I'm so pleased today to welcome author Jane Harvey-Berrick to the blog as part of the promotional tour for her adult contemporary romance, Lifers. She's going to share with us a few of her all-time favorite books (and some info on her cover design), and don't forget to check out the bottom of the post for all the details on a giveaway!
JANE'S FAVORITE BOOKS & THE LIFERS COVER
Actually, that’s an easy one. Persuasion by Jane Austen. It’s not perfect because she died before she was able to finish the revisions, but I adore this story about love second time around, about second chances. Someone pointed out to me recently that a recurring theme in my books is about second chances. It wasn’t deliberate, but I definitely think it’s true.
I also admire Jane Austen’s support characters: irritating siblings, love rivals, the man who might be perfect but isn’t perfect for you, the evil manipulator (thinking of Mrs. Norris in Mansfield Park, or the cad Mr. Elliott in Persuasion).
And I had a thing for Westerns when I was a teenager. Not your typical 13 year-old girl's books, I guess. Maybe it’s the leather LOL.
Interview with a Vampire made a big impression on me. I loved the way she recreated the genre, a couple of decades before Stephanie Meyer did it again. Yes, really enjoyed the Twilight books – I’m definitely Team Edward. EL James’ books persuaded me to have a go at writing adult romance, so I’m in debt to her for that, because I LOVE it.
The covers for Fifty Shades of Grey and Twilight were excellent. So different to a lot of series out there. My cover for Lifers was done by the very wonderful Hang Le. The only contribution I made was to ask for the barbed wire motif to be in there somewhere. The cover is a metaphor, and I think she’s captured the mood perfectly, the isolation, and the way meeting someone can turn your life upside down. I’d never have thought of that idea – she’s amazing.
• • • • • • • • • • •
LIFERS
After eight years in prison, twenty-four year old Jordan Kane is the man everyone loves to hate.
Forced to return to his hometown while on parole, Jordan soon learns that this small town hasn’t changed since he was sent away. He is the local pariah, shunned by everyone, including his own parents. But their hatred of him doesn’t even come close to the loathing he feels every time he looks in the mirror.
Working odd jobs for the preacher lady, Jordan bides his time before he can leave this backwards town. But can time or distance erase the pain of living?
Torrey Delaney is new in town, and certainly doesn’t behave in a way the locals believe a preacher’s daughter should. Her reputation for casual hook-ups and meaningless sex quickly spreads. And that’s on top of her budding friendship with the hardened ex-con handyman—the good Reverend is less than thrilled with her estranged daughter’s path.
As friendship forms, can two damaged people who are afraid to love take their relationship to the next level? Can Torrey live with Jordan’s demons, and can Jordan break through Torrey’s walls? With the disapproval of a small town weighing heavily on them, they struggle to find their place in the world. Can they battle the odds, or will their world be viciously shattered?
Is love a life sentence?
• • • • • • • • • •
JANE HARVEY-BERRICK
I started writing contemporary romance two years ago. Before that, I didn’t think I could write a sex scene.
Turns out I can!
My lucky number is 13 because I was born on the 13th and live near a haunted castle by the ocean. My number one past-time is watching hot surfers get changed into (and out of) their wetsuits.
My husband doesn’t read my books. My mother does.
Writing is my love, my hobby, my total addiction. All my characters are important to me and whisper their stories, even when I’ve finished writing their books. That’s why you’ll often find bonus chapters/out-takes from various books, because those voices just won’t be quiet.
• • • • • • • • • •
GIVEAWAY
Thanks to Jane and CBB Book Promotions, I have one copy of the book to giveaway in either paberback or ebook format. Please fill out the Rafflecopter from to enter. Giveaway is international provided you have an e-reader.
And don't forget to check out all the participating blogs for more reviews, interviews, guest posts and chances to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This book sounds really interesting. My all-time favorite series is Mythos Academy by Jennifer Estep, and my all-time favorite stand-alone is To Catch a Pirate by Jade Parker.
ReplyDeleteNice to have an author admit to liking Twilight. Not something you see often.
ReplyDeleteHarry Potter series, especially book 7.
ReplyDeletePride and Prejudice.
ReplyDeleteVery cool cover
ReplyDeleteOh my! Ilove this book! My all time favorite "These broken stars"
ReplyDeleteThat is a very cool cover, and this book sounds perfect for the next time I'm feeling like a straight-up romance. ALSO--I love Persuasion too, and Diana Peterfreund's For Darkness Shows the Stars is an amazing retelling of it.
ReplyDeletePersuasion was maybe my least favorite Austen (yes, even behind Mansfield Park) but I can see the appeal. And yay to Interview with a Vampire (excluding that hideous movie). I read that book so many times in HS. Come to think of it, no wonder my mother was concerned when I started wearing a lot of black (not goth...just a lot of black).
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this book, but I absolutely LOVE Persuasion. Pride & Prejudice is such a classic due to the banter between Elizabeth and Darcy which is simply unforgettable, but the quiet fierceness of Anne Elliot, the tumultuous scope of emotions she feels when faced with her former lover and the constant confusion she battles within herself of loving him and hating the fact that he no longer seems to love her is a journey I connected with so deeply. And Wentworth's love letter is simply so moving. It's far more romantic than Darcy's proposal (although the movie version of "you have bewitched me body and soul" just makes me SWOON). Anyway, I loved this post so thanks for sharing, Jenny!
ReplyDeletePersuasion is one of my favorite Austen novels too because I absolutely adore second chance romances as well. Jane sure has good taste! ;)
ReplyDeleteI adore the cover of this book and I like the sound of the blurb. I'll be trying it when I can! Lovely post, Jenny!
You have to love an author that likes Jane Austen. That makes me think good things about her book.
ReplyDeleteI adored Persuasion mainly due to the heroine, Anne Elliot who seems so much down to earth and realistic out of Austen's heroines. I also loved how the romance is played out in glances and body movements rather than actual words. Really like this cover too!
ReplyDeleteI loved the guest post, any girl that is an Austen fan is a friend of mine. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have this coming up for the tour as well and I really liked it, more than I thought I would in the beginning.
Its a very difficult question, I think it would be Grimms fairy tales which I read when I was quite young.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read most of the books she mentioned but when I try to think of favorites, the list goes on forever. Books were so important to me growing up as they were my escapism, so lots of them had a strong impact on me.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book! It's so powerful and gave me SO much emotion!
Thanks for hosting a tour stop Jenny!
Love this cover so much Jenny! And the book sounds pretty amazing too! As to my fav. book...gee how can I pick just one! I don't re-read books but I am tempted to reread The Passage and The Twelve by Justin Cronin in preparation for book 3 and TFIOS in preparation for the movie...so they are clearly recent favs!
ReplyDeleteI want to see Interview with a Vampire. Why? Because. Brad Pitt. I still haven't read or seen it, but it looks so good that you cannot live without watching it once, yeah? lol. Also, my favorite JA novel is Pride and Prejudice. Have read that 7 times and it was one of the books that got me into reading:) Second chances, you say? Now I need to read Persuasion;) such a great post:)
ReplyDeleteI have been seeing this book around a lot lately. Will have to check it out. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for all your great comments! Lots of Austen fans out there--this is soooo the right blog for me! BTW I'm not that keen on 'Mansfield Park' but Mrs Norris is a great villain.
ReplyDeleteSeveral people mentioned the cover of my book, so I'm really happy that you liked it. It was designed by the very wonderful Hang Le and is a visual metaphor for the story. My only contribution was to suggest the barbed wire, which has its own significance. VERY happy you like it.
THANK YOU!
jx
Funny, but just two days ago I bought complete works by Jane Austen and there is no more excuese for not reading Persuasion. I mean it's already too much considering how much I love her P&P and S&S. Great guest post. Thanks for sharing Jenny :)
ReplyDeleteI like that you read all kinds of genres! Me too! :) I also like the sound of this book. Nice post! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! And hope you all enjoy your Jane Austen marathons!
ReplyDeletejx
I really like that cover! I agree, Persuasion is such a wonderful story about second chances. I also really liked Interview With a Vampire when I was in school. Thanks for sharing! :-)
ReplyDeletepride and prejudice
ReplyDeleteI grabbed this book when I saw it on Candace's blog. I hope to get to it soon. Ha - I used to read westerns when I was younger too. I'd grab ANY book with a horse on it without even knowing what it was about, so that included westerns. :D
ReplyDeleteEugenie Grandet is special to me!
ReplyDeleteNeira
My all-time favorite book is The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
ReplyDeleteRaffle name: Demitra Giote
LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtry
ReplyDeleteThe Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
ReplyDeleteClan of the Cave Bear by Jean M Auel
ReplyDeleteRomeo and Juliet (William Shakespeare)
ReplyDeleteThe Wind-up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
ReplyDeleteMatilda by Roald Dahl
ReplyDeletePride and Prejudice.
ReplyDeleteBody Rides by Richard Laymon
ReplyDeleteStephen King's Pet Sematary ... :-)
ReplyDeleteVaries by mood, but Wuthering Heights
ReplyDeleteBridges of Madison County is my favourite book of all time.
ReplyDeleteTo Kill a Mockingbird
ReplyDelete