Thanksgiving Grand Finale!

On tour with†Prism Book Tours.

Grand Finale for
A Heartwarming Thanksgiving

Harlequin released 13 FREE short stories by beloved Harlequin Heartwarming authors during November via their site. You can still read these short stories through December 31st. The sale for 30% off Heartwarming titles also continues through November 30th. Grab the ones you want now!

A Heartwarming Thanksgiving Facebook Party

Join us for a grand ending to this month of wonderful Harlequin Heartwarming short stories with a Facebook party! All thirteen authors are stopping by and giving away more books!! Come join us on Monday, November 30th, from 12 pm to 2 pm EST HERE. If you can’t make it, feel free to stop by later and check out the party.

If you missed any of the extra guest posts or excerpts for stories you might have missed, go back and check them out…

11/2: Snow Day Baby by Amy Vastine

Katie’s Clean Book Collection– Short Story Guest Post

. . . when Harlequin came to me about this Thanksgiving short, I had to give Scott the ending he deserved. SNOW DAY BABY was born.

The Power of Words – Excerpt

Sheridan pulled her hair over one shoulder. She had been a pretty girl who turned into an absolutely beautiful woman. Pregnancy looked good on her. Her skin was flawless and those green eyes had always been capable of taking his breath away.

Singing Librarian Books – Heartwarming Guest Post

You always know you’re going to get an emotional-satisfying read with a guaranteed happy ever after. Another great thing about this line ñ you can share these books with your friends, your mother, your sister, your daughter and not be embarrassed to say you’ve read them.

11/4: Wedding at Turkey Run by Liz Flaherty

Babs Book Bistro – Short Story Guest Post

. . . the Writer’s Lot in Life which is nothing more than thinking “what if” every time you turn around took over, resulting in Wedding at Turkey Run.

“Sorry.” Although she wasn’t. Even taking into account the gorgeousness of his eyes, hair and smile, there was something about Zeke McNeil that set her teeth on edge.

Heidi Reads… – Heartwarming Guest Post

I was in Northwest Florida avoiding a terrible winter in the Midwest, but my heart was in the Northeast Kingdom. I made a discovery then, that not only were these books heartwarming to read, they were heartwarming to write, too.

11/6: Her Thanksgiving Soldier by Leigh Riker

Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima – Short Story Guest Post

From the start, Caleb seemed to need his own story and now he has it. I hope you enjoy reading ìHer Thanksgiving Soldier. I loved writing it.

Mel’s Shelves – Excerpt

She tried to focus on her list, but it seemed his image was imprinted on her mind. Sleepy eyes and tousled hair. He looked good enough to love? Even after yesterday when she’d cried in the car, and he’d kissed her, she wasn’t going there.

Brooke Blogs – Heartwarming Guest Post

Whether each author’s stories are funny or sad or both, they all contain lots of emotion. Heartwarming gives me the chance to explore some deeper issues with fully-realized characters to love.

11/9: Mr. Right All Along by Jen Snow

Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Short Story Guest Post

Ah well, she gets her happily ever after in this Heartwarming Thanksgiving short Mr. Right All Along. Of course, not without a few bumps in the road;)

Love thy Shelf – Excerpt

Her eyes lit up and immediately he knew where her thoughts were heading. “Cooking isn’t hard for you.” She grabbed his hands in her small soft ones, making his heart pick up speed. “Teach me,” she said.

Min Reads and Reviews – Heartwarming Guest Post

I’ve made a lovely home at Harlequin’s Heartwarming line. When my agent and I were looking for a place for my small town, contemporary, sweet series, it was the perfect fit.

11/11: Falling for the Cowboy by Sophia Sasson

Kindle and Me – Short Story Guest Post

I wrote this story because for me, thanksgiving is about home. It’s a holiday where we get together with our loved ones and are grateful we have each other.

The Power of Words – Excerpt

He’d grabbed a cowboy hat off a rack, placed it on his head, and gave her a broad smile, looking a lot like the star of a country western film.

Colorimetry – Heartwarming Guest Post

I read books because I want to feel; I want to laugh, cry, yell at no one in particular. I want the freedom to experience a range of emotions that aren’t of my doing. That’s also why I write for Harlequin Heartwarming. This is a line where the stories are driven by an emotional payoff; that moment when you clutch your heart and feel the words in your soul.

11/13: The Marriage Gift by Tara Taylor Quinn

Babs Book Bistro – Short Story Guest Post

The Marriage Gift is a lot shorter than any of my other work, but it’s classic ttq. Emotionally compelling. A little dark. And ultimately joyful.

deal sharing aunt – Excerpt

Shrugging, prosecuting attorney, Corrine Armstrong, pulled the offensive piece of material off the small, but nice wooden dinette she’d purchased two months before but had yet to host a meal on. She used to host a lot of meals. All the time. She used to have a large, impressive dining room table, too.

Brooke Blogs – Heartwarming Guest Post

I’m thrilled to be spending time in this new Heartwarming world as well. Where my heart can spill forth freely! I hope you find the result a blessing in your life.

11/16: Heart of a Hero by Pamela Tracy

Writing Pearls – Short Story Guest Post

Heart of a Hero is Nathan’s story. Imagine finding out your whole history is not the one you were supposed to have? That the parents who raised you weren’t your parents and that the mother who gave birth to you never stopped loving, never stopped searching, never stopped praying.

Wishful Endings– Excerpt

Nathan nodded. He knew Agatha. Back when he was a cop in nearby Adobe Hills, Arizona, he’d occasionally called her needing information. She knew everyone.

Waiting For Wentworth – Heartwarming Guest Post

I love Harlequin Heartwarming. Within the pages of the books, I can go places I’ve never been, meet heroes and heroes having adventures, and always walk away knowing that Happily Ever After is the perfect ending.

11/18: Thankful for You by Karen Rock

Christian Chick’s Thoughts – Short Story Guest Post

I’m absolutely thrilled with the second chance love story I wrote for a secondary character in another romance I’d set in the Adirondacks, RAISING THE STAKES. In that book, two best friends co-own a diner. I wanted to give Maggie James, a woman who admires the gutsy gals she grew-up watching in black and white films with her grandmother, the happily-ever-after she deserved.

Beams whined overhead and plunged. One careened into the opposite wall in a shower of sparks. Eric doggedly kept his focus. They would make it out. Alive.

Getting Your Read On – Heartwarming Guest Post

I love writing Heartwarming novels because they are deeply emotional and extremely romantic. As they are “clean reads” the author has lots of page room to devote to developing the love between two compelling characters and their journey to find it.

11/20: Autumn at Jasper Lake by Carol Ross

I Am A Reader – Short Story Guest Post

I thought the story would be something light-hearted and not-too-serious with a hero returning or moving to Rankins to escape a difficult past. He’d want to be left alone. I intended for the folks of Rankins to make my broody hero’s alone-time impossible. . . . Some of that happens. But, as is usually the case when I start writing, my characters began to take on lives of their own. And they had other plans. Plans that surprised me.

Ryder could feel two sets of eyes on his back as he and Tag started toward the cabin. Something in him itched to turn around and see if he was right. What could it hurt to take one more glance at the lovely Jessie and her dog Fife? Cool it, Ryder, he told himself, women and dogs were both off limits.

Colorimetry – Heartwarming Guest Post

The emphasis on feelings like affection, respect, admiration and like reflects the necessities (in my opinion) that make up a strong and lasting relationship. True love, in other words, is the hallmark of Heartwarming.

11/23: The Firefighterís Promise by Kate James

Mel’s Shelves – Short Story Guest Post

[T]he precipitating event in The Firefighter’s Promise is based on a very personal experience. . . . It was an interesting process for me to try to put myself inside my husband’s head while writing this story to understand what he must have been feeling and thinking.

Canadian Book Addict – Excerpt

Amidst the scorching bursts of light, she saw him. Dark hair. Strong features. Blue eyes. There was a prick on her forearm and an odd taste in her mouth.

She trusted those eyes and believed the voice that assured her heíd take care of her before everything went black.

Beck Valley Books – Heartwarming Guest Post

The Heartwarming series is for readers who enjoy well-written, deeply-nuanced stories that are clean and wholesome.

11/24: Wedding of His Dreams by Cari Lynn Webb

Bookworm Lisa – Short Story Guest Post

I had so much fun writing this story and watching Matt push Ruthie outside of her comfort zone. Of course Ruthie didn’t budge easily from her by the book life, but Matt was more than up for the challenge. And Ruthie discovered the best happy-ever-after was the one she never planned for.

Kindle and Me – Excerpt

Matt squatted down and rubbed the golden coat of Lady, Steve and Becca’s eight-month old Great Dane rescue puppy. But his focus remained on Ruthie as she circled around the tables toward him. He took in everything from her thick, loose braid that hung over her left shoulder to her scarf wilted against her belted jacket to her ease with the pony-sized dog that easily outweighed her by a good twenty-some pounds.

Zerina Blossom’s Books – Heartwarming Guest Post

I love strong emotional stories with characters defining what it means to be a part of a community, learning the value of family and discovering the power of their own happily-ever-afters. These are the types of stories I like to read and write.

11/25: The Sweetheart Tree by Rula Sinara

Reading Is My SuperPower – Short Story Guest Post

In my Harlequin Heartwarming Thanksgiving short story, The Sweetheart Tree, environmental activist Serena Myss doesn’t only take a short walk in the woods when her family suffers a tragedy unable to cope with her emotions or loss, she leaves home for several years. In doing so, she leaves behind the very people who love her, including the man she once thought sheíd spend forever with. . .

The Written Adventure – Excerpt

Officer Austin Shale had slapped handcuffs on plenty of wrists most of them hairy but never in his wildest dreams had he imagined locking them on the soft, slender wrists of Serena Myss. Well, maybe he had imagined it once or twice, but not with her shooting daggers at him with those piercing, hazel eyes of hers. She glared at the handcuffs heíd taken off his belt.

Writing Pearls – Heartwarming Guest Post

What I love about writing for Harlequin Heartwarming is that, although the stories in the line are fiction, they’re so true to real life that the pain, struggles and loss so many experience are as much a part of the characters’ journeys as they are ours.

11/26: Married by Thanksgiving by Melinda Curtis

Heidi Reads… – Short Story Guest Post

I love marriage of convenience stories, but if you aren’t writing historicals or paranormals, it’s hard to come up with a plausible plot for one. When I was asked to write a short for Thanksgiving, a marriage of convenience idea came to mind: one NFL quarterback – Clinton Hadley – desperate to get out of jail and play Thanksgiving weekend.

She glanced up at Clinton. He looked like the poster boy for the NFL. Finely chiseled features, crisply cut black hair, dark brown eyes that could dissect a defense in less than ten seconds. He was known for his ability to adjust a play on the fly, to take risks, to think outside the box. What line had he crossed?†

Love, Laughter, Friendship – Heartwarming Guest Post

There is physical attraction between the hero and heroine (and kissing!), but the love between them is more likely built on the foundation of one soul recognizing another than one perfect body being attracted to another.

We hope you found something to warm your heart and help you get into the holiday spirit! Don’t forget to enter the giveaways, if you haven’t already…

GIVEAWAYS

Goodreads Giveaway

13 Harlequin Heartwarming Books
Enter on Goodreads HERE.

Pinterest Giveaway

Pin one or both of these images to spread the word and enter to win this adorably festive Thanksgiving Table Set:

Pinterest Prize includes:†four reversible, quilted placemats, four matching napkins, hand-painted matching napkin rings, matching table runner, matching quilted hot pad/trivet, floral centerpiece in pot, and hand-crafted pilgrim pair.
– Enter via the Rafflecopter below
– Open to US only
– Ends December 4th

Tour Giveaway

Grand Prize:†Harlequin Heartwarming Year Subscription†(Provided by Harlequin and to US/CAN only)
$40 VISA card†(US only)
13-Book Heartwarming Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, Back to McGuffy’s, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Small Town Secrets, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along, Wedding of His Dreams, After The Silence, and A Memory Away (print copies if US, ebooks if international)
9-Book Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along,†and After The Silence (print copies if US, ebooks if international)
Ends December 4th

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Grab Our Button!

Heartwarming Thanksgiving Promotion!

AmyVastine_Facebook

Today is the day! My Thanksgiving short is live! Come read about Dr. Scott Spencer (you might remember him as the doctor Emma Everhart from THE BEST LAID PLANS thought she was supposed to fall in love with!) Scott gets his own happily ever after in this little story and I couldn’t be happier to give it to him. He’s such a good guy! You can get to the story by clicking on the banner up above!

Heartwarming is thrilled to bring you not only my story but 13 stories throughout the month! Are you ready for some free reads and some AWESOME prizes? Here’s a schedule:

Instagram&Pinterest_Calendar_A Heartwarming Thanksgiving
I could not be more excited to present the Heartwarming Thanksgiving promotion we’ve got going on November 2-26. Like I said, we have 13 free reads this month and tons of prizes to give away.

What kind of prizes you might ask? Well, how about a year’s subscription to Heartwarming? Or a $40 Amazon gift card? We’ve got books, a handmade crafts, chocolate, and more gift cards! How can you win? Well, we’re going to have ways for you to win all month long.

First up, we have a blog tour in full motion – check it our here. This is your chance to win those big prizes like the year’s subscription! Don’t miss out!

We are also setting up some challenges in the Harlequin online community. Each week there will be three activities and three weekly prizes awarded for best entry in each activity.  Members can write an epilogue to one of the week’s stories, or they might be asked to list five things they like about the hero in one of the stories, or they might have to choose their favorite line in a particular story.  All members are eligible for all activities all weeks. Starting today, you can write the epilogue to my story for a chance to win the fall wreath I made! Click here to check it out!

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We also have a Goodreads giveaway that you can enter here. That runs until November 26th as well. Lots of awesome books to win.

Love Pinterest? We have a fun giveaway over there as well! Readers must PIN one of our two HQ provided PINs.  You can enter twice a day, by pinning both pins and you can enter every day by visiting the story releasing that day. 

Lastly, we have a HUGE Facebook party planned for you guys on Monday, November 30th. Tons of prizes and lots of fun. You can check that out here. You won’t be sorry you stopped in anytime during the party, I promise!

All of this is because we are so thankful for our readers and wanted to do something to really show it!! Now go and read, enter, write the epilogue. go, go, go!

xoxo,
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THE BEST LAID PLANS Book Blog Tour Has Begun!

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

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Prism Book Tours

Huge Valentine Giveaway

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!

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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 Blog Tour Launch!

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

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Release day!

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!

 

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

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)

 

 

THE WEATHER GIRL BOOK BLOG TOUR KICKS OFF!

We’re launching the April Showers Book Tour for

The Weather Girl

The Weather Girl
The Weather Girl
by Amy Vastine
Clean Adult Contemporary Romance
January 1st 2014 by Harlequin

Turbulence is in their forecast

Summer Raines knows when it’s going to rain. She can feel it. That’s why the local weather girl’s so good at her job. Too bad she couldn’t have foreseen the tumultuous arrival of Travis Lockwood, everybody’s favorite star NFL quarterback. Make that former star NFL quarterback. Sidelined back to Texas after an injury, the golden boy is trying to steal her precious on-air time. Summer is reduced to reporting fromÖfootball games. It’s enough to make her quit and become a storm-chaser like her parents. She’s stuck with a career that’s going nowhere and a man who delights in her refusal to be charmed. Falling in love isn’t nearly as easy as predicting the weather.



More about The Weather Girl and Amy Vastine

What is your motivation behind this series? Why did you want to write it?
Well, I wrote this story for Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest back in 2012. I wanted to get some feedback from an editor in the romance business and the contest seemed like a low risk way of asking for some. I figured it was a big enough thing that my feelings wouldn’t get hurt if I didn’t win or get any response. I didn’t win. I did however get some feedback, which was awesome and exactly what I wanted. I never expected them to like the story enough to want to publish it!

The story itself was written to reflect my love of sweet romance. I like a little angst now and again, but sweet love stories makes me smile. I like to sprinkle in some humor and create characters people can root for.

What do you hope readers take with them when they read your book?
I hope people walk away with the idea that love doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice who you are for someone else. When you follow your heart and your dreams, everything else will fall into place.

Do you have a favorite scene?
Oh that’s tough because one of the rules I heard about writing is don’t get too attached to scenes because those are usually the ones your editor will want you to cut! I do love a couple scenes, though. One is when Travis has lunch at Summer’s grandparents’ house and they are trying to get him to realize he knows exactly what he wants out of life but he is completely clueless. Mimi’s frustration with him is priceless. The other one is the very end of the book, but I won’t say what happens because that gives it all away!

Share something about you that is unique – maybe about how/where you write… or favorite snack foods?
Well, I am a school social worker by day, so I write at night and on the weekends. I’m not sure how interesting that is! I love monkeys? I mean, I love monkeys. I have a collection of them at work (thankfully I work in a middle school so it’s not THAT weird!) It’s like a jungle! I have stuffed monkeys, figurines, candles, pictures, cups, stickers. It’s quite a collection. My students give me monkey gifts, so it grows every year! This is what happens when you tell someone you like something!


Amy Vastine

Tour-Wide Giveaway

– Grand Prize: $25 Amazon gift card, red umbrella, signed copy of THE WEATHER GIRL, umbrella bookmark, and decorative box (US Only)
– 5 ebooks of The Weather Girl (INT)
– April 21 – May 11

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Prism Book Tours
Are you a blogger and want to receive information about new tours? Go HERE.
Are you an author or publisher and would like to have us organize a tour event? Go HERE.

Christmas Countdown



One week until Christmas! The presents are bought. None of them are wrapped. And despite my son’s attempt at finding them by searching every hiding place in the house, they have remained hidden. It helps that most of them are in the trunk of my husband’s car or at my mom’s house!

This means TWO WEEKS until The Weather Girl officially goes on sale. I still haven’t received my box of books and I’m becoming as anxious as the kids are about Christmas. I’m so impatient! It doesn’t help that my husband texts me everyday asking if they came, forcing me to reply with a no and a sad face 😦

I’m still hopeful they will arrive before Christmas. So, besides the Goodreads giveaway – which you can still enter by clicking on the link to the right – I am also giving away a copy over at the Heartwarming Authors blog today.

Head on over HERE and see what I have to say about the Christmas season … one commenter over there will be chosen at random to win a book and ornament, so get going!

Happy holidays, everyone!!