Cheryl Harper's Blog, page 11

BLOG TOUR info: 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, feature, giveaway, review, Santa Bring My Baby Back

A Minute on the Lips (February 1, 2014, Harlequin Heartwarming)

There are no secrets in Tall Pines… 

Sheriff Andrea Jackson can’t afford to become the subject of small-town gossip. With an election coming up and her job on the line, public opinion is crucial. That means keeping her distance from newspaper editor Mark Taylor.

Effortlessly handsome and dangerously charming, Mark is hard to resist, but his sudden interest makes Andi wonder if his dinner invitations are for business or pleasure. Andi has to admit she could use his help in solving a local theft, but working with Mark would make her the talk of the town, or worse…it could land her on the front page.

Sweet (clean) romance from Harlequin Heartwarming! Print copies available through Harlequin.com, ebooks at online sellers.

HARLEQUIN (print):::AMAZON:::BARNES & NOBLE

Tagged: A Minute on the Lips, Harlequin Heartwarming, Sweet Romance

The Battle with “Should”

Lately I’ve struggled to write, mostly because of my own doubt rather than a lack of inspiration. I stare at the blank page and tell myself I should be better at this by now. It should be easier or faster or something. I go through these phases sometimes where I can’t quite tackle one thing because I “should” be doing something else. My day job is done from home and of course I write in the very same desk chair, so any time I’m at home I could be working. I “should” be working on something. Or at the very least I should be cooking, cleaning, weeding, buying groceries, paying the bills, or doing laundry so that I’m not forced to choose between a swimsuit and an old Halloween costume to dress myself.

This feeling of “should” can be exhausting, can’t it? It’s hard to settle down, relax, when there’s always something else to do. I decided part of my problem is too much time in front of the computer so I tried not to think in shoulds this weekend.

I watched movies: White House Down (which was better as Olympus Has Fallen but I do like Jamie Foxx as the president) and Pacific Rim (needs more Idris Elba). I finally finished reading a book that I’ve been limping through for entirely too long. To eliminate one nagging to-do list item, I rediscovered the health benefits of dusting. (If you actually survive the experience, it’s a lot easier to breathe afterwards. I’m totally going to do it again next year.) Knocking out a few shoulds seems like a great way to regain some of that focus. I guess we’ll see!

Anybody else have this challenge? Too many shoulds crowding out your focus? What do you do to conquer it?

Tagged: writing

Fall Back…Can’t Help FALLing in Love #giveaway #kindle

I really wish I could say with a straight face that I thought of this days ago, but I did not. Still, better almost late than never in my book. I want to give away Kindle copies of Can’t Help Falling in Love today!! I woke up (very, very early) to see it sitting at #8 on the Romantic Comedy list at Amazon. And I was all: GASP. muffled squeal. GASP. cough, cough, cough.

I never imagined that and I LOVE IT SO MUCH! I know what I’ll be doing with my “extra” hour today: refreshing my Amazon page. But I want you to have a new book to read. If you’d like to win a Kindle copy, leave me a comment here on my web page to let me know how you’re spending your Fall Back day. I’ll pick this afternoon. Since I have no idea what time it is now and I won’t know any better then, let’s just keep it open ended. No? Okay, how about 5:30 Eastern-whatever-we’re-on-now. And here’s a link with more info on the book: Can’t Help Falling in Love

Tagged: Avon, Can't Help Falling in Love, giveaway

Santa, Bring My Baby Back (December 17, 2013)

A bride abandoned at the altar . . . just in time for Christmas?

‘Tis the season for second chances at Cheryl Harper’s Elvis-themed Rock’n'Rolla Hotel. After trying and failing at acting, modeling, dog grooming, and a dozen other jobs, Grace Andersen thought for sure she’d nail marrying a rich man. But dumped in a hotel chapel and strapped for cash, Grace needs a miracle—and a job.

If it were up to Charlie McMinn, Grace would be a married lady by now. Officiating weddings in gold lamé and a rock star pompadour may not have been his idea of getting into the holiday spirit, but with a gorgeous bride asking for his help, Charlie doesn’t mind sticking around his mother’s hotel a few more days. Especially if it means getting Grace settled …

Grace isn’t sure what to think of sexy, rugged Charlie, except that she can’t deny the attraction between them, or how good it feels to finally fit in somewhere. Is she ready to give a certain place—and a certain someone—a real chance? Or will she abandon a true Christmas miracle?

$1.99

Amazon Link:::Barnes and Noble Link:::Indiebound LInk

Tagged: Cheryl Harper, Rock'n'Rolla Hotel, romance, Santa Bring My Baby Back

New Library Journal Review for Can’t Help Falling in Love!!

Just got this and I love it so much I have to put it up because I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

Randa Whitmore shows up at the Rock’n’Rolla Hotel as a spy for her very successful hotel family. Sent by her father to scope out the competition and take control of a buyout, Randa instead meets hotel manager Tony Ortega. Not a man easily open to women, Tony is a former marine who has overcome his lack of family to build a life at the hotel. Tony immediately knows Randa is not just the Elvis tourist she claims to be, but Tony can’t help but be drawn to the beautiful and fun Randa. Escaping the fierce, ruthless nature of the Whitmore clan, Randa learns to trust her own judgment, as the hotel—and the staff—show her what love and family are really all about. Verdict Harper’s return engagement (after Stuck on You) at the Rock’n’Rolla Hotel, known for the Elvis-themed restaurant and kitschy décor, is another fun story and will definitely leave you wishing for your own pair of blue suede shoes. [LJ Xpress Reviews, 8/30/13.]—Judy Taylor Garner, Strayer Univ. Lib., Glen Allen, VA

Tagged: Avon, Can't Help Falling in Love, Cheryl Harper, review, Stuck On You

Blog Crashing! Excerpts, Chances to Win Can’t Help Falling In Love

So I’m lucky enough to be making some guest appearances over the next few days. I’ll be talking up Can’t Help Falling in Love, Southern food, and my dog Jack will make his debut. It’s good stuff is what I’m saying. Plus, there are chances to enter to win digital copies of Stuck on You and Can’t Help Falling in Love. Here’s the list of where I’ll be. Each stop will have its own giveaway!! Enter to win at every stop! Exclamation marks are great!

THURSDAY–Ravencraft’s Romance Realm

FRIDAY–Blame it on the Muse and Romance Magicians

MONDAY–the blogs of Tina Klinesmith and Codi Gary

And Ellie Macdonald’s blog (TBA)

Tagged: Avon, Can't Help Falling in Love, Cheryl Harper, giveaway, romance, Stuck On You

Can’t Help Falling in Love…quotes that make me smile

I spent a lot of time this weekend pulling excerpts for blog posts (got some upcoming guest posts with giveaways…woo hoo! look for more info on that Wednesday) and I made this list of my favorites:

1. What Tony thinks of Randa:

He just didn’t need anything bringing the hotel’s newest guest to mind.

But it was too late. Randa Whitmore.

In the Marines, he’d spent a lot of time with sand in really uncomfortable places.

He had a feeling she’d be a lot like that. Irritating and impossible to ignore.

2. What Randa thinks of Tony:

“What kind of dog is she?” Randa asked as she stared into the dog’s eyes. She kissed the flat spot right between the green bows before straightening up.

Tony’s face had thawed slightly, she was happy to see. When their eyes locked, Randa had to remind herself to breathe slowly and evenly. She caught her breath when he looked back at the computer and said, “Bloodhound. And pampered princess.”

For a minute, she got the feeling he was talking about her with the last part, but his face was back to normal. Hard to read.

3. But then this happens:

Out of the Hawaiian shirt and khakis, Tony was perfectly imperfect. His olive skin was lightly tan. Black ink swirled up his left arm. This close she could make out the words “Semper Fi” and then what looked like names, all in a simple script. She wanted to touch his tattoo, to trace her fingers up his arm. She wanted to feel his skin. Black curls covered his pecs and trickled to a thin line down his abdomen to disappear into . . .

God, help me.

4. And then this happens:

Tony wanted to see her in a swimsuit. Badly. He wanted to burn the image of her in a bikini somewhere safe and sound that he could savor later to his heart’s content.

“Oh, right. You, on the swim team.” Tony watched her bright red lips tighten.

“I just don’t feel like swimming, that’s all.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“So you’re out here by the pool instead of . . . I don’t know, touring Graceland? Or doing your nails? Or bathing in unicorn blood to stave off wrinkles? You must have a long list of other things to do.”

Randa dismissed that idea with a wave. “Unicorn blood? Do you know how expensive that stuff is?”

Tony laughed. He couldn’t help it. It was rusty and harsh to his ears, but the feeling of letting go of some of the tension and fear that he might not ever laugh again, especially while sitting next to a beautiful woman, was so good.

5. And things get real…

Willodean stared at a small gold statue of Elvis for a minute before she shook her head. “Don’t think we’re the competition, Tony. They build those tall, boxy monstrosities with zero personality.” She smiled slyly. “My Rock’n’Rolla’s got plenty of personality.”

He chuckled. She was right. And she was cute as she said it too.

“Pretty girl?”

Tony glanced away and squinted at the light pouring in through the window. Finally he exhaled loud and long. “Prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”

Willodean clasped her hands together. “Oh, thank you, Lord, for answering the prayers of a sinner like me.”

I could go on because I do love Tony, the bookworm ex-Marine. Here’s the book info:

The staff of Cheryl Harper’s Elvis-themed Rock’n'Rolla Hotel are back with a funny, fresh romance that goes undercover—under the covers! As a former Marine, hotel manager Tony Ortega has plenty of experience assessing threats, and the hotel’s newest guest, Randa Whitmore, is a code red. Tall, blonde, and with legs for miles, she may look like his every fantasy, but he knows she’s not really visiting for the famed Elvis Week. Though dangerously drawn to his new guest, Tony will do anything to protect his job . . . especially if it means sleeping with the enemy.  Business strategist Randa Whitmore never meant to be undercover in Memphis. In August. Sweating her expensive spa treatments away. But snagging another perfect hotel location for her father’s empire means using all the tricks in her designer arsenal. And even though the sexy, tattooed manager seems oblivious to her charms, Randa’s prepared to bring out the big guns—just so long as she can stay objective and out of Tony’s muscled arms. After all, it’s just business, right?

Tagged: Avon, avonromance, Can't Help Falling in Love, Cheryl Harper, contemporary, romance

Santa, Bring My Baby Back…THE COVER!!!!!

LOOK HOW GORGEOUS THIS IS!*!*!

10 Things You Know About Santa, Bring My Baby Back from the cover:

1. It’s the most wonderful time of the year at the hotel…Christmas!

2. There’s (at least) one bride

3. And (at least) one groom

4. It’s the next book in the Rock’n'Rolla Hotel series (and last and I hope best!)

5. Misty still runs the hotel.

6. Willodean Jackson likes to do the holidays up big time. Even Misty’s outfit changes for the holiday.

7. Some of this story’s about second chances (…bring my baby back.)

8. Love is in the air.

9. Viva Las Vegas has Elvis’s Christmas music on repeat…”Santa, Bring My Baby Back to Me” will make you shake your hips.

10. It’s coming in December…okay, you can’t quite get that from just the cover.But it is…December 17. Mark your calendar (or you could pre-order now because, I mean, the holidays are crazy, right? Amazon or Barnes and Noble)

Isn’t this a good looking family?

Can’t Help Falling in Love (book #3, $1.99), Stuck on You (book #2, $2.99), and Kiss Me (novella #1, $1.99) are all available NOW!

Tagged: Avon, avonromance, Cheryl Harper, Christmas, contemporary, romance, Santa Bring My Baby Back

Vacation Book #3: The Governess Club: Claire, by Ellie Macdonald

I don’t remember where I first saw this cover, but it’s so pretty that I remembered it. That’s a good cover! So it was one of the early purchases I made in my recent book buying binge and yesterday it was my reward for a frustrating too-many hours. What I enjoyed most was the twist on a popular Regency romance setup. I’ve read more than one story with a down-on-her-luck lady is working in service. I like these heroines because they’re usually independent and strong enough to take care of themselves even against heavy odds. What I haven’t seen is an earl serving as a tutor. He’s been forced to find a job (oh dear) and it offers the perfect hiding place. Jacob’s arrogance almost betrays him until Claire corrects him. Their relationship has this feeling of what might happen below stairs. I love a good ball as much as any historical reader, but I enjoyed how The Governess Club: Claire showed romance in the servant’s quarters as well.

Also, it’s the beginning of a series. Visit elliemacdonald.com to find out about the next books!

About the book:

For fans of Christina Dodd and Elizabeth Boyle. Claire Bannister just wants to be a good teacher so that she and the other ladies of the Governess Club can make enough money to leave their jobs and start their own school in the country. But when the new sinfully handsome and utterly distracting tutor arrives, Claire finds herself caught up in a whirlwind romance that could change the course of her future.  Jacob Knightly has a secret. He is actually the notorious Earl of Rimmel. He’s just posing as a tutor to escape his reputation in the city. He never expected to fall in love with the kind and beautiful governess. She is the first person to love him for himself and not his title. But when Jacob’s true identity is revealed, Claire realizes she has risked her reputation and her heart on a man she doesn’t truly know. Will Jacob be able to convince her that the Wild Earl has been tamed and that she is the true countess of his heart?

Tagged: Avon, books, Ellie Macdonald, romance, The Governess Club: Claire