Spotlight with author Helen Hardt

Spotlight with author Helen Hardt

Greetings, Lovelies! I recently had the opportunity to review Pianist Envy by author Helen Hardt. I really enjoyed the book and wanted a chance to share it with you all again in case you missed the review. Ms. Hardt was originally scheduled to appear in the blog last month during the Ellora’s Cave feature month, but due to scheduling conflicts on my part, we had to push this post out a bit. Ms. Hardt was totally awesome about postponing the spotlight so I ‘d like to tell you a bit about more than just PIANIST ENVY. So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy getting to know a little about Helen Hardt and her books.

**HELEN  HARDT**

**BIO**

Helen Hardt is an attorney and stay-at-home mom turned award-winning romance author and freelance fiction editor. She writes contemporary, historical, paranormal, and erotic romance from her home in Colorado. Her contemporary western romance, Ivy League Cowboy, just won the 2012 RomCon Readers’ Crown award.

You can find Ms. Hardt in the following places:

Website

Blog

Fiction Editor Blog

Twitter

Facebook

**PIANIST ENVY**

Read my review by clicking here!!!

**BLURB**

Huge success has so far eluded musician Jane Rock. Coming from a modest background, she’s had to work hard for everything she has. When a music agent attends one of her rock band’s performances at a local club, she thinks her big break has finally come, until an inebriated—though handsome and muscular—patron spoils her show.

Classical pianist Chandler Hamilton has had most of his success handed to him due to his family name. He has his reasons for detesting rock music, but he finds himself drawn to beautiful and talented Jane. Although the two sizzle between the sheets, outside the bedroom they bicker endlessly and envy what they perceive as the other’s good fortune. When Jane needs a favor, Chandler resists. Can love blossom amid clashing notes and tempos?

**EXCERPT**

She didn’t bother knocking. He wouldn’t hear her anyway. Normally she wasn’t so rude, but the music called to her. His anger, his passion, called to her. Still holding the pot, she stood, mouth agape, as Chandler pounded out disharmonic chords on his nine-foot black lacquer grand.

Disharmonic, yes, but they made a certain musical sense. Discordant in a harmonic way. Sweat covered his brow and a drop hit an ivory key. He didn’t stop to wipe away the perspiration. He punished the keys, ground out eerie yet beautiful music in his raw madness. His fingers danced, his facial muscles tensed, his full pink lips pursed. Another drop of sweat hit a key as he slowed the tempo, softened his strokes, then from piano to forte again as he trilled two notes and boomed through the lower keys.

Jane’s heart thudded in time with Chandler’s now increasing tempo. As he crescendoed, so did she, her breath coming in rapid puffs, her breasts heaving against her chest. His playing conjured images in her mind of a bullfighter twirling a red cape. Vivid reds and oranges swirled through her head.

More chords. Louder, faster…banging, clashing…

Then silence.

His eyes closed and his chest dropped, as though he were only now cognizant of the fact that he required breath. More drips of moisture emerged on his corded neck and rivered down his chest through the few blond hairs that peeked out of his black button down. The stark onyx contrasted against his fair skin in a beautiful way. Jane’s breath caught.

She stood, still holding the empty coffee pot. Should she applaud? Her hands were occupied, and applause seemed inappropriate anyway. This hadn’t been a performance. No, this had been a catharsis, a purging of negativity, a ritual cleansing.

This had been solely about Chandler. Pure, raw emotion not meant for an audience.

Regret flooded her. She shouldn’t be here.

Buy Links:

Ellora’s Cave        Amazon        Nook

Other books by Helen Hardt:

**IVY LEAGUE COWBOY**

McCray Brothers, Book 1

**BLURB**

Dusty O’Donovan, an accomplished bull rider, isn’t afraid to ride El Diablo, a feisty stud whose owner, Zach McCray, is offering $500,000 to anyone who can stay on him for a full eight seconds. Though Zach refuses to let a woman ride his bull, he's intrigued by the headstrong Dusty, who he last saw when he was thirteen and she was six. Sparks fly when they’re together, but will Dusty’s secrets tear them apart?

**A COWBOY AND A GENTLEMAN**

McCray Brothers, Book 2

**BLURB**

Newly divorced Dallas McCray wants a sweet country girl like his sister-in-law, so why is he lusting after the new veterinarian in town, striking New Jersey transplant Annie DeSimone? Also divorced, Annie yearns to leave her difficult past behind and start a new life in beautiful Colorado. Sparks fly between her and handsome cowboy Dallas, but attraction and emotion aren’t always enough…especially when a cowboy has vowed never to make the same mistake twice.

**RODEO QUEEN**

McCray Brothers, Book 3

**BLURB**

Catie Bay has worshiped much older Chad McCray since she was a child. When she fumbles a seduction attempt after her graduation from high school, she flees to Europe. Four years later, she returns a beautiful, worldly woman, and Chad takes notice. Is the rodeo queen still in love with the sexy cowboy, and is he capable of returning her feelings?

I hope you enjoyed getting to know a bit about Ms. Hardt and her books. The McCray Brothers series can be found at Musa Publishing and other major eBook retailers. Thank you so much for spending some time with us today. I hope you enjoyed yourself. Better yet, I hope you found a new author to appreciate.

Until next time …

HAPPY READING!!!