Today I am so pleased to welcome Heidi Cullinan to Joyfully Jay. Heidi has come to talk to us about her latest release, Clockwork Heart (which I reviewed last week and adored). She has also brought along some great giveaways! Please join me in giving Heidi a big welcome!

Clockwork Heart Blog Tour Horizontal Banner

 

Clockwork Heart is the book I wasn’t supposed to write.

In August of 2014, I was recovering from a full hysterectomy. It had been a very invasive, intensive surgery, and my job during that time was to stay still in bed or on a couch and not do any writing at all. For a few days, that was a good time. Very quickly, however, my hiatus became less of a vacation and more of a torture chamber. There’s nothing quite like telling an author she can’t write to make her want, even need, to do exactly that.

On Twitter, John Jacobsen made a comment about his clockwork boyfriend. This was his nickname for his boyfriend of the time, a young man named Cornelius. I agreed this was a wonderful nickname and name as well, and that they should be in a book. A steampunk book. About three or four tweets later, I had my laptop out and was “just playing.”

This book is an utter departure from everything I’ve written to date. It’s not a historical. It’s not a fantasy. It’s not heavily erotic, though some parts are steamy. It’s not angsty in any way. It’s not a comedic romp, but it is a romp, both in the sense of adventure and of fun. It is, essentially, what happens when you put someone who writes all the time in a chair and say, “Don’t write.” She grabs the first thing that seems shiny and scribbles furiously off in the corner.

Clockwork Heart had to be put on the side while I finished other books on contract; when I finally came back to it, I was stressed, behind, and in a lot of physical pain. Once again, it became my escape. Finishing it began as a chore and then quickly turned into a way to have fun and get out of the stuff that was driving me crazy. I didn’t have time to question what was happening and whether or not it was a good idea. I could only grab the rail of the airship and see where it took me. In the end, it’s one of the best adventures I’ve had in writing a book, and it’s one of the stories I love most.

I hope you find the ride is worth taking.

Buy the book here

* * *


Blurb

Clockwork Heart CoverLove, adventure and a steaming good time.

As the French army leader’s bastard son, Cornelius Stevens enjoys a great deal of latitude. But when he saves an enemy soldier using clockwork parts, he’s well aware he risks hanging for treason. That doesn’t worry him half as much, however, as the realization he’s falling for his patient.

Johann Berger never expected to survive his regiment’s suicide attack on Calais, much less wake up with mechanical parts. To avoid discovery, he’s forced to hide in plain sight as Cornelius’s lover—a role Johann finds himself taking to surprisingly well.

When a threat is made on Cornelius’s life, Johann learns the secret of the device implanted in his chest—a mythical weapon both warring countries would kill to obtain. Caught up in a political frenzy, in league with pirates, dodging rogue spies, mobsters and princesses with deadly parasols, Cornelius and Johann have no time to contemplate how they ended up in this mess. All they know is, the only way out is together—or not at all.

Warning: Contains tinkers, excessive clockwork appendages, and a cloud-sweeping tour of Europe. A little absinthe, a little theft, a little exhibitionism. Men who love men, women who love women, and some who aren’t particular.


Bio

Heidi Cullinan head shotHeidi Cullinan has always enjoyed a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. Proud to be from the first Midwestern state with full marriage equality, Heidi is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights. She writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because she believes there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. When Heidi isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, reading, playing with her cats, and watching television with her family. Find out more about Heidi at heidicullinan.com.


Giveaway

Heidi has brought a copy of Clockwork Heart to give away to one lucky Joyfully Jay reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Thursday, February 11th at 11:59 pm EST.

Heidi is also offering a Rafflecopter giveaway for those following her tour. Enter by following the Rafflecopter link here.

  • By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win.  The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
  • If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
  • Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
  • Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
  • All book prizes are in electronic format unless otherwise specified.
  • By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
  • Readers may only enter once for each contest.  Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
  • Void where prohibited by law.
FILED UNDER: Giveaway, Guest Post
TAGGED: