BARBARA LONGLEY
Title: A CHANGE OF HEART
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Barbara Longley is a
friend and fellow Minnesota author I’m very proud to introduce. Her current
contemporary series set in Perfect, Indiana is one of the most popular new
series today. She not only writes wonderful love stories, but she also deals
with the serious theme of military heroes coming home to face loss, fear, and painful
memories. I hope you’ll welcome Barbara to Get Lost in a Story. I know you’ll
be swept away by her stories.
A CHANGE OF HEART – STORY BLURB
Cory Marcel built a
successful military career over eight grueling years. But after a brutal
assault, she's lost everything. Shattered, Cory reluctantly agrees to work at a
furniture company in the picturesque town of Perfect…but she wonders if she can
ever escape the demons haunting her.
Ted Lovejoy may have
cofounded Langford & Lovejoy Heritage Furniture, but these days, everyone
makes decisions without him. He's ready to walk away from his beloved
business…until he sees Cory. Now he finds himself determined to help the
fragile brunette rebuild her life.
Every time Ted gets too
close to Cory's heart, she pushes him away. But this kind, soft-spoken man
could hold the key to healing her past and to creating a loving future for both
of them—if only Cory can learn to trust once more.
EXCERPT OR LINK
A LITTLE ABOUT BARBARA
Award winning author
Barbara Longley and each of her four siblings were all born in different
states, and because her family moved so frequently, she learned early on how to
entertain herself with stories. As an adult, she has lived on a commune in the
Appalachians, taught on an Indian reservation, and traveled from coast to
coast. When her own children came along, she decided to try something
new--staying put. She has made Minnesota her home ever since.
By day, Barbara is a
teacher. She holds a Masters in Education, and has taught for many years. By
night, she likes to explore things mythical, metaphysical, paranormal, and/or
newsworthy. Much of what she learns makes its way into her stories, where all
things are possible. While she loves teaching, reading and writing are her
passions.
BARBARA ANSWERS SOME COOL QUESTIONS
LIZ: How often
do you get lost in a story?
BARB: I read a book a week, generally, unless I'm
in the midst of edits.
LIZ: What’s the
first book you remember reading?
BARB: See Dick and Jane books in first grade.
They didn't make that great an impression. The first book that made an
impression was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell.
LIZ: What’s
your favorite “love” word?
BARB: Um, are we talking between the sheets,
or…not. Cherish?
LIZ: What are the next five books on your ‘to be read’ pile?
BARB: Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts is my
current read. As far a to-be-read, I have this problem with that "One
Touch" buying feature over at amazon. I have about 182 books in my Kindle
Fire queue, and deciding what to read next is like spending the afternoon at
the bookstore!
LIZ: What’s
your favorite fairy tale?
BARB: Cinderella. Great trope, and still as
relevant today as when the fairy tale was originally written, in any era.
LIZ: What one
thing about your hero drives his heroine crazy? And what one thing about your
heroine drives her hero nuts?
BARB: Cory's desire to protect Ted from the
demons haunting her (PTSD, not paranormal) drives Ted nuts. Cory won't let Ted
get close enough to be annoyed by anything he does. His persistence is what
gets to her, but in a good way.
LIZ: Name three things that are, at this moment, in your
heroine’s purse.
BARB: 1. A canister of pepper/mace spray; 2. The
keys to Fred, her classic pickup truck; 3. A wallet. She's not a real girly-girl.
LIZ: What sound
or noise do you love?
BARB: I love the sound of a train whistle at
night, and the sound of trains in general.
LIZ: If you
were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically
why?
BARB: I'd go to the Scottish Highlands during the
Renaissance period, and I'd be of noble birth with a big fat dowry. Why? Well,
kilts, braw warriors, and adventure, of course. Oh, and during the trip back
there, I'd go backwards in age, too.
LIZ: What will
always make you smile, even on a bad day?
BARB: DamnYouAutoCorrect.com. It's my go to site
whenever I need a chuckle.
LIZ: What’s
your favorite movie of all time?
BARB: There are too many to list here. Like
potato chips, I can never choose just one.
LIZ: Who’s your
favorite villain?
BARB: Mega Mind
LIZ: What is
your biggest vice?
BARB: A love of things sweet, especially those
things including chocolate.
LIZ: What do you
hope for the future of romance publishing?
BARB: Stability! Not going to happen, and I know
that.
LIZ HAS GOTTA ASK: What’s
the most personal thing you’ve ever put in one of your books?
BARB: I don't think writers can help but draw on
personal experience when they write, and emotions, but I can't really think of
anything personal I've included in my books. The experiences and emotions
belong to the characters, not me. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
I'd like to
give away three copies of book #1, FAR FROM PERFECT to those who leave comments for me today. (U.S. only,
please).
CONTACT
BARBARA
Website:
http://www.barbaralongley.com
Twitter: @barbaralongley
WHAT’S UP NEXT
FOR YOU?
I have a time
travel/historical trilogy coming out beginning February 18, 2014 with TRUE TO
THE HIGHLANDER
PREVIOUS
RELEASES:
I went to your goodreads page, Barbara, to check out your Pleasant, Indiana series and they sound like my kind of books. I love wounded warriors. Maybe it's because I'm a nurse, but I like the depth it gives, especially to military characters.
ReplyDeleteMarcy Shuler
bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com
Congratulations to Barbara on her new book. It looks like a lovely story. I do reading stories about characters who find happiness after such sorrow.
ReplyDeletemce1011 AT aol DOT com
Thanks for stopping by, Maureen and Mary! And thank you for hosting me today, Liz! I love writing and reading stories where the redemptive power of love plays a huge role!
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to have you here today, Barb. Your books have really touched a lot of people and it's wonderful that you've found such a true following. Good luck with this book--and all the books to come!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz!
DeleteNice to have you back, Barbara. Sounds like another great one!
ReplyDelete~Angi
Thanks, Angi! It's nice to be here again! You guys have such a gorgeous site!
DeleteThank you for the interview, I enjoyed learning more about you.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Thanks, Kit! My life is an open book...pun intended!
ReplyDeleteI am reading Far From Perfect right now... almost have it finished. What a wonderful story and characters. Thank you Barbara, I look forward to reading more from you!
ReplyDelete(No need to enter giveaway... just wanted to let everyone know what an enjoyable book this is)
Very nice interview
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
Thank you Julie O! and thanks for stopping by BN100!
ReplyDeletenice
ReplyDelete