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Can’t Please ’em All by @AddisonBrae1 author of Dark Energy #RomanticSuspense #RLFblog
The more powerful your enemies, the more friends you need. Will Gillian sacrifice her life to keep a promise? Dark Energy, a thrilling romantic suspense story of love and surviving evil by Addison Brae, is dedicated to anyone whose livelihood depends on bars.Addison, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Dark Energy.
Dark Energy by Addison Brae
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
Cybercrime doesn’t talk. It creeps in and destroys lives right under Gillian’s nose when a cryptojacking scheme lands her boss, Pinkie, in jail. Gillian had just started over with a new career, boyfriend, and confidence after escaping a vicious murder investigation that shattered her ability to trust. Then Pinkie’s arrest leaves her struggling to run his two bars while also unraveling the conspiracy.
Gillian will not let her mentor and friend go down for something he didn’t do. Neither will Jon, the most talented musician on the bar’s stage and the perfect boyfriend…until his good fortune sends her reeling. Gillian forces herself to trust the cops, people who hurt her, and known criminals. Will it be enough to free Pinkie and save her life?
Can’t please ’em all
As the holidays approach, we scramble to purchase gifts and host fabulous events. Many of us set the bar too high. A 2018 survey ago says 44 percent of people “strive for holiday perfection,” and 32 percent “end up disappointed”.
The holiday season is for us to have fun with family and friends. It’s not the time to outdo others with the most original gift, perfect decorations, or a dinner menu guests will rave about until you do even better next year.
The American Psychological Association says nearly 70 percent of us are stressed during the season. Striving for perfection may come from childhood experiences, exes, or the mother-in-law you wish would never join the celebration. We can control stress by lowering our own expectations for ourselves. My other half has an amazing sign on his home office wall that says, “Almost perfect enough.” I remind myself often, and not only at holiday time.
Gillian, the main character in Dark Energy has similar issues. Remember you can’t please ’em all. It’s impossible and rarely worth trying.
Where to buy Dark Energy
Publisher https://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Brae_Addison/dark-energy.htm?fbclid=IwAR3JxFrd2hK60VSCx47QlVSh3hy-jNzQCWgxQIfeF9hPjs5zXxHSBaXppEs
Amazon https://amzn.to/2YSkP6H
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-energy-addison-brae/1137002173
iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9780463686379
Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=9780463686379
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1021319
Author proceeds go to Hope’s Door New Beginning Center to help fight domestic abuse.
Where to buy Dark Energy
Publisher https://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Brae_Addison/dark-energy.htm?fbclid=IwAR3JxFrd2hK60VSCx47QlVSh3hy-jNzQCWgxQIfeF9hPjs5zXxHSBaXppEs
Amazon https://amzn.to/2YSkP6H (99c through December 16)
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-energy-addison-brae/1137002173
iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9780463686379
Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=9780463686379
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1021319
Author proceeds go to Hope’s Door New Beginning Center to help fight domestic abuse.Addison Brae Social Media
Addison Brae lives in Dallas, Texas on the edge of downtown. As a child, she was constantly in trouble for hiding under the bed to read when she was supposed to be napping. She has been writing since childhood starting with diaries, letters and short stories. She continues today with articles, video scripts and other content as an independent marketing consultant.
Addison writes new adult and adult romantic suspense and young adult contemporary fiction. When she’s not writing, Addison spends her time traveling the world, collecting interesting cocktail recipes and hosting parties. She’s still addicted to reading and enjoys jogging in her neighborhood park, sipping red wine, binge-watching TV series, vintage clothing and hanging out with her artistic other half and their neurotic cat Lucy.
Website https://addisonbrae.com/
Blog https://addisonbrae.com/blog
Twitter https://twitter.com/AddisonBrae1
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/addison.brae
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/addisonbraeauthor/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17759692.Addison_Brae
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/addison-brae
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B07B443K8P/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCreHrv1bBNdyHm5skgqNR-Q/www.addisonbrae.com
Get to know Addison Brae better. Text “AddisonBrae” to 69922 or visit https://slkt.io/cu82 to be the first to receive a text message on book launches, appearances, and sales. No more than one per month. -
Read the #RomanticSuspense #DarkEnergy by Addison Brae @AddisonBrae1 #RLFblog #NewAdult
The more powerful your enemies, the more friends you need. Will Gillian sacrifice her life to keep a promise? Dark Energy, a thrilling romantic suspense story of love and surviving evil by Addison Brae, is dedicated to anyone whose livelihood depends on the bar, service industry, or music scenes.Addison, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Dark Energy.
Dark Energy by Addison Brae
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
Cybercrime doesn’t talk. It creeps in and destroys lives right under Gillian’s nose when a cryptojacking scheme lands her boss, Pinkie, in jail. Gillian had just started over with a new career, boyfriend, and confidence after escaping a vicious murder investigation that shattered her ability to trust. Then Pinkie’s arrest leaves her struggling to run his two bars while also unraveling the conspiracy.
Gillian will not let her mentor and friend go down for something he didn’t do. Neither will Jon, the most talented musician on the bar’s stage and the perfect boyfriend…until his good fortune sends her reeling. Gillian forces herself to trust the cops, people who hurt her, and known criminals. Will it be enough to free Pinkie and save her life?
What’s in your character’s pockets, backpack, or purse?
Does your character carry money and if so, in what form (cash, credit, etc.)?
Gillian was a new college grad in a new city, so money was tight. She lived paycheck to paycheck until she picked up a part time bartending job. She stashed tips in a box in her closet as her emergency fund. Then she started carrying cryptocurrency because, as an accountant, she learned it was safer than the cash she earned from tips or credit cards. As those who have read Dark Energy know, she found out digital money is almost as easy to steal, and criminals can steal more at a time. And those thieves are completely anonymous.
Is there an item your character carries for good luck and if so, what is it?
Gillian always carries her Harvard bottle opener. She’s carried the brushed chrome bar key with the crimson Harvard shield since the day she received it from her best college friend after she got the job as a part-time job as a bartender. It makes her think of Lauren and the incredible times they had during three-and-a-half college years together With the opener, Lauren is with her all those late nights at work. The opener is still in her back pocket or in the pen holder on her desk even though she manages the bar now. It helps her slip right back into bartender mode when needed.
What does your character dislike carrying but has to?
Gillian started carrying a Kel-Tec P-11 subcompact 9mm pistol in her purse soon after her fresh start. She doesn’t like to, but she does out of necessity; so she’s prepared. She’s licensed to carry and trained well to use it.
What else besides pockets does the character use to carry things?
Gillian’s favorite purse is the one her mother gave her for her eleventh birthday, the last birthday before her mother lost her cancer battle. She carried it, with the cash she had to live on until she got paid, her ID and credit card, and proof she took her CPA exam inside, when she finally was brave enough to walk to the neighborhood pub alone. A guy who looked barely old enough to drive yanked it off her shoulder. She chased the kid until a well-dressed man jumped out of a shiny SUV and shoved the thief into the shrubs. The kid bolted. The man handed Gillian her purse, bowed like a nineteenth century prince, and stepped back into his truck. This was the first encounter of a unique relationship that lasted longer than the man’s life.
Has anything in your character’s pockets ever saved the day?
Indeed. Gillian walked into the middle of a Russian mobster ambushing Pinkie, her boss and mentor, in the bar’s kitchen. One of the mobster’s guys shot their security guard and knocked out Pinkie. Gillian was out front so they didn’t know she was there. Gillian showed her badassery to save them. You would definitely want her walking in that dark alley with you.
Questions for the Character to Answer About the Author
What does your author dislike carrying but has to?
These days, it’s her bag-o-masks. I hope she can stop carrying those soon. No masks would mean restaurants and bars will stay open so we can make a living again, and employees and patrons will be safe!
What does your author carry for luck?
Addison carries her car and house keys on a silver metal open heart-shaped keychain that she’s had since she started driving in high school. It’s bent a little, but aren’t we all?
What does your author prefer to use when it comes to items like backpacks / purses?
A messenger-style bag is best. The smaller the better, although she says a wallet is a little too small to carry her favorite lip stain, keys, phone, grocery list, and credit cards.
If your author could buy an item to carry things in and money was no object, what would it be?
She likes any unique and cute purse but doesn’t see the value in spending zillions on them because she doesn’t change out her purses very often. She’d rather spend that money on shoes.
Where to buy Dark Energy
Publisher https://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Brae_Addison/dark-energy.htm?fbclid=IwAR3JxFrd2hK60VSCx47QlVSh3hy-jNzQCWgxQIfeF9hPjs5zXxHSBaXppEs
Amazon https://amzn.to/2YSkP6H (99c through December 16)
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-energy-addison-brae/1137002173
iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9780463686379
Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=9780463686379
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1021319
Author proceeds go to Hope’s Door New Beginning Center to help fight domestic abuse.Addison Brae Social Media
Addison Brae lives in Dallas, Texas on the edge of downtown. As a child, she was constantly in trouble for hiding under the bed to read when she was supposed to be napping. She has been writing since childhood starting with diaries, letters and short stories. She continues today with articles, video scripts and other content as an independent marketing consultant.
Addison writes new adult and adult romantic suspense and young adult contemporary fiction. When she’s not writing, Addison spends her time traveling the world, collecting interesting cocktail recipes and hosting parties. She’s still addicted to reading and enjoys jogging in her neighborhood park, sipping red wine, binge-watching TV series, vintage clothing and hanging out with her artistic other half and their neurotic cat Lucy.
Website https://addisonbrae.com/
Blog https://addisonbrae.com/blog
Twitter https://twitter.com/AddisonBrae1
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/addison.brae
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/addisonbraeauthor/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17759692.Addison_Brae
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/addison-brae
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B07B443K8P/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCreHrv1bBNdyHm5skgqNR-Q/www.addisonbrae.com
Get to know Addison Brae better. Text “AddisonBrae” to 69922 or visit https://slkt.io/cu82 to be the first to receive a text message on book launches, appearances, and sales. No more than one per month. -
Read the #RomanticSuspense Dark Energy by Addison Brae @AddisonBrae1 #RLFblog #rockmusic
The more powerful your enemies, the more friends you need. Will Gillian sacrifice her life to keep a promise? Dark Energy, a thrilling romantic suspense story of love and surviving evil by Addison Brae, is dedicated to anyone whose livelihood depends on bars.Addison, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about Dark Energy and the accompanying song of the same name.
Dark Energy by Addison Brae
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
Cybercrime doesn’t talk. It creeps in and destroys lives right under Gillian’s nose when a cryptojacking scheme lands her boss, Pinkie, in jail. Gillian had just started over with a new career, boyfriend, and confidence after escaping a vicious murder investigation that shattered her ability to trust. Then Pinkie’s arrest leaves her struggling to run his two bars while also unraveling the conspiracy.
Gillian will not let her mentor and friend go down for something he didn’t do. Neither will Jon, the most talented musician on the bar’s stage and the perfect boyfriend…until his good fortune sends her reeling. Gillian forces herself to trust the cops, people who hurt her, and known criminals. Will it be enough to free Pinkie and save her life?
When stories come alive
Have you ever read a book with a cake or a cocktail recipe you’d love to try? Maybe a character wears an outfit that would be fun to recreate? How about a story that has a song you’d rather hear than imagine? These are the details that make a story relatable and the characters come alive.
Wearing one of the Mad Men-inspired suits from the clothing line at Banana Republic would make anyone feel more like Don Draper. Harry Potter series spawned interest in Quiddich and wearing the famous sweater vest as well as beverage recipes, strange candy flavors, and Hogwarts-like interior decorating. And we all know children named Bella, Emmett and Edward named from the Twilight series.
In Becker Circle, my first romantic suspense, the adorable hero wrote a song called Dark Energy for the main character for which he falls. He admires her tenacity to fight off and survive rotten luck that continues to land on her. As I wrote Dark Energy, the follow-up book to Becker Circle, it hit me the song needed to be written in reality.
Dark Energy, the song, symbolizes a debated cosmic theory. Some astronomers believe dark matter allows gravity to pull stars, suns, planets, and other matter together in the way some people draw other people together. Dark energy is the vast empty space that opposes dark matter. It lurks and slips into the voids of our lives trying to disrupt like it pushes matter apart as it attempts to destroy the universe. In the book, the main character was the dark matter in many people’s lives while dark energy tried to destroy her universe. Here is my favorite verse from the song:
I create my own history
Don’t push this on me.
Tipping the balance
Shed some light and set it free
This dark energy.Dark Energy, the book’s and the song’s title, holds poignant meaning now as people have struggled through 2020. Both are dedicated to all whose livelihoods depend on bars and restaurants and desperately need a break from dark energy. We can inspire them to keep repelling their dark energy. We can all get to the other side.
Music lovers can find the brand new song Dark Energy on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Pandora, and all major digital music retailers and streaming sites.
Where to buy Dark Energy
Publisher https://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Brae_Addison/dark-energy.htm?fbclid=IwAR3JxFrd2hK60VSCx47QlVSh3hy-jNzQCWgxQIfeF9hPjs5zXxHSBaXppEs
Amazon https://amzn.to/2YSkP6H (99c through December 16)
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-energy-addison-brae/1137002173
iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9780463686379
Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=9780463686379
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1021319
Author proceeds go to Hope’s Door New Beginning Center to help fight domestic abuse.Addison Brae Social Media
Addison Brae lives in Dallas, Texas on the edge of downtown. As a child, she was constantly in trouble for hiding under the bed to read when she was supposed to be napping. She has been writing since childhood starting with diaries, letters and short stories. She continues today with articles, video scripts and other content as an independent marketing consultant.
Addison writes new adult and adult romantic suspense and young adult contemporary fiction. When she’s not writing, Addison spends her time traveling the world, collecting interesting cocktail recipes and hosting parties. She’s still addicted to reading and enjoys jogging in her neighborhood park, sipping red wine, binge-watching TV series, vintage clothing and hanging out with her artistic other half and their neurotic cat Lucy.
Website https://addisonbrae.com/
Blog https://addisonbrae.com/blog
Twitter https://twitter.com/AddisonBrae1
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/addison.brae
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/addisonbraeauthor/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17759692.Addison_Brae
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/addison-brae
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B07B443K8P/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCreHrv1bBNdyHm5skgqNR-Q/www.addisonbrae.com
Get to know Addison Brae better. Text “AddisonBrae” to 69922 or visit https://slkt.io/cu82 to be the first to receive a text message on book launches, appearances, and sales. No more than one per month. -
Stressing Gillian from Dark Energy by Addison Brae @AddisonBrae1 #RLFblog #romanticsuspense
Let’s meet Gillian from Dark Energy, a romantic suspense, by Addison Brae. Welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your latest book.Dark Energy by Addison Brae
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
Cybercrime doesn’t talk. It creeps in and destroys lives right under Gillian’s nose when a cryptojacking scheme lands her boss, Pinkie, in jail. Gillian had just started over with a new career, boyfriend, and confidence after escaping a vicious murder investigation that shattered her ability to trust. Then Pinkie’s arrest leaves her struggling to run his two bars while also unraveling the conspiracy.
Gillian will not let her mentor and friend go down for something he didn’t do. Neither will Jon, the most talented musician on the bar’s stage and the perfect boyfriend…until his good fortune sends her reeling. Gillian forces herself to trust the cops, people who hurt her, and known criminals. Will it be enough to free Pinkie and save her life?
Stressing Gillian
Every heroine has a story. She has a background, a history, and a past. This interview allows us to meet a heroine and get to know her better, by focusing on how she handles being relaxed, as well as how she handles stress.
Please tell me about your heroine.
Age: 21
Gender: female
Birthplace: Sugar Creek, Missouri
Profession: bar manager and CPA
Ethnicity: Greek American
What does your heroine look like?
Gillian doesn’t have much time to spend on her looks, so she depends on a few well-selected clothes and the rest is what she was born with. She has an olive complexion with auburn hair, just below the shoulder, and soft curls. She’s a little on the short side at about 5’4″. She runs often since she moved to Dallas, so she’s pretty toned. Gillian appreciates good food but forgets to eat when she’s busy, and she’s lost a few pounds from stress dieting that she desperately tries to end soon.
Who is the significant other in his life?
After escaping an abusive college relationship and making a few romantic mistakes since moving to Dallas, Gillian meets Jon. They’re thrown together in extremely stressful situations. He listens, is there for her, and has her back when things get really bad, all things she’s not used to from men in her life. Even better, he’s a good cook, makes his own money, and writes and performs with his band a song for Gillian called Dark Energy.
The Heroine’s Relaxed Side
This heroine is at a party. Considering her story, describe the party.
Since Gillian manages a bar, she prefers a chill house party when she’s not working–maybe grilling by the pool. She enjoys talking to and getting to know people over a glass of wine, and has little patience for overused bar lines and BS.
How much drink is her usual?
Gillian knows her limits, so she sticks to no more than a couple of drinks. She is well aware she gets into trouble when she drinks too much–especially tequila shots.
Is he likely to latch onto a friend and stay with him/her and ignore others, or is she the friend that others latch onto?
Gillian is used to her independence. She adores every moment with Jon, but they’re not a Velcro couple.
Is the heroine the one most likely to get tossed out of the party, or the one who does the tossing?
Gillian learns the bar business from men who are far stronger and tougher than she is. Have you ever seen a tiny dog that has the confidence to make noise and take control like a large one? This is Gillian, and she’s good at it.
The Heroine’s Stressed Out Side
How does the heroine handle it if the cops or some other authority figure pulls her aside when she was blameless in a situation?
The cops yank her friend, mentor, and boss out of the bar on opening weekend. She tries to stop them, but they’re FBI and don’t listen. She keeps her cool better than most and contacts the one cop friend she can trust.
How does the heroine react to hearing a scream?
Gillian would call for help and investigate before jumping in to help.
If she sees someone being assaulted, what is the FIRST thing she does?
If a patron starts a fight or gets rowdy in the bar, Gillian jumps in the middle to stop it. Where she’s lacking in size, she makes up in skill and badassery.
This heroine attempts to rescue someone and realizes that she is in over her head. The odds are against her and there is no way out. She is going to get her butt handed to her. What does she do?
Since moving to Dallas, Gillian has been in over her head so many times she’s used to it. She completed training and earned her license to carry a handgun, and she often does. When she’s overpowered, she’s clever enough to think her way out of it. If lethal force is her last option, she’s not afraid to act. “Am I an accountant, bar manager, or crime fighter?” ~Gillian.
The heroine runs into the one person from her past she wanted to avoid. She can’t get out of the situation and must interact in some way. What does she do?
When a customer comes into her bar, no matter what may have occurred before, Gillian has to be professional. This happens with someone who hurt her in the past. He tells her he went through rehab and stopped drinking for good. She gives him a chance and he repays her by saving her life in a pretty exciting scene in Dark Energy.
The heroine is in physical pain but must bear up under it and keep going. What does she tell herself in order to get through the situation?
“No one will ever control me again!” are the words that keep Gillian fighting. Considering what she faces, Gillian’s fed up with begin controlled and adds rule twelve to her list of rules of her new life–no one can mess with me.
What mentor’s words come to mind in a bad situation?
Pinkie, Gillian’s boss, mentor, and friend’s best advice that she often recalls in her frustrating bar manager moments is, “There’s one thing you’ll learn after being in the service industry for a while, you’ll never please everyone.”
What one thing would you like readers to know about your heroine?
Gillian always keeps her word, no matter what. “Damn promises. Why do I make promises that always get in the way of my happiness?” ~Gillian Rule eighteen of her new life is–Never make a promise I can’t keep.
Where to buy Dark Energy
Amazon https://amzn.to/2YSkP6H (99c through June 14)
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-energy-addison-brae/1137002173
iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9780463686379
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1021319Addison Brae Social Media
Addison Brae lives in Dallas, Texas on the edge of downtown. As a child, she was constantly in trouble for hiding under the bed to read when she was supposed to be napping. She has been writing since childhood starting with diaries, letters and short stories. She continues today with articles, video scripts and other content as an independent marketing consultant.
Addison writes new adult and adult romantic suspense and young adult contemporary fiction. When she’s not writing, Addison spends her time traveling the world, collecting interesting cocktail recipes and hosting parties. She’s still addicted to reading and enjoys jogging in her neighborhood park, sipping red wine, binge-watching TV series, vintage clothing and hanging out with her artistic other half and their neurotic cat Lucy.
Website https://addisonbrae.com/
Blog https://addisonbrae.com/blog
Twitter https://twitter.com/AddisonBrae1
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/addison.brae
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/addisonbraeauthor/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17759692.Addison_Brae
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/addison-brae
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B07B443K8P/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCreHrv1bBNdyHm5skgqNR-Q/www.addisonbrae.com
Get to know Addison Brae better. Text “AddisonBrae” to 31996 or visit https://slkt.io/2IPv to be the first to receive a text message on book launches, appearances, and sales. No more than one per month. -
Help a Teen Cope #Depression by author of Becker Circle, Addison Brae @addisonbrae1 #RLFblog #romanticsuspense
Addison Brae, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your latest endeavor, and also share info on your book.You Can Help a Teen Cope
Many teenage girls today are depressed and lonely. Pew Research Center reported in a 2019 survey that 36% of girls report being extremely anxious every day. These girls are worried about melting polar ice, school shootings, and their ability to afford college.
Studies show while these girls are more likely to be close to their families, they spend less time with friends their age and lack independence capabilities and skills because they skip things like school extra-curricular activities, driving, jobs, and dating.
The result? These girls are likely to spend Saturday night at home watching Netflix and following social media rather than at school events or socializing with friends.
How will girls maneuver college, relationships, careers and the tough choices, rejection, and mistakes we all face in life?
This problem is real and growing. Another study by the American College Health Association in 2018 found more than 85% of college students described feeling “overwhelmed,” and one-third of college students received treatment from campus counseling centers.
I have a theory. We as readers, authors, relatives, and friends can help young adults be better equipped with the skills and confidence to help them cope in two ways.
First, if you have a teen in your life, listen when they want to talk about a problem rather than fixing it for them. Let them watch you face and solve a tough issue. People emulate behavior they observe.
Second, encourage them to read books with strong heroines who are not loners. These fictional young adults tackle problems, make mistakes, and end up victorious and stronger. This is a topic I’m madly passionate about, and readers will always find a strong but flawed heroine in my books.
A group of authors and Romance Writers of America members shared an amazing list of middle grade and young adult book suggestions with strong heroines that meet these criteria. There are dozens, so this list only includes some recommendations. You can find a more extensive list on my website (https://addisonbrae.com/books-for-teens).
I challenge everyone to help equip a teen to cope in our complex world.
Middle grade (age 8-12)
- Rob Buyea, Because of Mr. Terupt series. Seven fifth-grade students come together to solve a problem that seems insurmountable, and their lives are changed by one amazing teacher.
- Roshani Chokshi’s, Aru Shah and the End of Time. Twelve-year-old Aru Shah teams up with three of her classmates to stop a demon and save the world.
- Raina Telgemeier creates graphic novels such as Guts, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts that deal with family, peer pressure and other issues kids deal with.
- Diane Duane, Young Wizards series, a 10-book series starting with So You Want to Be a Wizard. This sounds like a Harry Potter spin-off, but it predates that series by about a decade. The characters begin as preteens and grow into their teen years as the series progresses.
- Madaleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time. A classic coming of age fantasy that inspired a modern movie and impacted many of us when we read it as young teens.
Young adult (age 13-18)
- Maureen Goo, The Way You Make Me Feel. A funny story of love, new friendships, and one unique food truck after Clara took a joke too far.
- Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Summer of the Mariposas/El Verano de las Mariposas. A Mexican-American retelling of the Odyssey about four sisters working together and learning something about family in the process.
- Julie Murphy, Dumplin. A story about the fearless, funny, and unforgettable heroine who takes on her small town’s beauty pageant.
- Tamora Pierce, any of her titles, especially Song of the Lioness books, Protector of the Small series, and Circle of Magic books. Pierce features teen girls as knights, wizards, and heroes.
- Isabel Sterling, These Witches Don’t Burn. A story featuring a lesbian heroine with the power to control fire, earth, water, and air, her hot ex, and her new bi-crush.
Becker Circle by Addison Brae
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
Gillian’s first and only boyfriend believed she was too gutless to leave. He was dead wrong. Gillian graduated Harvard early and left his hot temper and everyone else behind for Dallas. Determined to make it on her own, she lands a second job bartending at the neighborhood pub smack in drama central where most every jerk in the neighborhood hits on her—at a huge price.
A week into the job, the neighborhood’s very popular drug dealer falls to his death a few feet from the table she’s serving. The cops say suicide, but Gillian and Jon, the hot guitar player in the house band, suspect foul play, and she intends to prove it. They dig deeper, grow closer, and make a shocking discovery. They know the murderer. Watch the trailer https://youtu.be/Mf-GlfxPzdY.
Where to buy Becker Circle
Publisher tirpub.com/abrae
Amazon http://amzn.to/2GQhgSj **$0.99 SEPTEMBER 5-9**
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becker-circle-addison-brae/1128071378?ean=2940155153153
Apple Books https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/becker-circle/id1353406290?mt=11
Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=9781370780426
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/797034Addison Brae Social Media
Addison Brae lives in Dallas, Texas on the edge of downtown. As a child, she was constantly in trouble for hiding under the bed to read when she was supposed to be napping. She has been writing since childhood starting with diaries, letters and short stories. She continues today with articles, video scripts and other content as an independent marketing consultant.
When she’s not writing, Addison spends her time traveling the world, collecting interesting cocktail recipes and hosting parties. She’s still addicted to reading and enjoys jogging in her neighborhood park, sipping red wine, binge-watching TV series, vintage clothing and hanging out with her artistic other half and their neurotic cat Lucy.
Website addisonbrae.com
Blog addisonbrae.com/blog
Twitter https://twitter.com/AddisonBrae1
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/addison.brae
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/addisonbraeauthor/
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17759692.Addison_Brae
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/addison-brae
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B07B443K8P/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCreHrv1bBNdyHm5skgqNR-Q/www.addisonbrae.com -
Read #RomanticSuspense Becker Circle by Addison Brae @AddisonBrae1 #RLFblog
Addison Brae, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! We’re excited to find out more about your heroine, but first, tell us about the book.Becker Circle by Addison Brae
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
My first and only boyfriend believed I was too gutless to leave. He was dead wrong. My name’s Gillian, and I graduated Harvard early and left his hot temper and everyone else behind for Dallas. Determined to make it on my own, I land a second job bartending at the neighborhood pub smack in drama central where most every jerk in the neighborhood hits on me—at a huge price.
A week into the job, the neighborhood’s very popular drug dealer falls to his death a few feet from the table I’m serving. The cops say suicide, but the hot guitar player in the house band and I suspect foul play, and I intend to prove it. We dig deeper, grow closer, and make a shocking discovery. We know the murderer.Watch the Trailer
Where to buy Becker Circle
Publisher http://www.tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Brae_Addison/becker-circle.htm
Amazon http://amzn.to/2GQhgSj
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becker-circle-addison-brae/1128071378
iBooks http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781370780426
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/becker-circle
Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/797034Addison Brae Social Media
Addison Brae lives in Dallas, Texas on the edge of downtown. As a child, she was constantly in trouble for hiding under the bed to read when she was supposed to be napping. She has been writing since childhood starting with diaries, letters and short stories. She continues today with articles, video scripts and other content as an independent marketing consultant. When she’s not writing, Addison spends her time traveling the world, collecting interesting cocktail recipes and hosting parties. She’s still addicted to reading and enjoys jogging in her neighborhood park, sipping red wine, binge-watching TV series, vintage clothing and hanging out with her artistic other half and their neurotic cat Lucy.
Website http://addisonbrae.com/
Blog http://addisonbrae.com/blog
Twitter https://twitter.com/AddisonBrae1
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/addison.brae
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/addisonbraeauthor/Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17759692.Addison_Brae
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/addison-brae
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B07B443K8P/
