The YA Book Club discussion

The Authors Folder is a place where members of our group who are also authors can advertise their books, among other things.

If you are an author, you can:

Advertise a book you have out.

Post a snippet of the book, such as a few paragraphs, the first chapter, etc.

Host a giveaway. *Note: If you would like to host a giveaway, please place the topic in the 'Giveaway!' folder, NOT the Authors Folder.

If there's something you don't understand or something you would like to do that isn't mentioned, please comment below and we'll get back to you.

Hi Hailey,
I am an YA author with a 3 book series. The first book to The Last Prince of Atlantis Chronicles is available and book 2 coming this summer. Here's a snippet of chapter 1.



Chapter One
Allen’s Eerie Dreams Keep Him Safe From His Bully

On Mount Olympus, my eyes are focused on Earth. I see the teenager I have been watching. He runs away from the guy who has been bullying him. Josh Stone chases Allen King off the boardwalk in his car in Miami, Florida. Allen feels like his heart is about to pound out of his chest as he runs through a park losing Josh. I don’t want any of my fellow Greek Gods to know what I’m doing at the moment. I grab my lightning bolt and speedily leave Mount Olympus to Acropolis in Athens. I look like a mortal wearing dress pants, casual shoes and a short sleeve shirt walking on Athanasiou Diakou Street approaching a doorman.
The doorman stands in front of the hotel next to my apartment building. He smiles at me.
I say, “Hello,” as I walk into my building and take the elevator up to the fifth floor. I open the door to my new apartment with earth tone walls, a white reclining sofa, and a glass coffee table facing the HDTV mounted on the wall in the living room. I go outside and sit in a chair on the balcony that is across from my Zeus temple the mortals worship.
My feelings have been stirring towards Allen King. He could change the course of history to my world and his. I have been watching Allen for some time and everyone close to him. I can sense that I will unexpectedly meet him as I observe him with my mind’s eye and talk quietly to myself. On Mount Olympus, I am known to talk a little too much as I contemplate.
I watch Allen rushing through the front door of his home. He hears his mother says, “Allen, you’re late for dinner.”
Allen passes his family and says, “I’m sorry not feeling so well. I’m going to bed.”
He goes upstairs to his bedroom, takes off his shoes and falls onto his bed on a hot and humid Friday evening. Allen soon falls into a deep sleep, tossing to and fro. His six-foot one mocha-skinned body is draped across the too small twin-size bed. He sleeps in the hottest room in the modest two-story house. He is saturated in sweat from the top of his short black dreads to the bottom of his dangling feet. Allen starts to have eerie dreams as he burrows his face into his pillow.
He hears a slow rhythmic African tribal drumbeat being accompanied by a creepy growling noise, which mimics the tribal sound. Suddenly, large oval-shaped, fiery red eyes appear out of the darkness. Their red glare illuminates a king and queen lying in an extravagant gold bed embedded with pearls and crimson velvet curtains draped around the foundation on which royal crowns were embroidered. The creature’s growls overtake the sound of the tribal drums, as it displays its long white dragon fangs. Without warning, the queen screams and instantly goes catatonic. The king has been killed!
Allen grabs his sweat-saturated bed sheets, as he is catapulted from one wild dream to another. He stands unsteadily, trying to keep his balance while the room rocks as if an earthquake had just ejected him out of bed. He scans the room and spies the king and queen, who are surrounded by a red-hot light. It glows brighter and hotter until an atomic explosion jolts Allen awake. He sits up, throws the wet sheets off his skinny body, and whispers to himself, “What a strange dream… a king and a queen? And a dragon? I think I’ve listened to too many of Uncle Zadok’s weird stories.”
***
Summer school classes are done for the day, and Allen grabs a few things from his dented army green metal locker before going to play basketball with his two best friends. He rushes around the corner and slams into the seventeen-year-old jock, Josh Stone, South Beach Miami High's star basketball player, a star wrestler, and varsity quarterback. He’s tall, muscular, broad-shouldered, half-Indian, half-Black and good-looking. To keep from falling, Josh grabs onto his gorgeous girlfriend Mercedes, causing her to drop her books on the shiny concrete. Allen’s face heats up, and he starts wheezing as he rushes to scoop up Mercedes’s books.
Allen wheezes. “Hey, Mercedes…. sorry…”
Dusting himself off, Josh snarls and says, “You skinny idiot! Watch where you're going with those big webbed feet!”
Reaching into his jacket pocket for his inhaler, Allen stammers, “I’m sorry, Josh...”
“I caught you eyeing my Black queen. I bet you fantasize about Mercedes’ wearing her cheerleader outfit, don’t you?” Josh snatches Allen’s inhaler, springs in the air, an alley-oops it into a nearby trashcan before he touches the ground. “Josh Stone does an alley-oop and scores!”
Mercedes glares at Josh. “Josh… don’t do that to Allen.” She looks at Allen and smiles. “He's a nice guy… and… we’re neighbors.”
Josh pouts as Mercedes watches Allen reach into the trashcan to retrieve his inhaler. Allen pulls it from under a rotten banana peel and wipes it off on his T-shirt. He avoids Josh’s demeaning stare, and Mercedes’ I’m so sorry expression. He sticks the inhaler in his mouth and huffs. Once, twice, three times. His breathing starts to return to normal, and he relaxes a little until he catches Josh’s eye.
Josh mouths, “Watch out…” and smirks nastily. He grabs Mercedes’ arm and pulls her away.
Feeling a surge of anxiety, Allen runs as fast as he can to the basketball courts in the park near his house to meet his best friends, Francisco Gomez, and Jake O’Connor who are also fifteen.
Francisco is short and stocky, a Cuban American with dark short-cropped hair, bulging brown eyes, and a scar that cuts through the end of his right brow. He likes to brag that he got it when he was only ten while fighting with a seventeen-year-old boy in the orphanage bathroom. He prides himself on his swagger and does a mean impersonation of Tony Montana from Scarface, his favorite movie of all time. Jake is a bit scrawny, with scraggly blond hair and weird pale blue eyes. His favorite outfit is a grungy Miami Vice T-shirt, ripped blue jeans and dirty skateboard sneakers with a gaping hole on the right toe. Jake can be shy and is often underestimated, but when pushed, rarely backs down from a fight.
Francisco and Jake consider each other brothers, having grown up together in an orphanage. They now live together in a group home and have been best friends with Allen since they were in the first grade.
Francisco notices Allen racing toward the courts. “What’s up, Allen … why are you running like you're scared?”
Allen skids to a stop in front of Francisco and takes another hit from his inhaler. “It's nothing guys, I'm good… the heat is getting to me that's all.”
Jake nods. “Okay, dude… you ready to ball with the other three guys from school?”
Allen smiles and nods. “Yeah, let’s do this.” He goes up for the ball, instantly palming it and dribbling it between his legs like he's playing in the NBA. He does a behind the back no look pass to Jake who does a bank shot and scores.
Jake yells, “That's how to pass, dude!”
Allen gets the ball and shoots a three-pointer, hitting the net flawlessly, and making a “swish” sound.
Francisco screams excitedly, “Yeah, bro. We're about to win this game!”
Josh saunters up to the court with a few of his football pals. He watches the game for a moment, then says snidely, “Well, well… if it isn't the bumbling beanpole, who ran into me.
I should take those Jordans off your feet and throw them in the trash along with your pacifier… Oh, and look… he’s with his friends, the teen orphs.”
Francisco looks at Josh, laughs mockingly and says, “Well, well… if it isn't the jerk with his douchebag friends. You’re just jealous Allen lives in Bayshore across the street from your girlfriend.”
Sneering, Josh retorts, “I know one of you assholes keyed the side of my vintage black Mustang!”
“You have no way of proving that! You're lucky whoever did it didn't jack you for your rims,” says Jake.
One of Josh’s linebacker friends intervenes. “Let it go, Josh, you know how crazy the teen orphs can be. They never back down from a fight.”
Francisco laughs like a maniac. “Yeah let it go, Joshy boy. You want a piece of me?” He throws a few air punches and shouts, “Okay! Let's do it punk. I'll bite your ear off!”
Jake eggs Francisco on. “Do it, Fran! I wanna wear his ear as a necklace.”
Allen steps in. “C’mon, Francisco, let it go, bro.”
Josh pushes Allen down hard. “You stay out of this, you lanky-ass nerd!”
Francisco and Jake flank Allen, ready for a fight. While Allen slowly gets up with Josh hovering menacingly over him, the other guys who were playing with them walk in the middle, breaking it up before Francisco or Jake do anything serious.
Jake shouts at Josh as they walk off the basketball court, “Screw yourself and your football jerkoffs! You mess with one of us, then you know you're messing with the other! You’re messing with the Three Musketeers.”

CRY SANCTUARY by Carole Kulikowski. The novel follows the trials of Anna, a young girl born with a facial deformity, who grows up in Nazi Germany and during World War II escapes their euthanasia program. At thirteen years old, Anna is taken from her family. She and another little girl, Liesel, in the program escape from the Nazis and flee through a war torn Germany finding sanctuary in Switzerland. After the war, Anna writes her witness statement because little has been written about the hardships the disabled and deformed suffered under the Nazi regime. She recounts the institutions and family that helped her thrive in her poor Berlin neighborhood, giving her the resources and resilience to survive her abduction and escape. At Amazon 99 cents ebook. Free ebook giveaway August 24, 25,26,27,28, 2020. Kindle Unlimited.

A Place Between the Stars

Hello, all!

My name is Morgan Adams, and I've recently published my YA epic fantasy novel, A Place Between the Stars.
I've received some wonderful feedback so far, but looking to add to my reviews if possible. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, it is available for free through Kindle Unlimited, and available as ebook & paperback as well.

Description:

A year after the sudden and devastating death of her parents, Liv Price faces the inevitable task of packing up her childhood home—on her twenty-first birthday, no less. Her plans are thwarted as disaster in the form of an earthquake strikes, and Liv is sucked into another world.

Alcatar, a land full of magic and mystery, awakens something within her that is wild and dangerous. Liv is desperate to return to Earth, but the powers at large only want one thing: her blood.

After clawing his way out of the slums, Commander Ryland Archard now works for the Overlord of Tessar, the most powerful man on the continent. As his personal assassin, Ryland is tasked with hunting and killing those who threaten the safety of his kingdom at any cost necessary. On a mission with his team, Ryland crosses paths with Liv Price, and his life is thrown into chaos, ripping apart the world he thought he knew.

His only goal: return Liv to Earth. If he can keep her alive long enough.

On the run for their lives, Liv and her befriended team of assassins uncover the truth about her past and discover just how deep they are in a scandalous war between nations.

Try as she might to deny it, Liv’s traitorous heart longs for this world—and a certain broody assassin. Liv must decide if she will embrace the powers that were gifted to her to save not only herself but a race of magical people desperate for a leader.


Happy reading, everyone!

Dog Girl

Hello everyone. I'm Gabi Justice and my YA contemporary hit the market November 17, 2020. Here's the summary. I hope you like it.

Dog Girl:
Saving the dogs who end up at Delray Dog Rescue is Kendall's life. It’s the perfect job for a girl with severe social anxiety. But money's tight, and soon, Kendall must decide if risking a relapse is worth it to save the rescue and keep a roof over her head.

Delray Dog Rescue doesn’t just rescue dogs, it’s a second chance for felons, like her dad. Losing the rescue means losing Kendall's home, her sanctuary, the dogs she loves, her identity, and her dad, all over again.

A video of Kendall’s harrowing rescue of a pit bull from the path of an oncoming train goes viral. Suddenly, everyone wants a piece of Kendall, making her anxiety worse. But this is an opportunity to put the rescue in the spotlight and secure the donations needed to save it.

Can she overcome the social paralysis that's plagued her since her dad's death, six years ago? Can she ignore negative comments on social media about her looks and smell? Can she accept help from a boy who really sees her, even though she can’t understand what he could possibly see in her?

Dog Girl is the story of a teen girl who wants to save the world and ends up saving herself in the process.

For fans of What to Say Next, Hot Dog Girl, Fangirl or the television show Pit Bulls & Parolees.

Hi all, I wish to advertise my newly self-published novel called To The Grave by G. S. Hollaway.

It’s a low fantasy mystery whodunnit about a young woman that becomes entangled with the occult as she tries to avenge her mother’s murder.

On the eve of her father’s wedding, Lady Evangeline, heir to the Ravenhill family name, comes across a secret book that changes everything. Catapulted into the world of the occult, she must unravel the many threads of mystery behind her unstable mother’s suspicious death.

The village of Ravenhill, plagued by a vicious beast, is the breeding ground for blood magic and curses. Gripped by magic and mystery, dangers lurk around every corner as she circumnavigates the truth. Struggling to determine truth from lie, she must deal with love and loss, grief and acceptance, and right and wrong.

Everyone is a suspect and a deep delve into the occult is the only hope for answers, but with each question answered, it raises two more in its place. With conspiracies and curses at every turn, she may not like what she unearths.

Hi Everyone, hope you are all staying safe and well!

As an author, our book or books are like our own little child. How many of you would be concerned with a 2 star review?

Reviews are a great way of learning about your writing, but when the person doesn't even say why they gave you 2 stars I find that really irritating! Should I ignore it and move on? Thankfully, my book has an average 4.3 overall.

Hello everything! I've been writing and reading my entire life--or as soon as I was able. I now have three books out in the world: When the Sun Goes Down, The Promise of Stars, and Abaddon Illusion.

Abaddon Illusion came out July 10th! It’s a YA thriller set on an island with two female leads who are both taken captive. The theme is fighting to find yourself in impossible situations, and there are romantic subplots. Learn more here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096K8DQ83

I'm always looking for other writer and reader friends, and would love to connect! I'm also offering free book copies in exchange for a review.

Thank you!

The First Fable, Book One in The Fable Series by K.R. Bourgoine

Hello all,

I am K. R. Bourgoine ,a published writer of many fantasy magazine stories and books, and the creator of several board games. I’m known for writing suspenseful epic fantasy stories that keep you on the edge of your seat while also breaking your heart. My greatest achievement along the way was being able to work with Gary Gygax, the creator of “Dungeons and Dragons”, on a couple of Gord the Rogue stories.

As I ramp up to release the next books in my young adult adventure series, I wanted to share a little about the book that started it all, The First Fable. Here is a short blurb:

His father’s a war hero, unfortunately its for the wrong side

Macal Teel is a farm boy living with his uncle in the Kingdom of Elronia. His life is upended when his kingdom comes under attack by invading troll legions. His father is a war hero, or so he thought until he is accused of betraying the Dragoon army. When Macal begins a terrifying quest, uncovering secrets from generations past and confronting loathsome creatures and boundless dangers, he is determined to save Elronia and prove his father’s innocence—before it’s too late. From author K. R. Bourgoine comes the riveting young adult fantasy collection, The Fable series, starting with Book One, The First Fable, an imaginative and emotional story woven with elements of mystery, danger, and magic.

Young Macal’s father is a revered and honored captain in the Dragoon army. A great warrior, Bertran Teel had seen many battles and fought many wars to keep the Kingdom of Elronia safe within the world of Aerlinth. Macal is proud of his war hero father and is anxiously awaiting his return to his village, along with other cavalry already arriving. But his father is not coming home, and Macal is devastated as he learns why from the soldier who readily took over Bertran’s command as Dragoon captain.

“As you can imagine,” the captain was saying, “it bodes ill for the Teel family. No longer does that name hold any honor.”
“What do you mean?” Macal had never heard such a sharp tone from Uncle Melkes.
“Your brother Bertran left the Dragoon some time ago,” informed the captain.
“What do you mean, left? He wouldn’t just leave. And if he had, he would have come home.”
Jengus’s response was icy. “We have reason to believe that Bertran Teel is betraying the army and the Kingdom of Elronia.”

It isn’t long before Macal is thrust from everything he’s ever known into a quest to save his kingdom, prove his father’s innocence, and uncover generations of dangerous secrets. As the Trolls of Marglamesh wage a devastating war against the teen’s kingdom, Macal must navigate a perilous world, more threatening and magical than the farm boy ever imagined.

Macal could see a herd of massive creatures with long, crooked noses and thick olive skin covered in boils, warts, and scars stalking through the night, pouring out of the shadows of the northwest Rotelen woods...To his horror, he recognized these foul creatures. Although he had never actually seen anything so hideous and terrifying in all his life, he had heard enough about them to know that the trolls had come.

As Macal searches for his father on his treacherous journey, he must find victory before the wretched trolls take over his kingdom forever. In the process, Macal learns about the cost of sacrifice, the value of family, and himself.

The thrilling saga of Macal and The Kingdom of Elronia continues with the second and third volumes of this fascinating fantasy series, The Second Fable and The Third Fable. Worlds collide for young adult and adult readers who will love the fast-paced adventures, the chemistry between the characters, and the interplay of fantasy, legends, magic, and danger in The Fable series. Author K. R. Bourgoine expertly weaves stories that are both timeless and unique, perfect cross-market reads for those searching for the next enduring epic fantasy series.

If you are part of a book club, I have a list of questions about the novel that I could send along to help get your book club conversation started. I would also be happy to talk with your group online or in person where possible.

Thank you for taking the time to consider The First Fable. For more information and longer descriptions, on the novel or myself, please check out the www.TheFirstFable.com

I hope all is well and let me know if you have any questions.

K. R. Bourgoine


Some prominent reviews of The First Fable:

"The First Fable has an amazing amount of adventure packed in its pages." James Ward, Author of many books & designer of the first science fiction RPG, Metamorphosis Alpha & designer of the first apocalypse RPG, Gamma World

"Trolling for a roller coaster action adventure that is packed with swords and sorcery? Then this is your next meal! This story grabs you with a relentless hold that simply will not let go. A hero is born. Don't miss the event!" Chris Clark, Founder and Author of Inner City Games

Hello, readers & fellow authors!

My name is Alex Rodriguez. I'm an indie author looking for reviews for my first book Lapse! My book is best suitable for those who enjoy YA, time travel, sci fi or romance. Any other readers are welcome! I’d gladly send a free copy in exchange for an honest review. The novel is currently available in a PDF or ePub file. Please get in touch with which format you prefer.

The synopsis is as follows:

Nora knows the rules.

Find the time marker, never reveal the secrets of the universe, don't get involved in the time marker's lives.

However, in nearly every single life cycle, they're paired together, when it comes to Mason, she breaks all the rules again and again.

She found him when he was twelve. In high school, Nora taught him his place in the universe. And their lives were thoroughly intertwined-now more than ever.

Despite her mistakes, Nora's job was easy enough, until everything took a sharp turn. Mason is angry with her, with the universe telling her who she ought to be. Nora knows her role, and what that responsibility means. She isn't about to start questioning why things are the way they are, though in her heart her efforts are beginning to unfurl a fog over her judgment.

To add to their cosmic dysfunction, Mason and Nora are only one time warp away from being discovered by time travelers, who would like nothing more than to see Mason restart a life cycle, or thrown out of time completely...

Please feel free to send me a message on Goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...

Find Lapse on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Lapse-Alex-Rod...

Follow me on Instagram @alexrdt_writes

I look forward to hearing from you!

Alex Rodriguez
Lapse

Hi Alex! I'm a big fan of YA books, and I love YA books of all kinds! I am very interested in reading your book, it sounds amazing! I would love to read your book, and would love to honestly review it. Please let me know if you are able to send me a free copy for an honest review! (I would like a PDF file please). Thank you so much! Enjoy your day!

Paige Greenwald

The Kirkus review is in for Rocking Chair Moon by David Patneaude (me):
“This novel in verse follows the lives of a brother and sister as they grow, face loss, and find themselves.
Ben Duran is 8 years old, and his sister, Carly, is 11 months his junior as their dual story begins in 1996. The siblings narrate their lives in free verse, trading viewpoints through 2007 and beyond. From the first, their voices establish differing personalities and concerns. Ben’s two years in kindergarten—'Dad smiled his rocking-chair-moon smile / and said it was my redshirt year’—make him ‘bigger and stronger and wiser and / ready for any challenge’ compared to other students. Yet Ben keeps encountering challenges throughout his life, embodiments of his nightmare bogeyman, that can’t be conquered through physical achievements. Carly introduces herself as a ‘smarty-pants’ with ‘an IQ that can’t be measured.’ She deliberately uses advanced vocabulary (signaled with caps and italics) but, like Ben, discovers that strengths don’t mean invulnerability, as in this grief haiku: ‘To hell with big words. / Not one of them can describe / the pain in my heart.’ In the end, both siblings find hope after loss, as seen in Ben’s baby girl’s smile, ‘the sweetly haunting shape of / a rocking-chair moon.’ Patneaude, a prolific writer of children’s books and YA novels, skillfully uses verse to pare the extraneous. After Ben’s college girlfriend dumps him, for example, he suddenly joins the Army; just two lines capture the moment his decision sinks in, his “anger dissolving, / heart drumming.’ Images can be quite striking, such as the ominous feel of ‘a cold slice of yellow light / under your parents’ bedroom door.’
Poetic compression makes a vivid impact in this generally strong family story.”

I love the positive energy in this book group! I am a newbie indie author looking for some ARC reviews on a fantasy fiction novel that I have written. It's set to come out in September. I would appreciate any constructive and honest reviews!

I'll leave the blurb below in case any of you are interested. And if you are, you'll be able to find the book on NetGalley <3

THE SHADOWS HAVE AWAKENED...

Raised on a small unassuming island in the Caribbean, with the kind of sleepy town lifestyle better suited to old fishermen than fiery young troublemakers, Savara believes she has her world all figured out—and hates it. Yet, on her eighteenth birthday—the anniversary of her parents’ death—she wakes up to find the only world she has ever known might have all been a lie.

An unexpected death and the appearance of a mysterious off-worlder force Savara question everything she has ever known as she and Jasper—her "only adventurous in books" best friend—are thrust into the unknown, faced with a task that will not only determine their fates, but the fate of an entire nation. The shadows of a long-forgotten past have awakened with a thirst for blood. Will she be able to stop them from devouring everything in their path? Or will she fall victim to her own demons?

Join them on their journey to a world of elemental magic, where the lines of good and evil have been distorted, and truth is most often paid for in blood.

Welcome to Visanthe.

If you'd prefer not to use NetGalley (though it would help with increasing visibility) you can also find the book here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/8mv9kg8abm

Hello my fellow YA addicts…. I’ve recently published The Pox Academy
It’s a YA fantasy book, rammed full of magic and heartbreak. Lots of LGBTQ+ characters. If you loved Carry On this is for you. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. :)

Hi! I am a young author. I am currently working on my first book! If anyone has any tips, let me know!

➜ Tales of Habib the Hoaxter: Sometimes Hoaxed, Always Good for a Laugh

Hello! Come see everything anew through Habib's cunning yet innocent eyes.
It's a collection of very short, very funny stories, each tale contains a twist with a punch line that will have you laughing.

These fables will transport you to an exotic, timeless world filled with marvels and belief in marvels. In this world, whether the little guy wins or loses depends on how well he uses his wits.
Perfect for adults and children.

Be prepared for an entrancing journey into “one day,” an adventure that will transport you far from your everyday life, then will return you to it with new and marveling eyes.

➜ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CV9VZH1Z

is out now, https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...

Short comic for all ages featuring a curious girl, a mysterious elf, and a missing cell phone, oh my!

Hi, I’m Fancy B., and I’m excited to share my debut novel, Hollywood Heartbreaks, with you!

📖 Available now in paperback and on Kindle.

This contemporary romance follows Issa Carriveau, a rising star in Hollywood determined to protect her reputation, her heart, and her future. She’s focused on building her career—not chasing love. But when her name gets tangled in tabloid rumors with Jordan W., Hollywood’s leading man, her carefully guarded world begins to unravel.

Jordan is used to the fame, the flash, and the headlines—but Issa is the first woman who makes him want something real. As the cameras close in and secrets surface, the question becomes: Can love survive under the spotlight?

If you enjoy:
💘 Slow burn romance
🎬 Celebrity drama
🖤 Black love and emotional depth
💼 Ambitious, career-driven heroines
…then I’d love for you to check out Hollywood Heartbreaks.

📚 Available here: https://a.co/d/9ueaCvf
Feel free to visit my author page or drop a message—I’d love to hear from you!

Treasures of the Lochs
This is suspenseful YA Christian fiction, involving a modern-day treasure hunt in Scotland, with a bit of supernatural thrown in. Blending historical fact and Scottish legend within an action-packed adventure, Treasures of the Lochs is a powerful story of faith, friendship, and redemption. The target audience is teenage and above (some parts would be too intense for younger readers). This book is a 2024 NIEA Finalist in Religion Fiction. It also hit Amazon#1 New Release for Christian Fantasy. I hope you’ll check it out.

Hi all. My novel JUICE has just won the 2025 Rubery Book Award. It's set 30 years after catastrophic climate and environmental collapse. Sixteen-year-old Will has been raised to distrust technology. After a cataclysm known as the Devastation, his isolated community rejected the old world—shunning electricity, machines, and the progress they once promised. But Will yearns for more.

When he's cast out for questioning the rules, he sets off alone on a perilous journey to Coal City, the last place his estranged father was seen—and a place rumored to hold the key to a better life. Armed with only his survival skills and relentless determination, Will navigates treacherous terrain and encounters unlikely allies: rugged coal miners, a band of traveling circus performers, and a fearless acrobat who challenges everything he thought he knew.
As Will’s journey unfolds, so does his understanding of the world’s harsh beauty—and its hidden dangers. When he finally reaches Coal City, he uncovers a brutal truth: the city is ruled by a tyrant who thrives on slavery, corruption, and fear. To confront this evil, Will must risk everything—and decide what kind of future he truly believes in.

"Such an amazing book, I finished it in less than 24 hours it was that good! Right from the start I was hooked with the uncertainty of what was happening whilst still being engaged with what was going on, it was introduced perfectly. Throughout the whole book I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next, the unpredictability of the plot was great and it had the perfect ending. I would 100% buy the next book if it were to be made into a series and will recommend to friends."
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...