Heidi McLaughlin's Blog, page 17
February 1, 2013
My February Mission
As many of you have seen today, I lost my brother, Ryan, on Valentine's day, 2011, when he lost his battle with cystic fibrosis. Needless to day, the 14th now has a different meaning for our family.
Last year my girls went to their dad and asked that they not get presents and instead a donation be made in memory of their uncle. We decided as a family that this would be our yearly tradition, in addition, to participating in the annual Great Strides walk as a family.
Today I launched my $1.00 campaign. If you haven't purchased, know someone who hasn't read, or want to gift Forever My Girl , to someone, I'll donate $1.00 from each book sale through February, in memory of my brother.
If a paperback is purchased, $5.00.
If you purchase for the Beaumont store - 100%
Many of you asked how you can donate since you already own Forever My Girl. You can make a donation toward Team Ryley ~ Our cf family Great Strides team. In case you're wondering, Ryley, is a combination of Ryan and Ashley, my sister who also has cf.
If you prefer to make donation direct to the foundation, you can fill out this form. If you'd be so kind as to click the Memory/Honor button and include my brother's name, Ryan McLaughlin (at the bottom), my family would be forever grateful.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
Last year my girls went to their dad and asked that they not get presents and instead a donation be made in memory of their uncle. We decided as a family that this would be our yearly tradition, in addition, to participating in the annual Great Strides walk as a family.
Today I launched my $1.00 campaign. If you haven't purchased, know someone who hasn't read, or want to gift Forever My Girl , to someone, I'll donate $1.00 from each book sale through February, in memory of my brother.
If a paperback is purchased, $5.00.
If you purchase for the Beaumont store - 100%
Many of you asked how you can donate since you already own Forever My Girl. You can make a donation toward Team Ryley ~ Our cf family Great Strides team. In case you're wondering, Ryley, is a combination of Ryan and Ashley, my sister who also has cf.
If you prefer to make donation direct to the foundation, you can fill out this form. If you'd be so kind as to click the Memory/Honor button and include my brother's name, Ryan McLaughlin (at the bottom), my family would be forever grateful.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
My Week in Review... or Some Very Random Stuff
Last night, I read a very sweet second chance story. I’ve avoided these, of course, before of Forever My Girl , I couldn’t have anything influencing Liam and Josie, ya know.
This story, Second Chance , by Shelby Gates was just released and you should definitely go pick it up!
And while you’re at it, pick up Second Chance , by Katie Kacvinsky – LOVE LOVE LOVE this series! You might need to read First Comes Love. But you’ll love them both.
I’m working hard on Lost in You, it’s a standalone that I hope you’ll love. A bit star-crossed / forbidden love. I’m 50K into the manuscript and I’m hoping to have the first draft done this month. A little later than planned, but life is busy.
Over on my fanpage – when we reach 3000 “Likes” I’ll release the title of the 2ndBeaumont Series novel and we are running a contest… The person who picks the closet date of us reaching 3000 will get a copy of that all-important 2ndbook!
What are you reading this weekend? Aside from writing and some editing, I’ll be starting Bubbles Unbound by Sarah Strohmeyer. Yes, it’s been out, but Bubbles has such a huge following I need to jump on the bandwagon.
January 17, 2013
What a week...
Wow!
I've had an amazing week.
For that I thank each and everyone of you!
On Monday I was told that I made the best sellers list for Digital Book World - debuting at #22!
And last night I was informed that I'd debut on the USA Today Best Selling list at #52!
I'm so honored and thankful.
I've had an amazing week.
For that I thank each and everyone of you!
On Monday I was told that I made the best sellers list for Digital Book World - debuting at #22!
And last night I was informed that I'd debut on the USA Today Best Selling list at #52!
I'm so honored and thankful.
January 5, 2013
Welcome to my new home!
Welcome to my new author website. Thanks for visiting and leave me a comment.
January 1, 2013
The Letter Josie Hasn't Seen
A lot of readers aren't like Nick and that is understandable so I wanted to shed a little light on who he is.
Nick came to Beaumont well into this teen years. Saw Josie from afar and knew he was in love. The only problem - she was very taken and he didn't stand a chance. He tired, but you all saw how that turned out.
When Liam left, Nick waited patiently for his chance and when he finally got it, he did everything he could to make Josie love him the way she loves Liam. In his heart, he knew that she still loved Liam. He could tell every time Josie looked at her son.
A man just knows.
So when he saw Liam walk in, with Katelyn guiding him, he knew.
Dear Josie,
You know that moment - the one that happens when you’re driving down the street and the oncoming car shines their brights at you? That is what I felt like when he walked into the carriage room on the day of Mason’s funeral.
My life flashed before my eyes.
Do you know what I saw? Your smile, the way you hold my hand and Noah’s laugh. I saw the way I held you, the way you fell asleep in my arms after a long day of work. I saw Noah and I in the backyard throwing the ball around and then I saw him standing there smirking and shaking his head. I saw that guy from high school and my scene changed. Everything started to fade away. You weren’t holding my hand, but his. Noah wasn’t laughing with me, but with him. I knew then that it was all going to be a distant memory for me. I had lost without even starting the fight.
When he walked in, I knew. I felt in my heart that you were gone and there wasn’t much I was going to be able to do except pray that you’d remember everything he had done, remember everything that you went through when he left. It’s pretty sad that I needed your bad memories to remind you of the hell you went through just so you’d pick me.
When I looked at him, I knew I was the better choice. I had plans for my life. I wasn’t going to depend on baseball to get me anywhere. But you, you only saw him. I had to watch from the sidelines until he made the ultimate mistake.
I remember the first time you brought me over to Mason and Katelyn’s. I was so nervous. We weren’t friends in high school, just teammates, even though I tried. I was surprised when he shook my hand, but it’s what he said to you that stands out now. "He always wanted what Liam had." He laughed. Mason laughed at me and any man would’ve turned around and left, but you were my salvation. If I had you, I was on the top of the world.
I wish I could say Mason was wrong, but he wasn’t. It’s true for the most part. I wanted you from the first time I saw you standing in the hall. I was going to talk to you, but he walked up and wrapped you in his arms. I had never felt so much jealousy before and I didn’t even know you. All I saw was this meathead who had something I wanted.
I knew Mason wasn’t my best friend. I was just a guy he put up with because you were his best friend and I was okay with that because it meant I could be with you more and you’d never have to choose me over them.
When he died, I knew our lives were going to be different, but I didn’t expect this. Not in a million years did I expect to be pouring myself out on a piece of paper and not standing up in front of our families devoting the rest of our lives to each other.
I knew deep down that I didn’t have your heart. I was just too stupid to believe it. I settled for whatever you were willing to give me because I’m in love with you. I should’ve known better then to think you’d get over him since you bore him a son. You looked at the love you shared every day in the eyes of Noah and I knew I couldn’t compete, but wanted to try. I wanted to give you the life you deserve.
I hate having these feelings. I hate that I’m writing you this letter while you’re at work. I hate packing and leaving our home, one that we’ve shared for years, but I can’t stay. I can’t sit back and watch you build a life with him because I know that’s what going to happen.
I’m going to Africa so you can start a life with Liam. I accept that, even if I want to stay and fight, I’m not willing to lose so I’m bowing out gracefully. I love you, Josie, and much like Liam, it’s been since I first saw you, I was just too late.
Nick came to Beaumont well into this teen years. Saw Josie from afar and knew he was in love. The only problem - she was very taken and he didn't stand a chance. He tired, but you all saw how that turned out.
When Liam left, Nick waited patiently for his chance and when he finally got it, he did everything he could to make Josie love him the way she loves Liam. In his heart, he knew that she still loved Liam. He could tell every time Josie looked at her son.
A man just knows.
So when he saw Liam walk in, with Katelyn guiding him, he knew.
Dear Josie,
You know that moment - the one that happens when you’re driving down the street and the oncoming car shines their brights at you? That is what I felt like when he walked into the carriage room on the day of Mason’s funeral.
My life flashed before my eyes.
Do you know what I saw? Your smile, the way you hold my hand and Noah’s laugh. I saw the way I held you, the way you fell asleep in my arms after a long day of work. I saw Noah and I in the backyard throwing the ball around and then I saw him standing there smirking and shaking his head. I saw that guy from high school and my scene changed. Everything started to fade away. You weren’t holding my hand, but his. Noah wasn’t laughing with me, but with him. I knew then that it was all going to be a distant memory for me. I had lost without even starting the fight.
When he walked in, I knew. I felt in my heart that you were gone and there wasn’t much I was going to be able to do except pray that you’d remember everything he had done, remember everything that you went through when he left. It’s pretty sad that I needed your bad memories to remind you of the hell you went through just so you’d pick me.
When I looked at him, I knew I was the better choice. I had plans for my life. I wasn’t going to depend on baseball to get me anywhere. But you, you only saw him. I had to watch from the sidelines until he made the ultimate mistake.
I remember the first time you brought me over to Mason and Katelyn’s. I was so nervous. We weren’t friends in high school, just teammates, even though I tried. I was surprised when he shook my hand, but it’s what he said to you that stands out now. "He always wanted what Liam had." He laughed. Mason laughed at me and any man would’ve turned around and left, but you were my salvation. If I had you, I was on the top of the world.
I wish I could say Mason was wrong, but he wasn’t. It’s true for the most part. I wanted you from the first time I saw you standing in the hall. I was going to talk to you, but he walked up and wrapped you in his arms. I had never felt so much jealousy before and I didn’t even know you. All I saw was this meathead who had something I wanted.
I knew Mason wasn’t my best friend. I was just a guy he put up with because you were his best friend and I was okay with that because it meant I could be with you more and you’d never have to choose me over them.
When he died, I knew our lives were going to be different, but I didn’t expect this. Not in a million years did I expect to be pouring myself out on a piece of paper and not standing up in front of our families devoting the rest of our lives to each other.
I knew deep down that I didn’t have your heart. I was just too stupid to believe it. I settled for whatever you were willing to give me because I’m in love with you. I should’ve known better then to think you’d get over him since you bore him a son. You looked at the love you shared every day in the eyes of Noah and I knew I couldn’t compete, but wanted to try. I wanted to give you the life you deserve.
I hate having these feelings. I hate that I’m writing you this letter while you’re at work. I hate packing and leaving our home, one that we’ve shared for years, but I can’t stay. I can’t sit back and watch you build a life with him because I know that’s what going to happen.
I’m going to Africa so you can start a life with Liam. I accept that, even if I want to stay and fight, I’m not willing to lose so I’m bowing out gracefully. I love you, Josie, and much like Liam, it’s been since I first saw you, I was just too late.
December 31, 2012
Name that Band
If you read Forever My Girl you noticed that Liam does not mention his band name!
Like ever!
What is wrong with this guy?
The problem - I never named the band *hides*
So CONTEST TIME!
Name that Band - submit your name on the entry form!
We'll take entries until 1/31
Voting for 2 weeks
Winner gets a BAND prize pack!
And if you haven't read FOREVER MY GIRL and you want too:
Amazon / Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Like ever!
What is wrong with this guy?
The problem - I never named the band *hides*
So CONTEST TIME!
Name that Band - submit your name on the entry form!
We'll take entries until 1/31
Voting for 2 weeks
Winner gets a BAND prize pack!
And if you haven't read FOREVER MY GIRL and you want too:
Amazon / Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
December 28, 2012
Day 8 & Last Day of the Tour
My tour has come to an end. When I went into this, I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I can easily say I had a blast.
I loved getting to know each and every reviewer and visiting their sites. It's refreshing to see how each blogger takes to their craft.
I was very lucky to work with such an amazing group of readers.
I have to thank Damaris at Good Choice Reading. What started out as a shot in the dark, me taking a blind chance, has turned into a great friendship.
Any author would be so lucky to work with Damaris on promotions.
So for today's post!
Book Briefs
The Readiacs
Stuck in Books
I loved getting to know each and every reviewer and visiting their sites. It's refreshing to see how each blogger takes to their craft.
I was very lucky to work with such an amazing group of readers.
I have to thank Damaris at Good Choice Reading. What started out as a shot in the dark, me taking a blind chance, has turned into a great friendship.
Any author would be so lucky to work with Damaris on promotions.
So for today's post!
Book Briefs
The Readiacs
Stuck in Books
Day 7 of the Forever My Girl Tour
Day 7 aka Release Day!
Aestas Book Blog - have you seen this site - GORGEOUS!
The Book Whisperer
Stop by and check out their reviews of Forever My Girl and don't forget to enter to win a Kindle Touch!
Aestas Book Blog - have you seen this site - GORGEOUS!
The Book Whisperer
Stop by and check out their reviews of Forever My Girl and don't forget to enter to win a Kindle Touch!
December 27, 2012
Release Day!
Day 6 of the Forever My Girl Tour
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.
I missed posting yesterday due to some 'book' issues, but here we are today!
A Tale of Many Book Reviews & Belle's Book Bag
I missed posting yesterday due to some 'book' issues, but here we are today!
A Tale of Many Book Reviews & Belle's Book Bag
