A Guest Post by Clari Dees
Thank you, Inspy Romance, for having me today. I’m excited to be here!
Hello, Readers.
I love music. You could even say it’s in my blood. A maternal great-grandfather led singing for his little country church all his adult life, and a paternal great-aunt played piano for old-fashioned, all-night singings in Arkansas as a young woman—once playing for Albert E. Brumley (author of “I’ll Fly Away”) as he led the congregational singing.
In addition to that history, my parents were members of a singing group before I was born. In fact, according to Mom, when she played the piano in the latter stages of her pregnancy with me, I kept time to the music so vigorously the singers in the group were frequently distracted and amused by my visible bouncing and kicking. (Apparently, not only did I love music before I was born, I also figured out how to embarrass my poor mother that early, too. Second-borns always shake things up.) Since then, I’ve traveled and sung around the U.S. and recorded several albums with my sister. So it wasn’t if I would write a story about singers and musicians, it was when.
In early 2015, I entered a gorgeous old theater to watch an immensely talented group enthrall 3000 people of all ages with their musical skills and on-stage antics for over two hours. While laughing and singing along to my favorite songs, I started wondering what went on behind the curtains. I knew a little about these particular performers from following them on social media, but my imagination started the “what-if” game. The seeds of a story were planted that night, and Some Enchanted Evening and the Men of KWESTT series is the result.
(KWESTT is the name of the group and an acronym of the first names of the men in it: Kellan, Westin, Enoch, Sawyer, Trevor, and Tyrone.)
Kellan opens the series in Some Enchanted Evening.
Kellan Campbell, principal singer with chart-topping musical group KWESTT, longs for roots and a family to call his own, but he’ll settle for a vacation from the fast-paced, demanding life of touring. Shedding his well-known stage persona to avoid recognition, he heads for a backwoods Missouri campground to rest and recuperate in the great outdoors. But his attempts at avoiding people are stymied by the campground’s energetic, quick-witted manager. He’d be annoyed if he wasn’t starting to look forward to her company and crazy sense of humor.
JoyAnne loves her job as manager of the flourishing family campground. After being tossed upside down and shattered, her life is finally feeling safe, predictable, and secure. And she’s determined to stay right where she’s at, doing what she does best—ensuring guests enjoy their camping experience.
The sassy, fascinating woman soon reignites Kellan’s desire for a home and family, and he tempts JoyAnne’s scarred heart to risk love again. But when mishap strikes and Kellan’s full identity is revealed as a result, JoyAnne pushes him away to protect what remains of her heart. Will she release her tightly-gripped control to God so that a future with Kellan is possible, or will the music that brought them together ultimately rip them apart?
I look forward to chatting with you all, and I have two signed paperback copies and one Kindle e-book of Some Enchanted Evening to give away (U.S. only). Let me know which you prefer when you comment.
Clari Dees comes from a large preacher’s family that spent their vacations doing mission work. She has visited almost every state in the US, helped teach VBS on a Navajo reservation, assisted with free medical clinics in Mexico, laid concrete tile on a church roof in Rapid City, SD, and laid brick on a church in Kentucky. When she’s not busy saving the world as a librarian—okay, so maybe it’s only a school student with an overdue paper—or tracking down an elusive genealogy question, she can be found at her computer plotting trouble for hapless fictional characters or enjoying her family and menagerie of animals in the country. She can be found online at www.facebook.com/ClariDees.
Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner who writes where food meets faith and fiction. She injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Her life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
It’s always nice to be introduce to new authors. I can imagine there was never a dull koment growing up with the sound of music all around. Thanks for sharing your blog and the novel seems like it will be a very interesting read. Kindle e- copy would be my preference.
Clari welcome to Inspy Romance. What an interesting background with stories to tell and share. Our family loves music. In fact my daughter-in-law is preparing for her father’s 35th year musical fundraiser which supports a local hospice. Her family is very talented and generous in spirit. Looking forward to reading Some Enchanted Evening. Either format is OK, but Kindle would be my preference.
Hi Clari,(and Valerie) you are a new author for me, so I look forward to checking out your books (as soon as I post this:). I love music, but stick to singing along with the congregation at church- we have a large islander contingent in our church who sing like the angels! Love the story of you keeping time to your mum’s singing. My oldest son would tickle me just as I was about to go to sleep- I would poke him back, he would wriggle…and you get the idea:)
Blessings:)
I would really like to read your book and would be happy with a book or an ebola!
I don’t know where ebola came from! Sometimes autocorrect is a pain! I would be happy with an ebook but not ebola!!!
Welcome, Clari! Thanks for visiting today. First off, you have my dream job. To be surrounded by books all day, working as a librarian…how wonderful. I love how music can transport me back in time. When I hear certain songs, I remember exactly what I was doing and how I felt, the first time I heard it. Some Enchanted Evening sounds like a wonderful story. The cover is great too!
Your book sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the offer of a free book. I would enjoy paperback or ebook. God bless your writing!
I love the premise for your series. It sounds really fascinating and different from most books that I’ve read. Thanks for offering a giveaway. I would prefer a paperback copy.
Sounds like a good book. I am always happy to find new authors. I prefer paperback, but e-book is fine. Have a great day!
Welcome, Clari! Love the blurb for your book!
Thank u for a chance to win I live in Louisiana I would like a paperback
Good morning, Colleen! Thanks for dropping by. Music is definitely the spice of life in my house. :-)
Hi, Charolette!
Louisiana, huh? I’ve been in Louisiana one time. Interestingly enough, my sister and I went there to sing for a church congregation. We had a great time, and the people were just lovely!
Renate,
Thanks for dropping in today. The musical fundraiser sounds fantastic. What a great idea and a great cause to support. My KWESTT guys could DEFINITELY get behind an idea like that. ;-)
Wemble,
Thanks for checking out my post today and my books!
My sister is pregnant with a little boy and he likes to push and kick back whenever my sister pokes him. But he’ll also respond by wiggling whenever his daddy talks to him. :-) (This aunt is ready to meet the active little guy.)
By the way, “Islander” has my curiosity up. If you don’t mind my asking, where do you live?
Lori R,
I’m glad you don’t want ebola. I didn’t have one to send, and I’d hate to disappoint a reader. LOL
(Autocorrect sure can make things interesting. :-)
Thanks for stopping by and for the giggle.
Jill,
Thanks for the warm welcome!
Being a librarian has been fun–most of the time. LOL. Like any other job, it can have it’s moments of, “I’m ready to go home now.” ;-)
Part of the reason I love music so much is how it threads its way into our memories and emotions. Music definitely touches the heart.
Thank you, Diana!
Thanks, Jessica!
Hi, Beth. Thanks for dropping by. I hope you have a great day, too.
Thanks, Autumn!
Good morning, Everybody! After staying up to 2 a.m. last night, it was fun to wake up and find all the lovely comments on here already. Thank you all for stopping by and checking out my book and series. I look forward to chatting with you all today.
Happy Thursday!
Thanks for coming by today, Clari! I really enjoyed Some Enchanted Evening.
Thank you for having me, Valerie. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Sounds like a good book. My bookshelves tell me to prefer an e-book :-)
Hi, Margaret. My bookshelves tell me the same thing. LOL Thanks for stopping by to chat!
I loved hearing the story about when your mom was pregnant with you! I’m a music lover too and taught piano lessons for many years as well as sang in multiple groups through the years. Your books looks great.
Thanks, Kimberly! My mom was a piano teacher, too. I don’t think I’d have the patience for it. :-)
I love music too! (and paperbacks!) I played clarinet in our school bands from 4th through 12th grades!! Yes, I was a band geek!! Luckily my friends were band geeks too!
What singing group were your parents a part of? What a unique piece of history you shared! Paperbook or ebook is fine. Your book sounds great! Thanks for sharing!
Hey, Linda! Hurrah for band geeks! They’re awesome!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, Sally. I don’t remember if their group ever had an official name. :-) They traveled around mainly to local churches in the surrounding counties.
Thanks for dropping by!
Welcome Clari, I’ve been singing in school choral groups and church choirs since middle school and will be 78 next month. I read everyday from my bible, to bible study books to romantic romances. Our church also has a book club and we read a book a month, then meet once in that month to discuss it. We read a little of everything! Oh, if I win I would love a new ereader. Thanks and God bless you and yours. Pat Barfay
I live in Australia, and we have lots of Samoans who attend out church, our pastor is actually Samoan. The music is divine! We are blessed with a beautiful church family.
Hi, Pat. Books and music. Two of my favorite topics, and it sounds like two of your favorites, too! Thanks for dropping by to chat!
I love the cover of this book! I’ve always loved guitar but even though I took lessons I was never able to accomplish anything significant. My dad played by ear but alas I did not inherit his talent. If I’m fortunate enough to win I’d love a paperback.
tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com
Hey, Gail. I took guitar lessons for a while, too. They didn’t stick. :-) Pianos much are easier on the fingertips.
Thanks for stopping to chat.
Thanks Valerie and Clari. Clari, you are a new-to-me author. Your book looks and sounds very interesting. Our family has always loved music, and most of my children play instruments–mostly guitar and piano, but some trumpet and sax. Thanks for the giveaway. I’d love a print copy if I win. It’s easier on my eyes.
Winnie, I love musical families! Thanks for sharing about yours.
Your book sounds very interesting and I would enjoy reading it. I love to hold a book in my hands to read it and I also have many ebooks. Either format is great. I just love to read!
Hey, Judy! Thanks for stopping by!
I think I like your personal story almost as much as the book’s. My family also loves music and my husband and I met because of it.
Aww, thanks, Priscila. And I love that you met your husband because of music. :-)
Hi Clari. I enjoy music and used to sing through my school years. Now I just enjoy singing with the congregation at church. Your series sounds like it will be a good one.
Thank you so much for the giveaway, and either format is good.
Hi, Andrea. Good congregational singing is some of the best in the world! :-)
Thanks for dropping by!