Two Hearts in Winter
Ocean City Boardwalk
Series, Book 2
Series, Book 2
Long
Book Description:
Book Description:
Loss and betrayal
have caused Heather Phillips to give up on love. She’s thrown herself into
running The Lonely Loon, her Bed and Breakfast located on the boardwalk of Ocean City, Maryland.
The “off season” in this tourist town is usually a time of rest and reflection
for her; however, DB Atwell, a famous author, arrives at The Loon for the
winter to finish his long-overdue novel. Daniel, too, has faced grief, and
tragedy continues to haunt him. Once Heather and Daniel meet, their lives will
never be the same.
have caused Heather Phillips to give up on love. She’s thrown herself into
running The Lonely Loon, her Bed and Breakfast located on the boardwalk of Ocean City, Maryland.
The “off season” in this tourist town is usually a time of rest and reflection
for her; however, DB Atwell, a famous author, arrives at The Loon for the
winter to finish his long-overdue novel. Daniel, too, has faced grief, and
tragedy continues to haunt him. Once Heather and Daniel meet, their lives will
never be the same.
Reminiscent of
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks and culminating in a happily-ever-after
similar to the great Nora Roberts, Two Hearts in Winter is a story about
learning to let go of the past, about realizing that, though hardship affects
us, it need not define us, and about coming to understand and truly believe
that beauty is sometimes covered in scars. The human heart has an amazing
ability to forgive, to heal, and to hope, especially when touched by love.
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks and culminating in a happily-ever-after
similar to the great Nora Roberts, Two Hearts in Winter is a story about
learning to let go of the past, about realizing that, though hardship affects
us, it need not define us, and about coming to understand and truly believe
that beauty is sometimes covered in scars. The human heart has an amazing
ability to forgive, to heal, and to hope, especially when touched by love.
Short Book Description:
Heather has faced tragedy in her past. Daniel faces tragedy in his
present. This is a story about the healing power of love.
present. This is a story about the healing power of love.
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-939000-32-3
eBook ISBN: 978-1-939000-33-0
Author
Bio:
Bio:
USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano
has written 35 romance and women’s fiction titles. Her books have won awards,
have been translated into two dozen languages, and have sold 4 million copies
worldwide.
has written 35 romance and women’s fiction titles. Her books have won awards,
have been translated into two dozen languages, and have sold 4 million copies
worldwide.
Blog post to share: http://awesomeromancenovels.blogspot.com/p/two-hearts-in-winter-by-donna-fasano.html
Tweet for RTing: https://twitter.com/DonnaFaz/status/716235010186063872
Buy
Links:
Links:
US Kindle: http://amzn.to/1ooYAyR
UK
Kindle: http://amzn.to/235L56Z
Kindle: http://amzn.to/235L56Z
iBook: http://bit.ly/TwoHeartsiBook
Google Play: http://bit.ly/TwoHeartsGoogle
Paperback: Coming very soon!
Find
Donna Fasano on social Media:
Donna Fasano on social Media:
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Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/donnafasano
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-fasano
GoodReads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1111480.Donna_Fasano
Add
the book to your “Want To Read” shelf on GoodReads:
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Reviews
of Book 1 of the series:
of Book 1 of the series:
“The pleasure of Fasano’s style lies in the
scrumptious descriptions… and her characters’ sincere, mature desire to make
things work.” ~Publishers Weekly
scrumptious descriptions… and her characters’ sincere, mature desire to make
things work.” ~Publishers Weekly
“Following His Heart made me go “wow”. . .
I found it thought-provoking in ways I’d have never anticipated.” ~BooksAndPals.com,
5-Stars
I found it thought-provoking in ways I’d have never anticipated.” ~BooksAndPals.com,
5-Stars
Excerpt
1:
1:
It wasn’t
Heather’s aim to embarrass the girl; she just wanted to cut through the lies to
get to the truth as quickly as possible.
Heather’s aim to embarrass the girl; she just wanted to cut through the lies to
get to the truth as quickly as possible.
“Listen, hon.”
Heather leaned forward. “Why don’t you tell me what this is all about?”
Heather leaned forward. “Why don’t you tell me what this is all about?”
She smiled, but
she had to admit, after speaking with the woman at Atlantic Coastal this
morning, she’d felt completely stumped. Why in the world would this girl
approach her like she had? Why would she lie?
she had to admit, after speaking with the woman at Atlantic Coastal this
morning, she’d felt completely stumped. Why in the world would this girl
approach her like she had? Why would she lie?
“I’m tired of
proofing,” Sandra finally said. “And I don’t want to be an editor. I want to be
a writer. And paying writing gigs are few and far between in this business. Newspapers
are shutting down. Everyone is going digital. It’s… it’s hard.”
proofing,” Sandra finally said. “And I don’t want to be an editor. I want to be
a writer. And paying writing gigs are few and far between in this business. Newspapers
are shutting down. Everyone is going digital. It’s… it’s hard.”
Heather gently
pried the plastic lid off her tea. She lifted the rim to her mouth and took a
sip. The heady tastes hit her tongue: cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, and
the richly scented steam wafted around her face.
pried the plastic lid off her tea. She lifted the rim to her mouth and took a
sip. The heady tastes hit her tongue: cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, and
the richly scented steam wafted around her face.
The answer
Sandra gave was completely plausible. It seemed like a perfectly natural thing
for a journalist wannabe to do… write an interesting story about The Lonely
Loon and present it to the magazine’s publisher as proof of her writing skills.
Sandra gave was completely plausible. It seemed like a perfectly natural thing
for a journalist wannabe to do… write an interesting story about The Lonely
Loon and present it to the magazine’s publisher as proof of her writing skills.
Heather nodded.
“I see.” She set the cup down again, pleased by the calm demeanor that she’d
been able to present. As she’d driven over to the west side of town, she’d
fretted about the confrontation. But it had been simple, really. Just asking
for the simple truth had been the best solution.
“I see.” She set the cup down again, pleased by the calm demeanor that she’d
been able to present. As she’d driven over to the west side of town, she’d
fretted about the confrontation. But it had been simple, really. Just asking
for the simple truth had been the best solution.
There were still
a couple of questions niggling at her, though. “But why lie?” she asked. “Why
didn’t you just tell me you were going after a writing job at your magazine?”
a couple of questions niggling at her, though. “But why lie?” she asked. “Why
didn’t you just tell me you were going after a writing job at your magazine?”
Sandra’s chin tipped
up, and she unwittingly slid her palm over the silver laptop that sat on the
table, her gaze zeroing in on Heather’s face. “You would have helped me get a
story?”
up, and she unwittingly slid her palm over the silver laptop that sat on the
table, her gaze zeroing in on Heather’s face. “You would have helped me get a
story?”
“Of course, I
would help you.” Heather smiled. “I like to see people succeed. If I can help
you, I will.” You silly twit, whispered through her mind, but luckily she was
able to keep the offensive moniker from slipping off her tongue. “Who wouldn’t
like to help someone advance in their career?”
would help you.” Heather smiled. “I like to see people succeed. If I can help
you, I will.” You silly twit, whispered through her mind, but luckily she was
able to keep the offensive moniker from slipping off her tongue. “Who wouldn’t
like to help someone advance in their career?”
“Oh, wow,”
Sandra gushed. “I don’t know what to say. I just… this is so nice of you.”
Sandra gushed. “I don’t know what to say. I just… this is so nice of you.”
Heather’s smile
widened. Now that the truth was sitting like an open book in front of them,
they could get down to work. She could tell Sandra that her mother had been the
one who had established The Lonely Loon, and she could explain where the name
had come from. And how she’d taken over the business after her mother had died
of breast cancer. She’d be sure to name a few of the neighboring boardwalk
businesses and their owners to offer as much promotion to her friends as she
could. The owners of the shops, restaurants, and hotels on the boardwalk were a
tight-knit group.
widened. Now that the truth was sitting like an open book in front of them,
they could get down to work. She could tell Sandra that her mother had been the
one who had established The Lonely Loon, and she could explain where the name
had come from. And how she’d taken over the business after her mother had died
of breast cancer. She’d be sure to name a few of the neighboring boardwalk
businesses and their owners to offer as much promotion to her friends as she
could. The owners of the shops, restaurants, and hotels on the boardwalk were a
tight-knit group.
Sandra reached
into her satchel and pulled out an eight by ten piece of paper and slid it
across the table.
into her satchel and pulled out an eight by ten piece of paper and slid it
across the table.
“What’s this?”
Heather asked.
Heather asked.
As her eyes
scanned the short, full-caps header—WRITER DB ATWELL’S DAUGHTER MISSING.
Heather’s blood froze and she felt like she were sitting in a vacuum.
scanned the short, full-caps header—WRITER DB ATWELL’S DAUGHTER MISSING.
Heather’s blood froze and she felt like she were sitting in a vacuum.
“This is the
story I want.” The words burst from Sandra like blustery wind during a
nor’easter. “I have a friend who works at the Associated Press. He sent this to
me just before Christmas. It’s taken me weeks to track him down. DB Atwell, I
mean. The teachers at his daughter’s school aren’t talking. His publisher isn’t
talking. Even his agent blew me off.”
story I want.” The words burst from Sandra like blustery wind during a
nor’easter. “I have a friend who works at the Associated Press. He sent this to
me just before Christmas. It’s taken me weeks to track him down. DB Atwell, I
mean. The teachers at his daughter’s school aren’t talking. His publisher isn’t
talking. Even his agent blew me off.”
Heather watched
Sandra’s mouth moving, she even heard the words, but the situation had taken
such a bizarre turn, that she felt truly dumbfounded.
Sandra’s mouth moving, she even heard the words, but the situation had taken
such a bizarre turn, that she felt truly dumbfounded.
“I’ve tracked
him to Ocean City, I believe,” Sandra continued. “And
although I haven’t seen him, I’m pretty sure he’s hiding out at your B&B.
He’s the one you mentioned yesterday, isn’t he? The guest who needs quiet. I
want you to tell me about him. I need you to tell me everything you know. About
him. And his missing daughter.”
him to Ocean City, I believe,” Sandra continued. “And
although I haven’t seen him, I’m pretty sure he’s hiding out at your B&B.
He’s the one you mentioned yesterday, isn’t he? The guest who needs quiet. I
want you to tell me about him. I need you to tell me everything you know. About
him. And his missing daughter.”
Excerpt
2:
2:
“The worst of it
was the stroke of midnight.” Heather sighed. “Everyone got a New Year’s kiss
but me.”
was the stroke of midnight.” Heather sighed. “Everyone got a New Year’s kiss
but me.”
“Well, that’s
not quite fair, now is it?”
not quite fair, now is it?”
The tone of his voice had her gaze lifting
to connect with his. Merriment sparkled in his eyes. Was he laughing at her?
Poking fun?
to connect with his. Merriment sparkled in his eyes. Was he laughing at her?
Poking fun?
She slid her
fingers from between his forearm and hand, meaning to pull away from him, from
the situation that could very quickly turn both awkward and embarrassing for
her. Feeling vulnerable was not something she enjoyed. She mentally kicked
herself for not keeping the conversation light and fluffy. That’s what he’d
expected, wasn’t it? It’s the only kind of conversation that most guys liked.
Nothing too intense. Nothing too sensitive. Frivolous. Insignificant.
Superficial. That’s what—
fingers from between his forearm and hand, meaning to pull away from him, from
the situation that could very quickly turn both awkward and embarrassing for
her. Feeling vulnerable was not something she enjoyed. She mentally kicked
herself for not keeping the conversation light and fluffy. That’s what he’d
expected, wasn’t it? It’s the only kind of conversation that most guys liked.
Nothing too intense. Nothing too sensitive. Frivolous. Insignificant.
Superficial. That’s what—
He reached out
and captured her jaw between his gentle fingers, and she went stock still. With
light, steady pressure, he guided her toward him. With excruciating slowness,
he leaned forward.
and captured her jaw between his gentle fingers, and she went stock still. With
light, steady pressure, he guided her toward him. With excruciating slowness,
he leaned forward.
He was close, so
close she could feel his warm, vanilla scented breath against her cheek.
close she could feel his warm, vanilla scented breath against her cheek.
What the hell
was he doing? She should stop this. She should place her hand on his shoulder
and give a good, hard push. But her muscles had gone all spongy and useless.
She had no idea what he planned to do, but every cell in her body wanted him to
do it.
was he doing? She should stop this. She should place her hand on his shoulder
and give a good, hard push. But her muscles had gone all spongy and useless.
She had no idea what he planned to do, but every cell in her body wanted him to
do it.
Daniel tipped up
her chin and closed the small gap between them.
her chin and closed the small gap between them.
His lips were
soft and hot against hers. The kiss was—
soft and hot against hers. The kiss was—
…over before she
had a chance to really enjoy it.
had a chance to really enjoy it.
“Everyone
deserves a New Year’s kiss.”
deserves a New Year’s kiss.”
His silky soft
voice sent shivers spiraling down the full length of her body. She felt giddy,
and drunker than any rum runner could ever account for.
voice sent shivers spiraling down the full length of her body. She felt giddy,
and drunker than any rum runner could ever account for.
“Ha…Happy New
Year,” she stammered.
Year,” she stammered.
Before she could finish, his mouth was on
hers again. This kiss was longer, more lingering, and teetered on the edge of
hungry.
hers again. This kiss was longer, more lingering, and teetered on the edge of
hungry.
When he broke
away, Heather heard a strange whooshing, and she realized it was the sound of
her blood throbbing at a wild rate through her veins. She swallowed, exhaled
slowly, and blinked.
away, Heather heard a strange whooshing, and she realized it was the sound of
her blood throbbing at a wild rate through her veins. She swallowed, exhaled
slowly, and blinked.
He smiled
broadly. “That,” he told her, “was for telling your friends that I’m perfectly
nice.”
broadly. “That,” he told her, “was for telling your friends that I’m perfectly
nice.”
Author
Interview:
Interview:
What are you reading now or what do you
have in your TBR pile?
have in your TBR pile?
I just finished Learning to Swim by Sara
Henry. I’m currently reading Julia’s Daughters by Colleen Faulkner. On my TBR
pile you’ll find A Reluctant Hero by Jackie Weger, Creatus by Carmen DeSousa,
The Neighbor by Dean Koontz, Three Junes by Julia Glass, One Way or Another by
Elaine Raco Chase, Love Me Tender by Mimi Barbour…should I go on?
Henry. I’m currently reading Julia’s Daughters by Colleen Faulkner. On my TBR
pile you’ll find A Reluctant Hero by Jackie Weger, Creatus by Carmen DeSousa,
The Neighbor by Dean Koontz, Three Junes by Julia Glass, One Way or Another by
Elaine Raco Chase, Love Me Tender by Mimi Barbour…should I go on?
What flavor is your writing style?
I always tell people I write cotton candy
for the mind. Think back to when you were a kid and you took a bite of that
delectable confection. What did you do? You smiled. That’s what I’m going for
in my romance novels.
for the mind. Think back to when you were a kid and you took a bite of that
delectable confection. What did you do? You smiled. That’s what I’m going for
in my romance novels.
Was writing always the first thing you wanted
to do in life?
to do in life?
No, I wanted to be a teacher, but then I
met and fell in love with my husband. We married and began raising a family. It
wasn’t until my children started school that I started writing.
met and fell in love with my husband. We married and began raising a family. It
wasn’t until my children started school that I started writing.
While you were writing, did you ever feel
as if you were one of the characters?
as if you were one of the characters?
I believe there’s a lot of me in my
protagonists. I write about women who are strong, yet vulnerable. My main
characters and my secondary characters have flaws and make mistakes (don’t we
all?), but then most of them do all they can to learn, grow and become better
people.
protagonists. I write about women who are strong, yet vulnerable. My main
characters and my secondary characters have flaws and make mistakes (don’t we
all?), but then most of them do all they can to learn, grow and become better
people.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
One piece of advice I often give to writers
is to READ. Don’t just read in the genre in which you write. Read everything.
And then figure out what you liked and what you didn’t…and then think about
why. Reading
and analyzing the writing of talented people can help you perfect your own
skills.
is to READ. Don’t just read in the genre in which you write. Read everything.
And then figure out what you liked and what you didn’t…and then think about
why. Reading
and analyzing the writing of talented people can help you perfect your own
skills.
Do you have anything specific that you want
to say to your readers?
to say to your readers?
I bow down to readers! I am so appreciative
that they spend their hard-earned money on my books and then take the time to
read my stories. I am so blessed to have a job I love, and I wouldn’t have this
job if there weren’t readers who love romance novels.
that they spend their hard-earned money on my books and then take the time to
read my stories. I am so blessed to have a job I love, and I wouldn’t have this
job if there weren’t readers who love romance novels.
What inspired you to write your first
book?
book?
I came to writing through my love of
reading. I spent many a Saturday as a kid in the local library. I loved books,
but I never imagined I would ever write one. My husband gets the credit for my
becoming a writer. When my children started school and I decided to find a
part-time job, he looked around at the piles of romance novels in our home and
said, “You’ve read a lot of those. Why don’t you try writing one?” So, you see.
It’s all his fault.
reading. I spent many a Saturday as a kid in the local library. I loved books,
but I never imagined I would ever write one. My husband gets the credit for my
becoming a writer. When my children started school and I decided to find a
part-time job, he looked around at the piles of romance novels in our home and
said, “You’ve read a lot of those. Why don’t you try writing one?” So, you see.
It’s all his fault.
If you had to do it all over again, would
you change anything in your latest book?
you change anything in your latest book?
Not my latest book, but one of my
titles—Where’s Stanley?—features
an ending that I didn’t come up with. I handed in the completed manuscript, and
my editor suggested a different ending. I wasn’t happy, but I did as she asked.
Personally, I think the book suffered for it, but readers seem to enjoy the
story.
titles—Where’s Stanley?—features
an ending that I didn’t come up with. I handed in the completed manuscript, and
my editor suggested a different ending. I wasn’t happy, but I did as she asked.
Personally, I think the book suffered for it, but readers seem to enjoy the
story.
What books have most influenced your life
most?
most?
Old Yeller, Sounder, The Bell Jar, To Kill
a Mockingbird…how can people read these books and not be influenced? There are
so many titles that inspired me and moved me, molded and shaped me, there isn’t
time to name them all. The characters in these wonderful books help young
readers to decide what kind of individual they want to be.
a Mockingbird…how can people read these books and not be influenced? There are
so many titles that inspired me and moved me, molded and shaped me, there isn’t
time to name them all. The characters in these wonderful books help young
readers to decide what kind of individual they want to be.
Do you ever experience writer’s
block?
block?
There was a time when I’d have said no. I
have a plant-your-butt-in-the-chair-and-the-words-will-come attitude. But I did
suffer writer’s block while my dad was battling cancer. It’s difficult to write
feel-good happily-ever-after when your beloved father is dying.
have a plant-your-butt-in-the-chair-and-the-words-will-come attitude. But I did
suffer writer’s block while my dad was battling cancer. It’s difficult to write
feel-good happily-ever-after when your beloved father is dying.
Do you write an outline before every book
you write?
you write?
I do, yes. I equate an outline with a road
made; how do you know where you’re going if you don’t have a map? I might write
the first chapter or two on the fly, but I always take the time to plan out
where I want the story to go. Now that’s not to say that the characters are
going to stay on the straight and narrow. They decide to veer off the highway
every now and then, and that’s when I have to do a quick reroute.
made; how do you know where you’re going if you don’t have a map? I might write
the first chapter or two on the fly, but I always take the time to plan out
where I want the story to go. Now that’s not to say that the characters are
going to stay on the straight and narrow. They decide to veer off the highway
every now and then, and that’s when I have to do a quick reroute.
Have you ever disliked something you
wrote?
wrote?
I’ve never published anything that I
disliked. I have started projects that haven’t seen the light of day, either
because I couldn’t figure out where to take the story, or I couldn’t make the
protagonist sympathetic or likable. It’s a rare occurrence, and when it
happens, I just set the story aside and hope I can someday come up with a
solution.
disliked. I have started projects that haven’t seen the light of day, either
because I couldn’t figure out where to take the story, or I couldn’t make the
protagonist sympathetic or likable. It’s a rare occurrence, and when it
happens, I just set the story aside and hope I can someday come up with a
solution.
Tell us why you’ve decided to set a series
of book at a seashore location.
of book at a seashore location.
I love the ocean. There’s just something
about a large body of water that induces a great calm in me. I think many
people feel the same, so I decided to come up with a series that involves three
women friends who live and work in Ocean
City, Maryland. The
first, Following His Heart, is Sara and Landon’s story. The second, Two Hearts
in Winter, is Heather and Daniel’s story. I’m currently plotting out the third
book of the series.
about a large body of water that induces a great calm in me. I think many
people feel the same, so I decided to come up with a series that involves three
women friends who live and work in Ocean
City, Maryland. The
first, Following His Heart, is Sara and Landon’s story. The second, Two Hearts
in Winter, is Heather and Daniel’s story. I’m currently plotting out the third
book of the series.
***********
