Saving June
Hannah Harrington
by Harlequin Teen
If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.
When Harper Scott’s older sister, June, takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why. When her divorcing parents decide to split up her sister’s ashes, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the urn and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going—California.
Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession…and an unknown connection to June. So when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanor and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs. Except…Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down—again.
Guest Post
The Recipe for Fictional Boyfriends
The Recipe for Fictional Boyfriends
Fictional boyfriends: most of us have had them. You know what I’m talking about. When you read a book, or see a movie, or watch a tv show, and find yourself swooning a little (or, okay, maybe a lot) over a character. They just speak to you and hit all your buttons. Over the years, mine have included Jack Dawson from Titanic, Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Marcus Flutie from Sloppy Firsts, Billy Costigan from The Departed (so sue me, I have a soft spot for Leo), Blaine Anderson from Glee, Troy Barnes from Community.
If you’re familiar with even half those characters, you’ll probably notice it’s pretty diverse in terms of personality and looks. I’m not someone with a rigid type. I just love dynamic characters. With the right context, I will be drawn to both the “bad boys” and the “good guys”.
As a romance writer, and someone who is more interested in characters than plot-driven stories, it’s natural that I’m very interested in writing about relationships and what makes people drawn to each other. I love developing characters and romances, and figuring out what will make my fictional couples click. I’ve had readers tell me that they consider my male love interests their “fictional boyfriends”, which is a pretty high compliment, because hey, I’ve been there, bought the t-shirt, know exactly what that means!
I’ve been asked how I come up with my male love interest characters, and there isn’t really a simple answer to it. But it’s made me think about what the base line is for all of my fictional guys. Jake from my first novel, Saving June, is very different from Sam, Chelsea’s love interest in Speechless. Jake is the reformed bad boy with a heart of gold, hidden under a lot (I mean a LOT) of snark and gruffness. Sam on the other hand is sweet, a little dorky, and much more earnest.
I think the one thing they have in common is how they treat the objects of their affection. They may have different approaches, but at heart there is one thing: respect. Each boy truly cares about the girls they love and what is best for them, but neither one deigns to decide what that is. They trust the girls to make their own decisions and respect who they are. That is something that appeals to me personally above all else.
Give me that, and the framework—the personality quirks, the looks, whatever— can be almost anything.
About Hannah Harrington
Hannah Harrington resides in Michigan with one dog and too many cats. When she isn’t busy writing like a crazy person, she enjoys arguing about politics, watching documentaries, playing guitar (very badly) and speaking about herself in the third person.
Follow the Tour
Monday, March 4th - Karen Ann Hopkins and Temptation:
Wednesday, March 6th - Liz Fichera and Hooked:
Friday, March 8th - Cayla Kluver and the Legacy series:
Monday, March 11th - Aimée Carter and The Goddess Test series:
Wednesday, March 13th - Julie Kagawa and The Iron King series:
Friday, March 15th - Katie McGarry and Pushing the Limits:
Monday, March 18th - Rachel Vincent and The Soul Screamers series:
Wednesday, March 20th - Hannah Harrington and Saving June:
Friday, March 22nd - Jordan Dane and In The Arms of Stone Angels:
what a fun post! i definitely have book boyfriends. i love watching romances develop, too. the way two people fit together even if they have their quirks and weird things. it's how your crazy goes with someone else's crazy. and i tend to like a bit of bad boy in my fictional boyfriends. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the RT Thuy! I have a ton of book boyfriends too! The bad boys are always the most fun! LOL It was fun to read Hannah Harrington's thoughts on Fictional Boyfriends. I'm all about character driven stories like she is! It was nice hearing from you! What is the next book signing/event you'e attending?
DeleteIf it's fiction- definitely hit the road. Now real life- gotta go with stay at home!
ReplyDeleteI agree Lisa!
DeleteIN real life, stay at home....
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by May!
DeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway. for a romantic escape it can be either at home or on the road.
ReplyDeleteHarlequin always has the best Giveaways! Good luck Shane!
DeleteStay home in real life! Hit the road in fiction. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating Justine :)
DeleteDefinitely hit the road! I love road trips! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, road trips are a lot of fun, especially if you're with the right person!
DeleteStaying at home:)To cuddle <3
ReplyDeleteAww, cuddling's the best!
DeleteI am a stay at home mom of three, I want out and about and time away from the kids. Definitely hit the road for me :)
ReplyDeleteI understand that! I'm a stay at home mom too, and sometimes you just need a break and either a little relaxation, or a little excitement, depending on your mood :)
ReplyDeleteRoad trips are always so much fun to read about, but I'm not very much fun on them personally. Basically, if you dare to interrupt me while I'm reading in the car, you'll regret it for the rest of the trip.
ReplyDeletePaha!! Me too!! I'm like there'd better be 7 dwarfs helping deliver a cute little baby deer ;)
DeleteHit the road! Staying home is boring. I want to go explore the world :D
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely and helpful, thank you!
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