Hello Again by Heather Tullis

I'm a big fan of Heather Tullis's DiCarlo Brides series with its yummy combination of family relations, suspense, and romance. I'm looking forward to when this new series is available on audiobook. In the meantime ...

Piper Daniels has one wish—to keep her little brother out of trouble—but her work schedule and a lack of activities for teens in her neighborhood complicate that mission. When she latches onto the idea of starting a community garden, it seems to answer all of her requirements. Until she realizes who owns the property she wants to use.

Reece Stone was the love of her life ten years earlier, until he left with only a phone call goodbye and no explanation. Now he’s the head of Stone Enterprises, and he’s thrilled at the chance to make amends and spend time with the woman he’s never been able to forget. He knows they can find love again, if he can melt her anger enough to give him a chance.

AMAZON


What are your plans for the weekend?

Author Interview & Giveaway - Heather Justesen

No, we're not giving away Heather Justesen ...

However, as part of the release for her new novella, Safe Haven, I got to interview her. She also writes under the pen name Heather Tullis, and I've been listening to the audiobooks of her DiCarlo Brides series--such a fun romantic suspense series. They also take place in Juniper Ridge.

As for interviews, you know me. I like to throw in some quirky questions.

1.  If you were a box of cereal, what would you be and why?

Granola, (even though that doesn't usually come in a box!) I'm a little nutty, a little flaky, sweet and a touch spicy, and I have a lot of different interests pulling my attention every-which direction.

2. Who was the funnest character to write in Safe Haven?

I loved writing Tosca. Partly because she's Southern, and I could hear her soft drawl in my head while I wrote. Oh wait, maybe it's Bo--I love the Italian scene, and the freak out about his name change. Then again, Tosca just rolls with the punches no matter what comes her way... 

 I did mention I was a little flaky, right?

3. You’re a new addition to the crayon box, what color would you be and why?

One of those swirl crayons. With lavender and pink and a soft peach (because I like lots of different things). That way people could rotate the crayon to pick a different color area depending on their mood. Or just go with what comes and enjoy the final result. Whatever the user chose, it wouldn't be boring!

4. If your cell phone rang right now, what tune would it play?

It's called A Day's Pleasure, and it sounds like going for a lighthearted stroll through the park (something I love.)  

5. What is your next project?

Well, right now I'm finishing up the long-overdue 4th book in my culinary mystery series, Eggnog & Extortion, and then I'm working on another story set in Juniper Ridge (where Bo and Tosca live just before Safe Haven starts). This one will be under my pen name, but we could easily have a cameo from Bo or Tosca (or both). When that's done I have to get back to work on my garden series, featuring the people Bo and Tosca meet in Kansas (because, again, I like to mix things up and cross characters from one series to the next!) 

Safe Haven is the fourth and last story in the Homecoming series, though not the last book using the Juniper Ridge, Colorado characters, and it's a followup to the romance/suspense book Identity where the couple meet.


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.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Author Heather Justesen on Facebook

And here's the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday Meandering

It was much busier than I thought it would have been last week. I made great progress on Swing Vote, Safe Harbors #3, until I had to work through a glitch in the ebook formatting for Torn Canvas. At least it was an educational week.

I'm trying not to think too much about next week and the release of Torn Canvas, but I did submit the audition manuscript for the audiobook. That twists my stomach as much as the release of the book. lol

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I listened to the audiobook of SEALED with Love, the second book in the DiCarlo Brides series by Heather Tullis. Besides the wonderful characterization, I'm enjoying this series so much because the romance is being served with something else. In this case, there's been a mystery of some kind--and life threatening situations.

Interesting premise to the series:
When George DiCarlo’s two daughters walk into the reading of his will, they find a big surprise–they have four sisters they never knew about–all by different mothers. The will stipulates that they work together to get his latest hotel/resort up and running and that they share a home for the first year that it’s running–he’s determined that they will all get to be good friends.

If that’s not enough, he’s picked out the perfect man for each of them, ensuring that they’ll get in each other’s way. Obviously love is bound to ensue. The daughters and their intended grooms, however, are not so amenable to his plans and where possible, fight his continued interference in their lives–which he manages to do, even from the grave.

I'm reading the novella Honesty by Carrie Butler. This book bridges the second book in the Mark of Nexus series--Courage--with the third and yet to be released book--Loyalty. The first book is Strength.

I'll be honest (haha, no pun intended). I was not a fan of Cole, the main character when I first met him in Strength. Sorry, but he's one disturbed man. Like crazy. Dangerous. And everyone seemed to treat his outrageous behavior like it wasn't that big a deal. But it was!

By the end of Strength, I'd gotten a little more sympathy for the character and by the end of Courage, he'd become a guilty pleasure. He makes me laugh--and I shouldn't. In Honesty, besides getting to see things from his point of view--and the reasons he's so messed up and dangerous--he's changing. I like the direction his character is moving. I like Cole.

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I attended a writing conference specifically for indie authors. It was a wonderful event with some great and useful classes. I always love coming away from a conference with knowledge I can put to use immediately. And my hubby even attended with me. Now is he a great sport, or what?

Because of the conference I wasn't able to get to any movies this weekend. Hubby would like to see Godzilla, and we'd both like to see Edge of Tomorrow. I'm not sure we'll see Maleficent until it's in the dollar flicks.

How was your weekend?