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Harmony Kent is on tour!

4/12/2021

63 Comments

 
Hello friends, please join me in welcoming author Harmony Kent. Most of you know her through the breadth of her writing. She's an accomplished novelist and poet, and a great blogger as well. Most importantly, Harmony is an extraordinary human being and a very dear friend to many. We join her today to celebrate the publication of her newest book, The Vanished Boy. It just hit Amazon's shelves, and Harmony's going to tell us about it. 

Congratulations, Harmony. Take it away ~ 

Hi everyone. Harmony here. Thanks so much, Gwen, for letting me visit with you today. I'm so thrilled to share the launch of my latest book with you all.

The Vanished Boy is a mystery suspense novel based around a teenaged boy, who's gone missing. The book follows the mother as she trawls through her missing son's online life and realises, to her horror, how out of the loop she's become.

The inspiration for this novel came from watching a number of movies based on how our lives both revolve around and are influenced by the Internet and mobile devices. Although these movies covered many genres such as murder/mystery, thriller, and the supernatural, they all centred around the same theme: Apps and living life online. This led me to ponder how many of us spend our lives in digital pursuits rather than physical—both the old and the young? For many people, their actual physical lives become but a shadow compared to their online existence.

Mostly, the shift to a digital world happens slowly. It's incremental and, too often, insidious. All of which led me to ask how well do we actually know our children? Our loved ones? Those around us? What might be going on in the shadows?

From that inspiration and questioning, this story was born. Much of life and our actions originate from the same needs and wants: to be loved and accepted, the ability to differentiate between truth and lies, and the things we do to cover our mistakes and make ourselves look better than the reality instead of owning who we are. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
 
Below is an excerpt from the book:

Picture
Her mouth gapes wide, and she can't stop breathing in. A wheezy-whistle follows the air down her trachea and into overfull lungs. She does this kind of backwards scream thing. It won't stop. Carole slaps a cold hand over her mouth and grabs her mobile with the other. No matter how hard she stares and wants and needs, she can't make a reply materialise on the screen.

At last, right when she thinks she's going to suffocate, she manages to breathe in. Only a short heave, but it's something. She stands in the middle of the kitchen and gasps and pants. On wooden legs, she stumbles to the junk drawer and rummages until she finds the old brown paper bag. She hasn't needed this thing in years.
​
Each in and out breath refuses to work without her voice going with it. A weird moaning noise fills her ears, along with the wheezy whistle she's developed. When she raises the bag and shoves it against her lips, her hand shakes. The bag smells and tastes stale. Blackness narrows her vision. It's no good passing out right now. She has to get a handle on this.


Picture
Author Bio
 
After spending around thirteen years as an ordained Buddhist monk, living in a Zen Buddhist temple, and six years after a life-changing injury following a surgical error, Harmony Kent returned to the world at the tender age of forty.

Now, she is famous for her laughter, and has made quite the name for herself … she’s also, um, a writer … and fairly well known for that too. She’s even won a few awards. Harmony lives in rural Cornwall with her adorable husband, ever-present sense of humour, and quirky neighbours.
​
Harmony is passionate about supporting her fellow authors.
 
Links

 
Website: https://harmonykent.co.uk/
Story Empire (co-authored): https://storyempirecom.wordpress.com/
Amazon Author Page: author.to/HarmonysBooks
Twitter: @harmony_kent
Goodreads: Author Page
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/harmony-kent
  
The Vanished Boy Sales Link: mybook.to/TheVanishedBoy

63 Comments
Harmony Kent link
4/12/2021 02:47:20

Thanks so much for hosting me today, Gwen, and for your wonderful words. Your graphic at the bottom of this post is awesome and a fantastic surprise. Doing my happy dance and grinning from ear to ear. It's so lovely to visit with you today :)

Reply
Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 03:45:06

It's a deep pleasure to host you, Harmony. I wish you all the best on your tour! 💗

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Sarah Stuart link
4/12/2021 03:07:20

Hi Harmony. Still reading when I should be writing. The Vanished Boy is addictive.

Thank you for hosting Harmony today, Gwen, and may I say what a beautiful background you have to your home.

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Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 03:46:12

Thank you so much, Sarah. I'm elated for the visit. All the best to you! 💗

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Harmony Kent link
4/12/2021 06:22:58

I'm so thrilled you're enjoying The Vanished Boy so much. Thanks, Sarah! Woohoo :)

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Joan Hall link
4/12/2021 04:54:02

I'm intrigued! Loved the description, "wheezy whistle." That says much.

I look forward to reading this one - it's already on my Kindle. And a big thanks to Gwen for hosting today.

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Harmony Kent link
4/12/2021 06:23:49

Yay! So pleased you like the 'wheezy whistle' bit. Thanks so much, Joan :)

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Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 08:12:37

Thank you for visiting, Joan. Like you, I've got my copy and am looking forward to reading it!

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Karen Ingalls
4/12/2021 05:07:50

I have loved all of Harmony's books I have read. This one sounds very intriguing and I just ordered my copy. Thank you for hosting her today.

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Harmony Kent link
4/12/2021 06:24:48

That makes me so happy to see. Thank you for your lovely comments, support, and buying my book, Karen! :)

Reply
Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 08:13:53

Thank you for stopping by, Karen. Like you, I'm looking forward to reading this one very much. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
4/12/2021 06:16:37

Happy Start-of-Tour Day, Harmony! Wishing you all the best with this release. I grabbed my copy.

Thanks for hosting, Gwen.

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Harmony Kent link
4/12/2021 06:25:29

Yay! Thanks so much, Staci. I'm grinning from ear to ear right now :)

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Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 08:14:31

Thank you, Staci. I've got my copy too. I'm looking forward to the read!

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CS Boyack
4/12/2021 06:54:55

Great launch to your tour. Hope you move a ton of copies. That excerpt was compelling.

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Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 08:15:45

I'm with you, Craig. The excerpt is compelling. I'm excited to read it now.

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Harmony Kent link
4/12/2021 09:23:28

I’m delighted you like the moon excerpt. Thanks for your well wishes, Craig 🙂

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Harmony Kent link
4/12/2021 09:27:02

ignore ‘moon’. No clue how that got in there, lols!

Mae Clair link
4/12/2021 07:01:51

Congratulations, Harmony. The Vanished Boy is next on my read list. I'm looking forward to it!

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Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 08:16:41

Thank you for visiting, Mae. Like you, I'm looking forward to the read.

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Harmony Kent link
4/12/2021 09:30:52

Yay! Thanks so much, Mae 🙂

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Jan Sikes
4/12/2021 08:21:54

It's great to see Harmony making the rounds today with her new book! I purchased my copy and can't wait to read it! There is so much emotion in that excerpt!

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Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 08:33:02

I agree with you, Jan. It's a powerful excerpt. Thank you for visiting. Like you, I'm looking forward to the read.

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Harmony Kent link
4/12/2021 09:32:16

Fantastic. Thanks, Jan 🙂

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Pete Springer link
4/12/2021 08:47:33

Well, I'm in. The plot and blurb encourage me more. I've only read Harmony's Polish Your Prose book, so it will be helpful for me to see her execute some of of her own writing advice.

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Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 09:21:04

Thank you, Pete. Harmony's a wonderful writer. I've read several of her books and loved each one. All the best!

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Harmony Kent link
4/12/2021 09:33:43

Yay! Thanks so much, Pete. Hopefully, I haven’t broken too many rules, lols 😆🙂

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John Howell link
4/12/2021 09:32:51

Congratulations, Harmony. Thanks to Gwen for hosting you today.

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Harmony Kent link
4/12/2021 09:34:36

Thanks, John! 🙂

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Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 11:04:08

All the best, John. 😊 It's a pleasure to host Harmony today.

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D.L. Finn
4/12/2021 09:45:19

Congrats on your newest release, Harmony :) I will be taking a break from poetry books this month to read it!
Thanks, for hosting, Gwen. Xo

Reply
Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 11:04:49

It's a pleasure hosting, Harmony. Thank you, Denise. 💗

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Harmony Kent link
4/13/2021 03:21:56

Thanks so much, Denise! :)

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Roberta Eaton Cheadle
4/12/2021 09:56:28

A very good extract, Gwen. This sounds like a most interesting book.

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Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 11:06:27

Harmony's a great writer, and I'm looking forward to this read! Thank you, Robbie. 😊

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Harmon Kent link
4/13/2021 03:22:48

So glad you enjoyed the extract. Thanks, Robbie :)

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suzanne burke link
4/12/2021 11:51:25

Congratulations, Harmony! That excerpt was so compelling. I'm looking forward to reading it. ❤ Thanks for hosting harmony here today, Gwen.

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Gwen M Plano
4/12/2021 12:43:43

Thank you for joining us today, Soooz. I'm so pleased to host Harmony. 😊

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Harmony Kent link
4/13/2021 03:23:28

Thanks so much, Soooz. So pleased you enjoyed the extract :)

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Pat Garcia link
4/13/2021 04:01:55

Hi Harmony, Hi Gwen,

Harmony, first congratulations on your new release. I haven't read any of your work yet but I do have one book on my TBR list that I am slowly working toward, Interludes and now the second The Vanished Boy. It sounds engaging. I wish you all the best with your release.

Gwen, thank you for hosting Harmony. It was nice to get to know a little bit about her as a person.

Wishing you both a lovely week.

Shalom aleichem

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Gwen M Plano
4/13/2021 04:39:18

Thank you, Pat, for your lovely comments and visit. Wishing you a wonderful week as well. Shalom. 💗

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Harmony Kent link
4/13/2021 05:15:23

That is wonderful to see. Thanks so much, Pat, and happy reading! :)

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Yvette M Calleiro link
4/13/2021 05:01:08

Those are themes we can all relate to nowadays. Great post, Harmony! Thanks for hosting her, Gwen. :-)

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Harmony Kent link
4/13/2021 05:15:55

They sure are. Thanks, Yvi :)

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Marcia Meara link
4/13/2021 08:22:22

Thanks so much for having Harmony here today, Gwen. Love the concept and the excerpt, and adding this one to my list, as well. Congratulations, Harmony. This sounds like a book that will resonate with many (most?) of us. Best of luck, and here's to a kajillion sales! :D <3

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Gwen M Plano
4/13/2021 09:38:49

Thank you so much, Marcia. It's fun to celebrate with Harmony. Big hugs to you...

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Harmony Kent link
4/13/2021 10:37:41

Thanks so much, Marcia! I’m sure the theme will resonate with many 🙂❤️

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Sarah Stuart link
4/13/2021 08:49:39

Your first review is live, Harmony, :-)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R3IJ1Q9HBSQSVX

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Gwen M Plano
4/13/2021 09:39:40

Thank you for sharing that wonderful news, Sarah! I'm darting over to Amazon to read it now! 💗

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Harmony Kent link
4/13/2021 10:36:12

Sarah, I cannot thank you enough. This is awesome! I’m so delighted 🙂🙂🙂

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Sarah Stuart link
4/13/2021 11:57:28

You are very welcome, Harmony.

The difficulty was writing it without giving anything away; the end is a real shock!

Miriam Hurdle link
4/13/2021 14:34:37

It's so true that for many people, their actual physical lives become but a shadow compared to their online existence, Harmony. An excellent book with the current concern especially with teenagers. Congratulations on the new release and happy tour.

Thank you for sharing, Gwen!

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Gwen M Plano
4/14/2021 03:15:53

Thank you, Miriam, for visiting and supporting Harmony. All the best to you. 😊

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Harmony Kent link
4/14/2021 04:04:47

It is so true. Thanks so much, Miriam :)

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Vashti Quiroz-Vega link
4/13/2021 14:45:57

Congratulations on your new release, Harmony! The premise of your book reads fascinating. And the excerpt is great. I'll be adding it to my TBR list! :D xo

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Gwen M Plano
4/14/2021 03:16:56

Thank you for visiting, Vashti and offering your encouraging words. Have a terrific day! 😊

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Harmony Kent link
4/14/2021 04:05:29

Yay! I'm thrilled. Thanks so much, Vashti :)

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Jill Weatherholt link
4/14/2021 16:03:47

Harmony is everywhere! Congratulations on her latest release! Thanks for sharing, Gwen. I enjoy the sneak peek.

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Harmony Kent link
4/15/2021 04:24:28

So pleased you enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks, Jill :)

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Roberta Eaton Cheadle
4/14/2021 23:53:43

Another fabulous post about Harmony's new book, Gwen.

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Harmony Kent link
4/15/2021 04:25:00

Thanks so much, Robbie! :)

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mark bierman link
4/17/2021 07:27:17

What a haunting and intriguing story, Harmony. Thanks for sharing, Gwen.

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Harmony Kent link
4/18/2021 06:09:44

Thanks so much, Mark 🙂

Reply



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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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