The truth about Falling for Hadie

I'm going to be straight with you. I haven't talked much about Falling for Hadie since it released--mainly because I've been trying to recover from it, but also because I didn't want to get overly emotional about it. Eventually, I realised that sometimes it's okay to be a little emotional.

That's why I want to put this out there because it's been running through my mind a lot the last couple of days: Falling for Hadie means so much to me. It means the world to me. I didn't realise how much this book meant to me until two days ago.

I cry every time someone sends me a message telling me how much they loved it, or when they say that it is one of their favourite books or that Hadie and Lincoln are their favourite characters, or today when I was on Goodreads and I saw someone had made a quiz for the book! Yes, I cried because someone made a freaking quiz! I have no words. I am not a crier, but you guys make me cry.

Life is not easy, but we have to carry on and keep living. I wrote this book because I know that sometimes in life you go through extremely difficult situations. And, you know what the worst part is? The worst part is that life doesn't stop just because you experienced devastation. Life keeps going. And the traumatic event that we experienced is already in the past, and it's a past that we have to move on from.

In a way, I guess the worst part about life is also the best part. It's the best part because regardless of loss, death, and grief, there is still life, birth, and love for us to experience. There are still things to look forward to. There is still a chance to live and to breathe and to learn. Your life doesn't have to end just because someone else's did.

We don't have to forget, but we have to keep on living. Falling for Hadie is based on reality. I didn't lose the love of my life, but I lost someone I loved. The characters in this story--Mrs. Bracks, Becky, Kance--are people I have met in my life. Mrs. Bracks and Becky aren't figments of my imagination; they really did react that way in the exact same situation.

I am still young--I'm only 22--but I have been through things that I will never forget. I have experienced things that have broken me down. I have struggled and given up hope.

But Falling for Hadie isn't about losing hope; it's about finding hope, even when you feel like there's nothing left to live for anymore. It's about finding hope even when you think no one cares about you and that you're all alone. It's about finding hope even when you've been through something that has torn your life apart.

Hold onto that hope--a dream, a reality, a loved one--and never let it go.

"The difficult things we go through are the things that make us stronger."

Here's a final truth: I cry uncontrollably each and every time I read Lincoln's letter. Without fail.

<3

Interview: Melissa Pearl

Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" 

She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has produced four more books and has a YA fantasy trilogy coming out this year.

"I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."

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Hi, Melissa! Thanks so much for joining me today! I’m really excited to get to know more about you and your books!

Let’s get to know a bit about you first:

How would you describe yourself in one word?

A dreamer

How did you get your start in writing? Was it a childhood hobby or something you became interested in recently?

I always had stories floating around in my brain as a kid, but I never thought being an author would be an option. I wrote a few stories for fun, but never took it seriously until I was in my early 20s. My friend, who was the only person I told my stories too, told me she wanted to read one of them and asked me to write the one I'd just told her. I decided to give it a go and immediately fell in love. When she read it and loved it, I decided to get serious and took a two-year writing course and started learning about this awesome craft.

Are you self-published or traditionally published? What made you choose that particular path for yourself?

I am an indie author and very happy to be that way. I love having control over my writing career. I was initially looking at traditionally publishing and spent two years looking for an agent. I was also completing my writing course during this time and realized I had a lot to learn before my work was ready to publish. When I finally got to the point of having publish-worthy work, I was so sick of getting rejected by agents. I mentioned this to my brother and he told me about Amanda Hocking. I immediately looked her up and then started researching the self-publishing movement. I knew it was the right path for me and I haven't looked back. I love being an indie :)

Let’s talk about your books: What was the first novel you published and can you tell us a bit about it?

My first published novel was Golden Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy, #1), which is currently free in digital format. It is about a girl who can travel through time. Noone but her family knows this. She falls for a boy she is not allowed to be with. He discovered her secret and so begins a forbidden love affair. It follows their fight to be together. It is the first in a three book series.

What genre do you write in? What do you love most about that genre?

I write in a few different genres - all YA at this stage although I'd like to try my hand at NA at some point. I have written an Urban Fantasy trilogy, a contemporary romance with a paranormal twist, a contemporary romance/thriller and I am about to release an epic fantasy trilogy. All I can guarantee is that my novels will always have a really strong romance in them. I'm a sucker for love :) I love writing YA. Teenagers are the coolest characters to write. I have so much fun.

You have published five books since 2011. Who is your favourite character out of all your books?

Ooooo - tough question. How do I choose? LOL :)

The first one to pop into my mind is a character called Gabe. He is not an MC, but actually a key minor character in my Time Spirit Trilogy. He was so great to write. I really loved him.

I also loved writing Nicole from Betwixt. She can be quite misunderstood, but I love how complex she is. She has a really sharp tongue too and would say stuff I would never dream of saying.

Oh yeah - and I can't forget Mica. She is my MC from Forbidden Territory. She makes me laugh and I'm SO in love with her boyfriend, Eli :)

Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration for your novels?

I get inspired from so many things in my life, but my main themes probably come from a faith I have grown up with. It's such a strong part of who I am, it's hard to not to let it come through in my writing.

What are you currently working on, and what was your latest release?

I have just spent the last 6 months working on The Elements Trilogy. This is a trilogy set in a fantasy world. It is based around an ancient prophecy and two seekers who leave home to find, and resurrect, the light so they can save the earth from darkness.

Unknown will be released on June 13th. Unseen is due for release mid-July and Unleasehd, mid-August. Once that is done I will be working on two novellas - a prequel and a sequel to Betwixt. I have a plethora of novels iined up. 2014 is already full. LOL :D

What’s one piece of advice that you have learned on your writing journey that you can share with aspiring authors?

Take the time to study the craft of writing. It's so important to know the basics of story structure and understand the elements needed for a good novel. If you want to produce quality, then learn the craft and pay an editor to help you refine your work so that it shines.

Last question: What do you love most about being an author?

Living in my imaginary worlds. I love walking the journeys with these characters. I laugh with them, cry with them, live these exciting adventures with them. I don't even have the words to describe how incredibly cool it is.

Thank you so much for joining me today, Melissa! I really appreciate it!

Thank you SO much for having me, Komal :) xx

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To find out more about Melissa Pearl and her wonderful books, please visit her on the following links below.

Facebook Author Page

Twitter

Amazon Author Page

Goodreads Author Page

Smashwords Author Page

Website

Cover Reveal: Losing Francesca by J.A. Huss

I'm so excited to share the cover reveal of J.A. Huss' new book with you guys! Losing Francesca looks like a must-read and the cover is gorgeous!

Francesca Sabatini came to America to take in the sights, celebrate her high school graduation, and have fun wasting time before college starts in the fall.

That’s not what happens.

Fresh off the plane and barely on American soil more than a handful of minutes, Francesca’s face is recognized by TSA scanners to be a match for a child who was kidnapped twelve years ago.

Brody Mason remembers the day Fiona Sullivan went missing during a family vacation in Italy and it’s haunted him his whole life. So when Francesca shows up at the Sullivan farm down the road, he’s compelled to figure out if this girl really is his long lost friend.

But Francesca knows she’s not Fiona Sullivan. She knows exactly who she is. At least she thinks she knows – until Brody Mason relentlessly pursues her and she begins to have feelings for him. Maybe being Fiona isn’t so bad?

Reality becomes blurred, secrets are revealed, and life will never be the same when the final questions are answered: Is she Francesca or Fiona? And where does she really belong?


Add Losing Francesca on Goodreads!