H.J. Harley's Blog

I'm one of those people that if you ask me a question I am going to give it to you straight. I have maybe one or two exceptions to this rule. I'll get to them later. 
So my question is, why do things always have to appear to be sunshine and kittens? Life is not always good. Life is not always bad. Life is just that...Life. Everything happens.  Happiness happens. Sadness happens. Shit happens. Bad things happen to good people. Good things happen to bad people...  So why when someone expresses how they feel is it considered negativity? I don't understand. If Im having a shit day and I feel like going online and letting everyone know Im having a shit day...I should be able to do that without others saying oh 'vague booking' or someone is looking for sympathy. No No No. Just no. The person is having  shitty day!! Maybe they have nobody to talk to? Maybe they just fucking feel like bitching? Why not? What's so wrong with showing emotion? Any and every emotion? And then when someone is honest about something it can be perceived as so many different things. It can be taken as trying to push someone in a corner to make them feel bad or being brutally honest to be malicious but the one thing nobody EVER says about being truthful is just that...ITS THE DAMN TRUTH, that's why its being said. Not for attention, not to make someone feel bad, not to degrade someone or something. Sure the truth hurts...that's life. shit happens, bad shit happens. Since when did telling the truth make someone a trouble maker? When did it make them a bad person?  A malicious person? Is honesty THAT overrated today? I just don't understand. It seems more and more apparent the less truthful you are...the more distance you'll travel. So do I compromise my integrity and my values of being honest and forthcoming to get myself ahead in the game? Let me explain...
Today someone asked me why my books didn't sell as well as "so and so's" books. They enjoyed my books far more than the S&S's books so she didn't understand. I simply shrugged and said "I can't answer that question because if I knew...I'd change what I was doing wrong."
Then the dreaded question followed... "Are you jealous? Not just of that author, are you jealous in general that you aren't succeeding like so many others are?" 
Now, I'll make this clear upfront. I will never begrudge anyone's success. EVER. I think there is plenty of room out there for everyone's success. Not to mention that my definition of success probably varies from others.  So the clear answer should have been "No, I'm not jealous."  
But it wasn't. Because I'm honest. Of course I'm jealous. Not green with envy, breathing fire I want to sabotage your life jealous but that sad little corner of your heart that so wishes you could have just a sliver of that too. Not in place of, not wishing you were someone else...just wanting it too. That's human nature. Anyone who says they aren't...refer back to the beginning and reread it. Honesty. Its a rare commodity these days and success in the author world is pretty much about who you know...NOW. Not two years ago...Im talking now. The market is so oversaturated with books that its impossible for a reader to find a new to them author with out a recommendation. You know why I think? I think its because anyone including my dog can go out and SP a book and readers have paid for too much half assed unedited crap to waste anymore money. But how do you get recommended when the circle is sealed tight? The author mentions a friend...(even though they deny thats what they're doing) and boom the friend's book soars to number one. (HONESTY COMING AT YOU) The book IMO was lackluster, unoriginal and simply uninteresting. Nothing extraordinary reached out and grabbed me...or a lot of others who left reviews. My point? Its not what you know (quality, time, money, effort, pride in your work) it's who you know. And some bloggers...holy shitcicles ...what the hell happened there? When did they become as elite as an agent? I swear writing in this day in age is for those who are a glutton for punishment. You'd think an author's scariest critic would be a reader. .But it isn't. An author's scariest critic is themselves. 
I'm telling the truth here so please I honestly don't want any response to this, I simply just want to say it. No matter how many times someone tells me they love my work...I doubt myself. I'm convinced I could have done better, reworded something, took something out. ANYTHING. 
So, Ill wrap this up with my final thought of the evening. 
Be honest...and if people don't like it maybe you don't need THAT sort of negativity in your life. Because if they don't like hearing the truth imagine how hard it must be for them to tell the truth....

​

Guess where I'll be April 9, 2016... YES!! Words can't express  how happy I am to be a signing author at this event. The ladies at Talkbooks and All is Read plan one stellar event and I was lucky enough to be asked. Sooooo, get ready Peabody, MA, HJ is coming for you next year. Hopefully I'll see you there too.  Returning to Tulsa June 9, 2016 Oh yeah baby!! Hilary Storm was gracious enough to invite me back for my second year at her Hard Rock Author Event in Tulsa OK, June 9 2016. So stoked. This was a great signing. Best experiences with the volunteers, staff and most importantly the readers. Cant wait to see you all again!  Next order of business. I've finally nailed down a date for Rachel. The cover is being worked up by my ever so talented twinsie love, Sommer Stein, of  Perfect Pear Creative Covers  and as soon as I get it you'll get it. 
The magnificent editors at  Indie Solutions by Murphy Rae  have been booked and ready to take her on. Anticipated release date is October 12, 2015. So mark them calendars!!


I think that's it for now!! Please feel free to share whatever teasers, covers or info you see here!! The more you share the more I can write!! 
Thanks!!! 

Guess where I'll be April 9, 2016... YES!! Words can't express  how happy I am to be a signing author at this event. The ladies at Talkbooks and All is Read plan one stellar event and I was lucky enough to be asked. Sooooo, get ready Peabody, MA, HJ is coming for you next year. Hopefully I'll see you there too.  Returning to Tulsa June 9, 2016 Oh yeah baby!! Hilary Storm was gracious enough to invite me back for my second year at her Hard Rock Author Event in Tulsa OK, June 9 2016. So stoked. This was a great signing. Best experiences with the volunteers, staff and most importantly the readers. Cant wait to see you all again!  Next order of business. I've finally nailed down a date for Rachel. The cover is being worked up by my ever so talented twinsie love, Sommer Stein, of  Perfect Pear Creative Covers  and as soon as I get it you'll get it. 
The magnificent editors at  Indie Solutions by Murphy Rae  have been booked and ready to take her on. Anticipated release date is October 12, 2015. So mark them calendars!!


I think that's it for now!! Please feel free to share whatever teasers, covers or info you see here!! The more you share the more I can write!! 
Thanks!!! 

Next order of business. I've finally nailed down a date for Rachel. The cover is being worked up by my ever so talented twinsie love, Sommer Stein, of  Perfect Pear Creative Covers  and as soon as I get it you'll get it. 
The magnificent editors at  Indie Solutions by Murphy Rae  have been booked and ready to take her on. Anticipated release date is October 12, 2015. So mark them calendars!!
 On a quick side note I've been invited to the Oscars...not really but I feel like I've been! lol I'll be attending The North Shore Signing Event April, 9, 2016 in Peabody, Massachusetts. (YESSS!) Also, I'll be returning to the Hard Rock Author Event in Tulsa, OK July 9, 2016. 
I think that's it for now!! Please feel free to share whatever teasers, covers or info you see here!! The more you share the more I can write!! 
Thanks!!!  I know I'm the worst blogger on the planet. I'm going to start doing v-logs. It's so much easier. Plus you all get to see my beautiful mug. :P
 Let's talk August 11, 2015. Not only is 15 days before my 40th birthday (DEAR LORD DID I JUST SAY THAT???) It will be the day my super naughty alter-ego, Sasha Kinks', Holli and the Hospice Nurse will be released. Im so happy to be a part of the Sexcapades: Taboo. Forbidden. Sexual...Escapades. Series. Make sure you check all of them out. Nine different authors, with nine different books, for you to enjoy.
If you are interested in joining us for the Book Blitz August 11th-18th sign up here. One random participating host will receive a 15.00 Amazon GC and I'll be handing out a limited number of ARC's for review.
                               BOOK BLITZ & ARC SIGN UPS

I have a street team happening over on Facebook, want to come share?

HJ's ST

This helps me out so much because I have more time to focus on writing instead of being on social media. As much as I LOVE my social media its a distraction of epic proportions...

With that being said. Thank you!! Enjoy the pretty teasers.

Here's my 2015 Author Event schedule so far. The invites are slowly trickling in so I'm hoping to get a few more on this list. I'll have a banner and everything so it'll be official. :P             
Southern Belle Book Blog & Hilary Storm present
Hard Rock Author Event: Tulsa, OK -  May 2, 2015
Ticket Purchase Link  Naughty in the South 2015 
Birmingham, AL - June 6, 2015
Ticket Purchase Link Mystic Author Signing Event
Mystic, CT - June 12-14
Ticket Purchase Link I can't wait to meet you guys! 

Finding Nathan Love Lies Bleeding #2
By
HJ Harley

Available 2.23.15 on: Amazon. B&N. Kobo. iTunes. aRE.




FINDING NATHAN
The long awaited honeymoon is finally over for leading man, Nathan Harper and his feisty bride, Jordie. As they settle into their new home Nathan finally feels confident enough with this fresh start to share with his wife the struggles of rediscovering himself. Now more than ever Jordie needs to be strong when Nathan gives her his journal and let’s her see the darkest months of her life through his eyes. Who will hurt her more, the man who loves her or will she self-destruct?

The love lies bleeding series in order Finding Jordie Finding Nathan February Finding Rachel June 2015


Excerpt When we walked into the new place, it was exciting and refreshing. I took a second and stood at the door with a smile. “Admire it after you’re all moved in and get your ass in here. Help me. I’m not doing this by myself, and you’re a damn hoarder.” I heard Rachel’s voice come from somewhere behind the wall of boxes in the living area. “Whatever, asshole,” I yelled out to her and dropped myself by the door. “Hello, gorgeous,” I heard Nathan say as he walked down the hallway towards me, wearing my smile. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me like he hadn’t seen me in a week. “Holy hell, you two. Seriously?” Rachel scoffed as she attempted to get the tape off a box marked MISCELLANEOUS.
“I’m bound and determined to find my Michael Kors bag, you sticky- fingered bitch,” she mumbled playfully.
“And here’s one of them fingers just for you,” I said to Rachel as I walked past her, flipping her off.
Nathan showed me around and I started to feel overwhelmed with happiness. I exhaled to try and calm myself.
“What’s up?” Nathan asked as we were walking out of our bedroom towards Nate’s room.
“Nothing is wrong. Everything is just right.” I wiped my eyes before the tears that had welled up could fall.
“I love you. Look where we’re standing. This is a second chance for both of us to be a part of something amazing. Us, our kids, my mom and dad, Tyler, and I guess even Rachel...” He nodded his head back and smiled. “I heard that, asshole,” Rachel yelled from the living room. “Ah, damn, the baby monitor is on in here, isn’t it?” He chuckled. We both laughed and I stood up on my tippy toes to give him a kiss. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
“If I had to guess, I’d probably say you endured life with that criminally insane ex of yours.”
 “Ha ha. Very funny.” I smacked his arm lightly as we headed back to the living room.
 “What. The. Fuck? Jordan, seriously, bitch. You gone and lost your damn mind. What is all this?” Rachel said very loudly and slowly.
 “What are you yelling about?” Frank asked all three of us as he walked over to stand by Rachel.
There it was, in all its glory—the box marked PERSONAL, DO NOT TOUCH—ESPECIALLY YOU, RACHEL! The box just sat there, wide open, along with Rachel’s mouth. She slowly raised her arms and turned to face us, holding a pair of white boy-short panties with MRS. HARPER slapped across the ass in bright red letters. Nathan shrugged his shoulders. “What’s the big deal? She is Mrs. Harper.” He paused. “Okay, yeah, what gives?” He looked confused. Rachel tried to stifle her laugh because she knew what Nathan didn’t. “Oh, it’s a big deal all right.” She threw the panties at me and I busted out laughing. “This. It’s literally a big deal,” Rachel confirmed, waving the packing slip around. “What? Is it a crime for me to go lingerie-shopping?” I tried to take the packing slip from her and I widened my eyes to hint for her to shut the fuck up. “Oh, Jesus, I can’t stand when you two talk all cryptic. It’s like a different frequency that only you two can hear.” Nathan snagged the slip from Rachel’s hands and scanned the invoice. “Wow, I’d say at a dollar each you got the best deal ever, considering these things retail for about fifteen bucks a pop. And this was your lingerie- shopping?” He shook his head and smiled as he wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead.
Author HJ Harley


HJ grew up in Bricktown New Jersey, less than an hour away from New York City. As a teenager and early twenties, she loved hanging out in the glamor of NYC. She was a "City Brat" so it was pretty difficult for her to pack her stuff and three cats in 2005, for a life changing road trip, moving to California. She's travelled around the country until she met her better half in 2005.
After serving twelve years in the Air Force, the man of her dreams ended his military career and they moved to Georgia in 2007. Since then, they've settled down in Leesburg GA, and had their first child.
No place has ever come close to replacing the magic of New York City for HJ. So when it was decided to try this romance writing gig out, naturally her first book 'Finding Jordie' would be set there.
HJ enjoys reading, and spending time with her family. Reality TV is a guilty pleasure; she's a sucker for romantic comedies and Robert Pattinson. HJ is a pro at goofing off and she talks with her hands, (She's Italian!) She drinks way too much coffee, and gets too little sleep. Oh, and she has a thing for Jackie-O sized sunglasses. HJ's has five furry kids and most importantly, one beautiful daughter. HJ is always striving to be the best Mom possible.
HJ's very passionate about the things she loves, that's why she was outraged when they cancelled SMASH and Southland! It should be considered a small miracle if you ever get to see a serious or pic of her posing all nice and pretty...She's not that girl. She's a spontaneous goof and believes the best things in life come naturally. Yes, that includes random no make-up selfies during a 2:00a.m. writing marathon.


Where can you find HJ? 
Everywhere. She never sits still…
http://www.hj-harley.com Facebook.com/authorhjharley Twitter.com/HJ_Harley Pinterest.com/HJ_Harley
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads HJ HARLEY

This is pretty simple peeps. The more you share the more I share. Above you can get a taste for some of the prizes Ill be giving away at the end of every month to readers who share, purchase my books and share some more! Twitter...Tumblr...Facebook...Readers Blogs...Share everywhere!
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HJ

Hit or mistletoe is on its own now and went live tonight on Amazon, B&N, kobo and iTunes for 99 cents.


Also available in paperback. 7.00  
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