THE BEST LAID PLANS Book Tour Grand Finale

Posted on by vastine7

A themed tour through Prism Book Tours.

We’re blitzing the GRAND FINALE for
The Best Laid Plans
By Amy Vastine

Did you get to know the youngest of the Everheart sisters, Emma, in this sweet Harlequin Heartwarming book? If not, go back and check out the tour stops now!
Launch – Intro to The Best Laid Plans

The Best Laid Plans features Emma as she sets her sights on meeting Dr. Right. Everything about her plan seems to be working except for one glitch – she’s falling in love with a handsome, spontaneous paramedic instead.

JoJo’s Corner – Review

“This story was a wonderful reminder that life doesn’t always turn out the way we planned or expected, but sometimes that can be a good thing…a very good thing. . . . If you love soul-stirring romance with a sprinkle of humor and fun- don’t miss this one!”

J.R. Richardson Fics – Excerpt & Review

Charlie and his extra-wide smile came over to congratulate the happy couple. He was Max’s only friend in the city besides Kendall. Emma knew him from the hospital. He was the paramedic all the triage nurses flirted with when he brought someone into the ER. Emma could admit there was something attractive about his dark brown hair and green eyes that were always smiling.

“It’s no secret, I adore Amy’s writing. This series is so much fun. Her personality shines through every page and her characters make me want to call my family up and tell them how much I love them despite our differences.”

Deal Sharing Aunt – Songs that Inspired The Best Laid Plans
I love to take a song and imagine what the rest of the story might be. Sometimes I only need one line to catch my attention. That was how The Best Laid Plans came to be. It was inspired by two songs. . . . The first one is Justin Timberlake’s “Not a Bad Thing”.

Southern Chelle – Review & Excerpt

“I loved Charlie in “The Better Man” and was quite surprised to find him falling hard for The Nightingale. I love Amy Vastine’s writing, style, and characters so far. I can’t wait for Chicago Sisters #3 and learn more about Lucy and her life.”

The closer she got, the warmer he felt. He practiced greeting her in his head, trying to sound cool. Then she smiled and he lost the ability to speak.

Letters From Annie (Douglas) Lima – Luck of the Irish

Charlie doesn’t need luck, though. Luck doesn’t win you love. Charlie gets the girl because of who he chooses to be each and every day. Sometimes we have a little bit more control over our destiny than we think. Don’t chase the rainbow, looking for the pot of gold. BE the rainbow and the pot will come to you!

Wishful Endings – Interview

1. What is your favorite thing about the Chicago Sisters Series?

I am the only girl in a family of three. I have always wondered what it would be like to grow up with two sisters instead of two brothers. These stories allowed me to pretend. I am envious of sisters who have built-in friends in each other. The Everhart sisters are friends as well as family and even though the stories focus is on the romance, the sisters are special to me!

i blog 4 books – Review

I absolutely adored The Best Laid Plans! I was immediately drawn into the story and couldn’t get enough! After reading The Better Man, I enjoyed picking up with Emma and seeing her fall in love.

Plans 2“It’s fine, just cold.” Charlie reached over and pressed her hand and the ice pack back against his face. She was so close that it made his heart beat faster. Thank goodness he wasn’t hooked up to any machines that would’ve given him away.

“The romance is so sweet and the story has a lot of action and humor as well. The characters are very well-developed…too bad they aren’t real! You’ll totally fall in love with this book! It is definitely one you need to add to your TBR piles. Put it on the top!”

The Written Adventure – Excerpt

“You know the cute paramedic?” Tessa’s interest in Charlie was bothersome, and that in and of itself was even more bothersome. Charlie could date whomever he wanted. It shouldn’t matter to Emma one bit.

“I was immediately drawn into the story and fell in love with all of the characters. . . . I enjoyed the family-oriented feel to the story and camaraderie that Charlie has with his co-workers. I loved the chemistry and the realizations that are made. This is recommended to all those readers who love a good, clean, fun romance.”

Getting Your Read On – Review & Excerpt

“I fell in love with Charlie long before Emma did. Haha. He is awesome and so, so, so incredibly patient.”

Charlie faced her, that easy smile on his face. “I love the new look, Nightingale,” he said without hesitation. “You look gorgeous.”

I Am A Reader – Meet Emma Everhart
plans

Emma is the youngest of the Everhart sisters, who all star in the Chicago Sisters series. Emma is a nurse, like her mother before her. She works in the ER of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chicago. Emma is bright and determined. She knows what she wants and always gets it.

Colorimetry – Meet Charlie Fletcher

Charlie Fletcher is my favorite hero so far. He’s a six foot four, green-eyed, fun-loving paramedic who wears his heart on his sleeve. There really isn’t anything not to love about him.

The Best Laid Plans (Chicago Sisters, #2)The Best Laid Plans

(Chicago Sisters #2)
Amy Vastine
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback, 368 Pages

March 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming

She planned on falling in love. Just not with him!

Emma Everhart’s life is going according to plan. Finish nursing school with flying colours… Check. Get a great job in the ER… Check. Marry a handsome doctor and have two babies, three years apart… Not quite yet. But with a dreamy new doctor joining the hospital staff, she’s so close she can almost taste the wedding cake. Now is not the time to let the tall, dark and flirtatious paramedic Charlie Fletcher distract her! He may be the best date and best kiss she’s ever had, but he’s definitely not part of her plan. No matter how he makes her feel…


The Better Man (Chicago Sisters)The Better Man
(Chicago Sisters #1)
by Amy Vastine

Adult Romance 

Harlequin Heartwarming

January 1st 2014

Kendall Montgomery’s six-year-old son has barely spoken in the past year, locked in his world of silent grief. Then one day, he spots his dead father across a crowded street.
Max Jordan moved to Chicago to be closer to his own son and prove he can be a better father than his deadbeat dad. His striking resemblance to Kendall’s husband and his track record with fatherhood make her determined to keep her distance…until Max helps her little boy come out of his shell. But can she trust him with their future? How can she be sure he won’t take off just when they need him most?


Author picAmy Vastine has been plotting stories in her head for as long as she can remember. An eternal optimist, she studied social work, hoping to teach others how to find their silver lining. Now, she enjoys creating happily ever afters for all to read.

In September of 2012, she saw a tweet about Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest. She entered, hoping for nothing more than a little feedback from some people in the business. Amazingly, The Weather Girl made it into the semi-finals, thanks to the many wonderful voters out there! The manuscript didn’t make t to the finals, but the editors over Harlequin were still interested. A few revisions later and The Weather Girl was contacted for publication with Harlequin Heartwarming – a dream come true!
Amy lives outside Chicago with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, three fun-loving children, and their sweet but mischievous puppy dog.

Tour-Wide Giveaway

– $50 Amazon gift card & signed paperback of The Best Laid Plans (ebook if international winner)
– 5 copies of The Best Laid Plans (paperback to US winners and ebooks to international winners) and Chicago swag and Sweet and Heartwarming Bracelet for (US winners only)
Ends March 29th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prism Book Tours

THE BEST LAID PLANS Book Blog Tour Has Begun!

Posted on by vastine7

A themed tour through Prism Book Tours.

We’re Launching the BOOK TOUR for
The Best Laid Plans
By Amy Vastine

Get to know the baby of the Everheart sisters, Emma,
in this sweet Harlequin Heartwarming book.

Intro toThe Best Laid Plans

The Best Laid Plans is the second book in the Chicago Sisters Series, which follows the three Everhart sisters, Lucy, Kendall, and Emma. All three sisters live in the Lincoln Park area, and even though the story has a big city backdrop, the focus is still on family and community. These sisters always have one another’s backs, even though they couldn’t be any different. Funny how siblings can be raised in the same family but develop such separate identities! Lucy is the strong-willed, fanatical health-nut who takes up any cause she deems worthy. Middle-child Kendall is the shy artist, whose loyalty knows no bounds. Emma is the confident baby of the family who believes she has her entire life mapped out.

The Best Laid Plans features Emma as she sets her sights on meeting Dr. Right. Everything about her plan seems to be working except for one glitch – she’s falling in love with a handsome, spontaneous paramedic instead. Charlie wants to find someone who wants more than just friendship or a few dates. When he sets his sights on Emma, their chemistry is undeniable. What he can’t figure out is why she keeps denying it! Making plans is all well and good, but what Emma fails to realize is love doesn’t care about plans.

The Best Laid Plans (Chicago Sisters, #2)The Best Laid Plans
(Chicago Sisters #2)
Amy Vastine
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback, 368 Pages
March 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming

She planned on falling in love. Just not with him!

Emma Everhart’s life is going according to plan. Finish nursing school with flying colours? Check. Get a great job in the ER? Check. Marry a handsome doctor and have two babies, three years apart? Not quite yet. But with a dreamy new doctor joining the hospital staff, she’s so close she can almost taste the wedding cake. Now is not the time to let the tall, dark and flirtatious paramedic Charlie Fletcher distract her! He may be the best date and best kiss she’s ever had, but he’s definitely not part of her plan. No matter how he makes her feel …

The Better Man (Chicago Sisters)The Better Man
(Chicago Sisters #1)
by Amy Vastine
Adult Romance
Harlequin Heartwarming
January 1st 2014

Kendall Montgomery’s six-year-old son has barely spoken in the past year, locked in his world of silent grief. Then one day, he spots his dead father across a crowded street.

Max Jordan moved to Chicago to be closer to his own son and prove he can be a better father than his deadbeat dad. His striking resemblance to Kendall’s husband and his track record with fatherhood make her determined to keep her distance?until Max helps her little boy come out of his shell. But can she trust him with their future? How can she be sure he won’t take off just when they need him most?

Tour-Wide Giveaway

– $50 Amazon gift card & signed paperback of The Best Laid Plans (ebook if international winner)
– 5 copies of The Best Laid Plans (paperback to US winners and ebooks to international winners) and Chicago swag and Sweet and Heartwarming Bracelet for (US winners only)
Ends March 29th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prism Book Tours

THE BEST LAID PLANS Release Day

Posted on by vastine7

It’s been a pretty amazing weekend so far. My daughter’s middle school dance team took home the title of Grand Champions last night at Chicago’s JamFest (forgive me for the Proud Mama moment!) The girls were incredible and it was nice to see all their hard work pay off. I know a thing or two about reaping the benefits of some hard work. There’s nothing quite like holding a book that I wrote in my hands. I’m pretty sure it will never, ever get old. I certainly hope I never take it for granted.

9780373367177

Today, I’m celebrating the release of my third book, the second in the Chicago Sisters series. The Best Laid Plans took a good three months to write, much of my summer was spent typing away. It originally was going to be a little tragic. I opted not to make people bawl their eyes out and switch up the storyline. My editor and I went back and forth about there being a love triangle and I watched several episodes of Chicago Fire to get a feel for what it’s like in a Chicago firehouse (or at least what people will believe goes on).

If you read The Better Man, then you have already met Emma and Charlie. Charlie is a paramedic who lives below Max Jordan, the hero in the first novel. He’s a fun-loving, easy-going, nice guy. He’s the kind of guy who knows how to make everyone around him smile. He’s a charmer who hasn’t been very lucky when it comes to love, however. He hopes all that will change when he decides to pursue Emma Everhart.

Emma is the younger sister of Kendall from The Better Man. Emma is an ER nurse who believes she has figured out how to have the perfect life. She carefully plans out what should happen and, as long as she sticks to the plan, everything turns out exactly the way she wants it to. If she tries to change the plans, however, her world tends to fall apart. Emma does not like changing her plans. So, when the plan is to marry a doctor and a handsome new intern comes to work in the ER, Emma is certain everything will turn out as it should. Until Charlie makes her feel something she thought she’d only feel for the man in her plan.

The Best Laid Plans has a huge cast of characters. I hope you enjoy getting to know the doctors and nurses in the ER as well as the men and women at the Lincoln Park firehouse. You also meet Charlie’s crazy family and catch up with Kendall and Max and the rest of the Everhart gang.  

Most of all, you get to read about how love is the only thing that can override the best laid plans.

Here’s a little excerpt:

Standing out like a sore thumb amongst all the servers dressed in black stood Max’s neighbor, Charlie. He was a giant, probably six foot four, and had on jeans and a Chicago Cubs T-shirt. Charlie taking the boys was not part of the plan.
“I thought Lucy and I were going to take them back to Kendall’s?”

“Charlie offered to watch them at my place,” Max said as if it was no big deal.

Charlie and his extra-wide smile came over to congratulate the happy couple. He was Max’s only friend in the city besides Kendall. Emma knew him from the hospital. He was the paramedic all the triage nurses flirted with when he brought someone into the ER. Emma could admit there was something attractive about his dark brown hair and green eyes that were always smiling.

“But that wasn’t the plan,” she said, unable to let it go.

“The plans changed, Nightingale. Is that okay?” Charlie asked. The way he looked at her made her stomach feel weird.

“Someone could have texted,” she said to Max, who was oblivious to her frustration.

“Let’s not make a big deal about this,” Lucy said, bumping Emma with her hip and glaring.

This was Kendall’s night. Emma needed to pull it together. Plans changed. Not her plans, but other people changed their plans all the time. Roll with it, she told herself.

“You can come over and help me get them to bed if you want. Floor Three has the good cable. All the movies we want at the touch of a button.” Floor Three was Charlie’s nickname for Max because he lived on the third floor of their three-flat. Charlie had a thing for nicknaming everyone he met. It was weird but oddly cute at the same time.

His invitation threw her off for a second. His eyes were locked on hers, still smiling but so intense. He had this way of making her feel as if there was no one else in this world he wanted to be looking at other than her.

Her face warmed. “I have to work tomorrow. Maybe it’s best you’ve got them.”

“Another time, maybe.”

“Maybe.” Maybe not. There was only one thing Emma knew for sure—Charlie Fletcher was not part of any of her plans. No matter how those eyes made her feel.

Ready to give it a go?

Buy the paperback: 
HARLEQUIN

Ebook available:
HARLEQUIN
AMAZON
BARNES AND NOBLE

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo,
Signature

Cover Reveal – Cookie Cutter by Jo Richardson

Posted on by vastine7

Before I get the the big reveal, I need to announce the winner of the copy of The Best Laid Plans from the last post. The winner is Aimee Brown! If Aimee could please contact me via the contact form on this site, I will send you your copy right away!

Now, the real reason for this post … I am so excited to participate in the cover reveal for the second novel by Jo Richardson. She is an amazing writer with so much heart and wit. I can’t wait to read this book. Without further ado, here’s the cover!

coverfinalcovercookiecutter copy

Iris Alden and Carter Blackwood couldn’t be more different. Change-averse Iris likes her life neat and organized, while Carter’s itchy feet mean he doesn’t plan to stay in the same place for long.

When Carter moves into the house across the street from Iris, to renovate it, she fights the disruption it causes in her life.Before long, though, it’s not simply the house Carter’s rebuilding, but Iris’s heart, too.

Cookie Cutter

Author: Jo Richardson

Publisher: Little Bird Publishing

Genre: Contemporary RomCom

Release date: March 23, 2015

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24974934-cookie-cutter

Teaser:

“What are you doing here?”

It’s Carter freaking Blackwood. Of course.

He smiles that ridiculously bright, white smile of his and lets out a soft snicker. “I’m fixing a floor for a friend, what are you doing here?”

It’s completely obvious what I’m doing here, seeing as I’m carrying two huge trays of sugar cookies in my arms.

“A friend? You just moved in. How do you have friends already?” I say it a bit harsher than I probably should but honestly, how does he have friends already?  James and I were here a good six months before people started really talking to me.  It was a year before I could call any of them friends. The edges of Carter’s mouth turn down and his head dips to one side as his shoulders hunch then settle.

“People like me, I guess.”

The smug look on his face is enough to make me want to slap it.  Or kiss it.

Wait. Not kiss it. I didn’t mean kiss it. Why am I staring at his lips?

“People who don’t want to kill me that is.  Are you okay?”

I blink, and search my brain, but I’m still not quite sure what to say to him, so I extend my arms. “I brought cookies.” As soon as I say the words, I hear them. I sound ridiculous and Carter’s bright eyes crinkle with amusement.

He closes his lids and he breathes the baked goods in. Then hums. The sound of his voice sends a vibration through me and I shiver. I am eternally grateful that he doesn’t see it happen.

His eyes open slowly. When they reach mine, I’m glued to his stare like a deer in headlights.

“Those cookies smell really fucking good, Iris.”

The bedroom eyes catch me off guard and my mouth falls open so I snap it shut. I’m a buffoon with no ability to speak.

“Can I have one?” He reaches out and I balance the platter with one hand, then slap his fingers with the other while I find words. A word that is.

“No.”

“Ow.” He pulls his hand away, like a child getting reprimanded, only when we make eye contact again, he doesn’t seem child like to me.

I wouldn’t say he’s angry. He doesn’t exactly laugh, either. And his eyes gleam as he stares at me. I hate his eyes almost as much as I hate his teeth. Maybe more. Dammit, I’m staring, again.

“They’re for Ally’s class,” I tell him. “Fundraiser, I mean bake sale.” I fumble my words. He’s so frustrating.

Other works by Jo:

Cursed be the Wicked, a paranormal mystery romance, released March 2014 through Soul Mate Publishing

AMAZON | B&N | GOODREADS

Lost in Christmas, a short story included in Soul Mate Publishing’s 2013 Christmas anthology

AMAZON | GOODREADS

About Jo:BIO PIC

A movie fanatic, a writer of stories, a lover of life.

Jo grew up in Maryland with four siblings, three parents and an endless number of cousins within the vicinity – but it was too cold up North for this thin blooded girl. So today, she lives in Florida with her two girls and a husband that shares her same sense of humor and basic take on life as we know it.

Life is too short to put dreams on the back burner.

Jo tells contemporary stories with romance, humor, the supernatural, the paranormal, suspense, mystery, action and anything else she can think up.

In 2012, she wrote Cursed be the Wicked, a character driven, paranormal mystery romance that was picked up by Soul Mate Publishing and released in March of 2014. Since then, Jo has also written a couple of short stories and her recently contracted contemporary romantic comedy, entitled Cookie Cutter, is set to release on March 23, 2015 through Little Bird Publishing.

Social Media:

WEBSITE: http://jrrichardsonfics.weebly.com

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/author/jrrichardsonfics

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/JRRichardsonAuthor

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/jofictionfreak

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/JRRichardson

Huge Valentine Giveaway

Posted on by vastine7

Heartwarming giveaway
I am so excited to announce this amazing giveaway that the Heartwarming authors have put together! We have five prize packs to give away and hope you’ll enter over and over until Valentine’s Day. The ladies of Harlequin Heartwarming are fantastic storytellers and I am so happy to be a part of this group of writers.

Check out the incredible list of books in this giveaway:
Back to McGuffey’s by Liz Flaherty
Once a Marine by Loree Lough
After the Silence by Rula Sinara
Return to Pelican Inn by Dana Mentink
Christmas, Actually by Anna Adams, Anna J. Stewart, and Melinda Curtis
An Act of Love by Marion Ekholm
Mountains Apart by Carol Ross
A League of Her Own by Karen Rock
If I Loved You by Leigh Riker
In My Dreams by Muriel Jensen
Honeysuckle Bride by Tara Randel
Matthew’s Choice by Patricia Bradley
The Parent Trap by Lee McKenzie
Eva’s Deadline by Linda Hope Lee
An Unlikely Rancher by Rox Denny Fox
Melinda Curtis is offering up any one of her novels in the Harmony Valley series including her upcoming March release, One Perfect Year
A Child’s Christmas by Kate James
The Better Man by Amy Vastine

Each winner gets four books and some Valentine chocolate. The grand prize winner will also receive a gorgeous bouquet of roses from us! Did I mention we’re also giving away chocolate?

To sweeten the deal, if you comment here and enter the Rafflecopter, I’ll send one lucky commenter a signed copy of my new Heartwarming title The Best Laid Plans coming out in March!

The rafflecopter won’t post on WordPress so head HERE to enter over at the Heartwarming blog!

9780373367177

She planned on falling in love. Just not with him!

Emma Everhart’s life is going according to plan. Finish nursing school with flying colours… Check. Get a great job in the ER… Check. Marry a handsome doctor and have two babies, three years apart… Not quite yet. But with a dreamy new doctor joining the hospital staff, she’s so close she can almost taste the wedding cake. Now is not the time to let the tall, dark and flirtatious paramedic Charlie Fletcher distract her! He may be the best date and best kiss she’s ever had, but he’s definitely not part of her plan. No matter how he makes her feel…

 

 

 

Happy New Year!

Posted on by vastine7

happy new yearI can’t believe another year has come and gone. What a year it was! 2014 was filled with some pretty amazing experiences for me. My first novel was published one year ago yesterday. The Weather Girl was beginning of this wild ride I hope I never have to get off. I spent the rest of the year writing, writing, writing. I managed to submit three more books to Harlequin this year – that was no easy feat. Having never worked on a deadline before, I wasn’t sure I was going to do it. Thanks to a couple extensions, I got all three manuscripts in before the year was done. The Chicago Sisters series has been a labor of love. The Better Man was published in September. The Best Laid Plans is coming in March and The Hardest Fight will be out sometime in the fall.

I’ve learned so much this year, met so many incredible people, and appreciate all the support I’ve been given from readers, friends, family, and other authors. I’ve learned that it’s important to manage your time effectively. I spent more late nights/early mornings trying to finish and polish my manuscripts than I care to admit. Setting daily/weekly writing goals and meeting them will be one of my goals for 2015. I also learned that there’s always something more to learn. Whether it’s research for a story or about how to write a better story – I certainly don’t know everything. Not even close. I love that there are so many resources out there. I’ve discovered some wonderful author and writing blogs. Attending the RWA National conference was one of the highlights of my year. I got to sit in several workshops and hear from some amazing authors with way more experience than me. They gave some great advice on how to show not tell. Hopefully, what I’ve learned will translate into even better novels. Only time will tell.

So, what’s next? I have a few ideas floating through my head. I’ve begun jotting down some storylines and hope to submit some proposals soon. My love of music and gorgeous rockstars has me wanting to write about a guy with a guitar. We’ll see what happens!IMG_1780

For now, my focus will be on getting ready for the release of The Best Laid Plans. I’ve seen the cover but can’t share it just yet. I did see that Amazon has the back of the book blurb, so that I will share!

She planned on falling in love. Just not with him!

Emma Everhart’s life is going according to plan. Finish nursing school with flying colors… Check. Get a great job in the ER… Check. Marry a handsome doctor and have two babies, three years apart… Not quite yet. But with a dreamy new doctor joining the hospital staff, she’s so close she can almost taste the wedding cake. Now is not the time to let the tall, dark and flirtatious paramedic Charlie Fletcher distract her! He may be the best date and best kiss she’s ever had, but he’s definitely not part of her plan. No matter how he makes her feel…

Oh, I love Charlie so much and I can’t wait for everyone to get to know him better. If you read The Better Man, you’ve met Charlie and Emma, but there is so much more fun to be had. You also get to see what’s happening with Kendall and Max since their story finished. Writing a series makes it easy for me to keep some of my favorite characters alive. I do have a Pinterest board with a few photos used for inspiration if you are interested!

You can pre-order the ebook on Amazon or wait until March 1st for the paperback on Harlequin.com!

Happy New Year everybody. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for what’s next!

xoxo,
Signature

P.S. I’ll be in big trouble if I don’t wish my dad a happy birthday. He’s celebrating #66 this year!!  Happy birthday, Dad!

THE BETTER MAN Blog Tour Launch!

Posted on by vastine7
A Themed Tour through Prism Book Tours.
We’re excited to be launching the BOOK TOUR for
The Better Man by Amy Vastine!
The Better Man, which is the beginning of the new Chicago Sisters Series, is set in the busy city of Chicago, but is full of family, friendship, and love. It’s also from the clean romance Heartwarming line of books from Harlequin. Scroll on down to read a little about this book and series and to read an exclusive excerpt! We hope you enjoy the tour!
September Tour Schedule
 
28 – Grand Finale
The Better Man (Chicago Sisters)The Better Man
by Amy Vastine
Adult Romance
Harlequin Heartwarming

January 1st 2014

Kendall Montgomery’s six-year-old son has barely spoken in the past year, locked in his world of silent grief. Then one day, he spots his dead father across a crowded street.Max Jordan moved to Chicago to be closer to his own son and prove he can be a better father than his deadbeat dad. His striking resemblance to Kendall’s husband and his track record with fatherhood make her determined to keep her distanceÖuntil Max helps her little boy come out of his shell. But can she trust him with their future? How can she be sure he won’t take off just when they need him most?

An Intro to The Better Man and an Exclusive Excerpt

The Better Man is the first book in the Chicago Sisters Series, which introduces us to the three Everhart sisters, Lucy, Kendall, and Emma. All three sisters live in the Lincoln Park area, and even though the story has a big city backdrop, the focus is still on family and community. These sisters always have one another’s backs, even though they couldn’t be any different. Funny how siblings can be raised in the same family but develop such separate identities! Lucy is the strong-willed, fanatical health-nut who takes up any cause she deems worthy. Middle-child Kendall is the shy artist, whose loyalty knows no bounds. Emma is the confident baby of the family who believes she has her entire life mapped out. The Better Man features Kendall and her son, Simon. Book Two, The Best Laid Plans, is Emma’s story and scheduled to come out in March 2015. Lucy’s story is told in the third book, with the working title, The Better Fight, and should be out at the end of 2015.

Here’s a little excerpt of the three sisters in action:

“And I am now, officially, the meanest mommy. Ever.”

Lucy put a hand on her sister’s head. “Oh boy. Just remember every mom has felt like that at one point in time. I know I crowned Mom the meanest when I was little. She was a repeat winner of the title for years.”

Kendall let out a breathy laugh. “I remember you being much meaner to her than she ever was to you.”

“Of course I was. I’m meaner than everyone,” Lucy said, unashamed.

“I still love you, though.” Kendall got up and grabbed a large bowl off the top of the refrigerator. From the pantry, she pulled out three bags of Halloween candy and tossed them on the kitchen table.

“You really shouldn’t give out candy. I could have brought over a whole bushel of organic apples.”

“We are not going to be that house.”

The two sisters opened and emptied the bags into the bowl. Lucy offered to help with dinner. Kendall had bought the ingredients for chili and no one chopped vegetables better than Lucy. Kendall set her up on the cutting board with an onion and some peppers.

“It’s better that you rip the Max Band-Aid off now rather than later,” Lucy said while they cooked. “Simon will get over it. So will you. It’s always better to be the one who walked away instead of the one left behind.”

“Which one were you again?” Kendall asked, recognizing that Lucy’s guard was down.

“Ha-ha. Iíve been both. At the same time,” she added. “Now, stop making this about me.”

“You love when things are about you,” Emma said, joining the conversation. Dressed in her nursing scrubs and a purple witch’s hat on her head, she sat down at the table next to Lucy with a bag of cheese puffs.

Kendall held a hand over her heart. “Maybe knock next time and give a girl some warning. Isn’t it against your nurse’s training to give people heart attacks?”

“And isn’t it against your nurse’s training to put processed poison into your body?” Lucy added. She snatched the cheese puffs out of her sister’s hands and walked them over to the garbage.

“Hey!” Emma sprung to her feet. “I was eating those! I haven’t eaten all day.”

“Another reason you shouldn’t eat them. Your body needs fuel, not intestine-destroying acids.”

“Uh-oh, who’s eating junk food in front of Lucy?” Kendall’s mom popped her head into the kitchen. “Girls, don’t fight over food.” She took the bag away from Lucy and handed it back to Emma, who scrunched up her face and pursed her lips at her sister.

“It’s your body,” Lucy relented. “Sorry for trying to protect it.”

Their dad followed behind their mom and gave Lucy a hug. “You’re a good big sister, but never throw away someone’s cheese puffs.”

“I’m coming over tomorrow and helping Mom throw away all your junk food. We’re putting you on a diet.”

“What?” He looked at his wife for confirmation.

 Maureen’s shoulders slumped and she glared at Lucy. “I wasn’t going to tell him what we were doing. If you don’t tell him, he doesn’t miss it. When you tell him, he gets all worked up.”
Amy Vastine has been plotting stories in her head for as long as she can remember. An eternal optimist, she studied social work, hoping to teach others how to find their silver lining. Now, she enjoys creating happily ever afters for all to read.
Amy lives outside Chicago with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, three fun-loving children, and their sweet but mischievous puppy dog.

Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

Tour-Wide Giveaway

– Gift Card Grand Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card and a signed paperback (US) or ebook (INT) of The Better Man

– US Grand Prize: Signed paperback of The Better Man plus swag (shown above)

– 5 copies of The Better Man (paperback for US and ebooks for INT)
– Ends October 5th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Prism Book Tours

  

Release day!

Posted on by vastine7

The Better Man Final Cover

The Better Man is now available for purchase in the US and Canada.

The paperback is only available through the Harlequin website.

The ebook is available pretty much anywhere ebooks are sold. Here are the Amazon and B&N links!

Here’s a little excerpt:

Her eyes began to flutter open and, though it was absurd to think he had anything to do with her passing out, Max wanted to set her down before she came to. She looked up at him as he set her on the chair.

“Oh, God, did I die?” She was horror-stricken. Her eyes were wide and wild. “I can’t die. What about Simon!” Her hand covered her mouth.

“No, no, no, K. You’re fine. You’re alive,” Owen said, pushing Max aside and helping her sit up straight. “Mr. Jordan, here, brought you inside.”

“Mr. Jordan?”

The beautiful but somewhat strange designer rubbed her forehead and stared at Max. She was pretty enough to be forgiven for spilling her coffee all over his shoes. This time.

“Please, call me Max,” he said to both of them. This Mr. Jordan stuff made him feel uncomfortable. The only Mr. Jordan that Max ever knew was his grandfather, and his mother’s father was nothing but a mean, old man. He scanned the room. “Let me find you some water.”

The restaurant was a big, torn-apart space with nothing to offer but broken furniture and an empty bar. He decided to duck outside and spotted a Dunkin’ Donuts on the corner, down the street.

He bought Kendall water and a glazed doughnut, just in case low blood sugar really was the culprit. When he returned to the future home of Sato’s, the two designers were hugging. This was not how he expected day one to start. He waited for them to break apart before he handed over the food and drink.

The biggest, softest brown eyes stared up at him. This woman was the knockout. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a ponytail that fell halfway down her back. The navy V-neck shirt she wore accentuated the length of her neck, and her skin was the color of the cream he put in his coffee.

“I figured everyone likes glazed doughnuts. I’m a Boston cream fan myself, but some people don’t like stuff inside their doughnuts. I love vanilla pudding but hate jelly. I mean, if I want jelly, I’m going to put it on toast, not in my doughnut.”

Both designers stared and blinked, blinked and stared. They were beginning to make him self-conscious. He hadn’t had a pimple since the twelfth grade, but all their gaping had him wondering if he didn’t have a giant red bump on his nose.

“You should probably eat something,” he said, filling the awkward silence. “I bet you skipped breakfast this morning. Am I right?”

Kendall glanced at Owen, then nodded her head. “Yeah. I was in such a rush, I totally forgot to grab something. Thank you…Max.” She said his name like she was testing the way it sounded. As if he might correct her and tell her it was something else.

“You’re welcome,” he said with a wink. “Eat up so we can get to work.”

Kendall pulled out the doughnut and took a bite, humming in appreciation. She ate and she drank. She smiled and she blushed. She was even prettier with a little color in her cheeks. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand instead of the napkin he had stuffed in the small paper bag, and she never stopped staring.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Congratulations to Corie, the winner of the random draw from my last blog post. Random number.org picked the number nine, making her comment the big winner. Thanks to everyone who commented!

Don’t forget to stop by The Better Man blog tour starting September 15th. Hope to see some of you on tour 🙂

The Better Man Banner

Happy Labor Day!

Look What I Got!

Posted on by vastine7

 

Did you hear me squeal all the way from Chicagoland? My books are here! My books are here!
IMAG0350This can only mean one thing … The Better Man is going to be on sale soon! It’s true my second book comes out Monday, September 1st. It also happens to be Labor Day here in the US. What better way to relax after a day off than with a good book?

So, where can you get this book, you ask? Here are the links!

I am so excited for you guys to read this one that I’m going to give away a book to a lucky commenter. If you don’t win, don’t despair! You can also enter to win in my Goodreads contest. Click on the link in the sidebar.

Other exciting news – I’m going on tour. Okay, it’s a blog tour but still. Prism Book Tours is hosting The Better Man book tour starting September 15th. There will be interviews, excerpts, guest posts by yours truly, and reviews (hopefully some good ones!) There will also be another giveaway. During the tour, I’ll be giving away books, Amazon gift cards, and other cool swag. So be sure to check it out.

The Better Man BannerSo tell me, what made you happy today? Or what are your plans for the holiday weekend? Heck, just say hi. Anything will get you entered to win a book 🙂

xoxo,
Signature

 

Cover Reveal – THE BETTER MAN

Posted on by vastine7

I am so excited for my next novel to come out. The Better Man is the first in a three-book series that introduces us to the Everhart sisters, Kendall, Emma, and Lucy. Kendall is the heart of The Better Man. But it’s Max, the hero, who takes center stage here.  Without further ado, here’s my September Heartwarming cover!

The Better Man Final Cover

 

Back of the book blurb:

Kendall Montgomery’s six-year-old son has barely spoken in the past year, locked in his world of silent grief. Then one day, he spots his dead father across a crowded street.

Max Jordan moved to Chicago to be closer to his own son and prove he can be a better father than his deadbeat dad. His striking resemblance to Kendall’s husband and his track record with fatherhood make her determined to keep her distance…until Max helps her little boy come out of his shell. But can she trust him with their future? How can she be sure he won’t take off just when they need him most?

I’m in love with this cover. Max looks great and the little boy is precious. If your interested, I have a Pinterest board full of inspiration for this story. You can see what I think Max and Simon look like by clicking HERE.

Best of all, The Better Man is available for preorder on Amazon – HERE!

Lastly, the Heartwarming team is gearing up to attend the RWA National Conference in San Antonio at the end of the month.

As part of our celebration, we’re giving away bracelets to readers, reviewers, and other authors who tell us they love Sweet and Heartwarming Romance!

bracelet

You have two ways to win:

1. Tell us via social media how much you love Sweet and Heartwarming Romance! Post a comment here. Post a comment on our Facebook page under our Sweet and Heartwarming Posts (and like us!). Share our post on Facebook with the #GoHeartwarming hashtag. Tweet about our giveaway: I love Sweet and Heartwarming Romance! #GoHeartwarming. Spread the word on Goodreads. Every comment/post/share/like/tweet/hashtag is an entry. We’ll track entries each week! We’re giving away 50 bracelets to our social media supporters during the month of July!

2. To our sweet romance fans and our writing sisters who’ll be attending either the RWA Literacy Booksigning July 23rd in San Antonio at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter OR attending the RWA conference July 23-26, if you come across a Harlequin Heartwarming Author wearing a pin like the one shown below (green beads and the distinctive “H”), all you have to do is say: I love Sweet and Heartwarming Romance! And you’re an instant winner!

I will be wearing these lovely pins made by fellow author Anna J Stewart. I love the sun for The Weather Girl, and yes, those are tiny little books with actual pages! So, come say hello if you are at the conference. I would love to hand out bracelets to everyone!photo (12)