Let's take the chill off!

Yup, it's a tad chilly out there now and we're just into February, so I thought we could use some heat!  If you haven't already read Hold You in My Heart, get ready for some madcap, red hot fun as Amanda, a savvy, sophisticated New York gal meets up with the handsome, quiet Nate.  But wait as the sparks begin to fly between the two of them!

Available at most ebook vendor sites -- Apple, B&N, Kobo and more -- and I hope you enjoy the first book in this series.  If so, there are 4 more to enjoy!

Stay warm, stay safe and only about 32 days to Daylight Savings -- whooweeee!!!  

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.  

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! 

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!