Jill Noble Picks Her Noble YA Favorites...

I'm thrilled to be hosting Jill Noble today. She made my holiday with her post!

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Hi there! First, I'd like to thank Ella Jade for having me here today. My name is Jill N. Noble, and as some of you might know, I'm the CEO of Noble Romance Publishing, LLC. Noble publishes adult romance – sweet, sensual, and erotic, and if you follow Ella's blog, you know we also publish young adult fiction. Our young adult books – published under Noble Young Adult, Not Just Romance! – run the gamut from romance to paranormal to science fiction and everything in between. Today, I'd like to tell you a little bit about two of my favorite young adult novels.

Yes, I know, as the publisher, some might say I shouldn't have favorites, but I'm also human. And I also love to read! J

The first one is, of course, Ella Jade's Jocelyn's Choice. And I'm honestly not just saying that because I'm a guest on her blog today. I had a chance to do a final read of this story before it went to print, and I really enjoyed it. The first thing I thought was that my oldest daughter would love it, and so I recommended it to her. She (daughter) called me the next day to say, "Thanks a lot." She'd stayed up half the night reading, because the book was too good to put down…and she had to get up to get her boys ready for school that next morning. J But she really loved Jocelyn's Choice. She said she likes books that are "real," and that she can relate to – things she or her friends might have experienced themselves. And apparently, JC fit the bill. I think that's what I liked most about the book, too. It felt like I was reading about something that could have happened to someone I knew. I appreciated that Ella doesn't talk down or belittle young adults. Despite the subject matter, she doesn't preach or use JC to try to teach any kind of "lesson." Instead, she presents you with interesting characters that you can relate to, and a situation that draws you in so that you have to keep reading, just so you can find out how this book ends. J

The second one of my favorites I'd like to tell you about is Saewod Tice's Amongst the Ruins. This is completely different from Jocelyn's Choice, but I liked it just as much. Saewod is one of Noble's Hot New Talent authors, and her book is a terrific futuristic fantasy set on Earth, following the apocalypse. Her heroine had to make difficult choices, and Saewod allowed her to make mistakes, which, to me, made her seem all the more real. While Amongst the Ruins does have underlying romantic themes, this is the first in a series (and I'm wondering where book 2 is!), and so our heroine has time to learn her way in the world of men and women. A realistic element, in my opinion, since that's often how it is with young adults. We find the man we think is Mr. Right, only to find out he's the biggest jerk on the planet. We're heartbroken…until the next Mr. Right comes along. And in the meantime, we learn valuable lessons about life and love and trust and self-confidence and relationships. If you like fantasy young adult fiction, I believe you'll enjoy Amongst the Ruins.

I want to thank you for being with me today. And if you read romance or young adult fiction, I obviously hope you'll come visit us at www.nobleromance.com or www.nobleyoungadult.com. J

Happy Holidays!

Jill

Identifying with Jocelyn

My first YA novel released with Noble Young Adult this past June. When I initially wrote the story I had no idea so many people would identify with the heroine the way they have. It was my intention to make her as realistic as possible, but I never could have imagined the response she has generated.

When I decided to write Jocelyn’s Choice,  I knew I wanted to have a conflict but not directly between the two main characters. I wanted to throw a major obstacle in their way. So, a pregnancy was born (pun intended).  Since the release of the book, I’ve had several reviews, e-mails and blog comments telling me how much readers have identified with Jocelyn. She was them at some point in their lives. I had no idea how close to home this book would hit for so many. I was aiming for realism but I didn’t know how close I came until my readers started telling me their own personal stories with teen pregnancy.  I’m flattered over the experiences that are being shared with me. Keep them coming!

As realistic as I wanted the novel to be, I also wanted it to be romantic and sexy. It’s a Young Adult Romance that deals with all the firsts that come with new love. I had such a fun time writing this because in capturing the innocence I needed for Jocelyn, I felt like I was reliving all those high school moments; the first kiss, the first fight, the first time… It was a sweet journey, but it isn’t all roses and tulips. Jocelyn quickly learns there are consequences to her actions and young love can sometimes be complicated. But, I always deliver the HEA!

Click here for an excerpt.

Stay Inspired...

Ella

Jocelyn's Choice

For as long as I can remember, the dialogue has always played out in my head. Now, most people who hear voices in their head usually think that's a problem. I, on the other hand, think it’s a problem when I don't hear those voices. Some of my best stories come from a few lines of conversation created when I'm standing in line at the supermarket or when I'm driving to the mall. Sometimes I don't even make it to the mall because I have to turn around and start putting to paper what I've just come up with. Well, that's not entirely true, since I always make it to the mall, especially when Macy's is having a sale. But, you get my point. (I always carry a notebook in my bag for such emergencies!).

I've been a writer forever, but thanks to Noble's New Young Adult line, I'm proud to say I'm an author!  Jocelyn's Choice explores many of young loves firsts. It’s a story of innocence lost and the consequences that come with the decisions we make. Here's the blurb…

Young love has never been so complicated.

Jocelyn Andrews, a shy, awkward, high school senior, has never even been on a date until she meets Alex Jordon, the older, more experienced brother of her best friend Evan. Jocelyn falls hard for the charming player and wants to explore all of the “firsts” that go along with young love. Alex has no problem showing her what she's been missing.

Alex is captivated by young, innocent Jocelyn and to his own surprise, only has eyes for her.  One night of careless passion leads to a life-altering dilemma. Alex must head back to Yale to finish an internship, having no idea what he's left behind. Jocelyn must decide what to do on her own, forcing her to grow up much faster than she anticipated.

Reality sets in, decisions are made and Jocelyn has to live with her choices. Alex returns home to more than he ever bargained for.  Young love has never been more complicated as they deal with a teen pregnancy, social barriers, and concerned family members. Life sometimes throws a curve ball, but the unexpected isn't always bad.

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Thanks for stopping by!