Happy Book Birthday!

 Yes, after months of writing, rewrites and editing, Change of Heart, the fourth book in my Crescent Bay series, is now available at most ebook vendors (use the easy link in the ad to see the choices).

 

There are two elements that inspire me when beginning a new romance - the tug & pull between the heroine and hero, that mysterious chemistry that keep them at arm's length, then colliding like shooting stars.  

The other element is the group of secondary characters that surround the main characters.  Often these characters are like the spices and sauces you add to the main ingredient that gives it that culinary spark.

Can you tell I'm hungry and it's only mid-morning . . . I need my dark chocolate!

So if you've read the third book in the series, Matters of the Heart, you'll remember Lizzie and Jordan's initial meeting and their inevitable parting toward the end of the story.  I hope you'll read Change of Heart and follow Lizzie and Jordan's journey toward love.

What's coming up?  

 After a bit of a break, I'll start on the next book, a Regency romance in my new Wallflower Wonders series, featuring Lily Maitland and the former Royal Navy Commander, Gregory Clarke.  In the intervening year or so since they first met (Tantalizing), life has changed for the two, and they now find themselves in a somewhat awkward position involving an unwanted inheritance, a passel of children and other critters, as well as the possibility that they're surrounded by a hidden kingdom of fairies.   

 Enjoy Change of Heart and stay tuned for Beguiled next spring!

 

  

Catch up with Claire

 

WELCOME!

It's been awhile since I've gotten my act together and been consistent in posting, but I'm finding that I like blogging more than other social media methods.  It's like a journal where you share your thoughts and dreams and pitfalls, right?   I've decided to pare down, concentrate on my writing and take time out to share things with you.  Sure, I'll still post on FB and Instagram and Pinterest, mainly because I like them myself, but only for select reasons. 

 So what's on the agenda today?

A basic catch-up on the upcoming book in my Crescent Bay series, which is a contemporary romance series.  I'm in the final stages of editing and Change of Heart, the fourth book in the Crescent Bay series, should be released within the next two weeks!  (Do you see me doing the Happy Dance?). This story revolves around Lizzie Edwards, a bookstore owner, and Jordan Lindstrom, the older brother of Giana Lindstrom (Book #2, Straight from the Heart) and an ex-LAPD detective.  When they first meet in Matters of the Heart (Book #3), sparks fly, but Lizzie proves to be a tough cookie and so I left them at an impasse, knowing I wanted to dedicate the next book to them.

And so here's a Sneak Preview for you --

Because you've joined me in this "new" approach I'm exploring, I'm sharing this with you -- the cover for Change of Heart:  

 

 

Your opinion counts, so drop me a note and let me know what you think!  And thank you for stopping by -- we'll catch up next week.   Claire H.

 

"The only real voyage of discovery consists not in

seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." 

Marcel Proust

Welcome Spring!

 Wow, it's been too long since I last posted . . . but then again, I tend to hibernate in the winter.  Yes, I still function and don't possess a cave but my head and my heart are simply "on hold" in a matter of speaking.

Well, hibernation is over and I've enjoyed this past week of warm(er) weather and more sunshine.  However, this is New England and we're slipping back to gray skies, rain and dropping temps -- blah!  But to liven things up, I'm offering a FREEBIE sale for romance readers -- hooray!!!  

Matters of the Heart is the third novel in my Crescent Bay series set on the northeast coast of Maine and features fun characters, romance abounds and more.  Surely it will warm your heart, tease out some smiles and a few snorts and leave you wanting more.

Did I say MORE?  Well, funny I mentioned that . . . because the fourth romance is due out later in April, so stay tuned, sign up for my newsletter or follow me on social media.  

And for those romance readers who are true historical lovers, the second book in my new Regency series, The Mouse Chronicles, will come out later in the autumn of this year.  If you missed the first novel, here's more information:

Tantalizing is the first story featuring Lady Anne Winsted, who has decided to (somehow) learn to become a temptress . . . or something like that.  The question is how?  Find out more how she and her two cousins begin learning about, um, life, men and temptation!  CLICK HERE to find where Tantalizing is available!  

Well, I think that's it for the time being, but I do promise to return on a more steady basis -- unless my garden drags me under with the weeds!  Until next time -- 

“The longest journey you will make in your life

is from your head to your heart.” 

Sioux Tribal Saying

Little Tidbits about my Crescent Bay Series

Tugging on your heartstrings . . . 

Okay, Regency readers, just remember this:  I love you all and I love that you love my Regency romances!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  But my poor contemporary romances are languishing on the digital shelves . . . sigh!  :-(    Why?  I'm not sure because my beta readers and those who've reviewed them seem to like them, and I certainly enjoy writing them "almost" as much as I do my Regencies.  

So, I'm asking:  can you give them a shot?  These are not trashy stuff, I assure you.  Hey, I attended Catholic school from elementary through high school!  God forbid Sister Mary Joseph ever found out, I'd be dead meat .  . .

To start you off, my Crescent Bay series, book #1 and #2, go on sale tomorrow (May 2) through May 7 -- both will be free on Apple, B&N, Kobo and more -- here are the links for Hold You in My Heart and Straight from the Heart.  Unfortunately, Amazon will not let me reset the price to free unless I'm a "select KDP" author.  However, if you show them the offers at their competitors, I believe they'll honor the sale.

And, as so many of us Indie Authors ask, if you would leave an honest review on either or both, I would truly appreciate that.  So many of us depend upon reviews for future sales.

But now let's have a little fun, shall we? 

In Hold You, Amanda Gallagher opens a vintage home decor shop and her family members help her create various "rooms" throughout the shop.  Her cousin, Giana, creates a Boho corner (vintage hippie style) and I got the idea from a website and Justine Blakeley's book, Jungalow.  Awesome book!  Here's an example:

Takes your breath away, doesn't it?  Of course, my husband would run from the house screaming if I did this in the living room -- ha!  But I just love the bold designs and colors, especially during a dreary New England winter.  

Here's another image that inspired the side garden to Amanda's house where several scenes take place:

Not sure about the umbrella but you get the idea -- private, romantic and cool during the hot summer months.  The perfect setting for a romantic interlude, right?  

And who are Amanda Gallagher and Nate Russell?  

Sometimes a writer has images already in her head about her heroine and hero; sometimes not.  The two characters organically form as you write.  But for Amanda and Nate, I did have two distinct ideas for my characters.  Here are the posted images from Instagram:

I hope you'll give them a chance and read Hold You in My Heart.  Each time I finish a romance, I find myself a little sad to say goodbye to my characters.  If I can bring them back in the next book, great, and I think that's one reason so many authors create series -- they're reluctant to let go!  

Next blog posting will feature Giana and Ryan - completely different from Amanda and Nate, but just as much fun, in Straight from the Heart.  And naturally I'm already making notes for book #3, Heart's Journey, featuring Simone and Marc.  But in the meantime, I'm writing the final romance of my School of Sophistication, featuring Lady Caro and her long lost love, Julien Roberge, which should be ready for release in early June.  

Happy Reading!

Claire H.  

New Release is here!

 

Yes, after six years The Darcy Variations has been released for your reading pleasure!  It's been a long time in the making, often neglected in a digital drawer, waiting patiently for me to return and set it free.  My bad.  But life gets in the way while you're planning for it, right?  And that's what happened to Kate Malone and Anthony Slade (aka Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy in the 21st century).

However, they kept tap, tap, tapping at my little brain box until I pulled up the draft and dusted it off, read through what I had written back in 2017, and decided to give them my best efforts.

Stay tuned to my social media sites and here for some fun Darcy trivia questions, information about narrowboats, the tango and other fun stuff.

linktr.ee/clairehadleigh

 

 

A Pefect Summer Read!

 

I'm so happy to release Book Two in my Crescent Bay series, Straight from the Heart!  This novel features the growing relationship between Giana Lindstrom, who is Amanda Gallagher's cousin and Maid of Honor at her upcoming wedding to Nate Russell, and Ryan Cassidy, that sexy deputy sheriff and Nate's Best Man -- Amanda and Nate were the first couple in Hold You in My Heart. 

What fun characters to work with -- Ryan starts off as a smart ass, always teasing Giana and calling her 'squirt' due to her diminutive stature.  And she sasses him right back, no holds barred, having grown up with two older brothers.  But as I started writing Straight from the Heart, I decided to place Giana in a somewhat vulnerable position, a bit defeated and frustrated, career-wise, and taking some heat from her family about finding a husband, etc.  And that was the turning point for Ryan.  Despite his love 'em and leave 'em attitude, he comes to realize that she's in a delicate state of mind and spirit and thus he's forced to up his game if he's intent on winning her affections, if not her love.  Of course, there's still lots of sass between the two of them, but now the stakes are getting higher, leaving the reader hoping that they'll realize there's so much they could 'win' if they'd only connect at a deeper level.

Why not give Ryan and Giana a shot?  And, of course, there are several secondary characters appearing in this story, so you know one of the couples will be the H/H in Book Three, planned for a late winter / early spring release in 2023.  Stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter, which I tend to send out about once a month, featuring sales, updates and sometimes sneak peek at upcoming works.

Happy June & Happy Reading! 

Nate's "Slutty Brownie"

 In Hold You in My Heart, Nate Russell starts his quiet campaign to entice Amanda Gallagher during a scene where his daughter, Maddie, is present.  So his tactic needs to be subtle -- and there's something about this woman that just seems to bring out the beast in him.  Something that hasn't happened in years.  

And luck is with him because the local ice cream shop owner is a bit, shall we say "off the radar" and periodically hosts "adult only" evenings at his shop, giving special names to his concoctions.  Need I say more?  

Slutty Brownie or Slutty Sundae came up several times when I was trying to get a handle on this scene and did my search via Google.  Here are some examples I came across -- but beware!  If you're hungry or have a real sweet tooth, this could be dangerous!

This is an example of a Slutty Brownie taken from KevenandAmanda.com -- looks soooo good, doesn't it? Can you just picture Nate tempting Amanda with this? As they refer to it on their site, it's "an indulgent, outrageous, illegal in 48 states, ridiculously decadent brownie", which is how it got it's name. Now a Slutty Sundae is a bit different and, as Rosie from www.Londoner.me refers to it, it's "pure unadulterated filth!" Yes, but it's delicious filth, right?

So there you have it -- slutty ice cream. Makes you wonder why no one has come up with these concoctions and titles before, right? And my last comment: Did Nate's erotic act of eating and talking about slutty desserts win Amanda over? Well, you're just going to have to read the book! 

 HAPPY READING (AND EATING)! 

Claire H.

 

Update on My New Romance Series

An indie author wears so many hats -- writer, marketing and publicity guru (hopefully!), sometimes her own graphic designer, webmaster and more. And naturally, things fall through the cracks just as in other parts of our lives. So now that summer is little more than a memory and here in New England, we're hitting the height of 'leaf peeping season' and Halloween is only ten days away, I thought I'd mention that "Hold You in My Heart" offers a lovely summer setting with steady doses of funny, steamy scenes!

So here's Nate Russell -- 6'4" of lean muscle, turquoise blue eyes and dark, wavy hair that's a bit too long. He builds racing craft, is a single dad and has a ten-year-old daughter who he loves dearly. His only real hang-up is that he doesn't trust women, especially beautiful women as his wife up and ran off nine years ago. Trust issues, for real. But along comes Amanda Gallagher and he feels the ground under his feet slipping and sliding, not to mention she makes his motor race like a NASCAR contender!

Amanda is from the NYC area -- smart, feisty and sexy. She's also confused, frustrated and attracted to that grumpy, quiet Nate Russell whose sending all her lady parts into a tap dance! And how the heck does he make eating ice cream an erotic act? Join the fun as Amanda and her BFFs tangle with the hunky Maine men in this new series!  And book #2,"Straight from the Heart" will release later next spring!

Happy Reading and, as always, an honest online review

is most welcome!  Thanks for stopping by and don't 

forget to sign up for my newsletter!

Happy Book Birthday!

 

 

A new series begins way up on the coast of Maine as the sassy, sexy women of New York invade the quiet coastal village of Crescent Bay.

Runaway bride?  Check.

Tall, dark and handsome guy in work boots and tool belt?  Check.

Lots of fun characters to keep you laughing?  But of course!   

Available at most ebook retailers for only $1.99!

 Happy Hot Summer Reading!

New Romance Series in the Works

 It's been quite a few months since my last post -- my apologies!  Do you find the pandemic wreaking havoc with your sense of time?  Sometimes I have to stop and look at the calendar in my writing cave, and I've started wearing a wrist watch again!  And now that spring has finally sprung here in New England, I'm finding my attention levels drifting away from the writing, wanting to dig in the dirt and plant things.  

So I'm trying to stay on track by building some boards on Pinterest for "Hold You in My Heart", the first romance in my Crescent Bay, Maine series.  For starters, here are a few pics of how I envision Nate Russell, the hero.  He's a master carpenter and excels in creating custom millwork for boats, as well as racing sculls for crew teams throughout the country.  

What does Nate Russell look like?  Tall, muscular, tan with thick dark hair and eyes the color of the ocean; tends to wear his hair longer than most . . . 

This handsome guy is the Italian actor, Giulio Berruti.  Very popular on Pinterest, so you can check out my board on Nate Russell to find other pics!  

 Next up:  my heroine, Amanda Gallagher.  In the meantime, why not sign up for my newsletter and find out about release dates, sneak previews of covers and sales?  Also, here's a link to the first "romance snippet" for "Hold You in My Heart". 

Happy Reading and Enjoy!

 
 

It's Carnevale in Venice!

Direct Links to Major Vendors here (excluding Amazon):

Barnes & Noble Nook

Apple iBook

Kobo

Scribd

Angus & Robertson

And More

There's still time!

Life getting hectic?

Freebie for the Holiday!

Click on the image for links to get PDQ (excludes Kindle) --  Includes an excerpt from the second in the series, "Sweet Binding Love," which just released on November 14!

And honest reviews are always welcome!

New Release Available!

It's here!  Thanks for your patience while I put the

finishing touches to Lacey and Dante's story -- a light, sexy romance

set in the beautiful city of Venice, Italy!

Just click on the cover for all ordering links!

Or, if you prefer, here are the links if you're interested in purchasing at select sites:

BARNES & NOBLE

APPLE iBOOKS

AMAZON

KOBO

ANGUS & ROBERTSON (Australia)

OTHER

And don't forget the first novella in the series:  Love Long Overdue,

featuring Adam Cameron, the hot Scotsman who's determined to win over

the feisty Gina Bradshaw -- another fun, light and sexy read!

Click on the cover for all ordering links!

I hope you enjoy these romances -- a great way to relax for a few hours, de-stress

during the upcoming holidays.  And if you could leave a review, I would

truly appreciate your time in doing so.

Warm regards,

Claire H.

A few more weeks!

A change in the title -- wanted something that didn't imply S&M?! Ha! -- but otherwise, on track for November release.  If you haven't signed up for my newsletter, please use the link above on the tab line.  Thanks!

It's coming!

Busy working on the second romance novella under the "Mr. Librarian" umbrella!  This time we land in Venice, Italy and our hot librarian is Dante Alessandro -- tall, dark and a former soccer star, to boot.

Lacey Whittaker is recovering from a traumatic incident and, using her great-grandmother's travel journal from 1925, she is making her way through Europe.  But landing in "La Serenessima" has her deciding to stay longer while the hot Alessandro repairs the delicate journal.  

Can he also repair Lacey's heart?  Anticipated release date?  November 1st!  But in the meantime, why not pick up Love Long Overdue, the first in the "Mr. Librarian" series for only 99 cents!

Available at these sites!

New Release!

NEW Release -- Book #1 of a new series!

All librarians wear cardigans, sensible shoes and glasses, right?  Think again.

Gina Bradshaw has kept her heart under lock and key for years.  Casual relationships have been the norm until the new librarian comes to town.  Now she's fighting against every instinct to keep her heart intact and stumbling headlong into the hot Scots' arms, determined that this is just another summer fling.  But Adam Cameron, lean-muscled, tall and handsome as sin, knows that Gina is The One from the first moment he sees her.  Now all he has to do is convince her that he's right. But the lass is proving to be obstinate.  All the better as he likes nothing more than a challenge, especially when the goal is not only taking her to bed, but wedding her, too.
Order here

So darn hard!

It's tough trying to write, revise and edit a book in the midst of summer . . . ugh.  It's so darn beautiful out there in the sun and the garden with the roses and clematis and the morning glory vines and the green, green grass -- well, you get the picture, I'm sure.

In the midst of winter it's so much easier to hole up in my writing cave / craft studio and hunker down for hours on end, then retreat to the fireplace with a glass of wine to do revising.  Yesterday when the temperature hit over 95, one of my daughters texted to come spend the afternoon at her pool.  

Hmmm . . . let me see:  sit in the lower level of my house and write -- OR -- go swimming in a beautiful in-ground pool and enjoy my children's company.  Which will it be?  Bingo!  Off to the pool, laptop turned off, lights out!  

So I'm confessing to you, my readers, that "Love Long Overdue" may be a bit overdue then the predicted date of release.  But I'll continue to push through, mainly because I'm so enjoying writing this romance.  I've come to love Gina and Adam (yes, I think I changed their names again) and how they ultimately come together in a HEA.

As promised -- cover reveal to come soon!  And if you haven't already signed up for my newsletter, please do so here for updates, sales alerts, etc.

"A book is like a garden carried in the pocket."

Chinese Proverb

Watch for it!

Want to find out more?  Sign up for my newsletter --  

and I promise not to stuff your mailbox either!