Sarah Hegger's Blog

It's Release Day!

In Ghost

 

Falls

secrets don’t keep for long—

and love turns up in the most unexpected places...

Positively Pippa is here and I'm beyond thrilled!

From author Sarah Hegger comes an exciting new series set in small-town Utah, where secrets don’t keep for long—and love turns up in the most unexpected places.

For Pippa Turner there’s only one place to go when her life self-destructs on national TV—home to Ghost Falls, and her heavily perfumed, overly dramatic, but supremely loving grandmother, Philomene. If anyone will understand how Pippa’s hit makeover show was sabotaged by her vengeful ex, it’s Phi. But she’s not the only one who’s happy to see her—and Pippa can’t help but wonder if Matt Evans, her gorgeous high-school crush turned Phi’s contractor, is game for a steamy close-up...

Matt owes his whole career to Phi and her constant demands to embellish the gothically ridiculous house he built for her. Getting to see red-headed, red-hot Pippa is a bonus, especially now that she’s no longer the troublesome teenager he remembers. He’s willing to stay behind the scenes while she gives her own life a much-needed makeover, but not forever. As far as he’s concerned, their connection is too electric to ignore. And the chance to build something lasting between them—before she can high-tail it back to Hollywood—is going to the top of his to-do list.

I hope you've been following along on the blog tour and you've had a chance to enter the Giveaway!

There's also still time to enter to win a Stitch Fix Gift Card and beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry, for a chance at these prizes subscribe to my newsletter and attend the release day Facebook party

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So to recap, Pippa is celebrating her birthday today and you can join in the fun by attending the Facebook release day party and entering to win fabulous prizes, read an excerpt from Positively Pippa here and to order your copy....

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2g19kUQ iBooks: http://apple.co/2fUzwkR Nook: http://bit.ly/2fo0T27 Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fhes62

 

Connect with me!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahheggerauthorTwitter: https://twitter.com/SarahHeggerGoodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8202895.Sarah_HeggerTumblr: http://sarahhegger.tumblr.com/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sarahhegger7/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sarahheggerauthor/ 

And we're off!A Positively Pippa Blog Tour starts today and heads through June 7th.

Along the way Pippa is visiting these participating blogs, who are also hosting a giveaway that includes some wonderful prizes that Pippa could have very well chosen herself

One Grand Prize Winner will receive a $150 Gift Card to Ulta + the Pippa's Favorites Bundle (Planner, Pen and Pouch) and a book, two more winners will receive a $100 and $50 Ulta Beauty Gift Card as well as a book each and 5 winners will get a copy of Positively Pippa! 

Gift cards and Bundle are only open to US Residents only, international entrants are eligible to win a Positively Pippa e-book. Enter on any blog tour stop or on my Facebook page

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Current and new newsletter subscribers are entered to win beautiful jewelry from SimaG and you're also invited to the release day Facebook party! You must be present to be able to win a $400 Gift Card to Stitch Fix, join me for all the fun on May 30th: http://bit.ly/SHTOParty530

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Pre-Order Positively Pippa: 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2g19kUQ 
iBooks: http://apple.co/2fUzwkR 
Nook: http://bit.ly/2fo0T27 
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fhes62

It's been a very exciting few months leading up to the long-awaited release of Positively Pippa on May 30th - I've had an overwhelming response to the first book in the Ghost Falls series, including some incredible early reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, who also named Pippa as a top 5 summer read in the Romance category. 

On release day I'm planning a very special Facebook Party where fellow author Kristi Rose and I will be giving away a $400 gift card to Stitch Fix! Along the way there are some other fabulous giveaways like a beautiful piece of one of a kind jewelry from local Colorado designer SimaG and on release day, to celebrate Pippa, I'm giving away some things she would love - a planner, Ulta Beauty Gift Cards and, of course, books!

To help me celebrate all of this I've got a blog tour happening which starts on May 19th and goes through June 7th...

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"Hegger’s unflinching, candid portrayal of interpersonal and generational communication elevates the story to the sublime." -- Publishers Weekly

Thank you to everyone participating in the Positively Pippa Blog Tour:

May 19th: A Writer's Haven

May 21st: Storeybook Reviews

May 22nd: Coffee and Wine Book Blog

May 23rd: Bound 2 Escape

May 24th: Sharing Stories

May 25th: A.S. Fenichel

May 26th: Fabulous Book Fiend

May 29th : What Is That Book About

May 30th: CBY Book Club

                 Loves Great Reads

                AA Book Reviews

                Book Junkie Reviews

May 31st: Read Your Writes

June 1st: Smitten with Reading

               Buried Under Romance

June 2nd: Xio Axelrod

June 5th: Printed Pleasures

June 6th: Rosanna Leo

June 7th: Gemma Brocato

 

If you have any form of retriever, like I do, and skunks in the area, it's more a matter of when they're going to get a chemical blast rather than if. Retrievers have a strong prey drive and skunks don't back down.

You do the math on that one.

Tomato juice is a myth. It does nothing but make you crave a Bloody Mary. Given the stink rising from your dog this may seem to you to be the best solution - getting shit-faced on Bloody Marys. Also, skunks are nocturnal and it always seems to be that last time you put the dog out for the night that does the business. 

 

So here's my method. And let me say up front, that I've yet to discover something that takes it away 100%, but this brings it down to the level of bearable. You catch the occasional whiff instead of a full-on, scorching nose blast every time the dog comes to see you. Side note: Retrievers are also the party animals of the dog world, so they come and see you a lot. 

This works best if you can wrestle the dog into a tub, or a sink, any water and dog receptacle, which you are going to fill with water and baking soda. Don't be shy with the baking soda. Get that crap in there. For my two I go through a good pound and half of it. Leave a little in the box for the next step.Now make a paste with the leftover baking soda, dishwashing liquid and dog shampoo (any will do).First wet the dog down with the water/baking soda mix in your tub/sink.Then work your baking soda, dishwashing liquid and dog shampoo paste into their coat. Get it deep beneath that first layer of fur.Rinse off with the baking soda, water combo you got going on in the bath.Again, you won't fix the problem entirely, but you won't have to keep locking yourself away from the dog.

Is this really tried and true? 

Yes indeed. This morning, in fact.

Now you may want to get blotto on those Bloody Marys. 

Henry & Daisy

Skunk Magnets Extraordinaire 

 

 

First Night

With Dina Friedman

First Night

Rebecca and Kristi Rose

First Night

Gemma Brocato, Andie Fenichel and Stacy Finz

First Night

Xio Axelrod and me looking fierce #fail

Rockabilly Street Fair

With Michael Foster, Sean Hampton and Cynthia St Aubin

First Base with an Author

Spotting Terri Osburn and Michelle Sandford

Peaches& Cream

Signing for Kensington with Gemma Brocato

Wordy Women with Cynthia

Going live with Sean Hampton and Michael Foster

Meeting Old Friends

Jennifer Reynolds and her mum and I came face to face for the first time

Roaring Twenties

Getting my Great Gatsby on with A S Fenichel (Andrea)

Giant Book Fair

I'm looking so smug because I'm signing next to Lorraine Heath again

Giant Book Fair

Always a pleasure to sign next to Pamela Hearon

What is it about early popular music that has such an effect on us to this day? There’s a simplicity there, yet it’s matched with so much musicality. Lyrics are to the point, melody is often jaunty and lively. They are meant to make us smile, shuffle our feet and snap our fingers. Jazz, big band and American standards are about celebrating life and “the little things” that truly matter so much. That’s why we still dream of a white Christmas in the winter months, dance in the streets in the summer and croon “At Last” when we find true love.

The sense of wonderment that is so strong in those songs is much harder to find in popular music today. There’s a sense of hope and a feeling of brightness in the music of yesterday that we turn to over and over again. That’s precisely why Pippa, the heroine of my upcoming new release, as someone whose career is in fashion, takes her cue from the line, and song title, “Accentuate the Positive.”

When Accentuate the Positive was first released in 1944, things were a little different, while in some ways still much the same. A song inspired by a religious sermon, its lyrics convey the message that a bit of good cheer goes a long way in improving quality of life. It became a hit because it was such an inspiring message with a catchy sound. It was a time in American history when we needed to hear it and we were looking for a path to a sunnier outlook. The opening verse asserts:

 

“You’ve got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mister In-Between”

 

The straightforward message, delivered with charming directness and exactitude, is that there is no need to let life drag you down when there’s a lot of good out there to take hold of. Furthermore, it suggests that complexity is gratuitous and unnecessary and muddling about in gray areas is not beneficial in uplifting the mood. It definitely sounds a little reductive by today’s standards. Its upbeat theme works much better in modern time when applied specifically. Which brings me to Pippa!

Pippa’s career has been built around the idea that, when it comes to clothing, fashion and outward appearance, women always can, and should, Accentuate the Positive. Unlike the broad concept that drives the song, Pippa’s motto connotes an understanding that contemporary style should cultivate positivity, when there are a lot of ways the realities of modern life can be a little harsh. In the first part of the 20th century, Americans relied on music and some aspects of popular culture to brighten their darker days. In 2017, we may be slightly more able to accept the ambiguities of life “Messing with Mister In-Between” as it were, but we also have more opportunities to look on the bright side as well. How we dress is one of those ways.

 

While the simple times of yesteryear were more of a one size fits all, in terms of what we wore, but on a larger scale as well, Pippa rejects that idea in her work: self-expression and self-confidence are her dictums. Accentuate the Positive in today’s world means knowing yourself. Knowing what makes you feel good and what brings you the most joy as your unique self, celebrating your individuality and distinctiveness. One line in particular we find in the song has a very direct tone:

“Have faith or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene”

 

The idea is that staying optimistic brings about a sense that we have the ability to take charge in our lives. While still certainly applicable, we are more likely to forgive ourselves the odd mood swing or rough day, not because we’ve entirely lost that sense of hope, but because we know that it’s all a part of “being who you are.” And really, a well-fitting skirt or fabulous pair of shoes can be a very useful reminder of that.

Perhaps nothing is a more inspiring story than someone able to turn their life around, rise from the ashes, take a bad situation and make something good happen. It’s a great narrative not just because it’s inspirational and provides you with a sense of hope, although those are wonderful effects, but also because these stories are humbling. They remind us, nothing is permanent and many things are not as they seem – whether life is going perfectly well or heartbreakingly terrible at the present moment, there is more that’s still unwritten. Any circumstance can turn around and take a different direction and there are a lot of things  at any given moment we may not fully comprehend. Having said that, we do have an awful lot of power at our hands as well. Respecting that which we don’t know (yet) or understand, while finding the inner strength to take on life’s challenges is a very exciting path to find oneself traversing.

 

Which brings me to the subject matter I really want to discuss – attractive, fascinating men. Actually, one man in particular, Tom Hardy. In case you don’t know who he is, allow me to significantly improve your day with a brief introduction . Tom Hardy is a British actor who has appeared in movies and on television since 2001, and is arguably best known for his starring role in Mad Max Fury Road, but you may also know him from his roles in Bane or Inception. Here is an informative article (with photos) if you’d like to dive in further. Currently, he stars in a TV show called Taboo, which is a BBC series that is being aired in the US on the FX network. Taboo is a dark, gritty period drama, which he also co-created, where Tom Hardy plays the main character, James Delaney, whose father dies, leading him to come home to Englandafter an extended period of time in Africa. It’s a morally ambivalent role in which the threat of brutality and malevolence seem imminent. These themes couldn’t lie further in opposition from his real-life personality. He is known as kind, warm and even gentle, extending a lot of empathy and compassion to creatures great and small.

Tom Hardy has spoken very openly about his struggles with addiction. He was a very heavy drug user in his 20’s, and found himself spiraling out of control just as his acting career was starting to take off. He’s been clean for almost 15 years but he believes having been in dark spots in his life has shaped his work.  Now in 2017, he is a successful actor and long-time animal lover who is known to be incredibly close and loving with his dogs. After reading all this, you may understand why I am so obsessed, uh, I mean, IMPRESSED, with Tom Hardy. He represents the vulnerability and fragility in all of us, but has overcome great obstacles to achieve incredible things – all while relying on love and openness to stay on track.

Which brings us back to my earlier thoughts. The idea that we can turn around even the most difficult and hopeless-seeming situation and make that the basis for a better life. Like Tom, we first must admit to ourselves that it may not be a simple task. In my opinion, difficult and impossible are in direct opposition to each other. Acknowledging that something won’t be easy is also recognizing that real steps can be taken to achieve that goal. Tom isn’t just an example of someone taking on  challenges and coming out victorious, he’s a reflection of the human condition that exists in each one of us. Each of us is a walking contradiction – beautiful but also tormented, grateful but also full of yearning, blessed but also troubled. And just like him, we are full of promise, full of potential. We make choices every day that changes the course of our lives, while also living in the magic of each moment, knowing that there are forces that we can’t control, that write our stories alongside of us and make each life unique and amazing.

It appears as though the popularity of makeup only seems to be growing recently, and particularly in my home as my girls embed themselves in the dreaded teens. They’ve launched a makeup revolution and dragged me with them. And why not – makeup is fun, it’s transformative and it requires skill and practice to perfect. It can change not just the way you look but the way you feel, even the way you view your surroundings. I’ve recently become obsessed with false eyelashes. I’m blaming my girls—let’s go with that. When I look out from underneath long, luxurious lashes I see a rose-colored world before me. I’m inspired to seek out beauty and loveliness wherever I can.  And bat my lashes, there is definitely a lot of batting going on.

Makeup and beauty are related, but I don’t want to conflate the two—they aren’t synonymous. Beauty has different meanings across cultures, over different time periods, even from one individual to the next. Makeup, although a tool to achieve certain beauty standards, holds its own place. If you think of beauty as a city, makeup is a building in one neighborhood of that city, perhaps an adorable two-floor walk up with bay windows and excellent lighting. Using makeup is just an incredibly personal act. Anyone who does or has done it, probably remembers with a certain amount of warm, happy sentiment, learning to apply and wear it, and, like a tattoo or a keepsake, a particular beauty product carries with it an immediate recollection of certain feelings and experiences.

 

 

Our attitude about makeup and beauty changes over the course of our own lives. What we may have loved about makeup in our teens and twenties, the fact that it makes you look older, more mature or more rebellious, is no longer something that appeals to us. But the intensely personal nature of makeup, the fact that it markedly changes how we look and feel, affects our level of confidence, and how much or how little to wear is such an individualized choice, that it infuses each tube of lipstick, fluffy brush and eyeshadow pot with a deeply touching degree of meaning.

 

In my upcoming contemporary release, Positively Pippa, the heroine is a girly-girl, who loves makeup, fashion and everything flirty, frilly and fun. She is based on TLC’s Stacy London (host of What Not To Wear and Love, Lust or Run.) Her appreciation for aesthetics has in part inspired me to experiment with makeup. When I apply false lashes, which is by no means an easy feat and requires a steady hand and a delicate approach with the glue (that crap gets everywhere), I can’t help but think of Pippa and my time with her. When I brought her to life in the book, she appeared at my side as an exciting, bubbly BFF, inspiring me to push my boundaries and explore new parts of myself. From this point forward, whenever I put on, or even see, a pair of jaunty eyelashes in their little purple box, I’ll think of Pippa and her affect on me. The way she exhorts her “clients” to be the best version of themselves.

“Honey, I am going to my grave with my eyelashes and my makeup on.”

— Tammy Faye Baker

Famous makeup-fan Tammy Faye Baker is known for saying “Honey, I am going to my grave with my eyelashes and my makeup on.” That’s a woman who knows who she is! The way you feel and think about makeup, your relationship to it, defines who you are in so many ways. Your makeup is a narrative of your own individual, unique truth. At the end of the day when you take off your makeup and lashes, make sure that you’ve written the story you want to tell, because that’s all that matters.

 

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I'm so excited to announce that Roger's Bride has officially released! Book 4 in Sir Arthur's Legacy is here and I'm so grateful for the lovely reviews and enthusiastic response it's received thus far. More information on Roger's Bride is below, and I hope you visit the Blog Tour stops and enter the Roger's Bride "Curl Up with a Book" Giveaway!

Blurb

 

A battle of wills . . .

As the oldest son and heir to Anglesea, it is Roger’s duty to stand tall and strong. But his tough exterior belies the heart of a true romantic, a devoted son who yearns for the deep love he has witnessed between his parents and his sisters and their husbands. However, with the Anglesea family jockeying for a more advantageous position, Roger must marry judiciously.

 

A fight for the heart . . .

Having spent her childhood watching her mother suffer, Kathryn of Mandeville is determined never to marry. To be as a Viking shield maiden of old is her heart’s only desire. But when her sister Matty runs away to escape Roger’s sensible proposal, Kathryn is forced to help Roger find a more suitable bride. Bound by duty, Roger and Kathryn soon discover they are facing a much tougher fight—the one that is within their hearts . . .

Buy Links

 

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/2fFnXMV

 

iBooks: http://apple.co/2emgrH6

 

Nook: http://bit.ly/2fhajip

 

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fFOPJ2

 

 

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you enjoy Roger's Bride! I would appreciate if you would be so kind as to follow me on social media and subscribe to my quarterly newsletter.

 

Today is the kick-off for the 15-Day Roger's Bride blog tour, going on until December 30th! The fourth book in the Sir Arthur's Legacy Series officially releases on 12/20. The participating blogs who will be putting up the blurb, cover and excerpt are also hosting a very exciting Rafflecopter giveaway - scroll down to the bottom to enter!

Thank you for taking part in the Roger's Bride Blog Tour!

December 15: A Writer's Haven

December 16:   Lush Book Reviews

December 16: A.S. Fenichel

December 17: A Blustocking's Place

December 17:  Elizabeth McKenna Romance Author

December 17: Book Junkie Reviews

December 19: EyesonBooks' Next Favorite Reads

December 20: Rosanna Leo

December 21: I am, Indeed

December 21: Red Hot Ink

December 23: Friends of Xio

December 28: Loves Great Reads

 

 

 

Blurb

 

A battle of wills . . .

As the oldest son and heir to Anglesea, it is Roger’s duty to stand tall and strong. But his tough exterior belies the heart of a true romantic, a devoted son who yearns for the deep love he has witnessed between his parents and his sisters and their husbands. However, with the Anglesea family jockeying for a more advantageous position, Roger must marry judiciously.

 

A fight for the heart . . .

Having spent her childhood watching her mother suffer, Kathryn of Mandeville is determined never to marry. To be as a Viking shield maiden of old is her heart’s only desire. But when her sister Matty runs away to escape Roger’s sensible proposal, Kathryn is forced to help Roger find a more suitable bride. Bound by duty, Roger and Kathryn soon discover they are facing a much tougher fight—the one that is within their hearts . . .

Buy Links

 

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/2fFnXMV

 

iBooks: http://apple.co/2emgrH6

 

Nook: http://bit.ly/2fhajip

 

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fFOPJ2

THE CURL UP WITH A BOOK GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY!

Enter to win a mermaid blanket, sweater mug full of treats, copies of all four Sir Arthur's Legacy books, dragon bookmark, tote bag and more! Four other winners will receive a copy of the book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I would love it if you followed me on social media and subscribed to my newsletter to stay up to date with news, releases, what I'm working on, and review opportunities & giveaways!