Blog Tour: Glass Hearts (Hearts #2) by Lisa De Jong {Review + Giveaway + Character Interview}

Welcome to our stop on the Glass Hearts blog tour hosted by Shh Mom's Reading. I am excited to share with you my interview with Nolan, Dane's brother and be sure to check out the other stops and don't forget about the Giveaway at the bottom! Thanks for stopping by! -Hootie

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: June 25th 2013

Author: Lisa De Jong

Series: Hearts #2

Format: PDF provided for tour

Sequel to Plastic Hearts...Can a relationship survive on love alone? Is love truly enough? Dane and Alex’s relationship has never been easy, but now they have a fresh start without the pressures of Alex’s family. Together they try to move forward while continuing to struggle with a past that they can’t seem to escape. Sometimes no matter how hard we try to make things work, love isn’t enough. Sometimes even after a broken heart is mended, cracks remain, and the same doubts and insecurities that once yanked us apart seep in. Can true love hold Dane and Alex together or will their hearts completely shatter like glass?

My Take:

After reading Plastic Hearts and falling completely in love with this couple, I was really excited to see that their story wasn't finished yet. I loved the first one very much and Glass Hearts was even better, and surpassed my expectations.

Glass Hearts picks up where Plastic left off, with both Alex and Dane trying to pick up the pieces of their broken hearts and moving ahead in their relationship and trying to rebuild the trust they once had. Former Ladies man Dane was Alex' rock in the first book in how he helped her overcome her parents' stronghold on her life. In this one though it seemed to me that Dane was the one that needed to be held up by Alex. His main issue seemed to be with himself and how he grew up with a junkie for a mother and raising his younger brother Nolan. Although Dane has Alex back he is battling himself over feelings of inadequacy and not feeling like he is good enough for her. With Glass Hearts we get a healthy look back at just what Dane had to endure as a young man in dealing with his mother and raising Nolan. He didn't have it easy, always wondering where their next meal was coming from and often going hungry to feed Nolan instead. He did everything he could to be a good example for his younger brother but when he started dabbling in drug usage Nolan wasn't far behind and he blames himself for his brother's habit. 

Nolan wasn't featured very much in Plastic Hearts but he was enough of a presence in it to intrigue me to know more and I was very pleased to see more of him in this book. He shows up with trouble in tow asking for Dane's help and ends up causing more problems for Dane and Alex when he hooks up with one of Dane's ex's. Nolan begs Dane to help him and even agrees to go to rehab that Dane sets up for him but their mother steps in causing more trouble for both boys leaving Dane with empty pockets and a ball of frustration. Even though Nolan added so much unneeded stress to Dane and Alex' relationship I really feel like he is a character that has an interesting story and would love to see a book from his point of view. He had conflicting sides to himself that were very interesting to see him bounce back and forth between so easily. 

Alex pissed me off a time or two in Plastic Hearts but her strength and determination to prove to Dane she wasn't going anywhere in this book was probably my favorite thing about it, besides all the make up sex we get from them! There were several times throughout the story where she wanted to run, and I fully expected her too but she proved me wrong and stayed long enough to work through their issues. The problems Alex and Dane faced in the first book were heartbreaking but in this one nothing ever felt like it was going to break them. You never get the feeling like this couple won't make it throughout the entire story, even when Dane is facing down his demons he thought he had control of.  Alex being willing to stand by Dane no matter what being with him brought into her life was beautiful for me. I loved watching her fight tooth and nail to keep him by her side and not run away like she desperately wanted to do. These two share some really romantic, sweet, and intense moments throughout this book that further solidified them as a strong couple. She faces her own set of trials though, outside of her relationship with Dane when her dad comes back into the picture. I didn't expect this turn of events in this book but I thought it was a really nice addition to the overall story and brought some closure for Alex. She really redeemed herself with me after breaking Dane's heart and I loved how solid these two were when all was said and done.

Supporting characters can sometimes step out of the shadows and into the forefront without really trying. Like my affection for Nolan and his attitude, Alex' best friend Jade has become one of those characters for me. We got to see enough of Jade and Dane's best friend Tyler in the first book to know they had a fling going on which seems to continue a little bit into this one. She was always there for Alex especially when her parents treated her badly and now it seems like Jade is in a situation where she will need Alex just as much. I fell in love with Jade and her spunk so I can't wait to see what her story will bring to the table! A surprise twist in the story arises in the form of Alex' new boss Reid Murphy and throws some serious kinks into Dane and Alex' relationship when he tries to make a move on her leaving Dane to believe the worst. He pissed me off for a long time in this book but when I found out exactly how he played into her life outside the bar I got a complete Story Boner. It seems we will definitely be seeing his character more in the coming stories and I couldn't be happier about that because it promises to be juicy from what little he appeared in Glass Hearts!

Being a reviewer is crazy at times and sometimes against your will couples and stories will blend together in a giant mash up inside your head and make it hard to tell everyone apart. That wasn't the case with Dane and Alex because their love story, although not unique, it stood out for me and left me feeling happy and very satisfied with how everything worked out for them. This story felt real and the characters drew me into their world of heartbreaks and trials and happiness. This couple fought through every thing that threatened to keep them apart and made it out the other end stronger than they were before they got together. I love stories like that! Glass Hearts was filled with emotion, amazing characters and sexy moments between the couple that will make you believe that love is definitely worth fighting for.

Quotes:

Dane makes my heart beat. He’s the reason I get out of bed in the morning. He’s everything I didn’t know I wanted and everything I needed. He is my ground, my water, my sky…he’s my whole world. PDF Page 6

I’m determined more than ever to help Nolan as I leave my bedroom. I want him to have what I have some day. I want him to experience this type of love with someone and have it become his new drug. PDF Page 46

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Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Character Interview: 

Joining me on the blog today is Nolan Wright from Plastic/Glass Hearts, Nolan thank you for being here today....

Thank you.  I’d never miss an opportunity to talk about myself.

How has everything been going for you since we last saw you?

It’s been rough, you know.  After my mom died, I really lost it.  I mean, I was a fucking mess but someone came into my life and showed me that there is more to life than getting high every day.  It’s a big freaking mess right now, though, because the girl who got to me is hung up on some jerk.  Things rarely go my way so I’m not going to hold my breath.

What was it like for you growing up with Dane?

You met him.  He’s a bossy asshole sometimes but really, he taught me most of what I know.  If he hadn’t been there to take care of me, I don’t know what would have happened.  

Is there a specific childhood memory that you cherish and still makes you smile to this day?

Believe it or not, my favorite thing to do was drive Dane crazy.  Back when we were kids, I felt like we were equal, neither was better than the other.  We were kids, you know?  I liked to take his crap and run around with it until he practically begged me to give it back. I wish life were still that simple.

Getting down to the nitty gritty, Nolan was your hookup with Bree solely for the purpose of getting under Dane's skin?

I guess it depends on how you look at it.  I needed a woman and she’s easy to get.  It took one phone call and we both got what we needed.  Now, did I think about Dane when I picked up the phone?  You better believe it.  I get tired of him always doing the right thing and I wanted to piss him off.  I really didn’t mean to cause issues with him and Alex, though.

Where did you disappear to after the funeral?

There’s only one way I know how to take away the pain.

If you could do one thing over in life what would it be and why?

I would never have taken my first drug.  One time was all it took and I was addicted.  Addiction changed my life; it took my dreams, my morality and a couple years of my life.  It’s not worth it. 

Honestly you are one of my favorite characters in these books and I am curious if we will see more of you in the future?

Well, Lisa has two spinoff books in the works right now and I play a role in one of them.  She made me sign a confidentiality agreement so I can’t tell you much more than that right now but hold on to your seats ladies.

Is there a special someone in your life at the moment?

There’s someone I wish could be mine.  She’s not but I’d do almost anything to have her.

Where do you think you would be right now if things had worked out differently for you?

I think I’d be in school working toward something better than what I had growing up.  Right now, I’m just focused on trying to overcome my demons.

In closing what is one thing you would like for the readers to know about you?

I’m better in the sack than my big brother.  Kidding, but seriously, I’m not always a bad guy.  I have a tiny bit of goodness in me and I hope you get to see it sometime.

About The Author:

Lisa De Jong is a wife, mother and full-time number cruncher who lives in the Midwest. Her writing journey involved insane amounts of coffee and many nights of very little sleep but she wouldn't change a thing. She also enjoys reading, football and music.

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