Today I'm turning my blog over to Toni Lynn Cloutier, who I interviewed about her debut novel "The Patriot Girl," which is the 1st book in The No Bulls Series!!ALSO -- Be sure to comment on this post to be able to sign up for this tour's GIVEAWAYs (listed below)!! [Blog Tour will run from June 18 - 22, 2012]
My Q&A with Toni Lynn Cloutier :
Jess : What books did you enjoy reading while growing up?
Toni Lynn : I didn’t like reading at ALL. It wasn’t until I was in my early twenties when my best friend introduced me to "Butterfly" by Kathryn Harvey. Had I known these books existed I would have been an avid reader! :)Jess : Which of your characters would you most & least want to invite to dinner, from which book and why?
Toni Lynn : I would invite Jodi from "The Patriot Girl" because we think alike. No question we’d get a long. My least to invite would have to be Vicky. Although she’s a sweet old lady, I think I would be intimidated.
Jess : What sparked the idea for "The Patriot Girl?"
Toni Lynn : The thought of “What would happen if a woman fell in love with the man she blamed for killing her husband?” had to have been trigged by something I read. I’m not sure how it actually came about. I do recall where and when it happened.Jess : Is there one particular scene in "The Patriot Girl" that you’re dying for readers to read?
Toni Lynn : Yes, MaKayla’s ah-ha moment.
Jess : Can you tell us anything about it?
Toni Lynn : I don’t want to ruin the scene, but I will tell you a personal story. My husband walked in on me while I was writing this scene and said, “You’re not crying because of what you’re writing, are you?” I nodded and laughed. He walked away smiling, shaking his head. I just wonder if my readers will have the same tear-jerk experience while reading it as I had writing it. Hmmm...
Jess : If "The Patriot Girl" were to be made into a film, who do you see playing the main characters and why?
Toni Lynn : Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds...because love interests start on a movie set and I would love to see these two hook up in real life!
Jess : Which usually comes first for you, the character(s) story or the idea for the novel?
Toni Lynn : Idea...I usually have the beginning and several scenes plotted before I think of character names.
Jess : Please describe your heroine, from "The Patriot Girl," in one to two sentences.
Toni Lynn : MaKayla is an unselfish and loyal woman who puts others first.Jess : In regards to your most recent novel, if you could write it all over again, would you change anything about it?
Toni Lynn : Noooo. "The Patriot Girl" has been through nine years of revisions. IT’S DONE!! :)
Jess : How many books have you written?
Toni Lynn : Seven romances, but only one is published. Four puzzles book, only two are in print now.
Jess : Which is your favorite and why?
Toni Lynn : "Lassoing Love," which is in my editor’s hands at the moment. I think this is my favorite because I’m not sure who has fallen in love with the foster child more, my heroine or me. I’m crossing fingers and toes that this one sells.Jess : Do you have any other projects in the works? If so, can you share a little of your current work with us?
Toni Lynn : If you’ve been following the tour, you know that I also write under the pseudonym, www.reneeashleywilliams.com. This short erotic m/m is available June 29, 2012. I am working on another story by her ("Lucky Waters"). I am working on book two of the No Bulls Series, Jesse’s story, ("Count Down To Love") under www.tonilynncloutier.com.
About the Author :
The youngest of five children, Toni was born and raised in Rhode Island. After graduating East Providence High School as a member of the Rhode Island Honor Society, she held several jobs from accounts receivable to billing before attending Rhode Island Associates of Realtors. She has a wonderful husband and is a stay-at-home mom to their teenage son. She is the author of two educational word search puzzle books. Her week is filled with writing romance novels and listening to country music while cleaning house, rearranging furniture, and playing with the cat they adopted from the shelter.- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 238; Kindle Edition - File Size: 365 KB | Expected Release Date: June 2012 | Publisher: The Wild Rose Press | Obtained: Goddess Fish Promotions"The Patriot Girl" [The No Bulls Series, Book 1] by Toni Lynn Cloutier (aka Renee Ashley Williams)
My Book Summary : MaKayla has been struggling with letting go of her past, and her husband Paul, for the past three years since he passed away from a car accident. She's knows she should come to terms with everything but it's very hard to do, especially when the accident's case hasn't been settled yet. Soon MaKayla will find out that even if she doesn't want to move on fate has other plans for her. The only question is will she accept those plans and get over the past or will she find that letting go is just too hard to do?
Ever since the car accident Dustin was in three years ago, he has tried to move on and put together a life for his three-year-old daughter and himself the best he can. Therefore, he gave up being a lawyer and opened a country club called No Bulls with his best friend. Things are running smoothly until he meets MaKayla, who turns his world upside down. Especially after he finds out about their shared past and now has to embrace an unknown future with or without her. However, is he willing to give MaKayla up after he just got her, even if she thinks it's for the best? Or will he be able to convince her otherwise?
My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars, this dramatic romance throws a lot of twists your way and keeps you wanting more! I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry and relationship between MaKayla and Dustin!! It's as if they were made for each other! Also, I appreciated MaKayla's dedication to Paul, even though at times I just wanted her to give up her personal fight earlier than she did so she could have been with Dustin sooner!
My only big problem with the book was all the little secondary storyline questions that were left unanswered. Like .... What happened to Tiffany to make her not show up to meet Buck? Did Tiffany's Dad like the "gift?" Will MaKayla and Dustin have more kids? What did MaKayla's in-laws think of Dustin? ... etc. So, I hope that within the next book in this series they will answer some of these questions and more. =0)
Otherwise, I recommend this novel to those of you who like reading a dramatic-packed contemporary romance!!
Author's Novel Extras : My Journey To Publication
Book Teaser(s) :
Teaser #1 ~ within Chapter 1
He’d never seen a woman with so many ideas for one project. “I think you’ve put a lot of effort into planning.”For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Toni Lynn, then please check out her website.
“Well, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.” She handed him a list of what she’d explained. “After I get your information and take a few pictures, I’ll compile some materials for you to go through. First, sign here and here.”
The longer he procrastinated the sicker his stomach felt. He needed to end the misery.
He signed her copy of the contract, which would probably be ripped up before the night ended.
She glanced at the paper. “You have a doctor’s penmanship. What’s your last name?”
Standing, he dodged her question by taking her hand, then leading her toward the opposite end of the bar. She would learn exactly who he was soon enough. ~ within Chapter 6
Book Excerpt :
She tilted her head toward his touch. “We do have an unusual chemistry, but anything more between us would complicate things.”
“In what ways?”
“Alex wouldn’t understand. Not to mention Paul’s parents.”
“What about what MaKayla wants?” A loaded question she didn’t know how to answer.
She wanted what she couldn’t have—not to be alone, the noises in her backyard to go away, a husband to spoil, and another child to mother. “It doesn’t matter what I want. What matters is doing the right thing.”
“For who?”
“For everyone.”
“Even if it means being unhappy? When was the last time you did something for MaKayla without worrying about consequences?” He rolled his tongue and smiled.
“There was liquor involved. Otherwise, I never would have growled at you.”
“Why not?”
She shrugged. “Because it’s inappropriate.”
“A tease?”
“Yes.”
He cupped her cheeks between his palms. “I find you sexy as hell and I’m going to kiss you. The time to stop me would be right now.”
Giveaways!! :
- A $10 Amazon Gift Cards to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour
- A $10 Amazon Gift Cards "Stalker Prize" to one randomly drawn from those commenters who comment on each Blog stop during the tour
To Enter : Please leave a comment on this post, with a valid email address included at the end of it.
Soo .... COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT on this post!! And you could WIN!! =0)
ALSO -- Be sure to follow the tour around the other blog sites! Commenting on the other stops on the tour will also increase your chance of winning!
Find Toni Lynn Cloutier :
