A
Hold on Me
Dark
Heart Series
Book
One
Pat
Esden
Genre: New adult
gothic/paranormal romance
Publisher: Kensington Books
Date of Publication: February 23,
2016
ISBN-10: 1496700058
ISBN-13: 978-1496700056
ASIN: B00Y6RB2VE
Number of pages: 320
Word Count: 90k
Book Description:
She never wanted to return.
He wants nothing more than for
her to leave.
But the fire between them is as
strong as the past that haunts them.
Annie Freemont grew up on the
road, immersed in the romance of rare things, cultivating an eye for artifacts
and a spirit for bargaining. It’s a freewheeling life she loves and plans to
continue until her dad is diagnosed with dementia. His illness forces them to
return to Moonhill, their ancestral home on the coast of Maine and to the
family they left behind fifteen years ago, after Annie’s mother died in a
suspicious accident.
Once at Moonhill, Annie is
shocked when her aunt separates her from her father. The next time Annie sees
him, he’s a bizarre, violent shadow of his former self.
Confused, she turns to an
unlikely ally for support Chase, the dangerously seductive young groundskeeper.
With his dark good looks and powerful presence, Chase has an air of mystery
that Annie is irresistibly drawn to. But she also senses that behind his
penetrating eyes are secrets she can’t even begin to imagine. Secrets that hold
the key to the past, to Annie’s own longings and to all of their futures. Now,
to unlock them, she’ll have to face her greatest fears and embrace her
legacy...
About
the Author:
Pat Esden would love to say she
spent her childhood in intellectual pursuits. The truth is she was fonder of
exploring abandoned houses and old cemeteries. When not out on her own
adventures, she can be found in her northern Vermont home writing stories about
brave, smart women and the men who capture their hearts. An antique-dealing
florist by trade, she’s also a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers
of America, Romance Writers of America, and the League of Vermont Writers. Her
short stories have appeared in a number of publications, including Orson Scott
Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show, the Mythopoeic Society’s Mythic Circle
literary magazine, and George H. Scither’s anthology Cat Tales.
Interview
Where
are you from?
I’m a life long New Englander. I lived in western
Massachusetts as a child and have continued to slowly migrate north. Currently,
I live in a small Vermont town close to the Canadian border.
Tell
us your latest news?
A HOLD ON ME is coming out on
February 23, so I’ve had tons of exciting news lately. Here are snippets from
two recent reviews that really made me smile.
“A deliciously dark debut.” —Publishers Weekly
“A major and unexpected
paranormal threat adds freshness to Esden’s page-turner, and readers will be
delighted that this is the first in her series, Dark Heart.” --Booklist
When
and why did you begin writing?
I’ve always been interested in writing. It started
as a way to create adventures that I’d like to go on. After college, I entered
a career as a florist and didn’t have time to write, but I knew I’d always come
back to it. When I reached my forties, I began studying writing again with the
goal of becoming a published author as my next career.
When
did you first consider yourself a writer?
The first time I wrote a story. Probably third
grade.
What
inspired you to write your first book?
Besides my own desire to return to writing, my older
sister said something that inspired me to get going. She is a playwright who
started her writing career at fifty, and then went on to have plays produced
all over the world. She told me that her one regret was that she waited so long
to take her writing seriously.
Do
you have a specific writing style?
Yes, I have a preference for a slightly dark and
rich tone.
How
did you come up with the title?
A HOLD ON ME was originally titled MOONHILL. My
editor, Selena James at Kensington Books, and I brainstormed the new title
along with titles for the next two books in the DARK HEART series. We were
aiming for something that went with the new adult category and was a bit more
contemporary. The new title fits the
story perfectly.
Is
there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
There are many themes and core ideas in A HOLD ON
ME, but I don’t think of them as messages. I write purely to entertain readers.
That said, my main character does change through the series and I do hope that
her journey will give the readers something to take away with them.
How
much of the book is realistic?
A lot J
Are
experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Nothing in the story is based on people I know. I do
use my own personal experiences in many places. For instance, my husband and I
have both dealt antiques all our lives. The first chapter is largely taken from
real life.
What
books have most influenced your life most?
This is a tough question. Since I’ve become a
professional author, I’ve realized just how much every book I’ve read has influenced
me.
If
you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
There are several. I’ll choose Pearl Buck this time.
Shortly before she died, she read a story of mine that had been published in a
local newspaper (I was in high school). She wrote me a letter, telling me how
much she enjoyed the story and encouraging me to continue to write. Every now
and again, when I second-guess myself, I think back to her kind words.
What
book are you reading now?
I’m reading DARKNESS FAIR by Rachel Marks. Loving
it, by the way.
I belong to Waiting-On 2016 author group. We have a ton of amazing new writers with a
wide range of books coming out this year and next. The best way to get to know
the members is to check out #WO2016 on Twitter. We host book chats every other
week.
What
are your current projects?
I’ve turned in BEYOND YOUR TOUCH (book 2, Dark Heart
series). It comes out on August 30th. And now I’m focusing on book
3. It will be released next year.
What
would you like my readers to know?
I love to chat with readers on social media. Ask me
question on Goodreads, Twitter, or my author Facebook page.
Visit her online at www.PatEsden.com
Website: http://patesden.com
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatEsdenAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatEsden
Tumblr: http://patesden.tumblr.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/patesden/
Tour
giveaway
$20 Amazon gift card
Thank you for interviewing me. I really appreciate it. Loved the questions too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for informing me of this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to win this! Would be a great birthday present.
ReplyDelete