
Tragic, Manic, Panic
JA Huss
Series: Rook and Ronin
Genres: Adult Suspense, Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
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.
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.
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 BookROOK & RONIN
(Trilogy - Romantic Suspense)
STANDALONE SERIES #1, #2, #3
Click to buy now or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
This series changed my life. Tragic was my first book that broke the Amazon Top 500 in May of 2013 and I knew that was a game changer. People were buying my book! And not only that, they seemed to like it.
Tragic was the first indication that I might be good at this writing stuff. I might just be able to find a place in this self-publishing world. I might have stories to tell that would inspire people.
So when I finished Tragic, I paused to ask myself, “What do I like to read?”
And I had no answer.
I dunno. I just know it when I read it.
But then I was sitting around watching TV one day and Ocean’s Eleven was on. And holy fuck, I just love that movie. So I asked myself, Why? What about that movie makes me love it? And my answer was—those guys were so smart. They pulled off a heist and it was brilliant. No one saw it coming.
So I thought, if I like that, and the movie did well, then other people like that too. And that’s how I got the plot twist in Manic.
I’m not going to say what it is, in case you haven’t read the series, but regardless of what the reviews or description say for Tragic, the series is not about modeling. It’s about criminals. Specifically, it’s about a Team of criminals who value each other above all else. And maybe what they do is wrong, but their relationships with family and friends are their number one priority. They would do anything to protect each other. Even if they fight, they stand together in the end.
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That really blew people away in Manic. They never saw it coming. The description says it’s about a reality show. And it is. But that’s all setting. Motorcycles, painting naked girls, the show at the end of the summer at Sturgis, and the sex. All that is secondary to the plot. And the plot is about the past coming back to haunt you.
All three of these books were on a blog tour with Xpresso Tours and I remember during the tour stopping at one blog to read the review. I think it might’ve been Ali’s old blog, in fact. Ginger-Read reviews. (She’s at Black Heart Reviews now). And people were commenting on her review and one person mentioned something like, I can’t wait to see what Ronin’s secret is.
That was for Tragic and I have to be honest, I had no clue!
None. I started writing Tragic and then I took a class on genre structure online. And this was the best move I ever made. Because I’m a scientist people. I had seriously never taken a writing class aside from that whole reasearch paper thing they make you do as a freshman. I had written a maser’s thesis and more than 200 science books before deciding to write fiction, but it’s all very different.
I had 45,000 (thousand) words written in Tragic when I deleted 27,000 of them and started over. I was doing it wrong. A romance is about the romance. And Tragic was the first book where I actually followed genre rules. It hurt a little to delete all those words and start again, but it hurts much less now (every book has been a bestseller since).
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I really didn’t know if Panic would be a good book or not because when my editor, RJ, sent it back, it was a mess. Just a fucking mess. I had so many rewrites, it needed a second proof. Usually I only do one edit and then I make small changes and maybe I miss a typo of two after I do that, but oh well.
Panic was change after change after change. And I had a lot of reservations about making it so complicated, so I had to rewrite the end so that readers could easily follow what actually happened. Like in Ocean’s Eleven, you don’t know what’s happening until they show the flashbacks. Well, in a book, you can’t do that. You have to use words.
It’s a lot harder than you think.
But in the end it worked. I started Rook and Ronin as a new adult romance and ended it as a romantic suspense. People liked it. I liked it. And so now I think that is my defining genre. I enjoy writing thrillers and romance, and I can do both those things in the romantic suspense category.
The ending really worked for readers and I think that was when I really started to create fans. Because not only did I deliver a completely original story with larger than life characters, but then they turned the page to the epilogue, and they were floored.
Ford.
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To those of you who have read the series and spin-offs, just… Ford.
I’m not sorry about a single word I wrote in the Rook and Ronin trilogy. I love the story. I love the setting. I love the characters. I feel like I know these people. And since I placed them in Colorado, I feel like the world they live in is my world too. Like maybe one day I’ll be in Denver and I’ll see them. They are so real to me—writing about these people is like being in the same room with them. I see that comment a lot in reviews, so fucking A. People get my books. They get my characters and my plots. They get my intentions.
They get me.
Coming to that realization gave me the courage to push a little farther in other series, like Dirty, Dark, and Deadly, which I will talk about on Thursday. It blurs the line between erotica and romance. Thriller and suspense. And if there is one thing I’d like you to take away from my stories, it’s that there is no line.
The whole world is blurry. There are very few “good guys” in the world. Like, very few. We’re talking about the Mother Teresa’s and the Gandhi’s. Let’s face it, most of us are imperfect and that’s why I like to write about characters who struggle with good and evil.
Because we’re all a little bit of both.
**
There’s a NEW 321 Giveaway Rafflecopter Contest every day this week.
CLICK ALL the links and enter for the most chances to win!
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Sunday – How the EOBS Started
Monday – Rook & Ronin (Tragic, Manic, Panic)
Tuesday – Ford & Ashleigh (Slack and Taut)
Wednesday – Spencer & Veronica (Bomb and Guns)
Thursday – James & Harper (Come, Come Back, Coming For You)
Friday – Vaughn and Grace (Follow, Like, Block, Status, Profile, Home)So check back every day this week for End of Book Shit Take 2 and if you’re so inclined, leave me a comment and tell me how you feel about Tragic, Manic, and Panic!
Deborah Bean
I love the series and I have to say that Ford is my favorite character.
Christine stalker
yes I have I liked tragic
Clare Flack
I’ve read all 3 and there amazing, So very different and so refreshing, Loved it, I can’t wait to read 321 thank you so much for the chance.
Kristy Petree
I have all three, but haven’t read them yet. I started Tragic, but then decided to wait until I’d have time (make time) to read all three together. Soon, though, probably February; it’s part of my resolution to catch up on these. Thanks!
Jessica Frider
I love these books and that they brought me to such an awesome author and person.
Amy Pollard Woolard
I have read all three & I absolutely LOVED them all!!! Rook & Ronin make me swoon!!!! There is no way I could choose a favorite as I LOVED them all!!
sandra stroh
I loved them all I really can’t pick just one
Sierra McBride
Read and loved. Even bought them in a huge paperback for easy reading! Lol
Kimberly Addison
I loved the whole series, but, Panic was my fav because it was full of action.
Joseph Hawkshaw
I have not read yet but they look very good.
Cynthia Whitfield
I loved all your books. I can’t wait for 321. Thank you!!
Melissa Jones
I have all three but sadly I haven’t read them yet, really need to work on my TBR. Thanks so much for the giveaway!!
Vera Davis
I loved these stories and these characters!!!! The intense feelings, not just for each other but also how they felt about themselves. I loved insight into their relationships and what made them work. The passion, the anger and insecurity all worked. I cheered, I cried and I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Thank you!
Marina
I have read the series, and it was Ford, in his own perfectly normal way (says Spencer) that stole my heart.
Deanna
I haven’t read- shame on me
Donna Reynolds
I read all your books so far I can’t pick a favorite between Manic and Panic I loved both. Thank you for the wonderful chance.
Paige G
You seriously think I could chose a favorite among this series? Which one had the most time with Spencer? That is the one I pick. 😉 Seriously though. I LOVE them all.
Julie
It’s hard for me to pick too. I have moments in each book where I just love it above all else. But there are too many moments.
And I can’t wait for you to read the post about Spencer on Wednesday!
Julie recently posted…GIVEAWAY: End of Book Shit Rook and Ronin
Jackie Narvaez
Out of the three Panic was my favorite!
Nina Arnold
Sorry to say i havnt read yet. Only been reading just over 3yrs as im Dyslexic n felt till then that i wasnt able to read books like these. But My first books were Fifty Shades of Grey n i havnt looked back since. I maybe slow but i will keep going. Many thanks <3 xx
Sarah
Read em all! Tragic hooked me, I bought up the others after reading this one. I enjoy the suspense, you always keep me guessing!
Heather
I’ve read all of them and loved them all.
Elizabeth
Loved this series!
I’m actually reading Taut (Spin-Off) at the moment & loving Ford xo
Juana Esparza
No I havent…yet.
Nicole
All!
Tammy Michelle Choate
OK so I cheated and read Taut first then I had to go back the same day and bought Tragic, Manic, and Panic. I loved all 3 even though I was attached to Ford but Tragic had me hooked
Laina G
I haven’t read them yet
Teresa
I have one-clicked Tragic, haven’t read it yet!
Jules
I’ve read the entire Rook & Ronin series and the spin-offs. It’s hard to choose my favorite from Tragic, Manic and Panic, but I will go with Tragic because the start of Rook’s and Ronin’s relationship really hooked me.
Tina McClay
I haven’t had the chance to read this series yet.
Cynthia
Read all your books. Love the team, favorite is Panic. I have these babies in paperback I love them so much.
Bette Platt
Have not read yet, they are on the tbr list!!!
Nicole Johnson
I have not read yet.
Tammie D
I don’t think it’s fair to pick just one, they each MADE the story what it was, but if I must, I’d say Panic, because it was so packed full of things that happened, and was the completion of Rook & Ronin’s story (up to that point).
Mary
I haven’t read any of them yet, but I would like to!
kelly b thomas
I LOVED all 3 books, and I ADORE FORD!!!! if I had to choose one of the first 3 books, I think Manic, because it just opened my eyes to SO much (airbrushed) beauty !!!
Lori Moore
I enjoyed all of them
Arijana Pejic
I really can’t choose. I love all of your books
Crystal
Loved them all can’t pick just one
Elizabeth Morgan
Thanks for the chance. I have Tragic but still haven’t read it yet.
christine balser
I haven’t read these books yet but looking forward to them
angelina
I cant pick I love them all <3
Stacey ryan
Haven’t read your books yet. Thanks for the chance!
Jay
I recently just got all three, but haven’t started them yet
Ana Castejon
It will be my first time reading any of your books, I don’t blog, not really sure how too, but I’ll wait and see if I get lucky with a free book! If not I’ll just buy it!
Sharon C Broom
I liked Panic the best. I really liked Ford – Is it wrong that I really wanted Rook to end up with him?
Sarah Pie
I fucking love this series. As a matter of fact, I’m re-reading it now. I missed the characters.
Tiffany
Tragic!!!
Maria Theresa Santos
love tragic
Irene Rosa
I have read Tragic and Manic. I am in the middle of Panic. I love Ford, however can I get them all LOL!!!
Dena
Loved Tragic! I just started Panic and can’t wait to finish it.
Kai W.
I haven’t read any of your books yet. I do have a copy of Tragic. I will read it soon.
Sarah Vela
I loved Tragic since it kicked off the whole series and spin offs.
Sarah Vela recently posted…Book Blitz: Blood, Milk, and Chocolate by Cameron Jace
Mary Preston
They are on my reading pile.
Patricia Maia
I loved them all!!!
Priscilla Slone Thacker
I have all 3 on my kindle but I have only read Tragic so far and fucking LOVED it!! I am counting down the days for 321 <3
Lisa M
I have not yet had the pleasure to read them, they are on my TBR list though!
Lisa M recently posted…She by @AnnabelFanning #sale ends at midnight…tonight!
Alicia
Yes, please!
Alexandra A
Tragic <3
Melinda L
Never read this series. Can’t wait to start now, thanks for the chance!
Mary
Haven’t yet but I one clicked
Fran
Thank you for the great giveaway.
Nicole
Read them all but I gotta say that Panic is my favorite
Lauren
Im sorry but I cant pick just one…..I loved every one…..Each is just a continuation of the one before it.
Trudy Moore
Im sorry i havent had a chance to read them
Renee
It’s to hard to pick just one I loved them all so very much
Marija Josevska
I havent had a chance to read them
Diana Doan
I love all 3 of them, but Panic was my favorite!
Irma Jurejevčič
I haven’t read them yet.
Melanie Trevino
It’s on my TBR list!!
Jennifer O'Connell
I read, and loved, them all, I cannot possibly pick a favorite!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Mmmm… I loved Tragic! The beginning of change for Rook!!
But my Fav… Manic! Things sure are hot in that one!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace recently posted…Swoon Thursday #125 – Beautiful Bitch by Christina Lauren
Dana A.
I haven’t read them yet.
Artemis
I have only read Tragic so far and I really loved it!
Martha R.
I have read any of them, but I would love to…
TL Mayhew
I have read them all but I think Panic is my favorite.
Trista Ward
Have to go with Tragic as my favorite! That’s where it all began:)
Jay Bual
Haven’t read them yet…! But I’ve so wanted to for so long, and your books just keep piling up now..
Hazel
I haven’t read them yet… but I’ve got them on my list. Thanks for the chance to win <3
Jessie L
I cannot pick just one favorite out of these 3 books. I loved the characters, Rook, Ronin & Ford. Cannot wait to get more of Ford. Looking forward to more great books to read from you!
eryka l
I loved all the books but love ford
lea
No, not yet, but they are all on my TBR list!!
Nancy Jones
I haven’t read any yet but they are now on my list to read.
Angi Johnston
I have the trilogy but haven’t read them yet
Debbie Szabo
I have read them. My favorite was manic!
Rhonda Nash
I do have most of them, but have not read them yet. Soon…
Maddie kislingbury
wow what great books, well panic is my fav but I love ford too. Thanks for the great books looking forward to more to come 😀
Donna Thompson
Congratulations!
Shannon Blackwell-Williams
I haven’t read any yet, I’m kinda greedy & want to read them all at once because I hate waiting for the next one!
Heather E
I have read all 3 Rook and Ronin books and all the spin-offs. I don;t have a favorite book, but Ford was my favorite character. I loved the series. So shocking, and so many twists and turns. I read a lot if books, and many times I can predict exactly what will happen, but with this series I never saw what was coming.
Xtina Marie
<3
carly
I have them just havent read them yet
Stacy
I have all 3 books but haven’t read them yet!! They are on my TBR!
missy ellis
i haven’t read any yet
Jonelle
Panic is my fave, tho it was a hard choice.
Rachelle
I’ve read all 3 books and I loved them all! I think I liked Panic the best…hard choice that it is!
DianaF
All of them!
Hannah Difolco
I haven’t read any yet, but i will!! thank you for the giveaway
jodi marinich
i loved tragic the best so far
Rachael
I LOVED all three books, but the Panic was my favorite if I had to choose.
amy erstad
I haven’t read any of them yet, but they all look good and i’d like to
ashley
I have read them all, and i think that manic was my favorite because we got to know rook and ronin just a bit better in this book.
Betul E.
Havent read them yet!