Friday, January 28, 2011

I Love Vampires...

I've read a lot of reviews lately wondering if Breathless is inspired by Twilight, so I thought I would provide some insight into my inspiration for the book.

Basically, I love vampires. It sounds cliche, but only by today's standards because of the Twilight phenomenon, but I have loved vampires since junior high--which is longer than I care to admit! It all started with Lestat. He's incredibly corrupt but so beautifully tragic that I couldn't help but fall in love with him. For sometime after being introduced to Lestat, I delved into vampire lore and began forming my own thoughts and opinions about various traits and characteristics. Eventually, though, my love affair with the Anne Rice series caused me to branch out in search of other vampires that could woo me in the same way as Lestat, but until Edward came along, all others failed.

Ah, Edward. He's everything Lestat isn't, and I can't decide if that's good or bad. I love them both but for very different reasons. Where Lestat is over-the-top, wonderfully charming, wise, and sometimes incorrigible, Edward is inconspicuous, modest, and naive. It's hard to move on from Edward...but I did.

Twilight is a fun read, but my favorite vampire books belong to Claudia Grey's Evernight series. They are much less splashy, but the story is sweet and sincere. I have been chomping at the bit, waiting for the last book in the series for what feels like forever. Soon. Very soon.

I also love Lesley Livingston's Wondrous Strange series. Her writing is so poetic that it makes me want to be better at what I do. I just finished the third book and have that lingering sadness that comes with knowing it's over.

I also enjoy Alison Noel's The Immortals series. The first book was a bit of a letdown to me. There were some plot twists that didn't sit well, but I found myself yearning for the next book nonetheless, and I have enjoyed every title ever since.

So, what inspired Breathless. I would be lying if I said there weren't elements of Twilight in it. Everyone has read Twilight, and it's become the standard by which to rate all other vampire romances. If you look hard enough in any of them, you will find elements of Twilight, intended or not.  Truly, the half-vampire idea of Chaseyn was brought on by my many lingering thoughts about Renesme. Aside from that though, any similarities to Twilight are truly coincidental. I wrote a vampire romance...it's bound to sound a bit like Twilight, the quintessential vampire romance. Once you get reading, though, I think it's evident that Chaseyn and Edward, as well as Bella and Lia, couldn't be more opposite each other.

Cheers,
HH

Monday, January 17, 2011

Hopes and Dreams for Wanderlust

Hi guys,

So, the Breathless sequel, Wanderlust, is well underway. Just like in Breathless, there will be many exciting twists and turns, but as I write, I can't help wondering what your hopes and dreams are for Lia and Chaseyn. How do you see their future unraveling? Do you want them to be together? Should she become a vampire? Is Eli the better choice for her? I want to hear what you have to say!

No matter how the story unfolds, I can tell you this...the ending will leave you wanting more!

Cheers,
Heather

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Breathless is now available on NOOKbooks

Hi everyone,

Breathless is now available for NOOKbook readers.Click here to purchase online from Barnes and Noble.

Enjoy!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Get a Sneak Peak at Wanderlust--the Sequel to Breathless!

Hi everyone,

I have been a busy bee, working away at Wanderlust. Here's a short glimpse at what you can expect to find in the sequel to Breathless.

Enjoy!
HH

I had only been asleep a short time when I was jolted awake. A cold sweat washed over my body. Instantly, I knew I had again fallen victim to the tumultuous dreams that had haunted my sleep for weeks before Chaseyn first arrived in Evergreen more than six months ago.

An epiphany enlightened my still hazy mind. Chaseyn had not left Evergreen. Though he had stayed away and pretended to be gone, he must have been nearby all the while. Had he truly been gone, the dreams would have returned earlier. This was the first time I was away from his presence. Suddenly, my heart grew heavy and salt water flooded my eyes. My shoulders heaved lightly, and I sobbed silently, or so I thought.
“Lia, is everything all right,” Addie asked with genuine concern, shaking off the sleep that had embraced her moments earlier.


“He’s gone, Addie,” I cried through shallow breaths.

“I know, sweetie. He left a week ago. I thought you said it was fine.”

“No, Addie. You don’t understand. I mean, he’s really gone.”

Eli twitched, his head falling on my shoulder, which I abruptly shrugged off. My swift action jolted him awake.

“Lia, what’s wrong?”

“She’s blubbering something about Chaseyn being gone,” Addie explained. “But he’s been gone a while, so I’m not sure why the sudden tears. She was fine before.”

“It’s okay, Lia,” Eli whispered, smoothing my hair and wiping the tears from my cheeks. “I understand.”
And, I knew he did. He understood in a way Addie never would. Never could. For this, I felt both grateful and guilty.


Heartbreaking. That was the only word to describe the look on Addie’s face when she realized Eli and I shared a special connection. Still, I couldn’t help but snuggle in to Eli’s warm embrace as he worked to sooth my mind.

“Shhh, Lia. It’s okay. Let it out,” he whispered, his breath warm on my ear.

His lips gently grazed my cheek, but I was too weak to worry about the implication. Instead, I let him comfort me, while Addie watched in stunned silence. Despite my emotional state, I made a mental note to find a balance—a balance between the best friend who had stood at my side through all of my teenage triumphs and tribulations and the boy-next-door who knew my dirty little secret.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Breathless t-shirts and more available just in time for the New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone.

I hope you all had a wonderful time ringing in 2011. I'm a bit of a homebody, myself, so I spent the night with Ryan Seacrest. But, it also gave me a chance to put together some great merchandise for the Breathless shop on CafePress. There's a wide range of t-shirts, water bottles, mugs, hats, and other goodies available. If there is something you want, but you just don't see it, let me know, and I'll see what I can do to make it happen.

Click this link to check out the Breathless swag!

Aside from that, I have been busily pounding the keys on Wanderlust. I would love to hear from you with your thoughts and hopes for the characters. I'm always eager to hear what you're all thinking.

In the meantime, I wish you all the best for 2011.

Cheers,
HH