The Importance of Author Events:
Way back in the day – a few years ago – I attended my first fan convention. I was there as a speaker and scared out of my wits to get up on stage and speak to a crowd of people who were there to see actors, not me. But I did it and soon it was a piece of cake and at each stop my crowd grew. It wasn’t until my third or fourth convention that I finally understood the importance behind them and why there were so many stops. It’s the fans.
Whether it’s for your favorite movie, TV show or book, fan conventions are a must for everyone. Not only does it provide you an opportunity to meet people with similar interests, but it gives you a chance to meet your favorites and for some it’s a once in a lifetime moment and hopefully captured on a camera.
The author signings that are scheduled are so vast and wide spread that everyone has an opportunity to attend. Event planners, authors and bloggers are working diligently to make sure each State is getting the attention it deserves as well as Europe, Canada and Australia. There is something for everyone. The only drawback is that tickets sell-out early and unless you’re active on Facebook you could miss an opportunity to purchase tickets.
This year, I’m participating in various author signings throughout the US starting next weekend in New York City. 80 authors will be there covering every genre. As of this post, tickets are still available.
See the NEWS tab below for more information on the New York City signing.
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.
During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games.
FINDING MY FOREVER
(Beaumont #3)
Everywhere I look, my friends are settling down - marriage, children, white picket fences; but not me. Marriage isn't in the cards for me. I’m a ladies man.
A rock star.
I was born and raised in the industry.
I love everything about my life, especially the attention from the women that my status brings me.
Women find me. I don’t chase. I know what they want and they know I’ll deliver.
But after one look, one touch, one night...
Now I’m the one doing the chasing.
I need to find a way to show her that I’m serious, that I can change.
I need to find a way to show her that I can love her fully, and only her.
I need to find a way to show her that she’s my forever.
FINDING MY FOREVER
(The Beaumont Series #3)
by Heidi McLaughlin
ARC Review
Published: December 2013
My rating: 5 of 5 ⭐️
When Jimmy hooks up with the bride's best friend at his bandmate and best friend, 4225 West's front man Liam's wedding, he thought it might get his preoccupation with her out of his system. Instead, he finds his focus slowly changing from lusting to longing.
When Jimmy hooks up with the bride's best friend at his bandmate and best friend, 4225 West's front man Liam's wedding, he thought it might get his preoccupation with her out of his system. Instead, he finds his focus slowly changing from lusting to longing.
Born in the UK to a father in the music industry, Jimmy learned young in life that commitment and family were difficult to maintain in that lifestyle. He tried once and got burned himself, so now he just enjoyed his rockstar life to the fullest, especially the women who threw themselves at him. Recently his friends had started settling down and although he could see how good it was for them, and he enjoyed spending time with their families, he still couldn't see it happening for him. But then when he would look at Jenna, who was so different from the groupies he was used to, he wondered.
Jenna hates keeping secrets and right now she is keeping a few, but she knows hoe loving and protective her friends are and worry that they might overreact. So she keeps things to herself. It's difficult not to let anything slip when Jimmy is around, she wants to snuggle up and tell him all and at the same time run as hard as she can in the opposite direction. A good man, a good friend, but a poor prospect and a player. No, she has handled things one her own before, she can handle things on her own now too.
When Jenna was threatened in public by a 'ghost' from her past, all three band members circled around to protect her, but to everyone's surprise, Jimmy took it a step further and whisked her away. He has come to believe that perhaps he can make better choices, different choices, and he envisions Jenna by his side. Not having the best track record, it will take a hell of a lot of convincing for Jenna to take a chance on him. But he is not going anywhere but forward, despite the fact that his past won't let him go.
Nobody really believed he could do it, that he could change, even Jenna although never doubting his good intentions, wasn't sure he had it in him. But she becomes his biggest advocate when he needs it most, she just doesn't know if it is too late.....
******
ADORE!!! Sweet, bad, naughty, sensitive, bad boy Jimmy!!!! What a treat he is......and what a frustration. I pulled on my hair quite a bit AND had to put down the book a few times to cool down, it was like dealing with one of my sons!!! So loveable and yet so dang clueless!!!
But Jimmy is so willing, so eager to do and be better. He doesn't realize that so far all he has done is live up to his own far too low standards. No one else put those expectations there but him. Lack of communication is one of the biggest downfalls in most relationships, and although Jimmy generally doesn't have a problem communicating, he fails to communicate some pretty important bits of information. He rallies well though, has good friends who will listen when he needs it and who end up standing by him vigilantly. His growth is immense and completely disarming.
Jenna is pretty much on the opposite end of the scale from Jimmy in many ways. She is a private person, in part by character and part by necessity to avoid having a rough history catch up with her. Inevitably when it does, she learns that hiding does not make things go away, it simply postpones. Bit by bit she opens up, learning to trust the friendship and love she sees and feels from her friends. Starting off as one who needed protecting, she ends up being the protector. A huge character development for her as well.
Heidi McLaughlin has done an amazing job with the structure of this story, something quite fresh I think. The way the story is set up, with occasional little snippets of flashbacks, we have two points of view, both from Jimmy and Jenna. We are fed small bits of pertinent information at a time, but initially are never quite told out loud who it is that they are referring to, or what exactly they are referring to. But with every puzzle piece the full scope of the story unfolds and we hold all the information. Trust me, you don't have to wait too long into the book to get to this point, but it was such an interesting way of pulling the story together without needing to go into long narratives. I loved it!!
Just unbelievable writing, I loved both previous books, I absolutely ADORE this one, I'm not kidding!! The unique structure, the compelling storyline, the fallibility of the characters and the great writing style made this the complete book for me. Well done, Heidi!!!
✨A potent, touching and brilliantly vivid transformative tale!✨
***ARC provided in return for an honest review.***
FINDING MY WAY
(The Beaumont Series #4)
Expected Release: April 2014
Liam Westbury has the world at his feet. He’s the quintessential golden boy. He’s the superstar quarterback for Beaumont High. His girl, Josie, is head cheerleader. He has his choice of colleges just waiting for him. Except he’s suffocating from all the pressure he’s under and no one understands.
Liam Page is the heartthrob he never wanted to be. He’s successful, smart and in demand by record companies and his adoring fans. Music is his passion, his love, but something’s missing. His nights are lonely and he longs for the girl he left behind. Seeing her in every face in the crowd haunts him with the knowledge that she hates him. Going home has never been an option until now.
Be there when Liam Westbury becomes Liam Page and follow the highs and lows of the Quarterback turned Rockstar as he finds a way back to Beaumont in this prequel to Forever My Girl.
Pre-Order
(The Beaumont Series #1)
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.
(The Beaumont Series #1.5)
When Nick Ashford lost his friend, Mason, he didn’t realize he was going to lose his family as well, but that’s exactly what happened. Alone and in a foreign country, Nick is working on rebuilding his life one patient at a time, that is, until a striking volunteer makes her presence known.
Can Nick finish his year in Africa without risking his heart being broken again, or is he willing to start a new chapter in his life before his return to Beaumont?
(The Beaumont Series #2)
I expected a life of music.
I expected to raise my son.
It took one look to make everything change.
I never expected happiness.
I never expected to find her.
I never expected to feel desire.
I never expected I’d be a family man.
I never expected to be loved.
I never expected to fall in love.
They say you should expect the unexpected, I didn’t realize my unexpected would be the forever kind.
LOST IN YOU
Ryan Stone is a less than average teenager. He doesn’t have fancy clothes. He doesn’t carry around the latest smartphone and he definitely doesn’t have an MP3 player. Instead, he goes to school, does his chores and dreams of a new life away from Brookfield where he’s expected to follow in his blue collar family’s footsteps.
Hadley Carter is America’s Pop Princess. A successful recording artist living her dream with a sold-out tour and a handful of Grammy’s there isn’t much that she wants for, except love. But finding love on the road is near impossible when all she longs for are romantic dinners, a nighttime stroll on the beach and holding hands with someone who isn’t going to exploit her.
When a chance encounter introduces Ryan to Hadley, will he be like her adoring fans looking for a way in, or will it be Hadley who pursues Ryan even though it might cost her the only career she's known.
Lost in You is a story about following your dreams, taking risks and getting lost in love.
For a chance to meet Heidi in person...... she will be signing at the massive "Authors In The City" event in New York City on March 15th.
The following is a list of all the awesome authors attending, but check the Facebook page listed, to get the latest updates!
Some tickets are still available for those who wish to attend!!
Authors In The City will be held at:
The New York Marriott Downtown (down from the World Trade Center)
85 West St, New York, NY 10006
Saturday March 15, 2014.
1pm – 6pm - All 5 hours of the signing will be open to all attendees (there are no shifts) , assuring you that you will get a chance to meet everyone. All Authors are looking forward to getting to spend time with you all as well.
6pm-8pm – Meet & Greet/Food Service.
8pm-12am – After Party – 21 & over. No exceptions. (Surprises in-store for those attendees)
Haven't read any yet ;/ but read great reviews.
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