Friday, September 28, 2012

Author, author... #giveaway

...read all about it !!

Today we have the honor of being the last stop on the Yesterday's Heroes book tour and we get to find out a bit about the book and it's author, Heather Long !!



Welcome Heather, so great to have you here with us.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Thank you for having me! I'm a writer and this question is always so hard to answer because I don't tend to think of myself as interesting—but I really hope my books are. I read somewhere that if you go to sleep at night and dream of writing, wake up wanting to write, are distracted all day by the things you could be writing—then you just might be a writer. That pretty much sums me up—writing touches every part of my life.


Do real life events find their way into your stories?

Absolutely. Some events you can't shy away from and it took me ten years to be able to write anything that used 9/11 and then it appeared in two stories I wrote. Some events are—for lack of a better way to say it—fixed points. Whether it's Vietnam, the Marine Barracks bombing in 1982, the assassination of a president or the destruction of a space shuttle—they change us in some fundamental way and change the landscape of our personal histories. So those types of events absolutely make it into my books.


Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?

I have been inspired to create characters based on friends or family—but they remain inspirations. Most of the characters that appear in my head may be sparked by something else, but ultimately they develop as independent entities—not sure that makes a lot of sense unless you're in my head.


Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?

Everything inspires me. I had a conversation on the phone a few days ago with a very dear friend and we were discussing something rather random, but it sparked a thought and I was like, huh, I wonder—and fifteen minutes later, I had a new story idea. It can be as simple as an offhand remark or a photograph or a song…or just something I see on the road while driving.


When do you write?  Early morning? During the day sometime or all day?  After the kids go to bed?

Early morning is the best time. I am fresh and alert. Lately though I tend to write in spurts all day long, as well. But I think I am my most creative in the morning.


How do you feel about marketing your book?

Honestly? Hardest part of the job—but while some people dream of fifteen minutes of fame—I dream of those last few pages as a reader closes the book and lets out a sigh of satisfaction and says 'damn that was good.'


What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?

There are so many and they each offer something unique to the mix. I tend to stick to Facebook and Twitter. Occasionally I will play on Yahoo Groups and visit readers via chats they host which are fun, too.


Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?
I have done both. I've sent in proposals while I've been working on a book or the whole book if it's a new publisher. With my established editors, I pitch story ideas and then run with the ones they like.


Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing?  If so, what is it?

A real spy thriller. I just finished a book called The Lady is a Thief and it had a lot of action, spy elements and I really enjoy action adventure.


Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?

No. These characters are themselves and I am just their 'facilitator' to get the story out.


Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, 
Favorite 5
1)    Favorite Male Actor  - Chris Hemsworth
2)    Favorite vehicle -  Jeep
3)    Favorite way to relax – A massage
4)    Favorite ice cream – Mint chocolate chip
5)    Favorite outfit – I have these red jeans that I just bought this summer – LOVE them

And for a bonus:  If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be?  (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed)

Hmm, I'd like to live somewhere there are four seasons—conversely, I wouldn't mind Hawaii for a couple of years.


Where can our readers find you?? 
Email: heather@heatherlong.net
Twitter: @HVLong
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HeatherLongAuthor
Website/blog: http://www.heatherlong.net
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Heather-Long/e/B002BMBCUC/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2959976.Heather_Long
TRR:  http://www.theromancereviews.com/mypage.php?location=HVLong


 

Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

Yesterday's Heroes is one of the most exciting books I've ever written. It's the kick off to a series of books about the Boomers and it features passion, romance, time travel, chaos and hope—and superheroes. I am truly excited to share this and even more that some readers are already asking me for the next book right now.  That's a great feeling.


Buy Links:



Also available on Audio!


Aurora “Rory” Graystone

Codename: Halo
Abilities: superior reflexes, I.Q. and aptitude for calculating probabilities
Mission: find missing teammates

Rory knows she’s being watched, and she’s not about to let the hunter catch her in his trap. She’ll confront her stalker, a man she suspects is involved in the disappearances of other superheroes–if she can ignore the sensual heat that fills her every time he’s near…


Michael Hunter
Codename: Hard Target
Abilities: expert tracker and sniper
Mission: kill Rory Graystone

One of five desperate men sent back in time to save the future, Michael believes eliminating Rory is the key to his mission. But even as he takes aim, a split second of doubt causes him to miss his shot.


Drawn together by passion, and on a collision course with fate, can Rory and Michael work together to change the future? Or have they set in motion the horrific history the time-travelers are trying to prevent?


What Readers are saying on Goodreads:

Tara Clegg:  This promises to be an awesome new series and I cannot wait until the next book to learn more about the heroes and the challenges they are facing.

Reading Reality:  Too many possibilities and no way to get answers until the next book.  I want the next book!

Jeep Diva:  Superheroes, time travel, sexy alpha males, and saving the world.  There is so much awesome in that mix.

Calisto:  Is there anything better than romance, action and spandex superheroes?

 

Heather's book Yesterday's Heroes was also featured this week on Fresh Fiction "Buy The Book" segment from Good Morning Texas!!



                                    
 
Heather is also doing a giveaway so make sure to visit the rafflecopter below !!!



 
 
 Heather, we can't thank you enough for being here with us today!  It was so great hearing more about you and I can't wait to read Yesterday's Heroes.  Many congrats on the Good Morning Texas, how thrilling!!

Readers, make sure you filled out the Rafflecopter and good luck on the contest but don't forget, Yesterday's Heroes is available in these places too :)



Also available on Audio!

Until next time, happy reading !!

Krista



 

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