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.
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
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.
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.
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
I have a confession. I read Heather’s books out of order. “What?” you say, “Heather Justesen only has one book on store shelves at the moment.” True. Very true. However, Heather just happens to be in my critique group. At the time we started our fab group, she’d already finished The Ball’s In Her Court. Suffice it to say, the first real taste I ever had of Heather’s incredible, romantic writing style was on the sequel to The Ball’s In Her Court. Don’t worry, though. No spoilers here!
The downside to reading books out of order, is that you often know the outcome of the first book—or at least which characters survive or end up together—before you start reading it. So, when I first opened the cover of The Ball’s In Her Court, it was with a preconceived notion of who these characters were. Boy was I ever wrong. This book had me biting my lip and clutching the edge of my seat the whole time. I had no idea all this angst and drama had come before book two! (Thanks for holding out on me, Heather.) Okay, so it’s not really a suspense, but sometimes in romance, the suspense of what will happen next is liable to destroy a woman. You romance fans probably know what I mean.
Here’s the blurb:
She's got a great job, a loving group of family and friends and basketball skills like you wouldn't believe, but Denise DeWalt's life is far from perfect, and she's about to come face-to-face with a past she hoped to leave behind forever.
Twenty-six-year-old Denise thinks she's come to terms with her childhood in the foster care system, but when her old nightmares return, Denise realizes that she must deal with her past once and for all if she ever wants to move on to a brighter future with Rich, the only man who can see past her former life. As Denise's search leads her closer and closer to the one person she hoped she'd never have to face again, she begins to realize that her future depends on just one person--herself.
This emotional and inspirational love story proves that life is full of unexpected twists and turns--especially when it comes to facing your demons, fighting for love, and finding happiness for the future.
My take:
Make sure you have a tissue handy, because when Denise DeWalt faces her demons, they’re the big, scary, ugly types that actually bite. Well, okay, so not literally in this book, but you know what I mean. This poor woman has a lot of serious issues to get through and Heather has done a fantastic job of injecting the emotional heartache and physical pain that come from a troubled childhood. Her experience in working with the foster care system in her home state shines through, and combines with her profound understanding of the angst neglected children often face to give the rest of us a small glimpse into the heart of human nature, and shows us what it takes for a young person to overcome obstacles of such massive proportion.
Not to mention her technical knowledge of the mechanics of writing is stellar.
Don’t worry, though, my romance reader friends, as I’ve previously mentioned—a few times—I would never deem to call a love story with a sad ending a romance. And this book is definitely a romance.
In fact, thanks to Heather’s innate ability to write love scenes, our critique group women have a poll going as to which love interest—in all her many books—is a better kisser. (I’m not going to tell you who is winning, though. You’re going to have to read all her books to find out!) However, in case you’re worried, all of Heather’s books are designated “Sweet Romances” meaning you there are no blush-creating scenes, or love scenes that make you want to skip a page or two. They’re completely clean, and thoroughly romantic.
Also, another bit of good news for you author addicts. Heather has another book—yes, kids, the sequel to this one, currently titled, Rebound—being released this summer. She’s on a role, I tell ya!
This book is a must read for the romance lover in your life—including and especially you. Also, keep it in mind as a wonderful holiday gift idea. Let’s face it; you can’t go wrong by giving the person you love a little touch of romance.
To order an autographed copy of The Ball’s In Her Court, limited time only, click here.
To read the first chapter of The Ball's In Her Courtclick here.
To learn more about the author click here or here.
Also, be sure to check Heather's blog on or around November 11th to find out about some fun giveaways she'll be sponsoring.
Oh, I almost forgot. In case you aren’t already sold on this book, take a look at the book trailer.
**The author of this review did, in fact, receive a free, signed copy of this book. However, it was personally handed to me by the author, not because I promised a review, but rather because she would’ve given me one anyway—just as I will give her a free copy of mine when it’s released. That’s what friends do. However, as mentioned in previous book reviews, neither my friendship with the author, nor the free book, had anything to do with the overall outcome of my review. I’ve promised my readers that I will never lie to them and give a glowing review to a book that doesn’t deserve it. And I intend to keep that promise.
