Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Virtual Blog Tour ~ Clare Austin ~ HOT FLASH



Thank you for having me on your blog site today. I’m thrilled to be here and chat a bit about my new release, Hot Flash.
This has been an exciting year for my writing journey. I’ve had three books released since last August. Butterfly and Angel’s Share, the first two novels in my Fadό Trilogy, have been well received and I’m looking forward to finishing the last in that series soon.
Hot Flash, written before the Fadό Trilogy, was the first book I sent to publishers and agents. I felt it filled a need in a market rarely targeted…baby-boomers. To me, facing “boomerdom” myself, it felt like time. We have time to read, our children, if not grown, are independent enough to allow us a modicum of freedom and we have maturity and sophistication that only experience in life can teach. Why not a heroine turning fifty years old?
Publishers in general did not agree with my theory. So, I put Hot Flash away, wrote Butterfly and sold it almost as soon as I finished it. Angel’s Share came out just a few months later and my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, asked if I had any other stories. I submitted and sold Hot Flash.
Hot Flash is about starting over, learning to trust again and believing in one’s own value.
When this story started to form in my mind I was, literally, working out in an all women’s gym. There we were, sweating away as Cher belted out a song on the CD player, a room full of smart, beautiful, mature women. Sure, we might have a wrinkle here or there and a little cellulite on our thighs, but we know the value of relationship and never discount the virtue in good color and highlights! Though we live in a culture obsessed with youth, it is not true that it is more likely for a woman over forty to be abducted by aliens from outer space than she is to attract the hot guy. Not if we believe in ourselves.
Hot Flash is, I think, tender, full of physical and emotional challenges, but not forgetting the humor and joy that are the necessary comic relief in fiction as well as real life.
Recently I received a wonderful note from a woman in her eighties who has read all my novels. She said these are the first “romance” novels she has ever read and loves them. That kind of encouragement is precious to me. But, Hot Flash is not a book limited to any particular age group.
If you enjoy an in-depth story of relationships and the challenges of blending families, and a sizzling hot romance set in the exciting world of equestrian sport, this novel will capture your imagination and, hopefully, your heart.
I wrote Hot Flash for you. I hope you enjoy it.
Clare

My novels are available from most online booksellers in trade paperback and digital formats.
If you would like an autographed copy of any of my books, please go to my website buy link www.clareaustin.com/books.html and you may order there using PayPal or by contacting me at Authorclare@gmail.com. You can go to www.clareaustin.wordpress.com for updates, ideas, and my random musings.

“Sexy but sensitive, powerful but poignant---Hot Flash is not your daughter’s romance! This is a story for real women. Savor every word.”
---Award winning author---Deb Stover







Back cover blub…

Kate Aiello has spent her entire life trying to please others—her three brothers, her Italian mamma and her husband of twenty-five years. It isn’t insult enough she is turning fifty, and left at the side of life’s road by her philandering husband. Now she has to contend with her body’s betrayal…hot flashes!
The plain truth hits her with each thermostatic aberration—she has never been first in anyone’s life, including her own.
Brandon Sullivan has been on a downward spiral since the death of his beloved wife. Now he is a man desperate to save himself from impending financial ruin, loss of his farm and his life’s dream. He needs to get into the winner’s circle by spring or he’ll be just another poor, landless Irishmen downing his pints and bragging about the good ol’ days.
Sparks fly when Italian attitude meets Irish temper. Add two big crazy families, a barn full of horses and one woman’s menopausal hot flashes and the probability for combustion increases exponentially.
What will Kate and Brandon risk for a second chance at love?


Excerpt from Hot Flash

“So, Katie, tell me…why riding lessons?”
“It’s Kate.” She corrected him.
“What?” He looked genuinely confused.
“Kate…my name…it’s Kate, not Katie.” She wasn’t sure why it bothered her he liked to call her that. Maybe it felt a little too personal. Jeffrey had never called her anything but Catherine.
“Ah and why not? Katie suits you well, a good name for a beautiful woman.”
Nervous laughter welled up in her. “You have that ‘charming Irishman’ thing down to a fine science don’t you? Go ahead, call me anything you want.” Obviously, the man had his own opinions. It was most likely fruitless to try and correct him. She should have resented it, but his arrogance fit him like those breeches he wore. From another man, his attitude would have felt patronizing, but coming from him it was...well…titillating.
He said nothing, just looked directly into her eyes and smiled a slow, lazy grin that made Kate shiver deep in her bones.

Leave a comment for Clare and you could be the lucky person drawn to win a Hot Flash mug or t-shirt! The more you comment on the tour, the more chances you have to win. Clare Austin's Tour Dates

Good luck!

13 comments:

orelukjp0 said...

I really like the sound of Hot Flashes. I am so glad to see a book about this subject. Real life for older women. I know I'll be picking up a copy.

Chris J. said...

I like the cover and the subject of Hot Flashes. Real women and real life, that rocks.
Best Wishes.

Clare Austin said...

Thank you for your comments. Hot Flash is a book very close to my heart. The cover is one of my favorites. It actually tells a lot about the story. That artist also did the cover for my novel Angel's Share.
I hope you enjoy reading about Kate and Brandon.
Clare

Clare Austin said...

I just noticed something funny. My google account is under my "real" name. So, yes, Maire Clare Austin is truly me! One more odd little factoid about my author personna.
Clare

Donica Covey said...

I don't have hot flashes--my inner child just plays with matches from time to time...I first heard that about five years ago and it's one of my favorite sayings. I was forced through menopause at twenty nine. I was regularly depressed and an older woman that I admire greatly tried to cheer me up while I was going through one of those miserable hot flashes. She said "No honey--it's your inner child playing with matches. Now slap the brat, pull yourself up and smile."

I love the cover for Hot Flashes and am so glad to hear that there is a romance out there for older women. Its great that some publishers realize that age is just a number and a woman can still be loving and loveable (as well as sexy) no matter what her chronological number.

Donica

mamabear said...

Sounds like something I need to download to my Kindle asap! Hot flashes are a daily occurrence here...actually some days it's closer to HOURLY!LOL!

Unknown said...

This books sounds great. It's a great subject and I loved that it's aimed towards older women. I think a lot of readers will be able to relate to this book. Congrats on the release and hope you have a fun blog tour:)

Tonya
tonyacallihan AT hotmail DOT com

Andrea I said...

I like the fact that this written about an older woman. It's nice to see that we're not forgotten.

andrea.infinger@gmail.com

Clare Austin said...

Donica...love the "inner child" approach!
Clare

Clare Austin said...

Thanks for your comments all. When I wrote Hot Flash I really felt there was a whole generation of beautiful women forgotten in romance literature. We are more romantic than ever! And hotter too!
Clare

Fiona McGier said...

I wish there were more books like this, because women don't stop being sexy or sexual just because they get older...in fact, we get better! That's why I wrote my first 2 books about 2 best friends who each turn 40 in their book, while dating for the first time since their divorces, each of them raising 2 kids and running their business. Each one meets a man who is perfect for them, but they are gun-shy, so it takes the guy a while to convince them.
Fiona McGier

Clare Austin said...

Thanks Alisha for having me here today. You have a beautiful blog page. Love the cat and the moon.
Clare

Alisha said...

You are so welcome, Clare! Thank you for gracing my blog with your class! I love the photo of you with the hot flash in the background and your cover is beautiful! I'm anxious to read Hot Flash too! Tomorrow is my 40th birthday and I really enjoy reading romances with older women who have more life experience. Please come back anytime!

Take Care,
Alisha