Friday, February 19, 2016

A Hold on Me by Pat Esden Giveaway & Interview


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...

Indiebound     Amazon    BN    Books a Million

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.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
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










Tour giveaway

 $20 Amazon gift card 


3 comments:

  1. Thank you for interviewing me. I really appreciate it. Loved the questions too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for informing me of this book.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the opportunity to win this! Would be a great birthday present.

    ReplyDelete