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Winner, Winner!!
We have a WINNER!!
Jeanna Bohanon is our Valentine GIVEAWAY winner!! Thanks to all who entered! Be watching for more fun giveaways!
Valentine { Giveaway }
Working up some AMAZING fun with an Amazing Race themed date for my sweetheart and a bunch of fun couples tonight. I’ll post all the details here, but got my inspiration from the fun ladies at The Dating Divas.
I am personally a huge fan of romance. I’m a sucker for a love letter, a sweet date idea or a slow dance with some great music. I LOVE romance! No wonder I have so much fun writing it! In honor of this day of LOVE, I thought it would only be fitting to host a GIVEAWAY!
A Heart So Broken is a fabulous Romance for the sweetheart on your list!
One FREE e-copy (any version) is up for grabs. How to enter?
Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite way to show love for your sweetie or someone you love = 1 entry
LIKE my Facebook page = 1 entry
FOLLOW ME on Pinterest = 1 entry
SHARE this with a friend on Twitter, Facebook or on your own blog (please include a link with this entry) = 2 entries
Be sure to leave a comment for each separate entry!
So spread the LOVE friends!
Good luck!
Edenbrooke
I love a good party. Surround in the literary shroud of a Book Club and I’m in heaven.
Friday night we got to visit with Julianne Donaldson about Edenbrooke. She was passing through Vegas on her way to CA. What a delight that she could spare some time for us to pick her brain about our favorite romance with Marianne and Phillip. *Sigh*
Edenbrooke rocked our world!
Here’s the little vignette I came up with to decorate – complete with the letter from Phillip to Marianne. My toes melted as I typed this up. Talk about delightful!
Apples, horses, paintbrushes and the letter...
Julianne is on deadline for her next book, Blackmoore, and every one of us is awaiting its publication with high anticipation. Good luck in your writing, Julianne!
What a lovely sight!
My favorite part of this night was rubbing shoulders with new and old friends, ladies I hadn’t seen in ages, regulars who brighten my doorstep often and brand new faces I was simply delighted to meet. There is nothing like meeting kindred spirits around the flame of a great read. To all who came, shared delectable goodies that tempted our tummies and contributed to a lovely evening – thank you! You’re welcome here anytime!
P.S. I finished Edenbrooke again last night and I simply cannot recommend it enough. If you haven’t read it – what are you waiting for? Click here for your copy. Then clear your schedule – you’re going to be preoccupied for a while! You can also follow Julianne’s progress on Facebook or on her website: JulianneDonaldson.com. Check it out.
Sold OUT!!
My initial order of books that arrived in three unassuming boxes on my doorstep sent shockwaves of glee through the house.
There was a good amount of squealing, unabashed revelations to all my piano students as they tromped past them (and I’m sure rolled their eyes at the crazy lady with the books!) and then hopeful waiting as orders came in one after another. I will never forget the first package of twelve books plopped onto the post office counter with all the pride of presenting a brand new baby. Or the final book in my collection sent to one of my favorite people in the world.
The best part isn’t the sending off of shiny volumes. It’s the reports like these from a local firefighter:
“I have always been a military supporter and those who protect us on a daily basis are already hereos in my book, and there families also. So many families have lost a father, son, brother who have given the ultimate sacrafice, those families will never be the same. Oh the joys of young love, the hope and the terror! Your main characters Jenna and Cooper, finally put it together and find love and respect for each other. The end of the book was the best when Jenna is able to forgive and then help another in so much pain…very touching and heart warming. Overall I found A Heart So Broken to be very loving, powerful, joyful, emotional, and tear jerking. You were able to bring all those aspects together in such great detail. The story was fantastic.”
Another friend, a widow of five years, called me the other night and literally left me in tears with her heartfelt thanks for the messages in this book that touched her heart. There is simply nothing like knowing your writing has helped someone in ways you never imagined.
I’ve sold out my first 100 copies and I can’t wait to see what happens to the next lot.
GIVEAWAY!!
Want a wonderful way to start the new year? Well…..
WhipperBerry is hosting me for a fabulous GIVEAWAY of A Heart So Broken!! Head on over and enter to win a signed copy or one of three e-books!! While you’re there, check out Heather’s beautiful designs, drool-worthy recipes and amazing photography. You’re going to want to stay and browse for a while. Enjoy!
Book Club Visit
Just before Christmas I got to visit with a lovely group of ladies for their book club.
This was one of my favorite visits. Not only did I get to catch up with one friend, Krishelle, who is a creative genius in her own right, but Lindsay as well, a dear friend who used to live on my side of town before relocating. Yes, we’re in the same city, but we rarely get to cross paths without gatherings like these. I can’t tell you how fun it was to see both of them and meet their other friends. Lindsay was my first screaming fan…I’ll never forget it! Ha ha! We talked family, parenting, and BOOKS! I came away with several titles to add to my ‘must read’ list.
Melissa Patton, Krishelle Leavitt, Christene Houston, Lindsay Barlow, Valerie Ringger
I have a special place in my heart for book clubs. While I am an avid reader on my own, I would say my scope can be small, sticking to the “happily ever afters” that naturally appeal to me. Being in a book club means hearing different voices, trying new things and having your eyes opened to genres and subjects you may never have approached before. I’ve read some amazing books because a friend in my book club chose them. (Unbroken, anyone?) I LOVE that!
These ladies have their own tastes too, and it was exciting to hear their take on A Heart So Broken. They loved it! I still can’t get over hearing someone else’s thoughts and feelings about the characters, the storyline and the message of A Heart So Broken. It gives me a lot of satisfaction when I hear that they can recommend it to their friends and older kids.
I really enjoyed visiting with Krishelle, Lindsay, Valerie & Melissa. Thanks for such gracious hospitality Ladies!
Do you have a book club in Las Vegas or surrounding areas? Drop me a line at christenehouston@aol.com if you’d like me to visit. I’d love to hear the buzz about A Heart So Broken and sign books while I’m there.
Book Club Visit
Right after A Heart So Broken launched, I was invited to participate in a local Book Club of about a dozen ladies.
This was my first ever Book Club visit, and even though these ladies were my friends, I was still nervous about what their opinions would be once they’d experienced my writing style and story concept. I felt it was a great story, but what would readers think? It would only take a bit of imagination to conjure up the thousands of conflicting emotions I was feeling.
Of course, my concerns were completely unnecessary. There was a general agreement that A Heart So Broken is a wonderful read! Each woman had their own unique take on the storyline and the impressions it left on them. I loved the questions that came out and the opportunity to explain a little bit more about my characters, their motivations and emotions. What an exciting experience!
What made it even better was walking into a mini recreation of the BBQ scene. Our host, Jamie, had baked up some delicious boneless chicken wings and onion rings along with jars of tasty strawberry lemonade just like in the book! That was pretty cool!
Jackson Turnage turned out to be the favorite character with Lilly Johnson in close second. There were mixed thoughts on where West Junction was located. And some people caught on early that there was a twist coming and others weren’t even ready for it when it hit. Some thought the twist would be another death.
That night we all went home with one of these darling mini candy bar bouquets. How cool is that?
Thanks Jamie and friends, for a wonderful night. You were too good to me!
I’m coming up with some book club questions just in case you’d like to host a book club discussion of your own. I’ll post those soon, so check back in!
If you have a reading group in Las Vegas, NV and would like to request a visit, drop me an email at christenehouston@aol.com. I’d love to be a part of your discussion! I’m also open to a Skype conference for book groups, schools etc. that may be out of state.
Stocking Stuffer…
A Heart So Broken - the perfect stocking stuffer for the reader on your List!
Did I mention that A Heart So Broken makes the perfect stocking stuffer for the reader in your life? I’m talking teens, men, women…this book transcends the typical barriers. Here’s just a little snippet of what one middle-aged firefighter had to say after reading A Heart So Broken:
“Overall I found A Heart So Broken to be very loving, powerful, joyful,emotional,and tear jerking. You were able to bring all those aspects together in such great detail, the story was fantastic.”
A Heart So Broken is getting rave reviews. Have you read it? Visit Amazon.com or Goodreads and let your voice be heard!
Delight the reader in your life with their copy of A Heart So Broken on Christmas morning (also available on Amazon.com & barnesandnoble.com).
LAUNCH Party!!
Let’s talk parties…
Everyone signed my first proof copy. I LOVED reading your sweet notes of encouragement. Thank You!!
The LAUNCH was so awesome!
A great old mailbox full of Thank You treats!
There were pies…
Delicious yumminess made by a bunch of my talented friends. Thanks Ladies!!
Books (they look so good in stacks!)
Stacks of A Heart So Broken
Giveaways
Thanks again Famous Dave's BBQ on Blue Diamond & Amy Cornwell Jewelry!!
And friends!!!
Amy signing my book. What a treasure!This is what I did all night - talked to amazing people!
Lynda brought her mother Rosemary. It was great talking with these two! Maybe a movie deal in our future??
My friend Meagan has already passed my book onto her daughter Ronnie. I love these two!!I am blessed with true friends. They came from an hour away, they came after running Ragnar, they came after sleepless nights, all to support me. How can words express the thanks of my heart for friends like these?
A huge thanks to all the friends who helped make this night possible, with special mention of Brianna Johnson for these lovely photos! I simply could not have enjoyed a single moment without their tender care, support, and willing hands.
To each of you who came out on a cold November night, I loved spending my special day with all of you! I can’t wait to hear what you think once you’ve read A Heart So Broken.
Did you miss out on the fun? Get your copy here (e-readers can buy here!), on Amazon.com or at BarnesandNoble.com.
P.S. Be watching for more appearances at locations near you!
Let’s Party
We’re only one day away from a party I’ve imagined for a year now. A Heart So Broken is ready to launch! It’s been such a journey, through radical revisions, tears, a little Voledmort (remember that first cover?) and rejoicing when it all came together. So here are the top five reasons why you should hit this fabulous little party going on tomorrow at the Clark County Library on 1401 E. Flamingo Rd. between 6:30 and 9:00pm on Saturday, November 10, 2012:
- Thanksgiving is almost here and you’d like to prime the PIE pump.
- You need a new book to keep you up late and give you an excuse to ignore the laundry.
- You’ve always wanted a signed copy of the best new novel on the market.
- Famous Dave’s has been calling your name and let’s be honest, you’re feeling lucky!
- Christene will be reading some early writings (from the days of little Writer Christene) and you’re more than a little curious about how far she’s come…and maybe snicker at how silly she was…:)
So, there you have it: Five solid reasons why you should be at the Launch Party of the year. Bring a friend and see you there!
Christene Houston
Bookworm, Vegas native, Momma, & Writer.
Get in touch at Christenehouston@aol.com.View Shopping Cart
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