If you're searching for a romance title to feel snug with this love month, check out The Hometown Hazard by Dawn Lanuza. In this post, Dawn will grace this humble blog to share five books that inspired and helped her in writing The Hometown Hazard. There's also an extract and a chance for you to win one of the 3 e-books of this title, open INT. It's raining bookish goodies over here, fellow book wanderers! Thanks to Bookish Diaries for organizing this event.
by Dawn Lanuza
I started writing The Hometown Hazard in 2015 and during that year, I was also majorly bingeing on books. I’ve read a total of 65 titles that year, and in my acknowledgments, I thanked the authors of the books I’ve read that year for making me step outside of my comfort zone. That for me has always been writing in a very rom-com-ish way, with a witty protagonist and a series of unfortunate events that would lead her to her resolution.
When I was writing The Hometown Hazard, I felt like I’ve changed my gears (although not entirely!) by experimenting with mystery and suspense. Honestly, I felt like that tone was set because I was reading all of these awesome books! Not only did they keep me entertained last year but they also helped me write my own book:
- Dwellers by Eliza Victoria
Dwellers is the first book I’ve read from Filipino author Eliza Victoria but it definitely won’t be my last. It is mysterious and at times creepy enough that it made me want to close the book the way I wanted to mute the TV every time the scary part of a scary movie is showing, but it is too engrossing to do that so I basically had to grow a spine and sucked it up. The scare was worth it.
- Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Taryn Fisher
Not exactly my first CoHo book (but the first one I really liked) and my first Taryn Fisher, Never Never is one of those thrilling books that is cut into three parts. Despite the recent reviews that the sequels are disappointing (the second book was a bit of a letdown and I’m just about to read the third one), the first book is fast-paced that it’d only leave you: a) frustrated; b) excited; c) majorly confused or; d) all of the above.
- The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall
Another series in this list is Maggie Hall’s The Conspiracy of Us. The book has secret societies and private jets and motorcycle chases and multiple destinations (Paris! Sofia!) and a love triangle. Most people might consider that as a red flag but love triangles are awesome if it has two promising suitors. And while the first book is leaning towards #TeamJack, I’m pretty sure Book 2 would pack up on #TeamStellan moments. The second book of its series, Map of Fates will be out this year.
- The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick
This is probably the only book in this list without any mystery (well, lie, there’s a teeny bit but it’s not the scary kind) or high speed chase scenes or attempted murder, but man, does this book sneak up on you or what. First of all, if you haven’t read My Life Next Door (like me) then you might be overwhelmed with the amount of people introduced to you in this book. For a time, I felt like I was an outsider as these people knew each other long before I showed up but there was something about the protagonist Tim Mason that would make you want to keep flipping the pages. And I’m glad I did because Tim is one of my favorite fictional characters ever.
- The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Another YA-mystery read, The Naturals is about a group of talented kids who have some special skills: main character Cass is a natural at reading people, Michael is very good at reading emotions Dean is the best at profiling, Lia is an expert at lying, and Sloane is the person to go to when it comes to numbers and patterns. Together, they are under the care of the FBI and they sometimes help out with solving cold cases. I just found this one refreshing for a YA read and I usually recommend it to my friends who like shows like CSI and Criminal Minds.
So that’s it! The five books I’ve read last year that helped me with writing The Hometown Hazard and made my 2015 awesome. I consider these books as part of my ‘research’ too as they helped me with the tone of the book. J
Synopsis:
Jules Coronado has been away from her hometown for almost a decade but when an intruder breaks in to her childhood home, she finds herself coming back. Changes evidently took place in her small town, including her childhood best friend’s younger brother, Kip – now tall, slightly scruffed, all grown up and caught climbing into their garden wall.
Kip Villamor has a mission and despite Jules’ doubts, they team up: going on fieldtrips, tackling unsuspecting men, and trespassing offices to dig up dirt. But Jules has secrets of her own, one that might be exposed – unless she keeps her walls up. But climbing walls are Kip’s forte, remember?
Will her secrets keep her on his side, or will it force her to disappear again? (Add The Hometown Hazard to your Goodreads TBR here)
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Release date: January 29, 2016Genre: New Adult, Romance
Purchase links: Amazon | Buqo
Dawn Lanuza started writing stories when she was just a kid (they weren’t good or even finished). She works for the music industry by day and writes meet cutes and snappy comebacks by night. ‘The Boyfriend Backtrack’ is her first book. She currently lives with her family and an adopted dog.
I sat next to him but kept a good distance between us. He studied me for a minute then sighed, “We’re on the same team, you know.”
I gave him a confused look.
“We’re after the same thing. So stop treating me like the enemy.”
A grimace formed on my face, “We are so not after the same thing.”
As if interrupting my thoughts, Kip interjected, “I’m rooting for your dad too. You’re protecting him. That’s why you found yourself looking for Elise Cabrera.” He paused for a minute before saying, “I’ve got a head start so you’re going to keep bumping next to me if you push through.”
I blinked, taking in what he said. He was right. He’s got a good head start. Whatever I find, he probably already knew.
“You know what they say, ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’?” Kip gave me a side glance.
Still not sure of what direction to take, I cupped my face and leaned my elbow on my lap. A part of me wants to say no right away because what he’s doing is bound to get him in trouble. But I was also getting curious. I wanted to know what this was about. Maybe my dad didn’t know about the whole thing. Maybe he ought to know.
I wrinkled my nose, “Fine.”
He paused for a minute then let out a laugh, “Wow. Did I just win my first argument?” I didn’t say anything back and just kept my face straight. “Do you know what this means?”
“It means less rash actions from you, more sensible ones from me,” I bit back. “And if we’re gonna do something wrong, we might as well do it right.”
Kip let out a snicker, eyes flicking back to me. “That’s…” He shook his head, smiling to himself.
“Less running too, I’m hoping,” I added.
He cleared his throat, “Just…one rule.”
“There are rules?” My voice hitched an octave higher.
“One,” He emphasized, like I haven’t been listening to him all along. “And you’re the one who’s all about the rules and the law and the plan. I thought you’d be psyched about this.”
Exasperated, I nodded, waving my hand as if saying, fine.
Kip shifted and caught my eye, lips tight, jaw clenching. “Don’t do anything behind my back. I’m going to have to trust you, okay? Maybe you should do the same for me too.”
Win one of 3 ebooks of The Hometown Hazard, open internationally. Enter below:
***Good luck!***
