Book Tour & Guest Post: Hearts in Harmony by Gemma Brocato

Posted May 15, 2014 by Karen in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

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Title: Hearts In Harmony (A Five Senses Novel Book #2)

Author: Gemma Brocato

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publish Date: May 5, 2014

Publisher: Lyrical an imprint of Kensington

Tour Organized by Literati Author Services

~Synopsis~

Pippa Sanders’ life is filled with songs of leaving, longing and loneliness. Since the death of her husband, her children have been her world. She’ll do anything to protect them, including encasing her heart in ice until they’re college age. She’s made a practice of shying away from any relationship that could break her heart when it ends. And it’s worked so far.

Clay Mathers has made a temporary move to Granite Pointe, Massachusetts to help with his mother’s Christmas tree farm while she recovers from a stroke. Although his long-range plans don’t include staying in the small town, a little female companionship during his short residency would be welcome. While on duty as sentry against protestors at a military funeral, he finds Pippa visiting her husband’s grave, and begins a campaign to make her into a friend–with benefits.

What starts as a simple affair evolves to something more, something that changes the soundtracks of both their lives…the beating of two hearts in harmony.

CONTENT WARNING: Contains strong language, hot sex and a spicy hero.

 

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 Promotional Post:

Ten things you have in your purse/bag/wallet now

Thanks so much for having me over today. I’m excited to be here and sharing my latest release, Hearts In Harmony with you.

I loved this question – Name ten things I have in my purse. My friends accuse me of carrying a mommy bag (my kids are grown, so there isn’t a reason for some of the things I still carry), but they’re always grateful when I have something they need. Here’s my list:

1) My name badge and a huge set of keys from my part-time job. The key ring adds at least a pound to the overall weight. I like my job though, because it gets me out of the writing cave and interacting with humans, instead of the characters in my head.

2) A small compact mirror I received as a gift with purchase from Lady Footlocker. It’s great for when I’m trying to capture expressions on the page (but I don’t recommend trying it in public. People tend to stare). I’ve had it for at least fifteen years and can’t believe I haven’t cracked or chipped it yet. Better knock wood, right?

3) A 7” x 5” notebook (did I mention I carry a huge bag?) for whenever an idea strikes, or I’m at a meeting and need paper. There is no organization for what goes where in the book. The first page I get to that is blank gets the ink. My husband thinks it’s handy too, whenever he needs to make a list.

4) My clutch wallet. It’s super cute, holds tons of credit cards and has two side pockets Cash on one side, receipts on the other. They should balance each, right?

5) Evo Sweet Mint Lip Balm. I’m forever chewing on my lips when I’m working out sticky plot points, reading and even watching TV. If I’m ever stranded on a desert island, this is the one thing I’d want to have with me.

6) Sunglasses. I have light colored eyes and can’t tolerate glare very well. I don’t leave home without them. Yeah- that’s me behind those Foster Grants.

7) I have a special key chain I use to collect all the small plastic key fobs I get for loyalty programs with grocery stores, Panera, the hardware store, the movie theater, etc. I don’t want all those cards hanging off the ring with my car and house keys, so this was a perfect solution. I received a complimentary key chain when I went to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at a local museum. It’s perfect.

8) A small zipper case, about the size of my palm that contains some very important things. Fingernail file, super glue, dental floss and a small square of self-adhesive Velcro. It used to be a bigger square, but someone borrowed a bit. I’m like a Boy Scout – always prepared.

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Hearts In Harmony Excerpt 1

Dewey cast one last glare at Pippa, who shrank behind the man standing protectively in front of her, before walking away. Neither Pippa nor Clay moved until they saw Dewey jump in a nearby truck. He gunned the engine, his tires squealing when he pulled onto the road and sped away.

“Oh, my God! Thank you. I’m so glad you were around. I don’t mind telling you I was kind of nervous—”

The large man named Clay wheeled around, glaring at her. “Lady, I don’t know what the hell you were thinking. It’s late, it’s getting dark, and you just attended a funeral where a bunch of ass—idiots protested. When are you women going to learn personal safety? Didn’t you see them standing over there, just looking for someone to harass?” He blinked when the skies finally opened up, fat raindrops splattering on them. His scowl deepened. “Shit, now it’s starting to rain. Saving your butt means I have to ride my motorcycle home in unsafe conditions. Sonofabitch!”

Her mouth had dropped open when he’d begun his rant. She blinked as raindrops hit her face. Some saving this was turning out to be.

“Look,” she said, backing away, “it’s a cemetery. Most everyone here is dead. I’ve been here plenty of times before, without any problems.”

Clay snorted. “Oh, you’ve been at a military funeral when the fu—freakin’ Liberty Battalion protested, have you?”

“Well, no. This is the first time they’ve protested a funeral in Granite Pointe.”

“I’ve stood guard for at least ten funerals since they became active. Let me tell you, these are not nice people.” Clay brushed rain off his face as he threw another disgusted look at her. “Keep that in mind next time you want to come out here alone. They’re on Homeland Security’s terrorist watch list for a reason. A bunch of bubbas who wouldn’t think twice about using you to further their agenda.” He released an explosive breath and pointed a lean, elegant finger toward the road leading out of the cemetery. “Now, it’s time for you to go too.”

Pippa, offended by his abrupt dismissal, glared back at him. “You needn’t use that tone of voice.”

“I also didn’t need to interrupt my day to rescue your sorry ass. But I did. Everyone has a right to free speech. I’m just exercising mine.”

Pippa opened her mouth to retort, when the irony of his words hit her. Yes, he did have a right to speak his mind. It was a privilege her husband had fought and died for. She just wished he wasn’t so crude about it.

He eyed her and crossed muscular arms over his powerful chest, daring her to respond, obviously waiting for a chance to chastise her again for her stupidity.

She swallowed the words she’d intended to use to put him in his place and said, “You’re right. Thank you for helping me.”

Shock and confusion rippled across his strong face, and laughter tickled the back of her throat. She’d managed to shut him up. The same way she might have with one of her kids when they needed to listen to reason, but couldn’t help themselves. It was a little fun to take the wind out of his sails this way. She’d done it all her life with her three brothers and had seen the same look of consternation floating on their faces.

But she’d never wanted her brothers to keep arguing with her. Not the way she did right now. If this green-eyed hunk wanted to go another round with her, she’d relish it—welcome it. There was something about him…

 

Purchase Links

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About the Author

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Gemma’s favorite desk accessories for many years were a circular wooden token, better known as a ’round tuit,’ and a slip of paper from a fortune cookie proclaiming her a lover of words; some day she’d write a book. All it took was a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel. Once it was completed and sent off with a kiss, even the rejections addressed to ‘Dear Author’ were gratifying.

After returning to America, she spent a number of years as a copywriter, dedicating her skills to making insurance and the agents who sell them sound sexy. Eventually, her full-time job as a writer interfered with her desire to be a writer full-time and she left the world of financial products behind to pursue an avocation as a romance author.

Her gamble paid off when she was a 2012 Finalist in the prestigious Golden Pen contest for Romantic Suspense and she received contracts for her first and second book.

Author’s Social Media

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Giveaway

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Be sure to enter my Rafflecopter drawing for a chance to win the grand prize pack worth $100. Each item in the pack has some significance to the story. I’ll be drawing one random winner on May 31. Good Luck.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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