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

Summer Sale going on!

 

It's summer . . . it's hot . . . and we need a fun, light-hearted

sexy romance, don't we?  YES!

Available at most ebook vendors (CLICK HERE) to

download your freebie!

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

Happy Summer Solstice!

 

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.  

As promised: Favorite Historical Romance Authors

 Last entry I promised a list of favorite historical romance authors that you could easily download and print out for your TBR list.  Or your lists (plural) if you're like me, as I tend to jot titles down and then lose the list.  Hence, my house is scattered with bits of paper here and there.  Someday, I'll figure out a better way to do this . . .

In the meantime, here's my list.  These are "inspirational" authors, meaning there are no steamy scenes that may disturb some readers.  Why do I read them, although I do write steamy scenes?  Because I've found that these authors pay close attention to historical details and events, many of which are based in various time periods in American history, not just Regency England.  For me, it's a switch that I enjoy personally as I am a lover of American history and live in New England; thus I am surrounded by history on a daily basis.

I created this on Canva based on my own tastes; yours may be different.  However, I strongly urge you to try one or two -- I highly recommend Laura Frantz, Elizabeth Camden and Julie Klassen (most of Klassen's works are based in England).  

Next list will feature variations on Jane Austen, a collection of contemporary authors who've taken different spins on Austen's works.  So stay tuned and, of course . . .

HAPPY READING!

Hello! Happy Spring to You!

 It's been a while since I posted to the blog -- my bad, but Spring sucks me out of the house, away from my PC and into the garden -- or what's left of it after a winter season has its way with it.  Add to that a ton of rain in the past week or so, and the poor thing is under 6 inches of water!  

Well, I'm taking a break for a bit from that project and back to working on "Lady Caro and the Count".  If you recall, I left Romancing the Rogue in a bit of a cliffhanger with Caro fainting at the sight of Julien Alphonse Roberge, the man who tried to win her away from her second husband, the Count Roberge back in the early 1800s (you can find more details about that in the first book of The Merry Widow series, Snowbound Seductions).  

Anyway, this romance will feature a country house party, a passel of young ladies seeking betrothals and Lady Caro and the Dowager Rutherford struggling to keep up with their new clients, Julien's nieces, and the Dowager's granddaughter.  It should be great fun -- at least, that's my plan!

In the meantime, why not sign up for my newsletter to keep in touch with my progress (if any) and special sales that I post from time to time?  Easy-peasy and I don't hammer you with a daily or weekly newsletter in your box -- that's my promise to you.  Actually, you'll be happy to hear from me once a month, unless I run those specials.  

Stay tuned for my next post where I'll include

some of my favorite historical romance authors in a

cute, easy to print bookmark.

HAPPY READING, MY FRIENDS!