Safe Haven: Homecoming by Heather Justesen Blog Tour (and Contest)

I have long been a fan of Author Heather Justesen's style of writing romance. Her stories are clean, with just the right amount of steam, and full, rich characters that keep you begging them to just get together already.

So when her publicist contacted me to ask if I wanted to be part of her blog tour, of course I had to say yes. Of course! I would be reading this one anyway, and the awesome thing is that now you all get a chance to enter to win an Amazon gift card!

So here are the details:

About the book:

When the US Marshall sends the newly-married Bo and Tosca into hiding in a little Montana town, they settle in for a safe, quiet life while they prepare for the court case against Tosca's former boyfriend. Charles has other plans, though—he wants her dead before she can testify. And he's found their safe haven.

You can purchase your copy of Safe Haven: Homecoming on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, and follow the author on her Facebook page.

About the author:

Heather Justesen was getting lost in books before she learned to read, and her love for them has never waned. She started writing in the year 2000 and has dabbled in several genres though her main interest is romance with some culinary mysteries thrown in. Her current book count is 14 with several books being released each year.

When she's not glued to her laptop, Heather loves to decorate cakes, work in the garden and play with her many pets. You can check out the first chapter for any of her books, see the book trailers, or learn more about Heather on her website at www.HeatherJustesen.com, or check out her blog at HeatherJustesen.blogspot.com

Enter to win here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can also enter to win on all of these participating blogs:

Schedule:
April 13th
Ilana - www.eager-reader.com
Nichole Giles - www.nicholegiles.blogspot.com

April 14th
Lori Twining - http://www.lvtwriter.com/
Jared Quan
Mary Ann - http://www.thestubbypencilreviews.com

April 15th
Danyelle Ferguson - www.queenoftheclan.com
Lisa Swinton - www.lisaswinton.blogspot.com

April 16th
C.S. Janey - https://agirlinacorner.wordpress.com/
Julie Casey - http://www.julielcasey.com
RaShelle Workman - http://www.rashelleworkman.com

April 17th
Donna Weaver
Maria Hoagland - http://mariahoagland.blogspot.com/

Romance and Love or Everything Else? What Are You Reading This Week?

Release week is over, and I was overwhelmed and so touched by the outpouring of love and support I received for Water So Deep. I cannot tell you all how much it means to me to have all of you jumping in to help raise my new baby book.

But now I feel like I've talked about it nonstop for months, and it's time to talk about something else. Like love and Valentine's Day.

I mean, let's face it. Valentine's Day has become a bit of a commercialized cliche, which is focused more on kids than on adults who are actually in love. I think in a lot of ways it's better this way because then all those people who are unattached can still enjoy the day, seeing little kids sharing their candy and cards. But that still doesn't take away the sting of feeling invisible or forgotten.

That's the beauty of reading, though, I think. I am such a sucker for a good old fashioned romance novel. And not the Nicholas Sparks kid of ending, either. Happy endings. Boy gets the girl or girl gets the boy, or whatever whatever, and the couple falls in love and overcomes all odds and obstacles because in the end they belong together. That is my favorite Valentine's Day reading go-to.

Because kissing. And love. And all things romantic.

(Side note: if you're reading Water So Deep right now, please don't hate me at the end! I promise book two will bring closure!)

This week, I'm reading Joyce DiPastena's The Lady and the Minstrel, Ally Condie's Atlantia, and This Shattered World by Aimee Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. I won't finish all three in a week, because I have a deadline of my own, but still. Those are on my nightstand right now.

What will you be reading this week? And is it romance and love or everything but that? I'm curious.

New Release Spotlight: "Fallen Angel" by Lisa Swinton

Fallen Angel

Antonio does not believe in love at first sight until he sees her fall into a street in Milan and get hit by a motorcycle. Compelled to know if she can return his affection, he becomes Renatta’s hospital volunteer only to learn that the accident erased her memory. Together they must discover her past, present and future. In the way of happily ever after stand her opera career, tyrannical mother, and fiancé.  Antonio must win Renatta’s heart before she bends to the will of her mother and marries Marcello.  Failure means a lifetime of loneliness, for love at first sight never happens twice.  

You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Angel-Lisa-Swinton-ebook/dp/B00HX4L38E/ref=la_B00HXNXDCO_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390338367&sr=1-1    

About the Author

Lisa Swinton caught the romance bug early by way of fairy tales and hasn’t been able to cure it since. Instead, she feeds her addiction with romance novels and films. In between being a doctor’s wife and mother of two, she occasionally puts her B.A. in Musical Theater to good use via community theater, church choir and teaching the art of singing. In her elusive spare time she enjoys researching her family tree and baking (especially with chocolate). She loves to travel, Jane Austen, and all things Italian. In her next life, she plans to be a professional organizer

Social Media Links:

http://lisaswinton.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaSwinton http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HXNXDCO Rafflecopter Giveaway:  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal! Blood Crown by Ali Cross

Every so often, I'm lucky enough to get to help share the covers of upcoming new releases for other authors. Usually this happens for books about which I am incredibly excited. Today we're talking about my good friend, author Ali Cross, and her February release Blood Crown.

Isn't it gorgeous? 

Check out the colors and the details. Tell me this doesn't intrigue you! 

About BLOOD CROWN: Serantha is the daughter of the Emperor of the West, who rules over the remnant of humanity who escaped a dying Earth and took to the stars a thousand years ago. With no habitable planets found during their exile, the android Servants who were supposed to care for them rose up, took the name of Mind, and murdered her father. Now the androids amuse themselves by forcing humans like her into mindless drudgery. But flashes of memory hint that Sera is no ordinary human.

On the other side of the galaxy, Nicolai, Son of the East, has abandoned his crown and joined the rebel forces in the war against the Mind. Humans have no real chance... unless the enhanced DNA developed by the Blood Crown scientists can unlock mankind's potential. When Nic and Sera are united, they discover their true potential--and together, humanity just might have a chance. But there's a legion of androids and nine years of mistrust between East and West... and coming together will require more than they ever expected.

Release date: February 20, 2014

About Ali Cross: Ali Cross is the sensei of Novel Ninjutsu where she holds a black belt in awesome. She lives in Utah with her kickin' husband, two sparring sons, one ninja cat, one sumo dog and four zen turtles.

Ali is the award-winning author of young and new adult fiction and moonlights as Alex Cross when she can write wild middle grade adventures set in the faraway places of her imagination.

Social media links:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ali_cross

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralicross

Blog: http://www.alicross.com

Book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19241969-blood-crown

Author on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5188441.Ali_Cross

Tumblr/Pinterest/Etc: http://desolationdiaries.tumblr.com/

Indelibles (indie authors): http://indeliblewriters.blogspot.com/

Emblazoners (middle grade authors): http://emblazoners.com/

Dauntless (authors): http://dauntlessauthors.blogspot.com/

Buy links: coming soon!

Evolving Readerly Taste

In my last post, I talked about how my decorating style has changed, and how even though my tastes have evolved, I am still very much the same person. And the whole decorating topic has made me think about the evolution of my tastes as a reader, and as a writer as well.

As a kid, I loved the mystery of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. But fundamentally more important to me were the hints of romance I found in those stories. I think I would never have loved Nancy so much if it hadn’t been for her relationship with Ned. As I grew, I found random other books at the library and read them. I was not a horribly picky reader, but the one consistent, most memorable thread throughout is romance.

After a number of years spent reading to my children, but not for my own pleasure (weird, I know) I came across an audio book at someone’s home, and listened while I nursed my babies/cleaned my house/bottled jam/accomplished other important things. It was a family drama type story but it involved and included romance. So naturally, I finished the entire series, and then another one. This led to many trips to the library, which led to me deciding to try writing myself.

Several years later, I read a little of everything, depending on my mood, and write YA almost exclusively (for now). But in all my choices of reading and writing, that single consistent thread remains. It boils down to who I am at the core, and what matters to my most subconscious self.

I have evolved over the years as both a reader and a writer, but when I really think about it, my basic tastes and preferences remain very much the same. I like romance. And kissing. And anything that involves feelings. All other criteria will likely change and move and shift, but that one important thread will always remain the same.

So what about you? What one thread stays consistent in your reading choices?

Cover Reveal: A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver

Hello again! I know I don't usually post on Thursdays, but, well, my publisher sister's cover has been revealed today and I just had to share!

Isn't it pretty? I love the waves and the beach, because, well, you know me. A Change of Plans is scheduled for release from Rhemalda Publishing on June 1st, 2013.

Here's what the book is about:

When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the 25-year-old, Colorado high school teacher wants to do is forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. Lyn plans a vacation diversion; fate provides Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world and temporary friendships, her emotions come alive. 

However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he's navigating, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship--on the very anniversary Lyn is on the cruise to forget. Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs from Braedon and what he has to offer.

Their confusing relationship is bad enough, but when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise's snorkeling excursions in American Samoa things get worse. Paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped and Lyn's fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck.

You can add it to your Goodreads lists and vote for it here.

If you'd like to stay informed about author Donna Weaver and her book A Change of Plans, you can follow her on Facebook and Twitter. To stay informed about all of Rhemalda Publishing's titles (including mine) you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter as well.

About the Author:

Donna K. Weaver is a Navy brat who joined the Army and has lived in Asia and Europe. Because she sailed the Pacific three times as a child, she loves cruising and wishes she could accrue enough vacation time to do more of it with her husband.

At fifty, Donna decided to study karate and earned her black belt in Shorei Kempo.

After recording city council minutes for twenty years, Donna decided to write something a little longer and with a lot more emotion--and kissing.

Donna and her husband reside in Utah, they have six children and eight grandchildren who live all over the world.

Interested in more? This book has a trailer. You can view it here!

Omniscient or head-hopping? What’s the difference?

The other day, after seeing a number of publishers calling for short romance stories, I decided to dig out some of my old favorites for some style refreshing. (Or brain stimulating. You know how it is.) As I read a few of the short, sweet stories, I found myself coming to a conclusion I didn’t know I needed to reach.

There was a time when I couldn’t read these stories, or books by certain authors, because of my own mounting frustration with changes in point of view. But now, I read these books again, with a more experienced, more objective eye. And I realized that what I believed was head-hopping (in this case) was actually an omniscient point of view, and it was done well.

But, you ask, what’s the difference?

My definition:

An omniscient point of view is one that appears to the reader as an entire picture. It gives readers the power to see through the eyes of a number of different characters, all during the same scene. Like watching a show on TV. But because we are not strictly in the head of one character, each of these characters is able to keep secrets from the audience, where in a tighter, closer point of view, that would be much more difficult.

Head hopping is taking that tighter, closer point of view (be it close-third or first) and giving voice to more than one character in a single scene. This tends to be disorienting, because it’s like looking at the same scene from several different angles, all at once.

It’s a very technical, hard to understand concept, and an extremely difficult skill for most writers to master. Personally, I prefer to avoid writing in omniscient simply because it is SO HARD to get right. (And also, that’s not how I write.)

So in going back and rereading these books that have been slowly gathering dust, I remembered that there really is a place for omniscient, and that I really enjoy reading it when it’s done well.

What about you? What recent reading discoveries have you made?

Oh the Tragedy!

Sadly, I don’t go to movies all that often. Not that I don’t love them—I do. But I’m a busy mom, who has lots of schedules to keep up with, and it’s difficult to get out and see the newest films that interest me while they’re still in theaters. (Oh, the beauty of DVD’s.)

When I do go to movies, I hope they’re done well enough to take me out of my own life for the moment and hopefully make me laugh and/or leave me with a warm sensation in my chest left from the experience of numerous emotions. Suspense is good, and action, too.

But I have certain expectations. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s walking out of a theater completely disappointed in the outcome of a show. It happens from time to time.

Consider the movie The Perfect Storm. (Spoiler alert!) Everyone dies! And I’m sorry, but that show felt like a huge waste of time for me. Because how could it possibly be based on a true story when no one survived to tell about it?

Maybe I just hate tragedies. No, because I love the story of Romeo and Juliet—sad as it is. Seems like there was a lesson in that though. And also, Shakespeare wrote that like, a gazillion years ago, and he was pretty well brilliant, so he’s kind of excused. A little.

So, here’s a question. What movie’s have you seen that had a tragic ending you felt was excusable, and which ones just left you feeling angry? I’m curious.

The Challenge

In case you live in a cave and don’t have a calendar (I have two, thanks to Raylene and Tiffany), February, the month of love, is officially here.

*gasps, coughs, gasps again*

Believe it or not, for all my talk of love over the last couple weeks, I’m not completely obsessed with Valentine’s day. To be honest, I spend most years in the camp of this-is-a-media-hyped-holiday-invented-for-retailers-to-make-money.

*hides behind large item to avoid possible flying objects*

It’s not what you think. I (obviously) believe in love, and I feel that thoughtful gestures like flowers and candy and jewelry are completely romantic. But. Don’t you think it’s sad that so many of us need to have a holiday (or anniversary for a big occasion) to remind us to make those kinds of gestures?

Almost like we need an excuse to tell the important people in our lives that we love them. What’s wrong with us? And really. Do our kids need another excuse to eat candy?

Don’t get me wrong. I know that Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a celebration of love, rather than a reminder that we love people and should give them stuff. But sometimes it feels like February 14th is less about who loves us and why, and more about what someone gave you, and what you gave to them—or to someone else entirely. Doesn’t it? Is it just me? Really?

So, I’m issuing a challenge. Pick a day of the month, then find some way to quietly, sincerely express your love to the important people in your life. Children, spouse, parents, friends—whoever. (More than words, though. I’m talking about gestures.) Mark this day on your calendar. Then flip to March, and mark the same day there. Then April, May, June…you get the idea. And then, when those days come, be sure to follow through.

Maybe, if we get in the habit of regularly expressing our love, we’ll stop needing reminders. Or, I don’t know. Maybe not. It’s just an idea.

So, what do you say? Are you in?

What Does Love Mean to You?

Last week’s post about love conquering all brought up some interesting points. Especially because everyone has such a different way of looking at things. While all the points were valid, some of the more negative ones made me wonder something.

What does the word love mean to you?

Clearly, everyone defines it differently. Yes? Well. I have to be honest. I hadn’t really considered that. I guess I was thinking about what love means to me. But some of the scenarios that came up in the comment section of last Monday’s post gave me pause to think about what that word means to different people.

For me, love is everything good and decent and kind. It is service personified, unselfishness, comfort. Love is, and will always be the center of happiness. And granted, I’m a sucker. A total romantic. But there are also things I believe love is NOT.

For instance, in my mind, love is NEVER cruel or mean. Never abusive degrading or demeaning. Love does not choose sides, or keep secrets or tell lies. Love doesn’t hit or poke or leave bruises or burns.

People may do those things, but LOVE, itself, does not.

Love is an emotion, a feeling, a conviction even, but it is not human. And as always, everything comes back to us being human and making choices. And so I ask again. Can love, in its purest form, conquer the forces of evil?

In my experience, love wins the battle EVERY TIME. That doesn’t mean the ending is always happy, that the good guy always wins or that the bad guy always loses. What it means is that love is the thing that gives us the strength to push forward and move on.To rebuild.

So, now you know what it means to me, I’d love to know. What does love mean to you?

Does Love Really Conquer All?

Over the weekend, for no reason in particular, I was thinking about the story of Robin Hood, and his lady love Maid Marian. In the Disney animated movie, toward the end, there’s a character that shouts, “Love, conquers all.”

We all know that not every story has a happy ending.

But love, in all its many various forms, does have a lot of power. Even if it can’t defeat things like death and destruction, natural disasters and disease, when it comes to the human condition, could love really, really solve all the world’s problems?

Take my theme from last week’s posts. Can love really make better the life of a child whose heart has been broken? Or an adult for that matter? Can love really move mountains?

Call me an optimist, but I believe it can. When there are no other choices, no other options for salvation, love finds a way. Yes, I am a romantic, and a dreamer and all that. It’s entirely possible that I’m biased. So I’m asking you. Do you believe love is the answer to all of the most important questions? All the worst problems? And what makes you believe one way or another?

A Curse on Shakespeare

I recently watched Romeo and Juliet on TV. I’d forgotten how much I love the story, even though it has a tragic outcome. It’s still romantic.

The language, the way the love between the characters develops, despite the odds. How Romeo and Juliet fight to be together, then choose to die rather than be apart. Morbid, yes, but still, strikes a chord in me.

And you know what? While Juliet is weak, Romeo’s a hothead. Just sayin. The best part though, is that even knowing what happens, every time—EVERY TIME—I twist my fingers together and whisper to Juliet, “Wake up! Wake up, hurry, before he drinks the poison.”

She never does.

Dang Shakespeare and his tragedy. Never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

Also, I recently had the opportunity to read an advance copy of MATCHED by Ally Condie. Everyone does NOT die in that book. It’s not even violent, at all. But it’s definitely romantic. (No, I will not tell you how it ends. You’ll have to read it for yourself.) It comes out November 30th, and I recommend it. *Book LOVE*

I’m a sucker for a good love story. So tell me, what’s your favorite?

Things I Love, Day 6: Romance and Firsts

I'm feeling a bit melancholy right now. My oldest son, now sixteen, went on his first "official" date today. He asked a girl to the Valentine dance, ordered her a corsage, bought flowers and made dinner plans all by himself. Seeing him be giddy with excitement--wait, maybe giddy isn't the right word. Well, anyway, he's been so excited, that I can't help but remember my own first date, and what it felt like to experience those independent, yet romantic stirrings for the first time.

The heady rush of adrenaline, the fluttering of nerves in my stomach, the tongue-tied conversation lulls that create awkward moments--these are the things I remember. There are a lot of things I've long since forgotten about those first experiences--that dating rite of passage--but the incredible feeling of firsts, that is something I don't think we ever forget. Or at least, I don't.

Firsts--be they good or bad experiences--are definitely worth remembering. Your first date, your first kiss, your first love...these are the important moments that make up our lives. The life experiences that have molded us into who we are today.

And right now, my son is one step closer to grown up. **sniff**

But just because first dates are romantic doesn't mean the second, third, fourth and 1553rd time can't be as well. Even for those people who have been married for lots of years--sometimes more so for them. Granted, it does take some effort from both people, but romance is everywhere. There's romance in the small gestures like a husband surprising his wife by doing the dishes before she realizes it. Or a wife making a well-loved dinner for her husband when he's had a particularly bad day.

Or flowers. Sorry, guys, but bringing flowers home out of the blue--I don't care who she is, your significant other will go all soft and mushy inside over that. It doesn't matter if she isn't a big fan of flowers. It's the thought that counts, and the whole idea that your man had the impulse, that he was thinking of you and had the urge to buy you flowers just because. That is just romantic as...heck. (Sorry, this blog is PG.) 

I love romance. Adore it. I think that might be part of the reason why I love things like moonlight, soft music, and waves crashing on the beach. Life can be romantic if we let it.

And since tomorrow is Valentine's day, it's the one day of the year, we should all allow our lives and ourselves to be romantic. Do those small, thoughtful things for each other. Because, hey, everyone needs romance every once in a while.

Okay, time for me to go taxi my son and his date from the dance. Heaven give me the strength to look away while he walks her to the door!