Denise Jaden

In an emotionally intense debut, Brie tries to cope with her grief over her older sister Faith's sudden death by trying to learn more about the religious "home group" Faith secretly joined but never spoke about with Brie or her parents. Original.

Losing Faith

Sixteen-year-old Loann admires and envies her older sister Claire's strength, popularity and beauty, but as Loann begins to open up to new possibilities in herself, she discovers that Claire's all-consuming quest for perfection comes at a dangerous price. Original.

Never Enough

Writers flock to National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) each November because it provides a procrastination-busting deadline. But only a fraction of the participants meet their goal. Denise Jaden was part of that fraction, writing first drafts of her two published young adult novels during NaNoWriMo. In Fast Fiction, she shows other writers how to do what she did, step-by-step, writer to writer. Her process starts with a prep period for thinking through plot, theme, characters, and setting. Then Jaden provides day-by-day coaching for the thirtyday drafting period. Finally, her revision tips help writers turn merely workable drafts into compelling and publishable novels. A portion of publisher proceeds will be donated to National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

A Guide to Outlining and Writing a First-Draft Novel in Thirty Days

Fast Fiction

Jamie Monroe has always played it safe. That is, until her live-for-the-moment best friend, Tristan, jets off to Italy on a student exchange program. Left alone with her part-time mother and her disabled brother, Jamie discovers that she is quite capable of taking her own risks, starting with her best friend's hotter-than-hot older brother, Sawyer. Sawyer and Tristan have been neighbors for years, but as Jamie grows closer to the family she thought she knew, she discovers some pretty big secrets-not only from her, but from each other. As she sinks deeper into their web of pretense, she suspects that her best friend may not be on a safe exchange program at all. Jamie sets off to Europe on a class trip with plans to meet up with Tristan, but when Tristan stops all communication, suddenly no one seems trustworthy, least of all the one person she was starting to trust-Sawyer.

Foreign Exchange

Shari Green

Dawn Dalton

New Alice. New Wonderland. New stories to love. From the modern Alice dumped in the Aquarian Age of the late sixties, to the present day Alice, tormented by body image and emotional issues, to the Alice of the future, launched forward through time and space, FALLING FOR ALICE offers five fresh takes on Lewis Carroll's classic tale. For 150 years, people all over the world have fallen under Alice in Wonderland's spell. Now, follow five Young Adult authors down the rabbit hole to discover Alice like you've never seen her before. One thing is certain-this is not your mother's Alice."

Falling for Alice

Find rock-solid story ideas before you start writing Anyone who has been hamster-wheeling a story idea for years or has hundreds of pages exploring various approaches on their hard drive knows that there must be a better way. There is. Young adult novelist Denise Jaden shows exactly how to create the captivating stories that prevent dispiriting wasted time. Busting the “visitation from the muses” myth, she shows that inspiration is a skill writers can learn by understanding how story ideas work (or don’t), fertilizing the ground for fresh and sound ideas, and moving swiftly through stuck points. Practical and inspiring, Jaden’s approach celebrates the imaginative sparks that make innovations of all kinds possible while pinpointing the precise tools writers need to fan their unique creative flames.

Finding Your Best Story Ideas and Turning Them into Compelling Fiction

Story Sparks

An unlucky amateur sleuth, an adorable cop, and a cat with a hunch…

If anyone had told Mallory Beck she would become Honeysuckle Grove’s next unschooled detective, she would have thought they were ten noodles short of a lasagna. Her late husband had been the mystery novelist with a penchant for the suspicious. She was born for the Crock-Pot, not the magnifying glass, and yet here she is elbow deep in fettuccine, cat treats, and teenagers with an attitude, the combination of which lands her smack-dab in the middle of a murder investigation.

Maybe she should have thought twice about delivering a casserole to a grieving family. Maybe she should have avoided the ever-changing green eyes of her seventh-grade crush—now the most heart-stopping cop in town. Maybe she should have stopped listening to the insightful mewls of her antagonistic cat, Hunch, who most likely wants her to be the town’s next murder victim.

Whatever the case, Mallory Beck got herself into this investigation, and she has a distraught teenage girl counting on her to deliver the truth.

Murder at Mile Marker 18

** Large Print Edition Tabby has inadvertently invited her estranged father, the State Senator Conrad Chase, for a visit to Crystal Cove to help her plan Detective Aaron Thom's mayoral campaign. Unfortunately, the visit comes on the heels of another tragedy in Crystal Cove, one that Tabby can't help but investigate. Her parents were never going to be in favor of her involving herself in dangerous investigations, but even more so now that they are seeing it with their own eyes. But this tragedy concerns a friend of Tabby's, and more importantly, she has a distraught teenager counting on her for answers. However, as more and more information is uncovered, Tabby wonders if she's only going to give the girl more questions than closure. Especially if all evidence is leading to another murder in Crystal Cove. Join Tabby, Jay, and Sherlock as they team up once again in order to get to the truth.

Morbid Monday

Tabby's family has busy Christmas plans, which gives her the opportunity to fly across the country and visit West Virginia for the first time. Mallory and Amber both welcome Tabby to Honeysuckle Grove with open arms, but Hunch? He's not so sure about a woman who unmistakably smells of another cat. They settle in to celebrate the holidays together, and when Mallory and Tabby open Christmas gifts from under the tree and find an item that has no discernible benefactor, trying to discover its origin and purpose becomes the number one task on their Christmas agenda. Is it a treasure hunt constructed by Amber? Or Alex? Or both of them? While they search for clues, Mallory prepares for an upcoming catering event. The mysterious gift's source doesn't become evident until a couple days later when Mallory's and Amber's catering event turns deadly! If you've enjoyed the Mallory Beck Cozy Culinary Capers or the Tabitha Chase Days of the Week Mysteries, you'll love this whodunit where the sleuths team up to solve an unforgettable case.

Murder at Christmas in Honeysuckle Grove

In this modern take on a holiday classic, high school junior, Kerril, faces her past, present, and future to be reminded of the good in others, and in herself. Haunted by the memory of the worst of her divorced parents' public Christmas blowouts, Kerril, will do almost anything to avoid the upcoming tinsel-filled season. Unfortunately, a teacher with a grudge casts Kerril as the lead in the school's holiday production. To add to the misery, she will star alongside ultra-awkward Adam as her love interest. Wanting to ditch the play, Adam, her parents, and Christmas altogether, Kerril accepts an invitation to take off to a cabin with her ultimate dream crush, Perry--only Perry may not be the guy she hoped he was, and it's not until she's left Adam behind to fend for himself onstage that she realizes he might just be the guy of her dreams.

A Christmas Kerril

A teenage Scrooge. A hunky ghost . A Christmas season that just won't quit. When cranky Kerril is forced into the lead role of her school’s Christmas play, she has no idea of the haunted happenings that will follow. She wants to be left alone this Christmas, but a handsome ghost has other ideas. Now, for one crazy December, the past, present, and future will flirt with Kerril's plans. Maybe she’s not the Scrooge she thinks she is. Maybe Santa’s bringing romance this year. You’ll love this Christmas fantasy because it will bring back memories of sweet first kisses. Grab your copy today and unravel this gift!

A sweet romance young adult retelling of the Dickens Classic

Large print clean read! The murder of a witch, a seaside town selling the supernatural, and a realtor-turned-sleuth, rediscovering her purpose. When self-proclaimed realist and realtor Tabitha Chase takes a trip to small-town Crystal Cove to sell her late aunt's houseboat, nothing is what it seems on the surface, including a local witch's cause of death. Tabby's spreadsheets and staging skills won't solve the case, but her newly inherited psychic cat might. With the help of a fetching forensics expert and a dashing detective, Tabby hopes to clear her name from suspicion and discover the truth. Join this witchy cast of characters in the small beach town of Crystal Cove where Tabby may be the only person who can see past the shroud of illusions.

A Paranormal Cozy Mystery

Witchy Wednesday

Writers flock to National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) each November because it provides a procrastination-busting deadline. But only a fraction of the participants meet their goal. Denise Jaden was part of that fraction, writing first drafts of two subsequently published novels in that tight time frame. In Fast Fiction, she shows other writers how to do what she did, step-by-step, writer to writer. To ensure success, her program begins a month before the month of drafting. During this prep period writers think through plot, theme, characters, setting, etc. Then Jaden provides day-by-day coaching for the thirty-day drafting period. After writers “race to the finish,” they are not left high and dry. Jaden's “After the Draft” revision tips allow writers to determine if a draft is not just workable but compelling, so that they don't waste months or years developing it. Her camaraderie and skill allow Jaden to both instruct and inspire.

When Mallory and Amber try their hand at catering their first event—an antique auction held on New Year’s Eve—they have high hopes for helping the locals ring in the new year with a little culinary decadence. But when a highly anticipated collector fails to show up and bid on a piece he’d been prattling on about for most of a year, the antique dealer is sure something is wrong. Has the collector gone missing? Or was someone willing to kill him to get their hands on a prized antique clock?

Murder During the Antique Auction

Some people will kill for the perfect antique. The question is... who did? When Mallory and Amber try their hand at catering their first event-an antique auction held on New Year's Eve-they have high hopes for helping the locals ring in the new year with a little culinary decadence. But when a highly anticipated collector fails to show up and bid on a piece he'd been prattling on about for most of a year, the antique dealer is sure something is wrong. Has the collector gone missing? Or was someone willing to kill him to get their hands on a prized antique clock? Find out when you snuggle up with this new whodunit!

A Mallory Beck Cozy Culinary Caper

Kass, never in a million years, would have pictured herself as someone’s groupie, but when Eli and his band score a spot on the hot new reality TV show, Hold That Note, she decides to surprise him in L.A… and hopefully win back his heart. But Eli’s gun shy after losing his mom, not to mention his heartache with Taylor and his past trust issues with Kass. As if that’s not enough to overcome, Kass finds it impossible to fit into “the perfect girlfriend” image in the shadows of T.V. Land. Maybe their relationship isn’t made for the limelight. But what if Eli truly is? If you haven’t read the first five books… Start with Book One, Outcast, or Book Five, a Bonus Track, which is a great introduction to the series, and you’ll find it free linked below with the series. Perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell and Gayle Forman. Download Groupie today!

Hard-hitting Contemporary YA

Groupie

Eli’s not in a good place. His first official girlfriend, a girl he was starting to trust, left him with an injury that threatens all of his hopes and dreams. It’s hard not to be bitter, but thankfully there’s someone on the sidelines who will help Eli through this. He’s not giving up. Fans of Kasie West and Gayle Forman will fall in love with this gritty upper YA series. Enjoy this short read from the Living Out Loud Series. It falls between tracks four and six in the series—read it in order starting with Track One: Outcast, or start here to get to know Kass and Eli.

Bonus Track

RUNAWAYS. ROMANCE. ROAD TRIPS. She’s guarded and angry at humanity. He’s a sensitive guitar player who is trying to escape his family drama. They don’t seem like they’d be suited for one another, but it turns out they may be the perfect match to get each other through their complicated obstacles, finding missing family members, and coming to self-acceptance. Opposites have never attracted this much. Gritty, vulnerable, and rife with secrecy, The Living Out Loud Series is a new upper YA series for fans of Gayle Forman and Rainbow Rowell. If you enjoyed the misfit attraction of Eleanor & Park, you'll fall in love with Kass and Eli. Grab the box set now to get the first four books in the series as well as two “Bonus Tracks.”

Books 1-4 Hard-hitting Contemporary YA

Living Out Loud Series Box Set

She's not trustworthy. Kass returns from touring with Eli’s band willing to do whatever it takes to repay the band for her mistakes, even if it means playing with the lines of legality. Soon enough it will all be over. Kass can repay the band and move back home, where she’ll stay at Eli’s side and finally push herself to open up to someone. That is, as long as her illegal cohorts keep their end of the bargain and Eli doesn’t find out. Pusher features dangerous secrets, complicated romance, and unforgettable characters. If you like Kasie West and Jordan Ford, you’ll love the latest installment in Denise Jaden’s Living Out Loud Series. Grab your copy of Pusher today! Interview with the Author: Where did you come up with Kass and Eli's characters? They work so well together. Were they always a team in your mind? No, actually Kass and Eli developed from very different places. Eli was born out of my first main character in the first (unpublished) book I'd ever written. It was a meandering story that wasn't working for a lot of reasons, but over many years of trying to revise it, I got to know and love Eli, and really wanted to bring him to life in a different story. I was thrilled when he worked so well as a main character in this series. Kass was also born out of a different book, a secondary character in my novel Losing Faith. I meant to give this character her own sequel, but when that didn't work out, I reworked "Tessa" into Kass, who has many similarities, but is definitely her own person. When I put Kass together with Eli, that's really where the magic happened! What readers will most enjoy the Living Out Loud Series? What book is it most like? I'd say fans of most YA contemporary novels, including those by Jennifer E. Smith, Kasie West, Erin Watt, and Sarah Dessen will enjoy the Living Out Loud Series, but if I was looking for similarities, I would say it is most like Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, for the distinct and deep romance between two such opposing characters. Also fans of Gayle Forman's If I Stay/Where She Went should find familiarity in the YA music scene. How many books are planned for this series? At this point, I have eight books planned in the series. They are as follows: Track One: Outcast Track Two: Roadie Track Three: Pusher Track Four: Runner Track Five: Bonus Track Track Six: Groupie Track Seven: Paparazzi Track Eight: Rockstar Final Author's Note: You will find special bonuses in the back of each novel in this series, including free short stories, novellas, character interviews, and even a coloring book. I hope you have enjoyed this interview, and I hope you'll give the Living Out Loud Series a try!

Pusher

RUNAWAYS. ROMANCE. A ROCK & ROLL ROAD TRIP. Guarded and angry at humanity, Kass has nowhere safe to go for the next three weeks. She recoils from Eli's gentle patience, while accepting his not-quite invitation to join their band tour. He gets her, though, and he is the only person to ever make it past her cutting back talk. But she's a life-hardened punk who won't get along with the rest of the band. He's a sensitive guitar player. Sparks will fly as they try to meet in the middle on their rock and roll road trip. Roadie, Track Two in a new upper YA Series, features page-turning band drama, sizzling romance, and nuanced characters. If you like Rainbow Rowell and Gayle Forman, you'll love Denise Jaden's new series. Buy Roadie today and hit the road with some unforgettable characters.

Denise Jaden

Books

Your next favorite book is out there