Blog Tour of The Truths About Dating and Mating by Jaycee DeLorenzo

Happy Wednesday Everyone! Today we are touring to the land of Radio Shows and New Adult Romance with the newly released novel "The Truths About Dating and Mating" by Jaycee De Lorenzo.

Spunky Italian coed Ivy Rossini likes to talk and push the boundaries. She gets to do both as she co-hosts Riordan College’s radio program, The Truths about Dating and Mating, alongside her lifelong best friend, Ian Hollister.

Being the only girl who cares to see beyond Ian’s bad boy reputation has its advantages, especially when he’s scaring off the jerks who just want to nail the campus sex-guru. It’s when he’s “protecting” her from the advances she welcomes that she wants to lob him over the head and tell him to butt out. But Ivy’s feels like she’s the one who’s taken a hit when Ian almost kisses her at a party. She knows she should feel relieved when he pulls away, so why is she disappointed instead?

What’s worse, Ivy’s now getting aroused by Ian’s slightest touch and can’t stop entertaining thoughts of a romantic future. But Ian doesn’t do relationships, and she’s not interested in anything casual. In the end, Ivy decides it’s best to keep her growing feelings a secret and hope they’ll pass. However, when Ian begins hinting at wanting to take things to the next level, she’s forced to decide if a chance at something more is worth risking everything they’ve built.

With their friendship and her heart hanging in the balance, can Ivy follow the advice she and Ian give their listeners - to communicate, be honest, and trust in themselves - or will insecurity, stubbornness, and pride ruin any chance of their relationship getting off the ground?

Spunky Italian coed Ivy Rossini likes to talk and push the boundaries. She gets to do both as she co-hosts Riordan College’s radio program, The Truths about Dating and Mating, alongside her lifelong best friend, Ian Hollister.

Being the only girl who cares to see beyond Ian’s bad boy reputation has its advantages, especially when he’s scaring off the jerks who just want to nail the campus sex-guru. It’s when he’s “protecting” her from the advances she welcomes that she wants to lob him over the head and tell him to butt out. But Ivy’s feels like she’s the one who’s taken a hit when Ian almost kisses her at a party. She knows she should feel relieved when he pulls away, so why is she disappointed instead?

What’s worse, Ivy’s now getting aroused by Ian’s slightest touch and can’t stop entertaining thoughts of a romantic future. But Ian doesn’t do relationships, and she’s not interested in anything casual. In the end, Ivy decides it’s best to keep her growing feelings a secret and hope they’ll pass. However, when Ian begins hinting at wanting to take things to the next level, she’s forced to decide if a chance at something more is worth risking everything they’ve built.

With their friendship and her heart hanging in the balance, can Ivy follow the advice she and Ian give their listeners - to communicate, be honest, and trust in themselves - or will insecurity, stubbornness, and pride ruin any chance of their relationship getting off the ground?

Watch the trailer here:

 

 
As a special treat I got to put Joycee in the lukewarm seat for a little Q & A. Check it out:

1. How did NA Alley start (what's the story there)?

Victoria Smith and I came together because we were both writers of new adult, and earlier in the year, we started a few blog hops together, and during one of these, I brought up the idea of wanting to start a New Adult specific blog. We bounced ideas around and then Victoria, who knew more NA writers than myself because she had been around the blogosphere longer, put together a list of writers she wanted to approach to see if they wanted to join us in this venture. When all was said in done, we had Carrie Butler, Juliana Haygert, L.G. Kelso, Summer Lane, and Bailey Kelsey joins us. We spent two months bouncing around more ideas of what we wanted our focus to be, what we defined new adult as, putting together schedules, choosing a name, designing a blog, and in May, we launched to help spreading the word about New Adult.

 

2. How do you balance family life and writing (is it something you schedule - as best as you can)?

It’s not at all something I schedule, and it’s not easy. I just work on what I can when I can, and hope that I’m not neglecting my husband and children.

 

3. What do you like about the NA genre?

That it’s something that hasn’t been explored a whole lot until recently, and all of these new voices are emerging, creating realistic portrayals of college-age students. We’re finally getting to read stories beyond high school that show what happens next.

 

4. With Truths About Dating and Mating, were there any scenes that you really wanted that you had to cut or any characters you wanted more of

(I'm speaking spoiler-free of course)

I originally had it written in 3^rd person, dual-POV from both Ivy and Ian’s perspective, and there were many scenes where you got to see Ian stressing over his changing feelings for Ivy and trying to decide what to do. Most of those are what I miss.

 

5. If you weren't writing what would you be doing?

I don’t have the first clue. Maybe painting. Or reading more. I haven’t had a whole lot of time to read in the last year.

 

6. What was the inspiration for Truths About Dating and Mating?

I was listening to Loveline one night over ten years ago, and a question was answered in a way that I didn’t like. I blurted out my own answer, something a little sarcastic (but truthful) and I was like, “I should write a story with Loveline for the college set.” I outlined a first chapter and then didn’t touch it for several years. Then I picked it back up, outlined it and wrote my first draft.

 

7. What is your favourite animal?

Otters are adorable!

If you want to buy the book you can find it here:

Amazon | B&N | Smashwords