UPDATE

I hope you read that like it's an update for America's Most Wanted, because that's how it sounded in my head.

I figure about three months means I'm WAY past due for an update. I'm diligently working on two novels:

One may not actually turn out to be a romance. Or, rather, it will be a romance in the Nicholas Sparks sense where there's a lot of crying at the end. (I might have to start running with two pen names!) The majority of the story takes place at an old house in a little section of shoreline called Meadowsweet Beach. It focuses on a young woman who is dealing with the loss of her younger brother in Afghanistan and on an active duty soldier struggling with PTSD and the disintegration of his own family.

The second is definitely a romance (and somewhat inspired by the Robsten scandal). This one focuses on a celebrity of my own invention who uses a friend's ranch to get away from prying eyes after a particularly embarassing breakup. There, he meets a stablehand who's been trying to come to terms with a traumatizing event in her past for ten years.

And I'm sure you're all wondering about the sequel to The System.

There have been a few changes lately at Silver Publishing, who published The System. I took a break from working on the sequel (and got very involved with the stories above) while I was waiting to see how certain issues within the company would be resolved. As I'm sure most of you know, my ultimate goal is to snag a good agent so I can focus on the writing side of things rather than the business side of things, but for now I have to do both, and I wasn't quite sure how or if I wanted to proceed with this story (with the same company, at least).

But have no fear! I'm still waffling a bit on how I want to get the sequel out to you, but I am still in love with the characters, the story, and the world of The System, and there's no way I could possibly stay away for very long. My goal of finishing the next installment by August is still very possible. I might even go so far as to say probable. :) And to hold you over, here is a very unedited tidbit from what I've written so far:

“Can I see identification?” she asked.


“Sure.” He reached into the front pocket of his shirt and pulled out a cardholder. It was black leather, and though he tried to hide the insignia, Capri had enough experience—in and out of bed—with UN Guards to know exactly who he was affiliated with.

But she’d take this charade as far as he would, which wasn’t very far at all. When she reached out to take the badge, he grabbed her by the wrist, and her hand shot behind her back for the gun. She had the barrel pointed at his head before he could locate his own. But he kept a hold of her wrist, that arrogant smirk still on his lips.

“What brings you to Tycho?” she asked dryly.

“You. And that little oddity you’re hauling around.”

Capri ignored the jab. “Are they just telling everyone about the natives now?”

“I’m a member of the Elite.”

“I can see why. You’re really good at your job.”

His eyes narrowed. “Even if I don’t make it out of here, the UN will find you.”

“Do they even know you’re here? The rebel planets are out of your jurisdiction.”

“We don’t need jurisdiction.”

“That doesn’t answer the question.”

“Don’t be stupid. Of course they know. I was assigned here.”

“Tycho’s a big planet.”

He didn’t answer. His smirk fell only slightly, resignation mixing with his self-assurance.

“That’s what I thought.”

The young guard was done talking. He looked her dead in the eye. Capri knew what she had to do. She wanted to say she was sorry, but to give him warning would give him the opportunity for a desperate struggle. Or steadfast bravery, which might be worse.

So she just shot him where he stood, without another word.

There you have it! She's been taking a few lessons from Brody, I think. ;)

Thanks for keeping up with the blog, and hopefully I'll have more for you soon!

The System 2 Update

I've hit writer's block! It was inevitable. But, weirdly enough, the song that's helping me get back into the groove for this novel is "Come Wake Me Up" by The Rascal Flatts. If you haven't heard it, check it out! And, of course, stay tuned for updates!

Optimistic goal = finish The System 2 by February 2013
Less optimistic goal = finish The System 2 by August 2013

And the winner is...

Beth!


Beth commented on my blog post at Ex Libris. Congratulations! I'll be in touch soon!

I'm getting ready...

to announce the winner of the blog tour bracelet prize! Stay tuned!

Another 4-star review!

This time from The Preeminent Litterateur. :)

Great review for The System!

Still have reservations (for some strange reason!) about purchasing an e-copy of The System? Let this fabulous review from Stella at Ex Libris convince you!

http://www.stella-exlibris.com/2012/08/book-review-system-by-heather-lin.html

Redheads Review it Better

Want to learn all about the crew's spaceship, Gypsy Lass? Check out my blog post here:

Today's Tour Stop

I have a really fun interview up at The Galaxy Express today! Stop on by and check it out!

Two fabulous tour stops!

Hey, guys! If you want to learn all about The System's hero, Brody, check out my blog post at Reading Between the Wines.

And to read a fun interview AND have the chance to win another Starbucks gift card, visit Books 'n Kisses!

Fiction Vixen

Hey, all! I'm over at Fiction Vixen for their Weekend Spotlight with another Starbucks gift card giveaway! Check it out!

Stop #3!

Hello, ladies and gents! Stop by Love Romance Passion today for a guest post called "Music & Lyrics." It's all about how music helped to shape The System. :)

The Book Binge

I'm over at The Book Binge today with guest post #2 of my blog tour! Check it out!

Today is also the day...

I kick off my blog tour! Check out my guest post at Smart Girls Love SciFi to find out a little about my inspiration for the novel AND to learn how you could win a Starbucks gift card!

Today's the day!

The ebook version of The System is officially available for purchase! Check out the blurb below and click on the pic to buy your copy today!



Capri is an alluring young prostitute with a painful past; Brody is a ruthless mercenary for a crew of thieves from the spaceship Gypsy Lass. When he enters her brothel, the attraction between them is instant, electric, and too much for him to handle. After a robbery gone wrong, the crew takes Capri hostage, forcing her and Brody to remain in close quarters until they see fit to drop her on another planet.


But Capri's plight and the intense feelings between her and Brody turn out to be the least of their problems. Together--whether they like it or not--they uncover a secret no one in the whole System could have expected.

Due for release on August 11, 2012



It's almost time!

I can't wait to share the official cover art for my upcoming Silver Publishing release, The System with you. But until then, I can tell you this much: The male model is smokin'.

Keep checking back to see the final product!

Three Stops and a CONTEST

Hey, everyone! Just wanted to let you know that you can find a Westridge book feature here:

http://coffeebeansandlovescenes.blogspot.com/

a guest post on Jason & Rosa's daughter, Penny, here:

http://www.behindtherows.com/

and an interview with a contest to win your very own e-copy of Westridge here:

http://www.simplyali.com/2012/06/blog-tour-westridge-by-heather-lin.html

Contest ends Saturday so get on over there! :)

Bornean Bookworm Reads

Hey, guys! I'm over at Bornean Bookworm Reads with a book feature, and, later on, a guest post all about Jason's ex-wife, Rosa. Stop by and check it out!

 

All about Jason

It's day 4 of the blog tour! Pop on over to Words of Wisdom from the Scarf Princess to read all about Westridge's main man, Jason Dawson.

All About Gabby

It's day 3 of the tour, and I'm over at Sandra's Blog with a guest post. If you'd like to learn all about Westridge's heroine, pop on over!

http://sandracox.blogspot.com/

Great review for Westridge!

It's day two of Westridge's anniversary blog tour, and I'm happy to say it got a great review from the blog, For the Love of Film and Novels. Please stop by and check it out!

Full Moon Bites

Hey, everyone! Today is the first day of my anniversary blog tour for Westridge from Silver Publishing! (Insert confetti here!) I'm over at Full Moon Bites with an interview, so if you're into a little insight, please pop on over and check it out!


http://fullmoonbites.blogspot.com/

It's official!

June 11th marks the one year anniversary of Westridge's publication. To celebrate, CBLS Promotions has put together a 10 day anniversary blog tour for me. Check out the list below to find out where I'll be June 11th-20th!

Jun 11: http://fullmoonbites.blogspot.com/
Jun 12: http://www.fortheloveoffilmandnovels.com/
Jun 13: http://sandracox.blogspot.com/
Jun 14: http://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com/
Jun 15: http://coffeebeanslovescenes.blogspot.com/
Jun 16: http://romancelivesforever.blogspot.com/
Jun 17: http://borneanbookworm.blogspot.com/
Jun 18: http://www.simplyali.com/
Jun 19: http://www.behindtherows.com/
Jun 20: http://mydevotionalthoughts.com/

MIA

Hey, everyone! Just wanted to let you all know I'm not dead yet. In fact, I'm feeling very much alive. I'm getting married in just about 2 weeks. It's insane. But hopefully it also explains why I've been missing in action lately.

Needless to say, I have plenty of great story ideas up my sleeve, and I'm planning to dive into writing right after (or possibly during, if I can get away with it) the honeymoon.

Also, keep an eye out for an anniversary Westridge blog blast, which will precede the release of my newest novel, tentatively titled The System.

Have a great couple of weeks! The next time you hear from me, I'll officially be a Mrs. :)

50 Authors From 50 States

Hey, everyone! Just wanted to let you know I'm over at Anette Snyder's 50 Authors from 50 States Blog promoing Westridge and talking up Delaware. Hop on over and check it out! :)

Charity Cases

Hey, all. I'm a little late in posting this (from my fiance's phone) but I have a blog up at the Beyond Romance blog today. All month long, Coming Together authors are posting about the organization and why it's important to them. I've had the privelage of being involved in 3 of Coming Together's projects, but I offered up an excerpt from my very first accepted story. Click the link below to check it out!



And, if you comment, you just might win a freebie story from me!

Get Westridge in PRINT for just $5.99!

Check it out! :)