New Adult ebooks: The next big thing in Indie Publishing!
A new book category for YA lovers who want
their books to grow-up just like they have.
Easy by Tammara Webber - One of the first New Adult bestsellers
If you’ve grown up reading Young Adult books (YA) and you just can’t say goodbye to them, well, this is your ticket. Hold on to your youth for as long as you can. New Adult Fiction is the up-and-coming genre for eBooks – They still have the intense emotions and irrational behavior of YA Fiction, but with the serious responsibility, freedom, and romantic inclinations of an adult.
These are the coming-of-age books for people who have just discovered they’re no longer teenagers. The characters have moved away from home, maybe to go to University or to live on their own. They’re finally free of the ever watchful eyes of parents and guardians. Not only are they finding out what it means to be an adult, they are also learning how to handle so much freedom. They have complete control over their own decisions and can suddenly do whatever they want. This reminds me of the great quote: “With great power there must also come great responsibility.” (Fact of the day: You all probably heard that from Stan Lee (via Spiderman) but it actually originated from Voltaire.)
If you’re like me (and half the readers out there) you’re always going to love reading YA literature. However, you might also be starting to suspect that you’re getting too old for teen angst. New Adult literature is our saving grace. We can still read about young people falling in love, and watch the dramatic changes of a character who is gaining life experiences while leaving childhood behind, but we won’t be embarrassed to answer the simple question: What are you reading?
Check out USA Today’s Bestseller list – the Number One spot is currently being held by Jamie McGuire’s Walking Disaster. New Adult writer Carrie Butler says, “The e-book revolution pushed (New Adult) into the readers’ hands.” Readers were looking for books that bridged the gap between YA and Adult fiction. Of course, there is an element of sex in these books, but it isn’t the most important aspect, it’s more about self-discovery, the ups and downs of young love, and a happy-for-now-ending. It’s real and we want to read it.
While BookRix doesn’t yet have a genre for New Adult books, we’re suggesting that authors use it in their keywords. Discuss this new phenomena with our online community of writers, or search for free eBooks with New Adult content. Watch out, or you’ll be hooked! Not that being hooked would be a bad thing… You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t already ADDICTED TO READING.
Here are some great BookRix eBooks that could be marked as “New Adult” if it were an official category:
Evol by Jess Wygle
Heroes & Hearts by Noemi Betancourt
Heroes & Hearts: An eBook Review and $100+ Giveaway
Book for Review:
Heroes & Hearts
The Crystal Palace Chronicles Book One
by Noemi Betancourt
Genre: Fantasy Romance Adventure
Blurb: Isabel Kendra is no stranger to a life of struggle. When her father disappeared years ago she and her mother had to fend for themselves. Even now as a chef experiencing burn out on the job, she does what is necessary to pay her bills while dodging her mother’s attempts to find her a man. She is more than capable of taking care of herself and neither wants or needs some man to do it for her.
When Isabel comes home one day to find her house turned upside down she discovers her life is about to follow suit in this tale of swords and sorcery, love and prejudice. Prince Alaric is dashing, handsome and brave, everything a prince should be. He is also no stranger to the female form, yet when he meets the bold and vivacious Isabel, rather than be put off by her lack of docility he finds himself drawn to her allure in a way that he simply cannot understand.
Together the two must thwart the evil forces that threaten their lives and their worlds, while struggling against their own blistering attraction for each other. Can Isabel balance her aversion to the prince’s habit of coming to her rescue with the realization that sometimes it is all right to accept help from a man? And can Alaric handle himself around a damsel who gets herself out of her own distress and learn to be simply the man who loves her?
My Review: It had been a long time since I’d read a good Romance novel. I went through a phase in high school where I would stay up really late reading Romance novels, only to be too tired to wake up for my first class the next morning. The great thing about being involved with indie blog tours is that I’m exposed to so many different genres and so many talented new writers.
Initially, the cover of Heroes & Hearts is what drew me in. It reminds me of two things: (1) A Romance novel (duh…) and (2) A video game. Well, I thought to myself, I like both of those things, so I better get reading!
Heroes & Hearts is about Isabel, a strong female character (hooray for female role models!) who grew up with her single mother always pestering her to settle down with some man or another. Isabel is having none of it, and tells her mother that she’s happy with how things are. She doesn’t need a man to be happy. At this point, of course, all the readers are thinking (or hoping if you’re more sentimental) that she just hasn’t met the right one yet. And, you’re right!
Suddenly, Isabel is sent to another dimension where she finds out that she is heir to a country called Kendra. Her father is the Duke of Kendra, who left them when she was just a young girl, and turns out to be a coward who also turned his back on his people – allowing them to be captured by an evil Sorceress and her minions. Now the story starts to get interesting!
The reader is introduced to Prince Alaric, devastatingly handsome, brave, and of course a knight in shining armor. Isabel is immediately attracted to him, but keeps him at arms reach because of his bachelor ways and her inability to accept the help of a man. This is something that always gets me in Romance novels – the women are strong, but never strong enough to resist the overpowering instinct to fall in love.
Well, now I’m off track. Isabel and Alaric are sent to find the illusive “Silver Fleet” – a convoy of flying ships powered by magic that hold the strength of an army. They need the fleet to fight against the army of dead being led by the Lord of the Underworld. And Isabel needs to rescue her little brother from the wicked Sorceress. I love how in depth the fantasy realm becomes. There are manticores, dragons, warriors, oracles and Eagle Lords, and Isabel is put to the test against each one. There is sorcery and sword fights, magic and mayhem, and of course, love. The love scenes are filled with electricity and passion, enough that you’ll probably want to read them again.
Okay, I’m not going to say any more, so that you can enjoy it for yourself. I got a sneak peak at the second part of the series Descendants of Quendaris: The Crystal Palace Chronicles Book Two and it’s even better than Heroes & Hearts – There’s more action, more passion and the fantasy realm becomes so much more in depth. If you want to find out more, visit Noemi Betancourt’s BookRix Profile Page, or stop in at her personal BLOG. Be sure to follow the blog tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts and giveaways. Click HERE to see the schedule.
*FYI – There’s a rumor flying around that the author has already started writing Book Three of the series…
AND now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for – THE GIVEAWAY!
At the end of the tour, BookRix will be giving away a $100 Amazon gift card, a BookRix Sampler Pack (several great eBooks published by BookRix members), a copy of the newly released Descendants of Quendaris, and also some great swag (as pictured below). All the prizes go to ONE winner – You know you want it, so sign-up for the giveaway for your chance to win!
BookRix will also be doing a cover reveal for Descendants of Quendaris when we announce the Giveaway winner!
BUY LINKS: Amazon Kobo iTunes BookRix Goodreads
There's a t-shirt, a bookmark and a magnet!
BookRix Book Blog Tour #2: Heroes and Hearts
Follow The Crystal Palace Chronicles Part One: Heroes and Hearts as it goes on tour.
Each stop will share one or more of the following: A review, an interview, a giveaway, a guest post or a PROMO.
The Virtual Book Tour is on NOW!
April 8 – May 3
The Crystal Palace Chronicles Part Two: The Descendants of Quendaris is set to release on May 3rd, so now is your chance to get caught up on the story!
Over $300 in giveaway prizes!
Heroes and Hearts a Romance/Fantasy Adventure by Noemi Betancourt
Isabel Kendra is no stranger to a life of struggle. When her father disappeared years ago she and her mother had to fend for themselves. Even now as a chef experiencing burn out on the job, she does what is necessary to pay her bills while dodging her mother’s attempts to find her a man. She is more than capable of taking care of herself and neither wants or needs some man to do it for her.
When Isabel comes home one day to find her house turned upside down she discovers her life is about to follow suit in this tale of swords and sorcery, love and prejudice. Prince Alaric is dashing, handsome and brave, everything a prince should be. He is also no stranger to the female form, yet when he meets the bold and vivacious Isabel, rather than be put off by her lack of docility he finds himself drawn to her allure in a way that he simply cannot understand.
Together the two must thwart the evil forces that threaten their lives and their worlds, while struggling against their own blistering attraction for each other. Can Isabel balance her aversion to the prince’s habit of coming to her rescue with the realization that sometimes it is all right to accept help from a man? And can Alaric handle himself around a damsel who gets herself out of her own distress and learn to be simply the man who loves her?
April 8 – Reading Addiction Blog Tours – Meet and Greet
April 9 – Bunny’s Reviews – Guest Post/Giveaway/PROMO
$10 Amazon Gift Card + eBook – Leave a comment to participate.
April 10 – The Book Faery Reviews – Guest Post/Giveaway/PROMO
$10 Amazon Gift Card + eBook – Available until the end of April.
April 11 – Book Marks the Spot – Giveaway/PROMO
$10 Amazon Gift Card + eBook – Leave a comment to participate.
April 12 – My Pathway to Books – Review
April 13 – Must Read Faster – Guest Post/PROMO
April 14 – Noemi Bentancourt’s Author Blog – Guest Post – An Exclusive Interview
April 15 – BookRix – Review/Giveaway
$100 Amazon Gift Card + Heroes and Hearts swag + BookRix Sampler Pack – ON NOW!
April 16 – My Reading Addiction – Review
April 17 – The Between – Review
April 18 – Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews – PROMO
April 19 – Author Ever Leigh – Review
April 20 – Texas Book Nook – Review
April 22 – Feed My Need, For a Good Read – PROMO
April 23 – The Avid Reader – PROMO/Giveaway
$10 Amazon Gift Card + eBook at the author’s website: Noemi Betancourt
April 25 – My Cozie Corner – Review
April 26 – Words I Write Crazy – Review/Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card + eBook
April 27 – Magnolia Blossom Review – Review/Interview/Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card + eBook
April 28 – Inside BJ’s Head – Review/Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card + eBook
April 29 – The Serial Reader – Review/Interview
April 30 – pending
May 1 – Book Maven – Review
May 2 – Faerie Tale Books – Review/Giveaway/Guest Post
$25 Amazon Gift Card + eBook
May 3 – RABT Reviews – Review
May 6 – Announce the BookRix big giveaway winner!
If you’re interested in participating in a BookRix blog tour or just want to learn more, please leave your name and email, along with a brief message, in the comment area below.
Special thanks to Reading Addiction Blog Tours for all their help.
Tell a Lie Day
People lie every day. It’s nothing new. And we often times justify them depending on the situation. Allow me to give you a scenario: You’ve had a hellish day at work, and you’ve just sat in horrendous traffic commuting home. All you want to do is get sit down, eat dinner and relax. But then you remember its Thursday. Aren’t you supposed to be hosting dinner for your mom and dad? Ugh. How can possibly entertain them when you’re feeling so drained? You pick up your phone and are delighted at the sound of your mom’s voice on the answering machine. Great! Now you won’t have to answer any questions. At the beep, the lie begins: “Hey mom, hi dad! I’m so sorry for the late notice, but I’m still at the office and I have no idea what time I’ll be home. Let’s schedule dinner another night next week. I miss you!” And just like that, you’re off the hook and you feel great. This is what many refer to as a white lie. You’re in the clear, no one got hurt. It was simple! So… why do you feel guilty the next day when flowers arrive at your office with the note: “You work so hard, honey. I hope your boss recognizes your efforts as much as I do. Love, Mom”.
Cringe.
For the record, the aforementioned story was not my own. But it happened to a close friend of mine last year and when she told me, I felt guilty and I hadn’t even done anything. It also made me thankful that I took an honesty oath with myself a few years back and have managed to avoid those types of blunders that seem to happen every so often when people lie.
With that being said, today is Tell a Lie Day, and I’ve been trying to think up a juicy one since I had my first cup of coffee this morning. So far I’ve got nothing good, but the day is still young. If you have any good ideas you’d like to throw at BookRix, please share with us in our comments section. If not, take a look at today’s reading recommendations below. They both share a connection. Can you guess?
Lies.
It’s International Children’s Day: Happy Birthday, Hans Christian Andersen!
When Hans Christian Andersen passed away in 1875, he left behind a legacy that only grew larger over time. His stories and poems appealed to large audiences across the globe and is still widely read and respected to this day. His talent, combined with his fan reach, inspired the production of various animated films, motion pictures and plays. April 2nd is recognized as a celebration of his life and works which inspired the creation of International Children’s Day. On this annual celebration, the focus is on children’s literature where writing activities are encouraged, competitions are held and book awards are announced. If you are interested in participating, check your local listings for events and shows you can attend.
Although I have always been fond of Hans Christian Andersen’s works, The Little Match-Girl remains my favorite. Over the summer, 20 years ago at least, I checked out a series of books at the Library. Between the pages of a Nancy Drew mystery, I found three printed pieces of paper stapled together and folded in half. On those sheets was the story of The Little Match-Girl, but the authors name had been excluded. Despite finding the story sad, I loved it immediately and read it several more times. In those days you couldn’t scan a document. So I sat at my dad’s typewriter and typed out each word so I could return the Nancy Drew book as I had received it while keeping a copy for myself. Years later, I came upon a copy of Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen and saw The Little Match-Girl was included in the book. I had loved so many of his other stories and never knew he had penned my favorite one. And on that note, I’d like to share this little animated gem with you. (You’re welcome.)
In celebration of National Children’s Day, we’d like to recommend these stories from our BookRix library (the first one includes The Little Match-Girl).
6 Tips for Overcoming Writers Block
Don't let writers block get the best of you
Awhile back you decided to write a book. So you created an outline, focused on character development and toyed with the plot. You made some writing headway, but somewhere between Chapter 4 and Chapter 7 you lost your way. Don’t beat yourself up. Being plagued by writers block is relatively common and it can be difficult to get back on your creative track. Here are some tips to help get your head back in the writing game.
Messy workspace, messy mind
Having a buildup of clutter surrounding your writing area can be more detrimental than you might think. Take a look at the area you write in and make an effort to clean up shop. Some simple organization can have a huge impact on your thought process
Manage Your Time Effectively
We’ve all got things to do. Pay bills, grocery shopping, laundry, etc. That’s life. But the same way you carve out time to eat and make your appointments, you need to make time for your writing. Commit to a time each day and stick to it. Treat it with the same seriousness as a job.
Go Offline
Laptops can be a blessing and a curse. They’re portable, sleek, and far more effective than typewriters. But let’s face it, when you’ve got writers block, the internet is the biggest distraction of all time. Whether you’re checking your email, ordering new ink cartridges (they’re on sale!) or reading CNN headlines, you can veer off track without even realizing it. Prevent the issue before it starts and turn your wifi off during writing hours.
Writing Exercises and Brainstorming
Writers block can make you feel like you’re trapped in a box. So step outside of it completely and work on a writing exercise. Not sure what to write about? Try some of these.
Work Out of Order
When taking a timed test in school, chances are you skipped the questions you had difficulty with in order to answer the ones you knew. So try applying this tactic with your writing. Skip ahead to a section you’re excited to write about and then circle back. It helps clear your head and also keeps you focused on your story.
Mental Clarity
Sometimes the best way to achieve mental clarity is to step away from your desk and get some fresh air. We’re not saying you should spend the day at the beach, but a 30 minute walk or bike ride can certainly clear the mind.
