Author Guest Post
Let’s start with the doozy:
What about writing do you love most, and what scares you most?
I most love diving into a scene and letting it surprise me as it unfolds, especially dialogue that makes me laugh. The surprise is a bit of magic, but it terrifies me. I’m always wondering if someday, that magic just won’t show up. That’s the part I hate most.
Where do you find inspiration for your books?
I pick up ideas absolutely everywhere. For example, a coworker’s espresso machine made menacing noises like Darth Vader, earning that appliance the nickname Darth. (You’ll find that in Won’t Last Long.) I feature dogs in my books and their actions are inspired by real dogs in my family or extended family. I also take research trips, to Seattle for Won’t Last Long and to New York for my series Tattoo Thief, and use them for inspiration for settings, events and characters.
How do you choose characters’ names?
Won’t Last Long includes many character names borrowed from friends and family, but I have to choose main characters’ names that aren’t associated with people I already know. That offers me a blank slate from which to build the characters. I do quite a bit of name research to understand the meanings of names. I gave Won’t Last Long’s main character, Melina, an awkward last name in keeping with her awkward feelings toward her family and upbringing. I’d never met a Melina until shortly before I published my book this summer, when a Malina was hired at my office. I loved hearing the story of how she got her name.
What book has most influenced your life?
Something most people don’t know is that I met my husband because of a book: I was intrigued by Bringing Down the House, a nonfiction story of a blackjack card-counting team, and he played on a team connected to the book. Even though I’d gone on nine bad dates and swore to my girlfriends I was done dating, I had to hear his story.
What do you read for fun?
About half of what I read is romance—contemporary, new adult and chick lit. I love exceptionally well-written nonfiction (Titanic Thompson and Blood, Bones and Butter are recent favorites) and I use the app Zite to learn and discover. An article I found through that app about a Las Vegas pickpocket performer captivated me.
When you don’t write, what do you do?
I’m the director of marketing communications for Urban Airship, a mobile software company. I love to cook and kayak, and one thing I do that you’ve probably never tried is razor clamming. My husband proposed after our first razor clamming trip. Here’s how you dig them: http://tinyurl.com/digclams.
About The Author
Heidi’s obsessed with storytelling. Her career includes marketing, journalism, and a delicious few years as a food columnist. Media passes took her backstage with several rock bands, where she learned that sometimes a wardrobe malfunction is exactly what the rock star intends.
You’ll most often find Heidi Joy with her husband and two small kids cooking, fishing, exploring the Northwest, and building epic forts in their living room.
AUTHOR WEBSITE
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
GOODREADS
Book Review
Won't Last Long by Heidi Joy Tretheway
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: July 31, 2013
Format: Paperback - 300 pages / Kindle - 465 KB
ISBN: 1490454659
ASIN: B00E36YNUU
Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Romance / Women's Fiction
BUY THE BOOK: Won't Last Long
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
Book Description:
She's a feisty, sly marketing exec intent on hiding her small-town roots. He’s a laid-back engineer with a shaggy mutt and a pushy ex.
When Joshua asks Melina out, she asks what kind of car he drives. She’ll do drinks, not dinner. She’s always in control. But with Joshua’s easy confidence and sharp wit, Melina is soon breaking the dating rules she made for herself.
Opposites attract—but friends think Melina and Joshua can’t possibly last. When crisis throws their world off its axis, Melina must confront her childhood family, the people she’s come to care about, and the destruction of her pristine image.
Book Excerpt:
Setup: After Joshua and Melina’s first date, she was counting on his call soon: two days later if he’s eager, three days if he’s playing hard to get, four if his house catches fire. But it’s been five days and she can’t figure out why he hasn’t called. Melina won’t call him, of course—it’s one of her rules. Finally, they manage to set up a second date via phone tag.
“Hello, you’ve reached the voicemail for Melina Avgerakis. I’m on another line or meeting with a client at the moment, but your call is important to me. Please leave a message and I will return your call as quickly as possible. If this call is from a reporter on deadline, please press star-four to be transferred to our on-call media point person. And thanks for working with Pursuit Marketing.”
“Melina. Hi, it’s Josh. I wanted to find out if you’re still boycotting dinner. If not, call me back, and I will be happy to impress you with my knowledge of Washington shellfish. Do you like razor clams?”
***
“Hey, it’s Josh. I can’t answer my phone right now, so leave a message.”
“Hello Joshua, Melina here. If you’re asking me out for dinner, then please name the time and place. I can’t guarantee I’ll be free on short notice. And I’m not sure about razor clams, but I like regular clams. Thanks for calling.”
***
“Hi, Melina’s voicemail. It’s Josh again. Sorry I didn’t pick up—basketball last night. I was thinking of the Sea Shack down on the water south of Alki Point. Have you been there? It was one of the first places I went when I started going to the U—Monday night is all-you-can-eat fish and chips. Don’t worry. We won’t go on a Monday. It gets kind of rowdy in there with all the students. Anyway, how about Saturday night? Or Sunday? Seven is probably a good time. And don’t worry, you’ll dig razor clams.”
***
“Hello Joshua. It looks like we’re having trouble connecting. Of course I’m not free on Saturday, it’s just too late of notice, but Sunday we could get together. Maybe we should go over there earlier, since it’s a school night.” Melina let out a nervous laugh, then silently cursed herself for it.
“So, let’s meet at six at the Sea Shack, although I should tell you as a general rule I never dine anywhere with the word ‘shack’ in the name. But if you say it’s good, I’m willing to trust your judgment, since you were right about the wine. One more question—what did you say about digging clams? We’re not going to actually dig them, right? What should I wear to that?”
***
“Hi Melina. I guess I should tell you the truth: I’m having an affair. With your voicemail. She sounds hot, and we’ve been speaking on a regular basis and I’m calling her for dates. She’s going to meet me Sunday at six at the Sea Shack. If you want to break up this budding romance and get a little Josh for yourself, I suggest you meet us there, too. I promise to choose a flesh-and-blood woman over a recorded voice, but only if you promise to show up in jeans. You need to be ready to fight for your man.”
***
“Joshua. Ha-ha, very funny. I can’t figure out why I can’t get through to a real, live person, but I guess I’ll take it on faith that you’re the guy I met at Next last week and that you had a momentary flirtation with my voicemail. For the record, you are not my man, but you may be my date for Sunday evening. I will wear jeans. So long as you comb your hair.”
***
“What’s wrong with my hair?”
***
“Nothing. You let it flop in your face, sometimes, but I think you mean to. What’s wrong with a skirt?”
***
“In terms of me concentrating, everything is wrong with a skirt. But mostly I thought you’d appreciate wearing jeans because we’ll be sitting on these rough wood benches and I didn’t want you to snag something. See? I’m a sensitive guy who’s in touch with your feminine needs.”
***
“You think you are so smart—”
“Melina?”
“Joshua?”
“Yes, that’s me. You called my number. Why, were you trying to call someone else?
“Um, no, er, I—was just calling you back.”
“You mean you were flirting back,” Joshua chuckled. “That’s OK. I can take it.”
“I was not flirting back. I was just confirming we were on for Sunday.”
“Right. Melina, you confirmed that, like, three voicemails ago. But you can tell yourself whatever you want.” Joshua was silent for a beat. “Anyway, nice talking to you. Do you want me to hang up so you can call my voicemail?”
“No, and now you’re just trying to rub it in. The fact that I thought I’d reached your voicemail instead of a real person.”
“Well, I did answer the phone to sound like my voicemail greeting, just to see what would happen,” Joshua said. “That probably wasn’t playing fair, but it was funny. So, I’ll see you on Sunday. Have a great day.”
“You, too,” Melina said weakly.
She was never, ever called out like that by a date. Friends, maybe—they could put her on for a while. But a just-met-you guy? A second date? His easy confidence caught her off guard.
But strangely, Melina liked it. She was starting to see exactly what was so intoxicating about being on the receiving end of one of her rules: always leave them wanting more.
“Hello, you’ve reached the voicemail for Melina Avgerakis. I’m on another line or meeting with a client at the moment, but your call is important to me. Please leave a message and I will return your call as quickly as possible. If this call is from a reporter on deadline, please press star-four to be transferred to our on-call media point person. And thanks for working with Pursuit Marketing.”
“Melina. Hi, it’s Josh. I wanted to find out if you’re still boycotting dinner. If not, call me back, and I will be happy to impress you with my knowledge of Washington shellfish. Do you like razor clams?”
***
“Hey, it’s Josh. I can’t answer my phone right now, so leave a message.”
“Hello Joshua, Melina here. If you’re asking me out for dinner, then please name the time and place. I can’t guarantee I’ll be free on short notice. And I’m not sure about razor clams, but I like regular clams. Thanks for calling.”
***
“Hi, Melina’s voicemail. It’s Josh again. Sorry I didn’t pick up—basketball last night. I was thinking of the Sea Shack down on the water south of Alki Point. Have you been there? It was one of the first places I went when I started going to the U—Monday night is all-you-can-eat fish and chips. Don’t worry. We won’t go on a Monday. It gets kind of rowdy in there with all the students. Anyway, how about Saturday night? Or Sunday? Seven is probably a good time. And don’t worry, you’ll dig razor clams.”
***
“Hello Joshua. It looks like we’re having trouble connecting. Of course I’m not free on Saturday, it’s just too late of notice, but Sunday we could get together. Maybe we should go over there earlier, since it’s a school night.” Melina let out a nervous laugh, then silently cursed herself for it.
“So, let’s meet at six at the Sea Shack, although I should tell you as a general rule I never dine anywhere with the word ‘shack’ in the name. But if you say it’s good, I’m willing to trust your judgment, since you were right about the wine. One more question—what did you say about digging clams? We’re not going to actually dig them, right? What should I wear to that?”
***
“Hi Melina. I guess I should tell you the truth: I’m having an affair. With your voicemail. She sounds hot, and we’ve been speaking on a regular basis and I’m calling her for dates. She’s going to meet me Sunday at six at the Sea Shack. If you want to break up this budding romance and get a little Josh for yourself, I suggest you meet us there, too. I promise to choose a flesh-and-blood woman over a recorded voice, but only if you promise to show up in jeans. You need to be ready to fight for your man.”
***
“Joshua. Ha-ha, very funny. I can’t figure out why I can’t get through to a real, live person, but I guess I’ll take it on faith that you’re the guy I met at Next last week and that you had a momentary flirtation with my voicemail. For the record, you are not my man, but you may be my date for Sunday evening. I will wear jeans. So long as you comb your hair.”
***
“What’s wrong with my hair?”
***
“Nothing. You let it flop in your face, sometimes, but I think you mean to. What’s wrong with a skirt?”
***
“In terms of me concentrating, everything is wrong with a skirt. But mostly I thought you’d appreciate wearing jeans because we’ll be sitting on these rough wood benches and I didn’t want you to snag something. See? I’m a sensitive guy who’s in touch with your feminine needs.”
***
“You think you are so smart—”
“Melina?”
“Joshua?”
“Yes, that’s me. You called my number. Why, were you trying to call someone else?
“Um, no, er, I—was just calling you back.”
“You mean you were flirting back,” Joshua chuckled. “That’s OK. I can take it.”
“I was not flirting back. I was just confirming we were on for Sunday.”
“Right. Melina, you confirmed that, like, three voicemails ago. But you can tell yourself whatever you want.” Joshua was silent for a beat. “Anyway, nice talking to you. Do you want me to hang up so you can call my voicemail?”
“No, and now you’re just trying to rub it in. The fact that I thought I’d reached your voicemail instead of a real person.”
“Well, I did answer the phone to sound like my voicemail greeting, just to see what would happen,” Joshua said. “That probably wasn’t playing fair, but it was funny. So, I’ll see you on Sunday. Have a great day.”
“You, too,” Melina said weakly.
She was never, ever called out like that by a date. Friends, maybe—they could put her on for a while. But a just-met-you guy? A second date? His easy confidence caught her off guard.
But strangely, Melina liked it. She was starting to see exactly what was so intoxicating about being on the receiving end of one of her rules: always leave them wanting more.
My Book Review:
Opposites attract ... but will it last?
Melina is a career-oriented and driven marketing executive.
Josh is a laid-back down-to-earth engineer.
Melina and Josh meet at a party and there is an instant attraction. They start to date and slowly build a relationship much to the amazement of their friends, who don't think their relationship will last because they are complete opposites. Theirs is a love story about two very different people who realize what they have, and work together at making their relationship a permanent one.
In Won't Last Long, author Heidi Joy Tretheway weaves an enjoyable and realistic love story written in the third person narrative that alternates between the perspectives of Melina and Josh, who travel down love's path discovering, molding, and building a relationship that will last.
This is a slow building storyline, but like fine wine, it takes time to connect with the characters to appreciate the beauty behind their love story. I loved that the author had Melina and Josh take their time to slowly build their relationship, to me that was realistic, believable and easy to relate to. While theirs is a love story meant to last, they had their fair share of trials and tribulations and emotional baggage to overcome. I really enjoyed watching as they grew into a couple that defied the predictions of their friends and family.
It was fun to watch Josh and Melina's very different personalities mesh together, I really enjoyed their sassy banter. While they each stayed true to themselves, they also learned to accept each other's flaws and idiosyncrasies, and did not let it tear them apart. I think that the author did a nice job of mixing humor, drama and romance into the storyline, it was a lighthearted and easy read.
Won't Last Long is so much more than just your typical romance story. It is a realistic story about two people who embraces their relationship, and work together through its ups and downs to appreciate the love that they have built.
RATING: 4 STARS ****
Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway
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Virtual Book Tour Schedule
Tour Schedule:
November 5 – The Phantom Paragrapher – Review
November 6 – Brooke Blogs – Guest Post
November 11-Books Etc – Review
November 13- Literary Chanteuse – Excerpt
November 13 – The Gothic Ballerina – Review
November 14 – Mrs. Mommy Booknerd’s Book Reviews – Guest Post & Excerpt
November 15 – A Blue Million Books – Q&A & Excerpt
November 18 – Book Suburbia – Excerpt
November 20 – Me, Bookshelf and I – Review & Excerpt
November 20 - Book Freak - Review & Excerpt
November 21 – Annabel & Alice – Review
November 22 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
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