Tomorrow is SUCH A FUN DAY!!!
My second ever box set with a group of authors releases, Falling For You!
My novella, A (sorta) Southern Serenade, is featured in it!
I so love this little story. I fought hard for this story because it was SO DIFFICULT for me to write, so when I finally finished it, it felt like we’d gone to battle together and finally won–the victory being a finished book!
It’s set loosely in Nashville, in a suburb just south of town. It’s the first time I set a book close to where I live!
It also has one other fun parallel to my life.
She’s a Yankee.
He’s a good ol’ Southern boy.
I was raised in the “North” and my hubby lived in North Carolina his whole life. Marrying into a Southern family was fun and interesting all at the same time! LOTS of “reckon”ing and “declare”ing that I’d never heard growing up!
I loved playing with these fun little differences in this book, because I now call myself “sorta” Southern as well, I married into the life and reckon I can call myself that now. (See what I did there?!?)
The similarities stop there though!
Kendra is a trust fund baby. She’s struggling with her identity because of that, as she doesn’t need to work but still wants to feel like she’s contributing something to the world besides money.
Josh grew up having to milk cows and tend chickens in order to help make sure there was food on the table. He isn’t too fond of the spoiled rich woman at first.
But both have to learn to look beneath the surface and toss out stereotypes before they can find the true love that simmers just below.
I thought I’d give you a little snippet from the beginning… and hope you check out Falling For You, 6 BRAND NEW romance novellas to help assist your Pumpkin Spice Latte’s in bringing in the fall season!
A (sorta) Southern Serenade
“Kendra, why is there a dangerously handsome man standing on your lawn?”
Few things could drag her away from the kitchen in the middle of cooking, but curiosity trumped chicken. Following her sister-in-law’s voice, Kendra met her at the front window in the formal dining room. “Where is this man you speak of?”
Sadie nodded toward the front yard. “See?”
Sure enough, right there on her grass was a scene straight out of an Abercrombie commercial. Tall, tan, muscles, sweat—okay, so the sweat was kinda gross when she thought about it, but at this distance, the glistening muscles bulging out below the sleeves of his white t-shirt completed the manly picture. Their hotter-than-normal fall looked good on him—hot being a very appropriate term. “Well, he’s certainly not homely. And given the truck at the curb that says J’s Landscaping, I’d guess he’s a worker from the landscaping company I hired. But—” She elbowed her best-friend-turned-sister-in-law in the stomach. “What are you doing checking out guys? Don’t make me tell Nate.”
Sadie crossed her arms. “Nate knows I’ve been checking out guys lately—with the express purpose of finding eligible bachelor material for his little sister. He doesn’t care as long as it means you stay put.”
“My big brother needs to mind his own business. Plus, I bought a house, didn’t I? That screams staying a while.”
She still couldn’t believe she’d purchased a house.
But Nate had gone on and on about how renting was throwing away money and real estate was a good investment. And she’d fallen in love with the house. The 1970s brick ranch was old enough to have a little character but refinished with all the modern efficiencies. It was also big enough to house a small army—but she loved to cook and entertain.
The kitchen—oh goodness. The kitchen had made her swoon at first sight more than any man had ever done. Quartz countertops that went on and on, a gas cooktop that begged to be cooked on, and cabinet space like she’d never seen. It was a chef’s dream. And while she was no professional, cooking had saved her a lot of money in therapy over the years.
The only drawback to the house that she hadn’t taken into consideration was the large, almost acre lot and the extreme amount of work taking care of that much yard would involve. Thus—hiring the landscaping company her new neighbor had recommended after she’d received her first slap on the wrist from the HOA.
“Regardless, you have to admit. That guy out there is easy on the eyes.”
The cliché was so understated it wasn’t even funny.
But who was she kidding? The dude mowed lawns for a living. He was probably working his way through college or something, and she was hitting the big three-oh next year. “He’s probably twenty years old if that. I’m not a cradle-robber.”
“He looks older than that to me. You should go out there.”
And completely humiliate herself? “No way.”
“Don’t you need to like, I don’t know. Pay them? Supervise them?”
“I already gave them a deposit, and I don’t think they need a supervisor. But—” She sighed as she untied her apron. It couldn’t hurt, right? Just to say hi? And she did still need to get the final estimate for the landscape overhaul she wanted. “I guess I could introduce myself really quick. Will you keep an eye on the chicken in the oven? It’s almost done.”
“Of course. You can count on me. Go get ‘em, tiger.”
Kendra glanced back as she opened the front door. “Stop it. It’s not like I’d go for a guy who mows lawns for a living anyway. I’m not that desperate.”
“Ms. Meyers?”
The deep rumbling voice twirled her around. Standing right on her doorstep was the man in question, even more mouthwatering up front—except for the deep scowl on his face.
Oh no.
Had he heard her?
Surely not. “I’m—her. I mean, Kendra. I’m Kendra Meyers.” She dumbly stuck out her hand to try and cover for her lack of coherent speech.
He grasped it, his rough skin a sharp contrast to her own ultra-soft. His grip threatened to crush hers, but she gripped back, strong and steady, just like her mom had taught her. Limp handshakes are like a dead fish. Lifeless, weak, and ready to be devoured. NEVER show weakness, Kendra. Ever.
Well, the man in front of her was no limp fish, that was for sure.
She was almost sad to see his hand go when he took it back.
“Ms. Meyers, I’m—” He tapped his pen on the clipboard he held while he stared at her.
Kendra tried not to squirm under his hard perusal, but she couldn’t help but shift her weight.
Finally, he clicked the pen closed and poked it behind his ear. “You know what? Let me run out to the truck and grab my checkbook.”
His—checkbook? She glanced back at Sadie who stood wide-eyed beside her and looked as clueless as Kendra was. “I don’t understand.”
He started back to his truck, but after a few steps, turned those steely gray eyes back to her. “Let’s just say, I’m not that desperate for your business, either.”
***
So yeah. They don’t have a fantastic start!!
Let’s Chat!!
IF YOU were like Kendra (and maybe you are?? Ya never know!) and money was NO object, what would you do? Give it all away? Still work? Spend a LOT of time on the beach?
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Krista Phillips writes inspirational romance with a dash of smiles. She believes a sprinkle of laughter (and a wee bit of chocolate) makes everything a little better! She blogs regularly about life as a wife, mother, follower of Jesus, and mother of a child with a rare congenital heart defect at www.kristaphillips.com. She is represented by Sarah Freese of WordServe Literary.
Congratulations, Krista! Your story sounds great…I can’t wait to read it as well as the other novellas in the box set. Thanks for sharing an excerpt!
Sounds fun:) Hmm, money no object- give some away, pay off mortgage, work part time… Haha, not an issue I will have to face in this lifetime!!:)
Sounds like an interesting story. Thanks for sharing.
As for money question (which is probably not happening at all), I’d certainly still work (at least part time). I can’t think about not doing what I love. (I might change institutions, but still work.)
Interesting What IF question. Since I worked for over 50 years and am now retired, I am not one to sit on the beach – I volunteer, help my children, and watch my grandchildren 4 days a week. We have beautiful beaches in SW Michigan with romantic sunsets. Last night we could even see the Chicago skyline.
So if I were like Kendra with money, I would still work – maybe do volunteer work for the Red Cross, a food pantry, homeless shelter. I would do random acts of kindness – pay somebody’s medical bills or utility bill with the help of an organization.
Looking forward to reading the inspirational novellas in Falling For You and especially your novella A Southern Serenade.
I think I might give some of it way, and keep some for a trip or two, but I’d still maybe work part time just to have something to do. I’d be afraid of becoming a hermit. I need interaction with others, but I love to read and that’s what I’d do.
LOVED this story, LOVED this boxed set. I was so glad to read an ARC copy and read new authors (to me). Excited to have it released tomorrow.
Thanks for sharing the excerpt. Sounds good.
So it lands on my Kindle tomorrow? Excellent!
Now that the writing bug has bit (okay, it attacked over a dozen years ago) I can’t imagine not working, no matter how rich I might be. I’d love to have enough money to impact the world for Jesus, but I wouldn’t turn down a house right on the ocean somewhere on Vancouver Island. I’d type in stories while watching for whales passing by. #notlivingthedream
I have already pre-ordered the boxed set. Looking forward to its appearance on my Kindle tomorrow. I really enjoyed your excerpt. If I didn’t have to work for pay I would do volunteer work and help out the less fortunate at a mission or wherever the need may be.
If I had that much money, I’d pay off our and kids mortgages, give to church and world vision, work or volunteer part time.
Thanks, Jill! I hope you enjoy it!!
HAHA! Me neither most likely! I’m with you though. I feel like I’d at least have to work SOME.
Thanks for reading, Priscila!!
Yeah, probably not happening at all hear either, LOL.
And I agree, doing what you love is AMAZING. That’s part of Kendra’s journey, too, realizing what her box she’d marked “happiness” was void of the joy she was truly seeking, that doing what she loved was different than what she always thought that would look like!
I wouldn’t mind sitting on the beach a LITTLE at least :-) :-) :-)
Funny, Kendra actually does a lot of that! She gives a lot of money away, but more out of guilt than out of a giving heart. There is a definite difference!
YEs, me too! Although, I have 4 kids, so many days they are my job and I need not fear being a hermit because of them! And when they grow up and are out of the home, I will take VERY seriously the job of grandma! (a long way off…. I hope… LOL)
Oh yeah!!! So glad you loved it!!!!! This makes me smile big time today!!! (and I’m nursing a nice migraine today too, so the smile was a MUCH NEEDED one!!)
Thanks, Merrillee!!!
Ohhh, nice. I’m not sure I’d want a house ALL the time on the ocean… but a vacation house, bring it on! LOL.
I’d still write too!! I might let go of a few of the other hats I carry though…. maybe….
YEAH! Hope you enjoy it!!
That is a GREAT thing to do, too!! I am reminding myself today reading everyone’s responses that I should be doing that anyway, regardless of my financial status!!
Sounds like a fabulous plan!
We would go RVing in a big way!!! Take the kids all over the country, drive up to Alaska and down to Florida, learning all the history and culture we could along the way. Then I’m building a tiny home in Idaho… make that two tiny homes so I can escape the chaos ;) A girl can dream :D
Do what the girl does in my most recent release…run away from home and see how the other half lives for six weeks. And have your sister with too much money come and hunt you down…with her wacky husband right on HER heels. :) Good times. Congrats on the new release, Krista! Sounds like a lot of fun. :)
That is quite the beginning, thanks for sharing!
I think if money was no object, I would still want to be doing something productive . Maybe not a full-time job, but certainly volunteering at a local charity that would keep me involved with the community.
Sounds wonderful! I ordered the book set for my birthday tomorrow! :-D If money were no object, I would definitely hire a gardener, a cleaning service and a cook!
You had me until “Tiny Home.” LOL. I would get waaayyyyyy too claustrophobic!! An across the country road trip in a swanky RV…. THAT would be super fun!!!!!
LOL. My husband would not love if I ran away from home!!! :-) :-)
Totally with you!!! I would need something to fill my time… but would probably try to find something more flexible than a full-time job, LOL.
Yeah!! Hope you enjoy it!!
And yes, those are three chores I would GLADLY hire out! (I’m not sure about the cook though… but the other two are definites!)
I would take care of my bills,get an RV, , and travel the US and donate lots of money.
Well, the husband (brother-in-law) doesn’t love it, either, and that’s why he comes after her. I’m going to download the set in the next couple of days. Looking forward to reading it!
And I realized that probably made no sense. The heroine doesn’t have a husband when SHE runs away. But the sister does. I need more sleep… :) Carry on. Best wishes!
Sounds like a plan!!
Krista,
I have four kids too, my oldest two are married and the younger two live close by but not with us anymore……Yay…..a quiet house! But I still work and I work at a middle school so I still get all the noise, smells and drama everyday!!
If money were no object….I’d buy that 5th wheel/truck combo my husband and I want & travel! Probably pay for our son’s entire college for the next 2 years (or longer depending on what he wants), move him into his own apartment and set up a living fund, buy my daughter a house….there’s so many people in our life that could really benefit from our money. I’d be more willing to give it away by buying things my loved ones need than spending it on ourselves :-)
Your book sounds fun, would love to see how Kendra and the hero work out their differences.
sounds like a great book! and I would keep working
I would pay off everything and do a lot of traveling!