In a Heartbeat book trailer

In a Heartbeat has an AWESOME book trailer as of today, thanks to my insanely talented friend Sasha!

What do you guys think?? I absolutely love it!

2000 Facebook Likes Giveaway!

Hey guys!
I recently reached 2000 Likes on Facebook which is so amazing! Thank you to every single person who liked my author page and has willingly signed up to read my ramblings!
To celebrate, I contacted some author friends of mine and, as awesome as they are, they all agreed to donate their books to my giveaway! I also got in touch with my two favourite fangirls slash bloggers who are donating some incredible book swag!
I know you're getting impatient to see all the prizes so here we go:

Nely Cab - Creatura and Deus ebooks plus some amazing Creatura swag 

Rebecca Berto - Pulling me Under ebook

Gracen Miller - a choice of one of her ebooks

Bailey Ardisone - Sweet Escape ebook

A.M. Hargrove - Tragically Flawed ebook

Lindsay Paige & Mary Smith - Breakaway ebook

Lindsay Paige - Sweetness ebook and Don't Panic ebook

Jessica Jaster - Delta Project ebooks 1, 2 & 3

Sabrina Elkins - 3 ebooks of Stir Me Up

K.C. Finn - 3 ebooks of The Secret Star

Johnathan Cook - Sinnerman ebook

Teodora Kostova - In a Heartbeat and Then, Now, Forever ebooks

So many awesome books up for grabs!

And now for the swag:

Grownup Fangirl is donating an advanced reader excerpt of Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi (doesn't release until Feb), autographed card by Elizabeth Kirke, postcard for Panic by Lauren Oliver, grownupfangirl bookmark, magnet for MAI editing services, sets of divergent stickers.

Tsk Tsk What to Read is donating signed swag by a variety of authors including Cambria Hebert, C.A. Kunz, Tina Carreiro and Misty Provencher plus Tsk Tsk What to Read swag and a tote bag!

And yours truly will send one lucky winner a huge signed swag pack including bookmarks, tote bag, cards, magnets and jewellery. I also have a set of quote bracelet and necklace for someone else.

Get clicking on the Rafflecopter below and good luck to everyone!

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Paperback Cowgirl interviews Beppe

My dear friend Kelly from Paperback Cowgirl book blog was brave enough to interview Beppe for Then, Now, Forever's tour stop at her blog. Here's what happened...

Beppe thank you so much for meeting with me today!!! I'm very excited to have this opportunity to chat with you today! Let's get started!

Thanks for having me, bellissima. Ask away. *leans back in chair and smirks* 

*blushes, gulps and smiles* I know you've had a difficult childhood, do you have a happy memory you'd like to share with me?

I do. All my happy memories include Gia or Max, or both. When we were kids we used to get into all sorts of trouble. Poor Max always ended up covering for me and Gia. Frankly, the moment I set foot outside my house, I felt like a different person. I felt like a child. Gia and Max made that happen, without even realising it.* smiles* They never treated me differently, even though they knew what the situation at home was.

*Beppe shifts in the chair and takes out a packet of cigarettes*

Do you mind if I smoke?

*mesmerized that he can even make asking to smoke look incredibly sexy all I can manage is a small nod*

* Beppe lights up and I try not to stare at his perfect lips*

I loved it when they invited me to have dinner at their house – Luca Selvaggio was an amazing cook – or when they took me along to picnics and days out. I don’t know where I’d be today if it wasn’t for them.

*Beppe exhales cigarette smoke and sets his dark eyes on me*

Read the rest of the interview HERE

Then, Now, Forever is LIVE!

There were times during the past few months when I thought I'd never say those words, but it's true - Then, Now, Forever (Heartbeat #2) is LIVE!

You can buy it here:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Smashwords

Kobo

iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and paperback coming soon!

Book Description:

Then

"Gia had let Beppe into her life so easily, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. She’d held him when he’d hurt so badly he’d thought he might die; she’d talked him down when he’d been so angry he’d considered doing something he’d regret for the rest of his life. 
Gia had saved his life.
At least once he needed to be strong for her.
This right now, this moment, was theirs. It belonged to them, not to abusive or dead fathers, not to guilt, regret or sorrow, not to the past or the future."

But will their love survive when tragedy separates them? 

“I have to go, Gia. I’m tired and I feel empty. I know you need me, but I have nothing left to give you. I need to heal.”
“I miss you so much it’s hard to breathe.”

Now

"Beppe was still Gia’s closest friend. But they’d never be anything more than that again. Remembering what it felt like to have the person you love most in the world torn away from you still hurt. Gia was determined never to be put into that position again."

There was never lack of love, but can Beppe win Gia’s trust again?

Forever

“When I was broken you gave me pieces of yourself and made me whole again.”

For a chance to win a swag pack and ebbok copies of Then, Now, Forever, enter the rafflecopter below.

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I can't thank everyone who worked with me on this book enough! Their support, criticism and help means a lot and this book would have never been what it is now without them.

My editor Veronica Bates who worked relentlessly until the text was as good as it can possibly be.

My cover artist Arijana at Cover It Designs who did such a fantastic job with the cover!

My beta readers Kellee, Kathryn, Kelly, Charmaine, Amber and Kameron whose feedback is greatly appreciated. They are also my friends and their words of encouragement when I felt like giving up helped write this book till the very end.

Kathryn, Amber, Kameron and Kelly write these amazing book blogs - take a look:

Kathryn's blog Tsk Tsk What To Read

Amber and Kameron's blog Grown Up Fangirl

Kelly's blog Paperback Cowgirl

Amber and Kameron are insanely talented and made these amazing edits for Then, Now, Forever! Drop them a line (CLICK) if you'd like some done too!

10 blogs, 10 authors, 10 days

I'm so so happy to be a part of the amazing 'In love with adult romance' multi-blog tour! Ten blogs are going to take turns in hosting ten authors and their books. I think it's an inspiring initiative and I'm thrilled that Then, Now, Forever was chosen as one of the ten books.

For your chance to win an ebook copy of Then, Now, Forever visit these blogs and enter the giveaway!

23 Sept (Monday) - Fab, fun and tantalizing reads

24 Sept (Tuesday) - Dear Brighton

25 Sept (Wednesday) - Romance Shmomance

26 Sept (Thursday) - Literati Literature Lovers

27 Sept (Friday) - Deal sharing aunt

30 Sept (Monday) - CBL Reviews

01 Oct (Tuesday) - Literary Nook

02 Oct (Wednesday) - Tiffany talks books

03 Oct (Thursday) - Sizzle and swoon

04 (Friday) - The blushing reader

Who wants to win an ARC of Then, Now, Forever?

Do you?
If you're a book blogger and would like to read and review Then, Now, Forever before anyone else, enter the rafflecopter below as many times as you want for a chance to win!
This giveaway will run from today (14 Sept) to Tuesday (17 Sept). 
Good luck!

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Then, Now, Forever sneak peek

Then, Now, Forever will be out soon, but until then here's Chapter One for a sneak peek in Beppe and Gia's lives. Enjoy!

Then, Now, Forever

Chapter One

Giuseppe sat on the curb staring at his injured knee. It was bleeding and it hurt. He knew it had to be both cleaned and bandaged, but didn't dare go home. It was his fault for not paying attention and falling.  He just had to find a way to fix the wound before his dad saw it.

“Hey. Why are you bleeding?” A girl flopped down onto the curb beside him peering at his knee, her brows furrowed.

Giuseppe quickly swept his gaze over the pretty girl and then back down.

“I fell,” mumbled Giuseppe, more than a bit embarrassed that the girl would think he was a klutz.

“I don’t know you. Do you live around here?” asked the girl, her huge hazel eyes staring at him.

“We moved in a few days ago. Over there,” he pointed out a house to their left.

“Oh, we live two houses down the road from you.” The girl pointed to her house in turn, before settling her concerned eyes on his wound again. “Isn’t your mum home? You should get that cleaned up.”

“Yeah, she’s home. My dad, too. They are going to be really mad that I fell down and made a mess.” Giuseppe met the girl’s eyes, blushing. He wasn't sure why he had admitted that to this girl he didn't even know.

He’d never told anyone how his dad treated him. Or how his mum stood by and watched, never intervening.

“Stay here. I’ll bring you a plaster.” Without waiting for an answer, she jumped up and ran towards her house. Giuseppe had thought she might laugh in his face or, even worse, look at him with pity and confusion. But she didn't.

Returning, she reached for his knee. 

“Here. Let me clean it.” She’d brought a plastic cup full of water, some cotton balls and a plaster. The girl started cleaning out the dirt and small stones embedded in the wound.

“What’s your name?”

“Giuseppe Orsino.”

“Nice to meet you, Giuseppe. I’m Gianna. You can call me Gia.” She paused. “I think I’ll call you Beppe. I like it better.” Gia gave him a smile, flashing dimples.

He returned her smile shyly.

“OK.” He liked it better, too. Nobody else had ever called him Beppe.

“How old are you?” she asked.

“Six.”

“I’m eight.” Gia continued cleaning the wound. “My brother Max is six. You have to meet him. If you just moved here that means you don’t have many friends, do you?”

“No.” He’d never had many friends, but she didn’t need to know that.

“OK, all done,” Gia said as she carefully placed the plaster over the scrape. It was pink with orange dots.

“Your shorts come just below the knee, don’t they?”

Giuseppe nodded and stood up. The shorts covered the plaster and with all the blood now cleaned up, nobody would notice his injured knee. He glanced towards his house.

He imagined what he’d find inside if he went home right now – his dad slumped on the sofa, his empty beer bottles littering the coffee table; his mum napping in her room.

Gia must have sensed his reluctance to go home, because she said,

“You wanna come to my house for dinner? You can also meet Max.”

He didn’t need to be asked twice.

******

Nine years later

It was a lovely day for a funeral.

The sun was shining and there was a light breeze, just enough to keep the worst of the heat away, but not so strong as to make the people attending Luca Selvaggio’s funeral too uncomfortable. The trees, flowers and shrubs were blooming profusely in the early May spring.  The heavy scent of freshly cut grass and blooms clung to Gia, suffocating her. She was unable to smell or feel anything else. Just the damn flowers! They were everywhere! She wasn't sure how much longer she could take it.

The priest was still rambling on about what a good, honorable man her dad had been.

He’d died so young; he’d left his family behind; he’d be missed every single day. Blah, blah, blah. What the hell was the point of all this?!?  Her dad was dead. Gone forever. Why did they all have to sit here and suffer while people talked about him? Watch helplessly as his coffin was being lowered into the deep, dark hole and buried under a pile of dirt? Her dad was not in that coffin. Just his useless, weak, cancerous body. The man Luca Selvaggio had been was long gone.  He was gone long before he died.

And now Gia had to sit here, listening to the priest talk, look at all the people crying and sniffling and blowing their noses, and smell the fucking flowers. What was the point? Saying goodbye? Bullshit! How can you say goodbye to a lifeless body? She, her mum and Max had said their goodbyes before her dad had died in Max’s arms. When he’d still been clinging to life, barely. When he could still talk and tell them how much he loved them and when they could still hug his warm body and whisper kind words in return. Not now. Not like this.

Now was for everyone else. Her mum shouldn't have to sit through this, and neither should Gia or Max. They were all trying to be strong for their friends and family when all they wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry till there was nothing left.  Yet, it was expected that everyone would return to their house for food and drinks, as if this was some kind of a party. Her mum would have to sit through it as well, greeting people, thanking them for coming and offering them refreshments.

Max shifted ever so slightly next to Gia and startled her out of her thoughts.

He hadn’t moved once since they’d sat down. Not even a slight twitch of his fingers. Her fifteen year old brother was staring straight ahead, seeing nothing. Gia wondered if his thoughts were drifting in the same direction as hers. Did he hate being here? Did he realise their dad was long gone and there was no point in this? Could he smell the damn flowers? Looking closely, Gia noticed how ghostly pale Max’s skin was. His lips were bloodless, pulled taut against his teeth.

Her brother had been the one taking care of their father over the past year when Luca could no longer do for himself.  Max had been barely fourteen when he took a year off school to provide the much needed round the clock care for their dad. Their mum had worked nonstop to support them financially and had been gone for days on end, while Gia had run away, shutting out everyone.  She hid behind her need for good grades so she could get into the Institute of Culinary Arts, so she wouldn't have to face the pain.  Max had never complained, never accused Gia of not helping, never sought an explanation from either of them. He knew there was nothing he could do to stop the inevitable. Their dad was dying of leukemia. There was no way to save him. So, Max did what he could to make sure Luca was comfortable and loved.

It had been a hard thing to accept, especially for someone like Max. Not being able to do anything to save and protect the people he loved, even at that tender age, almost killed him.

Gia knew this. But, she still couldn’t deal with the responsibility and the pain. Luca had been such a strong, powerful man. Always full of life and charisma. The fucking cancer had reduced him to a mere shadow of his former self.  Every damn time Gia saw him she had wanted to cry and scream and hit something.

Why? Why him?

Life wasn’t fair, that’s why. If it was, Luca Selvaggio would have lived a long, happy life, because there was no other person on earth who deserved it more.

Next to her Max shivered. It was such a warm day and he was wearing a suit, so she knew he couldn’t be cold. Gia turned to look at her brother once again and noticed the skin on his face was damp and if possible even paler than before. He must be going into shock or something. Gia placed her hand over his and squeezed lightly to get his attention. He turned his head to look at her and she gasped involuntarily. His usually expressive hazel eyes were dark with grief.

He looked like a fucking zombie.

Fuck this.

“Max,” she whispered, “you don’t look good. Let’s get out of here.”

Max shook his head ever so slightly and turned his attention back to the priest. Gia knew she wouldn’t be able to make him leave even if she tried. They’d end up causing a scene and upsetting their mum even more. She sighed.

Whatever. It was his choice. If he wanted to sit here and listen to this crap – fine. But she couldn’t take it a second longer.

Gia stood, and without an apology or even a glance at her mum, stormed away from the graveyard.

******

Beppe, sitting a few rows behind Gia, watched her stand and bolt.  Of course he’d noticed how angry and unsettled she’d been, even though she’d tried to suppress it. Gia had never been good at hiding her emotions.

Beppe rose, trying to attract as little attention as possible, but still earning a disapproving look from his father, and stalked after her. He’d pay for this later, he was well aware of that. But now, right now, Gia needed him and he sure as hell wouldn’t let her down.

He caught up to her just as she hid behind a black Toyota Prius and slumped to the ground, burying her face in her hands. A tortured sob escaped her lips, muffled by her hands but still loud enough to break Beppe’s heart.  Even though Gia had seen him cry countless times, so many that he wasn’t even ashamed of it anymore, she had never cried in front of him. Beppe knew she hid in the bathroom and cried when the sight of his battered body proved too much for her – he’d seen her red rimmed eyes one too many times. But she’d never broken down in front of him and to see her fall apart now was excruciating.

He slid to the ground next to her and circled her shoulders with his arm. Gia stiffened for a moment until she recognised it was Beppe. The raw pain in her eyes would have made him slump to the ground if he hadn’t already been sitting.  He needed to be strong for her.  Just once he needed to be strong for her.

“It’s OK. I’m here,” he whispered and she buried her wet face in his shoulder, crying quietly.

Beppe knew Gia had run away from the funeral because she didn’t want to fall apart in front of everyone.  He knew no one would think any less of her if she cried at her father’s funeral, but Gia wouldn't do it. Often her pride made her appear selfish, uncompassionate and tough.

But, Beppe knew better. He knew the real Gia behind the fortress she’d built around her soul.

His Gia.

His Gia had let him into her life so easily, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. His Gia had held him when he’d been hurt so badly he’d thought he might die. His Gia had talked him down when he’d been so angry he’d considered doing something he’d regret for the rest of his life.

His Gia had saved his life.

“Let’s get out of here,” Beppe whispered against her hair as he turned and kissed the top of her head. She nodded and allowed him to help her up.  Handing her a tissue he fished out of his pocket, he waited while she blew her nose and dried her tears. Beppe sent a text to Max to let him know he’d take care of his sister – one less thing for his friend to worry about today. Beppe briefly considered asking Max to come with them, but he knew Max would never leave his mum alone through all this, even if it killed him. He would stand with her, accept condolences, offer well-wishers refreshments, see everyone out, help his mum to bed and hold her until she fell into an exhausted sleep. Then, and only then he’d fall apart in his own room.

Sighing and putting his phone back in his pocket, Beppe took Gia’s hand and led her to his Vespa, offering her the extra helmet. She took it and put it on, without the usual bitching about ruining her hair. Sitting behind Beppe, she encircled his waist with her arms and rested her cheek between his shoulders blades, holding on for dear life as they sped away.

As usual, it took them about half an hour to get there. Beppe was certain Gia knew where he was taking her and accepted her lack of protest as agreement.

Two years ago, before Luca Selvaggio was diagnosed with leukemia he’d invited Beppe’s family to a day out at Parco delle Mura. Elsa and Luca had no idea that Beppe’s father, respected accountant Marco Orsino, turned into a monster behind closed doors. Like everyone else they were charmed by his easy going demeanor and absorbing conversation manner. They settled for a picnic after a long walk and soon after they’d eaten, Beppe grew restless. Gia and Max felt it immediately, because they knew how uncomfortable Beppe was, even when Marco was pretending to be a normal human being.

Max had suggested the three of them take a walk around while the adults rested after their lunch.  Beppe had jumped at the chance to get away from his family. That was how they had found the small clearing, hidden in the middle of the fir forest. It had a fire pit and an alcove which looked like they had been unused for years. Gia had immediately fallen in love with the place and with its privacy. It had become their place and they went there whenever they needed to get away for a while. No one else ever appeared to come here, and they always found everything exactly as they’d left it.

The bench in the alcove was hollow underneath and they had begun to use it as storage. Max and Beppe had made a door for it out of some plywood so that their things wouldn’t get ruined by the weather or some wild animals looking for food.

Beppe parked the Vespa behind the alcove and helped Gia down. He left her to remove her helmet, and most likely fix her hair, and went to the storage under the bench to get some blankets and a bottle of water. Spreading the blankets down on the grass, Beppe beckoned Gia to join him on the soft, overgrown grass in silence.

The sun was shining mercilessly, but while it had been scorching hot in the city, here in the mountains the air was fresh and pleasantly warm. Beppe inhaled the intoxicating aroma of grass and fir trees, and for the first time that day, felt his body relax.

“I hate the smell of flowers,” said Gia, her voice small and quiet.

“Since when?”

“Since today. All I could smell was flowers.”

Beppe turned his head to look at her, unsure of what she was talking about, because it wasn’t really making any sense. Gia was staring at the sky with unblinking eyes and a tear rolled down her cheek. Turning her head to face him, she whispered,

“Please, don’t ever give me flowers.”

Her huge hazel eyes looked green under her tears, like seaweed underwater.

Beppe could never, would never, say ‘no’ to these eyes.

He gathered her into his arms and lay back. Gia burrowed her face in the crook of his neck and shortly her breathing evened as she fell into an exhausted sleep.

Then, Now, Forever official release date

The wait is (almost) over! Then, Now, Forever will be released on 26 September 2013! Yay!
I'm so excited, nervous, anxious and relieved all at the same time.
This book was very hard to write. It exhausted me emotionally, mentally and even physically. It is nothing like the first book in the series - In a Heartbeat. Max and Stella came with their own set of problems and difficult past, but compared to Beppe and Gia were so much fun to write. In a Heartbeat flowed through me while I wrote it and brought me so much joy! Then, Now, Forever... not so much. It was a struggle because Beppe and Gia's story is no walk in the park. It's dark, it's emotional, it's down right ugly at times.
But it was worth it. I feel so much lighter and much more at peace now that I forced it out of me. The feedback from my editor, my betas and a few ARC readers has been great and it gives me hope that people will get Beppe and Gia, and their story.
Here are some of the picture teasers the wonderful Amber from Grown Up Fan Girl made for me. Go check out her blog - she's got some awesome books to recommend.

Then, Now, Forever cover reveal!

Here it is! The gorgeous cover of Then, Now, Forever - the second book in my Heartbeat series!

It's designed by the very talented Ari at Cover It Designs.

The book will be out in September, exact date to be announced soon. It's the story of Beppe and Gia who first appear in the first book in the series - In a Heartbeat. Both books can be read as stand alone novels.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Then

 Gia had let Beppe into her life so easily, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. She’d held him when he’d hurt so badly he’d thought he might die; she’d talked him down when he’d been so angry he’d considered doing something he’d regret for the rest of his life.

 Gia had saved his life.

At least once he needed to be strong for her.

This right now, this moment, was theirs. It belonged to them, not to abusive or dead fathers, not to guilt, regret or sorrow, not to the past or the future.

But will their love survive when tragedy separates them?

“I have to go, Gia. I’m tired and I feel empty. I know you need me, but I have nothing left to give you. I need to heal.”

“I miss you so much it’s hard to breathe.”

Now

Beppe was still Gia’s closest friend. But they’d never be anything more than that again. Remembering what it felt like to have the person you love most in the world be torn away from you still hurt. Gia was determined never to be put into that position again.

There was never lack of love, but can Beppe win Gia’s trust again?

Forever

“When I was broken you gave me pieces of yourself and made me whole again.”

ANNOUNCEMENT about the Humanless series

I've just unpublished my YA books Humanless and its sequel Unfree from all online vendors. Let me assure you I didn't make that decision lightly. For months I've been thinking of ways to make the series better and, more importantly, cliffhanger free.
Let me explain.
I hate cliffhangers. When I started writing Humanless, the story just came to me in 3 parts, so I decided to publish it in 3 different books. However, I can see now that wasn't the right decision.
During the next few months, I'll be re-writing, re-branding and re-designing the Humanless story until it fits into one big book. I'll finish Ava and Blake's adventure and when I publish it again it will be bigger, better and cliffhanger-free. I think my decision will benefit both me as an author and my readers, whether they're Humanless fans or just about to discover the book.
I'll make it my mission from now on to never publish a book with a cliffhanger. I miss the time when I could just go to the bookstore, buy a book, read it and enjoy the story. The whole story. 
Anyone who's already bought Humanless, Unfree or both will get a free copy of the new complete book, I'll make sure of it. 
I'll keep you posted about more news as they come.
Thanks!

Then, Now, Forever (Heartbeat #2) cover reveal sign up!

All bloggers who want to take part in the cover reveal for the second book of the Heartbeat series called Then, Now, Forever, can sign up with the google docs form below! It's scheduled for 12th August and the response so far has been great - thank you so much to everyone who already signed up! The cover is so pretty thanks to Arijana from Cover It Designs and I can't wait to show it to everyone!

Google Docs sign up form

Signed paperback giveaway + other news

Hey guys!
Last time I did a signed paperback giveaway on Goodreads, there were 2061 entries! Wow! I was astonished so many people wanted a paperback copy of In a Heartbeat! Anyway, obviously many missed out, so I'm doing another one. Click on the ENTER button below to sign up!
Many exciting things are coming up soon. The cover for Then, Now, Forever - the second book in the Heartbeat series, Beppe and Gia's story - will be released on 10th August, so watch out for that. It's beautiful! I can't wait to show it to you!
Also, I'm planning on lots of giveaways and little surprises before the Then, Now, Forever's launch, so check my Facebook page regularly for updates.
I'm off to Italy for a few days - I'm going to a 30 Seconds to Mars show - and I'll write a thorough recount of events when I get back on Monday. I know lots of you love Italy as much as I do! In August I'm going to Genoa where In a Heartbeat is set and I'll make tons of photos to show you the Heartbeat world.

 
 

    Goodreads Book Giveaway
 

   

       
   

   

     

          In a Heartbeat
     
     

          by Teodora Kostova
     

     

         
            Giveaway ends August 05, 2013.
         
         
            See the giveaway details
            at Goodreads.
         
     
   
   

      Enter to win