Cheryl Harper's Blog, page 10

A Minute on the Lips Excerpt, Ch. 1

Do you need a new book? OF COURSE YOU DO! May I suggest A Minute on the Lips, my small-town sheriff, charming newspaper editor, solving a case and falling in love, sweet romance? Here’s an excerpt:

Andi could see Jackie’s beady, excited eyes over the top of the crowd. He was standing on the bench he’d pulled over to block the door to the diner. Andi would need to get that fixed pretty quick or she and Jackie would both be on the mayor’s hit list.

Andi glanced over the crowd as she asked, “Jackie, what seems to be the problem?”

Jackie wrinkled his brow in an ugly frown. “Sheriff, the problem is that I’ve got a crime scene here, and I don’t want any of these suspects or looky-loos to muddy up the evidence.”

Right. Andi nodded, hoping Jackie would think she cared as deeply as she had the first time she’d answered one of his calls. Or even the second or third. Then she hadn’t realized how frequently she’d be giving Jackie the same nod. Now she knew better than to get her hopes up for a real case. “Why don’t we go inside and have a look? And we can move that bench right back under the window, to get things back to normal.”

Even before she got the second sentence out of her mouth, Jackie was shaking his head. The few red hairs that remained on top stirred in the weak breeze. “No, ma’am, first get statements from every one of these suspects. Then I’ll let you in to look around, take your fingerprints and do any of that forensic investigation. You better hurry it up, though. I’m losing the breakfast crowd.”

Andi stifled a heavy sigh as she looked at the crowd of “suspects” and decided it would be easier to go along with Jackie at this point. He wasn’t going to like that her forensic investigation would be sorely lacking. She could take fingerprints and get some photos, but considering the crowd that went through the diner, unless she found something really out of the ordinary, she’d have a hard time calling anything she found evidence. Thanks to television, everyone expected her to have a crime lab, a source at Homeland Security and a psychic in her back pocket. In most cases, Andi’s resources were limited to her powers of observation—which were pretty good. She was also lucky to work with talented deputies. For almost two years, they had been enough to stay on top of petty crime, not-so-friendly disputes, domestic violence calls, small drug busts and general safety concerns in Tall Pines. No laboratories needed.

Tagged: A Minute on the Lips, Cheryl Harper, clean romance, Harlequin Heartwarming, romance, sheriff, small town, Sweet Romance

Coughing, calculating, and celebrating a NEW BOOK!

Things you should probably know…

1. I’ve had the plague for a week now and my cough is now annoying the dog. I’m pretty sure I’m going to live, but the dog may run away from home.

2. I’ve also had a big-ish work project that I’m trying to finish up…and that requires math, which is hard.

3. I also need to fix a synopsis and come up with a new one this weekend, but what’s really important is…

 I HAVE A NEW BOOK OUT TODAY!!! A Minute on the Lips can be yours at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Harlequin, and…I’ll bring it by your house if you’ll put up the protective cough bubble for me! Here’s the link with all the pertinents. A MINUTE ON THE LIPS.

Tagged: A Minute on the Lips, Cheryl Harper, Harlequin Heartwarming, romance, small town, Sweet Romance

The giveaways before the giveaways!

Busy, busy, busy around here lately! I’m planning a BIG FEBRUARY with giveaways, but for now you have two great opportunities to get some free books.

Free books…that’s a beautiful sound, right?

Ending this week so HURRY!

1. Goodreads group. If you haven’t stopped in to see the chat over at Goodreads, head on over, leave a comment on the convo, and enter to win a signed paper copy of all 4 February Harlequin Heartwarming titles. That’s a deal! Here’s the link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1643160-feb-heartwarming-releases-giveaway

2. Over in the sidebar here or on on my Facebook page, you can enter a Rafflecopter giveaway that Melinda Curtis and I are running this week. Enter to win and you could get an ebook of either her February title, Summer Kisses, or mine, A Minute on the Lips. BUT EVERYONE’S A WINNER! If you enter, you’ll get the first 3 chapters of both books. Can’t find the link? Here it is again:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And I’ve got big things cooking…come back. Excerpts of A Minute on the Lips are COMING (and also fun giveaways, a FREE READ, and much, much more (that might actually be it but if something else occurs to me, I like to leave my options open, you know?))

Tagged: A Minute on the Lips, clean romance, free, giveaway, harlequin, Harlequin Heartwarming, heartwarming, Sweet Romance

2013, 2014, and goals

I am a resolution maker. I think this is because I’m a list-making, step-outlining planner and I like goals. The cold, hard truth is that I’m not much of a resolution keeper. Exercise more, eat less, and lose weight…those would be so awesome but I have failed often enough to understand that resolutions aren’t magic. I have kept two with spectacular success. The first: I resolved to buy more shoes. If the thought behind resolutions is to repeat enough to make new habits, this one worked very well. From this I learned I will always have an easier time spending money than sticking to a budget. Not exactly earth shattering, right? And the second: I resolved to write more. “More” wasn’t that hard. Aside from emails and instructions and all manner of boring homework, I hadn’t written much for fun since my creative writing class (which was also technically homework but a lot less boring than economics). I said both out loud, and I had a good friend take me at my word. She helped me find a local writing group, took me to my first writing workshop, and generally cheered me on, something I desperately need to try anything new.

I don’t remember 2013′s resolutions at this point (*cough* eat better, exercise more, lose weight *cough*) but I’m pretty sure they were epic failures. I have already set 2014 writing goals, although at this point, making them happen seems to take magic and I have no wand. Obviously I need to make smaller goals. And I will. I have more travel planned for this year, something I’m really looking forward to, and I believe this is the year I’m going to take the trip I’ve been dreaming of instead of waiting for a better time. And I’m totally going to eat better, exercise more, and etc.

But I think instead of resolutions this year, I’m going to try that other popular idea, coming up with a word for the year. I haven’t settled yet, but I’m thinking TODAY. Yes, I see the irony of choosing it, but the flip side of being a planner is that I WORRY, usually about mistakes I’ve made or things that might never happen. That’s exhausting. I can’t change either. So I want small goals, things I can do today.

Day 1: I resolve to eat a salad (never a hardship), edit 30 pages, and take myself to a movie (with popcorn because I ATE A SALAD already).

What about you? Have you made resolutions for 2014?

 

Santa, Bring My Baby Back, Chapter 2 Excerpt: New man, new plan, fresh lipstick

(Available now. Amazon Link:::Barnes and Noble Link:::Indiebound Link)

All the way around the pool area with its cheery inflatable snowmen and flashing candy canes and down the long hallway decorated with album covers and three different themed Christmas trees, Grace rehearsed her lines in her head. She was going to need a job, a place to stay, and some time to pay her hotel bills. Checking all three off the list might take some finesse.

Grace paused in the doorway of Viva Las Vegas to give her eyes a chance to adjust to the change from the bright lobby to the darker restaurant. Her first impressions were of lush plants—a theme at the hotel—and some rocking Elvis tune competing with the clinks of silverware on plates and low conversations. A very cute, very young hostess dressed as a showgirl in Santa’s workshop pointed her toward the bar. When Grace dumped all her baggage in a seat and draped the dress over the top, she noticed Charlie, but he didn’t look up from his plate.

Thanks to his concentration, Grace had a chance to observe him before she announced her presence. His crisp white dress shirt and black tie were covered by a large cloth napkin, which might also be a tablecloth in real life. She appreciated his broad shoulders and the flex of muscles in his back as he twisted on the seat. The edges of his sleeves were white flashes as he made steady progress of clearing his plate with quick bites, not like he was in a hurry, but took pride in efficient operation. And his long legs were propped up on the brass footrest that ran along the bottom of the bar. His slicked back black hair was probably the stillest part of his body. Charlie seemed capable. Strong. Solid. For some reason, she had the urge to wrap her hand around his arm and maybe rest her head on his shoulder.

Not exactly what she expected from a man with rock-star good looks and enough gunk in his hair to preserve his style in a tornado.

She patted her own, slightly crunchy updo and decided to give him props for that. It showed commitment.

When he’d opened her dressing room door, the first thing she saw were his dark brown eyes. For a minute, she’d been frozen by the connection. Then she’d noticed his Elvis-like hair and had to wonder what his story was.

Tagged: Avon, Excerpt, Santa Bring My Baby Back

Santa, Bring My Baby Back, Excerpt Chapter 1: Gold lame and a gold digger?

Releases December 17 (Amazon Link:::Barnes and Noble Link:::Indiebound Link)

Charlie rolled his head from one side to the other, straightened his shoulders, and then fought his way out of the shiny gold jacket. He slipped it on the hanger in the small dressing room behind the stage and then carefully closed the door. He stretched his arms and soaked in the bright winter sunlight streaming through the windows.

When his stomach growled again, he hit the door to the lobby with a stiff arm, set on getting back to his own schedule. After four determined steps, he stopped. He could see a line of light under the door to the bridal suite.

Charlie mentally cursed again. Something about that light told him this was going to be more trouble than a man who hadn’t eaten in over four hours should attempt to deal with. He’d sent his assistant for the day out to check on the bride and groom earlier. When she’d come back to say the rooms were dark, he’d sent her on to lunch. He should have followed, obviously. If that light represented his late bride and groom, his schedule would be off for the rest of the day.

After two perfunctory knocks, Charlie turned the knob and shoved open the door.

He froze on the spot when he saw the bride seated in a froth of wedding dress. Like a priceless work of art, she was lit by a spotlight that highlighted the flawless creamy skin of her bare shoulders, the gleam in her dark hair, and her bright red lips. When his eyes met hers in the mirror’s reflection, he couldn’t remember just exactly what he thought he might say to the inconsiderate bride or groom if he ever found either of them. His schedule was forgotten. He was lucky to remember to breathe in and out.

“Aw, crap, he ain’t comin’, is he?”

A small frown wrinkled the pale skin of her brow and something about her east Tennessee twang set everything back in motion.

He reached up to run his hand through his hair but hit crunchy product and decided to rub his neck like that was what he’d intended all along. “I was hoping that you could tell me. What happened to your groom?”

“Well, I can’t say I exactly expected this, but I ain’t as shocked as I should be either.” She gave him a wide smile that didn’t quite look genuine, but he liked it a whole lot better than tears. “Tommy Joe told me he’d meet me over here, knock on the door when he was ready. Since he’s always late, I expected to wait a bit but . . .”

She shrugged, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from being drawn back under her spell as light played across the pale skin of her shoulders and chest. She stood gracefully and smoothed the sides of her elegant wedding dress. Her hourglass figure was outlined faithfully by the dress and accented by dainty hands she propped on her hips. “He didn’t sound like a man looking forward to his weddin’. Cold feet set in, I imagine. My hook wasn’t set, and I guess he wriggled off.”

Charlie frowned as he considered her answer. He fought back the urge to ask what kind of fool would wriggle off her hook. A man might not know he was caught until it was too late . . .  but what a way to go.

Tagged: Avon, Excerpt, Santa Bring My Baby Back

Friday the Thirteenth? Let’s party

If you’re looking for something to lift your spirits and/or help you put off shopping or cleaning the house, there are cats and dogs dressed up for the holidays at the Avon author Facebook party going on right now. You should come! https://www.facebook.com/events/600062096726032/?source=1 And drop by and leave me a comment (please!) about the one place you’ve always dreamed of taking a holiday vacation. Comments are all it takes to enter to win the fabulous prizes the Avon authors have donated.

Santa, Bring My Baby Back…8 days! *But you could preorder now…just sayin’

I’m taking my mind off the snow (not really because it’s ALWAYS there) by shopping on Amazon, reading blogs, and sending positive vibes to Santa, Bring My Baby Back. Don’t miss out on the first blog tour stop here: A Tasty Read Book Reviews. You can read my thoughts on holiday music and more importantly enter to win a copy of the book. Do it. I’ll wait.

 

And if you want a little taste of Santa, Bring My Baby Back, here’s a nice introduction to Charlie:

Tagged: Avon, blog tour, giveaway, Santa Bring My Baby Back

Epic party & you’re invited: Avon Impulse authors on Facebook, Dec 13

…Because it’s a romance writer party and a romance writer party don’t stop! That’s already been proven to me at more than one conference. It’s really just science. Join me and an amazing collection of your favorite Avon Impulse authors in Friday, December 13 (’cause it’s totally good luck, y’all) on Facebook for games, trivia, and GIVEAWAYS! I’ve seen the guest list. Believe me, you want to attend! Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/600062096726032/ Drop by and let us know you’re coming so we know how much eggnog to spike.

Blog Tour: Santa, Bring My Baby Back

I’m excited! I just got the list of stops for the upcoming Santa, Bring My Baby Back blog tour. There will be excerpts, reviews, and a chance to win the book. I’m also planning some giveaways so watch Twitter and Facebook to win!

Dec 9th- A Tasty Read Book Reviews

Dec 10th- At the Corner of First and Romance

Dec 11th- Urban Girl Reader

Dec 12th- Crystal Blogs Books

Dec 13th- Romance Bookworm

Dec 16th- Romancing the Readers

Dec 17th- I am, Indeed

Dec 18th- Brooke Blogs

Dec 19th- Storm Goddess Book Reviews

Dec 20th- Once Upon a Book

Tagged: blog tour, Excerpt, giveaway, Santa Bring My Baby Back