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Saturday, February 14, 2015

Heartbreakers Blog Tour Day 6: Author Shari Green

Bio: Shari Green writes Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction and occasionally masquerades as a 
poet. When she’s not glued to her laptop, she can often be found wandering in a blissful daze on the beach near her home on Vancouver Island, BC. Visit her online at www.sharigreen.com.

 Favorite love song?
Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World, because it’s love that lets us see the world that way.

Why do you think that people connect with star-crossed lovers?
Because relationships are hard. Because sometimes the universe’s timing sucks. Because sometimes…sometimes the impossible happens and they live happily ever after.






Blurb:
Walking in the footsteps of a dead girl isn’t easy.
After her social life flatlines, seventeen-year-old Anna Richards wants nothing more than to lie low at her new school. But it seems Anna looks an awful lot like Chelsea, the sweet and popular girl who recently died, and Anna finds herself stepping into the void created by Chelsea’s absence.
Anna is determined to make the awkward situation work in her favor, because Chelsea didn’t just leave a spot open with the in-crowd; she also left a gorgeous—and now available—boyfriend. But it turns out that following Chelsea might be a lot more complicated than Anna expected.


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Heartbreakers Blog Tour Day 6: Author Janet Gurtler

A Rita Award Finalist and Crystal Kite Award Finalist, Janet Gurtler's young adult books have been chosen for the JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION and as BEST BOOKS FOR TEENS from the Canadian Children’s Book Center. Janet lives in Okotoks Alberta, Canada with her husband, son, and a chubby black Chihuahua named Bruce.


What’s the most romantic place you’ve ever visited or would like to visit?
Aruba. Magical, lovely Aruba. 

Tell us your favorite love quote.
Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within. – James A. Baldwin.



THE TRUTH ABOUT US,  by Janet Gurtler

The truth is that Jess knows she screwed up.
She's made mistakes, betrayed her best friend, and now she's paying for it. Her dad is making her spend the whole summer volunteering at the local soup kitchen.

The truth is she wishes she was the care-free party-girl everyone thinks she is.
She pretends it's all fine. That her "perfect" family is fine. But it's not. And no one notices the lie...until she meets Flynn. He's the only one who really sees her. The only one who listens.

The truth is that Jess is falling apart – and no one seems to care
But Flynn is the definition of "the wrong side of the tracks." When Jess's parents look at him they only see the differences-not how much they need each other. They don't get that the person who shouldn't fit in your world... might just be the one to make you feel like you belong.

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Heartbreakers Blog Tour Day 6: Author Denise Jaden


Bio: Denise Jaden’s novels have been shortlisted or received awards through the Romance Writers of America, Inspy, and SCBWI. The first draft of her debut novel, Losing Faith (Simon & Schuster), was written in 21 days during NaNoWriMo and she loves talking with writers and students about her fast-drafting process. Jaden’s other young adult novels include Never Enough (Simon & Schuster) and Foreign Exchange (an Editor’s Pick from Evernight Teen). Her non-fiction books for writers include, Writing with a Heavy Heart and Fast Fiction. Find out more at Denisejaden.com.



I’d like to highlight FOREIGN EXCHANGE for this tour. If any of the bloggers would like an e-copy for review, I’d be happy to send one along.



What’s the most romantic place you’ve ever visited or would like to visit? 
About twelve years ago my husband and I traveled through Europe and ended up at a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Italy. Very delicious and very romantic!

Tell us your favorite love quote.
 “Love is friendship that has caught fire.” – Ann Landers




Summary: Jamie Monroe has always played it safe. That is, until her live-for-the-moment best friend, Tristan, jets off to Italy on a student exchange program. Left alone with her part-time mother and her disabled brother, Jamie discovers that she is quite capable of taking her own risks, starting with her best friend’s hotter-than-hot older brother, Sawyer. Sawyer and Tristan have been neighbors for years, but as Jamie grows closer to the family she thought she knew, she discovers some pretty big secrets. As she sinks deeper into their web of pretense, she suspects that her best friend may not be on a safe exchange program at all. Jamie sets off to Europe on a class trip with plans to meet up with Tristan, but when Tristan stops all communication, suddenly no one seems trustworthy, least of all the one person she was starting to trust—Sawyer. 

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Heartbreakers Blog Tour Day 6: Author Vanessa Barneveld




Author Bio
Vanessa Barneveld lives in Australia. She has one husband, two cats, and three Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® nominations. When she’s not writing, devouring chocolate, or dreaming of intergalactic travel, Vanessa works as a closed captioner for the deaf and audio describer for the blind.
Website | Twitter | Facebook







What’s the most romantic place you’ve ever visited or would like to visit?
I’d love to explore Italy’s Amalfi Coast, preferably in a classic Alfa Romeo convertible with my Romeo. 

Tell us your favorite love quote.
“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” – Audrey Hepburn



This Is Your Afterlife publisher’s blurb

When the one boy you crushed on in life can't seem to stay away in death, it's hard to be a normal teen when you're a teen paranormal.

Sixteen-year-old Keira Nolan has finally got what she wanted—the captain of the football team in her bedroom. Problem is he’s not in the flesh. He’s a ghost and she’s the only one who can see him.

Keira's determined to do anything to find Jimmy's killer. Even it if means teaming up with his prickly-yet-dangerously-attractive brother, Dan, also Keira's ex-best-friend. Keira finds that her childish crush is fading, but her feelings for Dan are just starting to heat up, and as the story of Jimmy’s murder unfolds, anyone could be a suspect. 

This thrilling debut from Vanessa Barneveld crosses over from our world to the next, and brings a whole delightful new meaning to "teen spirit".

http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/this-is-your-afterlife-9781619637771/



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Friday, February 13, 2015

Heartbreakers Blog Tour Day 5: Author Eileen Cook


What’s the most romantic place you’ve ever visited or would like to visit?
Florence Italy!  I went this fall and it was amazing.

Tell us your favorite love quote.
"If you live to be 100, I hope to live to 100 minus one day so I never have to live without you."Winnie the Pooh



BIO:
Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in eight different languages. Her books have been optioned for film and TV.  She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer.   Eileen lives in Vancouver Canada with her husband and one naughty dog and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else.
Website | Twitter | Facebook 



REMEMBER (Release date February 24, 2015) 

A thrilling tale about what a girl will do to get back a memory she lost…or remove what she wants to forget.

Harper is used to her family being hounded by protestors. Her father runs the company that trademarked the “Memtex” procedure to wipe away sad memories, and plenty of people think it shouldn’t be legal. Then a new demonstrator crosses her path, Neil, who’s as persistent as he is hot. Not that Harper’s noticing, since she already has a boyfriend.

When Harper suffers a loss, she’s shocked her father won’t allow her to get the treatment, so she finds a way to get it without his approval. Soon afterward, she’s plagued with strange symptoms, including hallucinations of a woman who is somehow both a stranger, yet incredibly familiar. Harper begins to wonder if she is delusional, or if these are somehow memories.

Together with Neil, who insists he has his own reasons for needing answers about the real dangers of Memtex, Harper begins her search for the truth. What she finds could uproot all she’s ever believed about her life…

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Heartbreakers Blog Tour Day 5: Author Jen McConnel


About Jen McConnel
Jen McConnel first began writing poetry as a child. A Michigander by birth, she now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. A graduate of Western Michigan University, she also holds a MS in Library Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.  When she isn't crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches college writing composition and yoga. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time.  Her debut NA novel, THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY, is out now from Bloomsbury Spark. She also writes YA and nonfiction. Visit http://www.jenmcconnel.com  to learn more.

Connect With Jen




What’s the most romantic place you’ve ever visited or would like to visit?
Paris! I was there the first time as a singleton in college, and it still made my heart melt. Going back with my hubby a few years ago was magical!

Tell us your favorite love quote.
I’m letting my teenage self handle this question: “’Tis better to have loved and lost than never loved at all”.



HER SECRET INHERITANCE
 
Five years after the trip to Scotland that changed her life, Lou is back in the misty, magical country. But this time, she’s not on vacation.

When Brian, her old Highland fling, turns up at the scene of some depressing family business, tension mounts between the former lovers. But dealing with Brian is only part of the problem; something wicked is stirring in Scotland. Lou must use all her strength to handle the increasingly desperate situation, but will she be strong enough to battle both a vengeful ghost and her heart?

Lou may have thought that she was finished with the witch Isobel Key, but some secrets can’t stay buried forever. This story is the sequel to THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY.

Learn More
Purchase

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Thursday, February 12, 2015

Heartbreakers Blog Tour Day 4: Author Brenda Hiatt




Bio
Brenda Hiatt is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty novels (so far), including traditional Regency romance, time travel romance, historical romance, and humorous mystery. She is as excited about her STARSTRUCK series as she's ever been about any of her books. In addition to writing, Brenda is passionate about embracing life to the fullest, to include scuba diving (she has over 60 dives to her credit), Taekwondo (where she is currently pursuing her 3rd degree black belt), hiking, traveling, and pursuing new experiences and skills.  



Favorite love song?
“I Will Always Love You” (by Dolly Parton, popularized by Whitney Houston in “The Bodyguard”)

Why do you think that people connect with star-crossed lovers?
We love to see the characters EARN their happy-ever-after! In fact, I titled book 2 of my Starstruck series STARCROSSED. :) 




STARFALL blurb: The electrifying conclusion to the Starstruck series! 
M, no longer a nerdy nobody, has finally been acclaimed Sovereign Emileia, ruler of the Martian colony Nuath. But at what cost? Without her soulmate Rigel, life seems pointless but she’s expected to shake off her heartbreak and assume her responsibilities. Reluctantly, M does what she must until an unexpected discovery restores a glimmer of hope for the future. Now she is determined to do whatever she can to salvage her longed-for happy ending—if it’s not already too late.

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Heartbreakers Blog Tour Day 4: Author Dawn Ius

What’s the most romantic place you’ve ever visited or would like to visit?
I spent a week in Italy, and fell in love with the culture, the food, the architecture — it was like the air pulsed with romance. 

Tell us your favorite love quote.
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.”



About the Author
DAWN IUS is a short-story author, novelist, screenwriter, professional editor, and communications specialist. She is the Assistant Managing Editor of the International Thriller Writers Association’s monthly magazine, THE BIG THRILL, co-founder and senior editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and the author of ten educational graphic novels published by the Alberta Canola Producers Commission. When she’s not slaying fictional monsters, she’s geeking out over fairy tales, Jack Bauer, Halloween, sports cars, and all things that go bump in the night. Dawn lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband, Jeff, and their giant English Mastiff, Roarke.

Connect with Dawn:
Facebook Twitter | Blog | Email

ANNE & HENRY
A love worth losing your head over


ANNE
Wild, brazen, mischievous, bewitching

HENRY
Driven, haunted, charming, magnetic

ANNE & HENRY
Apart they are bound to destroy themselves. Together, they are bound to destroy each other.


HENRY TUDOR’S LIFE HAS BEEN mapped out since the day he was born: student president, valedictorian, Harvard Law School, and a stunning political career just like his father’s. 

But ever since the death of Henry’s brother—perfect, high-achieving Arthur—his family has been twice as demanding. And now Henry’s trapped: forbidden from pursuing a life as an artist or dating any girl who’s not Tudor-approved.

Then Anne Boleyn crashes into his life. 

Anne is wild, brash, and outspoken. She is everything Henry is not allowed to be—or to want. But soon Anne is all he can think about. His mother, his friends, and even his girlfriend warn him away, yet his desire for Anne consumes him. Henry is willing to do anything to be with her. But once he has her, their romance could destroy them both. 

Inspired by the true story of Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII, ANNE & HENRY reimagines the intensity, love, and betrayal between one of the most infamous couples of all time.

Add it to Goodreads


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Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Heartbreakers Blog Tour Day 3: Author Sara Hantz




About the Author
Sara Hantz comes from the UK and now lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Australia (via 10 years in New Zealand). She lectured for many years before deciding to devote more time to her writing and working in the family business. She has two grown-up children and when not writing or working she spends more time than most people she knows watching TV - in fact if TV watching was an Olympic sport she'd win gold.
Entangled Publishing | Website | Facebook | Twitter

What do you enjoy writing more…break-ups or make-ups?  
Break-ups
Favorite song about love or heartbreak? 
The Way We Were by Barbra Streisand

About Will The Real Abi Saunders Please Stand Up
Abi Saunders might be a kickboxing champion, but when it comes to being the center of attention, she’d rather take a roundhouse kick to the solar plexus any day. So when her trainer convinces her to audition to be the stunt double for hot teen starlet Tilly Watson, Abi is shocked—and a little freaked out—when she gets the job.
Being a stunt double is overwhelming, but once the wig and makeup are on, Abi feels like a different person. Tilly Watson, to be exact. And when Tilly’s gorgeous boyfriend, Jon, mistakes Abi for the real star, Abi's completely smitten. In fact, she’s so in love with her new life, it isn’t long before she doesn’t have time for her old one.

But when the cameras are turned off, will she discover running with the Hollywood A-list isn’t quite the glamorous existence she thought it was?



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Heartbreakers Blog Tour Day 3: Author Ashley Poston



Author Bio: Ashley Poston is a fangirl at heart. Inspired by everything from Sailor Moon to Firefly to Harry Potter, she began writing at a very young age and never stopped. Her play, MOTHLIGHT, won best direction, best actor/actress, and best stage play at SCTA's 2008 conference. Since then, she's written for Quirk and ThoughtCatolog, apprenticed under a Hollywood screenwriter, spoke at Anime Expo's Academic Conference, interned at Random House, and somehow found herself a book contract. She currently lives in South Carolina with her cat and a plethora of books. When not writing, she hangs around on Twitter fangirling about all the feels. THE SOUND OF US, from Bloomsbury Spark, is her first novel. Tweet her at @ashposton and read her inner-most rambles at casuallybeingweird.comhttp://casuallybeingweird.com/.

What makes a believable romance? 
Friendship. If characters can’t exist as friends, I don’t think a romance is believable. The “lust” factor fades, like fireworks. I like sturdy relationships.

What’s your favorite part about crafting romantic scenes? 
The hesitation before the first kiss.

About The Sound of Us
America's favorite pop band, Roman Holiday, is done, dead, and so totally last year. For eighteen-year-old rockoholic Junie Baltimore, this is music to her ears. But when she discovers their sexy ex-lead singer hiding out on the boardwalk, her summer vacation becomes the cover story of the year.

She's willing to keep him a secret, but when a sleazy paparazzo offers her the cash she needs to save the bar her father left behind, could she sell out for the chance to save her future? Who is she kidding? That's a no-brainer...but she never planned on falling head over heels for the lead singer.




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Tour Promo & Giveaway: Enslavement (One Bright Future, #1) by Melinda Friesen


Title: Enslavement (One Bright Future, #1)
Author: Melinda Friesen
Publication date: October 31, 2014
Publisher: Rebelight Publishing Inc.

“One world. One currency. One bright future.”

That’s the promise made by OneEarth Bank after a global economic collapse–but only for those who accept the insertion of a commerce chip.

When Rielle’s parents refuse to comply, government officials tear her family apart. As punishment for her parent’s crimes, Rielle is forced into a Community Service Contract–a legalized form of slavery–and sold a wealthy, abusive banker.

The Banker’s secrets hold the key to Rielle’s freedom, but will she risk prison or even death to escape and search for her family?



Amazon | Barnes & Noble | TBD | IndieBound

Excerpt from chapter three: One Bright Future
I WAIT IN THE FREEZING WIND BEHIND a dozen others for my turn to be loaded onto a bus. Snowflakes swirl around me. The restraints around my ankles and wrists conduct the cold to my skin, like icy knives digging into my flesh. Chains clank as Contracts pivot away from the whipping north wind.

Security officers holding rifles diagonally across their chests are stationed around the edge of the parking lot. Snow partially obscures an officercrouched on the roof of the facility with his gun trained on us. I scan the surrounding buildings. More gunmen. Seems like overkill for a group of bound and terrified teens.

The chain of Contracts tugs me toward the solar bus. Its magnetic skis rest on parallel steel ribbons, sunk into cracked asphalt. The door folds open and the line begins to file in, one kid at a time, until an officer scans the chip of the boy in front of me. “Grafton, Adam. Contract number 08629.” The boy climbs aboard and another officer removes his chains. Then he walks down the aisle to choose a seat.

My turn. The guard scans my chip. “James, Rielle. Contract number 08645,” the device chants. The officer’s eyes widen. “James,” he says, as though it’s a curse. The guard unlocking the chains snaps his head in my direction.
What’s going on? Why would my name bring that reaction last night and again now? It’s as though it’s familiar to them—and not in a good way.

Perplexed, I climb the bus stairs and hold out my wrists, eager to be free of the frigid metal. The officer pauses and a scowl sours his face. He jerks my hands and jams the key into the lock on the cuffs. He leans in and his hot breath singes my ear. “You people are finally getting what you deserve.”


About the Author
Melinda Friesen writes novels for teens and short stories. Her contest winning short stories have appeared in various periodical and an anthology. Enslavement, book one in the One Bright Future series, is her first novel.








Two (2) winners will received a signed copy of Enslavement by Melinda Friesen (US/Canada)

Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of Enslavement by Melinda Friesen (INT)

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Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Heartbreakers Blog Tour Day 2: Author L.S. Murphy


About the Author
L.S. Murphy obsesses about St. Louis Cardinals baseball, fangirls over her favorite authors, and watches every episode of Doctor Who like it's the first time. When she's not doing those time-consuming things, the former farm-girl turned city slicker turned suburbanite writes sweet romances for teens and adults. Visit her online at lsmurphy.comand follow her on Twitter @LSMurphy

Favorite love song?
Endlessly by Green River Ordinance. At least that’s what it is today. 

Why do you think that people connect with star-crossed lovers?
Because we have more missed chances and what-ifs in our own lives. Sometimes reading a good romance isn’t just about the characters, but how the situation relates to something similar in your own life. 




There's no way sixteen year old Quincy Amarante will become the fifth grim reaper. None. Not over her shiny blue Mustang. Her Jimmy Choos. Or her dead body.

She's supposed to enjoy her sophomore year, not learn about some freaky future that Destiny says she has no choice but to fulfill.

It doesn't take long for Quincy to realize the only way out of the game is to play along especially since Death can find her anyway, anywhere, anytime. And does.

Like when she's reassuring her friends she wants nothing to do with former best friend Ben Moorland, who's returned from god-knows-where, and fails. Miserably.

Instead of maintaining her coveted popularity status, Quincy's goes down like the Titanic.

Maybe ... just maybe ... that's okay. 

It seems, perhaps, becoming a grim reaper isn't just about the dead but more about a much needed shift in Quincy's priorities—from who she thinks she wants to be to who she really is.

This is all I've gotten so far in regards to PIXELATED:

Her upcoming YA novel, PIXELATED, about a high school senior whose ambitious life plan is jeopardized by her parents' divorce and a move to Nowheresville, and who can't help falling for the small town golden boy with a secret, was acquired by Bloomsbury Spark. PIXELATED is expected to be published in Spring 2015.

L.S. Murphy
PIXELATED (Spring 2015~ Bloomsbury Spark)
REAPER (J. Taylor Publishing)
For other information, please visit my website:
http://lsmurphy.com/

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Heartbreakers Blog Tour Day 2: Author Laurie J. Edwards



Laurie J. Edwards (writing as Erin Johnson)

Erin Johnson grew up watching classic western movies with her father, which fueled her lifelong love of horseback riding. She's always dreamed of being a fierce-talking cowgirl, but writing about one seemed like the next best thing. She loves traveling, painting, riding motorcycles, and teaching, and lives in North Carolina. You can find out more about her and her books, which are written under the name Laurie J. Edwards, at https://lje1.wordpress.com/. Another recent release,Cyber Self-Defense, co-written with Alexis Moore, gives tips for coping with cyberbullying and other cyberabuse. To read about her humorous, true-life romance, watch for the anthology Love & Profanity coming from Capstone in March 2015.


Tell us your favorite love quote.

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ~ Dr. Seuss



Grace and the Guiltless
The first book in YA series set in the Wild West…After her family is slaughtered by outlaws, sixteen-year-old Grace Milton goes on a vendetta to capture the gang who did it. But once she meets a rugged range rider, she’s torn between revenge and love.

“Packed with action, drama, and, yes, a little romance, this book is sure to draw in readers from the first sentence and hold them there until the last.” ~TeenReads

“A budding romance, clues to a possible conspiracy, and a cliffhanger ending promise exciting adventures ahead.” ~VOYA

“The descriptions give me the chills. I love the character. She’s so brave and practical and so mature.”  ~Wattpad reader

Buy link: Amazon

Book Two
WANTED, a new YA series set in the Wild West…After her family is slaughtered by outlaws, sixteen-year-old Grace Milton goes on a vendetta to capture the gang who did it. But once she meets a rugged range rider, she’s torn between revenge and love.

In WANTED Book 2, HER COLD REVENGE, Grace’s saga continues as she singlehandedly tracks down train robbers and fugitives in her quest for justice.

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