Heather McCoubrey's Blog, page 5

Goodbye 2014...

Looking back at 2014, all I can say is: It's Been A Roller Coaster!

It started with finishing Back to December and getting that published on time, which I'm happy to say happened. The cover is gorgeous, the story...very different from my original idea, Anna and Cooper are two characters you won't soon forget.

Then came a major shock when we found out that I'm pregnant! Even now at 35 weeks pregnant, I still have moments of disbelief, because we thought we were done at two! Now we'll be a family of five and we're thrilled ... but we never expected it. Talk about nine months of emotional highs and lows!

As I was preparing for this blog post, I went back through the posts I've written this year and came to the conclusion that I've accomplished quite a bit. Not as much as I'd hoped, but I'm pretty happy with what I have accomplished, considering my year was thrown off the rails by the pregnancy news.

Looking back at my 2014 Goals & Resolutions post, two things stick out as incomplete: I did not finish/publish Emily's Choice nor did I write Dreaming of Love during NaNoWriMo 2014. Instead, I came close to finishing Emily's Choice during NaNoWriMo, and only have a couple of chapters left to write which I hope to get that done soon. It's been hard to write since the end of NaNoWriMo because of carpal tunnel and sciatica issues due to my pregnancy.

Another thing that bothers me is that I didn't make time for more Indie Reviews. I have read several Indie books this past year, but they didn't make it onto my blog. I definitely think that will be something I rectify in 2015, starting with posting the overdue reviews.

Some things I am proud of include publishing Back to December; attending my first (and hopefully not my last!) RWA Conference in San Antonio, TX; doing my best to strengthen my online relationships; and having a book signing in my home state of Maine over the summer.

I entered a reading contest this year too and while I didn't make my goal of 52 books, I am pleased with where I did end up. I've read 43.5 books this year and I'm happy to say a huge chunk of them were from my Indie friends. I also branched out and tried some different writing styles and genres. I plan to write a blog post with my Top 5 books of 2014, so keep an eye out for that.

Another thing to keep an eye out for? My 2015 Goals/Resolutions ... I've been jotting down notes that past week and as I read through my posts from the year, I'm making even more notes of what I'd like to accomplish in 2015. Writing them down helps me keep myself accountable, especially if I post them here on my blog.

As I contemplate the year and figure out what I learned in the past 365 days, it occurs to me that the greatest lesson 2014 taught me was ... Be Flexible.

It was nice to have a list of goals/resolutions for the year. I took them out often and revisited them. They were as relevant at the end of the year as they were at the beginning. While I didn't achieve them all, I'm proud of where I ended up, and I know going into 2015 with a new baby and a long to-do list, I'll be chanting Be Flexible often.

How was your 2014? Tell me about your greatest achievements or failures or both in the comments.

Here's the the future and a fabulous 2015!!

xoxo

~Heather

NaNoWriMo 2014

NaNoWriMo is right around the corner, less than a month away, and I am woefully unprepared. I haven't yet figured out my writing schedule, or created a basic outline for my project, or really given much thought to the whole thing in general.

I do plan to participate. I want to participate. And I need to get myself organized in order to be successful. Last year, I won NaNoWriMo - it the first time I'd ever won and the third time I'd participated. I know the reason I won was because I had the support of my husband and I had made a writing schedule (cleared it with the hubs) and stuck to it.

This year is so different though. For starters, I'm pregnant and constantly battling exhaustion. When the littles head off to school, I either head to the gym or do the household chores and errands, so that when Little M gets home from school, we can have lunch and then Mommy can take a nap before Little B gets home.

Second, Little M is morning kindergarten which has put a huge wrench in my initial plans. I have to go to the gym in the mornings because they don't have afternoon childcare and while they do have evening childcare, we have too many kidtivities in the evenings to make that a possibility. So two mornings a week, I'm at the gym. Then there are doctor appointments - which as most of you can imagine, are not fun when you're toting around extra children. They're nosy, they ask embarrassing questions, and they want to "see". Ugh. So, baby doctor appointments are made in the mornings, sans kids. Then there's the occasional coffee date with friends, which let's face it, has to be done sans kids. What's the point, otherwise, right?

So why is all this relevant? And what does it have to do with NaNoWriMo 2014? If I was a better writer and self-motivator, probably nothing. But all this is just an excuse on why I'm behind on prepping for NaNo this year.

But as I've been writing this, I've realized that NaNo is just a month. I can handle a month. I've done it in the past and I can do it again. I need to get creative with my schedule and fit in the writing when possible. I need to put some apps on my iPhone and iPad and make sure they go everywhere with me. A positive is some of the kidtivities will be finished by November 1st, which will open up my schedule a bit.

Basically, I need to take 30 minutes, print out the calendar, organize myself and I know I'll feel a lot better, more productive and definitely more optimistic about NaNoWriMo 2014.

Then come November 1st, what I need to do is: 1. Put my bootie in the chair; 2. Fingers on keyboard; 3. WRITE!

Whew, what started out as a pretty negative post has turned into a positive one! I guess sometimes all we need to do is settle down, make a list (or a blog post) and things fall into place. Well, I'm off to consult the all-knowing Google calendar and get myself prepped for NaNo.

Are you participating this year? Are you all prepared? What is your biggest impediment to participating or succeeding this year?

xoxo

~Heather

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The Slow Writer's Process

In light of my last post Oh Baby...Changes..., I feel this post is especially fitting. Finding time to fit in some writing time, quality or otherwise, has become quite the adventure. So I'm happy to sit down and revisit my projects and my process.

Thank you to Martha Reynolds for tagging me. At the end of this post, I'm supposed to tag three others...

Here are the questions:

1. What are you working on?

Mostly I'm working on blog posts, and getting myself organized for NaNoWriMo. My plan is to work on EMILY'S CHOICE for NaNo and get it all written up by the end of November. My goal is to have it done and published not long after Baby #3 arrives (before would be preferable, but let's not get crazy!). I'm also trying to work on some more of Mary's stories for THE HEART BETWEEN (a series of short stories) in preparation for Mary's own romance story (tentatively titled: FIRST LOVE), which will be a sequel of sorts for TO LOVE TWICE.

2. What have you worked on recently?

My last project was BACK TO DECEMBER, which I published on June 20, 2014. I've also been working on blog posts and getting back into the swing of things with social media and marketing, marketing, marketing.

3. Why do you write what you do?

They say to write what you know and I know romance and women's fiction. My favorite genre to read is romance, followed by romantic fantasy, followed by women's fiction. Some of my favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber and Laurell K. Hamilton. Having gorged myself on their books since I was old enough to read them, I feel like I have a pretty good grasp of what readers are looking for in their romance books. Bodice-rippers are a fun, quick read...but more and more women (people) are looking for solid stories, complete with real plots and happy endings.

4. How does your writing process work?

Have you ever heard the term, pantser? That's me. What is a "pantser" you ask? It's someone who starts at the beginning and writes the novel flat out. No plans, no outlines, no nothing. We fly by the seat of our pants. So for me, I start with a general idea that I usually write down somewhere so I can refer back to it if need be. And I open up my Scrivener app and stare at the blank screen until inspiration hits. Typically the first few pages aren't hard to write as those pages have come to me with the idea. Usually around Chapter 4 I start to get stuck and have to step away and let my characters duke it out so the story will get back on track. I'm a slow writer, mostly because I let my characters do the majority of the work.

And now I get to tag three people! Sam Brady, Claire Baxter and Sadie McCurry!

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Oh Baby...Changes...

When 2014 began, I sat down at my desk and did what many, many people do...I made my New Year's Resol... errr ... 2014 Goal List, like I have every other year. Some of my goals were: finish BACK TO DECEMBER (check!), publish BACK TO DECEMBER (check!), find a better family/writing balance (not so check). The 2014 Goal List went through a couple changes as the days went on and as I came to realize my dreams were bigger than my reality. Even so, I knew I had a little ace up my sleeve because come August 27th, I would finally have some time to devote to not only writing, but also to marketing.

Why was August 27th such an important date, you ask? Because I was going to be free - free for 3 hours a day - five days a week. My youngest little, M, would start Kindergarten (my oldest little, B, is in 3rd grade) and I was so excited (and sad) to have some time to myself to devote to writing every day with no interruptions. I know there are Moms out there who understand my conflicting feelings on the littles going back to school, but most especially the youngest heading off to Kindergarten. So I knew that whatever wasn't accomplished up until that point, I would have more than enough time to make it up.

And then June 2nd happened.

A trip to the doctor and all my plans for the rest of the year...make that the next FIVE years...went up in smoke. Well, sort of. June 2nd is the day we found out that Baby #3 will be arriving somewhere around the end of January 2015. Yep! So, all those plans I made about writing while M was in school and having all this free time...not so feasible right now. And so when the school year ended, I did something I never expected to do. I took a vacation. A summer-long vacation. I decided to take a break from all things writing-related and spend the summer with my littles. We took trips, we visited family, we went swimming and had play dates and went to the parks. We even went to a fun amusement park (even though I couldn't ride any of the rides!). We had a fabulous summer and I am so glad I did it. We had to have a fun, out-of-this-world, summer to remember before our world is turned upside-down by the arrival of Baby #3. And you know, it really wasn't that hard. I spent minimal time on social media and I didn't so much as look at any of my notes or writing the entire summer.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited about a new baby. I'm currently almost 21 weeks pregnant and while I'm crazy exhausted this time around, it's so much fun to share it with the littles. My oldest is 8 and my youngest (soon to be middle!) is 5. They have questions, some I answer forthright and others I take a long detour, they can't wait to meet the baby and they love to talk to my belly. Another thing I'm very excited about? Taking time to enjoy this last baby (oh yes, it's going to be the last!). Both littles will be in school, both are independent and there won't be any reason for this Mama to be running around, chasing toddlers - this time around.

To celebrate Baby #3, I'm going to be making some changes to my website and most especially to my blog: I'm going to change the focus of my blog. I'm now going to focus on what it's like to be a Stay-at-Home Mom and do this thing called "Writing". I doubt there will be writing schedules anymore - there will be typing on my iPhone while feeding the baby, or while rocking the baby to sleep in the middle of the night. I doubt I'll be spending much time down at my desk in the near future. But it will be an interesting journey and I hope you'll stay tuned to my posts to see what's going on and how things are going. My plan is to be on here and working on my writing until #3 arrives.

Thank you for being patient, for sticking by me and for being such fabulous fans! I appreciate each and every one of you!

xoxo

~Heather

New Release! - Haunted Ever After by Juliet Madison

I took a vacation this summer from everything writing-related. My littles were off for the summer and after busting my bootie to get Back to December out the door, I knew I needed a break -- not only for myself, but also for them. We traveled, we played, we chilled and we had fun. The summer flew by and last week they started school. My oldest little is in third grade and my littlest little is in morning kindergarten, which gives me about three uninterrupted hours of writing time...or at least it should. Projects that have gathered dust all summer are now screaming for my attention. All extra-curricular sports and activities have now started back up. And I've found that once again, balancing life with writing is HARD! Other than posting on social media, returning emails and getting this post ready, I haven't done any writing since the littles went back to school. Not.One.Word. I know, right?!?!

Today, I am honored and excited to introduce a fabulous author to my blog. Juliet Madison is the author of five (!) novels and has just released her sixth, Haunted Ever After! She's here to talk to us about how she balances her writing with parenting. Haunted Ever After, was written amidst the chaos of her own life and often late into the night. When I found that out, I knew I needed a lesson on balance from someone who clearly knows how!

Congratulations on the release of Haunted Ever After, Juliet!!! I can't wait to read it!

Guest Post - 5 Tips to Balance Writing with Parenting - Juliet Madison

As a single mother and a busy writer, a lot of people have asked me ‘how I do it’. I’m never quite sure what ‘it’ really means, but I guess if I’m churning out books and my son is growing healthy and happy then I must be doing at least something right! Life has been a challenge in many ways but also extremely rewarding, and I hope these little tips I’ve picked up will help other writers and parents out there.

1. Be in the moment:

As a parent it’s easy to keep thinking and planning ahead, remembering what needs to be done next and next, and keeping on top of responsibilities and commitments. It’s good to be prepared, but overdo it and you can lose sight of each moment. Moments are precious, and ‘now’ is all we really have, so remember to stop and take a breath and focus on the moment. If you’re in parenting mode but wishing you were writing, or in writing mode but feeling guilty that you’re not ‘parenting’, then no one wins. Choose what you will focus on at a particular time (though sometimes you have to multitask, especially with young kids!), and give it your complete attention without guilt or worry. My son knows that when my writing timer is on, barring anything urgent, I am not available to discuss the latest video game or what’s for dinner, but when the time is up I will be there for him.

2. Don’t be hard on yourself:

Get rid of the guilt! We do our best, and that is all anyone can ask. If your writing is suffering because you’ve been caught up with responsibilities, let it go and just get back to it when you can. Many writers have to make time for writing around other jobs and parenting, don’t be upset if sometimes things fall by the wayside. That’s life! Get on with things the next day and just focus on making progress.

3. Take opportunities:

I sometimes write even when I only have ten minutes available. I could get a page of good words done in that time, and every page counts, so don’t think it’s not long enough. It’s amazing how it all adds up when you get into the habit of writing short bits here and there. It can take practise to learn how to switch into writing mode quickly, but the more you do it the easier it gets. So take opportunities when they’re presented to you. Got some time while dinner is in the oven? Write. Do you really want to read a glossy magazine in the doctor’s waiting room or do you want to get some words down? It’s up to you.

4. Let go of perfectionism:

Your writing doesn’t have to be perfect, just focus on getting the story down first. Perfectionism can stifle creativity, so let it go, you can always come back later and polish things up. Perfectionism can also relate to wanting to make sure everything is perfect before writing. Kids are settled, house is quiet, candles lit. music to set the mood…etc. This is nice, and if you can do this regularly then yay for you, but if you always wait for things to be perfect you’ll find it difficult to write under other circumstances. Like when your son is playing a noisy action game on the Xbox and you’re trying to write a romantic, emotional scene. I’ve learned to zone out and write amidst the chaos, so embrace the mess and noise and get writing!

5. Remember priorities:

Your writing is important and it deserves to be high on your list of priorities, but don’t lose sight of what life is all about – connecting with those you love and being there for them. Even though I set a writing timer, if my son has something important to tell me or he’s having a problem, I will stop. If not it can wait, but sometimes you need to stop and be present. If your child is excited and wants to tell you something, stop and connect with them properly, not half-heartedly while still typing. If it’s not urgent then let them know when you’ll be able to have a chat with them, eg; in thirty minutes, or however long your writing session will last. Then they know they are important and you’re not just fobbing them off, and you can avoid resentment building by also honouring your writing priority.



Now, keeping those five tips in mind, and remembering that Haunted Ever After was written amidst the chaos of Juliet's life, here's the blurb...Doesn't it make you want to read more? I know it makes me want to!!

When bride-to-be Sally Marsh attends a weekend away with her bridesmaids, the last thing she expects is an uninvited guest: the ghost of her fiancé's ex-girlfriend.

Red is quirky, loud and distracting, and Sally is soon desperate to find the reason behind her presence, so she can rid herself of her embarrassing shadow before the wedding day. Unfortunately, the ghost is reluctant to share the reason for her existence, but very enthusiastic about Ty, the surprise hen’s night stripper who keeps showing up at awkward moments.

Time is running out for Sally, but it’s also running out for Red. By the time all is revealed, Sally will be tested to the limits, and go above and beyond everything she’s ever believed in order to ensure not only her own happy-ever-after – but Red’s as well.

You can find Juliet online at her website, on her blog, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

BUY NOW from Escape Publishing or via the links below:
Amazon.com / Amazon AU / Amazon UK / iBooks / Kobo / B&N / Google Play / Booktopia / Ebooks.com / JB HiFi / AllRomanceEbooks / Big W Ebooks

Don't forget about the GIVEAWAY! Win a bracelet of your choice from Mantraband worth $25 USD, plus an ebook of your choice by Juliet Madison. Open worldwide, closes 15th Sept. a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Back to December - Published!!

My second novel Back to December is published!  I am so relieved to have it done and out there, but also a little nervous - and a lot excited!

It’s been another incredible journey, one that started last April and took me down many dead end roads and several weeks of blocks. The end product is so different from how I originally envisioned Anna & Cooper's story, but it's a great story, the right story, their story and I couldn't be happier with it!

Here is the blurb: 

Thanks to an abusive mother and an absent father, Anna Blackhurst has only known the love of two people: her Gram and her best friend, Niki. 

When Anna meets Cooper Reed in a smoky club, she's immediately drawn to his good looks but isn't prepared to open herself up to a relationship. As time passes, Anna finds herself falling in love with Cooper and she begins to rethink her future. Maybe, despite her childhood, she can have a happy-ever-after. 

But when her mother is in a terrible accident, she again sinks her claws into Anna and Anna's world is thrown upside down. Despite Cooper's unwavering support, Anna walks away only to regret it immediately. In order to heal, not only herself - but also her broken relationship, Anna must stand up for herself and accept that the only way she's going to be happy is if she grabs hold of it herself.

Thank you to everyone who helped me along in the process. Your love, support and encouragement mean the world to me!

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What I'm Reading This Summer

So many people are coming out with their summer reading lists, so taking a page out of Tracie Banister and Laura Chapman's blogs, I'm going to list the books I'd love to be able to get through this summer.

Reading is pretty far down on the list most days...it's something I indulge in at bedtime, when I'm not falling asleep as soon as I crawl in. My "day job" is being a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) and most days find me running the littles around to school, practices, games, dance, scouts...along with taking care of the house. When I'm not doing all that - I'm either hanging out with my hubby or sitting at my desk to write, write, write. I'll admit that my muse has been a little absent lately. She tends to take a vacation when I finish writing a book and am in the process of getting it beta-read, edited and published. So while I had planned to be much further along in rewriting my third novel, I'm nowhere near where I wanted to be at this point in the year. And because of that, I fear my reading time this summer is going to be even more elusive than usual.

I'm going to list the 5 books I hope to get through this summer. I'm also going to list another 5, in the hopes that being prepared means my muse won't be MIA all summer!

These are in no particular order (and do not include the books I've promised to read for reviews):

1. The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor

Why I Want to Read: I love history and I love books that give an account of history mixed in with a little fiction. I've always been intrigued with the tragedy of the Titanic and this book sounds like it would be full of history and a gripping story.

Book Blurb: Inspired by true events,The Girl Who Came Homeis the poignant story of a group of Irish emigrants aboard RMS Titanic—a seamless blend of fact and fiction that explores the tragedy’s impact and its lasting repercussions on survivors and their descendants.

Ireland, 1912. Fourteen members of a small village set sail on RMS Titanic, hoping to find a better life in America. For seventeen-year-old Maggie Murphy, the journey is bittersweet. Though her future lies in an unknown new place, her heart remains in Ireland with Séamus, the sweetheart she left behind. When disaster strikes, Maggie is one of the lucky few passengers in steerage who survives. Waking up alone in a New York hospital, she vows never to speak of the terror and panic of that terrible night ever again.

Chicago, 1982. Adrift after the death of her father, Grace Butler struggles to decide what comes next. When her Great Nana Maggie shares the painful secret she harbored for almost a lifetime about the Titanic, the revelation gives Grace new direction—and leads her and Maggie to unexpected reunions with those they thought lost long ago.

Amazon Link:  The Girl Who Came Home

2. The Collector by Nora Roberts

Why I Want to Read:  Anyone who knows me knows that my author hero is Nora Roberts. She has many trilogies and series, but I find her standalone books to be just as well thought out and pleasing to read as her trilogies. I like that this book is a mix of what makes her great - mystery, intrigue and romance. In my opinion - no one does it better.

Book Blurb:  When professional house-sitter Lila Emerson witnesses a murder/suicide from her current apartment-sitting job, life as she knows it takes a dramatic turn. Suddenly, the woman with no permanent ties finds herself almost wishing for one. . . .

Artist Ashton Archer knows his brother isn’t capable of violence—against himself or others. He recruits Lila, the only eyewitness, to help him uncover what happened. Ash longs to paint her as intensely as he hungers to touch her. But their investigation draws them into a rarified circle where priceless antiques are bought, sold, gambled away, and stolen, where what you possess is who you are, and where what you desire becomes a deadly obsession. . . .

Amazon Link:  The Collector

3. Better by Carey Heywood

Why I Want to Read:  This book has been all over the place lately and it's gotten rave reviews. Normally I'm not a bandwagon reader, but once I read the blurb - I knew this book had to be added to my TBR list.

Book Blurb:  ** inspired by actual events **  Aubrey is embarking on a bucket list trip around the world, the last wish of her Aunt Ally. It was supposed to be the trip Ally would take when she got better. Now it's just a chance for Aubrey to say goodbye.

Adam escapes in his solo trips overseas, working just enough to fund the next one. When the opportunity to circle the globe falls in his lap, he can't refuse. The only catch, he won't be traveling alone this time. 

Unable to hide from each other, Adam's overprotective nature thwarts Aubrey's desire to find her own way. Can they move past initial assumptions to find something better?

Amazon Link: Better

4. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Why I Want to Read:  One of my favorite books is WINGS OF A DOVE by Elaine Barbeiri and it's a story of two orphans who ride the train to the Midwest hoping to be adopted. When I read the blurb for this book, it brought back those memories and I knew I had to read this book. I know it won't be at all the same - this is a totally different book - but I love reading other author's takes on a similar situation. Another reason I want to read this book - Molly is a Penobscot Indian and being from Maine, well, that's a part of my state's history!

Book Blurb:  Penobscot Indian Molly Ayer is close to “aging out” out of the foster care system. A community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping Molly out of juvie and worse...

As she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, Molly learns that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance.

Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life – answers that will ultimately free them both.

Amazon Link: Orphan Train

5. Good Intentions by Kathryn Biel

Why I Want to Read:  This blurb just reached up and grabbed my attention. It has all the hallmarks of a book that will enter into my Top Reads list: bad men, bad luck, tragic pasts and a tragedy that pulls the main characters apart.  What else do you need? 

Book Blurb:  Plain and ordinary Maggie Miller has had more than her fair share of bad men, bad luck, a tragic past, and would really like to buckle down and start her new life in Boston as a pediatric physical therapist. But Ryan Milan, also starting his new life in Boston, is in the way of the low-key life that she has planned for herself. 

Ryan shows Maggie that, despite her misgivings, he loves her for her. Ryan and Maggie could have the perfect relationship—could—but tragedy pulls them apart after a fateful night, and a long-term separation leaves them at a cross-roads.  

When Ryan finds Maggie seven years later, he is shocked to find the life she is living. Now that Ryan's back, will her life take her in a direction she’s not willing to go? Can Maggie stay true to herself while finding true love?

Amazon Link: Good Intentions

Here are the other five:

1. Arranged by Catherine McKenzie

Why I Want to Read:  An arranged marriage - arranged by a company and not parents - and arranged at the behest of clients, rather than tradition. It just sounds like such a good book, doesn't it? I've always been intrigued by the arranged marriage custom and I have some friends who practice this custom. I think this will be a fun read!

Book Blurb:  Anne Blythe has a great life: a good job, good friends, and a potential book deal for her first novel. When it comes to finding someone to share it with, however, she just can't seem to get it right.

After yet another relationship ends, Anne comes across a business card for what she thinks is a dating service, and she pockets it just in case. When her best friend, Sarah, announces she's engaged, Anne can't help feeling envious. On an impulse, she decides to give the service a try because maybe she could use a little assistance in finding the right man. But Anne soon discovers the company isn't a dating service; it's an exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriage service. She initially rejects the idea, but the more she thinks about it-and the company's success rate-the more it appeals to her. After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world, so why wouldn't it work for her?

A few months later, Anne is travelling to a Mexican resort, where in one short weekend she will meet and marry Jack. And against all odds, it seems to be working out-until Anne learns that Jack, and the company that arranged their marriage, are not what they seem at all.

Amazon Link: Arranged

2. Finding Emma by Steena Holmes

Why I Want to Read: I'm kind of a sucker for books about Moms and missing children. It's a deep-seated fear of mine - that something will happen to my children and I always try to put myself in the mother's places (not that I ever could, fully). It's sad and heartbreaking and terrifying - but I'm drawn to these types of books.

Book Blurb:  A mother’s near-obsessive devotion to her missing daughter threatens to destroy more than one family.

Megan is the harried but happy stay-at-home mother of three little girls living in a small town. Her life implodes when her youngest daughter, Emma, disappears on her third birthday.

Two years later, Megan is preparing to commemorate Emma’s birthday and the anniversary of her kidnapping, compelled to keep her name alive in the minds of her community and her family. Her commitment to Emma, however, borderlines on obsession as she follows the families of little girls who look like the daughter she lost.

Her obsession with finding Emma has distanced Megan from both friends and family. Her two older daughters are resentful of her relentless and fruitless search for their sister, and her husband pleads with her to accept that Emma is gone so that the family can move on with their lives.

Meanwhile, in the same small town, Jack is beginning to question his wife’s secrecy about their adored granddaughter, Emmie. As Dottie slips into dementia and becomes increasingly protective over Emmie, he can’t help but wonder if there could be a dark secret that Dottie is keeping from him.

Jack and Megan’s worlds finally intersect at the town carnival, when Megan snaps a photograph of a little girl on her grandfather’s shoulders.

Amazon Link: Finding Emma

3. The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch

Why I Want to Read: So I'm embarrassed to say but I started this book last year and never finished it. It's my goal to finish it at some point as I hate leaving things unfinished, especially books. This is now a series, so I'd like to move on in the series too.

Book Blurb: Germany, 1660: When a dying boy is pulled from the river with a mark crudely tattooed on his shoulder, hangman Jakob Kuisl is called upon to investigate whether witchcraft is at play.

Amazon Link: The Hangman's Daughter

4. The War in Heaven by Kenneth Ziegler

Why I Want to Read: I read HEAVEN AND HELL - and loved the book. It was a strong story with an immense amount of detail. The story gripped me from the first page and I stayed up late, many nights, to read and finish it. I'm hoping this second book will be just as much of a page-turner as the first! This is also part of a series with five books total.

Book Blurb:  Satan and his minions have declared war on the most beautiful planet in the universe his purpose is to depose Michael the archangel and become second only to God in command of all creation. Standing in Satan's way are a scattered and disorganized host of angels, a group of inexperienced saints, a small band of humans, and some angelic rebels in Hell. Armed with faith full power, Abaddon the Destroyer creates a formidable army to challenge the evil targeting Earth.

Amazon Link: The War in Heaven

5. The Alice in Deadland Trilogy by Mainak Dhar

Why I Want to Read:  I love zombies. And I love authors who put a new spin on a classic. This has both and it's been in my TBR for months. The problem? I don't have time to read it and do it justice. 

Book Blurbs:  

Alice in Deadland - Civilization as we know it ended more than fifteen years ago, leaving as it's legacy barren wastelands called the Deadland and a new terror for the humans who survived- hordes of undead Biters. 

Fifteen year-old Alice has spent her entire life in the Deadland, her education consisting of how best to use guns and knives in the ongoing war for survival against the Biters. One day, Alice spots a Biter disappearing into a hole in the ground and follows it, in search of fabled underground Biter bases. 

What Alice discovers there propels her into an action-packed adventure that changes her life and that of all humans in the Deadland forever. An adventure where she learns the terrible conspiracy behind the ruin of humanity, the truth behind the origin of the Biters, and the prophecy the mysterious Biter Queen believes Alice is destined to fulfill. 

A prophecy based on the charred remains of the last book in the Deadland- a book called Alice in Wonderland.

Through The Looking Glass: Alice in Deadland Book II - More than two years have passed since Alice followed a Biter with bunny ears down a hole, triggering events that forever changed her life and that of everyone in the Deadland. The Red Guards have been fought to a standstill; Alice has restored some measure of peace between humans and Biters; and under Alice, humans have laid the foundations of the first large, organized community since The Rising- a city called Wonderland.

That peace is shattered in a series of vicious Biter attacks and Alice finds herself shunned by the very people she helped liberate. Now she must re-enter the Deadland to unravel this new conspiracy that threatens Wonderland. Doing so will mean coming face to face with her most deadly adversary ever- the Red Queen.

Off With Their Heads: The Prequel to Alice in Deadland - A few months before Alice was born and fifteen years before the dramatic events depicted in Alice in Deadland, there was The Rising. A few days that destroyed human civilization as we know it, reducing much of the world to a radioactive wasteland teeming with hordes of undead Biters and controlled by a shadowy Central Committee.

Off With Their Heads brings to life the final harrowing days of The Rising through four shorts, each depicting events through the eyes of one pivotal character in the Alice in Deadland series. See how Dr. Protima became the Queen of the Biters; feel the pain of a young man's sacrifice as he becomes the bunny-eared Biter whom Alice later follows down a hole; follow the rise of Chen from a conflicted young Chinese Army officer to a General in the Red Guards; and finally share in the dramatic escape of Alice's parents from a city overrun by Biters.

Amazon Link: The Alice in Deadland Trilogy

 

What are you reading this summer? Please share in the comments!

xoxo
~Heather

Face Time by S.J. Pajonas

After the best first date ever, Lee thought Laura was funny, intelligent, and impulsive; a whirlwind of bright laughter and happiness. Laura loved Lee's sweet smile and the way he expertly filled in every awkward pause. He held her hand and then pulled her in for the most perfect kiss she’s had in years. What could possibly be wrong? Just the 7000 miles that separates them the next day.

Even though Lee has gone home to Seoul, Laura can't stop thinking about him. What starts as an innocent text thanking him for their dinner date becomes something much more: someone either of them can't live without. But Laura's got a live-in mother going through a midlife crisis, and Lee's stressful traveling schedule means they'll be apart for some time. Life, family, and a complicated past also get in the way, and they're both going to need actual face time to figure it out.

Told from both Lee and Laura’s point of view, Face Time is a funny, romantic, modern-day story about two people who connect across the world.

 

I read an earlier version of the book and I have to say that the changes she's made have really given this story a lovely boost. I love this new book by S.J. Pajonas! As with her other works, her characters are very well-developed, developed to the point where you feel like you know them personally. The places she takes you are also developed so well that you can see, taste, touch and hear the activity around you. The reader is completely immersed in the worlds S.J. Pajonas creates and Face Time is no exception.

The book opens to Laura being stood up by her friends and from that moment which every reader can identify with, you're hooked into the story. I was intrigued with Laura's life, her strength, her story. I wanted to know more and the author had me turning "just one more page" so that I could quench my thirst. I admit to being shocked by her mother's actions (no spoilers here!) and feeling an immense sadness that Laura's home life was so tragic. In knowing her tragedy, though, you appreciate her strength.

Lee's story is no less intriguing and getting to know him through the Face Time chats, his work life and his conversations with his father made him such a perfect compliment to Laura. I liked that the author gave him just enough vulnerability to make him real. I was thrilled with his willingness to jump on a plane and fly halfway around the world to fight for his relationship with Laura. 

This book deals with so many emotions, both family and friends, not to mention Laura and Lee's own issues -- that you have to read it for yourself to get the full effect of their story. And trust me when I say you won't be disappointed, one bit. You'll find yourself staying up late to finish...and needing a tissue or two or three throughout the book. Another job well done by S.J. Pajonas!

 

S.J. Pajonas is working on several projects. She's redesigning her website and will have the new look up by mid-February. She's also currently working on a revisions game plan for the third book in the Nogiku Series, due out in late summer. If you want to be alerted of S. J.’s new releases, you can sign up for her newsletter.

You can find S.J. Pajonas on her website and on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and Instagram.

You'll find this novel on Amazon: Face Time

and Nook: Face Time

Thank you for reading my review and for supporting Indie authors!

xoxo
~Heather

Article Type: Indie Book ReviewsImage: 

Back to December - Cover Reveal

Thanks to an abusive mother and an absent father, Anna Blackhurst has only known the love of two people: her Gram and her best friend, Niki.

When Anna meets Cooper Reed in a smoky club, she’s immediately drawn to his good looks but isn’t prepared to open herself up to a relationship. As time passes, Anna finds herself falling in love with Cooper and she begins to rethink her future. Maybe, despite her childhood, she can have a happy-ever-after.

But when her mother is in a terrible accident, she again sinks her claws into Anna and Anna’s world is thrown upside down. Despite Cooper’s unwavering support, Anna walks away only to regret it immediately. In order to heal, not only herself -- but also her broken relationship, Anna must stand up for herself and accept that the only way she's going to be happy is if she grabs ahold of it herself.

There is the blurb for my second novel - Back to December and I cannot wait to share Anna and Cooper's story with you! It is my plan to publish it in June and right now I'm aiming for Friday, June 20, 2014.

I have more good news to share with you today!

Since that bitterly cold day in mid-January when my mother-in-law and I put the finishing touches on the cover photo, I've been dying to show it to you...and the cover reveal day has arrived! I hope you love the cover as much as I do. I searched and searched and searched for the right photo for months - pretty much since last April when I started writing Back to December. The photo is courtesy of Elenathewise (http://www.elenaelisseeva.com), and I found her on iStockPhoto. She has so many lovely photographs, I hope you take a moment to check out her work!

I have added Back to December to Goodreads and you can now add it to your TBR list! I will keep you updated on the publication date for it, and until then, happy reading!

xoxo
~Heather

 

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A Fair Exchange by Monique McDonell

Who hasn’t wondered about their first love? What happened? What went wrong? Where are they now?

What if you got a second chance?

Amelia Armstrong is about to find out. What a shame her long-lost love, Matt,  has returned  (looking way too good and acting way too sweet) when her life is a shambles and she has finally decided once and for all to put herself and not whichever man is currently in her life, first.

How do you balance that desire to recapture that loving feeling with the need to finally be the best version of yourself? What if this really is the one, how do you choose when to stand your ground and when to cut your losses?  Amelia takes a journey from Sydney to New York and back again trying to find the answers while negotiating with pop-divas, ex-lovers, crazy teenagers, a well-meaning cousin and the tabloids.

A Fair Exchange is a story about being a grown up when, maybe, you’d much rather be sixteen again.

 

I am so excited to be a part of Monique McDonell's blog tour for her new release, A Fair Exchange. Her latest book was released on April 1st and is sure to keep you turning pages until the end! Ms. McDonell has given me a little excerpt to share with you and at the end you'll find a link to a rafflecopter for a $25.00 Amazon giftcard and an eBook!

A Fair Exchange excerpt:

It was not as if he was the first one to mention it. In the past week everyone who had entered my apartment had commented on the shiny new Vespa parked in the middle of the otherwise empty living room. In fact, each and every one of them had imaginatively said “Amelia you have a red Vespa parked in your living room!”  And they all said it in a tone that implied I might not have noticed, as if it may have magically appeared there.

How could I not notice a vehicle parked in what was otherwise an empty room?

What amazed me was that the Vespa was what they chose to comment on.

Not that Nick had dumped me, after ten years, for a twenty-one year-old. Nor that he had moved out, taking basically all the furniture and leaving me with a great view over the beach and an enormous mortgage.

No one even commented about the fact that I, in turn, had quit the fabulous job that had always meant way too much to me.

No, they commented on the Vespa.

What I could not understand though was why it hadn’t bothered me until right then, when Matthew Blue commented. And when he did comment, why had I collapsed into this embarrassing sea of tears?

How had this happened? How had I become this sobbing pathetic figure of womanhood?  And more importantly how had I ended up thirty-six and alone?

Didn’t I used to have so much potential? Everyone had said so, hadn’t they?

“Amelia Armstrong is something special.”

I was one of those shiny young girls who took risks and dreamed big. I was one of the smart ones who knew what she wanted and went after it. I was one to watch.

If I hadn’t been that kind of a girl I would never have met Matthew all those years ago. A different girl would not have found herself, on the other side of the world, at sixteen, staring into his dark and dreamy eyes.

So where was that girl right now, I wanted to know? And how had a girl with so much potential gotten it so horribly wrong?

 

Are you ready to go out and get your copy? Here's the link I promised for the Rafflecopter and a chance to win a $25 Amazon giftcard plus an eBook!

Rafflecopter link for $25 Amazon Giftcard

Monique McDonell is an Australian author who writes contemporary women's fiction including chick lit and romance. She lives on Sydney's Northern Beaches with her husband and daughter, and despite her dog phobia, with a dog called Skip. She has written all her life especially as a child when she loved to write short stories and poetry. At University she studied Creative Writing as part of her Communication degree. Afterwards she was busy working in public relations and she didn't write for pleasure for quite a few years, although she wrote many media releases, brochures and newsletters. (And she still does in her day job!) When she began to write again she noticed a trend - writing dark unhappy stories made her unhappy. So she made a decision to write a novel with a happy ending and she has been writing happy stories ever since. She has been a member of the writing group The Writer’s Dozen for eight years. Their anthology Better Than Chocolate raised over $10,000 for the charity Room to Read and helped build a library in South East Asia. She is also a member of the Romance Writers of Australia. A Fair Exchange is the fifth novel she has released in the last two years.

To learn more about Monique McDonell and her upcoming books please visit her at www.moniquemcdonell.com.au

Links:

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