THE HOWLING HEART Grand Finale & Giveaway

Book Tour Grand Finale for
The Howling Heart
By April Bostic

Did you enjoy diving into a world with mythical werewolves? If you missed any of the posts about this paranormal story-book world, go back and check them out now...

Launch - Interview with the Author

1. What is your motivation behind The Howling Heart? Why did you want to write it?
I was inspired from watching the unfortunately cancelled TV series Wolf Lake and the movie Blood and Chocolate. I enjoyed both of them immensely and I liked how the werewolves were portrayed. I’m a big fan of werewolf movies and shows, and these are two of my favorites. I decided to write my own werewolf-themed story and give my werewolves a unique origin that I’d never read or seen before, including the addition of Norse mythology. I also liked the idea of wolves turning into humans instead of vice versa.

Cherry Mischievous - To love a werewolf, you must love the wolf.

Werewolves take center stage in my aptly titled paranormal romance novel The Howling Heart. I think my werewolves are unique, because they’re descended from a 13th century Scandinavian wolf that was blessed with the ability to shapeshift into a human by Máni, the Norse god of the moon, and Freya, the Norse goddess of love...

Wishful Endings - The History of Varulv

Riley Gray is the hero in my paranormal romance novel The Howling Heart, and is somewhat of a storyteller. I thought it would be fun to quote him when he shared the magical story of his werewolf ancestry with Paige, the love of his life and heroine in the book. The history has been passed down from generation to generation....

Becky on Books - Excerpt

I blushed under his steady gaze and looked away in an attempt to ignore him. For some reason, I couldn’t control myself. My gaze kept finding his. A smirk played on his lips—the color of a summer peach—and I wondered if they tasted as sweet.

Harlie's Books - Wolves and Research & 5-Star Review

When writing fiction, there is no limit to the author’s imagination. Oftentimes, we ask our readers to suspend disbelief. But being a book reader as well, I know sometimes there is a limit to the suspension before the story is just too unbelievable. Some readers want to be grounded in a little reality, so I think it’s ideal for an author to find a balance between the two.

"Plus there is a touch of the Viking in here too and oh man…I loved it!"

Singing Librarian Books - Excerpt

"No worries. I don't mind," he soothed. "You can borrow whatever you want. What's mine is yours, love."

Cover2Cover - The Howling Heart Main Character Spotlights

Today I’d like to shine the spotlight on the main characters in The Howling Heart. First, I’ll introduce Paige Donovan, the heroine and story narrator. She has provided the following hand-written list on a piece of loose-leaf notebook paper. She revealed to me that she wished she could’ve typed the list on a tablet, but is no longer afforded such a technological luxury...

underneath the covers - Excerpt

I didn’t sleep peacefully, because the sound of whimpering awakened me. I opened my eyes to see Riley suffering a nightmare. He panted rapidly. His wolf body twitched, and his head jerked against the pillow. I propped myself on my elbow and touched him gently to rouse him.

Colorimetry - Meet Riley as told by Paige

Hello Everyone! I’d like to introduce you to Riley Gray, the hero in my paranormal romance novel The Howling Heart, as told by Paige, the heroine and narrator. These are just some fun facts about him which makes him an interesting man---I mean, an interesting werewolf.

The Book

The Howling Heart by April Bostic
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

About The Howling Heart:

Paige Donovan is an ambitious college graduate who aspires to reach the top of the corporate ladder. She’s climbing fast when given the promotion of a lifetime at a prestigious fashion magazine in New York City. Her bright future comes to an unexpected halt after news of her father’s death. She inherits his old cabin in the Colorado Rockies, and just when she thinks her luck couldn’t get any worse, she has a car accident in the mountains and awakens in the small, remote community of Black River.

Soon, she’s engulfed in the mystical world of Varulv---wolves descended from 13th century Scandinavia and blessed by Norse gods with the ability to appear human. Paige is desperate to return home, but never expects to fall for her rescuer, Riley Gray, a charming young werewolf from England who offers her an alternate future with his pack.

Now, she must choose between the career she’s always wanted and the love she’s always dreamed.

Source: Info in the About The Howling Heart was from the press kit from the publicity team.

Buy Link(s):
   

Meet The Author

About April Bostic:

April Bostic is a New Jersey-based, Adult Romance author who enjoys unleashing her creativity and letting her imagination run wild. Her love of romance books inspired her to become not just a reader, but also a writer. In December 2008, she self-published her first novel, a contemporary romance with a supernatural twist entitled "A Rose to the Fallen".

Her first short story, "Right Here, Right Now", released in January 2012, is an erotic romance with a dash of S&M. The following year, she released two more short stories: a romantic urban fantasy inspired by the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche entitled "Eros, My Love", and a sexy romantic comedy entitled "Love Addiction".

After five years, she released her second novel, "The Howling Heart" in August 2013, a paranormal romance that delves into the mystical world of werewolves and Norse gods. To end her busiest year in publishing, April also released her fourth short story in December 2013, a historical paranormal romance entitled "A Dark Scandal".

google+ | amazon | goodreads

Giveaway

$25 Amazon eGift Card & ebook of The Howling Heart
Open internationally
Ends January 9th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

w (pbt) | w (we) | w (c) | t (pbt) | t (we) | t (lbi) | f (pbt) | f (bi) | f (la) | f (twe) | bl (pbt) | bl (we) | bl (c) | gr | p (pbt) | p (twe) | p (bi) | g+ (bi) | g+ (lbi) | g+ (ts) | ig (pbt) | ig (we) | ig (bi)

THE HOWLING HEART Tour & Giveaway

To love a werewolf, you must love the wolf.

Werewolves take center stage in my aptly titled paranormal romance novel The Howling Heart. I think my werewolves are unique, because they’re descended from a 13th century Scandinavian wolf that was blessed with the ability to shapeshift into a human by Máni, the Norse god of the moon, and Freya, the Norse goddess of love. They conjured this miracle by laying their divine hands on his wolf body, and placing a special light inside him. His descendants later adopted the species name Varulv, which means “werewolf” in Swedish and Danish. They also refer to “The Light Within” as the source of their supernatural power. Varulv are actually wolves in human guise that have learned to behave as humans to survive in a human world. They are born as wolf pups and have to sleep in wolf form, because it takes a conscious mind and energy to retain human form.

Riley is a young British werewolf now living in the small secluded town of Black River in the Colorado Rockies. The town is inhabited exclusively by Varulv. He falls in love with Paige, a young human woman from New York City, when they first meet as children. The only thing he’s ever wanted is to make her his mate. One of his challenges is helping her understand that he’s a wolf first and a human second. She needs to accept this if their relationship is going to work.

"What you're looking at is just a physical representation of what I'd look like if I was human. It's a tangible illusion…it’s not what I really am. I can appear, act, and speak like a human, but I’m not one. I was born a wolf pup, not a baby. I had to learn how to take my human form and control my shifting." -- Riley

Because of Varulv’s complex nature, there’s a chance Riley could never be human again. My werewolves can lose The Light Within if their wolf bodies are injured severely. If that ever happens to Riley, how would that affect his relationship with Paige? Would she still love him? Would she still make love to him? Those are pivotal questions, and I felt it was necessary for the characters to have the discussion in the book. On several occasions, Paige needed to be reminded that Riley was a wolf. She couldn’t delude herself into thinking she was committing to a human.

Riley fell asleep first, and I felt his soft fur on my face. His body temperature was warmer. His front paws wrapped around me, and I realized this was the most intimate I'd been with his animal form. He would never sleep with me as a human, and I had to accept it if I was going to be with him.

I wanted her to consider the possibility of Riley losing his light, and realize the depth of her love for him. I hope readers are intrigued by The Howling Heart, and will approach it with an open mind like Paige. It’s a different “breed” of werewolf romance.

The Book

The Howling Heart by April Bostic
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

About The Howling Heart:

Paige Donovan is an ambitious college graduate who aspires to reach the top of the corporate ladder. She’s climbing fast when given the promotion of a lifetime at a prestigious fashion magazine in New York City. Her bright future comes to an unexpected halt after news of her father’s death. She inherits his old cabin in the Colorado Rockies, and just when she thinks her luck couldn’t get any worse, she has a car accident in the mountains and awakens in the small, remote community of Black River.

Soon, she’s engulfed in the mystical world of Varulv---wolves descended from 13th century Scandinavia and blessed by Norse gods with the ability to appear human. Paige is desperate to return home, but never expects to fall for her rescuer, Riley Gray, a charming young werewolf from England who offers her an alternate future with his pack.

Now, she must choose between the career she’s always wanted and the love she’s always dreamed.

Source: Info in the About The Howling Heart was from the press kit from the publicity team.

Buy Link(s):
   

Meet The Author

About April Bostic:

April Bostic is a New Jersey-based, Adult Romance author who enjoys unleashing her creativity and letting her imagination run wild. Her love of romance books inspired her to become not just a reader, but also a writer. In December 2008, she self-published her first novel, a contemporary romance with a supernatural twist entitled "A Rose to the Fallen".

Her first short story, "Right Here, Right Now", released in January 2012, is an erotic romance with a dash of S&M. The following year, she released two more short stories: a romantic urban fantasy inspired by the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche entitled "Eros, My Love", and a sexy romantic comedy entitled "Love Addiction".

After five years, she released her second novel, "The Howling Heart" in August 2013, a paranormal romance that delves into the mystical world of werewolves and Norse gods. To end her busiest year in publishing, April also released her fourth short story in December 2013, a historical paranormal romance entitled "A Dark Scandal".

google+ | amazon | goodreads

Tour Schedule

December 27th: Launch

December 28th: Cherry Mischievous

December 29th: Reading Addict

December 30th: Mythical Books & Becky on Books

December 31st: Harlie's Books & Singing Librarian Books

January 1st: Cover2Cover & Enthralling Dimple

January 3rd: Grand Finale

Giveaway

$25 Amazon eGift Card & ebook of The Howling Heart
Open internationally
Ends January 9th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

w (pbt) | w (we) | w (c) | t (pbt) | t (we) | t (lbi) | f (pbt) | f (bi) | f (la) | f (twe) | bl (pbt) | bl (we) | bl (c) | gr | p (pbt) | p (twe) | p (bi) | g+ (bi) | g+ (lbi) | g+ (ts) | ig (pbt) | ig (we) | ig (bi)

SWEET & SPICY HOLIDAY Grand Finale & Giveaway

A Sweet & Spicy Holiday
with Tara Taylor Quinn

Tara has shared some fabulous holiday recipes along with her holiday Superromance books in conjunction with Harlequin's A Sweet & Spicy Holiday.

If you missed any of the stops or recipes, go back and check them out now and see a final TTQ recipe below...

December 7th: Launch - Holiday Message & Party Casserole

I love it that Christmas helps us tap into the heart of ourselves. It reminds us of our softer sides. It is my prayer and my hope that this year, we can all grasp hold of that softer side. Hang on to it and bring it with us into the new year ñ not packed away with the Christmas decorations to be brought out again next December. But open, out, active, a part of our days and nights, our relationships and our choices, throughout the entire year.

Party casserole has been in my family my whole life. I don't even know where it originated. But anytime there is a particularly festive special occasion, it's party casserole time. When new friends enter our circle, they get party casserole. I've never served anyone who didn't like it!

December 8th: Cherry Mischievous - Merry Christmas, Babies & TTQ Cucumber and Onion Wrap

I learned an important lesson from Elise Richardson. I donít have to settle. This holiday season, my gift to you is the challenge to ask yourself for more. And then to be there to deliver. And next year we can check back in with each other to see what weíve accomplished!

I made this recipe up and it has become a requested favorite for us and our guests. My husband's mother used to make him a cucumber, onion and vinegar side dish. Sadly, I never had hers, but didn't like the rendition of it I tried. So I set out to create something that filled the void for him, but that I liked as well. This was the end result and he loves it!!

December 9th: Brooke Blogs - Excerpt from The Holiday Visitor & Golden Tassies

Dear Candy,

Itís going to be a hard Christmas for both of us. Would that I could send a hug through a letter, my sweet friend, for you would surely have one now and anytime you opened an envelope from me.

This is my motherís signature Christmas cookie recipe. Sheís made these every year of my whole life, and at 78 continues to do so!

December 10th: Book Munchies - The Heart of Christmas & Chocolate Pixies

The Heart of Christmas. I wrote this book many years ago. I just sat down to tell a story. The idea had come to me. Iíd sold it to Harlequin. And, as I do with all of my books, I sat down, listened to the voices in my head, and typed. I had no idea I was creating something that would speak to hearts years into the future. But it continues to do so.

This is my all-time favorite cookie recipe. I started making it with my mom and aunt when I was a kid. I still use that original recipe card which has so many smudges on it now, fingerprints from all these years of loving and baking, that I canít even read it all. Nor do I need to, but I pull it out every year anyway. I have it on the counter with me as I bake. I look at the chocolate and butter fingerprints and get full before Iíve even taken a bite.

Exclusive TTQ Recipe

We get to share a final recipe from Tara Taylor Quinn...

Cocktail Meatballs

This is the star piece at our family Christmas Eve gathering every year!  My mother's recipe that she's been making since I was a kid, and that I make now, too.  But I never make them on Christmas Eve.  That's Mom's privilege and pleasure!

2# ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup corn flakes, crushed
2 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper to taste
1 regular sized bottle chili sauce
juice from one lemon
1 6 oz. jar grape jelly

Mix uncooked ground beef, onion, garlic, cornflakes and eggs.  Season to taste.  Shape into walnut sized balls.

In heavy skillet combine chili sauce, lemon juice and jelly.  Simmer for five minutes.  Add meat balls.  Cook on low heat for one hour.  Cool.  Refrigerate until fat hardens.  Skim off fate.  Pour into container to freeze until needed.  Or pour into fondue or crock pot and keep warm over low to serve at your party!

Holiday Superromance Books

Merry Christmas, Babies by Tara Taylor Quinn
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

About Merry Christmas, Babies:

Business hotshot Elise Richardson is successful, beautiful, single... and her biological clock is clanging like a church bell. So independent Elise takes matters into her own hands and now she's pregnant--with quadruplets! Her business partner and best friend, Joe Bennett, can't believe she's going to be a mom--times four! There's no way he's ready for the chaos of parenthood. Being one of seven children has taught him that much. But now that Elise's doctor says she shouldn't be home alone, Joe's ready to move in. Strictly as a friend, of course. At least until Christmas...

Source: Info in the About Merry Christmas, Babies was from the press kit from the publicity team.

Buy Link(s):

The Heart Of Christmas by Tara Taylor Quinn
A Hayden Sisters series book
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

About The Heart Of Christmas:

This Christmas, she's got her very own St. Nick!

With her business sold and her family out of reach, Abby Hayden's at loose ends.

But if Abby doesn't have enough to occupy her time, Dr. Nick McIntrye has too much. So many people rely on him for help and guidance.... No wonder Abby calls him "St. Nick."

Nick has a proposition for Abby, one he thinks will benefit them both. He persuades her to work at a home he's established for pregnant teens, girls who'll be giving up their babies for adoption.

That's where Abby learns she has a special gift: she knows how to make these girls feel loved and valued, despite their mistakes, despite their fears and lost confidence. And she receives a special gift herself--her very own St. Nick. Not just this Christmas, but for all the Christmases to come!

Source: Info in the About The Heart Of Christmas was from the press kit from the publicity team.

Buy Link(s):

For The Children by Tara Taylor Quinn
Book 13 of the Twins series
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

About For The Children:

Kirk Chandler and Valerie Simms--two people who'll do anything for children

Valerie is a juvenile court judge. She spends her days helping troubled kids--including her own fatherless twin boys.

Through her sons, she meets Kirk Chandler. Kirk's given up a successful corporate career and dedicated himself to helping the children in his Phoenix community...as a basketball coach, as a crossing guard, as an adult who encourages them to strive for the best.

Kirk becomes an increasingly important part of her family's life, even spending Christmas with Valerie and her twins. And Valerie discovers that she and Kirk not only share a commitment to protecting children, they share a deep attraction--and a personal connection that shocks them both.

Source: Info in the About For The Children was from the press kit from the publicity team.

Buy Link(s):

The Promise Of Christmas by Tara Taylor Quinn
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

About The Promise Of Christmas:

Leslie Sanderson's brother, Cal, is dead--and he's left behind two children no one knew he had. She and Kip Webster, Cal's closest friend, "inherit" these secret kids.

As they form their makeshift family, Leslie and Kip decide to share a house. And that leads to other kinds of sharing.... One night, just before Christmas, Leslie tells him about the devastating thing that happened when she was young--something she's kept secret all this time.

Because in Kip, she finds the promise of safety, acceptance and love. The promise of what family should be. The promise of Christmas....

Source: Info in the About The Promise Of Christmas was from the press kit from the publicity team.

Buy Link(s):

The Holiday Visitor by Tara Taylor Quinn
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

About The Holiday Visitor:

Marybeth Lawson has the life she's always wanted. And it all revolves around her cozy bed-and-breakfast. As busy as it keeps her, there is no room for romance, which is fine with her. Then one Christmas, the very good-looking Craig McKellips reserves a room--and everything changes. The attraction between them is intense and instant.

With each visit, the connection between them deepens and Marybeth marvels as the wall around her heart crumbles. Could Craig be the one? Then he reveals a shocking secret that threatens their relationship. Now Marybeth must pick up the pieces and discover what it means to really know someone...and love them anyway.

Source: Info in the About The Holiday Visitor was from the press kit from the publicity team.

Buy Link(s):

Meet The Author

About Tara Taylor Quinn:

The author of more than 70 original novels, in twenty languages, Tara Taylor Quinn is a USA Today bestseller with over six million copies sold. A 2015 RITA finalist Tara appears frequently on bestseller lists, including #1 placement on Amazon lists, and multiple showings on the Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller list. She has appeared on national and local TV across the country, including CBS Sunday Morning.

Tara is a supporter of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you or someone you know might be a victim of domestic violence in the United States, please contact 1-800-799-7233.

www.tarataylorquinn.com | twitter | facebook | facebook author page | google+ | pinterest | instagram | goodreads

Praise for Tara Taylor Quinn

Her writing is dramatic, her characters realistic, her stories involving. 
— #1 New York Times Bestseller, Debbie Macomber

One of the skills that has served Quinn best...has been her ability to explore edgier subjects. 
— Publisher's Weekly

Quinn writes touching stories about real people that transcend plot type or sub-genre.
— Rachel Potter, All About Romance

Tara Taylor Quinn's deeply felt stories of romance and family will warm your heart.
— Jennifer Crusie, New York Times Bestseller Author

Tara Taylor Quinn's attention to craft is exquisitely fine-tuned.  Ms. Quinn intertwines captivating characters, emotional fervor and compelling conflict into a poignant love story.
— Romantic Times Magazine

Character-driven suspense at its best with rapid-fire pacing that makes you feel as if the pages are turning themselves. I inhaled it in two sittings.
— Hallie Ephron, reviewer, Boston Globe

Giveaway

• $10 VISA Gift Card (US only)
• 2 ebook Winner's: Wife by Design, Once a Family, and Husband by Choice (open internationally)
• Ends December 15th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

w (pbt) | w (we) | w (c) | t (pbt) | t (we) | t (lbi) | f (pbt) | f (bi) | f (la) | f (twe) | bl | gr | p (pbt) | p (twe) | g+ (bi) | g+ (lbi) | g+ (ts) | ig