Thursday, May 12, 2016

Blog Tour: Lost & Found by Teri McGill

Is it possible for a heart to be … Lost and Found?
Title: Lost & Found
Author: Teri McGill
Series: My Heart is Yours, book 3 (Standalone)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 1st, 2016
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              For over a decade, Tag Coleman has been struggling to exorcise his demons.
              Constantly haunted by his first love’s death, he aches for a second chance at happiness, but guilt screams one undeniable fact: he does not deserve it. Can Tag’s shattered soul ever find forgiveness and allow him to love again?
              Emery Lawson’s one and only goal is to uncover the truth surrounding a tragic accident that took her cousin’s life. She embarks on a journey to find the one person who could be responsible, with unexpected, life-altering results.
              When your soulmate — the love of your life — is lost, what are the chances of ever finding another? Is it possible for a heart to be … Lost and Found?
Catch up with the My Heart is Yours series
Signs of a Quiet Heart
(Book 1)
  1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Fresh Meadows (Queens) New York. After a few years of teaching 4th and 7th grade math, I got my Master’s Degree in Deaf Education and spent the next 12 years teaching secondary math (and tap dance in the after-school theatre arts program) at the Lexington School for the Deaf. I moved to Los Angeles in 1994 and spent the following 18 years teaching math and ASL (American Sign Language) at the high school level.

  1. What inspired you to write your first book?
After retiring in 2012, I had a lot of free time. I contacted Becky Johnson at Hot Tree Editing and she took me on as a beta reader. After reading many fabulously hot romances, I thought that perhaps I would try it as well. I had written a screenplay in ’96 (20 copies are gathering dust in my garage), but now the self-publishing phenomenon has enabled the writer to take control of their own destiny and ‘just do it’, so I did!

  1. How did you come up with the title of Lost & Found?
As the result of a tragedy, my main character finds himself hopelessly lost … to his family, to himself, and to the hope of ever discovering love and happiness again. It’s the ultimate tale of redemption, forgiveness, and second chances.

  1. Describe one of your main character in five words.
Dark, damaged, angry, guilt-ridden, lonely. 

  1. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing Lost & Found?
My mother had a fear of dogs and did not like them, so unfortunately, I probably inherited that gene. There is a puppy in Lost & Found (rescued by my main character from a coyote attack) who I fell in love with … enabling me to look at dogs in a different light.

  1. Have you ever done anything strange or weird in the name of research?
Nothing I can think of, but that sounds like it could be either a lot of fun or extremely dangerous.

  1. How long does it take you to write a book?
Usually about a year. I don’t set deadlines and don’t force the writing process. I wait until my characters have something to say. (I just wish they would stop waking me up in the middle of the night!)

  1. Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I am currently working on a short story for an anthology. The main character has not dated in a few years and her best friend is attempting to cajole her into re-entering the ‘single scene’. ***See short excerpt below:

  1. What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
I don’t have a strict schedule. I prefer to get all promo stuff (Facebook/Twitter) done in the morning, then go to the gym and/or play golf. Afternoons are reserved for writing.

  1. Do you have any writing rituals?
Not really. I do keep small notebooks everywhere (gym bag, car, bedroom nightstand) so when an idea pops up, I write it down immediately.

  1. What book are you reading now?
Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan. A stunningly beautiful story!

  1. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
My stories come from my heart … about everyday people facing the challenges of life and hopefully finding forgiveness, happiness, redemption, and ultimately love and acceptance along the way.

Random Questions:
  1. What’s in your fridge right now?
Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, salmon, chicken, lots of vegetables, bottled water (can’t drink the tap water in LA), dark chocolate with almonds, freshly ground coffee, crafts beers and plenty of red wine!

  1. What song do you sing at the top of your voice every time you hear it?
Play It Again by Luke Bryan

  1. Other than writing, what special or unusual talent(s) do you have?
Fluent in ASL, mosaics, sports statistics, play a little guitar and keyboard.

  1. Where did you last go on holiday?
10 fabulous days in the UK!

  1. If feral aliens attacked your house and they were zapping your home with their über super bombs, what five items would you save?
Kindle, iPod, phone, my mother’s gold wedding band, photos … tough question!

  1. If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
A 60s Hippie Who Never Grew Up!

*** (Excerpt ~Teri McGill)
“And why would I need a Dustbuster when I have a brand new, state-of-the-art, top-of-the-line, Electrolux Ultra?” I scoffed at Gina, taking another sip of my Mojito.
            “Because you’ve been living like a damn nun for way too long, so there’s gotta be a ton of cobwebs up there, girlfriend!” Gina’s boisterous squeals of laughter had me nervously scanning the bar for unwelcome attention.
            “Ssh!” I cautioned, already embarrassed that she was aware of my dearth of recent sexual encounters, even though I had never explicitly divulged that information. Obviously if there had been any sexploits, Gina would already know about them. She was a bloodhound … could smell sexual afterglow a mile away. Note to self: fabricate a few imaginary hookups just to throw her off the track!
            “You’re pushing thirty, woman, and you gotta put yourself out there before you —”
“What? Turn into an old, wrinkled-up prune?” I huffed, giving her my most annoyed eye roll. Sometimes Gina over-stepped her ‘best friend’ status and it pissed me the hell off, even though I loved her like a sister.
“No, before you expire!” Gina placated earnestly. “Wait, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sorry, Holly. You know, before your expiration date. I mean, before you pass your prime. Don’t you want a father for your little girl? Maybe a sibling?”
“Jamie has a daddy. He’s just … gone.” A heavy sigh whooshed out of my lungs. I had to bite my lip to stop the tears clogging my throat.

Teri McGill grew up in Queens, New York and moved to warm and sunny Los Angeles in 1994, immediately following the Northridge earthquake. She taught Mathematics to deaf high school students for thirty years, which explains some of the recurring themes in her stories. When she is not at the computer, either writing or beta reading/proofreading, she enjoys working out, golf, mosaics, Math tutoring, and watching sports.
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