Fireside Interview With K. T. Egan

Let's start the New Year with a New Author and a New Book!

Join us at the bonfire!

 It's a lazy afternoon and a the backyard bonfire is blazing. Hot dogs and fixings for smores are ready to go. New Adult Romance author, KT Egan stopped by for a cup of tea and a fireside chat about her new book, All You Hold On To, the first book in the Anderson Creek series.

I know you have penned several short stories and poems but I'm so excited for your new book, KT! I understand this is your first published book and the beginning of a four book series. That's awesome! All You Hold On To is a beautifully written book with a sweet romance, second chance love and great characters who will pull at your heartstrings.  Where did you get the idea for this story?

KT: I was sitting in the writing center of my alma matter, trying to make sense of a project I’d started over the summer when it dawned on me that there are so many questions left unanswered at the end of a relationship. And one of the biggest ones, to me anyway, was what would you do if the person you broke up with was the only you had? What if that person was your power of attorney – would you change it or would you leave it the same because you knew that person, you trusted that person at one point with your entire life.

How did you come up with the book title?

KT: I was inspired by a song - and then the wording just fell into place.

I'm always inspired by the music I listen to. I get storyline ideas and character names. Speaking of names, how did you create your characters?

KT: I’ve had a lot of eclectic jobs in my life, and I’ve worked with a lot of zany people, and more often than not I find myself drawing character name inspiration from the people who tend to come in and out of my life on a day-to-day basis.  

Here's a smore for you. 

Instead of using a Hersey bar, I used a Reese peanut butter cup. 

So yummy! While we're nibbling on sweet treats, tell me, how naughty do you get with your writing? 

KT: I mainly write more sweet, lighter romance with just a touch of suggestion. However, it’s mainly very PG.

Where there scenes you found difficult to write?

KT: I have a really hard time with the scenes right in the middle, surrounding the climax of the story.

That, I can relate to. The story in my head moves much faster than my fingers can type and then I'll sit back and think, "Is that what I want to tell? Is that how I want to tell it?" Tell me something trivial about you when you're writing. 

KT: I once Googled about eight different can designs for Folger’s coffee cans – it was a very miniscule detail to the story I was working on but something I was determined to get right. I always have to have noise around me – I know a lot of authors can’t write with external distractions but I need them to be able to focus. It can be anything from TV to the radio, as long as it makes noise. 

I'm right there with ya, sista! I always have music on when I write. We'll our time is coming to an end. There are hot dogs to be roasted and mugs to be refilled with tea. What would you like to share with our readers?

KT: Don’t count yourself down and out, no matter how hard things can seem sometimes. For me, the best inspiration has always come from those moments where I felt that I was at my lowest.

Fun stuff:

Favorite drink: Lime seltzer

Favorite candy: Reese’s cups

Favorite food: Tacos of all kinds

Favorite article of clothing or jewelry: I love jeans

Favorite place to read: The couch, with a cup of tea and a cozy blanket.

Place you want to visit some day: Barcelona, Spain

 

Special Thanks to author, KT Egan. 

Find KT on:

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Check out her new book All You Hold On To

1st book of the Anderson Creek Series
BUY NOW on Amazon

Aspiring author Roxanne Wortham lives a comfortable life in Las Vegas. She spends her days at her nine-to-five job and comes home to her boyfriend, Ethan, and an unfinished novel that she can’t seem to crack. Her life is simple— that is, until she gets a phone call saying that her childhood best friend and ex-boyfriend, Maverick Sterling, has been in a near-fatal car crash.

As Roxanne discovers that she still has power of attorney over his affairs, she places her life on hold and rushes to Maverick’s side in Scranton, Pennsylvania. While helping him to recover, memories of childhood and old relationships resurface, making it difficult for Roxanne to balance her new life with her old one. Roxanne is left to sort through complicated feelings from her past alongside the realization that Maverick may still have feelings for her— and even worse, she may still have feelings for him, too.

Breakfast for Weight Loss

I've been trying to lose weight and it's a struggle. Between stupid hormones, painful fibromyalgia and Fltboy's amazing cooking, my weight has reached a plateau. 

Breakfast is often the topic when Coffee Club meets. Peggy finds fasting from dinner to breakfast really works with her.  Some gals skip breakfast completely.  I created a dish to eat in the morning and found I actually lose a little during weeks I eat it.

I take a small cast iron pan, toss in a tiny bit of cold butter with chopped turnips. Add my favorite New Orleans spice and cover for a few minutes to let butter melt and the seasoning flavor to come alive. I add diced sweet bell pepper and green onions. Sometimes chopped roma tomato, spinach or whatever looks good in the veggie drawer. Flyboy likes chopped Jalapeno in his. I cover while I whisk 2 eggs with a dribble of half & half in a separate bowl.

I pour eggs onto veggies, sprinkle with cheddar cheese and fresh parsley then cover. I like the bottom to brown for that wonderful flavor.

To serve, I cut the omelet into four pieces and place ontop of grits in a bowl. 

Yummy!!!

#Thursday13 - Fun Stay In Ideas

 Covid restrictions, winter weather, restaurants & theaters closed...whatever may have you staying in rather than going out can lead to more romance. 

Find fun ways to make staying in more fun than going out. 

Here are a few ideas.

1. Throwback Date. Pull out old photo albums from when you were first together. Enjoy pix from when you were dating or first married. (If you still have kids at home, they love looking at the old photos and laughing at your stylish hair and clothes.)

2. Make homemade ice-cream. We received an ice cream maker as a wedding gift and have replaced it a few times. Ice cream makers don't create much, but it's a perfect amount for two. Enjoy the sweet treat and maybe save some whipped topping for later.

3. Take a virtual tour. Many museums offer virtual tours.  Travel & Leisure put together a list of 12 museums around the world offering amazing tours. CLICK HERE

4. Get a little silly and play a childhood favorite card game. How long has it been since you played Go Fish, Crazy Eights, or Uno? Reminisce and share stories from when you were kids.

5. Watch The Princess Bride. I heard your eyeroll. Trust me, it'll be fun.

6. Create a fantasy music festival. Imagine if you could pick and choose who would perform and what song they'd sing. Sit down and create a playlist together. 

7. Pretend the electricity goes out. Turn everything off for the evening (except for heat if you're in the north) Build a fire in the fireplace, make smores. (FYI you can make smores on your gas stove). Build a fort with pillows and blankets. Savor the candlelight.

8. Continuing the them of "No electricity", shower or take a bath together with the lights out. Have plenty of candles handy. (Battery operated flicking candles are great too!)

9. Build a bonfire. This might be outside, but it's still in your yard. Even in snow covered north, we'll snuggle next to a fire - under blankets with coats, mittens and hat of course. 

10. Have a spa night. Give each other massages. A simple massage can relieve headaches, minor pain as well as help you connect intimately with each other. Do facials. (My sons do them with their ladies.) Put on your robes and relax to soothing sounds with cucumber slices on your eyes.

11. Spend time together in the kitchen. Try something new or prepare your favorite comfort food. Try a home delivery meal kit.

12. Make a "To-Done" list. Think of all the things you have done together since you met. 

13. Last but not least...have some "sexy time". Shop online together for something sexy. Play a sexy game. Do something different or have sex in an unusual spot in your house.

Check out more amazing Thursday 13 lists HERE

Meet Our New "Baby"

 We adopted a rescue last week.

Her name is Reyka (yes, like the vodka).

She's a lab and pit bull mix.

A friend's mom witnessed a truck stop at the edge of their farm, dump the dog and drive off. Poor pup ran after the truck for a 1/4 mile. After 3 days, the mom managed to gain the pup's trust and take care of her for a while until we brought her home.

We will be working with a professional trainer to help her overcome whatever ghosts of her past that haunt her. She has a slight aggression problem from her fear. It appears she was kenneled most of her life. Everything is so new to her... she is fascinated with my kitchen cupboards, the TV, the shower, the fireplace, etc.

The outdoors also seems new to her. She's curios yet fearful. I walk her (5-15 minutes at a time) several times a day for leash training and get her used to her new surroundings. We live on a dead-end road in the woods and take one property at time as we walk. She shakes with fear if we get too far from home into new area. I make her sit when she's afraid; to give her time to process sounds, sights and smells. She's great in the yard and plays fetch.

Our first trip to the vet was a nightmare.
Vet guesses her age to be around 3 but wasn't able to do a thorough exam & gave me Trazadone for her visit in 3 weeks. She will be spayed and chipped Feb 1.

She's smart and has learned alot in the week we've had her. At home she is a real love bug, super affectionate with everyone in the family. She even gets along with the cat and Maggie (our senior girl). Tries to eat the guinea pig tho. With patience, training and lotsa love, Reyka is going to be an amazing addition to our family.

We look forward to our new life with Reyka.

The Labrabull skill set involves cuddling, food, bingeing Netflix, balls, toys, and “How can I please you today, master?”

Winter Wonderland

One thing I love about living in Michigan is the seasons. 

The dogs and I enjoyed a morning adventure in the woods. 

It's a winter, wonderland out there. 

I thought of the old phrase "Water Wonderland" that was used as a slogan for the state of Michigan. "Water Wonderland" appeared on Michigan license plates beginning in 1954. It was modified to "Water-Winter Wonderland" in 1965. It continued to appear on license plates through 1967. The maize and blue color scheme honors the University of Michigan in its sesquicentennial year.

The deck furniture is covered for the winter. 

 The firepit may still see some action.