Heather C. Leigh's Blog, page 4

To the Reviewer Who Hates Everything. Please stop buying my books.

*Sigh*
I love reviews, really, I do. If they're well thought out, negative reviews are just as useful as positive ones.
I like that we don't all have the same opinions or want to read the same books. Diversity is great.
But if you hated the first book in my series, thought the second book was worse, for the love of god, WHY are you reading book 3?
I want people to read my books, I do. Even if you dislike the very first one you pick up. However, it gets to a point where you clearly just want to be a bitch and let me know how much I suck. At that point, give it up and go away.
At least I'm in good company. This particular reviewer hates EVERYONE, including some of the biggest romance authors out there. 
*PS, you (the reviewer) said as a 'straight woman' you aren't the target audience for gay romance, I hate to break it to you, but you're the EXACT target audience who reads gay romance. 

Have a great day! 

iBooks Rising Stars!

So the wonderful powers that be at iBooks have decided that one of my Famous series books is good enough to be included in a feature! Yikes! As part of their Rising Stars Program, I get to be featured along side of some of my favorite authors! Go HERE to see all the books included besides mine. 
They have TONS of categories—contemporary, suspense, historical....

THANKS iBOOKS! xoxo

Adult Fails

Buzzfeed has a cool article up today. It's about things you've done as an adult and FAILED miserably. 
You all know what they're talking about. Those times when you want to turn to an adult to do something or fix your screw up only to realize YOU are the adult! 
The link to the article is HERE. I'm thinking of my last big fail and came up with a good (or bad depending how you think of it) one. New Year's Eve, my kids are spending the night with my parents so hubby and I can go out. 
We come home at 2:30 am, it's freezing cold out, and apparently our then 3 year-old son has locked the door leading into the house from the garage. Ok, plan B, we go to the front door. Neither one of us has a key because we ALWAYS use the garage door. Plan C, hubby goes to the back porch door. Twenty frozen minutes later, he opens the garage door. 
When I get inside, I notice the sink area in the kitchen is a mess, broken glass, things scattered everywhere. He didn't have a key to the back door either and jimmied open the window over the kitchen sink and slithered his body through the tiny space!
Needless to say, we took the lock off the garage door (and the door leading up from the finished basement after the same child locked me down there when I was home alone with the kids).
Big time FAIL!

What have you done that's been a complete and total FAIL?

WIN A KINDLE FIRE HD 7"

With the release of RESIST, book 3 in the Sphere of Irony Series, I'm running a special week long giveaway for a Kindle Fire HD 7" tablet!! 
Click the Rafflecopter link to enter. a Rafflecopter giveaway ENJOY this excerpt from RESIST. 

Gavin Meets Mitch Before I can ask any more questions, there’s a knock and the door opens a crack. “Mr. Evans, Mr. Hale is here.”
“Send him in please, Donna.” Ross stands and adjusts his suit, straightening out the cuffs and fixing his expensive tie until it lays just so.
I rake a hand over my hair, but it’s pointless. I’m lucky I bothered to shower this morning after my company left. I’m sure I look like shit—with the lack of sleep and the constant stress I’m surprised I don’t look worse.
Good genes, I guess. I frown at the thought of my father.
I can hear Donna outside. “Go right on in.”
The door opens and a man enters. No, not just a man. A gorgeous man. Stunning, actually. For the second time in five minutes, my jaw hangs open.
The man is a study in opposites. His hair, swept back from his face and so dark it’s nearly black, is paired with bright slate grey eyes, a color I’ve never seen before. He looks rugged and dangerous, as if he could kill a man with his bare hands. Yet he’s wearing a tailored and expensive charcoal grey suit that showcases his body to perfection. He’s rough and he’s polished.
And I can’t stop staring.
“Mr. Hale, thank you so much for coming on such short notice.”
Ross has circled the table and is shaking the man’s hand.
“Call me Mitch, please.”
Jesus, even his voice is hot. Deep and silky, it’s as smooth as fine whiskey.
“This is Gavin Walker,” Ross introduces me, stepping aside.
It takes both of them staring at me and an uncomfortably long silence for me to realize I’m still gawking. Embarrassed, I snap my mouth shut.
“Sorry.” Jumping up from my chair, I extend a hand. “Gavin Walker. Thanks for coming.”
He clasps his hand around mine, large and hot and coarse, and pumps it firmly. “Mitch Hale, good to meet you. Wish it were under better circumstances.”
He smiles and I have the sudden urge to rub myself all over his beautiful, hard body. Heat spreads up from our joined hands, sending a flush of pleasure over my skin.
Mitch clears his throat and glances down where I’m still clutching his hand. Shit. I let go, flinching back in humiliation. I jam my hand into the pocket of my jeans, fingering the smooth, heart-shaped stone I keep there.
“Let’s sit.” Ross directs Mitch to the conference table. “Drink?”
Mitch holds up a hand. “I’m good.” I catch the slightest twitch in one of Mitch’s intriguing eyes.
“Okay. Here is the file we have so far.” Ross pushes a folder across the table.
Mitch opens it, scanning the contents. Waiting for him to read about the stalker that’s been harassing me is humiliating, yet it gives me a chance to study the man further. I should resist staring, but I can’t. He’s too gorgeous to ignore.
I flick my gaze over to Ross, who is busy returning emails on his laptop. Good. I don’t want Ross to catch me ogling the new guy. When my eyes land back on Mitch, I have to hold in a groan.
This guy is trying to kill me.
As he flips through the pages in the file—photos, descriptions, police reports—the end of his very wet, very pink tongue pokes out between his lips. Every once in a while, it sneaks back in so he can pull that lush red bottom lip between his teeth, biting on it in concentration.
Jesus. As subtly as I can, I shift on the chair to adjust the semi pressing against my pants.
More contradictions. That tongue, the biting of the lip, both so playful and innocent against the serious image he projects with the suit and the perfectly styled hair and the—I inhale deeply—hint of designer aftershave.
Suddenly, Mitch closes the folder and sits up, folding his hands on top of it. I jerk away, sitting back in my chair instead of leaning halfway over the table like a besotted teenage girl.
“This man is not to be taken lightly,” he cautions, his intelligent gaze traveling back and forth between Ross’ and mine.
Ross closes his laptop, giving Mitch his full attention. “We’re not taking it lightly. Gavin has security with him at all times since the…” Ross glances at me, “the incident in New York.”
“And before that?” Mitch asks. I stare at the hard line of his jaw then drop my eyes down to the curve of his throat where it disappears into the top of his crisp dress shirt. I pray that he doesn’t see the way my hands shake or the heat prickling my face as lust washes over me.
“Before that we weren’t documenting anything we received, just throwing them away. They were mostly letters, gifts…” Ross trails off.
“But no involvement by law enforcement?”
My eyes bounce back and forth between the two men.
Ross sighs. “Not until the New York incident.” When Mitch scowls, a look that makes him look even more dangerous and a hell of a lot sexier, Ross elaborates. “Do you know how many crazy fans are out there? Hell, Adam gets over a hundred bizarre gifts and letters a week. That’s just the strange ones. Plus, keeping this out of the media is important to the record label.”
Mitch nods. “I understand. I’m not judging. I’m just trying to get a feel for what I’ll be dealing with. That includes how long law enforcement has been checking into this guy.”
“Not long,” I whisper, surprised to hear myself speak. I’m used to being discussed as if I’m not in the room. It comes with the job—decisions made for you without your input.
Two sets of eyes focus on me and I feel my cheeks blaze hot. That intense grey stare has me squirming, and this time it’s not from embarrassment. Another rush of heat ripples down my spine. I run my hands through my hair to catch the beads of sweat that have popped up on my temples.
Mitch opens his mouth to say something then snaps it shut. He blinks a few times before speaking. “Tell me how this began, Gavin. What you’ve noticed personally.”
“Shit, how long do you have?” I scoff.
The corner of Mitch’s mouth quirks up. “I have time.” He puts two fingers into the collar of his shirt and tugs gently.
The subtle motion brings images of Mitch tearing off his clothes, sending another wave of sizzling need through me. Nodding, I take a sip of water to cool down the desire inspired by Mitch’s proximity.
Ross’ cell phone rings, startling me. I fumble with the glass, nearly spilling it.
“Damn. Sorry.”
This time, Mitch smiles. My eyes fixate on that mouth as his lips part to reveal two rows of perfect teeth.
“I have to take this,” Ross confesses. He glances over. “You okay to do this without me?”
No. I’m not okay. You’re going to leave me in a room with one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen while I’m a nervous, blundering wreck.
That’s what I’m thinking. What I say isn’t even close.
“Yeah. I’m good.”
Ross stares at Mitch. “I’ll be back to discuss the specifics of your contract.”
“No problem,” Mitch agrees. Leaning back in his chair, he crosses one ankle over his knee.
Holy—
Now he’s given me a direct view of his crotch, hugged tight by those tailored grey slacks. There’s a lot to look at. Jesus. If what I’m seeing isn’t an illusion, he is hung. I don’t realize that I’m staring right at Mitch’s dick until his leg drops and he leans forward, elbows on his knees.
“It’s okay to be nervous.”
Blinking, I look up to see those deep gunmetal eyes waiting patiently for me to respond.
“Ummmm, I’m not nervous.”
I am, but not for the reasons you think.
Mitch puts his large hands back up on the table, his eye twitching again. “Do you mind if I get a drink?” He gestures towards the tray Donna set out.
“Not at all.”
“So,” he continues as he removes his jacket, hangs it over his chair, and circles the table. “Tell me about the letters.”
Mitch picks up a mug, turning his back to me to prepare his coffee. My mouth goes dry at the sight of his perfect, round ass showcased by the tight grey fabric that clings to every curve.
“Gavin?”
I can’t do this here with him. Alone. With that ass, those eyes, and the scent of whatever cologne he’s wearing. My brain won’t function properly while bombarded from all sides by filthy sexual fantasies starring Mitch.
“I-I forgot. I have somewhere to be.”
Jumping up, I catch a surprised expression on Mitch’s face right before I bolt out the door.


Catch the rest of Resist on all major ebook outlets!!! xoxo

Signed Copy of RESIST Giveaway

.goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; background: white; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: inline-block; color: #181818; background-color: #F6F6EE; border: 1px solid #9D8A78; border-radius: 3px; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; outline: none; font-size: 13px; padding: 8px 12px; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { color: #181818; background-color: #F7F2ED; border: 1px solid #AFAFAF; text-decoration: none; } Goodreads Book Giveaway Resistby Heather C. Leigh

Giveaway ends August 03, 2015.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY for a signed copy of RESIST Starts Aug 1 and ends Aug 3. Enter to WIN! UK, Canada, and Australia are also eligible. 

2015 Reader Survey by Marie Force

Best-selling author Marie Force has once again put together a survey of over 6000 readers to capture their preferences in choosing what books to read.

You can see the full results here.

I found these two screenshots (courtesy Marie Force) the most interesting. It seems more readers are going to Facebook to find authors and books. Goodreads, my favorite place to scope out new authors, is only at a mere 12%. 

Anyway, the survey is very interesting. I suggest everyone check it out and read all of the different stats.

Resist Up for Preorder

Hello everyone! 
Book 3 in the Sphere of Irony rockstar series, Resist, is now up for preorder on Amazon and iBooks. It will be available everywhere on release day, but only these two so far for preorder.
If you've been waiting for Gavin's story or are a fan of hot m/m reads, you're in luck. Here's a synopsis for you.
**********
All Gavin Walker, bass player for the multi-platinum selling band, Sphere of Irony, wants to do is surf, play music, and occasionally get laid. The problem is that Gavin has a stalker. A potentially deadly one. The threats he receives always mention something about Gavin being gay, which isn't public knowledge since the record label wants to keep it quiet. 
Mitch Hale used to track serial killers for the FBI. A live-changing incident led him to quit the bureau and start his own company providing computerized security for Los Angeles' wealthiest people. Mitch doesn't know anyone when he moves across the country from D.C. to California, and all he has for companionship is a pathetic string of failed relationships with women. 

When Gavin's manager hires Mitch to find the stalker, the men instantly hate each other. Despite the constant fighting, attraction between the two blazes hot, confusing the former FBI agent. Spending time with Gavin forces Mitch reflect on what he's denied about himself for the last ten years. Listening to Mitch's plan to catch a madman thrusts Gavin's personal life out in the open for the entire world to see.

Can Gavin and Mitch stop fighting long enough to stop a stalker before someone gets hurt? Or will they stubbornly resist the feelings that develop when they're forced to work together?

Could I be more excited?

Audry Middleton is the first transgender reality television contestant. Click here to read an article about Ms. Middleton. Click here to see a video of Julie Chen becoming quite emotional about Big Brother's first transgender contestant. Is American finally opening their arms to embrace people who's sexuality differs fro their own? Or is Hollywood simply testing the waters to see how middle America will react? 
I am beyond excited to see that Big Brother, one of the only television shows I watch (yes, it's a guilty pleasure, I'm aware it has no value whatsoever besides voyeur entertainment) is going to feature a TRANSGENDER contestant! 
I'm hopeful that this will shed some light on a subject most people know nothing about except for some preconceived stereotypes. And honestly, I'm proud of CBS for giving transgendered people a chance to see what will hopefully be a good role model on television. 
Unless, of course, she ends up being the villain this season! 

STRIKE Swag Pack Giveaway with $25 Amazon Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway Enter to win a STRIKE swag pack plus $25 Amazon Gift Card! Use the Rafflecopter link below. 


STRIKE is now available on all outlets. 
Amazon
iTunes
and others

Don't be an A-Hole

Ugh! Okay, this is an uncharacteristic mini-rant. 
It's not okay to take people's money for a book signing and run. It's not okay to continue to sell tickets to unsuspecting readers after you've already cancelled the event. It's not okay to blow off 'friends' who try to reach you after you steal from them. 
It's not okay to be an asshole!
Jesus, people these days are such douchenuggets. I mean, who acts like that? Unfortunately, a lot of people. Entitled asshats who don't work for what they have by simply taking from others. 
Heed my advice- don't be an asshole.