Author Guest Post
10 Tips from The Heart Stone on How to Get Your Man
By: Sherry Kyle
Every author puts a little of herself into her characters. First, here’s the story of how my husband and I met ..
I never thought I’d be the type of girl to steal a guy from someone, but that is exactly what I did. Not intentionally, of course.
One week into my freshman year of college, a cute blond surfer asked me out on a date. I said “yes” before I really thought through what my answer would mean for me—and the girl across the hall, who had pointed him out all week as the guy she really, REALLY liked. I was in trouble!
Okay, technically they weren’t “dating,” but she had gone out with him a few times the previous year.
What made the situation more awkward was that she was my R.A. (resident assistant) and had the power to turn all the girls on our floor against me.
The night before the date, I lay in bed contemplating my options. I could sneak out and hide the fact that I was spending time with him, which would be difficult at my college, or I could come clean and tell her. It was close to midnight and I couldn’t sleep.
Being the honest sort, I knocked on her door. When she opened it, the truth of what I was going to say hit me. I was a guy stealer. It smacked me harder when I saw the heart-shaped picture frame on her desk with their pictures. UGH! This was going to be tough.
Surprisingly, she took the news well, saying, “ You can go. He always did like blondes better.” I think what helped was that I offered to back out of the date, and told her our friendship meant more to me than some guy I didn’t know.
I’m glad my redheaded R.A. was so sweet. There was another girl on our floor who didn’t take the news very well, but that’s another story…
That was September 1984. Now Doug and I have been married close to twenty-five years.
I love writing romance into my women’s fiction. I write about women, who need to find someone or something, while the men are the helpful, manly sort—policemen, firemen, etc.—you know the type I’m talking about.
Here are 10 Tips from The Heart Stone on How to Get Your Man:
1. Make the initial meeting count. Look into his eyes. Smile.
2. Debate a fiery topic with feminine charm (aka friendliness and a little flirtation).
3. Prolong your time together making him believe it was his idea.
4. Discover his preferred drink, and offer it to him.
5. Ask him to give up something for you, and see how he responds.
6. Thank him for caring, and for being part of your life.
7. Make him dinner.
8. Stand up for what you believe in. If you’re meant to be together, he’ll fight for you.
9. Trust him.
10. Tell him how much you love him.
About The Author
AUTHOR WEBSITE
GOODREADS
The Heart Stone by Sherry Kyle ~ Virtual Book Tour Page: Pump Up Your Book!
Book Review
The Heart Stone by Sherry Kyle
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Publication Date: April 1, 2013
Format: Paperback - 320 pages / Kindle - 69 KB / Nook - 2 MB
ISBN: 1426769830
ASIN: B00BPWCQTK
Genre: Christian Fiction / Women's Fiction
BUY THE BOOK: The Heart Stone
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.
Book Description:
Following a year of grief, Evelyn Sweeney is finally ready to move on. Pondering her new path in life, her mind drifts to her first love, George MacAllister…
When the lives of these two women cross, they discover that one heart-shaped ring binds their stories together. But will the results be a rekindled faith and new hope, or will it lead them both back into the darkness they’ve fought for so long?
Book Excerpt:
At the sound of his voice, Jessica MacAllister’s knees went limp and her palms grew moist. She sat down on the wooden stool near the kitchen counter and leaned her head on her hand, her elbow resting against the cold tile. Why was he call- ing? She hadn’t heard from him since he signed the papers relinquishing his rights to Jacob six years before.
“Jessi, you there?”
She fought the urge to hang up the phone. “I’m here.”
“I want to see him.”
Her heart beat a strange rhythm. She had prayed this day would never come. “Andrew, I—I—I don’t know,” she stut-tered. As a speech pathologist, she prided herself on her communication skills, but this man could trip her up regardless of her training.
“We can meet at a park. I’ll sit at a distance and watch.” The desperation in his voice was palpable. Jessica’s jaw clenched and her stomach churned. How could she trust that he wouldn’t rush up to Jacob and tell him that he was his biological father? Or worse, what if he wasn’t sober? His behavior when he was drunk could be . . . No.
She wouldn’t let a man who had no part in Jacob’s upbringing suddenly waltz into his life—especially someone who had shown her the ways of the world. But Andrew wasn’t entirely to blame. She’d given in.
“No. No, that won’t work.” Jessica ran her hand through her shoulder-length hair.
“How about a restaurant? I’ll eat at a separate table. I only want to see our son.”
Our son. Jacob was not their son. He was hers and hers only. Andrew wasn’t there for her when she was pregnant or gave birth. He’d never been there. Why the sudden interest now?
“Jessi, you there?”
She fought the urge to hang up the phone. “I’m here.”
“I want to see him.”
Her heart beat a strange rhythm. She had prayed this day would never come. “Andrew, I—I—I don’t know,” she stut-tered. As a speech pathologist, she prided herself on her communication skills, but this man could trip her up regardless of her training.
“We can meet at a park. I’ll sit at a distance and watch.” The desperation in his voice was palpable. Jessica’s jaw clenched and her stomach churned. How could she trust that he wouldn’t rush up to Jacob and tell him that he was his biological father? Or worse, what if he wasn’t sober? His behavior when he was drunk could be . . . No.
She wouldn’t let a man who had no part in Jacob’s upbringing suddenly waltz into his life—especially someone who had shown her the ways of the world. But Andrew wasn’t entirely to blame. She’d given in.
“No. No, that won’t work.” Jessica ran her hand through her shoulder-length hair.
“How about a restaurant? I’ll eat at a separate table. I only want to see our son.”
Our son. Jacob was not their son. He was hers and hers only. Andrew wasn’t there for her when she was pregnant or gave birth. He’d never been there. Why the sudden interest now?
My Book Review:
The Heart Stone is a poignant tale of love, loss, trust, faith, forgiveness, and second chances. Written in the third person narrative, author Sherry Kyle weaves a captivating tale set in Santa Cruz, California, that follows the intertwining lives of Jessica MacAllister, George MacAllister, Evelyn Sweeney and Nick Fuller as they struggle with personal issues, each searching for faith, hope, guidance and redemption in order to move forward with their lives.
Jessica MacAllister is the single mother of six year old Jacob, whose father Andrew Lawson had relinquished his rights, only to resurface six years later wanting to see his son. Fearing what will happen if Andrew comes back into her life, she flees Fresno for Santa Cruz, where she seeks refuge with her Uncle George.
Andrew Lawson is a substance addicted man who is also a fugitive wanted for the murder of his current girlfriend. His pursuit to reconnect with Jessica and his biological six year old son Jacob is relentless ... but does he have an ulterior motive?
George MacAllister is a former missionary who is back in the states after recently having his leg amputated. He is having a hard time dealing with the loss of his first love so many years ago, and readjusting to a new life without his leg.
Evelyn Sweeney is a widow who has lost her husband of forty years. After a year of grieving the death of her husband, Evelyn is ready to move forward with her life, and she hopes to rekindle a love that she had recklessly thrown away so many years ago when she broke George MacAllister's heart.
Nick Fuller is a fireman who has a fulfilling career, but he longs for a wife and family to complete his life. When he is introduced to Jessica and Jacob, he thinks he has found his future, only to discover that his childhood friend A.J. is Jacob's father, who has been accused of murder.
The author does a wonderful job of connecting the characters' lives together in a captivating way, with the themes of single motherhood, child custody, faith, new - lost - rekindled love, forgiveness, second chances and starting over thoughtfully interwoven as their stories unfold. You can't help but feel a connection with the characters, they are realistic and believable, their individual struggles and hope to move forward in their lives engages the reader to follow along with enough drama, suspense, twists and turns, and a touch of romance that will keep you turning the pages.
The Heart Stone is an uplifting and inspirational story filled with hope, love and forgiveness that will pull at your heartstrings and resonate with you long after the last words have been read.
RATING: 4 STARS ****
The Heart Stone - Book Trailer
Virtual Book Tour Schedule
Tuesday, May 7 – First Chapter Reveal at 4 the Love of Books
Thursday, May 9 – Book Review at Splashes of Joy
Friday, May 10 – Book Trailer Reveal at Moonlight Lace & Mayhem
Friday, May 10 – First Chapter Reveal at As the Pages Turn
Monday, May 13 – Book Review at A Peek at My Bookshelf
Wednesday, May 15 – Book Review at The Mary Reader
Wednesday, May 15 – Book spotlight at Between the Covers
Thursday, May 16 – Guest Blogging & Book Giveaway at Books a la Mode
Friday, May 17 – Book Review at Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews
Friday, May 17 – First Chapter Reveal at The Writer’s Life
Monday, May 20 – Book Review at WV Stitcher
Monday, May 20 – Book Review at Melina’s Book Blog
Monday, May 20 – Book Spotlight at Jody’s Book Reviews
Tuesday, May 21 – Interview at Blogcritics
Wednesday, May 22 – Book Spotlight at Book Him Danno
Wednesday, May 22 – Book Trailer Reveal at Literarily Speaking
Thursday, May 23 – Book Review at Found a Christian By His Grace
Friday, May 24 – Book Review & Book Giveaway at Seasons of Opportunities
Monday, May 27 – Book Review at My Cozie Corner
Tuesday, May 28 – Book Review & Book Giveaway at Lighthouse Academy
Wednesday, May 29 – Book Review & Guest Blogging at Jersey Girl Book Reviews
Wednesday, May 29 – Book Trailer Reveal at Review From Here
Wednesday, May 29 – Book Review, Guest Blogging & Book Giveaway at Queen of All She Reads
Thursday, May 30 – Book Review at Create With Joy
Friday, May 31 – Book Review at All Grown Up?
Friday, May 31 - Book Review at Vic’s Media Room
Friday, May 31 – Book Review at My Life. One Story at a Time
No comments:
Post a Comment