This INDIEpendence day, the Indelibles would like to celebrate indie authors (self-published and small-press) by holding up examples of outstanding indie works. We believe that amazing works of fiction can be found in indie novels. By highlighting and bringing greater awareness to quality indie books, people will find great books to read, indie authors get support, and we continue to change hearts and minds about the gems that can be found among self-published and small-press novels.
So who am I celebrating?
My new critique partner and New Adult novelist, Brenda Rothert!
And her New Adult novel, STRIPPED is HOT
Abby Gillis is used to being called a promiscuous, uneducated whore. It’s all in a day’s work when you’re a stripper. Since her job allows her to support her siblings, 24-year-old Abby takes it all off in stride. She’s never had trouble keeping men at arm’s length – until she meets ER physician Chris Reneau, who is sexy, sweet and interested in more than what’s beneath her clothes. As their relationship unfolds, Abby becomes increasingly aware of the desire building in her for the first time, and of her yearning to be wanted by the one man who truly sees all of her.
Commitment-averse Chris finds himself in uncharted territory. He wants Abby, that’s clear, but he can’t accept not having all of her. As the distance between them erodes, he tries to convince Abby to give up stripping for a chance at something real.
As the two of them get closer, Abby realizes that truly baring it all has nothing to do with her body. Chris makes her feel more exposed than she ever has, and she has to grapple with what’s left when her notions about herself and those around her are stripped away, leaving only the naked truth.
Commitment-averse Chris finds himself in uncharted territory. He wants Abby, that’s clear, but he can’t accept not having all of her. As the distance between them erodes, he tries to convince Abby to give up stripping for a chance at something real.
As the two of them get closer, Abby realizes that truly baring it all has nothing to do with her body. Chris makes her feel more exposed than she ever has, and she has to grapple with what’s left when her notions about herself and those around her are stripped away, leaving only the naked truth.
You can buy it on Amazon and add it to your Goodreads.
And a guest post from Brenda on New Adult
Bitter is the New Black is best summed up by its subtitle: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry a Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office. Jen Lancaster is smart, quick and hysterically funny. I loved her snarky humor and had so many laugh out loud moments as I read.
Hugh Howey’s Wool is a breakout smash success for many reasons: it’s beautifully written, compelling and fresh. I was riveted as I read, not just by his storytelling abilities, but by the story itself. I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen, and when I did I was blown away.
And I’ve saved the sexiest for last. I doubt I need to tell you about the emotions 50 Shades evoked from me. I’d put my kindle on the nightstand at night and shake my head at James’ ability to repeatedly evoke such strong feelings of arousal and interest. I’ve talked to so many women who took up reading simply because of that book’s effect on them. What an incredible testament to E.L. James’ writing talent.
But that brings me to my point (finally, right?): Why is New Adult Romance seen as “less” than other genres by some simply because of the emotions it evokes? A man who likes to be aroused by something he reads is manly, red-blooded and oh-so-normal. But women? We’re considered closet readers of mommy porn.
I no longer worry about what I’m “supposed” to read. I only read the books I really want to read, and these days, they’re predominantly New Adult Romances. When I’m able to read, I want to escape, enjoy it and of course, get that HEA. New Adult storylines are generally raw, compelling and emotional.
A lot of outstanding writers have followed in E.L. James’ wake, proudly writing Romances that evoke a wide range of emotions including arousal. As a reader, I’m grateful. And as a writer, I salute all of them for laying the groundwork to make New Adult Romance a genre in its own right.
And a guest post from Brenda on New Adult
Books span so many different genres, but I think we can all agree that the best ones have something in common: they evoke emotion. There are books we remember well years after reading them, those we hate to see end and would put on our Top Ten list. For me those books come from varied genres.
Some of my all time favorite reads include The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls; Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster, Wool by Hugh Howey and 50 Shades of Grey by E. L. James. These books are all very different from one another, but they are united by one thing: they all made me feel.
In her memoir The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls brings the reader along on the emotional, sometimes sad, sometimes uplifting journey that was her childhood. She tells her story in an eloquent but raw way that left me wanting to hug her and cheer for her by the end.
Bitter is the New Black is best summed up by its subtitle: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry a Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office. Jen Lancaster is smart, quick and hysterically funny. I loved her snarky humor and had so many laugh out loud moments as I read.
Hugh Howey’s Wool is a breakout smash success for many reasons: it’s beautifully written, compelling and fresh. I was riveted as I read, not just by his storytelling abilities, but by the story itself. I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen, and when I did I was blown away.
And I’ve saved the sexiest for last. I doubt I need to tell you about the emotions 50 Shades evoked from me. I’d put my kindle on the nightstand at night and shake my head at James’ ability to repeatedly evoke such strong feelings of arousal and interest. I’ve talked to so many women who took up reading simply because of that book’s effect on them. What an incredible testament to E.L. James’ writing talent.
But that brings me to my point (finally, right?): Why is New Adult Romance seen as “less” than other genres by some simply because of the emotions it evokes? A man who likes to be aroused by something he reads is manly, red-blooded and oh-so-normal. But women? We’re considered closet readers of mommy porn.
I no longer worry about what I’m “supposed” to read. I only read the books I really want to read, and these days, they’re predominantly New Adult Romances. When I’m able to read, I want to escape, enjoy it and of course, get that HEA. New Adult storylines are generally raw, compelling and emotional.
A lot of outstanding writers have followed in E.L. James’ wake, proudly writing Romances that evoke a wide range of emotions including arousal. As a reader, I’m grateful. And as a writer, I salute all of them for laying the groundwork to make New Adult Romance a genre in its own right.
Annnnd I'm giving away an Ecopy! Just enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance
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