first of two prequels to the series. Each story is told from a different character’s point-of-view.

Find out how the Amulet and the Dasht-e Kavir have been created, and how the powers of the Universe opened the gates to other dimensions, inadvertently releasing unworldly supernatural creatures into the Human World.

PURCHASE on AMAZON.

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