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K.L. Brady will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC o a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Author Interview: K.L. Brady

1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?

Primarily, I write romantic comedy, but I have dabbled in young adult, traditional romance, and romantic suspense/thriller (which isn’t as odd as it may seem). I’ve always been a hopeless romantic with a good sense of humor (anyone who is hopeless needs one, really), and I spent some part of my life in law enforcement. So, my genres chose me.

I wrote The Nick Before Christmas out of two key elements in my life. First, I wanted to write an older heroine on a quest for her second act. I wanted to tell that story because there are a lot of women (people) in the world who get to a certain age and think, “Welp, that’s it. I wasted my good years,” or “I’m running out of time. I can’t find my calling now.” Well, that’s just hogwash. You can find your calling at any time, any age. Some people were lucky enough to find their callings in their 20s, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late if you’ve reached your fifties. Any time is the right time to find your calling. Any time is the right time to follow it. Twenty-year-olds are the only people who think they have all the answers to life in their twenties–and having been in my twenties (several times, including in my thirties), I thought I knew it all.

The second reason I wrote this story is because my mom passed away in 2012. I found out she was sick and six weeks later she was gone from this world. I was devastated and in many ways I still am. But one of my biggest regrets is that I never had a chance to say goodbye. This story, in a quirky, funny way, allowed me to say goodbye. For that reason, it was almost cathartic to write this story. I needed to do it as much as I wanted to.

Plus, who doesn’t love a Christmas story?

2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a firstborn, middle, or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?

I’m the only child, at least of my mother. My father has two kids, me and my brother. I’ve never used the term “step” with him. He’s just my brother. Anyway, I grew up as an only child. I’ve also been a bit of a loner and introvert, which has made me an observant person. I’ve always been an information sponge, and this characteristic has helped me understand people and their motivations. That’s why my stories focus more on people and their feelings and motivations than scenery and senses. While I know that you need all elements to make a great story, I write what I know…and I know people.

3. Where is your favorite place to write?

I write in my bed most of the time. I’m usually awake ridiculously early in the morning, the house is quiet, nobody’s getting on my nerves, and my creativity is at peak levels. However, during the three seasons of the year when I have my deck set up, I love writing outside on the deck, too. It’s an outdoor living space with egg chairs, rugs, a firepit, and enough bug repellant to keep the area insect-free. My house backs to huge leafy trees, and the air always moves, so it’s the perfect spot to catch a spark of creativity.

4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?

It’s a necessary part of the creative process. First, you have to be able to admit you have little darlings. Then, you have actually to be willing to hack them out of your work. I wasn’t always so freewheeling with the editor’s pen, but now I’m 16 years into my writing career, and I have no problems cutting out the darlings. I usually save them in a separate document where they can be recycled – either into later scenes or different books.

5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?

Terry McMillan. How did she find and learn to accept her voice when Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison were the standard bearers of African American literature?

It’s a burning question of mine. I didn’t write earlier because I’ve never had a mind for prose and poeticism. I focus on the human elements, so people gifted in all elements of writing, inspire me.

6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.

It’s hard to be an author for all these years and find something to speak about that no one knows. If you’ve done enough interviews, you’ve confessed more than any law should allow. A lot of the “no one knows” stuff is posted on my website for the world to see.

I suppose no one really knows that at one time, in my youth, I thought I could be a great actor. No, seriously. This is true even though I’m painfully shy and have never acted in anything public. No, seriously. In my mind, I could out-act Denzel Washington. Ha ha! In my mind ONLY. I think writing is like acting on paper and allows me to do it alone in bed, wearing jammies, which is why I gravitated toward writing. This is my calling, and I followed the right direction.

7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a backpack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?

Water—for obvious reasons. Snacks for apparent reasons. I’d also carry a notebook with an attached pen – because I’ve got a lot to write and who’s gonna believe I was trapped on a deserted island if I don’t.

8. If you could have one superpower in your existence, what would it be?

Ooh, excellent question. I would love to have the power to change people’s minds and hearts for the good of all humanity. So, basically, I would be Jesus. Oh, what a better world we would live in.

9. Favorite snack?

So many snacks, so little time. I love chocolate anything. And popcorn. When I’m writing, there’s usually a bowl of popcorn nearby. The chewing helps me think…I think. I love tea. I love chips and cookies. I love hummus and crackers. The truth is, I would rather eat dessert or a snack than a meal.

10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?

I never drive the speed limit. Lead feet are genetic in my family. I know where I’m going in general. But I’m not afraid to get lost and find my way back, another reason why I gravitated toward writing.

The Nick Before Christmas

by K.L. Brady

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GENRE:   Romance

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BLURB:

Will an angel’s dire warning, a quest to discover a second act by Christmas Eve, and a touch of Christmas Magic lead Nickie Wright back to the one that got away?

Nickie Wright is ready to celebrate the big 5-0 for Christmas in July, but a hot flash leads her to a sobering revelation: her life has hit rock bottom. Her successes–the home and the car–feel empty. Her vision board has been a waste of time, her job is unfulfilling, and she’s mulling over a proposal from Smith, who she’s not sure she likes. The best day of her life spirals into the worst. During a near-death experience, a meeting with her guardian angel presents Nickie with an ultimatum – either go to heaven or return to Earth and find her second act by Christmas Eve. If she fails, her future’s bleak — her life will be filled with days no better than her worst.

Her second act sets her on a collision path with Evan Goodman, the man who makes her content, and Jordan Devlin, the first love who drives her crazy. She’s torn between two worlds–contentment and safety, passion and excitement.

Time is running out for Nickie.

She only has from Christmas in July until Christmas Eve to find her calling, follow her dreams, and figure out which romantic interest will help Nickie embrace the best of herself.

The Nick Before Christmas is the perfect romantic comedy to help you find your calling and renew your faith. It delivers unforgettable moments of self-discovery and romance. It’s an enchanting story to fill your heart with joy this Christmas.

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Excerpt:

Sasha approached…and based on the sound of footsteps, she wasn’t alone.

“Nickie? Uh….You have company?”

“Who?”

Into the threshold stepped Evan…and Jordan, both carrying sizeable brown shopping bags scented with contents that smelled a whole lot like dinner.

Evan ghosted her for weeks, dropped off the radar. J. Dev blew her off and was off parading with Ava, or so she thought. Now both stood in her living room, in the flesh, at the same time. She had no idea how to handle this. Nickie had never been a juggler so two potential courters in her presence, in her house, wasn’t a situation she expected to face. She couldn’t have orchestrated this cluster if she tried.

Their faces sapped the air out of her lungs. Laying the blame on Sasha wasn’t an option.

Her stomach growled, reminding of her greatest need in the moment. If worse comes to worst, Nickie pledged to keep the dinner and cannoli…and dump the two unexpected guests.

“Jordan, Evan…what a surprise to welcome you…both…in my living room…right now,” Nickie said, her eye volleying between them so as not to give one more attention than the other.

Evan glanced at Jordan without speaking a single word, and Jordan returned the favor. She suspected each was eager to learn what the other had to say.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

USA Today Bestselling author K. L. Brady is a D.C. native and award-winning author of 20 novels. She self-published her first book, THE BUM MAGNET, after an Oprah “live your best life” moment, which was picked up by Simon & Schuster in a two-book deal. She’s been publishing romantic comedies ever since.

K.L. is a Washington football fan and professed nerd-girl who loves all things Star Trek, Star Wars, and Big Bang Theory. She lives to write stories involving hilarious quirky characters looking for love. She’s hard at work on her next several projects, including Sincerely, Santa, a heartfelt romantic comedy that also celebrates the special friendship between her late mother and grandmother.

Sign up for her newsletter at: http://klbradyauthor.com/sign-up/

Author Links: 

Website: www.klbradyauthor.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KLBRADY

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/k-l-brady

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/K.-L.-Brady/author/B002O15D78?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2975069.K_L_Brady

The book will be on sale for $0.99.

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