Curling Up With A Good Book: Harper Collins Blog Tour

Showing posts with label Harper Collins Blog Tour. Show all posts

Thursday, May 26, 2016

HarperCollins Blog Tour, Interview, & Giveaway: Once and For All (Cheryl Etchison)

Hardback, 384 pages
Expected Publication: May 24th 2016

Publisher: Avon Impulse

From debut author Cheryl Etchison comes the first in a military romance series about the men of the 75th Ranger Regiment’s 1st Battalion.
Rule #1: Military and matrimony don't mix
But if there's one person Staff Sergeant Danny MacGregor would break all his rules for, it's Bree-his first friend, first love, first everything. Maybe he likes playing the hero. Maybe he's trying to ease ten years of guilt. Either way, he'll do whatever he can to help her.
Wish #1: A little bit of normal
Bree Dunbar has battled cancer, twice. What she wants most is a fresh start in a new place where people aren't constantly treating her like she's sick.
By some miracle her wish is granted, but it comes with one major string attached- the man who broke her heart ten years before.
The rules for this marriage of convenience are simple: when she's ready to stand on her own two feet, she'll walk away and he'll let her go. But if there's one thing the military has taught Danny, it's that things don't always go according to plan…

Where to buy ONCE AND FOR ALL

Avon * Amazon * Barnes and Noble * iTunes * Google Play

Cheryl Etchison graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in journalism and news communications and has worked as a newspaper reporter, marketing coordinator and in public relations for a MLB and NHL team. Currently, she lives in Austin, Texas and is a stay at home mom to three girls. ONCE AND FOR ALL is her first novel.

http://www.cheryletchison.com/

What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

I’m a huge sports fan so I remember how Pat Tillman turned down a NFL contract to join the US Army after 9/11. More specifically, I remember that he along with his brother joined the Rangers. I knew of SEALs and Special Forces, but not much more than that so I started digging. The more I researched the 75th Ranger Regiment, the more interested I became.

Who is your favorite character in the book?

That’s like asking me to pick a favorite child! It can’t be done. Well, that’s not completely true. I should say it depends on the day. I absolutely adore Danny and Bree’s fathers, Mac and Pete, because they remind me of my father and his friends. But in this book, Marie was definitely the most fun to write.

Which came first, the title or the novel?

Definitely the novel. How I feel about titles is the same way I feel about headlines from my news reporting days. I’d just turn a story in with “insert title here” at the top. But after my friend assured me I wouldn’t be able to get an agent or sell a book with “Insert Title Here”, I sat down and brainstormed my little heart out. Okay, I scrolled through Foo Fighters lyrics, but it worked.

What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

I’d have to say the wig scene because I think it really shows the deep connection between Danny and Bree despite spending ten years apart.

Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?

I’ve learned to ignore what I consider to be arbitrary rules about writing. “You must write every day.” Nope. “You must always show and never tell.” Nope. “The scene should be written from the point of view of the character that has the most to lose.” Honestly, I don’t even know what that means. I lie. I do know what it means, but I think it’s a terrible generalization because every character, every scene is different and what works best for one book might not work so well for yours.

What do you like most about the cover of the book?

Everything! Amanda Bergeron at Avon suggested the American Valor series have covers with a movie poster feel to them and the art department knocked it out of the park.

What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2016?

Rachel Gibson’s “Just Kiss Me” which releases on my birthday. It’s been two years since her last full length novel and I cannot wait.

What was your favorite book in 2015?

“When a Scot Ties the Knot” by Tessa Dare.

What’s up next for you?

Book two of the American Valor series, “Here and Now” releases July 26th, with book three following early 2017 so I’ll be busy with the men of the 75th for the foreseeable future.

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Blog Tour Schedule

5/24 The Book Binge--Guest Post http://bookbinge.com

5/25 Reading Between the Wines—Guest Post http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/

5/26 Chasing Faerytales—Review http://chasingfaerytales.blogspot.com/

5/26 Curling Up with a Good Book—Q&A curling-up-with-a-good-book.blogspot.com

5/27 Rambling Reads--Guest Post Http://trustme2forget.blogspot.com

5/30 Pretty Sassy Cool—Q&A http://www.prettysassycool.com

6/2 Cherry 0 Blossoms—Review http://cherry0blossoms.blogspot.co.uk/

6/3 I Heart YA Books--Guest Post/Review http://iheartyabooks.blogspot.com/

6/3 Ramblings From This Chick--Guest Post www.ramblingsfromthischick.com

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Harpercollins Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Death In A Major (Sarah Fox)

DEATH IN A MAJOR

A Music Lover’s Mystery
By Sarah Fox
Witness Impulse
January 5, 2016
E-ISBN 9780062413017 * $2.99

The new season for the Point Grey Philharmonic starts off on a sour note when one of the symphony’s wealthy benefactors drops dead in the second Music Lover’s Mystery from author Sarah Fox.
When Archibald Major, local big wig and nasty tyrant, drops dead at a post-concert reception, violinist Midori Bishop soon suspects foul play. Although Midori has no intention of getting involved in another murder investigation, that all changes when Jordan - her violin student and the victim’s grandson - seeks her help convincing the police that the real killer is his uncle, a low-level criminal.

As Midori digs into the victim’s life, she discovers that he was a man who created discord at every turn, even within his own family, and there is no shortage of potential suspects. When someone close to Midori unexpectedly confesses to the crime, Midori must race to discover the identity of the true killer before an innocent person goes to jail for a crime they didn’t commit… and before Midori herself becomes a victim in the killer’s deadly encore.

Purchase Here:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Google Play

Sarah Fox was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia where she developed a love for mysteries at a young age. When not writing novels or working as a legal writer she is often reading her way through a stack of books or spending time outdoors with her English Springer Spaniel.

Connect with Sarah Fox

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Praise for Sarah Fox

“Readers are kept in suspense as each spinetingling event moves them towards an unforgettable ending. Sarah Fox delivers murder mystery with believable characters and earns a thumbs up.”— Authors on the Air Global Radio Network on DEAD RINGER

“While Midori may be clueless in love, she is good at asking questions. It is easy to understand how difficult it is for her to leave the investigating to the police, particularly once she has begun. Her actions are believable, if at times rash. Dead Ringer is an entertaining cozy with just the right amount of suspense. It is a great choice for reading on a lazy summer afternoon.”— Mutt Cafe on DEAD RINGER

“Readers are in for a treat with Sarah Fox’s new cozy...out of love, Midori sticks her nose in every place she can, which makes her a perfect heroine for lovers of mysteries. Readers will be pleased with the sheer entertainment of Fox’s plot.”— Suspense Magazine on DEAD RINGER

“I’m going to speak to Ernest. He looks lonely.”

I escaped from the questions I knew Mikayla wanted to ask and approached Ernest, a short and rotund French horn player in his late fifties. His normally pale face was flushed and he stood by himself at the edge of the room, one hand fiddling with the lapel of his tuxedo jacket as he stared through his thick glasses at the crowd of mingling people.

“Hi, Ernest.”

He started when I addressed him.

“Oh. Hello, Midori.” He cleared his throat and continued to tug at his lapel. “The concert went well, don’t you think?”

“Very.”

His gaze drifted back to the crowd in the middle of the room. I followed his line of sight. Mrs. Duffy—Mr. Major’s daughter and the mother of one of my violin students—was helping her father into a wheelchair. He sat down heavily and Mrs. Duffy hooked his cane over one of the handles.

A middle-aged woman with glasses and dull, frizzy brown hair hovered behind the wheelchair and patted Major on the shoulder once he was seated. The elderly man must have grown tired of standing, but I doubted that he’d ever grow tired of creeping out women less than half his age.

I returned my attention to Ernest. His eyes were still fixed on Mr. Major and his expression had transformed in the past few seconds from bland to darkly angry.

The drastic, unexpected change startled and puzzled me. “Do you know Mr. Major?”

“What?” Ernest swiveled his head toward me, his thick glasses drawing my attention to his gray eyes and their staccato blinking. “No. I’ve never met the man.”

“Oh.” How odd. Why would he have such an intense dislike for a man he’d never met? Unless I was mistaken about whom he’d been focused on.

Ernest pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and patted his perspiring forehead. “Excuse me.”

He made a direct line to the nearest waitress and snagged a flute of champagne off her tray. My eyebrows shot up as he gulped down the entire contents in no more than a second. He abandoned the empty glass on a nearby table and moved through the crowd, patting his damp forehead again.

Weird.

Or was it? I’d never seen Ernest act like that before, but then again, I barely knew him and had never spent time with him outside of the orchestra. For all I knew he was odd on a regular basis.

Shrugging off Ernest’s behavior, I decided to join some of my fellow second violinists who had gathered near one of the grand arched windows, the view nothing but darkness at this time of night. I threaded my way through the clusters of people, making sure to stay behind Mr. Major so he wouldn’t see me and have a chance to run his sleazy eyes over me again.

As I passed within a few feet of his wheelchair, Mrs. Duffy spread a small blanket over his knees.

“Are you warm enough, Dad?”

Major swatted her hand away. “Stop fussing. I don’t need your incompetent brand of help.”

My eyes widened at the rancor in his voice. So did Mrs. Duffy’s. She choked back a sob and turned away from her father, quickly squeezing her way through the crowd.

I glared at the back of Major’s head. What a mean old bastard.

He continued to grumble under his breath. The frizzy-haired woman patted his shoulder again and spoke to him in quiet, soothing tones.

I set my empty champagne glass down on a nearby table and searched the room for Mrs. Duffy. I spotted her just as she slipped out through a door at the far end of the room. Abandoning my plan to join my fellow violinists, I worked my way through the crowded room until I reached the far door. I pushed it open and slipped out into a corridor lined with the same red carpeting as the reception room.

There was no one in sight. I knew there was an exit around the corner, so it was possible that Mrs. Duffy had stepped outside to collect herself. I wasn’t sure if I should continue to look for her to make sure she was okay. Maybe she’d prefer to be left alone. After all, I didn’t know her particularly well. I’d taught her son, Jordan, violin for seven years, but had never talked to her for more than a few minutes at a time, and the topics of our conversations had always stayed confined to her son’s progress or lesson schedules. Certainly we’d never discussed anything personal or established any sort of friendship.

I turned back to the door, intending to return to the reception room.

“What are you doing here?” a female voice asked.

I spun around, thinking the question had been aimed at me, but I was still alone.

“I need some cash,” a man said.

“And you think I have extra lying around?” I recognized the female voice as belonging to Mrs. Duffy. “You know I’m having my own financial troubles since I left Gregory.”

I paused with my hand on the doorknob. I knew this was a conversation that wasn’t meant for my ears, but somehow I couldn’t bring myself to go back into the reception room. I’d always been too curious for my own good.

Two quiet steps took me farther along the corridor, closer to the branch that led to the exit.

“Of course I know,” the male voice said. “I need you to get some money off Dad for me.”

“Kevin, you know I can’t do that. If I even mention your name these days he goes through the roof.”

The man let out a string of colorful swearwords, most of them unsavory descriptors aimed at Mr. Major Senior. “Can’t you pretend it’s for you? I’m desperate here, sis.”

“I can’t.” Mrs. Duffy sounded close to tears. “He’s not much happier with me than he is with you lately. He thinks I’m a failure since my marriage fell apart.”

“Has he been bullying you again?”

Mrs. Duffy sniffled.

I jumped as a loud bang reverberated along the corridor.

“Kevin! Be careful!” Mrs. Duffy admonished in a hushed voice. “You almost put a hole in the wall.”

“That damn bastard,” Kevin spat. “Always trying to make everyone else miserable.”

A door opened nearby and a draft of chilly air wafted along the corridor toward me.

“Where are you going?” Mrs. Duffy asked, her voice tight with worry.

“I’ve had enough of the old miser,” Kevin said. “And I’m going to make sure we never have to deal with him ever again.”

A door slammed shut, the noise jolting me into motion. Not wanting Mrs. Duffy to know I’d overheard the conversation, I slipped back into the reception room and pulled the door closed behind me.

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Thursday, August 27, 2015

HarperCollins Blog Tour, Interview, & Giveaway: Bounce (Noelle August)

Paperback, 304 pages
Expected publication: August 25th 2015 by William Morrow Paperbacks

This final chapter in the fun and steamy New Adult trilogy by Noelle August (authors Veronica Rossi and Lorin Oberweger) features two aspiring musicians who must choose between their careers…and their sizzling attraction for each other. Playing the occasional club gig just isn’t cutting it for twenty-two-year-old cellist Skyler Canby, who’s trying to support herself and her mother back home in Kentucky. Persuaded by her best friend Beth to accompany her on an audition for the first feature film launched by Blackwood Entertainment, she figures why not? Beth’s a shoe-in for the lead, but maybe Skyler’s newly dyed pink hair will help her stand out enough to score a small speaking part. Never in her wildest dreams does Skyler imagine she’ll land the lead role or that she’ll have her shoes knocked off her feet by the kiss her audition partner, Grey Blackwood, plants on her—a kiss that feels very real and not at all “acted. ” After throwing a party that causes thousands of dollars of damage to his older brother’s home, reckless musician Grey Blackwood gets roped into working off his debt on the set of his CEO brother’s newest project. Grey spends his days fetching coffee and doing odd jobs around the studio, but he lives for nights when he performs with his band. He knows if he can stay focused, success as a singer is just around the corner. But that’s tough with a distracting pink-haired girl occupying his every waking thought. Skyler and Grey have every reason to resist each other. But, like a song neither of them can get out of their minds, they have no choice but to go where the music takes them.

Skyler's Point-of-View, Chapter 20 "Good lord in a basket, it’s him all right. Grey. Illuminated by the golden lights coming on along Venice Boulevard. With suds and water sluicing off his ridiculously ripped body, cascading from his massive tattooed biceps, running down his taut muscled abdomen. His swimsuit sags dangerously low, clinging to his sturdy thighs, making, um, everything, pretty evident. And evidently pretty impressive. Probably, this would be a good time to actually speak some words, but even in a town full of hot, hot people, this is kind of stratospheric. “Yep, it’s me.” Grey reaches back to turn off the shower, which breaks the spell, so I can at least avert my gaze like a decent person. Then he rubs a towel vigorously over his gleaming body and tucks it around his waist. He has a strange look on his face—peevish, embarrassed, and it feels suddenly like we’re intruding on something. Or maybe it’s just me. I think about that moment in my trailer. His fingers on my skin. My wanting and not knowing what to want. “Uh, so, what are you up to?” I ask in an effort to win the prize for most obvious question ever. “I mean, I can see what you were up to.” Seriously, Sky? “But, uh, were you just in the water? What brings you out here?” “I’m crashing nearby. At the garage where my band rehearses.” “Really?” asks Mia. “Why?” Grey looks from me to Mia and then back to me, weighing something. Maybe whether or not he can trust us. He’s got this hot, coiled energy all the time, like he’s always holding back. Like he’s an animal caged inside a human body. “Just staying there for a few weeks.” “Because of your mom?” I ask. It was obvious from their interaction on set that there’s some bad blood there, though compared to my mom, she seems kind and thoughtful, whip-smart and curious without being overbearing. Which makes sense, given her offspring. Then I remember that Grey’s not really her offspring. He said “stepmother,” and the way he said it really answers my question. Which is good, because he doesn’t actually answer it. Instead, he gathers up his stuff—surfboard, wetsuit—and gives us a grin. “I gotta head out,” he says, as though nothing’s hanging there between us. He looks away for a second, following the path of a guy in an Obama mask as he weaves his way up the boardwalk on a ribbon-festooned unicycle. “Told some friends I’d hook up with them tonight.” “Wait,” says Mia. “So, you’re just sleeping in a garage? Like on an air-mattress or something?” Grey shrugs. “A couch. It’s okay.” “And taking freezing cold showers out on the beach? That doesn’t sound great, does it, Sky?” “No, it doesn’t,” I say, but I’m afraid of where she’s going with this. “Can’t you stay at a hotel or something?” He shakes his head. “Money’s a little tight right now. I’m giving Adam almost every penny to pay him back for the house, and I don’t really have…” Again, he goes silent, and I can feel, literally, the tension of him wanting to talk, wanting to say more to someone. Needing it. “Why don’t you come stay at our place?” Mia blurts. We have that in common. The blurting thing. “I mean, I’m just about all moved out, so there’s room.” Ay, dios. No. No. But I can’t say anything. I can’t tell my best friend, who knows I’m talking to Brooks, starting to maybe, sort of, think about where that could go, that having Grey in my apartment, so close all the time, is a very dangerous, very bad idea. Grey shakes his head. “Nah, I appreciate it, but I’m cool here. I promise. Thanks, though.” He takes a few steps toward a squat gray building with weather-beaten shutters and a tiny, shed-like garage in the back. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” “Hang on,” says Mia, pulling me along. She gives me a look, tipping her head in his direction, like she’s tapping me in for the debate. “You’re cool with it, right, Sky?” “Of course.” Not. In no way. “But it seems like he’s got it under control here. So, if—” My words disappear, though, because Grey’s pulled up the garage door, the muscles of his broad back and shoulders shifting smoothly as he thrusts the door up along its rusting track. “See?” he says, pointing to a lumpy white couch sporting what looks like a half-century’s worth of mystery stains—a perfect complement to the funk of beer and weed and sweat potent enough to make my eyes water. “Perfectly fine, right?” But, like me, he’s lousy at hiding his feelings. Even turned away to shove some empty beer cans into a garbage bag, his body language tells me everything. He doesn’t want to be here in this musty space, crowded with furniture and audio equipment, the only natural light coming in from the tiny half-moon windows set into the garage door, which faces a dim alleyway. “You should come stay with us,” I say, surprising the hell out of us both. “I mean, this is…” “It’s fine,” Grey insists. “I don’t need much, and I’m hardly ever here.” I think how different he is from Brooks, who says what he means, tells you—without hesitation—what he wants. “Come on,” says Mia. “Seriously,” he tells us. “It’s really nice of you to ask, but I’m fine. I can’t afford—” “I paid up on the place through the end of the lease,” Mia says. “You can just chip in on food and utilities. I’m sure you can manage that, right? It’s only for a few weeks. And you’d be rooming with two awesome, super hot girls. How can you say no to that?” He looks at me, and I can see he’s worried about the same things I am. Rooming together. Being too close, constantly one second away from making a really dumb choice. He’s young and too reckless for me. And a musician, on top of it all. He’s everything I don’t need sharing my space. But something tugs at me, makes me put all of those concerns aside. I see it in his smoke-gray eyes, which are so alive, so deep and full of thoughts. Some pain or fear lives there. Something that makes it so hard for him to accept. To take a simple kindness. It’s not just about me but about trusting. Anything. Seeing that, I can’t let him spend another night in this crappy place. Just…alone. "You should come home with us,” I say. 'It will be…a lot better than this, I promise.'"-- Noelle August, Bounce

NOELLE AUGUST is an anagram for Veronica Rossi and Lorin Oberweger. Just kidding, it's a pen name!

VERONICA ROSSI is the author of the New York Times Best-selling UNDER THE NEVER SKY trilogy for young adults. The books are available in more than thirty countries and the film rights have been optioned by Warner Bros.

Veronica completed undergraduate studies at UCLA and lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons. She is fond of dresses with pockets, fluffy dogs, and cheese and chocolate -- but not together.

LORIN OBERWEGER began her storytelling career by captivating her first-grade class with tales of her summers on a kibbutz in Israel.

Lorin had never been to Israel.

While teacher/parent night put an end to her first experiments in fiction, she’d already caught the bug and eventually made a career of all things story.

As a long-time independent editor and story development guru, Lorin's client successes range from small press publications to major bestselling novels. She's an award-winning author and has also worked behind the scenes as a ghostwriter on a variety of projects. Her work has received starred Kirkus reviews and glowing mentions in The New York Times.

Oh, she did get to see a kibbutz, eventually, and found out she had it pretty much right all along.

Veronica and Lorin met at a writing workshop and just knew they were destined to create awesome things together.

Question: What do you get when friends pen a story with heart, plenty of laughs, and toe-curling kissing scenes?

Answer: Noelle August, the pseudonym for renowned editor and award-winning writer Lorin Oberweger and New York Times bestselling YA author Veronica Rossi, the masterminds behind the Boomerang series.

Connect with them: Website-Twitter-Facebook Check out the series on Amazon:

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Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Celebratory Blog Tour & Review: What Pet Should I Get & Mr Brown Can Moo, Can You? (Dr Seuss)

In the Fall of 2013, an original manuscript with accompanying sketches by Dr. Seuss, aka Ted Geisel, was discovered in the La Jolla, California home of the late beloved children’s author. That complete manuscript was for the picture book, WHAT PET SHOULD I GET?, and will be published by Random House Children’s Books on July 28, 2015. It is the first original new Dr. Seuss book since the publication of the last book of Dr. Seuss’s career, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! in 1990. WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? captures the excitement of a classic childhood moment—choosing a pet—and features the brother and sister characters that Dr. Seuss drew in One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.

Hardcover, 48 pages
Expected publication: July 28th 2015 by Random House Children's Books

A never-before-seen picture book by Dr. Seuss!

This never-ever-before-seen picture book by Dr. Seuss about making up one’s mind is the literary equivalent of buried treasure! What happens when a brother and sister visit a pet store to pick a pet? Naturally, they can’t choose just one! The tale captures a classic childhood moment — choosing a pet — and uses it to illuminate a life lesson: that it is hard to make up your mind, but sometimes you just have to do it!
Told in Dr. Seuss’s signature rhyming style, this is a must-have for Seuss fans and book collectors, and a perfect choice for the holidays, birthdays, and happy occasions of all kinds.
An Editor’s Note at the end discusses Dr. Seuss’s creative process, his interest in animals, and Seussian creatures throughout his work.

Amazon * B & N * Kobo

Paperback, 32 pages
Published August 4th 2003 by Harpercollins Childs

Moo moo! Hoo hoo! Cock-a-doodle-doo! Oh, the wonderful sounds Mr. Brown can do. Now see if you can do them too! This fabulous book is ideal for teaching young children all about noises!

This delightful book forms part of the second stage in HarperCollins’ major Dr. Seuss rebrand programme. With the relaunch of 10 more titles in August 2003, such all-time favourites as How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? and Dr. Seuss’ Sleep Book boast bright new covers that incorporate much needed guidance on reading levels: Blue Back Books are for parents to share with young children, Green Back Books are for budding readers to tackle on their own, and Yellow Back Books are for older, more fluent readers to enjoy. Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? belongs to the Blue Back Book range.

Theodor “Seuss” Geisel is one of the most beloved children’s book authors of all time. His long list of awards includes Caldecott Honors for McElligot’s Pool, If I Ran the Zoo, and Bartholomew and the Oobleck, the Pulitzer Prize, and eight honorary doctorates. Works based on his original stories have won three Oscars, three Emmys, three Grammys and a Peabody. Geisel wrote and illustrated 45 books during his lifetime, and his books have sold more than 650 million copies worldwide. Though Theodor Geisel died on September 24, 1991, Dr. Seuss lives on, inspiring generations of children of all ages to explore the joys of reading. For more information about Dr. Seuss and his works, visit Seussville.com.

"Oh, the wonderful things

Mr Brown can do!

He can go like a cow.

He can go Moo Moo.

Mr Brown can do it.

How about you?"

Dr Seuss has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child my Mom read me Dr Seuss all the time and then when I became a Mom I continued reading Dr Seuss to my child.

Mr Brown Can Moo, Can You? Is one of my favorites! It is beautifully illustrated with bright colors that engage a child's attention and keeps them focused on each page. I love that there are so many different animal sounds that children can mimic and learn to associate the sounds with the animals.

When I heard there would be a blog tour for a new unpublished book by Dr Seuss....I was completely honored to be asked to join the tour. Dr Seuss's writing is rhythmic and catchy and his characters are funny and bright and inspiring to children. I hope everyone checks out this new book and helps spread the news about Dr Seuss and his phenomenal writing!!!!