HarperCollins Publishers Presents ~ LEFT: A Love Story by Mary Hogan

HarperCollins Presents

LEFT: A Love Story

by

Mary Hogan

PRAISE FOR LEFT

“A touching novel. The book poignantly portrays Faye’s struggle to come to terms with…uncomfortable yet necessary questions about the conditions of love.”—Publishers Weekly

“Hogan (The Woman in the Photo, 2016) does a good job of mixing humor and heartbreak in this sharply observed novel, drawn from her own experience.”—Booklist

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARY HOGAN is the bestselling author of Two Sisters and the historical novel, The Woman in the Photo. Previous novels include the young adult titles, The Serious Kiss, Perfect Girl and Pretty Face (HarperCollins). Mary lives in New York City with her husband, actor Robert Hogan, and their Catahoula Leopard rescue dog, Lucy. Find out more at MaryHogan.com  

Author Interview for Teatime and Books

Today on Teatime and Books I’d love to welcome, Mary Hogan, author of Left: A Love Story. We are so delighted you could join us today.

My pleasure.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

• I was one of those kids who read books with a flashlight, under my cover, when I was supposed to be sleeping. As far back as I can remember, I wanted to tell stories. I began by lying about my brothers. Ha! They’re grateful that I channeled the skill into something useful.

What sort of research did you do to write this book?

• LEFT is about a woman who creates a fantasy life to cope with her husband’s descent into dementia. To a point, I used my own life as research. In 2013, my husband was diagnosed with a vascular form of cognitive impairment caused by mini strokes. He’s still hanging in, as am I.

What are you working on now? Any chance of a sequel?

• I started my new novel a couple of months ago. But a famous playwright (Bernard Slade who wrote Same Time, Next Year) once told me, “Never talk about your book until it’s done. Have your conversations with the PAGE.” Good Advice.

Are you a pantser or a plotter? Or a mix of the two?

• I like to know where I’m headed, without a mental GPS telling me exactly where to turn.

Which type of genre do you love most, and why?

• Honestly, I love Good books, wherever they pop up.

What’s your favorite novel of all time, and why?

• I was insanely in love with Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett. That book was so delicious I wanted to lick every page.

What fellow author do you recommend reading, and why?

• Anything by Anne Tyler. Clearly, I’m an Ann(e) Freak.

When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?

• Laundry, mostly. J

Do you listen to music when writing? If so, what type?

• I need, desire, and never get absolute SILENCE when I write. My dog Lucy loves to annoy me by sitting at my feet and licking her paws. Same with my husband. (Kidding!)

Any advice you have for a blossoming author?

• Try really hard not to take feedback personally. While your story may be super clear and glorious in your head, the only thing that matters is the final product on the page.

Just for Fun:

Do you like tea or coffee?

• Strong black coffee. Sorry, Teatimers.

Do you have any pets?

• Lucy, my Catahoula rescue, is currently sitting at my feet licking her paws. I’ve read that it may be allergies, but I think she just likes pawdicures.

What’s your favorite color?

• Wedgewood Blue

What’s your favorite season?

• Winter…but only the first day of it.

What’s your favorite movie?

• Currently, The Leisure Seeker starring Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren. Funny, touching, beautiful.

This was so much fun. Thank you, Mary, for joining us.  We wish you all the best on your continued writing journey and we are looking forward to your next book.

ABOUT THE BOOK

It started as a dream vacation in Spain, with Fay and Paul Agarra enjoying all the delights of a European holiday. A respected New York City judge, Paul has always been the man Fay can rely on, no matter what. When he inexplicably disappears from a Barcelona street corner, Fay knows something is terribly wrong. Once reunited, Paul shrugs off the episode as a simple misunderstanding—but Fay suspects her almost perfect life has taken a dark and sudden turn.

Soon there are more signs that Paul is beginning to change. Bouts of forgetfulness lead to mistakes in the courtroom. Simple tasks cause unexplainable outbursts of anger. Fay’s worst suspicions are realized when she learns her husband—her rock, her love, her everything—is succumbing to the ravages of dementia. 

As her husband transforms before her very eyes, Fay copes with her fears by retreating into a fantasy life filled with promise instead of pain. In Fay’s invented world, she imagines herself living a glamorous life free from heartache, with a handsome neighbor she barely knows rescuing her from a future she can’t accept. 

Poignant and beautifully crafted, Left is an unforgettable tale about life’s aching uncertainties—and a woman who discovers that somewhere between hope and reality, an unexpected future will find its way forward.

Be Sure to Grab Your Copy

Trade Paperback ISBN:9780062678379; Price: $15.99

Ebook ISBN:9780062678386; Price: $10.99

Digital Audio ISBN:9780062850515; Price: $17.99

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HarperCollins Publishers

*All images and text are the sole property of HarperCollins Publishers: permission granted by the publishing company for their use in this promotional venue.

Teatime and Books Review ~ Six Weeks with A Lord - A Historical Romance by Eve Pendle

Meet the Author:

Eve lives in England and writes angsty, snarky and passionate Victorian era romance. She has National Trust membership, a big-boned cat, and a crazy dog. She loves wearing dresses and eating chocolate.

Connect: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

About the Book:

Grace Alnott is out of time. To save her younger brother from an abusive guardian, her merchant father’s will demands she must marry a peer. Handsome but destitute Everett Hetherington, Earl of Westbury agrees to her offer of a marriage of convenience but stipulates she must live with him for six weeks. No matter how honorable he seems she can’t allow him to get too close, because the aristocracy cannot be trusted.

Six weeks. Major Everett Hetherington, new Earl of Westbury, has exactly six weeks to convince the very independent Grace Alnott to spend the rest of her life with him. Despite her belief she doesn't belong in his world, he must tempt the alluring Grace into staying, because he has fallen for her. Hard. He just has to ensure she never discovers his secret.

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt

“A half share of her dowry. Fifty-thousand,” George announced.

Everett snapped around to look at his brother fully. Fifty-thousand pounds would pay the debts and current debts of the farmers and leave enough money to support the estate for a couple of years, until it could pay its own way. “Go on.”

George smirked. “The gossip is she’s from trade, thinks herself some sort of independent woman, and is offering a marriage in name only. Wants to live on the continent, apparently.”

“A marriage of convenience? Very expedient.”

Then she reappeared, gliding right past him. She was resplendent in a dress the color of sunshine, her head tilted back as she waltzed, showing the curve of her neck and the angle of her jaw. Her dark hair gleamed, complemented by the brightness of her dress, as she danced like she was the only person in the room who mattered. Her jaw line was too strong for conventional beauty, but something about the way she held herself was mesmerizing. She was like a cat walking along uneven ground, not perfect, but compelling.

“Exactly.” George had the tone of a vindicated brother. “Miss Alnott is pretty, too. Just over there.”

Reluctant to look away from the dancers, Everett glanced to see whom George indicated. Sensation shot down his spine.

“The lady in the primrose-yellow dress,” George said. 

He couldn’t take his gaze from her. Miss Alnott. “I see her.”

“I told you I’d find you a wife.” George turned away. “I’ll be in the card room.”

Oh no. “George—”

“Yes, yes,” he interrupted. “I’m not Peter. I’m not going to gamble everything away.”

George wandered off and Everett gave himself up to watching Miss Alnott moving around the room slowly as she and her partner traversed the floor. She was gathering attention. There were several sharks circling, their fine wool black coats gleaming. The matrons were talking about her, lips pursed with disapproval. Her pronouncement must be the reason for the hum of life in the room.

A fast step in the waltz made the wide skirts of her dress shine. It was a gold dress, really. An unsubtle ploy to give a man the impression she was financially desirable. She certainly looked the part of an aspiring aristocrat, smiling fixedly at the room.

This was the first cut of interest he’d felt since he’d begun his fortune hunting. It would be something to have such a lady for a wife: so beautiful and confident. Of course, if she wanted to live abroad, she wouldn’t be a true wife. But what did it matter? She would be like a wild cat living on the fringes of his estate, untamed and free, but technically his. Wary, coat gleaming, dangerous. If he found a wild cat, he would entice it with cream and take care of it, like he did with everything that was his.

“I suppose you think me selfish to not want to marry a man I neither love nor respect.” Her mouth was tight. “But I refuse to martyr myself by marrying Lord Rayner, when the result would be a totally powerless state after the marriage.”

Ah. Just a vague fear of a bad marriage. It seemed rather superficial to want love more than wanting to stay with family, but hadn’t he been cautious about marrying the wrong person? And as a man, all he had to be concerned about was a lack of conjugal bliss, not actual bodily harm. He was the owner, not the property.

“I can understand wanting love in your marriage.” He let his tone dip as he said the words and was gratified to see an answering visceral reaction in Grace. She flushed. This was where he would link the attraction between them with something more. “You know, love can grow in surprising places.”

Her neck stiffened and she sauntered away, looking deliberately around the room. Everett found he was anticipating her response.

“There are some leaks in this place, I concede. And there are holes in the curtains that let in light. Perhaps there are the prerequisites to grow something in this house.” She swung around to stare down at him. “But Everett, love is not a weed.”

“No, it’s a wildflower.”

Amazing 5 Teacups for Six Weeks with a Lord by Eve Pendle. This was my first book to read of Ms. Pendle's and I must say I was thoroughly impressed and I now have a new favorite author to follow. This was such a sweet, romantic and yes, passionate tale. I immediately fell in love with Grace and her love she has for her brother. She's got quite the trials ahead of her and in order to help save her brother from a horrible, despicable, abusive guardian she must marry a member of the Aristocracy and fast. What will she do? Well, luck lands upon her as Evertt, the Earl of Westerbury offers her an opportunity to not only get her and her brother out of their current situation but will also aid him as he's now destitute and running out of money fast. 

She refuses him as she feels she does not belong in his world, she's of common roots and doesn't feel worthy of him or his class. However, his love for her overflows and it is that love that soon convinces her that she does belong, if not to his class, but to him. She soon finds her heart being greatly drawn and melted. Will Lord Westerbury capture Eve and make her his bride? Or will Grace lose her heart and her brother as well?

Just a wonderful tale and the characters just came alive on the pages. I just loved this story so much and would recommend it to any die-hard Historical romance fan!

Giveaway:

• $15 Amazon Gift Card!

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Teatime and Books Review ~ Wicked and the Wallflower - Bareknuckle Bastards Series by Sarah MacLean

When a man known only as Devil finds his way into her bedchamber and offers her his help in landing a duke, Lady Felicity Faircloth agrees. She might be a spinster, but she’s seen love in action and is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that her future husband will love her beyond reason—even if it means she must make a deal with a man more dangerous than she could imagine.

Bastard son of a duke, and king of London’s darkest corners, Devil has made a lifetime of wielding power and seizing opportunity, and Felicity Faircloth is everything he needs to exact a perfect revenge. All he has to do is turn the plain little mouse into an irresistible temptress, set his trap, and destroy his enemy. If the girl is ruined in the process, so be it.  

Except there’s nothing plain about Felicity Faircloth, and soon it’s Devil who is trapped…along with his heart.

About the Book

Wicked and the Wallflowerby Sarah MacLean
SeriesThe Bareknuckle Bastards Series
GenreAdult
Historical Romance
PublisherAvon Books
Publication DateJune 19, 2018
Purchase Your Copy Today!
Amazon | Avon Romance | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | iBooks

Tour Wide Giveaway

To celebrate the release of WICKED AND THE WALLFLOWER by Sarah MacLean, we're giving away two $10 Amazon gift cards!

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open internationally. Two winners will each receive a $10 Amazon gift card.  This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance. Giveaway ends 6/29/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Pure Textuality PR is responsible for the prize and will send the prizes out to the winners directly. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address.  Duplicates will be deleted.  CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

A Huge Dynamite 5 Teacups for Sarah MacLean's latest: Wicked and the Wallflower! You will need not only big teacups but a huge pot to go along with this book as you are going to need the caffeine and warmth to keep you up as this book is one I could not put down! 

We first meet Devil, a bastard of a duke who is very mysterious, he and his other brothers are out for revenge upon the new Duke. At one of the ball's, they are putting their plan into place when Devil, ready to make his first move is interrupted by a lady running through the hall. He ducks into the corner of the balcony and the lady flees to the balcony and the solace and darkness it brings. Thinking herself alone, Lady Felicity expresses her frustration and hurt. Lady Felicity is a spinster and aging more each day. She knows her prospects of finding love are dwindling and she no longer fully embraces her spinsterhood. She desires to be back in the arms of the Ton. She was horribly tossed out by her friends and expressing her hurt and frustrations she hears a mysterious voice in the darkness and they soon open up a conversation and in the midst of it, both feel a drawing to each other. However, Felicity leaves the mysterious man to his darkness and heads back to the ballroom hoping for a glimpse of the new Duke. There she happens upon her former friends who are terribly putting her down and once they spot her they just tear her to pieces. Hurt and torn, Felicity fights back as best she can.

In order to assure that she finds deep love and her future husband loves her beyond words, she deals with the Devil himself; however, she did not bargain on falling for him herself. Can Devil give her the love she so desires?

I really related a lot to Felicity and one can't help but root for her, she's just an amazing character. I absolutely loved the chemistry between her and Devil. both have very sad paths, yet each invokes so much passion and depth to themselves and they help bring this out in each other. Just amazing characters and a really creative love story! Something you would not expect in other Historical Romance Novels, huge kudos to Ms. MacLean's creative genius!

About the Author

New York Times, Washington Post & USA Today bestseller SARAH MACLEAN is the author of historical romance novels that have been translated into more than twenty languages, and winner of back-to-back RITA Awards for best historical romance from the Romance Writers of America.

Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place at the nexus of gender and cultural studies. She is the author of a monthly column celebrating the best of the genre for the Washington Post. Her advocacy for romance and the women who read it earned her a place on Jezebel.com’s “Sheroes” list of 2014 and led Entertainment Weekly to call her “gracefully furious.”

A graduate of Smith College & Harvard University, Sarah now lives in New York City with her husband and daughter.

Author Links

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon

This promotion is brought to you by Pure Textuality PR.

The Gambler Wages Her Baron - Craven House Series by USA Today Bestselling Author Christina McKnight

When happily ever after is the name of the game, gamblers must risk it all in this emotional conclusion to Christina McKnight’s bestselling Craven House series.

Out June 26^th – Regency Romance, The Gambler Wages Her Baron by Christina McKnight.

Follow the tour and enter to #win one of three print copies of The Thief Steals Her Earl

Enter at:  http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29542/?

Title: The Gambler Wages Her Baron

Series: Craven House
Author: Christina McKnight
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency
Release Date: June 26, 2018

WAGERS GO AWRY

Payton Samuels has always known she wants more out of life than being the youngest daughter of the ton’s most disreputable family. While her siblings are content to bet their future happiness on marriage, Payton learned early on from her mother that love is fleeting and leads only to disappointment. She’s got a different plan: she’ll work as a governess for Baron Ashford’s children, but only long enough to win her fortune at one of his infamous masked gaming parties. When she loses big, Payton sees her chance at an independent life go up in flames—until Lord Ashford surprises her by paying her debts.

WHEN LOVE IS IN THE CARDS.

Since the tragic death of his wife, Damon Kinder, Lord Ashford, has been a man made of ice. His determination to never be hurt by love again runs so deep that he can’t even connect with his children. When they quickly take to Payton, he thinks he’s found a solution: she’ll give them the affection and support he can’t. As he spends more time around Payton, his heart begins to defrost, and he can’t stop thinking about the captivating governess.

But every seasoned gambler knows that eventually, luck runs out. Can two souls so burned by past loves forge a new future together?

Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

More from the Craven House series:

The Thief Steals Her Earl – JUST 99CENTS!!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

The Mistress Enchants Her Marquis

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

The Madam Catches Her Duke

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

Author Bio: 

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Christina McKnight writes emotional and intricate Regency Romance with rebellious women and maverick heroes. 

Her books combine romance and mystery, exploring themes of redemption and forgiveness. When not writing she enjoys coffee, wine, traveling the world, and watching television.

You can visit her online at the following places: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

Follow the tour and enter to #win one of three print copies of The Thief Steals Her Earl

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Tempted by the Viscount - A Shadow and Silk Novel by Sofie Darling

Tempted
by the Viscount

by
Sofie Darling

Genre:
Historical Romance

Pub
Date: June 27^th, 2018

London,
April 1825

Lord
Jakob Radclyffe left his past behind in the Far East. Or so he thinks
until a ruthless thief surfaces in London, threatening to ruin his
daughter’s reputation. With the clock ticking, Jake needs the
scandalous Lady Olivia Montfort’s connections in the art world to
protect his daughter’s future.

Olivia,
too, has a past she’d like to escape. By purchasing her very own
Mayfair townhouse, she’ll be able to start a new life independent
from all men. There’s one problem: she needs a powerful man’s
name to do so. The Viscount St. Alban is the perfect name.

A
bargain is struck.

What
Olivia doesn’t anticipate is the temptation of the viscount. The
undeniable spark of awareness that races between them undermines her
vow to leave love behind. Soon, she has no choice but to rid her
system of Jake by surrendering to her craving for a single scorching
encounter.

But
is once enough? Sometimes once only stokes the flame of desire higher
and hotter. And sometimes once is all the heart needs to risk all and
follow a mad passion wherever it may lead.

Excerpt:

An image of tonight’s hostess came to mind. Of her surface . . . Her eyes fluttering shut, lashes dark against her pale skin, parted lips reaching up, up, up . . . And her depths . . . The quality that made him want to forget his place, his purpose, himself, and dip his head and claim those lips until they were satisfied, sated. As if a mere kiss could accomplish satisfaction and satiety between them.

A soft swish of skirts whispered behind him, and a voice sounded in his ear. “Does it disappoint? Disappointment can leave one feeling decidedly unfulfilled.”

Jake looked right, and the room fell away. There she stood, throwing that word at him again. Disappointment. The idea that he’d disappointed her had gnawed at him since yesterday. And now she was throwing another word into the mix.Unfulfilled.

While he had no desire to leave this woman disappointed, he certainly didn’t want to leave her unfulfilled. In fact, under a different set of circumstances for their acquaintance, he wouldn’t walk away from this woman until she was thoroughly . . . exhaustively . . . fulfilled, satisfied, sated . . .

Goodreads
* Amazon

Sofie
spent much of her twenties raising two boys and reading every book
she could get her hands on. Once she realized that she was no longer
satisfied with simply reading the books she loved, that she must
write them, too, she decided to finish her degree and embark on a
writing career. Mr. Darling and the boys gave her their wholehearted
blessing.

When
she’s not writing heroes who make her swoon, she runs a marathon in
a different state every year, visits crumbling medieval castles
whenever she gets a chance, and enjoys a slightly codependent
relationship with her beagle, Bosco.

Website
*Facebook
*Twitter
*Instagram
*Amazon
*Goodreads

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the tour HERE
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