Category Archives: American Heart

STEALING MR. RIGHT: Release Day Blog Post featuring Sinclair Jayne! (and Giveaway!)

I think I finally figured out why it’s so hard for me to talk about the launch of the final book in any series I write. I write tightly connected series where my characters find or make their own large, loud, loving family. Writing the last book and then celebrating the book birthday always feels like more of a goodbye than a hello. I’m feeling particularly nostalgic with the release of my final book in my Misguided Masala Matchmaker series, Stealing Mr. Right. Rani Kapoor was the first character I created. I envisioned her as our avatar in each book, making her wait until book four to finally find herself, and then love. 

I often feel like I am stumbling through life, doubt whispering and somedays shouting. Rani is a reflection of what I think many of us feel. She sees herself on the outside, looking in, and yet, she never stops trying to chase her dreams, trying to do something amazing, trying to help her friends and family, trying, trying, trying…. Rani brings the light. She also drags in the longing, the doubt, the determination. She’s as deeply flawed as she is inspirational and aspirational. Rani evolves during the series, and I feel quite maternal towards her. (My daughter, Lakshmi, was wide-eyed stunned that I could love one of my characters like a daughter, but I think many authors and romance readers fall in love with certain characters who come to life and stick with us.)

If you have read any of the books in the series, Rani attempts to find love matches for her beloved cousin Rohan and her sisters Shanti and Asha using slap-dash science from her years starting and abandoning and staring anew college degrees. She succeeds through her mistakes, which I found hilariously ironic as so many of us in life try to play it safe and avoid mistakes. Rani’s method is more splat against the wall, or pavement.

Stealing Mr. Right is a romance, all the way but also a fun, and poignant  exploration of identity. If you would like a chance for a signed print copy of one of the books in the Misguided Masala Matchmaker series and thematic reader swag, tell me about a time when you made what at first seemed a mistake, but yet turned out for the best. (2-3 winners will be chosen randomly. Must be US based for a print copy).

About the Author

Sinclair Sawhney is a former journalist and middle school teacher who holds a BA in Political Science and K-8 teaching certificate from the University of California, Irvine and a MS in Education with an emphasis in teaching writing from the University of Washington. She has worked as Senior Editor with Tule Publishing for over seven years. Writing as Sinclair Jayne she’s published fifteen short contemporary romances with Tule Publishing with another four books being released in 2021. Married for over twenty-four years, she has two children, and when she isn’t writing or editing, she and her husband, Deepak, are hosting wine tastings of their pinot noir and pinot noir rose at their vineyard Roshni, which is a Hindi word for light-filled, located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Shaandaar!


THE RACHEL EXPERIMENT: Release day blog post featuring Lisa Lin!

Sequel Bait-Or When Secondary Characters Take Over

Book cover of Lisa Lin's release "The Rachel Experiment". Animation with man and women back-to-back holding hands.Experienced romance readers are experts at sniffing out sequel bait. They can tell instantly when a side character-whether it’s the heroine’s best friend, the hero’s brother, or the mysterious widow/single mom who shows up in town with her little girl and catches the eye of the local beloved pediatrician -is destined to get their HEA next in the series. It’s definitely one of my favorite aspects of reading a romance series, trying to figure out whose story is next and the ways the author is laying groundwork for future couples down the line.

As an author, I have enjoyed creating the From Sunset Park, With Love universe and having characters and previous couples pop up in later books. But one of the unexpected  surprises I’ve discovered is how I sometimes don’t have control over those side characters. While writing this series, there were characters who appeared on the page, announced themselves, and took over.  “Hey I’m here! And by the way, I’m getting a book, just so you know.”

Luke and Rachel, the hero and heroine of The Rachel Experiment are a perfect example. We first meet Luke Trudeau near the end of The Year of Cecily when Cecily goes on a blind date in an attempt to move on from Jeffrey. An attempt that fails spectacularly, even as Cecily acknowledges that Luke is funny, handsome, smart, charming, and ticks all the boxes. But as I was writing that scene all I could think was, “Hmmm, he’s such a nice guy and was such a good sport about the blind date. I really should make it up to him.”

Rachel Bai was a character who appeared later on in the editing/revision process as I was writing Cecily. So often, when a heroine in a romance has a nemesis/enemy, the “other woman” is almost always a Mean Girl and awful. Instead, I wanted to turn that trope on its head. What if instead of remaining nemeses, the two women actually became friends? I have to say, the minute Rachel appeared on the page, I fell in love with her. She was so funny, refreshingly blunt and direct, and the scenes between her and Cecily were a joy to write. I immediately thought about a book for her too. 

After The Year of Cecily was done, it was time to figure out whose book was next, and Luke immediately came to mind. At first, I considered pairing him with Adrienne, Cecily’s BFF. But the more I thought about it, the more it didn’t feel right. I kept trying to figure out how their story would work, but it just wouldn’t gel. It wasn’t working. I realized what the problem was-in my mind, Adrienne and Luke were too similar, it would be boring. There was no story there.  Then I thought to myself, “How about Luke and Rachel?” Charming, people person, smooth talker Luke with awkward, blunt, decidedly NOT a people person Rachel? I could just picture those opposites attract sparks flying and I was off to the races. 

The Rachel Experiment wasn’t necessarily an easy book to write-I made some missteps along the way and had to correct course, but in the end, writing Rachel and Luke’s journey to HEA was an incredibly rewarding experience and I’m so happy with how it turned out. I learned a lot and grew as a writer. And one of the main things I learned is that sometimes, if you’re doing your job right, the characters take over and the only thing you can do is buckle up and go along for the ride. I hope you all enjoy Rachel and Luke’s story. Here’s to those secondary characters and sequel bait! 

Are you a fan of series and revisiting characters from previous books or do you prefer the focus remain on the main couple in each book? Are you good at sniffing out “sequel bait” and figuring out who will be paired with whom?

About the Author

Lisa Lin headshot.

Lisa has been an avid romance reader and fan since she read her first Nora Roberts novel at the age of 13 after wandering the aisles of her local bookstore. Lisa loves that romance has the power to inspire, and believes that HEAs are for everyone.

Lisa writes light contemporary romantic comedies with a liberal dash of snark and banter. She enjoys delving into the complexity of Asian and immigrant family experiences, and celebrates female friendships in her trademark dry, witty style. As an Asian-American author writing own voices Asian American stories, Lisa hopes that her books will show the diversity of the Asian-American experience, and the importance of every reader being able to see themselves represented on the page.

Having grown up in Pennsylvania and helping out at her parents’ restaurant, Lisa has never bothered to learn to cook. She has two liberal arts undergraduate degrees and a J.D, and in her former life she was an intern, then Legislative Assistant for a PA State Representative. She also worked as a paralegal at a boutique law firm. Lisa is a politics junkie (don’t get her started on the wonder that is The West Wing!), indulges in naps whenever possible, and believes Netflixing in her pajamas and ordering take out qualifies as the perfect weekend. As a self-described Twitter addict, you can tweet her @laforesta1!








Kyra Jacobs: How Paradise Key Came to Be

It all started with a few crummy years, a bazillion text messages, and a walk on the beach.

Come to Florida. You need a break.

I can’t tell you how many times Shirley texted me that amid our other chats before I gave it serious thought. Dozens, I’m sure. Once the forwarded Allegiant coupon offers and flight schedules started accompanying her texts, I finally caved.

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Tule Royal Wedding, PLANNING A ROYAL WEDDING 3: BEHIND THE SCENES

GIVEAWAY: We will be giving away a print copy of Liz Fielding’s The Bridesmaid’s Royal Bodyguard. Comment in our post with what you’re looking forward to in Harry and Meghan’s upcoming wedding! As this will be a continuing blog series, make sure to comment on all related posts leading up to the wedding for a chance to win each book in the Royal Wedding Invitations series!
We will announce the winners in our weekly newsletter, so make sure to subscribe if you haven’t already!

PLANNING A ROYAL WEDDING 3: BEHIND THE SCENES
Jessica Hart and Liz Fielding

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marry at Windsor Castle on 19 May, we’ll all be eager to see the fairy-tale elements of a royal wedding: the majestic setting of Windsor Castle, the gathering of royal guests, the cheering crowds lining the street, the horse-drawn carriage taking the bride and groom through Windsor and then back to the Castle along the iconic Long Walk to a reception in St George’s Hall.

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