Release Day Blitz, Review, & Giveaway ~ Happily Ever After ~ JA Huss

Happy Release Day, JA Huss!
Happily Ever After is a *must-read* for Rook & Ronin fans! And if you haven't met their gang yet, the Rook & Ronin Trilogy is ON SALE til Christmas for only 99 pennies!

Happily Ever After: 
A Day in the Life of
the HEA

J.A. Huss

((Rook & Ronin Series))
Publication date: December 16, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Life in Rook & Ronin’s world has been bliss for fifteen years. Rook, Veronica, and Ashleigh are still BFF’s raising their kids together. Ronin, Spencer, and Ford have managed to go legit and stay out of trouble. And they have a pack of kids running around the eight thousand square foot Vail mansion they all share for the holidays—begging for gifts, and fun, and love.

But every HEA has problems.

Five is fifteen and getting ready to go off to college. He’s put it off as long as he could in order to stay close to Princess Shrike, but his stay of execution is over and in three weeks he’s off to Oxford. But Five can’t leave until he gets the only thing he’s ever wanted. The heart of his Princess.

Ford and Ashleigh never had any more children after Five. And now that Kate is sixteen, Ashleigh is out of her head with desire for just one more chance to have a baby in the house.

Rook and Ronin have two beautiful daughters, but Sparrow is growing up too. And she just got a job offer that has Ronin crazed with paternal worry.

And Spencer is the father of a fifteen-year-old princess who looks way too much like her Bombshell mother for his comfort level.

Join the whole Rook & Ronin gang for a Team Christmas you will never forget.

There are SEVEN BOOKS in the Rook & Ronin series before this one. This is not a standalone. Rook & Ronin Series & Spinoffs 

1. Tragic – Rook & Ronin
2. Manic – Rook & Ronin
3. Panic – Rook & Ronin
4. Slack – Ford & Ashleigh
5.  Taut – Ford & Ashleigh
6. Bomb – Spencer & Veronica
7. Guns – Spencer & Veronica

Goodreads / Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Amazon CA 

Amazon UK / Amazon AU

—

SALE ALERT!!
The first three books in the Rook and Ronin series are on sale for only 99 cents until Christmas.

Get it here: AMAZON / B&N / KOBO

—

EXCERPT:

SPENCER

I ease out of the room quietly and take the baby downstairs. The house is big and the kitchen is far, but I can hear the bustle of kids and dogs before I even make it downstairs. When I walk in, it’s a madhouse. I love this fucking madhouse. My girls are all laughing and talking a mile a minute. Belle is stuffing her face with pancakes, Jasmine and Ariel are clinking their OJ glasses together like they are having a secret toast, and Rory is…

I squint my eyes at Rory. She’s talking to Five, but that’s not what makes me squint my eyes. She’s wearing a Shrike Trikes t-shirt and sweat pants, but it’s the way… it’s the shape of her…

“Daddy,” Rory squeals, getting up from her stool at the breakfast bar and coming towards me. “Five wants to know—”

“Absolutely not.”

She stops short. “What?” Her smile falters.

Cindy smacks her little fist into my eyeball, and I have to take a deep breath. “I’m sorry, what were you going to ask?” I eye Five suspiciously. I know he’s always liked her, but he’s so weird. Like Ford, just weird. Always wearing those suits. Always on that computer. And he’s been in and out of different college programs since he was ten or eleven. He’s gone a lot and that’s the way I like it.

But today he looks… different. Different in the same way that Rory looks different in her innocent nightclothes. He almost looks normal in his flannel pajama pants and Shrike t-shirt. Add in the fact that his normally perfectly coiffed hair is messed up a little like he just rolled out of bed, and I get flushed with anger.

In fact, Rory’s long blonde hair is all messed up too. Flowing over her shoulders like an unruly waterfall. And Five is looking at her the way I look at the Bomb.

“But Daddy,” Rory pleads. “I need to go shopping.”

“Shopping?” I ask, ratcheting down my suspicions and getting a hold of my paranoia as the seconds tick off.

“Yeah, we don’t want to ski today. We want to go shopping in the Village.”

Shopping. I mull it over in my head. Lots of people there. Crowds of people, actually.

Not private, in other words. “Maybe,” I say. “But I’m pretty sure Ford is counting on you to help him, Five.”

“Mr. Shrike,” Five starts. “I’ve already cleared it with my father. Kate’s helping him today. Right, Kate?” He looks over at his sister and there’s… there’s some kind of secret look going on between the two of them.

“Yup,” Kate says. She is as normal as Five is strange. And she’s been Ford’s little sidekick since day one. But she’s smarter than people give her credit for. I think she secretly likes it that way. Like being underestimated is the best gift she ever got out of being Ford’s adopted daughter. “Ford and I are skiing a double black once the kids are finished.”

“Well,” I say, eyeing my brood. Rory needs a chaperone. Belle, Jas and Ariel won’t go shopping. They love Ford too much to skip out on a whole day with him on the slopes. And there’s no chance in hell that Rook and Ronin will have time to shop today. Sparrow has ballet rehearsal before The Nutcracker tonight. “Oliver,” I say,
smiling. “Ollie, my boy. You don’t want to ski today, do you? You hate skiing.” He does too, he can’t ski worth a shit. “Will you go with Rory and finds something extra-special pretty for Mommy today? She’s tired and needs a pick-me-up present before Santa comes.”

“Yay!” Oliver says. “Yes, yes, yes! I want to go shopping with Five. He’s the best, Daddy.”

I roll my eyes. “OK, good. You can go, Princess, but…” I look at Five. “But…”

“But what, Daddy?” Rory asks.

But what am I going to say to Five? You touch my girl, I’ll break your fingers? I’ll grab that shotgun I’m hiding under my bed and—“Just be home in time for dinner. Your mom is making something special tonight.”

An early Christmas present...what a treat! Reading Happily Ever After, slipping back into Rook & Ronin and company's world, was like wrapping up in a warm blanket and sipping on some hot chocolate - comfortable.

Happily Ever After shows us what life is like for these characters now that the most dangerous thing they do is a terrain park on skis and their biggest worry is that the kids are growing up too quickly. I was absolutely delighted with this glimpse into their world and how they spend Christmas Eve together. 

All the situations each of these couples are experiencing felt authentic and real and really resonated deeply in my. I had tears in my eyes on more than one occasion as I shared in Rook & Ronin's worry over the future for their kids, Ford & Ash's struggle over whether or not to expand their family, and Spencer and Ronnie's concern over the princess dating.

Kids do grow up way to fast and life moves at light speed the older we get. I took great pleasure in seeing some of my favorite characters going through the same things I've gone through or am currently experiencing. And the multiple POVs just added to the wonder - especially Five's. To see life finally got to normal for these couples and their families - well, it left me feeling warm and fuzzy!

If you've read the Rook & Ronin series, this is a must read!

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JA Huss is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty romances. She likes stories about family, loyalty, and extraordinary characters who struggle with basic human emotions while dealing with bigger than life problems.

JA loves writing heroes who make you swoon, heroines who makes you jealous, and the perfect Happily Ever After ending.

You can chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorJAHuss), Twitter (@jahuss), and her kick-ass romance blog, New Adult Addiction
(www.newadultaddiction.com).

Reasons You'll Love Rook & Ronin ~ TGIF! Spotlight & #Giveaway

If y'all have followed me for any length of time, you know I adore JA Huss. And if you haven't followed me for that long, well I'm about to give you some reasons to start reading her! ;) Not the least of which is that I'm giving away a signed copy of Tragic! 

A little backstory...back in late 2012, I started conversing with JA via her blog, New Adult Addiction. We liked several of the same books and she was fun to talk to. So when she told me she was having a blog tour of her own and asked if I'd participate, I said "Sure!" Now, the books I'd be reading were not what I typically read, so I was a little out of my comfort zone. However, I ended up hosting an entire week of fangirling over JA Huss and Junco! 

Fast forward a few months (in 2013), and she was releasing the first book in her Rook & Ronin series, Tragic. Well, I loved it, too! I thought I would share a few reasons why YOU should read this series, as well. So here goes...

***

• A Strong Heroine (you'll always get one with JA)

"I was broken, beaten, and scared of pretty much everything. And then it hit me. If I wanted to change my life then I'd have to do it myself. Because no one was coming to protect me, or save me, or heal me. There was just me." -Rook, Tragic 

"...a door, still closed and leading to every opportunity imaginable and requiring a leap of faith that the risk is worth it. You are my doorway to endless possibilities and I'm ready to take that risk." -Rook, Panic

• A Hot Hero (or Three!)

"Rook, no one gives a shit what I wear. They want me naked and if I'm not naked, then I'm just there to make you look good until we do get naked." -Ronin, Tragic

"Ronin challenges Rook to want a future - one with him. He challenges her to believe in herself, to believe in love and to believe she deserves it. Ford challenges Rook to stretch herself, to push past her boundaries, to reach and fulfill her potential. And Spencer, he provides Rook with the comfort and security of a big brother." -From my review of Panic

• Lots of Swoon

"I could describe what you look like, but that's not what I see. You are so much more than a body inside a dress Rook. You fit me." -Ronin, Tragic

"Miss Corvus, I am so far beyond in love with you, I can barely function. I want to marry you. Like yesterday. But I know that's not gonna happen just yet, so I just want you to know, I can wait. I will wait." -Ronin, Panic 

"Well it's not really a mystery. It was the day I met you, that's when. You've changed me, Rook. You make me weak, you make me stumble, you make me fall, and even though I know you'll pick me up if I ask you to, it's not enough. I want you to make me stronger, just like I made you. I want it all or I want nothing. And since I can't have it all, I'll take nothing." -Ford, Panic

"But I'm desperate for more from her. I'm desperate for something more permanent. And I do understand that it's totally selfish of me to expect her to give up her dream to make me happy, so that's something I'd never ask her to do. But it eats away at me. Her lack of permanence. It's like she's fleeting, like she's a moment. Something that comes and goes. I want marriage, I want kids, I want everything I never had as a child, and I want it desperately. But I want her more. I will wait, that was not a lie. I'll wait forever if I have to." -Ronin, Panic 

• A Sprinkle of Humor

"So, tell me, Ford--is that a family name? Or did your parents just like trucks?" -Rook, Manic

"How did I get here? We're Three's Company. Spencer is airhead Chrissy, Ford is intellectual Janet, and I'm pretending to be gay so I don't notice that you two are roommate eye-candy." -Rook, Panic

• Loads of Steamy

I am desperate to get him inside me, but he's slow now. "I might not be able to make many guarantees in this world, Rook," he says as his hand travels down and traces the crease between my legs. "But I will say with one hundred percent certainty that you will come tonight." Rook & Ronin, Panic

• A Little Mystery

"And it might be sitting in non-traceable off-shore bank accounts. Because we might've stolen all his money while we were at it. Serves him right since the only reason he got caught is because he tried to steal yours. Paybacks are always a bitch." 

• Twists & Turns That Screw with Your Mind

"In Manic, Ms. Huss works some magic...keeping her readers even more involved and interested in Rook and Ronin's story through the reveal of some major revelations. We knew Rook's past was not a pretty one, but we learn even more about the extent to which she suffered. And then there's the shock of the sordid (look Ford, I'm smart, too!) past between Ronin, Spencer, and Ford. And then there was the panic attack inducing, pulse pounding bombshell part of the book. Yeah, I can't tell y'all about that. ;)"  - From my review of Manic

• Writing That Makes You Think

"I like the contradictions of the story - the juxtaposition of the ugliness of Rook's life with the glamour of modeling. The glamour of modeling against the ugliness behind the scenes. That Rook has come to believe that no one will save her but herself yet the kindness shown to her by Ronin and Elise (and Antoine to an extent) essentially do just that. Rook and Ronin and somewhat contradictory as well - she with nothing, he with everything, but both missing something." -From my review of Tragic

"I enjoyed the culmination of Rook's journey towards forgiveness, love, wholeness. Because even though they're an 'us', this story is more Rook's story than Ronin's. Ronin is the catalyst for Rook's growth and therefore an integral part of Rook's story, but it's Rook's. And as the events of Rook's past are revealed, I admired her all the more." -From my review of Panic

So are you convinced yet? I certainly hope you are! And to tempt you even further, you can enter the giveaway for a signed copy of Tragic! Sorry! This giveaway is U.S. only. If you're International, don't despair! Just let me know in the comments and I'll put y'all into a drawing (using random.org) for Tragic in ebook format. 

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**Series Blitz & Giveaway ~ Rook & Ronin ~ JA Huss**

If y'all still haven't met Rook & Ronin (and seriously, if you haven't, I'm not doing my job ;) there's no better time than now! That's because Tragic, the first in the series, if *FREE*. And Manic, the second, is only *99 cents*! 

Below are the series details and some teasers and excerpts. Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway!

***

TRAGIC – FREE through DECEMBER 14th
(Rook & Ronin #1)
By JA Huss
Publication 5-15-2013
Goodreads ~ Amazon

BOOK DESCRIPTION
****THIS SERIES IS NOW COMPLETE****
****MORE THAN 500 FIVE STAR REVIEWS FOR THIS TRILOGY****

How far are you willing to go to start over?

Rook Walsh is homeless, jobless, and down to her last ten bucks when opportunity knocks her in the head and delivers a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

Internationally renowned photographer, Antoine Chaput, knows the minute he spies Rook in his studio that she's got The Look. The dark and desperate look he must have to land the exclusive TRAGIC media contract.

Rook is paired up with top model Ronin, and he knows exactly what to do to make her blush for Antoine's camera. Her luck changes in an instant and suddenly she's got more attention and exposure than she can handle—both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

*****

MANIC – 99¢ through DECEMBER 14th
(Rook & Ronin #2)
By JA Huss
Publication 7-30-2013
Goodreads ~ Amazon

TRAGIC is over and Rook is ready for the future—Spencer Shrike and the STURGIS contract!

It's three months of body art modeling! That means three months of Spencer Shrike's paintbrush all over her body, three months in front of Antoine's camera, and three months of twenty-four-hour filming for Spencer's Biker Channel reality show.

Wait a minute… what reality show? Maybe she should've read that STURGIS contract a little closer?

Sure, Rook's bank account is overflowing, but Ronin is angry, Clare is trying to escape rehab, Antoine is a worried mess, and Elise is just trying to hold everyone together. Rook's new family is about to fall apart before she even gets the chance to enjoy it.

***** 

PANIC
(Rook & Ronin #1)
By JA Huss
Publication 10-15-2013
Goodreads ~ Amazon

Rook is chasing her dream—film school and a chance at a life beyond the one she ran from six months ago. But before she can become the girl she wants to be, she must deal with the girl she left behind.

Ronin is also chasing his dream—a family of his own and a life away from erotic modeling. And he too, has a past he’s trying to forget. A past that makes Rook question everything about their life together.

Lies, secrets, and shocking truths will rock the foundation Rook and Ronin have built. Can they put the past behind them and move forward together? Or is this just another too good to be true relationship that will crash and burn in the end?


The Rook and Ronin Series has SEVEN books TOTAL
(1) TRAGIC
(2) MANIC
(3) PANIC

Spin-offs
(4) SLACK: A Day in the Life of Ford Aston
(5) TAUT: The Ford Book
(6) BOMB: A Day in the Life of Spencer Shrike
(7) GUNS: The Spencer Book

$20 GIFT CARD AND Signed set of Rook & Ronin (new covers) Ends 12-15-14

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PANIC EXCERPT 

ROOK
My phone beeps an incoming text just as I settle back on my couch and turn on the TV. My heart flutters a little as I read the text.

Dear Rook (AKA Gidget),

I’ve never had the urge to write a love letter but I’m lying in bed, looking over at your side, wondering if I can somehow change your mind about this whole deal and talk you into coming the fuck home. (I’m a selfish asshole, I know.) But I get that you need this so I’ll just say this instead: I felt like I was leaving a piece of my soul behind the moment I left. And every second that passes, I miss you like that, times a million. 

Love,
Ronin (AKA Larue)

I press call under his name and he picks up on the first ring. “Ronin Flynn, you are like a door.”

He laughs. “It was that touching, huh?”

“Not a window where you can see through to the other side and be sure of what’s coming. But a door, still closed and leading to every opportunity imaginable and requiring a leap of faith that the risk is worth it. You are my doorway to endless possibilities and I’m ready to take that risk.”

I can hear him swallow on the other end and when he’s done his words rumble out in his deep, sexy voice. “Rook, I’m not a risk, I’m a sure thing. You’re the only girl I want to build a future with. Ever. You’re the one, Rook. The love that only comes around once in a lifetime and I refuse to settle for anything else.”

He’s perfect. Simply perfect. “I love your love letter, Larue. It made me sigh like a schoolgirl.”

“Well, you are a schoolgirl, right? I think I’m gonna have to go looking for a little tartan skirt and some knee socks. Dress you all up in a sexy outfit this weekend.”

“If you do that, I might have to be bad on purpose, Mr. Flynn.”

“Don’t tease, Gidget, or I’ll spank you.”

“You promise that so much and never come through. I hardly get excited about it anymore.”

He guffaws this time and I can practically picture his gorgeous smile lighting up his electric blue eyes. “I can’t fucking wait until Friday.”

I giggle a little as I picture our Friday. “I might just ditch class early, Mr. Flynn.”

“And that will earn you two spankings, Miss Corvus.”

“Promises, promises.”

JA Huss is the USA Today best-selling author of the Rook and Ronin series, the epic science fiction I Am Just Junco series, and hundreds of kid-friendly science books in subjects such as biology, physics, anatomy and physiology, astronomy, and forensics. She has an undergraduate degree in equine science and a master's degree in forensic toxicology. She has never taken a creative writing class and she hopes she never will.

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