Playing for Love at Deep Haven Blog Tour Hosted by - CTC Virtual Book Tour !

http://www.closedthecover.com/playing-for-love-at-deep-haven-virtual-tour.html

Book Synopsis


 

Violet Smith and Zach Aubrey have history…

…the kind of history he regrets and she wishes she could forget.

When a booking mistake at Deep Haven Cottage strands them together at a rental house on the Maine coast, the rocker and the writer are suddenly thrown back together after ten years apart. While Violet will do almost anything to prevent history from repeating itself, Zach wants to show her that her heart will be safe with him this time. But can Violet give him a second chance? And will Zach truly be able to change history?

Playing songs, playing for keeps…Playing for Love at Deep Haven

 

 

 Book Details

Tour Hashtag: #DeepHaven

(Enchanted Places - Book One)
Katy Regnery, author and publisher
275 pages (appx)
Pub Date: January 2014
ISBN: 9780991204502

 

 

 

 

I want to thank the author for asking me to read “Playing for Love at Deep Haven” in exchange for an honest review! I've read and enjoyed (a lot, actually) the previous books from this author, BUT THIS BOOK??? Whoa. Just. Whoa. Playing for love has an edge to it. A sexy, sexy edge. With the Hero of the book portrayed as this bad-ass songwriter/rocker, whose body is beautifully sculpted – both by muscles and tattoos – and he has the long shaggy hair, long enough to tie back off his shoulders going on for him.. Come on, how many of us had or STILL has a major crush on a musician (or 5...10..) Well, after reading this book, I'm crushing something fierce for Zachariah “Z” Aubrey..

Not only did I enjoy (love) Zach, but I really, really liked Violets character as well. She's free-spirited, smart, witty, sexy, and confident. Although it doesn't seem like all of those in the beginning of the book, but as Zach slowly helps her re-discover herself, she totally owns all of those traits! And the way that he does help her remember who she once was, was really...really, hot!

This book is FULL of real, raw passion, that will leave your emotions all mushy inside after you've finished reading it. The world that Ms. Regnery draws us into is 100 % perfect and flawless. Her characters feel so real, that it's easy to believe they could exist! I'm sure somewhere out there, a couple like Zach and Violet have gone thru this exact same scenario, and hopefully it worked out as beautifully as theirs had.

Playing for Love is a great romance novel about two people who once loved each other, but were separated by an unfortunate mishap, then, 9 years later, they find themselves as victims of a beautifully crafted fate, and are brought together once again. This story also conveys a great message that I wish more people would get. No matter what you look like on the outside, it's who you are on the inside, that matters. There were a lot of times in this book that I saw that message shouted out to us readers. Yes, one of the main characters of the book has tattoos, and long punk-rock hair, and wears a bunch of gothic jewelry. But take a look at the character we got to know!!! He's a softhearted man who's passionate about what he loves! Then you have the other main character Violet, who in the beginning of the book goes from being Ms. Hoity Toity suburban-house-wife-material-like-woman from Greenwich, CT, back to her bohemian/beatnik free-spirited ways! No matter how she dressed or tried to talk like, she was still the same woman that Zach fell in love with while they were in college.

Bravo getting that message across to your readers Katy! :)

If you love second-chance love stories, regaining your trust and beliefs in someone, be sure to read this one!!! It's a goodie for sure!

Lines / Thoughts from the book that I love!

 

I loved the scenes where Z and Vile texted back and forth, Gah, So sweet!!!

 

The scene in the beginning of the book, as Z's getting away from his hectic life in New York to vacation in a lodge up in Maine, and he throws his cell phone out the car window... I died at that!! The book had me for sure! :)

I loved how when Violet would catch Z looking into her cleavage, and then make a joke about it...too cute!

“Bet she could probably bounce a quarter off that ass.” – Violet deep in thought about Zach's tight ass!

The part where the author said in the book “Familiar like a forgotten song from long ago that takes you back to a moment the second you hear it.” – This happens to me all of the time, I loved that line!!!!

“Naw, that's bullshit. I know what I want” – Zach to Violet... *SWOOON* What I wouldn't give to have a man say those words to me!

I laughed out-loud when Zach said this to Violet! “Then I'll never leave you. I won't go out on the road, and we wont drink milk...” Okay, when you guys read this, that line will make a lot more sense, I promise!!!

...Okay, I have to make myself stop or I'll just copy/paste the whole damn book on here!!! LOL

Can't wait to read book 2, 3, 20 from this series and more!

 

 

 

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First of all, thanks so much for having me on the Booknatics

 

today!!  So awesome to be back here.

 

 

Out of the books you’ve written, which one have you enjoyed the most?

This is a tough question because I love all of my book babies. But, I have to admit that there was something really special about writing "Playing for Love at Deep Haven" because I knew all along that it was going to be my first self- published book. Knowing that I didn't have a publisher supporting me really made me invest everything I had into that book...from the cover to the editing process to the actual story. I don't know if if was my most enjoyable writing experience, but it was certainly the most exciting and intense.
 

If you find yourself having a “writers-block” kind of day, what do you do to get over it?

Although the popular advice is to write - just write anything - I really don't adhere to that. I used to. I used to sit down and write nonsense or crap just to have something on the page, but I'd be supremely annoyed later when I got real, actual inspiration and I'd have to go back and delete whatever I'd written to make way for better writing. I realized that if I'm not "in the zone" it's just a huge waste of time to put words on the page. I read once that Kurt Vonnegut never wrote rough drafts. He perfected each page as he went along so that he really only had to deal with minor tweaks and typos at the end. I tend to write like that too. I don't write long rough drafts and then go back to slash and edit. If I sense I'm writing something that needs to be slashed and edited, I stop in my tracks because it's a waste of time. I'd rather take a break from writing and then resume when the muse is kind. So I guess I hang out on social media and fold laundry and wait until the words are in my head. Then I'll sit down and write 3K, 5K, 8K in a day. When the words are ready and you start typing something good? I'm convinced there's no drug on earth that could beat that high.

 

What inspired you to write about a “Rock-Star” for Playing for Love at Deep Haven?

And what kind of research took place for this book? I.e. with learning all of the different instruments, chords, etc..

I'd noticed how many books had tattooed bad boys, and I wanted to try writing one. So, I looked at pictures on-line for inspiration and saw one of Adam Levine, mostly naked, ripped like crazy, and I couldn't get the idea out of my head that (my hero) Zach looked a little like that. I kept staring at the picture (this author stuff is really tough some days! LOL!) and the character of Zach Aubrey really came into focus. I tend not to write characters I can't relate to...but I have played piano from a very young age, so I have a solid understanding of music and music theory. In fact, when I was writing the "Clair de Lune" scene, I went to my piano and took the actual sheet music out of the piano seat bench so I could review the music and write it accurately for Zach. I did have to do some research on different kinds of guitars, and I had an awesome friend who gave me some insight on heavy metal culture. But, mostly Zach's soul comes from mine.

 

The big question every writer who’s a parent hates, I’m sure...maybe, lol!

When your child is old enough to read your books, and they ask to read them, what are you going to say?

Hmm. My kids are 5 and 9 and my son (the 9-year-old) is really, really proud of what I do. He tells everyone in his elementary school that his mama is a romance writer and he loves the reactions he gets. Here's the scoop...human sexuality is natural and beautiful and it isn't something that should be hidden or ever attached to shame. When I'm writing a love scene, I try to infuse it with emotion. I don't use overtly coarse language and my focus - the entire time I'm writing sex - is that the reader feel the emotional poignancy of the connection between the lovers. Lisa Kleypas (one of my idols) gave an interview in 1998 and she stated "I believe what makes a love scene really sizzle is to always remind the reader of the emotional context of the scene . . . what has led to this act, and how it will change their relationship from now on, and why making love with this one person is different from doing it with someone else." These words have impacted and guided my writing (of sex scenes) more than any others. I am constantly asking - is this emotional enough? Have I made a case for love? Is this act an act of love? And frankly, as long as the scenes I write are telling my children that sex is much more than just a physical act, but an act that should be grounded firmly in love? Well then, I actually think my books will give them a stronger message about why and when they should have sex than most of the other messages society has to offer.

 

Now that you’ve published 3 books in such a short time period, and have many more in the works, how in the world do you make time for yourself?!

Ha ha! Good question! The reality is that when I'm writing, I'm incredibly focused. I write for 4, 5, 8, 12 hours a day. Which means I write fast once I'm in the zone. My Christmas novella "The Christmas Wish" was written in about 22 hours over three days. "By Proxy" was written in about 50 days. "Playing for Love at Deep Haven" was written in approximately 30 days. Those days were very intense - I wrote while my kids were at school for 7 hours, and for 4 or 5 more hours after they went to bed every evening. There wasn't time for much else. But, then the 30 days are over and the book is done. It's like coming out of a fog or cave or something, and I really jump back into life. I treat myself to a pedicure, make coffee dates with friends, go to the movies. Inevitably, though, after a week away from writing, it starts to bother me, and I'll start edits or tinker with another project. I guess - since I love writing so much - when I'm writing I am making time for myself. If I loved it less, I couldn't say that. But, it's true.

What are some books you’ve read recently?

Thanks to a recommendation by Bella Andre, I found Jennifer Crusie!!  I read "Bet Me" and LOVED it, then went on to read "The Cinderella Deal" which I also loved. I have two more of her books on my Kindle. And I am always in a holding pattern waiting for Bella Andre's next Sullivan book because I am ga-ga for that series. I read Penny Reid's brilliant "Friends Without Benefits" in the Fall and loved it because she's a genius. I recently read Sierra Dean's "Autumn," the first in her Dog Days series and got totally sucked in. There are two writers over at Entangled - Samanthe Beck and Robin Bielman - I read everything those two write. They're my spicy and sweet fix. I read just about every Jessica Sorenson book, but they're SO INTENSE I have to prep myself. I get a hangover from every book she writes.

What books are you waiting for, impatiently, to be released?

Bella Andre's next four Sullivan books (#12-#15) have me breathless...Ian and Tatiana's story, "Just To Be With You" is next and I can't wait. Sierra Dean's "Winter" is coming out soon and I'll definitely gobble that up. Penny Reid's "Love Hacked" is coming out in the Spring...and Jessica Sorenson is finishing the Callie and Kayden series (swoon!) and I can't wait to get my angsty NA on with her!

 

Since it’s winter and we’re stuck inside, what shows are you most excited about returning to TV, or premiering? (if you watch TV, that is)

 

 I LOVE TV. Are you kidding?! LOVE it. I watch "Grimm" every Friday night...I watch many of the HBO shows ("Boardwalk Empire," "True Blood," "Game of Thrones," "Girls") religiously...I love "Parenthood" and "Downton Abbey."  There's a really edgy Cinemax show called "Banshee" that I watch through my fingers because it's so violent, but the love story is so addictive, I can't stop. I love "Nashville" and "American Horror Story: Coven." My husband and I have really been getting into the NetFlix original series and we loved "Orange is the New Black" and we're presently watching "House of Cards," which is riveting. I also like "The Americans" and "Twisted" and I love "Mad Men" too. There's so much awesome TV out there. I'm probably missing tons from this list!!

Now I'm going to go see what's on my DVR - thanks so much for having me on the Booknatics today!!

Thanks for answering all of our questions here today Katy, it was a pleasure to have you here with us again today!!! <3

 

Okay everyone, I hope that you all go out and BUY this book!!! You'll LOVE it!!!

 

About the Author

Katy Regnery, winner of the 2013 NECRWA First Kiss and 2013 Maine RWA Everything But the Kitchen Sink contests, has always loved telling a good story and credits her mother with making funny, heartwarming tales come alive throughout her childhood. A lifelong devotee of all romance writing from Edwardian to present-day, it was just a matter of time before Katy tried her hand at writing a love story of her own.

As it turned out, one love story turned into a series of five Heart of Montana romances, following the love lives of the Yellowstone-based Lindstrom siblings. In addition to small-town contemporary romance, Katy is presently writing a paranormal romance that takes place in northern New England and the forests north of Quebec.

Speaking of forests, Katy lives in the relative-wilds of northern Fairfield County, Connecticut where her writing room looks out at the woods and her husband, two young children and two dogs create just enough cheerful chaos to remind her that the very best love stories of all are the messy and unexpected ones

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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