Why Young Adult and New Adult Romance? Blast from the Past by Lynn Lovegreen

(This Blast from the Past was first published in 2016.)

We’re celebrating New and Young Adult romance this month! I am honored to be asked to write an extra post for this theme. (My usual gig is the second Thursday of the month.) These age categories are my favorites, and I’ll explain why.

Young adult (YA) is usually defined as the teen years, when most kids are in secondary school and figuring out who they are. New adult (NA) is often defined as the period right after that, when young people are holding their first jobs, going to college, and learning to be on their own in the world. Both ages are full of drama and possibilities, especially in fiction. Add a little romance, and you have the perfect ingredients for a novel.

Depending on who I’m talking to, I often just say I write YA. But if my audience knows about NA, I will say YA/NA. In my Gold Rush books, there is a combination of YA and NA characters. Because of the time period, most of my teenaged characters are taking on adult roles earlier in life. Plus, there is not an obvious border between the two age groups then, so teens are spending time with what we might call new adults. In Quicksilver to Gold, for example, set back in 1900, Jeannie has never set foot in a school building, but today she’d probably be a senior in high school. The object of her affection, Clint, would have graduated high school already since he’s a little older. When they meet at their mining claims outside Nome, Alaska, they are both seen as adults. But when you see Jeannie’s emotional reactions to things, there is no doubt she is a teenager.

I write YA and NA because I remember my teen and college years vividly. I knew even then that it was a dramatic stage of life; I recall thinking that if I ever wrote a book, it would be set during that time. (No, none of my books are that close to autobiography, but you never know what I might write in the future!) For most of us, those years are an emotional roller coaster. Everything is important, and so much feels earthshaking. That’s built-in drama for a novelist.

While adults also enjoy reading YA and NA, I hope teens can use my characters as examples of what they might do with their own lives. If Jeannie can strike it rich with her mining skills or Charlotte can help create Denali National Park, why can’t our readers achieve their own dreams? I hope they will.

For more on why I write YA, see my video at https://youtu.be/rJDWwrSnXuMhttps://youtu.be/rJDWwrSnXuM.

Lynn Lovegreen grew up in Alaska, and still lives there. Her young adult/new adult historical romances are set in the Alaska Gold Rush, a great time for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com.

Crazy About Dogs

by Madelle Morgan

If you've been reading my posts, you know I love dogs. 

I grew up with dogs, but as an adult I had cats. Notice I didn't say I owned cats. Cat lovers will understand why. 

Cats are easier to care for when you have a job. Cats are self-sufficient while their human is away for long days or even a weekend. No walking is needed, and cats don't gobble up the day's kibble the minute the dish is filled.

For the longest time I enjoyed dogs vicariously by creating dog characters in my Hollywood in Muskoka series.

MOPETTE

Mopette stars in Caught on Camera, a rom-com and first novel in the series. Mopette's a lovable white Maltese who is Trouble with a capital T. 

That lavender ribbon from the bridesmaid's bouquet in her mouth on the cover? The Black Moment is all Mopette's fault. After she clamps her sharp little teeth into the ribbons and drags the bouquet away where Rachel can't find it, all hell breaks loose.

TITAN

Seduced by the Screenwriter's dog character is a retired German shepherd police service dog. He's based on a real canine hero named Titan owned by a Canadian police dog handler.

Catrina abandoned a career as a police diver after a horrifying case left her with PTSD. She relies on Titan. He's not only her best friend and partner in her security business, he's also her therapy dog.

When Catrina falls for Chett, a Hollywood screenwriter, he's quick to warn her that he is terrified of dogs, especially this particularly massive beast. She has to choose: it's either him or the dog. What an impossible quandary for Catrina!

BRANDY

Hollywood Hero, the third in the romance series, is in development, as they say in the movie biz. Meanwhile, readers want to know what happened to Mopette after the end of Caught on Camera. My arm was twisted to include her in Hollywood Hero as a secondary character, so I did! She has a trot-on role.

Hollywood Hero introduces an old Chesapeake Bay Retriever. She lives at Boondocks Lodge in Muskoka, which will be the setting for Hollywood Hero as well as the fifth in the series. 

For this book, I held a contest, asking subscribers of my blog at MadelleMorgan.com for name suggestions. The winner who proposed the name Brandy won a paperback copy of Seduced by the Screenwriter.

Brandy of Boondocks Lodge

Our family had two rescue Chesapeakes, Cindy and Taffy, at different times in my childhood and teen years. They were both gentle, intelligent females who were protective of us kids. They loved swimming at the Muskoka summer cottage.

And now for the big reveal

My husband has retired, so.....

A bouncy, energetic puppy joined our family on May 3!

Raven was born March 8. She's a hypoallergenic Australian Labradoodle, the smallest in a litter of 10 pups. She'll be 30 pounds fully grown.

Raven at 8 weeks

And guess what? Right now she's the size of a cuddly cat.

Happy spring!

Madelle

CAUGHT ON CAMERA BUY LINKS 

Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au | Kobo | Apple Books | Walmart

SEDUCED BY THE SCREENWRITER BUY LINKS

Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au

Kobo  | Apple Books | Walmart

Madelle's romantic thriller DiamondHunter is a free read in Kindle Unlimited.

Follow Madelle on  Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Wattpad. For giveaways and new releases, subscribe to Madelle’s blog at www.MadelleMorgan.com.

S.J. Crabb's The Devil's Children

I started writing in 2015 and have- to date written 17 Romance Novels.

I like to switch between genres which makes for a very messy looking Amazon Author page.

I started writing The Devil’s Children and found that I couldn’t stop. I have always been fascinated by High School stories and it always seems so much more exciting than the UK system. I wanted a typical bad boy and decided to add a paranormal element by creating The Devil’s Son. This soon grew into the Devil’s Children.

However, far from being evil and cruel I focused on the family aspect. There are seven children who hate who they are. They hate their father and they hate each other. Their family life is dark and they crave a normal life. All of them have no love in their life so they desire it more than air.

Enter their Destinies – the woman and men who give them purpose and self-belief. In the middle of it all is their Father – Devlin Knight. A complex character who controls their lives. There is a lot more to him than his children give him credit for and it is as much about his struggle to give them purpose in their lives.

I live in southern England in the Uk with my husband and 17-year-old daughter. We have an adorable little Westie called Teddy who makes our family complete. They tolerate many burnt dinners and a house that begs for a duster. I am always tapping away on my computer and telling them “Just a minute.” Even on holiday I sit with my iPad, tapping away the thoughts in my head.

I do have a day job as a sales rep selling greetings cards. I love my job as it takes me all over the South-East of England and I get to spend most of my days in shops. Another hobby of mine-shopping!

I was once an Air Stewardess and travelled the world. I miss that as it was a dream job. However, I have a family now and would hate to be away from them.

I love chocolate, shopping, lemon drizzle cake and Nickelback. I am a frustrated Rock Chick and crave the sound of loud rock tunes and the gorgeous men that create them. Luckily for me I have a husband I adore who is something of a hero. As I write this he is in The British Virgin Islands helping with the relief effort with other members of the British Police Force.

You can find me online on the following sites. I spend a lot of time on Facebook and love to ‘chat’ with my readers on there as well as other Authors.

Sjcrabb.com

Facebook – Closed Group

Facebook – Author Page

Instagram

Twitter

Getting to Know Lynn Hammond

Because one of the Blog Queens who shall be nameless goofed and put Lynn Hammond up under the wrong name, she-who-has-no-name is republishing Lynn's post from 09/23/2017. I'm particularly drawn to Lynn's story as I know so many readers who become fans of romance novels during times of strife and grief. For many of us to turn our attention to writing romance is an obvious next step. Please welcome again: Lynn Hammond.
 In love and light, Judith
P.S. You'll note comments from 09/23/17 are included. Just scroll on down to leave yours.

Romancing the Genres was started by two not-yet-published authors and while both Sarah and Judith are now multi-published we do have a soft spot for writers who are on the cusp. We are pleased to introduce you to Lynn Hammond who is not-quite-yet-published. She is doing it the ‘right way’ and her first book “Risky Lies“ is at the editor's. 

May 11, 2011 my life changed.

My father left my house on a motorcycle. 

About five minutes later we heard several different siren sounds.

An ambulance went down our road several times with the sirens on. My husband decided he wants to go find out what was going on.

That day I lost my father and I lost myself.

It took two years to recover from his death.

I went to a facility for seven weeks to do Cognitive therapy. These classes help recovery from PTSD. My assignment was "pick one hobby to do". I picked reading. After seven weeks’ I could read a whole book without distractions.

I have been reading one book every two days. I notice that this helps me relax and imagine myself in the romance stories.

When I started reviewing books on Amazon I notice the authors were sending me Facebook request. I really enjoyed talking with them, playing games on their sites, and just helping them with characters in their book.

I went to my first RT convention in Atlanta, GA. I decided why not try to write. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. I ask several authors about my ideas and they loved it and encouraged me to write.

Lynn Hammond

I like New Adult Romance because it is exciting. At the beginning adult stages, the teenagers are experimenting. They want to be grown-ups. As a teenager once myself you are so full of life and you have so many obstacles to face.

I have a lot of stories to tell and one day I hope to get them all out. 

Thanks for Listen,

Love,

Lynn Hammond

Check out Lynn's website:

LynnHammondAuthor.wordpress.com

Friend her on FB at LynnHammond.

You can also contact her at lynnhammondauthor@gmail.com

Get to know New Adult Romance Author V.C. Buckley

Romancing The Genres is excited to introduce you to V.C. Buckley whose debut New Adult Romance "Hanami" is being released this month. We asked V.C. to share a bit about her writing and herself.

What inspired you to write this story?

It started with a "what if" after seeing someone get bullied. My mind started to wonder: What if the girl they bullied was actually someone they shouldnt be messing with? Or what if that girl ends up being a daughter of a mafia boss, and at any moment she will transform and fight back?

And that was how Sakura was born and my novel--Hanami came to be. In this story, I showed a dangerous girl trying to master her demons, but right before she loses all trace of humanity, she falls in love. 

What do you love about writing New Adult? 

I love writing new adult for its versatility. It is the age of countless discovery. Like a closed door that's finally been opened, allowing you access to a great world with no limit and many surprises. 

Here's a bit more about Hanami:

"I am no princess... I am Yakuza," says SAKURA SHINTANI, the next leader of the Dragon Clan- Japan's most notorious crime dynasty. But can she keep this fact a secret, as she completes a training program where the world's richest brats come to converge, challenging her willpower from hurting anyone and keeping her violent tendencies at bay? And having the face of an angel puts her on everyone's  radar, including the arrogant KENJIN KIYOHARA- heir to Asia's most powerful tycoon, who ignores her murderous glares and manages to get annoyingly close.

He senses the danger... but Sakura is too interesting to be left alone.

HANAMI was a finalist in the romantic suspense category of the BEACON contest sponsored by RWA's First Coast Romance Writers.

Author Bio:

V.C. Buckley is the author of HANAMI, a romance novel debuting in September of 2017 under Passion in Print Press. She is half pirate and half ninja which allows her to write on a boat that sails to wherever the wind takes her, along with her trusty Captain Husband and two acrobatic sons. 

You can connect with V.C. here:

Social media links:

Facebook: 

www.facebook.com/vcccbuckley

Twitter:

www.twitter.com/vccbuckley

Author's website: 

www.vcbuckley.com

New Adult Romantic Comedy

by Madelle Morgan

Can Rachel, a chambermaid at a luxury resort, raise the tuition for film school by September?

Or will she be stuck in a service job for life?

Rachel—like many New Adults, aka Millennials—is caught in a quarter-life crisis, a term I discovered in B.A. Binns’ September 2, 2017 post.

This is the stage of life when New Adults are trying to break into careers for which they studied and trained. However, their timing sucks. Their 21st century reality is contract work, unpaid internships, downsizing, and limited job opportunities. They’re frustrated at every turn.

Some start their own businesses. Some go on to grad school. Some settle in jobs they hate but need in order to pay off student loans.

As the parent of a millennial, I celebrated when my son with two degrees finally snagged a contract in his field that paid more than minimum wage. It’s tough in the real world, but there’s hope.

Rather than focus on New Adults' angst and frustration, I wrote a fun, light story about a twenty-something’s journey to a career that’s perfect for her. And it turns out that it’s not the career she originally wanted.

Caught on Camera Blurb

To achieve her dream of working as a camera operator on Hollywood film sets, star struck chambermaid Rachel Lehmann needs $35,000 for film school tuition by the end of the summer.

When she’s asked to fill in for a missing bridesmaid at a movie star’s wedding and pretend to be the bride's cousin, it’s her big chance to secretly take photos of celebrities and sell them to the entertainment media! Then Mickey, one of the groomsmen, sweeps her off her feet.

Mickey McNichol, talent agent to the stars, believes everyone in show business is out for what they can get. When he falls for the bride’s "cousin", he thinks he’s finally met a beautiful woman he can trust. But if Rachel betrays the wedding party, Mickey will ensure she never works in Hollywood.

Excerpt: Rachel is seated with the groomsmen and other bridesmaids at the wedding rehearsal dinner.

Mickey lay down his fork, having made his salad disappear in four bites. Rachel ruefully inspected her own small but artistically presented endive, pear, and Roquefort salad sprinkled with walnut crumbs.

In a normal day, she consumed carb-loaded meals to replace thousands of calories burned in a long, labor-intensive shift. That afternoon’s light spa lunch and a shrimp on a skewer left her faint with hunger. She swiftly polished off the delicious salad, then squinted greedily at Tiffany’s untouched plate.

“I admire a woman who enjoys food and doesn’t mind showing it,” Mickey murmured for her ears alone. “So many women at parties appear to survive on champagne and caviar.”

Asta snagged one of the fresh-baked multigrain rolls from a silver basket and slathered it with a ball of iced butter.

“Except Asta, of course,” Mickey continued. “And now you.” Cool fingers lightly tapped her bare thigh under the tablecloth.

At the delicious contact, Rachel’s brain emptied of all coherent thought. She blurted the truth. “We’re working women. I’d fade away to nothing if I ate like this every day.” She indicated her empty plate.

Mickey angled to face her. “What is it that you do, exactly?”

Oh my gods. She’d blithely set herself up for that question. She slunk low in her chair, quavered, “Do?”

“Yeah,” Wade said to the table at large. “What does Candy’s cousin do in Toronto?”

The men’s attention fastened on Rachel. Tiffany’s green-eyed glare spit daggers.

Asta leaned forward, chin cupped in one palm. “Candy never mentioned you before today. But then Candy has been notoriously closemouthed about her own sister. Tell us about yourself.”

Desperately stalling, Rachel licked a crumb of strong Roquefort blue cheese off her upper lip. That spring she’d completed a two-year community college Creative Photography program with top grades that garnered early acceptance into Toronto’s prestigious, private film school for the fall semester.

She’d supported herself while attending college with a part time minimum wage job as an evening room attendant in a three-star downtown hotel, and with summer jobs in the Muskoka resorts. Candy’d be furious if she revealed how she earned her living.

Nervy, Rachel twisted the cord holding her camera pendant and opted for the truth. “I’ve been accepted into Toronto Film School to study cinematography, starting in September. Wade, what do you do?”

Wade chuckled, apparently amused by her transparent attempt to deflect prying questions. Good natured, he played along.

“I’m an entertainment attorney. Producers hire me to secure rights to a book or screenplay, negotiate equity financing deals, and vet distribution licenses for film projects. I have the satisfaction of helping independent films I believe in get green-lighted. No money, no movie.”

“Do any Academy Awards decorate your mantle?”

He shook his head in exaggerated dismay. “Sadly, no. Producers get the screen credit.” He threw out his hands, palms up. “I merely bask in the reflected glory.”

Rachel decided she liked Wade’s wry humor. She shifted her attention to Garth, ready to inquire about his profession, but Asta broke in.

“Rachel, you didn’t answer Wade’s question. What do you do now?”

Rachel stiffened. Her lips parted and resealed a couple of times—a fish out of water. She had nothing.

Buy Caught on Camera on Amazon | iBooks | Kobo  

Subscribe to Madelle’s blog to be alerted to the release of Seduced by the Screenwriter, Hollywood in Muskoka series, Book 2, in December, 2017.

About Madelle

Madelle Morgan is a Canadian author who writes romance with heat, heart and humor. Her 2016 release, Caught on Camera, is a Hollywood wedding romance set in Muskoka, Canada—summer playground of the rich and famous.

Diamond Hunter, a romantic suspense, is currently in Kindle Unlimited.

Follow Madelle on  Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Wattpad. 

Caught on Camera Launch is Over

by Madelle Morgan

The Caught on Camera launch wrapped up December 2. 

The two week blog tour—my first ever—was organized by the ultra-organized Giselle at Xpresso Book Tours. 

The tour was packed with interviews, guest blog posts, ten (10!) reviews, and giveaways on blog host sites. Find all the perma-links to these posts at MadelleMorgan.com.

Books Chatter created the photo-mashup. Wish I knew how to do that!


Reviews

Some of the reviews were posted on Amazon or Goodreads. Here are a few quotes:

To Be Read : “I laughed myself silly. This book is exactly as advertised. A quick, flirty, romantic, comedic romp in the style of Maid in Manhattan.” 4 stars.

The Travelogue of a Book Addict : “It was full of drama, romance, humour, love and sadness. It catered to all sides of my heart and mind.” 5 stars!

Fire and Ice Book Reviews “I loved the mix of romance, humor and play on relationships in this novel!” 4 stars.

Excerpt

I prepared four Caught on Camera excerpts for the tour, and this one wasn't needed. Rachel officially meets the man who'll change her life.

An electric golf cart carrying two men crunched over the pebbled path adjacent to the fairway and stopped.

“That looks like Candy’s dog,” the passenger said.

“Mopette,” the driver called in a deep voice.

Obediently Mopette lifted short legs from wet muck and yanked Rachel toward the visitors. While Rachel’s attention was distracted, Mopette had ventured deeper into the weeds bordering the pond. Oops.

Rachel drew close enough to recognize Halden Armstrong at the wheel.

Oh my gods! The A-list star who owned his own film production company appeared more gorgeous in person than in photos in the entertainment blogs she followed. She froze, hitched a breath, and held it. Her first celebrity in the flesh. She’d seen all his movies, of course. He owned the screen in every scene.

Halden unfolded long legs and levered his six feet six inches from the cart. The blond Adonis, with piercing blue eyes and muscular build reminiscent of Chris Hemsworth, supplied a blindingly sexy smile that reputedly had caused teenage girls to faint. No doubt he expected her to explain what she was doing with Candy’s dog. She scrabbled for appropriate words. He probably had no idea she’d be walking down the aisle ahead of his bride.

“Ms. Kane—” She caught herself. Cousins use first names. “Candy asked me to walk the dog.”

“Typical,” proclaimed Halden’s passenger in the golf cart.

Ignoring his golf partner, Halden offered her a hand the size of a dinner plate. “My name’s Halden Armstrong. And yours?”

“Rachel Lehmann, sir, I mean, Mr. Armstrong.” She switched the leash to her left hand and held out her right. His hand gently enfolded hers like a baseball glove before releasing it. “I may never wash this hand again,” she blurted without thinking.

He raised his chiseled chin and laughed, clearly in an excellent mood. “Hey Mick, I have a fan way up here in Canada.” To her, he invited, “Call me Halden.” He gestured with his thumb over his shoulder at the shadowed figure in the golf cart. “That’s Mickey McNichol, the agent who launched my career. He’s one of my groomsmen.”

The other man climbed out of the golf cart and approached them. Eeep. Mickey was the guest she’d slathered with sunscreen that very morning. Does he recognize me? Her heart tip-tapped under the skimpy top.

Dwarfed beside the easygoing groom with the superhero body, Mickey appeared shorter than his actual five foot eleven height. His lean physique pulsed with contained energy. She felt a pull, and not from the leash. Her hands itched to stroke those taut muscles hidden under his shirt.

Dimly she realized Halden was speaking. “Mick, Candy texted me an hour ago about Rachel, her Canadian cousin who’s stepping in to replace the missing bridesmaid.”

Mickey’s assessing gaze smoothly raked her body from freshly dyed blond hair to passion pink polished toes without any sign of recognition. “Pleasure to meet a cousin of Candy’s, Rachel.” He took her hand and gave it a hearty shake. “Let’s have a drink after the rehearsal. Speaking of which”—he briskly addressed Halden, who rubbed the underside of Mopette’s chin with the toe of his golf shoe—“it’s three-thirty. We need to shower before the rehearsal starts at four.”

“Relax.” Halden waved a hand to dismiss the urgency in Mickey’s voice. “They can’t start without me. Besides, I’ve got a hundred bucks on the game and I’m winning. Rachel, may we give you a lift to the clubhouse?”

Rachel was about to accept when she spied Mopette’s muddy brown stumps. “Oh my gods!” she yelped. “Candy will be furious.”

Halden’s deep, throaty chuckle echoed across the fairway. “Candy treats that dust mop like a toy instead of a live animal. I’m happy to see it have fun for a change.” He aimed a wickedly amused grin at her and winked.

Dazzled, Rachel forgot to breathe. This, she told herself, is star power.

“Don’t worry,” Halden continued. “Wendy’s a sport. Sneak Mopette into a bathroom, and she’ll hose her down.” He climbed back into the golf cart. “Catch you later.”

Halden was real, Rachel decided. A truly nice guy, despite his fame and fabulousness. But it was Mickey who’d made her heart pitter-pat. His intense energy tugged her like metal to Magneto of the X-Men movies.

Caught on Camera Blurb

To achieve her dream of working on Hollywood film sets, star-struck chambermaid Rachel Lehmann needs $35,000 for film school tuition. When she's asked to stand in for a missing bridesmaid at a movie star's wedding and pretend to be the bride's cousin, it's her big chance to secretly take photos of celebrities and sell them to the entertainment media. Then Mickey, one of the groomsmen, sweeps her off her feet.

Mickey McNichol, cynical talent agent to the stars, believes everyone in show business is out for what they can get. When he falls for the bride's "cousin", he thinks he's finally met a woman he can trust. But if Mickey discovers Rachel's secret, he'll ensure she never works in Hollywood.

Buy links at MadelleMorgan.com: Caught on Camera is promo-priced at 99 cents over the holiday season.

Happy Holidays!

Madelle

About the Author

Madelle Morgan is the author of Caught on Camera, a New Adult romantic comedic romance, and Diamond Hunter, a romantic suspense. Madelle tweets and posts about Hollywood, filmmaking, the settings for her stories and of course, writing. Subscribe to her blog at MadelleMorgan.com.

Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Wattpad.