Katy Eeten and her Christmas Release

 

Katy Eeten is married to a Pastor and is the mom of two boys, ages 12 and 9. She lives with her family in southeast Wisconsin, despite her dislike for cold weather. She works full time in corporate America, but her true passion is writing.

In addition to First Class Christmas, she has three other Christian Romances available on Amazon. When she’s not working or writing, she can be found taking walks or bike rides with her kids, baking goodies, playing the piano, or spending time with her family.

2020 Character Interview

Beverley: What’s your name?

Mandy: Mandy Brockman

Beverley: Where did you grow up?

Mandy: I grew up in Wyoming, but I moved to Minneapolis for college and never looked back.

Beverley: During what time period does your story take place?

Mandy: It’s a contemporary tale—but pre-COVID. After all, I flew on a plane with no mask, lol.

Beverley: What’s your story/back story? Why would someone come up with a story about you?

Mandy: I am passionate about my work and put my all into relationships. But my ex-boyfriend dumped me three stinkin’ weeks before my best friend’s destination wedding. Thankfully, a last-minute seat change put me next to CJ—a guy who’s a whole lot sweeter than my ex. But CJ doesn’t seem too convinced that I’m over Kevin. And I’m sure he’d much rather be with someone who is sold out for God like he seems to be. I mean, I can’t even reconcile an old beef with my folks. How could I ever make a relationship work with someone as mature and kind as CJ?

Beverley: What’s your goal in this story?

Mandy: My goal is to feel whole again. The breakup with Kevin was rough, and I’m reminded of how crummy I treated my parents back when I was in college. For some reason, I’ve been running on empty lately, and I just want to remember who I am again and figure out what brings me joy. 

Beverley: What conflicts are you facing?

Mandy: My ex boyfriend seems to keep showing up at the most inconvenient times. And my bitterness towards my parents for more or less convincing me to exchange my dream of being on stage for the more practical pursuit of business still simmers in the background of my heart. Then, I finally meet a super great guy, and I’m not sure I can put aside my unsettled feelings about my ex cheating on me. All in all, it’s not shaping up to be the merriest of Christmases.

Beverley: Do you have a plan for resolving them?

Mandy: I really have no desire to see my ex again. I know I need to call my parents and close those old wounds, but it’s hard to swallow my pride. As for CJ… well, I could choose to open up my heart to what could be. He does seem to be set on helping me find some joy this Christmas. Maybe it’s worth the risk? 

Beverley: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

Mandy: I love music, especially Christmas music. And I don’t do well with turbulence. Nothing a handsome stranger’s caring attention can’t quell though 😊

Blurb for First Class Christmas:

When Mandy Brockman flies home from her friend's destination wedding, her heart is on empty at the thought of spending Christmas alone. It doesn't help that her ex is on the plane, seemingly unaffected by their breakup. But the kind-hearted man seated next to her seems to have it all together—and he's handsome to boot. She knows her emotional healing won't come in the form of another guy, but will the source of this man's peace and joy help Mandy find the Christmas she's looking for?
CJ Hawkins is captivated by the beautiful, feisty woman he meets on his flight. The only thing is, she's fresh out of a relationship, and he has no interest in being anyone's rebound. But the more he learns about Mandy, the more he's drawn to her unique mixture of compassion and spunk.

Can he figure out how to make their relationship take off before this First Class Christmas is grounded forever?

Excerpt from First Class Christmas:

Once the bill was squared away, they stood to leave, retrieving their coats from the coat check on the way out. The thought of leaving CJ only to return to her lonely apartment brought the same sense of emptiness they’d been talking about earlier. She tried to shake it off. Out in the parking lot, he walked her to her car.

“I’d love to see you again, but I have plans tonight. Although…” his voice trailed off.

Mandy narrowed her eyes. What wasn’t he saying? “Although…?”

A small smile crept to his face. “You should totally come with.”

She was intrigued. “Where to?” They arrived at her car, and she turned to face him with her back against the driver’s side back door.

He waggled his eyebrows. “To fill that emptiness in your heart.”

She tilted her head, giving him a dubious look. “What makes you so sure?”

CJ placed one hand on the car behind her on her left, and then another on her right, pinning her in place between his arms. Their bodies were only inches away from each other. “Do you trust me?” She could hear the smile in his voice.

Taking a deep breath, Mandy kept her gaze on CJ’s. The truth was, she did. But that fact scared her a little. She pressed her lips together before responding. “Yes.”

He gave a flirty lift to his eyebrows. “Good.”

Buy Links for First Class Christmas:

Amazon = https://www.amazon.com/First-Class-Christmas-Holiday-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B08KSJHMW4

B&N = https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/first-class-christmas-katy-eeten/1137850777?ean=9781522303251

Social Media for Katy Eeten:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatyEeten/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KatyEeten

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KatyEeten/

Website: https://katyeeten.wordpress.com/

It's December

 

December’s here. We made it. Congratulate yourself. One more month and we start a new year.

December 1 and I’ve put up my tree, decorated the house and done my Christmas cards. I can now play Christmas music and turn on the lights. When do you put up your tree? When do you start to play Christmas music? Or do you?

My Christmas shopping will be done mostly online. Even wearing a mask and trying to social distance the risk is elevated during this season. I’m not crafty enough to make things. My glass fusion studio where I can make gifts is south. Because of the closed border I’m up north. I’m trying to find local gifts or gifts from charity catalogues. I’m also making donations to local organizations like the Food Bank and The Mustard Seed. The affect of the pandemic has many more people depending on these resources to put food on their table and feed their children. And hopefully whatever country you live in, governments will help people that need it to survive the pandemic until we lower the risk and people get back to work.

I’ve also updated my website and sent out my newsletter. Both include a short Christmas story and a Christmas recipe. Different story and recipe for each of them. If you’d like to check them out go to my website https://www.beverleybateman.com  and for the newsletter go the heading across my website, click on More and in the drop down box click on Newsletter Signup. If you don’t receive the newsletter let me know.

It’s been a challenging year. For me it affected my writing, or lack of but I think my muse has decided to come back. That light at the end of the tunnel isn’t a train. It’s hope. 2021 sounds like a step toward the new normalcy. Still wearing masks and social distancing will be needed to reduce the risk, and turn the curve downward, but businesses should be allowed to open. People should be able to return to work. 2021 should be a better year.

Have a safe month and a safe, Holiday Season!

Seelie Kay and her Christmas Release

Seelie Kay is a nom de plume for a writer, editor, and author with more than 30 years of experience in law, journalism, marketing, and public relations. When she writes about love and lust in the legal world, something kinky is bound to happen!  In possession of a wicked pen and an overly inquisitive mind, Ms. Kay is the author of 18 works of fiction, including the Kinky Briefs series, the Feisty Lawyers series, The Garage Dweller, A Touchdown to Remember, The President’s Wife, The White House Wedding, and The President’s Daughter.

When not spinning her kinky tales, Ms. Kay ghostwrites nonfiction for lawyers and other professionals. She resides in a bucolic exurb outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she shares a home with her son and enjoys opera, gourmet cooking, organic gardening, and an occasional bottle of red wine.

Ms. Kay is an MS warrior and ruthlessly battles the disease on a daily basis. Her message to those diagnosed with MS:  Never give up. You define MS, it does not define you!

Beverley: Why do you write romance?

Seelie: Because I am fascinated by the games people play to find and secure a lasting relationship, which is not always love. There’s the chase, the courtship, the falling, the surrender. That’s what I try to capture in my stories.

Beverley: Do you prefer a certain type of romantic hero?

Seelie: I adore smart, dashing gentlemen who aren’t afraid to live on the edge. They can be a bad boy, a billionaire, a prince, or a secret agent. That hint of danger just hooks me! However, I they have to be paired with strong, independent women who aren’t afraid to fight for what they want, even love.

Beverley: Why did you write “The Last Christmas?”

Seelie: My father is 94-years-old and as you might expect, has had a number of serious medical, age-related events. Each time, we were told to prepare for his death. Each time, he survived. The fact was, my Dad wasn’t ready to die. And his children and his grandchildren weren’t ready to let him go either. So I started thinking about terminal diagnoses and how they are really a best guess, not a guarantee. That, of course, led to thoughts how a terminal diagnosis often causes people to give up and prematurely mourn the death of the person who is ill. I wondered how that impacted the outcome. And because I was preparing to write a holiday book, I also started thinking about the power of family, and how, time after time, families are capable of creating miracles.

That led me to “The Last Christmas.” Christmas truly is a time for miracles, and thought it important that everyone be able to experience one through the tale of the Wright Family.

 Blurb for The Last Christmas:

When the doctors say there’s no hope, Santa begs to differ. After all, he claims, miracles are love combined with action to get the desired result. And at Christmas time, everyone deserves a miracle!

David Wright is dying from cancer. He is not expected to see another Christmas. At least that’s what the medical professionals say. Fortunately, Santa begs to differ. After all, modern medicine is nothing more than a best guess. Santa believes anything is possible until you give up. When Santa tells David’s wife, Joan, that heaven is full and she has to keep her husband alive, she is beside herself. She has no medical skills. How can she save anyone’s life? Set your skepticism aside as Santa embraces a family already mourning their father’s terminal diagnosis and teaches them that a Christmas miracle doesn’t always require heavenly intervention. Sometimes, all it takes is a family with enough love to create their own. As Santa says, a true miracle is when love combines with action to get the desired results. And only humans are capable of that. Will Santa’s words fall on deaf ears? Or will Team Wright find a way to save their father’s life?

Excerpt from The Last Christmas

“It’s not about you, it’s about him, Joan.,” a grumbly voice said. “You’re looking at this all wrong.”

Joan turned so fast she almost lost her balance. She glared at the old man who had spoken. He was around seventy, with ruddy cheeks and twinkling blue eyes. And thick white hair. Lots of white hair. Flowing over his shoulders, winding up in a very lush beard. On top of his head was perched a brightly colored red knit hat. She frowned. “Wait a minute. You’re Santa Claus. Without the red suit, but clearly, you’re him. I’d know you anywhere.”

The man bowed and with a smile, said, “At your service.” He gestured toward a park across the street. “Let’s take a walk.”

“Oh, no. I’m not going anywhere with you.” Joan shook her head. “I didn’t mean you actually were Santa Claus. Everyone knows he doesn’t exist. I just meant you looked like him. You’re just a man who looks like him. I don’t know you. Why would I…” She glared at him. “You’re not even wearing a red suit. And since when has Santa taken up armchair psychiatry?”  She ran a hand through her blonde hair. “I must be hallucinating.” Despite her objections, she followed him across the street.

Santa laughed. “My dear, I have been dispensing advice since I was old enough to talk and make people listen. God chose my role a long time ago and I have gotten very good at it.” He looked toward the heavens. “Sorry, old boy. Still working on that humility!” He chuckled. “Man never stops reminding me.” He smiled at Joan. “Do you sense any ill-intentions from me? Of course not. I’m Santa. All I want to do is talk.”

Joan reached out and touched his shoulder.

He laughed again. A laugh that came directly from his belly. “Yes, I’m real. Well, as real as a centuries-old spirit gets. I even eat all those cookies children leave me each year. And let me tell you, that’s a heavenly feat.” Again, he looked skyward. “Yes, sir, I am well aware that borders on gluttony. A sin. You know darn well it has nothing to do with gluttony and everything to do with the magic of Christmas, an affirmation that Santa is real. I do it for the children.” He smiled at Joan. “Sometimes, He gets a little overbearing with his angels.”

He smirked. “Even God has his faults. He is by no means perfect.” A strong wind swirled through the plaza, nearly catching his knitted cap. He clapped his hand on his head to hold it down. He whispered, “And he doesn’t take criticism too well, either.”

Joan stared at the man. Surely, she was losing it. Santa a spirit, an angel? He and God didn’t even travel in the same circles. She shook her head, trying to make the hallucination go away.

Santa sighed. “I know, I know. You’ve been taught that I’m not real. That I’m a myth. That’s a rumor started by Satan himself, the old devil. He can’t stand the fact that people embrace the goodness in the world. And that I spread good cheer. He would much rather unleash a plague and make people miserable. He hates Christmas. He hates that the birth of Christ is celebrated, and his birth, well, is not. He really can’t stand the fact that love binds people so tightly during the holidays.” Santa shook his fist toward the ground. “The fool pouts all through the holidays.” He then sat up straight and gazed at Joan. “Christmas is really about love, you know. All kinds of love. The type of love he’ll never have. Love of family, love of children, love of—”

“What the heck do you want?” Joan blurted. “People are starting to stare.”

Buy links for The Last Christmas:

“The Last Christmas” is scheduled for release in December 11, 2020and will be available from all major booksellers, including--

Extasy Books:  Preorder Link Available November 27, 2020

Social Media Links

Website:  https://www.seeliekay.com

Blog:  https://www.seeliekay.blogspot.com

Twitter: @SeelieKay https://twitter.com/SeelieKay

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/seelie.kay.77

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/seeliekay51/

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Seelie-Kay/e/B074RDRWNZ/

Happy "Safe" Thanksgiving

 Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating today. As a Canadian, I celebrated the second Monday in October. As in the United States, we celebrate with family dinners and lots of food, but it’s not as big a day as the US celebration. Christmas tends to be a bigger holiday for us.

In the US the event, commonly called the “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated by the pilgrims after the first harvest in the New World in October, 1621. I was surprised because I thought it would be a date closer to the November date it’s celebrated on today.

Thanksgiving has been celebrated nationally on and off since 1789, after a proclamation by George Washington. Since 1863 it was been celebrated as a federal holiday every year. During the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficial Father who dwelleth in the Heavens,” to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. Today Thanksgiving in the United States is a public holiday and still celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.

Today it’s a huge family getting together around turkey stuffing and football. Everyone travels to be home for that day. There are a few differences between the Canadian and US dinner menu. Canadians stuff the turkey with sausage meat plus a regular stuffing. Brussel sprouts are the most popular vegetable and we always have pumpkin pie. The US have sweet potato pie with marshmallows, or a similar sweet potato dish. Pecan pie is popular for dessert.

Thanksgiving is the beginning of the holiday season which includes Christmas and the New Year. (Thank you, Wikipedia, for the historical information.)

This year, because of Covid, health experts are recommending people celebrate at home with only the people who live in the house. Six people or less. So stay safe, wear masks, social distance and enjoy the food and football. Next year we’ll have a normal Thanksgiving.   

Read a Good Book Lately?

The topic for this month’s group blog is to review or recommend a book, a short story, or an online article, or a post on someone’s blog. It’s an interesting topic, but I have a confession. I haven’t been reading lately. I have a huge TBR pile but life and the arrival of winter with two blizzards have left me staring at the pile. I did read Michelle Obama’s Becoming. I enjoyed it.

I usually read fiction, mostly romantic mysteries and suspense, not memoirs, but I’m a fan of Michelle Obama. I enjoyed this book. It is well-written and begins when she’s a young child and decides at age four she will play the piano, even though she’d never played. It an insight into her personality even at a young age. Her description of her family and extended family and life in Chicago is a down to earth picture of her upbringing and the life on a black family. She shares her honest experiences, both positive and negative, which shows her ambitions, her standards and her development into the person so many people admire.

I enjoyed her description of meeting Barack, her future husband, and the development of their relationship and love. How he proposed, beliefs and hers and how they worked through conflict. They both love children and how difficult it was for them to have their two girls.

As a reader and writer of romance, I enjoyed their story, as well as the journey to becoming president and first lady. I recommend this book.

Now I’m going to check out our other authors and their recommendations. Please join me.

Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-282
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Daryl Devore and her Love a Billionaire Collection

 

Two writers in one. Daryl Devoré writes hot romances with sexy heroes and strong heroines and sweet romances with little to no heat. She has several published books available on Amazon in ebook or print book and available at other book retailers via Books2Read.

Daryl (@daryldevore) lives in an old farmhouse in Ontario, Canada, with her husband and 2 cats. Daryl loves to take long walks on her quiet country road or snowshoe across the back acres, and in the summer, kayak along the St. Lawrence River. She has touched a moon rock, a mammoth, and a meteorite. She’s been deep in the ocean in a submarine, flown high over Niagara Falls in a helicopter, and used the ladies room in a royal palace. Life’s an adventure and Daryl’s having fun living it.

Author Interview – Daryl Devore – Romance Author

I started out doing a Character Interview for this post, but as this is a 3-book collection, I had 3 alpha males all trying to answer and then the women wanted their turns. So, I bailed, and did an Author Interview.

Beverley: Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write? And why?

Daryl: Well, as you know, Daryl, I primarily write romance, but in several different sub-genres. But during quarantine, I started a cozy mystery – but don’t tell anybody. It is nowhere near being completed.

Beverley: Who influenced you the most in deciding to become a writer?

Daryl: No one. Right? It was pretty well me saying, “Let’s give this a try. How hard could it be?” LMAO, now!

Beverley: What gets your creative juices flowing?

Daryl: The little muse who lives inside my head. I can suffer through droughts of no working on my latest WIP and then all of a sudden, the muse has it figured out and several chapters just pour out of me.

Beverley: Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Why?

Daryl: Road Runner! Why? Beep! Beep!

Beverley: Who would you love most to meet 'in person' and why?

Daryl: Queen Elizabeth. I’d love her to drop by, take off her crown, kick off her shoes, sit back and just chat. She must have some amazing stories.

Beverley: If you had an unexpected free day what would you do with it?

Daryl: LOL – Exactly what I am doing today – getting caught up on blogs and interviews and book promotions. Oh, you meant if I didn’t have any writing related stuff to do. Depends on the time of year. Summer, I can just sit and chill in my garden. Winter, I can just sit and chill on a beach and listen to the waves.

Beverley: What are you working on now?

Daryl: About 5 things at a time. I have just released this collection. I have 2 more collections waiting in the wings. Before they are released, my medieval fantasy romance will be coming out. Plus, I am changing my books written under Victoria Adams to under my name, so there is some updating and making new covers for those 4 books. Plus, I am writing a new story which is an offshoot from the medieval fantasy romance that comes out in January. It’s going to be a while before that book is ready to be released. Plus, there is the cozy mystery waiting and 8 or 9 starts on books.

Beverley: Well, you sure are busy.

Daryl: I know! How did I get into this situation?!?!

Beverley: Hoping that’s a rhetorical question.

Daryl: Le sigh. Well, off to choose an excerpt for this post. 3 stories to pick one from. Wish me luck.

Blurbs

If you love hot, billionaire romances, then Daryl Devoré’s collection is a must read. Three of her hottest billionaire romances bundled into one smouldering collection.

Desires - When secrets conflict with dreams, love explodes.

After a mistake by a surgeon’s scalpel shattered Fuchsia Quinn's dance career, she picked up the pieces of her life and moved forward.

Peyton Lang, having run from an impoverished neighbourhood, lives the lifestyle of a successful billionaire.

Frustrated that his current multi-million-dollar project is stalled, Peyton drops in to LEATHER-ICIOUS for a quick drink and late night entertainment. What he saw was a beautiful redhead. What he found was he wanted her.

Two O’clock with the Billionaire – Sometimes, a woman has to do what a woman has to do.

Where Derek Davenport is concerned, women only had one thing in mind: trap him into a marriage.

Unemployed and nearing financial desperation, Arianne is forced to step out of her comfort zone. With minimal hours and excellent pay, she accepts the position of courtesan to a handsome billionaire.

Their sexual antics cause emotions neither is willing to admit. Will Arianne and Derek drive each other crazy…or will they fall in love first?

Two Truths and Lie - The legend of Robin Hood and Maid Marian with a twenty-first-century twist.

As if multiple planes crashes, a car accident, and a concussion isn’t enough, carefree Byn and straight-laced billionaire, Mark clash over Byn's need for independence and Mark's struggle with guilt pushing him in the opposite direction of love. When an art forger, an art thief and a ninety-year-old woman get involved the chance for true love for Byn and Mark fades.

All is lost until a children's game is their only hope.

Scene Set – This is from Two Truths and a Lie. Mark offers to fly Byn home on his private jet. She slept on a sofa bed in the cabin.

I paused next to the dining room area table. On it was a large coffee machine with a timer set to start in five minutes. Next to that was a tray with a silver cover. I peeked under the lid. On a plate were muffins and Danishes.

Five minutes until the coffee started brewing. I could wait. I grabbed a muffin to snack on and returned to the bed and nestled back down. I lay next to Mark and listened to the soft sound of his breathing.

Why had the fates thrown us together? What could the Universe have in mind by pairing a cat burglar and a billionaire? It would probably make for a great romance, but right now it just seemed bizarre.

The first hint of coffee drifted across the air. My stomach rumbled. It recognized the smell. I slipped out of the warmth of the bed, put a couple of muffins on a plate and placed two mugs next to the coffee maker. After filling both cups, I stared at Mark's coffee. The first coffee of the day was important. Get it wrong and the whole day would be ruined. I tried to visualize the coffee he'd drunk at the airport. Was it black? Light brown?

I, mentally, crossed my fingers for luck and poured in some cream. I hesitated by the sugar and decided he wasn't a sugar user. I collected the mini breakfast, placed it on the end table next to the bed and settled back with my coffee.

Ahhh. That first sip of the day. In a few heartbeats, caffeine surged, slapping sleeping cells awake.

"Did you bring me one?" His voice held a teasing note.

"I brought myself two, but I'm guessing I could share. It's got cream, no sugar. I wasn't sure…"

"Perfect." He rolled over and sat up, leaning against the back of the couch-bed. He yawned, rubbed his face then accepted his coffee.

"Muffin?" I held out the plate. "Blueberry or lemon poppy seed. I ate the chocolate chip one."

"You ate the chocolate chip one? Oh, gawd, woman. How could you?" He grabbed the lemon poppy seed muffin.

"Um… I… I'm so sorry, I didn't know. I—"

He tilted back his head and laughed. "Drink more coffee. You're too easy to get first thing in the morning."

"Ah. This is how it's going to be." I grinned.

He held his coffee. "I would like to explain how I ended up in bed with you.”

Buy Links – not available at present.

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