Friday, March 16, 2018

"The Heart Between Us" by Lindsay Harrel ... and a GIVEAWAY!



Lindsay has graciously offered to give away a paperback copy (US ONLY) of this new release. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends March 23, 2018. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information.) Here's Lindsay...

The story behind the story...

The very first thing that sparked this story idea was a feature story I heard on the radio about a woman who went skydiving because her heart donor had always wanted to. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if someone fulfilled all the bucket list items on someone else’s list?” From there, Megan’s story began to form in my mind. I actually dreamed up her twin sister Crystal’s story much later, after my agent challenged me to make her more than an antagonist. Since I grew up with a mother who was chronically ill for much of my childhood, I was easily able to imagine what it was like to grow up with a sick sister—and how it might have affected Crystal in the long term. 

Q & A with Lindsay...

Q:  Let's start with a few serious questions. What message do you hope readers take away from your story?
A:   I truly hope everyone who reads Megan and Crystal’s story knows without a doubt that reconciliation is possible, that fear is a liar, and that we were made to experience freedom. In addition, I want readers to come away with a new desire to live their own lives to the fullest.

Q:  Definitely some important takeaways! What can you tell us about your next project? 
A:  I turned it in February 1, and it won’t release until next February (everything in publishing takes a long time!). It’s called The Secrets of Paper and Ink (don’t you just love that title?!) and it’s about a broken woman who travels to Cornwall, England—the setting of her favorite author’s novels—to find the courage to write her own story.

Q:  I love the title, and I can't wait to read it! Finally, what's your favorite writing-related book? 
A:  Anything by Susan May Warren is a goldmine. I learned how to write a novel primarily from attending My Book Therapy workshops and reading Susie’s craft books. The Story Equation is one of her best!

Q:  Now, a few fun questions. What's one thing about you that would surprise your readers? 
A:  It might surprise them to know that I was in a Christian rock band in college. J Now I’m more of a musical theater nerd, but I had some fun back in the day rocking out on the microphone!

Q:  Ooh, I wonder if anything can be found on YouTube 😃 Do you have any writing rituals (such as a particular pen, outfit, or music) you must have or do when writing? 
A:  Not really—I just really crave silence. I usually write when my kids are napping and I’m down on the couch curled under a blanket (if it’s cold, which it currently is!) plunking away on my laptop. I do always make sure I have a tumbler full of ice water and/or iced tea right next to me, as well as a notebook and pen on the side table in case any thoughts come to me. I process things better when writing them down by hand (though I’m not one of those people who writes an entire first draft by hand or anything like that!).

Q:  Who are three fictional people you'd like to meet? 
A:  Anne Shirley (for her spunk), Elizabeth Bennet (for her wit), and Melanie Hamilton Wilkes (for her ability to see the best in people)

Q:  Great choices! Thanks so much for stopping by, Lindsay. I'm sure my readers will enjoy getting to know a bit more about you and your latest release.


Link to my review on the RTBookreviews website
(I rated it 4.5 stars - TOP PICK!)



About Lindsay...


Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels. When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time. Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com.

Where you can find her online...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

45 comments:

  1. Hi Leslie,
    This is great, another author I had the privilege of chatting with last night on her Launch chat. She took time to even answer questions! Lindsay, I am the one that commented about adopting our son, FB name is Jean Ann.

    Lindsay, so nice to read that you would like to meet Anne Shirley, me too! I love Anne of Green Gables. Have you watched the new series on Netflix called Anne with an E? I didn't think I would like it, but I did! :-). If you get a chance, check it out.

    Again, thank you Leslie and Lindsay for this opportunity to win this book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm using my husband's computer so my Blogger name doesn't show up but I posted my name so not sure why it says unknown.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for letting me know who you are :) Very weird that it wasn't showing up.

      I'm glad you were able to take part in the chat last night. I popped in for a bit. It was fun :)

      Thanks for stopping by, Jean Ann, and good luck!

      Delete
  2. Probably my biggest bucket list item is to travel to the UK, and stay there long enough that I get to experience everything I want to!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The UK is one of the places on my bucket list, too! Perhaps one day...

      Good luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.

      Delete
  3. My bucket list... to have my mini farm raising animals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How fun! My mom wants to do that. :)

      Thanks for stopping by, Gayle, and good luck (with the contest and the farm).

      Delete
  4. A trip to Paris is on the top of bucket list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amanda,

      Yes! That's on my list, as well. I'd love to see the Eiffel Tower.

      Good luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.

      Delete
  5. Not sure about my bucket list -- I've seen and done so many wonderful things. One thing I'd like to do is visit the Japanese gardens in Florida and see the Friendship Doll they have on display. Those Friendship Dolls are wonderful to see!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lelia,

      Oh, that sounds like a wonderful idea. I hope you're able to get there one day soon.

      Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!

      Delete
  6. I want to visit the UK with my husband. We want to rent a car and drive all over from London to Scotland.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Faith, I'd love to go to the UK, as well. I hadn't thought about driving to Scotland, but that sounds like fun.

      Good luck, and thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  7. Becoming a grandma is on my bucket list! lol but not quite yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arletta,

      Hopefully your kids will be able to help you fulfill that one some day :)

      Good luck!

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. Those are tops on my list, too. Hopefully we'll both get there one day.

      Thanks for stopping by, Linda. Good luck!

      Delete
  9. Going to Hawaii and Paris!
    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

    Tiffany Hall
    jtabalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those seem like a popular destination for many people, myself included. :)

      You're very welcome. Good luck!

      Delete
  10. To experience Paris with my husband and two boys. I spent a semester in France in college, and would love to share my love of the country with my family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristin,

      I hope you're able to get there again with your family. Paris is on my bucket list, as well.

      Good luck, Kristin, and thanks for visiting my blog.

      Delete
  11. My husband and I really want to visit Hawaii!

    Thanks for the interview and giveaway ladies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My husband and I do, too. Hopefully we'll all get there one day.

      You're very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by, Patty. Good luck!

      Delete
  12. I love the title to your next project! On my bucket list... I'm not much of a dreamer or bucket list maker, but I want to be that "tipper" who leaves the $100 or $1000 tip. Is that a bucket list item? I just enjoy blessing others and love giving! With daughters in the food service industry, I know how important tips are. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh, what a great idea! That can definitely be a bucket list item.

      Good luck, Kelly, and thanks for visiting my blog.

      Delete
  13. Replies
    1. Julie, I've never been there, but my husband has been there twice. It looks like a beautiful state.

      Thanks for stopping by my blog. Good luck!

      Delete
  14. At the moment, going to Hawaii is the only thing on my BL. I need to add some more because in Oct we are planning to go there. Israel was on my list too but we went there in Feb! This is a big year for us--our 50th anniversary too plus two trips I have wanted to take for forever!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How wonderful that you can check two of them off your list this year. You definitely need to add in some replacements :)

      Happy 50th anniversary!! I hope you have a fabulous trip.

      Good luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.

      Delete
  15. I usually like to stay close to home, but the one place I want to travel to and have an extended stay is the UK, but especially, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Having Welsh ancestry, I would really like to spend some time there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand, Terrill. I haven't traveled much, but I'd love to go tot he UK, as well. I hope you're able to make it there one day.

      Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!

      Delete
  16. I want to visit Europe to do genealogy! I'd need to visit Ireland, Germany, France, Sweden, and probably England. I could seriously spend weeks in libraries and dusty old archives and be so happy! Lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like a great plan, Karen! I would enjoy visiting those countries, as well. And as for the library ... that would certainly be on my list!

      Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog.

      Delete
  17. Silence is a must for me when writing. However, I can be hanging out on the couch with my husband and he will say nothing special...until I start typing. At that point he can't stop talking. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Doesn't that always seem to be the case? For me, I like having noise in the background, and I've found that jazz and British TV shows work well :)

      Delete
  18. OOOPs forgot about the bucket list question.

    I really want to take a long cross-country trip with my son and my husband. I love seeing new places and stopping in small towns. I did many of these trips growing up and I would love to share that adventure with my guys.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kelly, that sounds fun. I've been to a few states, but I'd love to visit more. I hope you get to share that adventure with your guys one day.

      Thanks for visiting my blog, and good luck!

      Delete
  19. I would like to go to Nepal to see Mount Everest up close. Just to see it, not climb it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dianne,

      That would definitely be a beautiful sight to see. I wouldn't care to climb it, either.

      Good luck, and thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  20. The one thing that I’d really like to do for my bucket list is go to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket on vacation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margie,

      I've never been there, but I've heard it's quite beautiful.

      Thanks for visiting my blog. Good luck!

      Delete
  21. Leslie, thanks for the giveaway. I'd love to go to Ireland someday with my husband. I don't think I have much that I want to do, but my husband and I both want to go there and tour the sites and see the beautiful green country!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're very welcome, Laura. Thanks for stopping by!

      Ireland is on my list as well. The scenery does look gorgeous. I hope you and your husband make it there one day.

      Good luck!

      Delete
  22. I don't have a bucket list, but I'd really like to read all the books on my TBR list ;) and finish scrapbooking my kids' baby years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! That's a great one. I have a huge TBR list, as well :) I think both items qualify as a bucket list.

      Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!

      Delete