Tuesday, April 23, 2013

What You Didn't Know About Half Moon Hill



I love visiting Destiny, Ohio, the fictional location of Toni Blake's sexy and heartwarming small-town contemporary romance series.  The sixth book in the series, Half Moon Hill will be released April 30th and features two fascinating main characters:  Anna Romo, a woman kidnapped at the age of five who has recently discovered her real family and Duke Dawson, ex-biker and best friend of Anna's biological older brother, who is dealing with the emotional aftermath of a tragic accident. Here are a few interesting facts from the author about Half Moon Hill.
~PJ








TONI BLAKE'S FUN FACTS ABOUT 
HALF MOON HILL:



Tessa's brother, Jeremy, was originally supposed to be the hero.  I started planning that as early as Destiny Book 3,  Whisper Falls.  But as the time to write it grew closer, something about it didn't feel right.  I didn't know Jeremy very well, after all. But I did know Duke.  Readers had started writing to me and asking me to give Duke his own book.  You ask.  I listen.  Duke just seemed like a much better match for Anna in my mind - even if only because I knew instantly how much Anna's brother Mike would dislike this.  I loved fleshing out both Anna and Duke as characters as I wrote this story, and I couldn't be happier with the decision to make Duke her hero.  

I adore the cover of this book!  But the fun act is - on the original version, the title was hot pink.  Rather gorgeous, I must say! But sadly, I noticed in thumbnail version on my computer screen, it was really difficult to read.  

The swing on the cover came before the swing in the story.  I had the cover long before I'd actually written the book, but that gave me the opportunity to add a swing to the story, and I couldn't be more pleased with how that part worked out.  

I'm a big fan of butterflies.  In the summer, I spend quite a bit of time stalking and photographing them.  So when I first saw the butterflies on this cover, I was ecstatic.  Then they decided to add more butterflies.  On the original cover, there were only two or three and now I count upwards of a dozen.  I love having a cover with one of my favorite things on it!

I really, truly am very proud of this book.  I love the way both characters developed, I loved revisiting everyone in Destiny and moving their life stories forward as well, and I loved the depth of emotions I got to explore in this story.  

~Toni Blake


Are you a fan of Toni Blake's Destiny series?  Which Destiny couple is your favorite?  Are you looking forward to a story for Duke as much as I am?  Toni is delighted with the butterflies on the cover of Half Moon Hill.  If you were designing a cover, what favorite thing would you want featured on it?  

HarperCollins has graciously offered a copy of Half Moon Hill to two randomly chosen people leaving a comment.  (U.S. addresses only, please)    




You never know what destiny has in store . . .

A rugged loner and ex-biker-gang member, Duke Dawson is looking for some peace and quiet while recovering from an accident. But when Anna Romo comes wandering through his woods and into his cabin, she completely rocks his world. The last thing he expected or wanted was to find himself hungering after a woman whose eyes held hurt even deeper than his own . . .

Running from a troubled past, Anna is building a new life in Destiny. When she first meets Duke, she's terrified—but something about him calls to her very soul. The hard-bodied rebel is soon helping her turn her new home into a bed and breakfast, and close quarters quickly lead them into her bed. Their passion is palpable, but can she convince a man who has turned his back on life to take the biggest leap of faith of all and fall in love?

28 comments:

  1. I do like scenic covers, so I would design it with a familiar landmark from the setting like skyscrapers for NYC or the Golden Gate Bridge for San Fran. I'm a fan of the Destiny series, so I'm definitely looking forward to finding more about Duke and Anna. My favorite Destiny couple is Mike and Rachel. I like the opposites attract theme and they start off on the wrong foot.

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    1. Jane, I just finished reading an ARC of Half Moon Hill. It's wonderful! I think you're really going to enjoy Anna and Duke!

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  2. I can't wait for this book to come out I love this series. If I designed a cover think it would depend on the location of the story and have a rainbow in the background (a pretty rainbow) I liked Rachel and Mike a lot. Good luck with the new book...


    Donna

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    1. I love rainbows, Donna. A rainbow over a lake would be just about perfect for me. :)

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  3. I haven't read this series yet but this story sounds like a good one.

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    1. Maureen, it's a wonderful series. I hope you give it a try. I would definitely recommend reading the books in order as each one builds on the one before it. Here's the order: One Reckless Summer - Sugar Creek - Whisper Falls - Holly Lane - Willow Springs - Half Moon Hill.

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  4. I love Toni and this series. The cover is great. I like colorful cutesy covers - ones with a cozy looking home. Also like the ones with head missing - strange, I know.

    It is so hard to choose favorites - by Mick (bad boy) and Jenny from One Reckless Summer are one fav couple.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. I love Mick and Jenny! They are one of my favorites.

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  5. Love this series. My favorite was One Reckless Summer. Loved Mick & Jenny's story. I like "scenes" for covers. Nothing is more frustrating than a cover of a gorgeous blonde heroine in a clutch with the hero, but the book describes the heroine as brunette. Love to win a copy of the new book. Thanks!!

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    1. This series has some beautiful covers, doesn't it? The cover of One Reckless Summer is a favorite of mine, probably because it reminds me so much of the summers of my childhood. Love that cover!

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  6. A cool cover would be a park overlooking a lake reflecting the sunset or a fall forest with the leaves changing colors kt91805@yahoo.com
    Karen Triolo

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  7. The cover is lovely. A cover that is appealing shows a town nestled in the mountains. My favorite couple is Milk and Jenny. thanks for this great post today.

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  8. I'm a Destiny fan too, PJ. In fact, I posted my review of Half Moon Hill today. I agree that all the covers have been gorgeous. I think Sugar Creek is my favorite cover and my favorite Destiny story. I loved seeing Rachel and Mike's HEA in process in Half Moon Hill.

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  9. A cover that reflects the story is important and one that I enjoy seeing is the main street of a small town. This series sounds wonderful. Country scenes are always beautiful.

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  10. I'm afraid I've read Toni but she is another author that I've heard good things about. I think the cover is lovely!

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    1. Oh I should proofread my writing - I'm afraid I haven't read her - goodness, that sounded terrible, forgive me.

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  11. I love this cover and do not like when there is nothing in the story that is depicted by the artwork.

    I love Toni's books and love seeing a nice landscape scene.

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  12. Toni is one of my go-to authors. I have been waiting for this one. The cover is stunning.

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  13. One Reckless Summer was my favorite. I think I read about four of them and then stopped with the series.

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  14. I'm afraid to admit I've not read anything by Toni...but after this interview I definitely will! I grew up in a small town and know what it's like to have the larger, extended family to share happinesses and sorrows with...even if as a youngster it seemed everybody knew my business! :-) And I adore butterflies too. I try so hard to capture good photos of them, but they flutter away so fast it's hard to do. I can't think of anything better to put on the cover of a book. jdh2690@gmail.com

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  15. I haven't read this series either but it sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing :)

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  16. Have not read any of these but would like to get started.

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  17. Oh, the covers I usually like are the ones with a naked torso! But the scenic ones are nice, too! LOL! Looking forward to reading this.

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  18. Love tee Hot series, whoo, love reckless summer ,tanks
    Can't wait fir ths one, whoo
    Kimh

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  19. The thing I love most about TRD is that it is always introducing me to authors I have not read yet. Thanks for the lovely intro the your new release, Toni, I think I would buy it based on the gorgeous cover alone!

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  20. A couple days late as I've been busy moving into a new home, but wanted to stop by and thank you all for all these lovely comments! So glad so many of you have already been enjoying the Destiny series, and delighted that others want to give the books a try! Also, thanks to PJ and the gang for featuring HALF MOON HILL and for all the kind words about the book and series :)

    Also, hope you guys will find me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc., if you haven't already, as those are my fave online hangouts! I'm AuthorToniBlake at all of them and I try to post a lot of fun stuff :)

    Thanks again! I'm super excited about this book's release!

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  21. Hi, Toni - glad to see you here - love your books. Please keep writing those wonderful contemps.

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  22. Seeing the cover of One Reckless Summer is what made me pick the book up in the first place. I am now a Toni Blake/Destiny addict!

    Reading this series makes me feel the joy of "puppy love" and my first love again with an adult twist!

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