YA Indie Spotlight: Liz Reinhardt

Hi Everyone!

I *finally* have another spotlight for you! Today, I'm featuring Double Clutch, a YA contemporary romance by Liz Reinhardt.

SUMMARY

What happens when you fall for the perfect guy...twice...in one day?

Brenna Blixen spent her freshman year homeschooling in Denmark; now that she's back in the States, she's determined to make her sophomore year unforgettable. And by unforgettable, she imagined awesome classes, fun friendships, and maybe a little romance. 

What she got was a whole lot of romance, and all at once.

The same day that dark, brooding Saxon Maclean charmed her with his killer good looks and whip-smart wit, Jake Kelly stole her breath away with his heart-wrenching smile and intelligent, thoughtful focus.

But Saxon is a proud player who makes it clear that he doesn't know why he can't get Brenna off of his mind and out of his system, and Jake's sweet and humble attitude hides a secret past life that might be darker and more complex than Brenna is willing to deal with.

Complicating the matter is the fact that Saxon and Jake were once best friends and are now arch-enemies...and the more Brenna finds out about their connection to each other, the more intrigued and worried she becomes.

Between keeping the peace with her lovingly over-protective parents, designing t-shirts for her high school's rising punk band, keeping up her grades in classes split between academic and technical high school, and running the track like a maniac, Brenna has enough to worry about without juggling two guys who make her heart thud and drive her crazy all at once.

She has to make a choice, but how is she supposed to do that when giving her heart to one of them might mean breaking the other's?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Liz Reinhardt was born and raised in the idyllic beauty of northwest NJ. A move to the subtropics of coastal Georgia with her daughter and husband left her with a newly realized taste for the beach and a bloated sunscreen budget. Right alongside these new loves is her old, steadfast affection and longing for bagels and the fast-talking foul mouths of her youth.

She loves Raisinettes, even if they aren't really candy, the Oxford comma, movies that are hilarious or feature zombies, any and all books, but especially romance (the smarter and hotter, the better), the sound of her daughter's incessantly wise and entertaining chatter, and watching her husband work on cars in the driveway.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"A realistic contemporary romance that held my attention from page one right to the very end; it is sweet, romantic and the drama is detailed and entertaining."

"A wonderful debut . . . one sizzling love triangle, and a great romance."

"Reinhardt's portrayal of high school romance is so captivating that I couldn't help but be swept up in the heart-pounding, butterflies-in-the-stomach fun of it all."

(A few reviews mention some PG-13 romance, so this might be more appropriate for the older teen—we'll say 14-up.)

Double Clutch is priced at $2.99 and is available for Kindle and Nook.

You can read Liz's blog, like her on Facebook, or email her at lizreinhardtwrites@gmail.com.

Happy Reading!

KK

YA Indie Spotlight: Jennifer Snyder

Hi Everyone!

I have a new YA Indie Spotlight for you today (as promised). Today, I'm featuring Jennifer Snyder's YA contemporary novel: Shattered Soul.

SUMMARY

Hellish Nightmare...

If seventeen-year-old Seth Bradson were to describe his life in two words, those would be the two he’d choose. Seth prefers to cope with his crappy existence by spending his days in a drug-induced haze. But when Ali Carson steps into his life, Seth finds something he’s subconsciously been seeking—a new drug, one that consumes his mind unlike any other.

Love.

In a moment of unforgivable weakness, Seth allows Ali to try crystal meth, his most addictive temptation. This single event begins the unraveling of both their lives and forces Seth to learn the definition of regret the hard way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Snyder writes Young Adult Edgy Contemporary novels as well as Young Adult Paranormal Romance novels. She resides in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina with her husband and two children. Jennifer finds great joy in blank notebooks and a smooth writing pen.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"An extremely intense story." 

"Raw and truthful."

"A wonderful story about the cost of addiction and the struggle to win free of it."

Shattered Soul is priced at $2.99 and can be purchased for Nook and Kindle. It is also available through Smashwords and in paperback.

You can find Jennifer on the web here!

Happy Friday!

KK

YA Indie Spotlight: Jack Blaine

Hi Everyone!

I've been so lax about these Spotlights lately, but now that Vendetta is released, I have a few weeks play "catch up." So . . . today I'm introducing a book that I've had my eye on for a while, because the premise sounds awesome, and I'm always up for a good dystopian. The story? Helper12 by Jack Blaine.

SUMMARY

Helper12 works as a Baby Helper in Pre Ward, the place where babies spend their first four months of life before they’re tracked for vocations and sent to training.  She does her job well, and she stays out of trouble. But one day, the Sloanes, Society members who enjoy all the privileges of their station—family unit clearance,  a private dwelling, access to good food and good schools—come to “adopt” one of the Pre Ward babies.

The Director makes a deal and the Sloanes walk out with a brand new child.

They also walk out owning Helper12—the Director sells her to them, and there’s nothing she can do but go.  At the Sloanes, Helper12 enters a world where people should be able to enjoy life—with high position and riches come the opportunity for individual freedom, even the chance to love—but that’s not what she finds.

The Sloanes are keeping secrets. So is their biological son, Thomas.

Helper12 has some secrets of her own; she’s drawing, which is a violation, since Baby Helpers aren’t tracked for Art.  And she’s growing to love the child she was bought to care for—at the same time that Ms. Sloane is becoming disenchanted with her impulse baby buy.

When all your choices are made for you, how do you make some for yourself?

Helper12 is about to find out.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jack Blaine loves to write about how wonderful and terrible and wrong and incredibly right people can be, and what happens when they act that way.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"The society in Helper12 seems frighteningly imaginable."

"Jack Blaine has managed a coup of characterization: he successfully mines the mind of a late adolescent girl living in a totalitarian state."

"Great, fast-paced, engaging dystopian. I didn't put it down until I finished!"

"A great, fast-paced adventure full of vivid imagery, interesting characters and clever twists. This one was hard to put down!"

Helper12 is available for Kindle and Nook, and is priced at $3.99

There's a great interview with Jack here, and you can visit him on the web or follow him on twitter (@jackblainebooks). 

I *really* hope you'll check him out!

KK

YA Indie Spotlight: P. J. Hoover

Hi Everyone! 

 

I have another YA Indie Spotlight for you! Today, I'm pleased to feature P. J. Hoover, author of Solstice.

SUMMARY

Piper's world is dying. Global warming kills every living thing on Earth, and each day brings hotter temperatures and heat bubbles which threaten to destroy humanity. Amid this Global Heating Crisis, Piper lives with her mother who suffocates her more than the chaotic climate. When her mother is called away to meet the father Piper has been running from her entire life, Piper seizes an opportunity for freedom.

But when Piper discovers a world of mythology she never knew existed, she realizes her world is not the only one in crisis. While Gods battle for control of the Underworld, Piper's life spirals into turmoil, and she struggles to find answers to secrets kept from her since birth. And though she's drawn to her classmate Shayne, he may be more than he claims. Piper has to choose whom she can trust and how she can save the people she loves even if it means the end of everything she's ever known.

Solstice is P.J. Hoover's debut YA novel and is the first front-list novel to be independently published by an Andrea Brown Literary Agency author.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

P. J. Hoover first fell in love with Greek mythology in sixth grade thanks to the book Mythology by Edith Hamilton. After a fifteen year bout as an electrical engineer designing computer chips for a living, P. J. decided to take her own stab at mythology and started writing books for kids and teens. When not writing, P. J. spends time with her husband and two kids and enjoys practicing Kung Fu, solving Rubik's cubes, and watching Star Trek.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"Filled with mystery, romance, and betrayal, P.J. Hoover's SOLSTICE provides a seductive mythological twist on the global warming crisis." --Joy Preble, author of Dreaming Anastasia and Haunted

"A fascinating blend of mythology, science fiction, and young passion. The plot, which is full of surprises, keeps you turning pages up to the end."

"An intense, romantic, adventurous ride through a modern world that is still controlled by the ancient Greek gods. A breathtaking page turner that leads the reader from a global warming crisis to the depths of hell. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. . . ."

Solstice is priced at $2.99 and is available for Kindle, Nook,

and through Smashwords.

 

You can visit P. J. on the web here and here. She tweets as @pj_hoover.

I hope you'll check her out!

KK

YA Indie Spotlight: Angela Carlie

After a brief hiatus called JUNE (i.e. Vendetta edits are kicking my tail), I am *pleased* to have a new YA Indie Spotlight for you. Today, I'm featuring the last of the DarkSide girls, Angela Carlie. The other DarkSide author profiles can be found here, here, and here. 

Angela is the author of Dream Smashers, a gritty, YA contemporary novel with heart.

 

SUMMARY

Sixteen-year-old Autumn is a human heartache. Everywhere she turns people are stomping on her hopes and dreams. Her mom’s a tweaker. She’s lived with her chain-smoking grandmother for as long as she can remember. Even her best friend has issues. Autumn seems to be the only responsible person she knows and she’s sick of putting up with it all.

When she meets Evan, a hot guy without a worry in the world, she can only wonder if he’s for real or just another Dream Smasher.

A girl who no longer wants to care and a boy who cares enough for the both of them. Dream Smashers is a love story, but most of all, it’s about letting go.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Angela Carlie writes young adult and middle grade novels. When she’s not writing, she’s playing house with her husband and son, working hard for her money as a licensed massage therapist in a chiropractic office, or escaping the ordinary through reading, hiking, kayaking and traveling. She’s somewhat of a loner who occasionally subjects herself to group settings such as her favorite writers’ groups, critique groups and outdoor concerts. Angela’s also a passionate vegetarian learning to enjoy regular exercise because she heard somewhere that exercise keeps people young.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"A wonderful contemporary YA novel. . . . It's not a lighthearted read, but there are plenty of funny, real moments - especially between Autumn and Rainy."

"A daring and intelligent contemporary young adult story that features an interesting and likeable heroine."

"A very emotional ride. . . . This is a fantastic debut novel!"

"Angela Carlie's writing is brilliant. I was in awe at the beautifully scripted words from page to page."

Dream Smashers is priced at $2.99 and can be purchased for Kindle and Nook.

You can find Angela on the web or hanging with her DarkSide Publishing partners in crime. She tweets as @AngelaCarlie.

KK