NEW RELEASE
Sick Heart
Dark MMA Fighter Romance
Giveaway at the bottom of the page.
TRUST ME LADIES – CORT VAN BREDA IS UNFORGETTABLE.
You will never meet another man–real or fictional–like this guy here.
He’s one of a kind and he’s waiting for you to come say hello.
Check out the except at the bottom of the page.
I know that every author thinks their book is great. I’m no different. I will often start a book feeling very optimistic and then I always struggle in the middle. There is a point where you’re like… this whole thing sucks. I should just not publish it. I should move on to something new.
Trust me when I say this – not finishing is the kiss of death. Even if you hate it. I have started a few books and never finished but I have never done that in the middle. The middle is hard. You don’t have your ending yet, you can’t see the final outcome, and almost all authors have doubts.
So that’s all normal. I get that feeling with every book.
Except this one. lol There was never a single doubt about this one. This book is 130,000 words and while I did write about 40,000 of those last summer when I started the story, I put the book aside for several months to finish two others. And then I wrote the last 90,000 words in about a month. That’s about an average amount of time for me to write 90,000 words, so I’m not saying I’m some kind of speed genius.
I’m just saying there were no doubts.
I never had any doubt about who these people were or why I was writing this story.
I love these characters.
I love this world.
I would want all these people on my side.
And even though Cort van Breda has never been on a date, he’s just about the most romantic man alive. He does things for Anya that are fun, and touching, and heartfelt. He cares for her, and all the other people in this book, so fiercely. You just know that his heart isn’t sick at all. But Cort is also a ruthless killer. I love his dichotomy. I love his duality. I love that he will do whatever it takes to win in the Ring, but will also play Hungry, Hungry Hippos with Anya to make her happy. He’s a keeper.
Anya is the strongest female character I have ever written. No doubt. She comes off weak at first. She knows her place. She knows how to stay safe. She understands the world she lives in with 100% clarity. Like Cort, she is a survivor. She knows what to do and how to act so she can stay invisible to the evil surrounding her. But her life has been one long, silent rebellion. And even when she is standing on the mat with twenty-three deadly MMA fighters, she is the strongest person in the room.
There are a ton of other characters in this book. And yes, the bad guys in this story are truly evil. But they get almost no page time. They don’t deserve page time. I devoted almost all my words to the characters who earned it. Maart, Rainer, Irena, Ainsey, Cort, Anya, Budi, Zoya, Paulo, Rasha, Penn, Maeko, Raffi, Evard, Bexxie… I wrote about warriors in this book.
And I will never forget them.
I hope you love the story too. BONUS – there are two End of Book Shits in this one. I wrote two. The reason why I did that is not worth mentioning, but there are two and I hope you read them both.
Sick Heart is not a book to rush through. It’s a book to be savored. I hope you savor it. I hope you take your time and just let yourself get lost in it. And I hope that when you turn that last page you miss these people.
Julie
JA Huss
March 30, 2021
Cort van Breda has won 35 death matches as a fighter in an MMA circuit so deep underground there are no rules and only the winner gets out alive.
They call him the Sick Heart.
They say he’s a shameless monster.
They say he’s a ruthless killer.
They say he’s as twisted as the man who owns him.
They say a lot of things about Cort van Breda.
But in our world violence is money, and money is winning, and winning is life, and life is the only thing that matters.
Except… he wasn’t meant to win that last fight.
And I wasn’t meant to be his prize.
But he did.
And I am.
And now his sick heart owns me.
WARNING: This is a sweet love story adrift in an ocean of evil. It is about two survivors dealing with their darkest secrets while they fight to change their lives. It is for mature readers only and has descriptions of deeply disturbing situations. There will be pearl clutching.
EXCERPT
I put one hand up and slowly sign, Talk to me. It’s an easy sign and she gets it, because she goes tense again, then shakes her head no. But then she repeats my signs back with modifications, pointing at me, tapping her chin with a sideways hand, and then pointing to herself. You talk to me.
I already did.
She shakes her head and makes a sign for ‘whisper.’
And now it’s my turn to go tense and just stare at her for a moment.
Because she got it right. The sign is ‘talk,’ but if your other hand is cupped on the side of your mouth, it means ‘whisper.’ Like you’re gonna whisper in someone’s ear.
Did she just… I squint at her and she frowns in response. Has she taught herself sign language?
That’s not possible. Not this fast. It hasn’t even been a week.
Then whisper to me, I sign.
She shakes her head again. And then she touches my lips with the edge of her fingertips and slowly drags them up my cheek before pulling away.
‘Kiss.’ That was the sign for ‘kiss.’
She wants me to kiss her.
I know this is a distraction. I know who I’m dealing with. A girl who has been silent so long, no one remembers her last spoken words. A girl who should be dead, but isn’t. A girl who should be anywhere but here with me, but is. A girl who four days ago didn’t know a single bit of sign language, and now knows enough to stun me silent.
So I should really know better.
I should push her. Keep going. Because I could make her talk. I know I could.
But then she leans towards me. And we’re not that far apart, so that kiss she just asked for is now an absolute guarantee.
Our lips touch and just… linger there for a breath.
And so many things go through my mind in that breath. I want to resist her offer. Push her down, roll over, and forget where I’m at and who I’m with.
But that’s just fucking stupid. I like this girl. A lot.
I want to kiss her.
And all those other thoughts earlier about not wanting sex… well. This seems like more than sex. So that’s something I am interested in.
When our lips touch everything that happens next—whether it’s today, tomorrow, or next year—everything that happens next is preordained. And there’s no way to stop it.
I cup my hands around her face, my thumbs caressing small circles on her cheeks as her mouth opens and her tongue touches mine.
There is maybe one more moment. One more chance to stop the car crash that’s coming, but it’s such a small moment, so short and tiny, it barely exists.
And what comes next is pure lust.
I open my mouth, kiss her hard. Bite her lip, grab her breasts as I drop my full weight over her.
She kisses me back. But her kiss isn’t urgent, like mine. It’s soft. And even though we’re stained with salt water, and sweat, and the wind, she tastes so sweet, I want this kiss to last forever.
111 Responses
When will Sick Heart be available on Kindle?
Sorry…just saw it is now. Didn’t see it yesterday. Excited to read it!
I want to go to the water park this summer!
I want to take a vacation.
Visit my sister in Switzerland. She’s giving birth in June and I can’t wait to meet my nephew.
– Betul
I am a big fan of J.A. Huss. I read everything she writes.
I just want to be free to go out and do something, like eat dinner in a restaurant! And, I wouldn’t mind sitting on a tropical beach somewhere!
Since I didn’t read what to comment on, I will be painting my porch. I love to sit out there in the morning and have coffee.
I want a vacation from being responsible! I’d really like another trip to the beach when it’s warm (last time it never got above 60 and was windy and this desert girl froze)
I want to sit on my deck in the sun and do lots of reading.
Pfffff! Stay in 40 degrees Celsius, feeling only the air of the nature, hearing only the sound of the trees and reading all the books I want. 😁😁😁💜💜💜
I want to sit by my pool with friends with NO masks and just enjoy life. Thank you!
Visit Croatian cost.
I’m really hoping to spend lots of time with my grandson.
I really want to be able to travel again so hopefully going on vacation somewhere!!
I am looking forward to evenings on the patio with family and friends.
I want to watch the rebirth of spring and get the pool ready for summer fun!
Travel. I don’t even care where at this point.
Just to get some sun and read a good book…or four!
My hubby & I are trying to garden too – sadly are dogs seem to thing its a new area for them to dig in HA
I want to visit my mom and sister!
I’d love to go on a family vacation this summer
We are starting to plan long weekends. This summer will be spent reconnecting with friends and seeing New England in all it’s glory.
This summer I really want to take a vacation!
I want to get back out and go rockhounding at my favorite spots, go camping in the process!
travel
I would love to be able to go somewhere this summer. Anywhere!
I’d really like to get my house cleaned out and put up for sale so I can move. Covid has held me up and I’m about ready to move on now!!!
Maybe take our grandsons to Branson or just anywhere can’t wait to go somewhere!!
I have no definite plans. Just go visit family.
We want to take our daughter back to see family in Hawaii
I want to go out to lunch with my friends!
I really want to travel somewhere. My son has never seen the ocean so I would really like to share that with him
Swim
Visit my family
Thanks for the chance!
I want to do more walking this summer 😀
Gained some weight and need to lose a few pounds lol
I want to get my body in better shape, for the health benefits. I’m not excited about this, a garden sounds much better 😉
I would love to eat in a restaurant, see family members, hug my friends and family, talk to people, leave my house unafraid.
I think just sit in the sun for a while. It’s been ages since I’ve had any decent vitamin D, and I’m starting to feel like a vampire.. 🧛🏻😂
I’d love to go to the beach.
I want to swim in my pool more than I did last year.
I want to spend a lot of time outdoors and away from my house after being cooped up for over a year.
I want to see the ocean and spend a few nights away from home.
It’s an amazing book that I’ll reread again and again.
I have a reading list… <3
Take a cruise in my car for the day and enjoy the curves of the road and the fun of going fast!!!
I want to get back into photography. I didn’t get to do much last year so hoping I can get some good shots this year.
Is it a standalone? I have just bought, and hate waiting for the books to be released. Impatient I know but I love to read the whole series in one go.
YES, THIS ONE IS A STANDALONE.
I’d really love to go to the beach or on a cruise!
Go to the beach
I want to go to the drive-in and the county fair this summer.
I would love it if the world got semi back to normal and I could travel again!
I want my husband to get a real vacation. Somewhere his cell phone doesn’t work!
I want to have more family time and take my grandkids fishing!
I want to do lots of golfing and cruising in my classic 1967 Ford Mustang Coupe this summer.
I would like to see my family!
I want to visit with my family and granddaughters.
All I wanna do is go to the beach <3
I would like to win the lottery, or get some rest.
I’m wanting a more colorful garden area for my little girl to enjoy more.
i cant wait to go in our new pool!!!!
Mr and the hubby riding the Harleys!!!!
Reteach myself how to jump rope at 50 and then challenge my hubby since he has a knack for it even though he is out of shape.
I want to have a big family bbq.
I want to go to a beach but doubt that will happen so would like to get out boating on the lake with friends and just get outside more in general.
I am hooked. The lead up too, The cover, and the first three chapters as a peek in🤯🥳
I want to grow watermelons! I always try & fail .lol.
I’m really bad at gardening i kill anything and everything. I do love being outside when i can with my dogs! ❤️
I’m excited to just be outside in shorts, go swimming and ride four wheelers.
Just be outside and enjoy the weather
I really want to celebrate my birthday with my closest family members.
Spend my birthday with my brothers, mum, cousins, and SO’s side of the family
I would like to travel once this pandemic allows us to.
This summer I really want to go “home” to attend my step-nephew’s wedding and see family/friends!
I would really like to go swim in a pool!
I’d like to take a mini vacation!
I want to take the fur kids to the beach, this pandemic has kept all of home and away from everyone.
I would like to visit my parents
I want to visit my family who I haven’t seen in 4 years due to surgeries and now COVID 19.
This summer I’m planning on taking two weeks off to have time with my husband! I hope you get lots of gardening done!!
I want to go to the beach this summer.
I would love to take my kids to lunch outside and get ice cream and maybe putt putt safely!!
Hi Julie 😊 This summer I plan on being adventurous, and concocting different summer drink combinations ☺️😂😂 Plus, I love the extra daylight time 😍 One of my favorite things to do is to sit in my recliner, by my open window, and read 💙 I saw a reading space, on the internet that someone made, so I might try to decorate a cozy reading space 😊🥰💙🌷 Thank you so much for the AMAZING opportunity in your generous giveaway 🤗🤗 I’m extremely excited about your new book baby gem 💎 CONGRATULATIONS 🥳🥳🎉
I want my turn to come for the vaccine shot so life can go back to some semblance of normal.
I’m just ready for pool and grilling days!
I would love to be on the beach reading a book.
I really just want to be able to relax and go places, anywhere again
I would love to travel abroad again, not sure it will happen though… fingers crossed next year things get back to normal! <3
I really want to go on our annual trip to Northern Idaho to visit family and float the river!
I just really need a vacation! Covid cancelled BB for 2years and I miss seeing other readers along with the authors so I’m hoping to visit a friend in San Diego. Also hope to go to Texas to see old friends in San Antonio where I lived for over 20 years! Good luck with your garden! My gardening skills suck!
I never really make plans for summer…mostly because I hate it (I know, I know–so many people love it and that’s cool, I’ve just always kind of hated it). I dream of autumn all summer 🙂
Congrats on the new release!!!
We finally bought kayaks. We have been looking for 2 years and with Covid it was impossible to buy them last year. Can’t wait to spend the summer on the water! Our 35 anniversary is this summer as well. Can’t wait to celebrate with a small getaway.
I would love to be able to visit my son in SC and go kayaking with the herd
Relax by the pool with my hubby and kids
Sitting at a beach reading.
I would love to be able to go somewhere this summer (near the beach).
We are still on lockdown because of covid.
I’d love to be get our yard landscaped this summer!
Love to get away near ocean.
Catch up on reading.
I would really like to relocate to someplace safer and nicer this summer.
Travel, maybe Montenegro to visit Kotor again or somewhere else. Now I am in the Netherlands and visit ewerything what I can.
I want to have a beach day.
I would love to go to Vegas this summer for and after covid celebration.
I would like to Kon Mari my house this summer. Really go through it and pare down to just the good stuff.
I want to start a garden this summer to have some fresh fruit and vegetables.
Travel to the sea side. Thank you.
Leave the house… Travel.. Glamp.
I want to move.
I would love to take the kids on a nice family vacation..
I have never been out of the US! It would be amazing to finally do that when this pandemic is over! I am in love with this cover!!