Hello my book lovelies and welcome to my new Friday post that will be running from now through August 9th. I will be spotlighting all of the authors and official bloggers for the Stamford Author Event, giving you a closer look at them and their books. Who knows I might have a few giveaways along the way too!
Let's meet our first Featured Friday author, Laura Howard.
Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High, and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn't until the release of a little novel called Twilight, eight years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.
Laura has been kind enough to provide me with an excerpt from her JUST published novel The Forgotten Ones, for you guys to check out!
Excerpt
"What time do your get off work?" he asked.
I turned and narrowed my eyes at him. "I close at six. Then I have to balance the register, so around six thirty."
Ethan looked down at his hands for a second, then glanced up at me through his thick lashes. "You want to get something to eat when you're done?"
I licked my lips, his dark brown eyes pulling me in. I tore my gaze away and tried to focus on the computer screen. He didn't say anything for a few moments, and I fidgeted, knowing he was watching me. When I turned towards him, his expression was so intense that my stomach somersaulted.
"Just one time," he said quietly.
"What?"
"Say yes, just one time." Ethan slowly moved behind the counter, his eyes never leaving mine.
"If you don't have a good time, fine. But, I've been trying to get you to give me a chance for years. Don't act like you didn't know."
I shook my head slightly as he approached, wanting him closer but afraid of what it would mean.
He stopped, his brow creasing. "I won't hurt you," he whispered.
His expression was so earnest my mind went blank for a moment.
"Ethan," I began, my thoughts scrambled. "You know I'd like to--"
"So say yes."
I looked up at the celiing. I was tired of always pushing him away. If I went out with him once, maybe then I could convince him too that this was a bad idea. I covered my face with my hands. "All right," I mumbled through my fingers.
"What was that?" I felt the warmth of Ethan's hands as he pulled my own away from my face.
"I said all right," I repeated, my insides fluttering.
He gathered my hands and pulled them close to his chest. His scent, clean and fresh like sun warmed denim, made my knees go weak.
With his head tilted back, he exclaimed in a mock reverent tone, "Yes! Thank you! Six-thirty on the dot. Be ready. I'm picking you up!"
About The Forgotten Ones
Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.
What is definitely no part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who cliams he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.
The lovely Laura has also graciously offered an e-copy of The Forgotten Ones for me to giveaway to a lucky reader! Contest will run through midnight 5/10/13 and I will announce the winner on next Friday's Featured Friday post.
Before we move on to our next Featured Friday author for this week, here are Laura's links so you can show her some love.
Our next featured Friday author for this week is A.M. Hargrove, a YA/NA and adult romance novel writer.
One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A.M. Hargrove, realized her life was onfast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase. Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodgeball pro and had uber quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head. Feeling a tad guilty about her near miss, A.M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what lap top out the window. She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone and hit #4 on her speed dial.
Boss: Hello
A.M.: Boss, is that you?
Boss: Why yes, A.M. who else would be answering my phone?
A.M.: Er...right. Well, I'm calling to let you know you can pick up my luxury Ford Focus at Starbucks near the interstate.
Boss: Why ever would I want to do that?
A.M.: Because I quit!
A.M. hit the end button and speed dialed her husband.
A.M.: Hi hubs, can you pick me up at Starbucks?
Hubs: Sure...Having some car trouble?
A.M.: Not at all. I don't have a car to have trouble with because I just quit my job.
Hubs: WHAT?!
A.M.: It's time for a new career and I am going to be a very famous novelist.
So began A.M. Hargrove's career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer! Her books include Kissing Fire, Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge, the series the Guardians of Vesturon (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, Beginnings, and the upcoming reEmergent) and Dark Waltz.
For more information on A.M. Hargrove and her books check out her links.
For our final sement of this week's Featured Friday we have one of the official bloggers for the Stamford Author Event, Love Between the Sheets, and the lovely sisters who mastermind it, Natalie (aka Natalie #1 for the SAE event, I'm Natalie #2), Jennifer, Dina, and honorary sister and blogger, Meagan.
Blog Name: Love Between the Sheets
Established: February 17, 2013
Bio:
We are three sisters with a life long passion for reading. We love to read, share and talk books with anyone who will listen. Reading has always played a major part in our lives. Our love of books started at a young age while cuddled up together on our mothers bed listening while she would read Judy Blume books to us and has grown from there.
Natalie - aka The Blog Boss. She is the founder and creative brains behind the blog. A nurse by day and a book junkie by night. She has a passion for books on the darker side, those that are shocking, disturbing, and oh so delicious. She loves when a book makes her palms sweat, her heart pound, and leaves her with an amazing book hangover.
Dina - The technical brains behind the blog. She loves to read paranormal romance and fantasy; anything with an angel, vampire, or a fairy and she is hooked.
Jennifer - The face behind our Facebook page. She has an affection for contemporary romances and young adult novels. Jennifer is all about the happily ever after.
Meagan - Our honorary blogger from another mother. Megan devours books at an amazing pace and is our master interviewer. She loves books that make her heart skip a beat or her lady parts a bit randy : )
From left to right: Jennifer, Dina, and Natalie.
That wraps up our first Featured Friday post for the Stamford Author's Event. Next week we will be featuring authors Beth Michelle, Liv Morris, and Danielle Torella, and will be announcing the winner of this week's giveaway.
Fabulous! I loved the post and loved the excerpt Laura Howard!
ReplyDeleteAM, it looks like you have some fabulous reads!
ReplyDeleteLady Bloggers extraordinaire, I'm looking forward to checking out your sites. Thanks!
Looks like some interesting reads.Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDelete