#12DaysTilCoHoCountdown

Hoover Countdown Banner2
So…yeah. About that.
I’ve been making some videos…
Videos that probably make my mother cringe.
Videos that my husband rolls his eyes at.
Videos that my daughter may someday see and then consequently stop admitting to people that I’m her Mom.
Here’s the deal.
On December 12th, Colleen Hoover will be giving away a copy of my book on her page! It’s very exciting. We all know that Colleen Hoover is kind of a big deal. And she’s hilarious to boot! She’s always posting these great Big Eye videos and I just love following her and her career.
Anyways, a while back, she, very generously, offered to give away a book a day from fellow authors. All you had to do was sign up, send her your book, and she’d take care of the rest. Apparently, the response was overwhelming and I think she filled a year’s worth of slots in a few hours…so she had to stop taking submissions. But luckily…I was online at the right time and got a slot!
December 12th is the day. 
So I thought a daily countdown video leading up to the big day might generate some buzz and excitement…and lets just face it, I love making a fool of myself.
Want to hear the best part of all of this?
The real kicker?
I just realized that I’m off on my days. :/
Yesterday I did 3 days til CoHo video.
Today is my 2 days video…
…and tomorrow should be 1 day until…
…but tomorrow is actual day of the giveaway.
85878-you-are-so-dumb-meme-fo-real-i0zI 135017 url images cat-meme-i-cannot-brain-today-dumb
If you haven’t checked them out, here’s the link…just subtract one day, then add another, then subtract the lowest decibel and remember….this is why I’m a WRITER and not an ACCOUNTANT!!!!
https://www.facebook.com/amydawsauthor/videos

Cover Reveal!

Ever read a great love story and wish that you could read about the couple before they found each other?

So did author, Amy Daws!


 Becoming Us…..the sequel PREquel to, A Broken Us

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00004]

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00004]
Prepare yourself for Brody and Finley….college days.
Add to your Goodreads To Be Read Lists! —> Becoming Us

Synopsis: 

Finley has been grabbing coffee at Chaz’s C-Store every morning for over a year. As a senior at K-State, she’s found her groove on campus and not much can shake her. When basketball God, Jake LaShae, strolls into Chaz’s, with his tall, broad, and lean bod…he gives Finley’s dreams material for weeks.
Jake appears to only want a friendship, but Finley thinks if she’s patient, it’ll turn into more. Then, scandalously hot, Brody, stumbles into her path, barefoot no less. Finley thinks his silly but sexy mannerisms might just be what she never knew she wanted.
Becoming Us takes you on a journey through all the fun and crazy drama that happens when you’re a senior in college…and falling in love.

Quick Interview With the Author:

Why did you decide to write a sequel, PRE-quel?
Besides the fact that I don’t think 99.9% of the things I do through? Well, the fact is, A Broken Us was a story in my head that I was aching to tell. I was ready to write it! So I did…in like two weeks. It was madness. It’s is an epic love story that begins when Brody and Finley are already many years into a relationship. But of course (title gives it away here), the story starts with a break up. So it’s about Finley’s journey to finding true love again. So it still reads like a wonderful, suspenseful, twisty, turny stand-alone love story! So, I released it. And it has been AWESOME hearing how much people love it! The reviews are amazing. It’s my debut novel, I’m incredibly proud of it.

Then what happened?
Then this weird voice in the back of my head (that sounded NOTHING like Gollum from Lord of the Rings, I swear) kept saying…college, college, COLLEGE. Go back to college! Write their back-story. Give me more! What happened with Jake and Olivia? What was Brody and Finley’s first date like? All of that! I wanted to tell it. So that’s why I decided to write a PREQUEL.

So what book should readers read first?
Either one. That’s the beauty of writing A Broken Us first…you’re most definitely not missing anything in A Broken Us, because “anything” wasn’t even written yet! If that makes sense. Both books will be great as stand alones. You can start with A Broken Us and then jump right in to Becoming Us. I’ll still include twists and turns and suspense and excitement. Heartbreak. The whole nine. I love it all!

Which story was easier to write?
A Broken Us…for sure. The idea just poured out of me. Becoming Us has been a bit more challenging, only because I’ve had to become younger in my mind. Writing Brody and Finley in the New Adult genre needs to sound a bit different than when they were 25 in A Broken Us. But it’s all still fun!

What’s next for you?
I’m going to finish up my memoir series, Chasing Peace, the SEQUEL (I did that one right…LOL!) to Chasing Hope. Then I have spin off book ideas/characters in mind for A Broken Us! Hint, hint…Leslie & Theo….and of course, the sexy Liam!

Excerpt:

I storm out of my apartment frustrated at Angela and in desperate need of air. I can’t keep doing this crap to myself. Tormenting myself over what Jake is thinking and why we’re no longer speaking. I mean, we go from being practically best friends to mere acquaintances. This makes no sense. I did nothing wrong.
I look up when I hear a door slam from across the parking lot and see a guy rushing down the steps of the upper level apartment that sits kiddy-corner from my building. My eyebrows knit together as he pads across the parking lot straight toward me.
“Hey,” he says looking up at me and holding a half empty black trash bag.
“Um, hi,” I reply figuring he’s going to ask me where the dumpster is.
“You’re Finley right?”
“Yeah, that’s me,” I reply feeling slightly surprised. He looks familiar. I know I’ve seen him around campus before but I’ve never spoken to him. I look him up and down and feel a stirring in my abdomen. He’s somehow managed to pull off comfortably sexy. I didn’t even know those two words could go together. He’s wearing a loose pair of athletic shorts and a white t-shirt that shows a nicely sculpted body underneath. Jesus, this guy has something. My eyes continue traveling downward and see that he’s completely barefoot. My excited perusal is momentarily distracted as I think about the nasty things that go down in this parking lot. No shoes is simply not safe.
“You work in the computer lab right? In the business building?” he asks scratching the back of his head. He has dark brown hair that looks like it has a natural curl to it, but it’s cut short on the sides. The top is slightly longer, long enough to yank on. Woah…where did that thought come from?
“Yeah! In the business building,” I answer and silently chastise myself because he just said business building. Get your shit together Finley.
The corners of his mouth turn down like he’s trying to contain a laugh. I absolutely like that look. I need to find more ways to make this man conceal laughter because it is hot as hell.
“You live here?” he asks changing hands with his garbage bag.
“Yep, that building.” I turn around and gesture back behind me.
“I just moved here this semester. I live with my buddy, Mark. His roommate bailed on him, so he needed someone to fill the space. I was in a month-to-month lease further off campus, so it worked out for me to move in.”
“That explains why I’ve not really seen you here.”
He tries to contain his laughter again and I get a good look at his eyes and have to take a big gulp of air to calm myself. His eyes are this gorgeous navy blue. They remind me of a really great dark denim wash. Those eyes, his dark, curly hair, and his creamy complexion make one delicious package. How have I over-looked this guy for so long?
“Where are you headed?” he asks and I see a twinge of nervousness fleet over his face.
“Chaz’s, I’m gonna grab a coffee or something. Honestly my roommate was just driving me nuts.”
“Cool, mind if I go with you?” he asks.
I glance down at his feet and look back up and my eyes collide into his sheepish smile. Another adorable look I must make him do over and over.
“Yeah, I, uh, should probably go grab some shoes.” He gestures for me to follow him and I can’t help myself. I follow.

Purchase Links:
Becoming Us will release in January 2015, add to your Goodreads To Be Read Lists! —> Becoming Us

In the mean time, check out A Broken Us
Graphic Post--

Amazon & Kindle
iBooks
B&N
Kobo 

Author Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter

Pinterest
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads
Linkedin

Author Bio:

Amy DawsAmy Daws is a local TV commercial producer and lives in South Dakota with her husband, Kevin, and their miracle daughter, Lorelei. The long-awaited birth of Lorelei is what inspired Amy’s passion for writing. On most nights, you can find Amy and her family dancing to Strawberry Shortcake’s theme song or stuffing themselves inside children’s-sized playhouses because there is nothing they wouldn’t do for their little miracle.

For more of Amy’s work, visit: http://www.amydawsauthor.com

October-Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month

In honor of October being pregnancy and infant loss awareness month, I’ll be dropping my Chasing Hope e-books to $2.99 for the entire month. Finding something to connect to when you are grieving a loss can make all the difference in the world. I love connecting with my readers and sharing in their grief, sorrow, heart-ache, and especially HOPE. This picture is an excerpt in the acknowledgements section of my new novel. Even though I’d rather have these babies here with me….the gift their short existence has given me is worth more than I can fathom. I’ll love them forever.
#chasinghope #chasinghopealways #infantlossawareness #pregnancylossawarenessmonth
Kindle–> http://amzn.to/YTApMf
iBooks–> http://bit.ly/1rwjNGk
Lulu–> http://bit.ly/1BzF42I

2014-10-01 08.54.59

Blog Tour Release Blitz

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00005]

 

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00004]

Finley and Brody live in their own little bubble of “us.” Instead of, “I love you,” they say, “I love us.” It’s their own perfect endearment to each other. Finley’s quirky ways are the perfect contrast to Brody’s scandalously sexy passion.
But Finley’s picture-perfect world gets pummeled when she gets a hard dose of reality from her doctor that changes everything.
Crippled with the fear of Brody’s reaction, Finley does what she does best—she runs. She breaks his heart and leaves behind a life that is just too painful to live.
One international flight later, Finley’s best friend welcomes her with open arms in London and she is immersed in a new country with new experiences and eccentric roommates.
Nursing a broken heart, Finley grieves for the life she left behind and attempts to embrace the new one she is creating. When a cheeky Brit named Liam, a self proclaimed “fixer” catches her eye, she hopes it’s exactly what she needs to forget. But when Liam wants to help Finley unpack her bags for good, she realizes that her heart is still back home…with Brody.

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00004]

 

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00004]


CHAPTER 21:

I shake my head and move past him to head downstairs. He grabs my hand and pulls me backwards into his chest.

“Hey,” he breathes into my ear. “I haven’t even had a chance to say hello to you yet.”

“Hello,” I reply lightly, enjoying the feel of his warm breath on my neck. He smells awesome, like a fresh laundry detergent.

I feel his lips gently kissing my shoulder and moving their way up my neck.

“Liam,” I shake my head back and forth, feeling a shiver prickle all over my skin.

“Finley,” he growls into my neck and nips at my ear.

Goosebumps crawl straight out from the spot he nips me and I break away from his grasp.

“Friends, remember?” I say, holding my hands up defensively toward him.

He scrunches his lips to the side, “I don’t like the sound of that.”

“I know, I’m sorry, but it is what it is. Let’s go downstairs. It’s family flick night for goodness’ sake.”

I start to make my way down the steps and Liam rushes up behind me, throwing his arm around my shoulders playfully. He growls in my ear, nipping at it again. I giggle into his touch and my heart hits the floor as my eyes glance down to the foyer.

Dead in my tracks, I stop. Everything around me blurs as Liam continues his descent and looks up at me, grabbing my hand. When he takes in the frozen expression on my face, I hear him say my name, barely. I can barely hear him because blood is rushing in my head. I can feel my heart beat pulsing in my eyes as I begin to feel faint.

Brody is standing in the foyer with a small suitcase in hand. Brody. In. London. Liam drops my hand and turns to look at what I’m looking at. I hear Leslie and Theo come down the steps behind me. They stop beside me when they see me frozen in place. Leslie gasps as she sees Brody.

 

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00004]

Amazon & Kindle: Now Available

Lulu: Now Available

iBooks, B&N & Kobo: Coming Soon

 

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00004]

Amy Daws Author Pic-low res

Amy Daws is a local TV commercial producer and lives in South Dakota with her husband, Kevin, and their miracle daughter, Lorelei. The long-awaited birth of Lorelei is what inspired Amy’s passion for writing. On most nights, you can find Amy and her family dancing to Strawberry Shortcake’s theme song or stuffing themselves inside children’s-sized playhouses because there is nothing they wouldn’t do for their little miracle. For more of Amy’s work, visit: www.amydawsauthor.com

 

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00004]

Website
Facebook
Twitter

Pinterest
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads
Linkedin

Welcome all. Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing, Amy Daws, author of contemporary romance novel, A Broken Us.

Hi Amy, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I’m currently a TV commercial producer for a local network affiliate station in South Dakota. So I write, shoot, and edit cheesy commercials for a living. Electronic Media and Journalism is what I went to school for, so I’m grateful to have a job in my industry, but writing is definitely a huge passion of mine.

A Broken Us is your first novel, correct?
Yes it is! I can’t tell you how much fun I had writing it. It’s my first novel, but not my first book. My first book was a memoir entitled, Chasing Hope, and that was released Memorial Day of 2014. It was my true story of my journey through multiple miscarriages and eventually the miraculous birth of my daughter Lorelei. I’m so thankful I wrote that book because it ignited this huge passion I have for writing and I have tons more books to get out there!

Where did your inspiration for, A Broken Us, come from?
I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of contemporary romance novels and I’ve never really read a book that had an infertility storyline in it. Since I’m so experienced in that area, due to my history, I thought it could make a really interesting storyline for a heroine of a romance novel to be struggling with something like this. I saw this as a way for me to interest my Chasing Hope readers, but also open up my demographic to romance lovers like me.

Where do your ideas come from?
From all over! I stole my daughters Hello Kitty notebook one day because I realized that if I didn’t start writing these ideas that popped into my head then I would forget them and lose them forever. So now I have that notebook with me everywhere. I steal a lot from my personal life but twist it and morph it until it’s barely recognizable. My life is so not as cool and romantic as the stuff I write in, A Broken Us, but that’s the beauty of writing fiction, you get to take more chances.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?
I probably wrote Chasing Hope in 3-4 months. But I took a lot of breaks and didn’t spend nearly as much time on it. It was emotional and painful, so I had to step away from it at times. A Broken Us consumed me until I finished. I wrote it in two weeks. But that was tough because I have a full time job and a husband and daughter, so I literally wrote from 9 at night til 2 in the morning when everyone was in bed. There was a lot of coffee consumed during those couple weeks.

What are your ambitions for your writing career?
Publish more of course! Chasing Hope will have a sequel to it called, Chasing Peace that will sort of wrap up my true story and give a bit more closure on all of that. So I’m currently working on Chasing Peace. But I love love love reading contemporary romance. And now I love love love writing contemporary romance! A Broken Us has definite spin off potential and I’m working some of those ideas out now as well. So, overall, I imagine contemporary romance is where my writing career will be heading.

Tell us about the cover and how it came about?
The girl on the cover is a girl from my hometown who I actually took senior pictures for when she graduated high school a while back. I do a little photography on the side, so when I was trying to find a model to be my Finley…she immediately popped into my head. My sister-in-law, Megan Daws, and myself shot the cover photo. We both had our own cameras armed and clicking at our shoot. I don’t actually know who’s picture ended up on the cover…and I don’t care. We’re a great team and I love working with her. A bunch of the photos from our shoot were used in the book video trailer, so it’s definitely a collaborative effort. I did all the cover design myself. I work in advertising and am very familiar with graphic design. I’m in love with my cover…it’s just beautiful!

What do you think most characterizes your writing?
Candid, honest and self-deprecating. And I love to write humor. I am a total goof in real life and I love to laugh, so I do my best to portray interesting characters that have funny moments. If you LOL while reading my books…I’ve succeeded.

Which writers inspire you?
Well I have to first give a shout out to my all time favorite British Chick Lit author, Elizabeth Young. Her book, Asking For Trouble was one of the first chick lit books I read and I haven’t been able to stop reading since! She has a hilarious self-deprecating humor to her heroines that resonates so strongly with me. Also, Jennifer Lancaster, who made memoirs about non-famous people cool! She’s got a great voice on paper. Then of course there’s Samantha Young…love her On Dublin Street series, then Colleen Hoover, Jamie McGuire, Abbi Glines. Okay, I have so many more but I’ll leave it at them. J

What’s next for you?
My memoir sequel, Chasing Peace, is going to be published in early 2015. And then I’m working on a spin off book to, A Broken Us, that I would love to release in the summer of 2015 if possible. Then there’s many more spin off potentials for, A Broken Us that I’m super excited to get started on after that!

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00004]

a Rafflecopter giveaway