Hi! I’m Terry Newman. You may know me from such books as Heartquake, Rewrites of the Heart, and The Wizard of her Heart. Or not. I enjoy writing books that make people laugh. There’s too much drama in the world already, why add to that?
Today, I’m visiting with some old friends from Prague, Ohio, the setting of Heartquake. Why don’t you join us?
As I walk into That Coffee Shop, the little bell over the door tinkles, just like I remember. I scan the room for—there they are. Two Prague residents who always know what the word on the street is. Ed and Fred.
Truthfully, that’s not their real name, but Charlee Lightheart, owner of the coffee shop, started calling them that and the names stuck. They don’t mind being addressed as that.
They wave me over and I sit down with them. It’s their usual booth. Ed’s on one side of the booth. Fred’s on the other. I plop down next to Fred and before I can even greet them, Mel has a cup and the coffee pot ready.
“Mel, it’s been forever. What have you been up to?”
Why should I not be surprised when Ed answers for her. “She’s dating that TV personality. You know the one named after a bird? He’s in here nearly every day.”
Mel blushes. “It’s true. We’ve been seeing each other since I came back to Prague.”
They’re talking about Jared Sparrow, who hosts the weekday talk show The View from my Perch.
“That’s right.” Now that she said that I recall she had been working for the Brockton Foundation. Her mother passed recently of ovarian cancer.
“I’m sorry to hear about your mom.”
“Thank you. I had to quit the foundation to come help her for a while. I’m just here today to help Charlee out. I’m the director of fundraising for the aviary the Sparkle Museum of History plans to build.”
“That’s so exciting. I know you love that line of work.”
We say a few more words, then the bell above the door tinkles, and she excuses herself.
“So, guys,” I say as I inhale the remarkable aroma of my coffee, “what’s going on in Prague?”
Ed speaks first. He’s the shorter of the two, with white long white hair tied back in a neat ponytail.
“You mean aside from Mel dating that boy?”
I laugh. Everyone under the age of 50 is referred to as a boy or girl by these two. “Yes, how’s Charlee doing?”
I met her when she and Riley Brockton were just beginning to date. She felt she was out of her league with Riley being a billionaire.
And then she ran for city council on an anti-fracking platform, but wait…that’s the plot of Heartquake. You should probably read it for yourself.
Fred fielded that question. He’s the taller of the two men. He’s bald except for a wisp of gray hair around the lower part of his head. But what hair he lacks on his head, he more than makes up with his snow-white beard. It hangs to the center of his torso.
“She’s doin’ fine. She’s busy with this place and other things. You know she and Riley are still together.”
“Yeah,” Ed chimed in. “We all suspected the Brocktons were, well, you know different. Bu who knew that she had a secret of her own? Not me.”
“I don’t think any of us did,” Fred agrees, “but it turns out it doesn’t really matter. Regardless of that, she’s still the nicest person you’d ever meet.”
I recall the secret they’re talking about. I believe it came as more of a shock than a surprise to many. But the residents of Prague handled it well.
I sip my coffee, weighing my words carefully. “I believe if you look into any of our stories, we all have a secret or two hiding out.”
“You know, Terry, I think you’re right.” Ed agreed way too soon and too enthusiastically. There’s something up here.
“You know that Sparrow boy with that talk show? I believe he’s keeping a secret too. I’m not sure what it is, but something’s off about him.”
Fred set down his cup and looked at his friend straight in the eye. More of a glare, I’d say. “Now, Ed, let’s not go there. We’ve been over this before. He’s not only a fine young man, but civic-minded too. He’s lending his name to help raise money for the museum’s aviary.”
I smile, because, well, I know that. I also happen to know what Jared’s secret is.
I lean back in the booth and my gaze flits from Ed to Fred. “And you’re telling me you two don’t have any secrets?” My lip curls up slowly as a smile forms.
“Well, now, you see, we ain’t talking about ourselves.”
Ed looks totally panicked and Fred, well, his eyes have gone wide. I may have struck a nerve.
“Didn’t you say the residents of Prague accept Charlee for who she is, even after her secret was revealed?”
He nods. He probably knows where this question is going.
“Don’t you think your friends will accept you if they happen to discover something they didn’t know about you?”
Fred sighs. And slowly sips his coffee. I know he’s weighing the question. And I know he knows I’ve got him. He’s a logical man.
“Look, I think I’ve caused more than enough grief to those I love. I don’t—”
“The times are different now.” My eyes meet his.
“Well, maybe. But—”
“Don’t worry. I’m just saying that if Jared Sparrow has a secret, it’d be no big deal. Prague seems to be full of them.” It’s time to change the subject. If they have something to say, they’ll say it when they’re ready.
That prompts Ed to laugh. “If that reporter Gretchen Carlyle had her way, she’d expose every one of them.”
Fred agreed. “She’s the most tenacious person I’d seen. She doesn’t take no for an answer.”
He speaks the truth. She hounded Riley and his brother Quinn for years. And when Charlee announced her candidacy for city council, she plodded around after her.
“From what I understand, she’s not happy about Jared’s show being so popular. She wants her show to be the number-one rated show.” Ed nodded. Nodding is Ed’s way of signaling that what he’s just spoken is true.
She’s the host of Carlyle Live, where she interviews residents on the streets of Prague to learn their opinions on various topics.
“I heard there’s some dissent in the news offices.” I raise an eyebrow. If it’s true, Ed and Fred would be the first to know. I’m not sure how they get their information, or from whom, but they really do have their fingers on the pulse of Prague.
“I’ve heard that too.” Ed stares into his coffee like it’ll reveal the facts.
“Well, I don’t think Jared has anything to worry about. His show is wildly popular. I hear the women at The Lily of the Valley assisted living arrange their activities around his show.” I got my information from the ladies themselves. What I don’t tell them is that every woman at the facility has a crush on Jared.
“I know I watch it every day.” Ed nodded.
“Everyone watches, you’re right.” Fred picked up his cup. “The only way she’ll get Sparrow’s time slot is if he decides to go national. Then he’d move and be syndicated.
“Oh.” I place my elbows on the table and lean in. I’m ready to hear any delicious gossip they may scoop up. “You haven’t heard any rumors about that, have you?”
Fred shakes his head. “No, ma’am, we haven’t. But the boy is good at what he does. Some big network should snatch him up.”
Perhaps someone will.
I look at my watch. “I’ve got to be running. I’ve got a late lunch planned with JJ Spritely in Bell Wyck.”
“That’s that romance writer, now isn’t it?” Ed smiles widely, which makes me wonder if he’s read her books. Maybe that’s his secret? He reads romance.
“I’m sorry to leave so soon. But I promise to come back. You know I love you both. And you happen to be my sources for all things Prague.”
They stand as I go to leave.
“Take care.” They say in unison.
Before I head for the door, I go to the counter to say goodbye to Mel. “Tell Charlee I’m sorry I missed her. I’ve got to run.”
As I open the door to leave, I smile at the comforting tinkling of the bell.
Readers, scroll down for all the book details and to enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card...
Title Heartquake
Author Terry Newman
Genre Paranormal Romance
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb
Coffee shop owner, Charlee Lightheart, views corporations with contempt. She believes her father died at the hands of the pharmaceutical industry. When she's approached to run for city council on an anti-fracking platform, she's reluctant. She's not sure this movement is her cause.
Billionaire Riley Brockton has given up on love. Then he walks into Charlee's shop. All he wanted was coffee and muffins. From that first electrifying touch, he knows he needs more. He withholds one piece of vital information: he's a lionshifter.
A rogue reporter sets out to reveal the one secret that can destroy the anti-fracking movement and the couple's relationship. Can their love survive the truth and public exposure?
Excerpt
What the hell just happened?
She knew he was gone; she heard the door slam.
He wouldn’t even allow her to speak, to ask his opinion. She sat up in bed. She reviewed his actions several times in her mind. Certainly, he couldn’t possibly know what she planned to ask him. She knew for a fact she had never told him about it.
His words bounced around in her mind. What did he say? What was he talking about? All she could remember was the part about him leaving.
She took a deep breath and tried to work through his reaction a bit more logically. Why would he react so strongly? Nothing made sense. She felt as if all of her energy had been zapped from her body. It had been a long, overwhelming day for her. It started with the incomprehensible request to help a group of residents living under inhumane conditions due to fracking.
If he weren’t on the same page as her, if he weren’t talking about her need to make a decision on running for office, then what the hell was he talking about? Could somebody else have said something? Why the hell did he leave like that?
Once she got over the initial shock of his sudden and unexplained departure, she was angry. Furious even. Her history with men wasn’t good. So, was this just a repetition of past relationships? If it was, why did she let it blindside her?
She looked at the time on her cell phone. “I might as well get ready for the day. If I stay in bed any longer, I’m just going to start crying.” Then she realized the tears already streamed down her face.
“That’s it.” She threw off the covers, swung her feet down to the floor, and stood. She was shocked and angry with Riley, but when she opened the window blinds, her thoughts flew to her other dilemma. Citizens Against Fracking. The view from her window didn’t include an “eternal” flame from a well. She opened the window and smelled the clean, fresh, crisp air. There were no noxious fumes. The group wanted an answer. They deserved one. How could she decide anything in this state? She wiped tears from her cheeks with the back of her hands.
Suddenly, the decision was clear. Riley didn’t think enough of her to hear her out. She didn’t get a chance to ask his advice. She couldn’t even begin to fathom what his problem was. But she knew what her neighbors’ problem was. Even though she told herself the fracking issue wasn’t her fight, the fact remained the health and safety of her friends and neighbors were threatened. She thought she should do more than just host fundraisers.
And without Riley to think about—“Because, let’s face it,” she said as she stared out her window, “apparently we aren’t a couple any longer.”—she knew what she had to do. She would do it through tears; she would do it with a broken heart. But she had to do it.
Excitement welled up inside her. Well, as much excitement as she could muster considering her personal circumstances.
It reminded her of the fight she took on with the drug company. Only this time it wasn’t just in honor of her father. This time she had a chance to save lives.
She didn’t need Riley’s input. All she needed to do was get the buy-in of her employees.
I wonder how hard that will be?
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Heartquake-Terry-Newman-ebook/dp/B09PJZ5FK1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8O69AITAZH3O&keywords=heartquake+terry+newman&qid=1645631543&sprefix=Heartquake+%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heartquake-terry-newman/1140834497?ean=9781509239108
Google playbooks: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Terry_Newman_Heartquake?id=EpxhEAAAQBAJ
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Bookbub: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60574351-heartquake?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=99H2V7dnWm&rank=1
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Author Biography
I’m the author of several paranormal romances, including Heartquake, a 2023 Rone finalist, and Rewrites of the Heart, the paranormal romance N.N. Book Award winner.
My books are set in fictional towns in northeast Ohio. And I write about the things I love—like coffee.
I’ve spent most of my adult life writing in some fashion, from small-town reporter, to editor-in-chief and ghostwriter for a national natural health publishing firm. The last decade and a half I’ve worked as a freelance writer, penning ebooks that range from starting a doula services business to Native American herbs.
I write fiction because the characters in my head won’t leave me alone. They continue to introduce themselves and beg to have their story written. I really have no recourse but to agree.
I live in North Lima, Ohio, a real town in northeast Ohio with all my characters. And yes, it does get a bit crowded.
Social Media Links
Website: https://terrynewmanauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewmanWrites
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/tnewmanwrites