Monday, December 31, 2012

Interview with Heidi McLaughlin from Forever My Girl!




Interview with Heidi McLaughlin from Forever My Girl:

Word:  Let me start out by saying thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us at Word! We are big fans of Forever My Girl.
 
Heidi McLaughlin: Thank you for having me and I'm just going to say it's very odd to hear people tell me they are fans of Forever My Girl. I've been so nervous with its release that I almost didn't hit publish.

Word: When I first started reading, I thought you were a seasoned pro. I even asked if you had any other books out! It was written so well. When did you think up the idea for Forever My Girl?
:

Heidi: On September 24, 2012

Word: Seriously? That is impressive!

Heidi: Yes, very serious. It took me 24-days to write. I did 4500 words a day


Word: Wow!! That was done so quickly! The whole book flowed; you found an original storyline that sucked me in within 10%.

Heidi: FMG is not the first thing I've written. I had finished an 80k YA/paranormal earlier in the summer - queried and got rejection after rejection. Started working on a different YA story with a male lead when I got the idea for FMG. Benched the YA and went with FMG.

Word: What are you working on right now?

Heidi: Currently working on a YA/MA story that I started for Nano, but couldn't finish because of edits for FMG

Word: Josie was so likeable, it feels so rare nowadays that the female lead is relatable and well-rounded. Was she based off of anybody?

Heidi: Josie - she's not. She's the character that every bloggers wishes they were reading. She's strong, determined and not fueled by a man. She doesn't whine, mope or complain about what's been dealt.
I have two daughters who have very high self-esteem and know that they don't need a man to be who they are. Why write the opposite of what I'm preaching to my girls?

Word: That is such an excellent point about your girls. Josie's strength is what originally pulled me in. Those girls are gems. ~ You have another story coming after FMG, which is one of the characters, Katelyn's storyline. Will it start out further after her husband's death, or right where FMG ended?

Heidi: No, it starts about a year later, 11 months or so. Readers will go through the one-year anniversary of Mason's death.
It's a timeline I played around with for a few weeks because how soon is too soon when there's that attraction?

Word: That sounds like an good time frame. You could see Harrison looking at Katelyn, but there was nothing inappropriate in the first book of the series. Will you be getting any further into Liam's relationship with his dad in the second Beaumont novel?

Heidi: I don't like Sterling Westbury - so as of right now the only time readers will see or hear of Sterling will be in flashbacks, which will only occur in a Liam/Josie Novella sometime later in the year or next year.

Word: I didn't like Sterling either, I am glad you are taking a stand against an abusive father, rather than it being tied up in a little bow at the end of every book. How many books would you like to see in the Beaumont Series?

Heidi: Right now I'll commit to 8. And I know your mouth just dropped so here's the list.
1, 2, and 3 will be adult contemp. Along with those 3, I plan to do a novella with Liam & Josie and a novel of the 10 years prior.
The last 3 will be 10 years out and we'll get Noah, Quinn and TBD character
Word: Wow! This is exciting news! Maybe a wedding a baby in there somewhere:) Now I must confess, I liked Nick, he wasn't right for Josie, but he was a good guy defending the family he loved. Any chance of getting a HEA for Nick?

Heidi: Maybe on the baby. I mean Liam wants one; he missed out on Noah and definitely wants to experience the whole baby daddy thing.
I like Nick. A lot of people don't, which is sad. He is a man who knew he lost everything the moment Liam walked in. And yes there's a chance that Nick gets his HEA.

**EXCLUSIVE**

The Letter Josie hasn't seen.
Dear Josie,
You know that moment - the one that happens when you’re driving down the street and the oncoming car shines their brights at you? That is what I felt like when he walked into the carriage room on the day of Mason’s funeral.
My life flashed before my eyes.
Do you know what I saw? Your smile, the way you hold my hand and Noah’s laugh. I saw the way I held you, the way you fell asleep in my arms after a long day of work. I saw Noah and I in the backyard throwing the ball around and then I saw him standing there smirking and shaking his head. I saw that guy from high school and my scene changed. Everything started to fade away. You weren’t holding my hand, but his. Noah wasn’t laughing with me, but with him. I knew then that it was all going to be a distant memory for me. I had lost without even starting the fight.
When he walked in, I knew. I felt in my heart that you were gone and there wasn’t much I was going to be able to do except pray that you’d remember everything he had done, remember everything that you went through when he left. It’s pretty sad that I needed your bad memories to remind you of the hell you went through just so you’d pick me.
When I looked at him, I knew I was the better choice. I had plans for my life. I wasn’t going to depend on baseball to get me anywhere. But you, you only saw him. I had to watch from the sidelines until he made the ultimate mistake.
I remember the first time you brought me over to Mason and Katelyn’s. I was so nervous. We weren’t friends in high school, just teammates, even though I tried. I was surprised when he shook my hand, but it’s what he said to you that stands out now. “He always wanted what Liam had.” He laughed. Mason laughed at me and any man would’ve turned around and left, but you were my salvation. If I had you, I was on the top of the world.
I wish I could say Mason was wrong, but he wasn’t. It’s true for the most part. I wanted you from the first time I saw you standing in the hall. I was going to talk to you, but he walked up and wrapped you in his arms. I had never felt so much jealousy before and I didn’t even know you. All I saw was this meathead who had something I wanted.
I knew Mason wasn’t my best friend. I was just a guy he put up with because you were his best friend and I was okay with that because it meant I could be with you more and you’d never have to choose me over them.
When he died, I knew our lives were going to be different, but I didn’t expect this. Not in a million years did I expect to be pouring myself out on a piece of paper and not standing up in front of our families devoting the rest of our lives to each other.
I knew deep down that I didn’t have your heart. I was just too stupid to believe it. I settled for whatever you were willing to give me because I’m in love with you. I should’ve known better then to think you’d get over him since you bore him a son. You looked at the love you shared every day in the eyes of Noah and I knew I couldn’t compete, but wanted to try. I wanted to give you the life you deserve.
I hate having these feelings. I hate that I’m writing you this letter while you’re at work. I hate packing and leaving our home, one that we’ve shared for years, but I can’t stay. I can’t sit back and watch you build a life with him because I know that’s what going to happen.
I’m going to Africa so you can start a life with Liam. I accept that, even if I want to stay and fight, I’m not willing to lose so I’m bowing out gracefully. I love you, Josie, and much like Liam, it’s been since I first saw you, I was just too late.

Word: I am absolutely speechless. Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I have tears in my eyes. This is the Nick I saw, he never did anything malicious, I felt his love for Josie and for Noah, he raised him as his own, and begged Josie to marry him. I am so happy to hear he is not a villain from your mouth. That note feels like the perfect way to end this interview. You have such a talent for words Heidi, and I cannot wait to hear more. Thank you for stopping by Word.
Heidi McLaughlin: Thank you





 WHERE TO FIND HEIDI

 Her blog: http://heidimclaughlinauthor.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6568302.Heidi_McLaughlin
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HeidiMcLaughlinAuthor
Twitter:   https://twitter.com/HeidiJoVT
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Girl-Beaumont-Series-ebook/dp/B00ATNJW3Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356736497&sr=1-1&keywords=forever+my+girl+heidi+mclaughlin
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forever-my-girl-heidi-mclaughlin/1114035505?ean=2940016146850
Kobo:  http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Forever-My-Girl/book-Srdv_kJSuUK5j_QVJMA8kA/page1.html

 




 

Sunday, December 30, 2012

THANK YOU Jillian for all that you do!



Friends of Jillian Dodd
are 
showing their appreciation!


In appreciation for the hard work and effort indie author Jillian Dodd does behind the scenes for authors, her writing friends are offering YOU the chance to win one of her books! You can choose from one of the Keatyn Chronicles:  STALK ME or KISS ME. Or maybe you prefer one of the titles in the That Boy series: THAT BOY or THAT WEDDING. All books are New Adult contemporary romance. Good luck!

You can check out the descriptions to her books on Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4833990.Jillian_Dodd



a Rafflecopter giveaway



About the Author


Jillian is the author of the That Boy series and The Keatyn Chronicles. She grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She lives in Texas with her family.

Author social media links:


Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin


SYNOPSIS:
I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.

I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I've poured my soul into my music, but I've never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile.

And now I’m going back.

After ten years.

I hope I can explain that after all this time.

I still want her to be my forever girl.
                       ___________________________
Heather's review:

Forever My Girl:

Heidi McLaughlin
**4.25 Stars**


“You’re really good at what you do.”
Thank you,” I say bringing her hand to my lips. I place small kisses along her knuckles. I reluctantly let her hand go and pour us some more champagne.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
I give her my patent look. Her mouth drops open, her eyes glaze over. Josie has just met Liam Page.
Wow! Let me begin by saying I could not believe this is Heidi’s debut novel! I was hooked by 18%, and already contacting the author for an interview. Kellan Kyle started a new trend in the book world, rockstars became the “it” story. I was over it, to be honest. But I took a chance, and I am so glad I did. Now all I have to say is, Kellan Kyle who?!   
Liam Westbury left his life, and true love behind to become Liam Page, rockstar, ladies’ man and lost-love song specialist. When his best friend dies, Liam is forced to face the life he tried so hard to leave behind 10 years ago, which includes Josie Preston. Josie is engaged to a new man, and has a ten year old son she’s raising on her own. Still fighting the feelings she had for her first love, will she be able to steer clear of the man that broke her heart? Will Liam be able to let her move forward without him? Are all rockstars this sexy?  
This author took a rocker out of the typical setting of tour buses and groupies, and did something completely different. She took a few chances along the way. There was an obvious connection between the woman who recently lost her husband, and Liam’s band mate. You can see the next story evolving throughout, and it feels so natural. I really look forward to reading more from Heidi McLaughlin. She is a breath of fresh air in the indie world. There have not been many new authors with such great skill in recent months; she has proven after one novel she is one to keep your eye on.

Heidi's Dream Cast:




 Liam
Noah
                                                           Josie
Katelyn

Nick








Sam









PLAYLIST:

First up on the playlist is Painkillers. This song is not on Spotify, but is a must-listen. It has a large part in the book:)