And now you’re an adult…
Thank you so much, Kerry, for having me as a guest on your blog! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Hello everyone! It’s been a busy week for me with two releases, but I’m having a lot of fun. One of my new releases is Accidental Romance, which is a new adult contemporary romance. This book is different than the stories I generally write, as it is a sweet romance rather than erotic romance and erotica, and there are no aliens, or any aspects of sci-fi in the story at all.
After I contracted Accidental Romance as part of Decadent Publishing’s new Challenge series, I had a lot of readers and other authors asking me about the New Adult genre. Many had never heard of it before. And the other stories from The Challenge series are geared toward adults. While independent authors have been writing stories that would be considered New Adult for years, it has risen to the spotlight after St. Martin’s Press hosted a contest for books to market to both YA readers and Adult readers. Thus, New Adult fills in that gap.
New Adult stories deal with characters in their early twenties trying to find their path in life, away from their parents, and learning to deal with the pressures of everyday adult life. It’s a big change for many 20-somethings. I remember all the stress of those years, and like my high school years, I wouldn’t want to live through them again. Though I met my husband in those years, moved in with him, and became pregnant with my first child.
In Accidental Romance, Leanne still lives at home after finished college, but is getting ready to take over the family farm. But a tragic accident stands to ruin all of her hopes and dreams of the future. She had even bigger struggles to deal with as she tries to find her place in life. Lucky for her, she has friends and family to help her in her everyday struggles.
Accidental Romance Blurb:
At twenty-two, Leanne Declan has graduated from college and hopes to take over the family farm until a tragic accident changes her life forever. Unable to do the simplest everyday chores, she must depend on her family and friends as she learns to face life’s challenges. But when her fears threaten to destroy her future, can an unexpected love be strong enough to help her dreams come true?
BUY LINKS:
Excerpt:
A million needles pierced her wrist. She had to get away from the fire. Leanne flicked open her eyes, screaming, longing for the agony to stop.
White walls surrounded her. Machines beeped. Taking in the new scenery, she closed her mouth, the pain forgotten. Bags filled with clear liquids as well as blood hung from a metal pole. She followed the tubes from the bags into her left hand. Was that where the burn came from? She glanced at the other arm, the end of which was wrapped in thick bandages. The image of spinning blades and her mangled flesh flashed before her eyes. She screamed again, tears falling down her cheeks. This can’t be happening.
Bodies rushed into the room, many in scrubs. With her vision blurred, she didn’t recognize anyone. All strangers. She was in the foreign place by herself. A nightmare. Has to be.
“Shh, calm down, sweetie. You’ll be okay.”
A familiar voice. She glanced to her other side to see her mom standing beside her, her eyes glassy. She held her hand, but Leanne couldn’t feel it, only the throbbing which had returned to her other one, the one that was…gone? She groaned, turning on her side, and pulled her knees up to her chest.
“Mom, is it really…?”
She brushed her fingers over her forehead. “Don’t worry about it right now. You need to rest.”
“It hurts so bad.”
“I know.” Her mother stroked her face again. “But the nurses will help it go away.”
“Leanne,” one of the nurses hovering around her said. “I want you to take deep breaths and count backward from ten.”
“Ten.” She sucked in air and cried out in agony.
Between clenched teeth, she continued. Anything to stop the pain. “Nine.”
Ice traveled through her veins. “Eight.”
The throbbing slowly ebbed away. Seven.
Darkness swept over her and pulled her down with it.
Bio:
Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from her readers.
Find Jessica here:
Giveaway:
For your chance to WIN Accidental Romance swag, leave a comment telling me your favorite memory from your early twenties. Winner will be notified by email on January 26, 2013. Good luck!
We need more books like this in the world, books of women tackling serious physical issues and finding love in spite of it.This is a novelette about a woman who plans to take over her dad’s farm. She does her job just as good as, if not better than a man. She’s not a girly girl. She’s out there getting dirty…and then she has a horrible accident. And this stuff really happens. This story is very realistic.The best part of this story, for me, is watching the heroine come to terms with the loss of her hand. It made me appreciate those every day things I just do and take for granted: clasping my bra, tying my shoe laces, opening jars.Leanne must relearn everything. She wants to just give up. Imagine relearning everything at the age of twenty-two, how to eat, care for yourself. It’s daunting.But this chick doesn’t give up and she even finds love while at it. Enter the perfect hero. (I hate those alpha males. This is my kind of man.) He works beside her, tells her she can do it, loves her at her worst.The only thing that bothered me about this tale is…well, why wasn’t she interested in him before the accident? Why did it take losing her hand to become interested in a man she worked beside and joked with for years? Though the heroine herself thinks this at one point, the question is never answered.The sex scene is mild, the romance blooms at a decent pace considering it’s a short story. I recommend it.
Thank you again, Kerry, for hosting me on your blog! And thanks to all those who stopped by!
Congratulations to Vera Mallard, who wins swag from Accidental Romance! 🙂
my favorite memory from my early 20’s was spending a year in montana.
That sounds like fun, Mark! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
My favorite memory from my twenties is probably my 21st birthday. My mother sent a “stripper” to my work except it wasn’t a hot stripper but a gag stripper who was dressed as a geek then nerd then under that had other costumes on. By the time he took off about eight layers everyone on the floor had made their way to my office and I I had to endure a very awkward lap dance. Even the boss came in and was encouraging the charade. It was definitely a good surprise in the end. I had no clue!
bas1chsemail at gmail dot com
LOL That is so awesome, Shannon! Definitely memorable. 🙂
my favorite memory is the birth of my daughter
vera28546 at yahoo (dot) com
Yes, I will always remember the birth of my children, too. Such a joyous occasion! Thanks for dropping by, Vera! 🙂
My favorite memory from my early 20’s was the year I turned 21. A bunch of my friends rented a huge suite for my birthday and we partied all night. I was so drunk but had so much fun.
Congrats on the double release!
Well, as long as you had fun, right? 😉
Thank you, Sarah!
Your writing is so diversified; so much fun to see all the new avenues you’re heading down. Best wishes with the double release!
Thank you so much, Taryn! Yes, I like a little variety, but there’s even more in what I read. 🙂
Good Morning, Kerry! Thank you again for having me on your blog! 🙂