Christmas in His Heart Book Tour
Author Bio:
LEE BRAZIL:
Somewhere in a small town in up-state New York are a librarian and a second grade teacher to whom I owe my life. That might be a touch dramatic, but it’s nevertheless one hundred percent true.
Because they taught me the joy of reading, of escaping into worlds crafted of words.
Have you ever been nine years old and sure of nothing so much as that you don’t belong? Looked at the world from behind glasses, and wondered why you don’t fit?
Someone hands you a book, and then you turn the page and see… There you are, running from Injun Joe in a dark graveyard; there you are fencing with Athos; there you are…beneath the deep blue sea- marveling at exotic creatures with Captain Nemo.
I found myself between the pages of books, and that is why I write now. It’s why I taught English and literature for so many years, and it’s why my house contains more pounds of books than furniture.
If I’d had my way, I’d have been a fencer…or a starship captain, or a lawyer, or a detective solving crimes. But instead, I am a writer, and I’ve come to realize that’s the best thing in the world to be, because as a writer, I can be all those things and more.
If I hadn’t learned to value the stories between the pages, who knows what would have happened? Certainly not college…teaching…or writing.
HAVAN FELLOWS:
I annoy, love, respect, scare, seduce, hurt, anger, infatuate, frustrate, flatter, envy, amuse and tolerate everyone. I just do it better in writing thanks to a little thing called…edits.
Okay no, seriously…I’m a simpleminded person who enjoys the escape from real life through a book. I write with the group Story Orgy and hope to continue doing so for a long time. I also am privileged to be with the Pulp Friction writers, creating intermingling books in a world all our own. And just like every other red-blooded human—I love hearing from people. So feel free to drop me a line—whether it’s a comment on my blog, an email, a tweet, or you track me down on FaceBook or Google +…it’s easy to catch someone who wants to be caught.
Author Contact:
Lee Brazil’s Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crawlinbedwithlee/
Lee Brazil on Twitter: @LeeBrazil
Havan Fellows on Twitter: @Havanfellows
Lee Brazil on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/leebrazil/
Havan Fellows on PInterest: http://www.pinterest.com/havanfellows/
Publisher: Lime Time Press
Cover Artist: Laura Harner
Blurb(s):
Christmastime brings joy to hearts everywhere. Between snow angels, festive clothing, holiday decorations, and of course, all the beautiful lights, it’s hard not to partake in the season.
Unless you no longer have Christmas in your heart.
Dermot Alasdair has never shared the horrific memories that keep him from celebrating the happiest time of the year, nor does he ever plan to. He’s fine being alone and shut off from everyone; he has his restaurant and that’s all he needs. He believes that, too…until the craft store next door from his eatery hires a perpetually smiling annoyance. Really, it isn’t normal for someone to be that happy all the time.
Xander Leahman didn’t know what he was getting into when he accepted an invitation to visit his best friend and help her interview people for the newly created position of manager at Craft Time. When a surly man bumps into him and then walks away with an enticing sway to his hips, Xander decides the position—and Dermot—are perfect for him. Now all he can think of is finding ways to get Dermot out of his clothes. Well that, and how to open this grinch’s heart to the Christmas season and, hopefully, love.
Categories: Contemporary, Gay Fiction, Romance, Holiday
Excerpt:
“Hey! Good morning!”
The cheerful greeting broke through his concentration, and Dermot looked up to see the new manager of the Craft Time craft store sweeping the sidewalk in front of the shop. “Hey,” he muttered sourly. Xander Leahman made his head ache. Just one glance and he wanted to snap at the man to comb his hair, put on a heavier jacket, and for Christ sakes why wasn’t he wearing gloves outside in this weather?
Dermot wasn’t going to stop. He had no plans stop and talk to the smiling man. Xander bubbled more than a bottle of shaken soda water. Dermot didn’t have time for his chatter, and he didn’t have time for the strange, compelling not-quite-nausea he seemed prone to in Xander’s company.
Maybe he was allergic to the man’s cologne, or deodorant, or shampoo. Dermot leaned forward and sniffed surreptitiously, but he couldn’t smell anything other than cinnamon and vanilla. An overwhelming urge to bake overcame him, and he jerked himself upright.
He was an executive chef, not a pastry chef. He didn’t bake, and especially not something as…plebeian as oatmeal raisin cookies, which was what Xander smelled like.
“Excuse me.” He deliberately stepped around Xander, who put out a hand and caught his arm.
“I saw you coming down the street.” Xander set the broom aside and picked up a steaming mug from the windowsill. “It’s not as good as Prudence’s coffee, but I made it fresh this morning.”
Blinking in astonishment, Dermot stared from the mug to the hand on his arm. He could really… “Thanks.” He accepted the mug and inhaled the rich aroma of good coffee, scented with cinnamon and…yeah, vanilla. And he’d thought it was Xander who smelled so good? He didn’t know whether to be relieved or embarrassed. “I needed this. That walk feels longer every day that the temperature drops.” The first sip exploded on his tongue with soothing heat and delicious flavor and he bit back a moan of appreciation.
Words: 35,562
Interview
After writing Pulp Friction, did you find it easier to do this story as co-authors?
Havan: Yes.
Lee: I am not sure what to attribute it to, but it was really easy to write this book.
*sits and looks around*
*shoulder bumps Lee*
*checks nails, picks at cuticle*
*finishes coffee…steals Lee’s*
*smacks hand*
*rubs hand and notices Parker staring*
*sputters*
Oh wait…you wanted a more elaborate answer? But you asked a yes or no question…Lee he only asked a yes or no question…
*eyes Havan* You know what he meant.
Okay…but be warned, most people are extremely happy with my short and sweet answers – so you only have yourself to blame for what follows:
*sips coffee and nods*
*clears throat and uses grown-up voice*
First and foremost, thank you Parker for having Lee Brazil and me (um…I’m Havan Fellows *waves*) over today. You know I love any opportunity to yank on your *looks down* chain…
*spews coffee* Havan!
*blinks innocently and pours another cup of coffee* Now about Lee and my chemistry…oh baby it’s off the charts! *giggles* But seriously—and shouldn’t that be a four-letter word?—while writing Christmas in His Heart, Lee and I mentioned more than once to each other that our long standing friendship definitely made the writing process easier. Sure, writing in a group first with Story Orgy and then Pulp Friction definitely helped, but aside from those learning experiences our personalities really and truly do just click with each other.
So I wouldn’t limit it to just our experiences with Pulp Friction (though those finale books are a serious crash course in learning to play well with others! lol) but maybe more a mixture of everything that we’ve experienced together in our numerous years together. It’s respect for each other not only as friends and authors but as human beings as well. It’s the fact that Lee knows when to say, “Havan, be quiet and write now…”
And the fact that Havan has the best imagination… from the moment we met, she’s inspired me to write better, to see possibilities. Bringing all that life and joy to the page is the key to writing well. And I think the end result is that she encourages me to write more when less is my instinct, and I curb her tendency to…er… ramble eloquently?
As for the ending results…I like it! *blushes and sneaks a peek at Lee* But hey, it’s no secret I’m my co-writer’s #1 fan…*winks* lol
*blushes* Back at you, Havan. Thank you having us over Parker!
Oh yes, Parker…anytime you want me to yank on your chain again just give me a holler! 🙂
Tour Dates/Tour Stops:
8-Dec
9-Dec
10-Dec
Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
11-Dec
Hearts on Fire
12-Dec
13-Dec
Sales Links:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QEB3GGY
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-christmasinhisheart-1689480-149.html
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