Amy Harmon's Blog, page 4
February 10, 2015
Drunk or Tired?
You should never write a blog post when you are either drunk or overly tired. I'm not drunk. But I am very tired. And I'm not going to follow my own advice; I'm going to write a blog post and hope I don't regret it later.
I'm struggling. I'll admit it. I can't seem to find the magic, the music, the must-write-right-now mojo that was there in the beginning. I want to write amazing stories. I want to say something, and yet lately I end up writing rambling blog posts at 3 am instead of sleeping or writing or saying anything of worth. For the last six months, I've been running on empty.
I spent the last two weekends at book signings, visiting with readers who wanted to know what was next for Amy Harmon. And I could only smile while my heart cracked a little, knowing how hard it's been to make myself do anything lately but just BE, knowing there wasn't anything coming soon.
What happens when you're living your dream, but your dream is robbing you of your life? That's kind of where I'm at right now, caught in the Indie race, the crazy cycle of needing to constantly produce, yet knowing the reason I became successful in the first place was because I didn't produce what everyone else was spitting out.
So this is my blog post at 3 am for the little group of readers who might see it and care. I'm sorry. I might need some time, friends. I've got to figure the world out, or my little corner of it. And when I find my way back, I'll tell you what I've learned, and I'll do it with a story. Until then . . .
I'm struggling. I'll admit it. I can't seem to find the magic, the music, the must-write-right-now mojo that was there in the beginning. I want to write amazing stories. I want to say something, and yet lately I end up writing rambling blog posts at 3 am instead of sleeping or writing or saying anything of worth. For the last six months, I've been running on empty.
I spent the last two weekends at book signings, visiting with readers who wanted to know what was next for Amy Harmon. And I could only smile while my heart cracked a little, knowing how hard it's been to make myself do anything lately but just BE, knowing there wasn't anything coming soon.
What happens when you're living your dream, but your dream is robbing you of your life? That's kind of where I'm at right now, caught in the Indie race, the crazy cycle of needing to constantly produce, yet knowing the reason I became successful in the first place was because I didn't produce what everyone else was spitting out.
So this is my blog post at 3 am for the little group of readers who might see it and care. I'm sorry. I might need some time, friends. I've got to figure the world out, or my little corner of it. And when I find my way back, I'll tell you what I've learned, and I'll do it with a story. Until then . . .
January 11, 2015
Food for Thought -
* Don't assume that a negative review is an "honest" review. Don't assume that a positive review is a "dishonest review." I love how people who have never read a book (which is indicated next to their name) will congratulate a reader who rips a book to shreds on their "honest" review. How do you know if it's honest, especially if you haven't read the book? Why is their opinion so much more weighty than someone who writes a detailed, well-written review praising the same book?
* And why are some opinions taken as gospel? "Oh, you didn't like this book? You think it's garbage? Well then it must be." Huh? Really? My sisters and I can all go shopping and I may absolutely love something they hate. It doesn't mean a damn thing except that we have different styles and different things appeal to us.
* Don't write your review as if your opinion is fact.
Instead of saying, "This book is horrible," you should say, "I thought this book was horrible." Instead of saying "This book was boring," you could say, "I was bored." Do you see the difference? I'm guessing that what bores you may not bore me, and what bores me to tears may be your favorite book of all time.
For instance:
Colleen Hoover loved Infinity + One. It's her favorite book of mine. She loved it more than The Law of Moses and Making Faces (gasp!) However, some of my most loyal readers hated Infinity + One. What does this mean? Does it mean Colleen was lying when she raved about it? Does it mean the reader who loved A Different Blue and Making Faces was lying when she said Infinity + One was "just bad?" NO! Nobody was lying! It's called opinion, folks. It's called personal preference. I've seen comments or reviews where an author or a blogger is shredded and other readers are similarly shredded for their personal opinion on a book. DON'T DO THAT. Don't act as if YOUR opinion is the FINAL VERDICT and everyone else is biased or blind or unintelligent for disagreeing with you.
* And finally, you don't want an author to "take it personal" when you write a review? Then don't MAKE it personal. Don't make assumptions about her or him. Don't assign guilt or motives. Don't scold and MOCK. And don't talk about her character, talk about her CHARACTERS.
* And why are some opinions taken as gospel? "Oh, you didn't like this book? You think it's garbage? Well then it must be." Huh? Really? My sisters and I can all go shopping and I may absolutely love something they hate. It doesn't mean a damn thing except that we have different styles and different things appeal to us.
* Don't write your review as if your opinion is fact.
Instead of saying, "This book is horrible," you should say, "I thought this book was horrible." Instead of saying "This book was boring," you could say, "I was bored." Do you see the difference? I'm guessing that what bores you may not bore me, and what bores me to tears may be your favorite book of all time.
For instance:
Colleen Hoover loved Infinity + One. It's her favorite book of mine. She loved it more than The Law of Moses and Making Faces (gasp!) However, some of my most loyal readers hated Infinity + One. What does this mean? Does it mean Colleen was lying when she raved about it? Does it mean the reader who loved A Different Blue and Making Faces was lying when she said Infinity + One was "just bad?" NO! Nobody was lying! It's called opinion, folks. It's called personal preference. I've seen comments or reviews where an author or a blogger is shredded and other readers are similarly shredded for their personal opinion on a book. DON'T DO THAT. Don't act as if YOUR opinion is the FINAL VERDICT and everyone else is biased or blind or unintelligent for disagreeing with you.
* And finally, you don't want an author to "take it personal" when you write a review? Then don't MAKE it personal. Don't make assumptions about her or him. Don't assign guilt or motives. Don't scold and MOCK. And don't talk about her character, talk about her CHARACTERS.
December 1, 2014
Want to Know What I Think?
Interview with Cristal Hummingbird on Three Little Birds Book Blog 12/1/14
http://3lbbookblog.com/authorspotligh...
Author Spotlight – Amy Harmon
November 30, 2014
I recently read the most breathtaking novel, in fact, it’s moved up the ranks as my #1 favorite of 2014, and fits quite comfortably on the list of my all-time favorite novels. The Law of Moses is a gem written by the uber-talented Amy Harmon, and I had the great luck and pleasure of interviewing her. Thank you, Amy, so so much for putting up with my fanaticism, because I couldn’t help it. Without further ado, here she is guys,
Amy Harmon:
H: Tell us a little about yourself: Who are you? Where are you from? What do you like? What do you do?
AH: I’m just a mom. My coolest claim to fame is that I know Gladys Knight and sang in her choir for seven years. She’s a fantastic lady and an amazing inspiration. I write, I take care of my kids, I love to do research and I adore a good love story. I love food and books and music, not necessarily in that order. I grew up in Utah, lived in Las Vegas for ten years and moved back to Utah four years ago.
H: When did you start writing? Why?
AH: I’ve always been a writer. Poetry, song lyrics, essays. But I didn’t start writing in earnest until about eight years ago. I started publishing because I was desperate. We were seriously broke, I had a new baby, my oldest was in and out of the hospital, and my husband was working in another state. Things had to change, and I jumped in with both feet and published a book I’d written years before (Running Barefoot).
H: What would you say your writing style is like? Are there any authors that may have influenced your style?
AH: Some people say I have a more literary style, and I guess that makes sense. I love words. I like the beauty of language and saying things in a different way. I don’t think I’m better than other writers out there, I just think I’m different. My focus is different. My focus in a love story isn’t on the sex – my focus is always on the emotion.
H: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
AH: Hmm. I have always known I was a writer. That is just part of my make-up. Words are everything to me. But an author? It’s just now starting to sink in. I think when I hit the NY Times list with A Different Blue I knew I had made my mark.
H: What do you read for fun?
AH: I love all types of romance, but I’m always in search of a really well-written romance that doesn’t fall back on clichés or tired storylines or total dependence on number of sex scenes or shock value to pull readers in. I can usually tell within the first page if a book is going to do it for me, and it’s all about the writing. My kindle is full of romances and that’s what I do when I’m not working. I’m searching for the next gem.
H: Let’s talk about The Law of Moses for a bit. I’d like to begin with a topic that’s sort of contentious around the blogosphere: the genre. Booksellers have classified it as inspirational romance or simply romance, but some readers aren’t satisfied with that, and think it should be called ‘paranormal.’ I personally would’ve just put in the fiction or literary fiction section (as I would all your books), and called it a day. How do you classify this book?
AH: That “controversy” really surprised me. I’ve read lots of paranormal romance, and TLoM isn’t that. On Amazon it’s categorized in psychological fiction, metaphysical fiction, inspirational fiction, romantic suspense, interracial romance, and a few others. I think labeling is a major problem in the world in general. I hate labels. You may have noticed that, Cristal. In all of my books my characters rant about labels or stereotypes at least once. It’s a pet-peeve of mine. It’s why I don’t have a publishing contract in the US. In the words of many publishers who have liked my work, “They don’t know how to categorize me.” They don’t know what box to put me in.
H: Why did you write this book?
AH: I wanted to write a book about a contemporary black man and a contemporary white woman. I never see it in romantic fiction. Why? I think it’s because people are afraid to get it wrong. I was afraid to get Moses wrong. And then I thought to myself, that’s crazy!! How can you get him wrong? He’s a person. A beautiful, brilliant boy. The color of his skin shouldn’t make it hard to figure him out! That’s labeling again. So I let all the crap go, and I built Moses and Georgia, and man did I love doing it. I think their story is so beautiful.
H: What inspired this story?
AH: Lots of things. There’s never one inspiration. People are built from their experiences, their DNA, their choices, etc. And characters are built the same way, only I have to create their experiences, their choices, their DNA, so to speak. It’s in the creating of the characters that the inspiration comes.
H: Moses is an unforgettable character, what does he mean to you? Are there any similarities between you and him? I know he’s a dude, but I’m sure you spent a lot of time in his head, and I believe that every character a writer conjures is a part of them, so which part of him is you?
AH: Which part of Moses is me. This makes me emotional, Cristal. I’m crying here. Moses wants so desperately for people to SEE him as he is. To understand. To accept. To believe. That is the human condition. We all want that. Moses is all of us. I relate to that at my core.
H: What does Georgia mean to Moses and what does she mean to you?
AH: Moses and Georgia are light and dark, and I’m not talking about skin tone. He is depth, she is laughter. He is the artist, she is the audience. He is the vessel and she is the oar. We all need Georgias in our lives. We need people who don’t allow us to wallow or hide. We need people who just take us all in, and don’t demand us to be different than who we are, but at the same time don’t accept our bad behavior.
H: There’s a spiritual element that’s woven into The Law of Moses, and I believe all your other books, although more so in Moses. Why is this a recurring theme in your stories?
AH: I can’t help it. I really can’t. For me leaving out spiritual things is like leaving the icing off the cake. Life is so much more meaningful and beautiful and bearable if you allow yourself to look beyond the surface, if you open your heart to things you can’t see but things you feel in your spirit are true. I don’t want to convert anyone to my way of thinking. But I can no more write a book without an element of spiritualism than I could sing a song with only two notes.
H: Is there a message to Moses that you want to convey? Or a feeling you’d like your readers to experience with this book?
AH: My oldest son attempted suicide many times. And if there is one thing I believe, it’s that we truly can’t escape ourselves. Just like Moses told Tag. Here, there, half-way across the world or in a hospital in your hometown. You can’t escape yourself. Wherever you go, there you’ll be. That isn't meant to depress anyone. But at some point, you have to get right with yourself, whoever you are.
H: So Moses is a POC, as is Samuel in Running Barefoot, Blue in A Different Blue, and Ambrose in Making Faces. You’ve also had characters with disabilities, and characters that aren’t romance novel perfect. I love that your characters are diverse and that it’s not an insignificant detail in your stories – it’s very important to me, and I’m sure to other readers. I also love that you incorporate their histories into each story. I don’t really have a question here, I just wanted to say that it’s one of the many reasons why I look forward to your books, and I wish other authors would incorporate more diversity into their stories.
AH: Amen, sister. In the words of Moses, “Everyone always talks about being color blind. And I get that. I do. But maybe instead of being color blind, we should celebrate color, in all its shades. It kind of bugs me that we’re supposed to ignore our differences like we don’t see them, when seeing them doesn’t have to be a negative.”
H: Moses paints, Fern writes, Bonnie sings, Blue carves wood, and Darcy plays the cello…you see where I’m going with this? Your leads are pretty artsy, and it’s an important facet of their personalities – which I love – but I wonder if any of them do silly things like play video games or watch reality TV in their spare time.
AH: Ha ha. I don’t play video games. So that’s a hard one for me. I love beauty in all its forms. I don’t even watch TV (sorry dudes). I didn’t have a TV growing up, and I just never got into the habit. I will have to do some research and come back to you. LOL.
H: What else are you working on?
AH: I want to write Tag’s story and Dr. Noah Andelin’s story. Both of these characters are from The Law of Moses, and I have very clear stories in mind for both.
H: Where do your ideas come from?
AH: Building a book is like putting together a puzzle. I get my ideas piece by piece.
H: How do you feel about sequels? Because I’m sure I want a sequel to every book I’ve read by you, especially A Different Blue. Will we be seeing more of Blue and Darcy in the future?
AH: I can’t visualize a sequel for ADB. I just draw a huge blank when I think about that, which tells me it’s not time yet. But I suppose if I write a story for Tag and for Dr. Andelin; that will be a bit like writing a series.
H: What’s the last book that blew your mind?
AH: Oh man. I’m so picky. I thought the writing in Unteachable by Leah Raeder was gorgeous. I loved the story in Ugly Love, I wept in Me Before You by Jojo Moyes – which I never do (picky, picky, picky) and I marveled at Tarryn Fisher’s moxie in Mud Vein. She doesn’t write likable characters and I kind of love that about her.
H: What’s your favorite dessert?
AH: Cake. Hands down. Layers, frosting, chocolate, vanilla, doesn’t matter.
H: What’s your favorite song?
AH: I have a bunch. There’s a song called Isaiah by Noah Gundersen that I love. My son, Paul Travis writes amazing music too. But I also love Billie Jean by Michael Jackson and Kiss by Prince. I love The Killers and U2, can’t get enough of Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith, but love the lyrics of almost every Willie Nelson song. I love Rachmaninoff, Debussy, and Beethoven. But I also secretly adore Eminem. So you get the idea. I am a music lover.
H: Which of your books was the hardest to write? Which was the most fun?
AH: Infinity + One was the most fun. It was also difficult because of the math component. Running Barefoot was the most enjoyable because I had no expectations for myself, and no plans to publish it. I just did it for me. Making Faces was incredibly stressful and so was The Law of Moses, both for different reasons. I think it just gets harder and harder as you go. The pressure intensifies and people expect so much.
H: If you could recommend only one book for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
AH: There’s a book called the Peacegiver. Non-fiction. Self-help. Beautiful. It blew my mind when I read it and it changed my heart.
I know, I know, this is a really long interview. But, yay! You made it to the end!
http://3lbbookblog.com/authorspotligh...
Author Spotlight – Amy Harmon
November 30, 2014
I recently read the most breathtaking novel, in fact, it’s moved up the ranks as my #1 favorite of 2014, and fits quite comfortably on the list of my all-time favorite novels. The Law of Moses is a gem written by the uber-talented Amy Harmon, and I had the great luck and pleasure of interviewing her. Thank you, Amy, so so much for putting up with my fanaticism, because I couldn’t help it. Without further ado, here she is guys,
Amy Harmon:
H: Tell us a little about yourself: Who are you? Where are you from? What do you like? What do you do?
AH: I’m just a mom. My coolest claim to fame is that I know Gladys Knight and sang in her choir for seven years. She’s a fantastic lady and an amazing inspiration. I write, I take care of my kids, I love to do research and I adore a good love story. I love food and books and music, not necessarily in that order. I grew up in Utah, lived in Las Vegas for ten years and moved back to Utah four years ago.
H: When did you start writing? Why?
AH: I’ve always been a writer. Poetry, song lyrics, essays. But I didn’t start writing in earnest until about eight years ago. I started publishing because I was desperate. We were seriously broke, I had a new baby, my oldest was in and out of the hospital, and my husband was working in another state. Things had to change, and I jumped in with both feet and published a book I’d written years before (Running Barefoot).
H: What would you say your writing style is like? Are there any authors that may have influenced your style?
AH: Some people say I have a more literary style, and I guess that makes sense. I love words. I like the beauty of language and saying things in a different way. I don’t think I’m better than other writers out there, I just think I’m different. My focus is different. My focus in a love story isn’t on the sex – my focus is always on the emotion.
H: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
AH: Hmm. I have always known I was a writer. That is just part of my make-up. Words are everything to me. But an author? It’s just now starting to sink in. I think when I hit the NY Times list with A Different Blue I knew I had made my mark.
H: What do you read for fun?
AH: I love all types of romance, but I’m always in search of a really well-written romance that doesn’t fall back on clichés or tired storylines or total dependence on number of sex scenes or shock value to pull readers in. I can usually tell within the first page if a book is going to do it for me, and it’s all about the writing. My kindle is full of romances and that’s what I do when I’m not working. I’m searching for the next gem.
H: Let’s talk about The Law of Moses for a bit. I’d like to begin with a topic that’s sort of contentious around the blogosphere: the genre. Booksellers have classified it as inspirational romance or simply romance, but some readers aren’t satisfied with that, and think it should be called ‘paranormal.’ I personally would’ve just put in the fiction or literary fiction section (as I would all your books), and called it a day. How do you classify this book?
AH: That “controversy” really surprised me. I’ve read lots of paranormal romance, and TLoM isn’t that. On Amazon it’s categorized in psychological fiction, metaphysical fiction, inspirational fiction, romantic suspense, interracial romance, and a few others. I think labeling is a major problem in the world in general. I hate labels. You may have noticed that, Cristal. In all of my books my characters rant about labels or stereotypes at least once. It’s a pet-peeve of mine. It’s why I don’t have a publishing contract in the US. In the words of many publishers who have liked my work, “They don’t know how to categorize me.” They don’t know what box to put me in.
H: Why did you write this book?
AH: I wanted to write a book about a contemporary black man and a contemporary white woman. I never see it in romantic fiction. Why? I think it’s because people are afraid to get it wrong. I was afraid to get Moses wrong. And then I thought to myself, that’s crazy!! How can you get him wrong? He’s a person. A beautiful, brilliant boy. The color of his skin shouldn’t make it hard to figure him out! That’s labeling again. So I let all the crap go, and I built Moses and Georgia, and man did I love doing it. I think their story is so beautiful.
H: What inspired this story?
AH: Lots of things. There’s never one inspiration. People are built from their experiences, their DNA, their choices, etc. And characters are built the same way, only I have to create their experiences, their choices, their DNA, so to speak. It’s in the creating of the characters that the inspiration comes.
H: Moses is an unforgettable character, what does he mean to you? Are there any similarities between you and him? I know he’s a dude, but I’m sure you spent a lot of time in his head, and I believe that every character a writer conjures is a part of them, so which part of him is you?
AH: Which part of Moses is me. This makes me emotional, Cristal. I’m crying here. Moses wants so desperately for people to SEE him as he is. To understand. To accept. To believe. That is the human condition. We all want that. Moses is all of us. I relate to that at my core.
H: What does Georgia mean to Moses and what does she mean to you?
AH: Moses and Georgia are light and dark, and I’m not talking about skin tone. He is depth, she is laughter. He is the artist, she is the audience. He is the vessel and she is the oar. We all need Georgias in our lives. We need people who don’t allow us to wallow or hide. We need people who just take us all in, and don’t demand us to be different than who we are, but at the same time don’t accept our bad behavior.
H: There’s a spiritual element that’s woven into The Law of Moses, and I believe all your other books, although more so in Moses. Why is this a recurring theme in your stories?
AH: I can’t help it. I really can’t. For me leaving out spiritual things is like leaving the icing off the cake. Life is so much more meaningful and beautiful and bearable if you allow yourself to look beyond the surface, if you open your heart to things you can’t see but things you feel in your spirit are true. I don’t want to convert anyone to my way of thinking. But I can no more write a book without an element of spiritualism than I could sing a song with only two notes.
H: Is there a message to Moses that you want to convey? Or a feeling you’d like your readers to experience with this book?
AH: My oldest son attempted suicide many times. And if there is one thing I believe, it’s that we truly can’t escape ourselves. Just like Moses told Tag. Here, there, half-way across the world or in a hospital in your hometown. You can’t escape yourself. Wherever you go, there you’ll be. That isn't meant to depress anyone. But at some point, you have to get right with yourself, whoever you are.
H: So Moses is a POC, as is Samuel in Running Barefoot, Blue in A Different Blue, and Ambrose in Making Faces. You’ve also had characters with disabilities, and characters that aren’t romance novel perfect. I love that your characters are diverse and that it’s not an insignificant detail in your stories – it’s very important to me, and I’m sure to other readers. I also love that you incorporate their histories into each story. I don’t really have a question here, I just wanted to say that it’s one of the many reasons why I look forward to your books, and I wish other authors would incorporate more diversity into their stories.
AH: Amen, sister. In the words of Moses, “Everyone always talks about being color blind. And I get that. I do. But maybe instead of being color blind, we should celebrate color, in all its shades. It kind of bugs me that we’re supposed to ignore our differences like we don’t see them, when seeing them doesn’t have to be a negative.”
H: Moses paints, Fern writes, Bonnie sings, Blue carves wood, and Darcy plays the cello…you see where I’m going with this? Your leads are pretty artsy, and it’s an important facet of their personalities – which I love – but I wonder if any of them do silly things like play video games or watch reality TV in their spare time.
AH: Ha ha. I don’t play video games. So that’s a hard one for me. I love beauty in all its forms. I don’t even watch TV (sorry dudes). I didn’t have a TV growing up, and I just never got into the habit. I will have to do some research and come back to you. LOL.
H: What else are you working on?
AH: I want to write Tag’s story and Dr. Noah Andelin’s story. Both of these characters are from The Law of Moses, and I have very clear stories in mind for both.
H: Where do your ideas come from?
AH: Building a book is like putting together a puzzle. I get my ideas piece by piece.
H: How do you feel about sequels? Because I’m sure I want a sequel to every book I’ve read by you, especially A Different Blue. Will we be seeing more of Blue and Darcy in the future?
AH: I can’t visualize a sequel for ADB. I just draw a huge blank when I think about that, which tells me it’s not time yet. But I suppose if I write a story for Tag and for Dr. Andelin; that will be a bit like writing a series.
H: What’s the last book that blew your mind?
AH: Oh man. I’m so picky. I thought the writing in Unteachable by Leah Raeder was gorgeous. I loved the story in Ugly Love, I wept in Me Before You by Jojo Moyes – which I never do (picky, picky, picky) and I marveled at Tarryn Fisher’s moxie in Mud Vein. She doesn’t write likable characters and I kind of love that about her.
H: What’s your favorite dessert?
AH: Cake. Hands down. Layers, frosting, chocolate, vanilla, doesn’t matter.
H: What’s your favorite song?
AH: I have a bunch. There’s a song called Isaiah by Noah Gundersen that I love. My son, Paul Travis writes amazing music too. But I also love Billie Jean by Michael Jackson and Kiss by Prince. I love The Killers and U2, can’t get enough of Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith, but love the lyrics of almost every Willie Nelson song. I love Rachmaninoff, Debussy, and Beethoven. But I also secretly adore Eminem. So you get the idea. I am a music lover.
H: Which of your books was the hardest to write? Which was the most fun?
AH: Infinity + One was the most fun. It was also difficult because of the math component. Running Barefoot was the most enjoyable because I had no expectations for myself, and no plans to publish it. I just did it for me. Making Faces was incredibly stressful and so was The Law of Moses, both for different reasons. I think it just gets harder and harder as you go. The pressure intensifies and people expect so much.
H: If you could recommend only one book for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
AH: There’s a book called the Peacegiver. Non-fiction. Self-help. Beautiful. It blew my mind when I read it and it changed my heart.
I know, I know, this is a really long interview. But, yay! You made it to the end!
November 13, 2014
The Law of Moses - Pre-Order
IT'S LIVE!
PRE-ORDER The Law of Moses for the special price of $2.99!
★ http://amzn.to/114xTEn
~ As a gift to my loyal readers, I am setting the pre-order for this book at $2.99. After release it will go to $4.95, where all my other books are priced. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who never get a sale price because you buy my books as soon as they are available! I appreciate that so much and this is for you. I am not planning on marking this book down to 99 cents at any point in this first year, so if you want the best price, this is the time to get it. XXOO
~ Nook, Kobo and iTunes readers - The book isn't available for pre-order on these outlets, but I will release the book at $2.99 on those platforms and leave it at the price for a day or two so that you can take advantage of the lower price as well. I love ALL my readers!
PRE-ORDER The Law of Moses for the special price of $2.99!
★ http://amzn.to/114xTEn
~ As a gift to my loyal readers, I am setting the pre-order for this book at $2.99. After release it will go to $4.95, where all my other books are priced. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who never get a sale price because you buy my books as soon as they are available! I appreciate that so much and this is for you. I am not planning on marking this book down to 99 cents at any point in this first year, so if you want the best price, this is the time to get it. XXOO
~ Nook, Kobo and iTunes readers - The book isn't available for pre-order on these outlets, but I will release the book at $2.99 on those platforms and leave it at the price for a day or two so that you can take advantage of the lower price as well. I love ALL my readers!
November 3, 2014
The Law of Moses - Excerpt
** It's coming.
** I can't wait.
** Moses is different from any character I've ever written or read about.
** I might explode before release date.
** Did someone mention a release date?
** Thanksgiving Day 11/27/14
Excerpt:
It was when I sat up, shaking straw from my hair, that I saw Moses, just sitting in the far corner on a low stool my dad used for shoeing the horses. He was as far away from the horses as he could get, and thankfully, none of them seemed especially alarmed by his presence. But I was, just for a moment, and I let out a startled squawk.
He didn’t apologize or laugh or even make small talk at all. He just eyed me warily, as if watching me sleep was what I had summoned him for.
“What time is it?” I whispered, my voice scratchy and my heart heavy. He just made me feel so damn heavy.
“Two.”
“You just got home?”
“No. I went home. Showered. Went to bed.”
“You’re sleep walking, then?” I kept my voice light, soft.
“What do you want, Georgia? I kind of thought you were done with me.” Ah. There it was. A flash of anger. Quiet, brief. But there. And I reveled in it. My mom always said negative attention is better than no attention at all. She was usually talking about foster kids who acted out. But apparently it also applied to seventeen-year-old girls who were in love with boys who didn’t love them back. That thought made me angry.
“Do you love me, Moses?”
“No.” His response was immediate. Defiant. But he stood and walked toward me anyway. And I watched him come, my eyes roving over him hungrily, my heart a huge, needy knot in my chest.
I didn’t argue with him because I knew that’s what he was going to say. And I had already decided that I wouldn’t believe him.
He squatted down beside the square bales I’d turned into a love nest. But he said he didn’t love me. So maybe my bed needed a different name. I laid back down and pulled the blanket around my shoulders, suddenly chilled and incredibly tired. But he followed me, hovering above me, his arms braced on either side of my head as he watched me watch him. And then he closed the distance and kissed my mouth chastely. Once, twice. And then again, not so chastely, with more pressure and more intent.
I breathed deeply and wrapped my hands around his neck, bringing him into me. I soaked in his scent, the sharp tang of paint mixed with soap and the red striped candy mints his grandma kept in a bowl on the kitchen table. And something else too. Something I had no name for, and it was that unknown part of him that I wanted most of all. I kissed him until I could taste it in my mouth and when that wasn’t enough, I pulled it through the palms of my hands and the brush of my skin against his as he moved his mouth to my neck and whispered in my ear.
“I’m not sure what you want from me, Georgia. But if this is it, I’m willing.”
** I can't wait.
** Moses is different from any character I've ever written or read about.
** I might explode before release date.
** Did someone mention a release date?
** Thanksgiving Day 11/27/14
Excerpt:
It was when I sat up, shaking straw from my hair, that I saw Moses, just sitting in the far corner on a low stool my dad used for shoeing the horses. He was as far away from the horses as he could get, and thankfully, none of them seemed especially alarmed by his presence. But I was, just for a moment, and I let out a startled squawk.
He didn’t apologize or laugh or even make small talk at all. He just eyed me warily, as if watching me sleep was what I had summoned him for.
“What time is it?” I whispered, my voice scratchy and my heart heavy. He just made me feel so damn heavy.
“Two.”
“You just got home?”
“No. I went home. Showered. Went to bed.”
“You’re sleep walking, then?” I kept my voice light, soft.
“What do you want, Georgia? I kind of thought you were done with me.” Ah. There it was. A flash of anger. Quiet, brief. But there. And I reveled in it. My mom always said negative attention is better than no attention at all. She was usually talking about foster kids who acted out. But apparently it also applied to seventeen-year-old girls who were in love with boys who didn’t love them back. That thought made me angry.
“Do you love me, Moses?”
“No.” His response was immediate. Defiant. But he stood and walked toward me anyway. And I watched him come, my eyes roving over him hungrily, my heart a huge, needy knot in my chest.
I didn’t argue with him because I knew that’s what he was going to say. And I had already decided that I wouldn’t believe him.
He squatted down beside the square bales I’d turned into a love nest. But he said he didn’t love me. So maybe my bed needed a different name. I laid back down and pulled the blanket around my shoulders, suddenly chilled and incredibly tired. But he followed me, hovering above me, his arms braced on either side of my head as he watched me watch him. And then he closed the distance and kissed my mouth chastely. Once, twice. And then again, not so chastely, with more pressure and more intent.
I breathed deeply and wrapped my hands around his neck, bringing him into me. I soaked in his scent, the sharp tang of paint mixed with soap and the red striped candy mints his grandma kept in a bowl on the kitchen table. And something else too. Something I had no name for, and it was that unknown part of him that I wanted most of all. I kissed him until I could taste it in my mouth and when that wasn’t enough, I pulled it through the palms of my hands and the brush of my skin against his as he moved his mouth to my neck and whispered in my ear.
“I’m not sure what you want from me, Georgia. But if this is it, I’m willing.”
September 21, 2014
Infinity + One and Outlander
My latest novel, Infinity + One, is 99 cents today on every platform. If you've been wanting a wee bite of Jamie's arse...oops. I'm still thinking of Outlander last night. What was I talking about? Oh, yes. The sale on Infinity. This book is about a road trip with a handsome, ex-con and a troubled pop star. But it takes place in America. Not Scotland. Darn. Why didn't I set it in Scotland in 1743? Oh, yeah. Because the road trip idea wouldn't have worked....
Links:
→ Amazon: http://amzn.to/1vSAUER
→ B&N: http://bit.ly/1rXnare
→ iTunes: http://bit.ly/1p8wyGk
Links:
→ Amazon: http://amzn.to/1vSAUER
→ B&N: http://bit.ly/1rXnare
→ iTunes: http://bit.ly/1p8wyGk
May 27, 2014
Infinity + One - Book Trailer and Pre-Order
I have a BIG surprise. I have been waiting to share this. It is so awesome I might die. The talented Tamara Debbaut made an awesome BOOK TRAILER for Infinity + One. Her blog is called We Art Books - and oh, my does she ever! And the very coolest thing? My long-time friend, Heather Goedel Parker, is the one singing the song you are hearing. The song is very important to the book, and it just blows my mind how talented Heather is. And the second piece of news??? I have a PRE-ORDER LINK for Infinity + One! I hope you all rush to order it. 'Cause that would be really nice of you. LOL
Pre-order ➜ http://amzn.com/B00KIZQG96
Trailer ➜ http://youtu.be/OwjeBUDe-rE
Pre-order ➜ http://amzn.com/B00KIZQG96
Trailer ➜ http://youtu.be/OwjeBUDe-rE
March 31, 2014
Excerpt from INFINITY + ONE - Coming JUNE 10, 2014
The last note hung in the air for a full five seconds and Finn realized he was holding his breath. He told himself that was the reason for the tightness in his chest and the moisture at the corner of his eyes. He wanted her to sing again. But she had clearly finished the only number she was going to perform. She dropped her chin to her chest and sank to the little metal platform, her legs stretched in front of her, positioned for a turn down the slide.
Relatively safe from being startled into a fall, her arms wrapped around the bars at the top of the slide, Bonnie didn’t even turn as Finn approached, and she seemed oblivious that anyone might have heard her concert in the park. He circled the slide and stood at the bottom, looking up at her.
She blinked and then gasped a little, as if she thought for a moment he wasn’t real. Then she smiled. It was a smile that said she was thrilled to see him and overjoyed by his presence.
She smiled at him, sitting there on top of the slide, like it made perfect sense for her to be there, like she hadn’t just stolen his truck and led him on a chase. She smiled at him, her whole face infused with light, and he forgave her. Instantly. No longer furious. No longer scared. No longer ready to strangle her, tie her up, and call the police. All of it gone - evaporated like snowflakes on his tongue.
It was midnight on a Tuesday, the end of February, in a cold, deserted, park in St. Louis, and there was no place he would rather be.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi.” Dammit. Now he was smiling too. And shaking his head in surrender. “What in the hell am I going to do with you?”
“You could move so I can go down this slide.” She winked. He didn’t move. So she let go. He knew she would. She flew toward him, whooping all the way down, and at the last second he stepped back so he didn’t take two red cowboy boots to the shins. She barreled into him anyway, all momentum, wrapping her legs around him, and he grabbed her, falling back as he did. Thick, rubber playground bark broke their fall, for the most part, but Finn still found himself flat on his back with Bonnie sprawled across his chest.
“I told you to move,” she laughed, her face above his, her knit cap clinging to her head. He reached up and pulled it all the way off, and she immediately ran one hand over her hair self-consciously, smoothing down the strands that floated with static. He followed her hand with his, a caress that had nothing to do with her hair and everything to do with needing to touch her.
Relatively safe from being startled into a fall, her arms wrapped around the bars at the top of the slide, Bonnie didn’t even turn as Finn approached, and she seemed oblivious that anyone might have heard her concert in the park. He circled the slide and stood at the bottom, looking up at her.
She blinked and then gasped a little, as if she thought for a moment he wasn’t real. Then she smiled. It was a smile that said she was thrilled to see him and overjoyed by his presence.
She smiled at him, sitting there on top of the slide, like it made perfect sense for her to be there, like she hadn’t just stolen his truck and led him on a chase. She smiled at him, her whole face infused with light, and he forgave her. Instantly. No longer furious. No longer scared. No longer ready to strangle her, tie her up, and call the police. All of it gone - evaporated like snowflakes on his tongue.
It was midnight on a Tuesday, the end of February, in a cold, deserted, park in St. Louis, and there was no place he would rather be.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi.” Dammit. Now he was smiling too. And shaking his head in surrender. “What in the hell am I going to do with you?”
“You could move so I can go down this slide.” She winked. He didn’t move. So she let go. He knew she would. She flew toward him, whooping all the way down, and at the last second he stepped back so he didn’t take two red cowboy boots to the shins. She barreled into him anyway, all momentum, wrapping her legs around him, and he grabbed her, falling back as he did. Thick, rubber playground bark broke their fall, for the most part, but Finn still found himself flat on his back with Bonnie sprawled across his chest.
“I told you to move,” she laughed, her face above his, her knit cap clinging to her head. He reached up and pulled it all the way off, and she immediately ran one hand over her hair self-consciously, smoothing down the strands that floated with static. He followed her hand with his, a caress that had nothing to do with her hair and everything to do with needing to touch her.
March 4, 2014
Book Trailer
This is a beautiful Making Faces Book Trailer made by the talented Tamara Debbaut. The song on the trailer is called Polaroid by Paul Travis...who also happens to be my son. Mama's proud. He is amazing. So it the trailer. Want to see?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkP_6...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkP_6...
November 19, 2013
Wounded Warrior
Hey all. I am humbled to announce a project that is underway. A group of readers, inspired by my book, Making Faces, has made a goal to raise $1500 for the Wounded Warrior project. I have donated ten signed copies for prizes, and a whole slew of other authors have joined in the effort as well and donated prizes and ebooks. I know everyone's raising money right now. It's the holiday season. I get it. Times are hard. So if you can't donate, that's okay. But will you check out the page on facebook and give this page a like? Maybe you can share the page with your friends. And maybe, just maybe, we can help a soldier, maybe even someone like Ambrose Young, who needs help this holiday season.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
amy harmon
http://www.facebook.com/thereciprocat...
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
amy harmon
http://www.facebook.com/thereciprocat...
