Spotlight, Review, & Exclusive Giveaway: How-to Tips for Aspiring Writers and Love Lessons Learned in The Italian’s Deal for I Do by Jennifer Hayward

Welcome to the special three day Harlequin book tour on Thoughts!!!

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Title: The Italian's Deal for I Do
Author: Jennifer Hayward
Published: March 17th 2015
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers

The Irresistible Italian: Married for Business

He's conquered global markets and immeasurable hearts, but to regain control of the fashion empire that's rightfully his, Rocco Mondelli must prove his playboy days are over. His secret weapon? Supermodel-in-hiding Olivia Fitzgerald…and the power to ruin her if she refuses to play his loving fiancée!

But returning to the world stage revives Olivia's old demons, and instead of walking down the aisle toward her gorgeous groom—she flees! The world holds its breath: Can the indomitable Rocco get his wayward bride to the altar on time?

The world's sexiest billionaires finally say "I do"!

My Thoughts:

This is, I believe, my second Harlequin Presents novel, and from what I've seen, this imprint is amazing! The Italian's Deal for I Do definitely kept my attention, and I was drawn in by the character's innermost feelings and desires.

Rocco is under the impression that Olivia was taking advantage of his grandfather, so he attempts to call her out on it, which doesn't exactly go as planned. She tries to explain herself, but he's unwilling to listen. Then it so happens that he needs to get a fiancée, so he gets Olivia to play along, else she loses everything. As time goes by, an actual wedding date in a matter of weeks, the two of them give into their desires and discover more than meets the eye.

The Italian's Deal for I Do was a sweet and romantic tale that you fall for before you even realize it. Even though you're a bit mad at Rocco at first, it doesn't take long for him to melt your heart. And you empathize with Olivia's struggles in the modeling world. All in all, I'm very much interested in the future Society Weddings books, as well as more by Jennifer Hayward!

My Rating:

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How-To-Tips for Aspiring Writers: Advice on how to break into the series-writing business

#1 – Let your voice shine. I didn’t sell when I wrote the books I thought my publisher wanted. I sold when I wrote with my full personality and voice engaged - without self consciousness. When I wrote the book I’d want to pick off the shelf. Yes some series lines have required elements but you have to be an individual within those reader promises and bring something new to the table.

#2 Go to as many conferences and courses as you can. Learn as much as you can, soak up what the experienced authors/teachers have to tell you, take what works for you and let the rest go. And that last part is key. For every rule, there is a writer who can break it, creating their own personal style readers love. But remember, rules are there because they often make your writing more effective, so think about a rule before you break it. Ask yourself why you’re breaking it. Luckily, there are so many great resources out there in this digital age, you don’t even have to leave your house to learn!

#3 Write a high concept story – I knew if I had a great concept for a story that stood out, such as the divorce party that happens in my debut novel, The Divorce Party – I would have a better chance of selling. Knock an editor’s socks off. Find a compelling twist on a story that’s never been done.

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Love Lessons Learned: Real life romance lessons learned from the book

When you meet the right one you will know – I’ve done it when I was dating and I’m sure many of you have…you hang onto a relationship after it’s due date has passed. You think maybe this is the one and it’s just me as Olivia did for years in her long-term relationship with photographer Guillermo Villanueva. But the harder Olivia falls for Rocco the more she just knows he’s the one. And it doesn’t take long. Her feelings are that all-encompassing.

Love heals – There is a scene in The Italian’s Deal For I Do where Olivia is confronting her demons and it’s the moment where she either slays them or allows them to rule her forever. By helping Olivia walk through the fire, Rocco will also heal himself by finally allowing someone in. You are actually stronger when you learn to let someone in. Writing this scene gave me the chills.

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Giveaway

There's a SIGNED paperback copy of The Italian’s Deal for I Do up for grabs! 
 

Sound good? Good! Here's the official rules/guidelines for the giveaway:

1. You must be a follower.
2. You must be over 16 years old.
3. This is open to US residents ONLY.
4. This contest runs from April 29th to May 12th.
5. Winner will be selected at 12:01 a.m. on May 12th via Rafflecopter random selection.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight & Exclusive Giveaway: How-to Tips for Aspiring Writers and Love Lessons Learned in From Fake to Forever by Kat Cantrell

Welcome to the special three day Harlequin book tour on Thoughts!!!

~*~

Title: From Fake to Forever

Author: Kat Cantrell

Published:  4/7/2015

Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble

Add to your Goodreads shelf

Bride: Meredith, soon-to-be co-owner, wedding dress business

Marital Status: Victim, Vegas wedding mix-up

Action Required: Divorce, ASAP

After one night of tequila and sex, their impromptu Vegas wedding shouldn't be valid. But Meredith Chandler-Harris just discovered she's still tied to irresistible businessman Jason Lynhurst. She needs out of their marriage, but to become his company's new CEO, he needs her as a bride. Let the newlywed games begin.

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How-To-Tips for Aspiring Writers: Advice on how to break into the series-writing business

If you love romance novels and have always dreamed of writing one, you’re in good company. You’d be hard-pressed to find a romance writer working today who didn’t start out as a reader first. Guess what? If you’re a reader, you’ve already completed the all-important first step toward the goal of becoming an author! Reading is critical to understanding a bunch of important things like voice, structure, plot and character. Now you should target your reading to the specific type of story you want to write. If you’d like to write for Harlequin Desire, read as many as you can get your hands on. Study them and learn from them. Each line has a particular “feel” to it and always includes certain elements. Harlequin posts writing guidelines on its website so you don’t have to guess, but it’s always better to see it in action, so to speak.

Then the next steps are:

1. Sit down and write.
2. No, really. Set a goal and write.
3. Not sure what goal to set? Start out with 500 words a day. Then write 500 tomorrow. And the next day. I work on my books every day. Yes. EVERY day, even Christmas.
4. Read some craft books. I like Goal, Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon. But there are many, many great ones. If you already know you have a particular weakness, like you have no idea what I meant above by “voice”, find a book on that.
5. If you don’t know your weaknesses, join a writer’s group. Romance Writers of America is one a lot of us belong to. Harlequin.com has a community forum with a particular area for writers. Talk to other writers. Find people to read your writing who can help you get better. I still have a friend read my stuff even though I’ve written fifteen books (Hi, Jen!).
6. Be prepared to work hard and be realistic. Most authors will tell you it takes two years and at least two manuscripts to sell to a publisher like Harlequin. It took me two years and five manuscripts. Your mileage may vary.
7. Go back to #1 and do that. You’d be surprised how many people get bogged down in craft books and writer’s forums and forget to actually, you know, write the book. You can’t sell a manuscript to any publisher if it doesn’t exist.

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Love Lessons Learned: Real life romance lessons learned from the book

Top Five Love Lessons FROM FAKE TO FOREVER Teaches Us:

1. True love is no less valid if it happens quickly.
2. Don’t let what other people think (or what you assume they might think) dictate whether or not you take a chance on love.
3. If you can’t forget someone after two years, chances are there’s a reason! Call him. Today.
4. You are not destined to repeat the same bad relationship patterns of your parents. Forge your own path and don’t let other people’s terrible example ruin your chance at love.
5. The best kind of love is when the other person inspires you to be better than you were. Bonus points if you inspire them as well.

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Giveaway

There's a paperback copy of From Fake to Forever up for grabs! 
 

Sound good? Good! Here's the official rules/guidelines for the giveaway:

1. You must be a follower.
2. You must be over 16 years old.
3. This is open to US residents ONLY.
4. This contest runs from April 28th to May 11th.
5. Winner will be selected at 12:01 a.m. on May 11th via Rafflecopter random selection.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight & Exclusive Giveaway: How-to Tips for Aspiring Writers and Love Lessons Learned in The Billionaire’s Bridal Bargain by Lynne Graham

Welcome to the special three day Harlequin book tour on Thoughts!!!

~*~

Title: The Billionaire's Bridal Bargain
Author: Lynne Graham
Published: 3/17/2015
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf

To love, honor…

Cesare Sabatino never intended to marry. But if his thoughts did ever stray in that direction, the lucky woman's answer would have been a resounding "yes". Imagine his surprise when Lizzie Whitaker turns him down on the spot!

…and possess?

To get his hands on her Mediterranean island inheritance, Cesare must wed innocent Lizzie…and ensure she's carrying his heir! Luckily the formidable Italian is legendary for his powers of persuasion. With Lizzie desperate to save her family's farm, it's only a matter of time before she gives in…and discovers the many pleasurable benefits of wearing this tycoon's ring.

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How-To-Tips for Aspiring Writers: Advice on how to break into the series-writing business

With so many avenues available to writers these days, there is no set path, or guaranteed method of success out there other than one: write and submit! You can write the most wonderful, heartbreaking, beautiful evocative story ever known to man, but if you don’t have the courage, the determination and the sheer audacity to send it to someone, it will never see the light of day. Writing takes immense courage. Courage to make the first step, courage to pick yourself up from the floor after your first rejection, courage to listen to good advice and throw out half of the story if need be, and courage to rewrite. But remember, if it wasn’t so hard to achieve, it wouldn’t feel so good when you make it! So good luck!

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Love Lessons Learned: Real life romance lessons learned from the book

I think that perhaps writing and love have a lot more in common than we think! Because for Lizzie and Cesare, both need to have the courage to overcome the hurts of the past, in order to allow them to find their love for each other.

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Giveaway

There's a paperback copy of The Billionaire's Bridal Bargain up for grabs!

Sound good? Good! Here's the official rules/guidelines for the giveaway:

1. You must be a follower.
2. You must be over 16 years old.
3. This is open to US residents ONLY.
4. This contest runs from April 27th to May 10th.
5. Winner will be selected at 12:01 a.m. on May 10th via Rafflecopter random selection.

a Rafflecopter giveaway