Heather Thurmeier's Blog, page 25

Blogging about Reality TV

Hi everyone,

First of all, thank you to everyone who has already picked up their copy of Falling for You yesterday. You’ve all helped to make released day so awesome! If you haven’t bought it yet, please consider picking up your copy today! I’d love to move up the ranks at Amazon, and I can’t do that without your help!

Second, I’m over at The Ladies in Red blog today chatting about reality TV and my favorite shows. Stop by and chat with me!

Third… I’m also over at Kristina Knight’s blog and she’s asking my 5 simply questions. Come by and show Kristina some love on her blog!!

Finally, yesterday I was over at Jason Bourne’s blog answering some fantastic writing related questions!

Release Day — Falling for You!!!

It’s here, it’s here!! FALLING FOR YOU is finally available! I feel lightheaded.

I know this is my 4th book to release, but it feels like the 1st. Why? Because this is the book that started my writing career. This is the book that made me start writing. Cassidy and Evan (my main characters) just wouldn’t shut up and basically demanded that I write this book. So I did.

And now it’s out there in the world for you to read.

I feel like I just sent my baby off to kindergarten. (I have to do that for real in 2 weeks!)

You can check it out at:

AMAZON                           NOOK                        iTUNES

Not sure if you want to by it? How about reading the complete first chapter and then deciding?!

Chapter One

As Cassidy glanced around the formal living room, the ball of lead in her stomach grew.

What have I done?

How on earth did she end up here in Denver, sitting in a mansion, surrounded by cameras and beautiful women—some of whom had obvious fake boobs and hair extensions? Of course, she knew how she’d ended up here and it had nothing to do with magic or any other Hollywood special effect.

Nope.

It had been her meddling little sister Keira who’d taken it upon herself to apply to be on a new reality dating show—using Cassidy’s name. To Cassidy’s horror, she’d actually been accepted. When she’d gotten the unexpected call from the show’s producer, she’d wanted to kill her sister. Instead, she’d been convinced to go through with the rest of the audition process and screen tests. By the time it was all over and she was asked to be on the show, Cassidy had grown used to the idea of having an opportunity to fall in love with some mystery bachelor.

Her friends told her to forget the show and take a cruise instead, where she could soak in the sun while “Margaritaville” played over the pool speakers. But did she listen?

Not a chance.

Maybe he’ll be the one. Cassidy searched the room for the bachelor of the show, her stomach twisting into a knot at the thought of being forced to date someone new. She hadn’t been with anyone since Brad chose to leave her and New York behind to go back to California to start pro-surfing again. Maybe coming on the show would force her out of her six-month dating hibernation. Or maybe she’d throw up on the bachelor’s shoes when she finally met him. Either was a definite possibility.

Coming on the show sounded like a good idea at the time. But now she was here— now it was real and not some thing she would do in the future someday. She casually wiped her palms across her thighs and prayed she wouldn’t have to shake anyone’s hand anytime soon.

Cassidy nervously scanned the room, checking out the other single girls who had also come on the show in the hopes of finding Mr. Right—or, at least, Mr. Right Now. They all appeared more confident than she felt, chatting and mingling with ease while she sat alone on the couch twisting a napkin between trembling fingers. Every hair color, eye color, height, and personal style was reflected.

She wondered how she would ever stand out in this crowd of glamorous women with her mousy brown hair and eyes the color of pistachio ice cream. No one even likes pistachio ice cream, nor wants to have any part of their body resemble it. She tugged at the hem of her plain white shirt, wishing she’d decided to wear something bright and bold instead. Maybe she should have taken a few more minutes in front of the mirror to touch up her makeup while she’d had the chance.

The production crew worked around the room checking lights, adjusting cameras, and hanging microphones—the tiny additions becoming almost instantly invisible. No wonder people forget the cameras exist and end up acting idiotic on national television.

In fact, no one else in the room even seemed to take notice of the production crew working around them. But the crew certainly noticed the room full of women. Cassidy had already caught a few of the men stealing glances.

Her nervous energy finally sent her body into motion and she sprang from the sofa. These kinds of social situations made her uncomfortable. She preferred orchestrating events from behind the scenes, like she did as a banquet manager in Manhattan. Staging the room was always her favorite part. She loved setting the scene for the party, making it perfect for whoever was in the spotlight that day. Now she was the one in the spotlight.

She stopped in front of a grand piano, its black finish shining under the extra lights hanging from the ceiling. Although the piano sat silent, she could imagine its beautiful music filling the large room during parties. She gingerly touched the cold ivory keys.

“Don’t move,” a deep voice said from behind her. “Stay still for one more second.”

Cassidy froze, intrigued by the unexpected demand. Was the piano off limits? Was it only a prop? She peeked over her shoulder, trying to keep her body in the exact same position while pinpointing the owner of the voice.

“That’s not exactly the definition of staying still,” the man said. From her angle, she glimpsed the deepest blue eyes she’d ever seen. He peered into a handheld monitor while adjusting the small wall-mounted camera nearest him then hopped down off the ladder, landing in front of her with a soft thud.

“I…uh…sorry.” Cassidy’s pulse pounded in her ears at the sight of him. His slightly messy, light brown hair screamed for her to run her fingers through it. Hot damn. If this is the crew, how hot will the bachelor be? “I’ll just…get out of your way.”

“Actually, if you could stand there for another minute I can adjust the other camera, too,” he said without even a glance toward her.

He shifted the bulky ladder over a few feet into the corner with the ease of someone lifting a week-old kitten. She was pretty sure she’d struggled more lifting a bag of groceries than he had with the heavy ladder. Of course, she didn’t have biceps the size of his, either.

“That ought to do it.” He climbed down the ladder to stand in front of her. “Thanks for—” he paused, clearing his throat and gazing at her as if seeing her for the first time, “—your help.”

Cassidy worried she might melt into a puddle of goo under the heat of his gaze. She licked her lips and swallowed before finding her voice. “I only stood here. You did all the work.”

“Well, thanks.” His eyes stayed firmly focused on hers, causing goose bumps to prickle her skin. “I should go. I’m not supposed to be fraternizing with the contestants.”

“Is that what we’re doing? Fraternizing?” Wasn’t fraternizing something a little more dangerous than this simple conversation between strangers?

“I think it might be and I’d hate to break the rules my first day on the job. I usually save that for later in to production.”

Cassidy watched as he hoisted the ladder onto his shoulder and sauntered out of the room. He glanced back to where she stood rooted to the ground and gave her a quick smile before disappearing down the hall.

“I need a drink,” she mumbled. She forced herself away from the piano and over to the bar. Maybe a drink would calm the butterflies tap dancing in her stomach.

Tall glass flutes filled with pink champagne sparkled on the silver serving trays. Reaching for a glass, Cassidy bumped the arm of the person next to her.

“Oh, sorry.” Cassidy turned to see whom she’d bumped into.

“No problem,” a petite brunette replied. “It always gets so crowded around the food and drinks. Hi, I’m Paige.”

“I’m Cassidy. You know, people everywhere are the same. If they don’t know anyone in the room, they migrate to the food.” Cassidy chose a selection of little sandwiches, vegetables, and a slice of sinful-looking chocolate cake. She bypassed the naked strawberries and banana chunks—both fruits that should never be eaten without first being bathed in rich, warm chocolate. Cassidy’s preference for chocolate-covered fruit was a quirk that annoyed her über-healthy sister—and which gave Cassidy a little thrill of rebellion every time Keira tried to scold her for it.

Paige grabbed a couple sticks of celery and a few strawberries and turned away from the food. “Wanna go sit down?”

Cassidy followed Paige and sat beside her on the sofa in the middle of the room, balancing the plate of food on her knees. She glanced at Paige’s plate wondering how a person could choose strawberries and celery when you had fancy sandwiches, tortes, pies, and salads to pick from.

“Not hungry?” Cassidy asked.

“Oh no, I’m starved. But there’s no way I’m eating all those calories when I have to go on television tomorrow. I’ve heard the camera adds ten pounds and I really don’t need any extra. Well, unless they could add it to my boobs.”

Cassidy evaluated her own plate. It wasn’t overflowing, but it wasn’t celery, either. “Hmm, you’re probably right.” She took a bite of chocolate cake. “But if I starved myself, I’d be cranky and trust me, no one would want to see that on TV.” She savored the taste of the creamy chocolate as it melted in her mouth.

“Maybe you should follow her lead and put your fork down,” a voice said, dripping with disdain.

Cassidy swallowed her bite. Of course, the voice belonged to the prettiest girl in the room. She had long blonde hair, vibrant blue eyes, and legs that could walk across the pages of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

“Why, exactly?” Cassidy paused, her fork poised above the cake.

“She’s right about the camera.” The girl eyed Cassidy up and down as she stirred a tall glass of iced tea. “But I guess you’re not much competition anyway, are you? You may as well enjoy your cake while you’re still here.” The girl snickered and sauntered away.

“Wow. Who was that bitch?” Cassidy stabbed the cake and took another bite just to spite the bitchy blonde’s jiggle-free, size two ass as it walked away.

“That’s Zoe Oliver. She’s some big-shot singer or something. I bet she’s going to win this whole thing.”

“Well she can’t be that big if we’ve never heard of her.” Cassidy watched Zoe laughing with another girl and tried to decide if she’d ever heard of her before. “Although there is something sort of familiar about her—like I’ve seen her picture on a magazine in the checkout counter at the grocery store or something. But that can’t be right, can it?”

“No. It wouldn’t be fair to put someone famous on here with the rest of us.” “You’re probably right,” Cassidy said, deciding she really didn’t recognize the girl.

Zoe glanced up and caught Cassidy staring at her. A smile slowly spread across Zoe’s face as she turned to whisper to the girl next to her who laughed in response.

“We better watch out for her,” Cassidy said, setting down her plate on the cocktail table.

Susan, the production assistant, hurried into the room after a man who walked surprisingly fast for his short stature. He had a head full of dark brown messy spikes, which probably took mountains of hair product and plenty of attention to detail to perfect. It was not the kind of hairstyle Cassidy liked. She preferred hair she could actually run her hands through.

“If I could have your attention please,” the man yelled above the noise of the chatting women.

The room quickly quieted. He paused a moment before continuing.

“I’m Chip Cormack, the show’s producer,” he began. “I believe I’ve spoken to all of you on the phone recently, but I must say it’s a pleasure to meet you in person. And might I add, you are all even more beautiful than your screen tests led me to believe.”

The women in the room glanced at each other and gave a collective giggle at his comments. Chip’s flattery felt superficial to Cassidy, but it seemed the other women were already getting caught up in the moment.

“As you know, you’re here to participate in what will be one of the hottest new reality shows on TV, The One. You’ll be competing against each other in a series of challenges designed to help our bachelor find his perfect match.” He swept his hands to the sides. “Look around you ladies, this is your competition.”

He chuckled as the women glanced at each other. “After each competition, our bachelor will select the ladies to make up our bottom three. Then America will choose which two of them go home each week.

“Now, not to worry. You won’t have to wait much longer to meet your bachelor. Tomorrow, you’ll each complete your first private interview, then the following afternoon you’ll compete in your first challenge.”

Chip reached into a bag that Susan had set onto the table beside him. Fumbling around for a moment, he finally pulled out a small black box with wires dangling beneath it.

“These should be wrapped so they don’t tangle. Don’t you know that yet?” he said to Susan, not bothering to lower his voice so the others wouldn’t hear him. Shaking his head, he continued.

“Tonight when you return to your rooms, you’ll each find a package waiting for you. In it will be a few legal forms to fill out, some additional production information, and a personal mic pack you’ll wear at all times, except while sleeping, of course. When you’re in the bathroom, you may switch the mic off.” He held up one of the black boxes. “If you have any trouble with your mic, don’t hesitate to ask Susan or one of the other production staff to help you. If you don’t wear your mic, we can’t hear you on camera.”

He set down the mic pack before continuing. “The rules of the house are simple. No speaking to outside friends or family. No physical violence between contestants or with crewmembers. Lastly, please use proper professional conduct during all interactions between contestants and crew. So, no getting cozy with the staff when you get lonely. Got it?”

Huh? Cassidy thought. Crew and contestants fooling around?

“The crew is here to film you. They’re not here to be your friend or buddy or to keep you company when you’re bored—that’s what your fellow contestants are for. There are to be limited interactions between you and your cameramen, so please don’t talk to them while they’re filming. It distracts them and, more importantly, it ruins the footage.”

Cassidy wasn’t surprised by any of the house rules. She’d known coming on a reality show would involve a bunch of legalities.

Chip cleared his throat and got everyone’s attention again. “That’s everything I have for you right now. I know it’s been a long day for most of you. You may retire to your rooms to relax and unpack if you like. Remember, we get started filming first thing tomorrow morning. Enjoy your last mic-free night and I’ll see you all at the first challenge in a couple of days.” With one last glance around the room, Chip left the girls to themselves.

“I’m going to call it a night,” Cassidy said to Paige, standing from the couch. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Cassidy said quick goodbyes to a few of the other girls before walking back to her room. She could already feel the jetlag setting in, her bones aching and her head throbbing. She hoped a long soak in the tub would help her recharge after the long day. She sighed, thinking about how good it was going to feel to relax in the quiet and privacy of a bath before she became just another reality show contestant.

***

Want to read more? Click on the links above the chapter to buy your copy today and find out if Cassidy becomes just another tabloid sensation…

The Excitement Builds…

OMG, only 4 more sleeps until FALLING FOR YOU releases and only 16 sleeps until LOVE OR LUXURY releases!!! Wow! I can’t believe it. So, so unreal.

Someone pinch me so I know this is real.

No wait. Don’t pinch me. If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.

Did I mention you can pre-order Falling for You?!?!? How cool is that?

PRE-ORDER IT FROM AMAZON

PRE-ORDER IT FROM NOOK

Bunny Hills and Bikinis is FREE!!!

 

That’s right! Until September 1st, you can get Bunny Hills and Bikinis for FREE at Smashwords.com by using coupon code CG25P at check out. It’s just that easy.

Happy reading.

Falling for You Excerpt!

“Stay still, Corona,” she pleaded, patting the horse on the shoulder. She swung her leg over the horse, determined to successfully complete one dismount before the challenge ended.

Her arms shook as she lowered herself carefully from the saddle, finally giving up their fight part way down. Gravity took her the last few feet and she hit the ground with both feet, stumbling backward a step before bumping into something solid.

“How, Cassidy? How do you always end up in my arms?” Evan’s voice rumbled in her ear, his warm breath on her earlobe making her girly bits tingle.

She found her footing and turned in his arms. She could see the dust and dirt clinging to his five o’clock shadow, his brow beaded with sweat. He desperately needed a shower and there was nothing she could have fantasized about more than being in one with him. Instead, she pushed herself back from him and swallowed her urge to climb him like a jungle gym.

“What can I say? I guess I just keep falling for you,” she said, before her brain caught up to her mouth and she was able to censor herself. 

Intrigued? FALLING FOR YOU will be available everywhere on August 20th but you can pre-order it on Amazon today by CLICKING HERE!

Pre-order?!?!?!

FALLING FOR YOU is my 4th book to release, but it’s the first that’s ever been available for pre-order on Amazon!! So exciting! Check it out by clicking THIS AMAZON LINK!! And while you’re there, feel free to click buy, the like button or tag it! I’ll love you forever and you’ll make me the happiest author…

Not enticed yet? How about a little excerpt?

The door opened slowly revealing hot-pink painted toenails.

Evan stared at the pink toes in front of him. This was not what he expected to see on the other side of the door. Generally speaking, cameramen don’t wear polish on their toes.

His gaze traveled up from the toes. Calves with ivory skin that looked as smooth as satin disappeared under a pale blue robe, tied tight, accentuating a small waist. The edges crisscrossed in the front creating a plunging V between two enticing mounds securely hidden beneath the cloth. Long, dark waves of hair cascaded across her shoulders. Warm, soft lips—with just a hint of shine—glistened gently in the low light.

“Hi,” the lips said.

Evan pulled his gaze from the inviting pink lips to peer into the eyes of the person who’d spoken. He opened his mouth to respond, but the words caught in his throat as he peered into the jade green eyes he’d seen in the photo earlier. The same eyes that had been burning a hole in his thoughts since he’d first gazed into them by the piano in the great room—eyes that reminded him of the little sculptures and pendants he’d admired in the street markets of Beijing when he was there filming the Olympics.

“Hi…I…um,” he cleared his throat, “expected someone else.”

“Sorry to disappoint you,” she said with a smile. “If I’d known I was going to have a visitor, I would have dressed up for the occasion.” She pulled the edges of her robe closed across her chest with her left hand and held out her right. “I don’t think we were properly introduced earlier. I’m Cassidy Quinn.”

“I know. I recognize you from your application picture.” He shook her hand, holding it longer than he should have. It was more delicate than he’d guessed. His thumb traced a circle across the back of her hand before letting go. “Although, the picture wasn’t nearly as good as the real thing.”

He cleared his throat again, trying to gather his thoughts into something that didn’t reflect the sudden urge he had to tear open her robe as if it was a brand new big screen TV that had just been delivered on Super Bowl Sunday.

It wasn’t working.

Cover Reveal — Love or Luxury!!

I can’t believe I have two books coming out only 2 weeks apart from each other!! And that I already have another awesome cover to share! But here it is, the blurb and cover for Love or Luxury, the third Meadow Ridge Romance available on September 1. Once again, Reese Dante the cover artist, did an amazing job. I love this cover!!

 

Rebecca’s life of luxury in Meadow Ridge is vanishing faster than the designer clothes from her closet—unless she finds someone to share her life and her rent.

When she meets Finn, the rugged, sexy motorcycle hunk, she thinks her luck has finally changed. There’s just one problem—he’s not from Meadow Ridge. Reid, her high school flame, comes back to town as the Meadow’s most eligible bachelor, with a tendency to spoil his girlfriends, and a gorgeous mansion—everything she’s always wanted.

Now Rebecca’s torn between Finn, the man who lives a simple life outside the Meadow and Reid, the man who can give her the life she’s always wanted.

Falling for You — Cover Reveal!!

I’m so excited to have a cover of Falling for You! I can’t believe this book will be out in just 3.5 weeks!! This is the first book in my new Reality TV Romance series. So what do you think?? I love it!

Newly single Cassidy Quinn is thrilled to be a contestant on the new reality dating show The One. But her excitement turns to horror when the gorgeous bachelor turns out to be her ex-boyfriend. Seeing Brad again makes Cassidy realize she might not be as “over him” as she thought—and then she meets hunky cameraman Evan Burke.

After watching his brother lose his wife in a tragic accident, Evan vows never to fall in love. But following Cassidy around as her personal cameraman makes him question his decision, and resisting her gets harder with every sunbathing, bikini-wearing day.

Cassidy and Evan begin a forbidden affair while her ex-boyfriend tries to win her heart back one groping, awkward moment at a time. If Cassidy can manage to stop falling off horses (literally), stop falling onto her ex-boyfriend, the bachelor (yes, literally), and stop falling in love with backstage playboy Evan, she might still make it through the show without becoming a tabloid sensation.

But soon Cassidy must choose between the ex who broke her heart and the cameraman who might never love her back. For Cassidy, this reality show just got real.

Leaving on a Jet Plane…

Every time I fly, I get that song stuck in my head and think about the Armageddon movie scene where the boys all sing it terribly. LOVE that movie, LOVE that scene. *happy sigh* And now hopefully this song will be in your head too! Mwahahaha (evil laugh!)

Hopefully my view will look like this in a couple of days.

I’m going on vacation! And I’m taking an arsenal of books with me on my kindle. Here’s my summer reading list, loaded and ready for sand, palm trees and strawberry margaritas… and some grain fields and big skies too:

Pretties and Specials ~ Books 2 and 3 of The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld

The Marriage Bargain ~ by Jennifer Probst

North of Need ~ Laura Kaye

Infamous ~ by Irene Preston

Exclusively Yours~ by Shannon Stacey

And then my view will be something like this. Nothing like going home to the Canadian prairies. There's something so beautiful about that sky!

50 Shades Trilogy ~ by E L James

What a Texas Girl Wants~ by Kristina Knight

Serendipity ~ by Carly Phillips

Kissed in Paris ~ by Juliette Sobanet

Do you think I have too many? *blushes* Is it scary or sad that I only just listed a fraction of the books on my TBR pile already bought and waiting on my kindle. Eek! No one tell my husband! Did I mention I’m only on vacation for 3 weeks and I’ll be spending all my time with family and friends and strawberry margaritas… I may have over bought…

So what’s on your summer reading list?

Guest Blogging!

Hi everyone,

Today I’m over at The Ladies in Red blog chatting with my fellow Crimson Romance authors. I’m talking about my favorite ways to beat the summer heat! I’d love to hear your tips too! Stop by and say hello.