Kicking Sideways by Dina Keratsis - Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Dina will be awarding $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Five Facts about Dina Keratsis

I don’t know if these are fun or interesting but they are definitely embarrassing, even down to the fascination with lists. Here goes:

1) I fall in love with the morphing of certain fictional characters and actors. Bone-crushingly, obsessively, in love. For a few days, I’m absolutely demented. My husband fortunately thinks it’s hilarious. The latest is Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Writing or reading romance fan-fiction about said character doesn’t help. And those people that role-play? I don’t get it. Fantasizing does no good because you can never escape that you are pretending at something that’s not real. Even if Ewan McGregor showed up at my door dressed as Obi-Wan, I’d know it wasn’t real. That said, Ewan, you are welcome on my doorstep anytime. The kids, er, yes, the kids would love it!

2) Speaking of Star Wars, my doppelganger is C3PO. I'm uptight, awkward in social settings, anxious, think in a British accent, have a shiny forehead, and am great with theory but particularly bad at applying it to situations.

3) I have seizure disorder which leads to some mortifying experiences. Once I was at a conference in Sausalito and had to go to Kinkos. While there, I felt a seizure coming and turned to the desk clerk to say, “Help me.” Next thing I remember is waking up with a bunch of paramedics and my boss surrounding me. This horrible personal moment showed me how beautiful people can be. The staff at the Casa Madrona, where I was staying, took good care of me that night. The hotel, incidentally, appears in Kicking Sideways. That night, the staff rang a call to my room. The clerk at Kinkos phoned to make sure I was okay. I’ve never forgotten her kindness.

4) My day job is an office manager to one of the best men on the planet. When he retires, my dream job is to be Eddie Vedder’s executive assistant. He and his wife do so much good in the world and it would be awesome to work behind the scenes for someone I respect. As this is unlikely to happen, hopefully this writing gig will work out.

5) My parents watched too many musicals because my kids and I often sing our dialogue instead of talking. Think opera: “Son, what would you like for lunch today, la, la, la?” “Salami and cheese, if you please, Mama!” Then daughter will chime in: “And a cookie!” Singing the day is very entertaining. Try it.

Now I want to hear a snippet about you.

Lucretia “Cree” Cabot spends her time saving everybody else to avoid facing her own haunted life. Between raising her younger brother and trying to open a women’s shelter, Cree has built an impenetrable wall around her heart. But when a tenant for Cliff Cottage appears at her door, he cracks her vigilantly controlled world, forcing her to look within to confront the emptiness inside.

Mike Sullivan, famous superhero artist, is searching for a peaceful summer break and a new perspective on life. A farm in sunny Santa Cruz seems like just the place. Looking to escape from his usual routine, he doesn’t count on falling for a woman who is as stubborn as the mule that lives in her barn. Yet beneath Cree’s prickly exterior, he finds a woman in pain—a woman with an immense capacity for love. Mike knows she is the only one for him, but will Cree find the courage to truly live and love before the best thing to walk into her life leaves her behind?

Enjoy an excerpt:

Cree looked at him blankly, her eyes a dull blade. “I just want it to be perfect for them. I want their bedrooms to be fresh and bright, not musty farmhouse wallpaper and someone else’s memories,” she despaired. “I want them to feel like they have a place to belong and start over.”

His heart tugged for her and fell just a little bit more in love with this practical woman who had enough poetry to want to save the world. He reached across the table and took her hand, tightened as she resisted, and was surprised when she succumbed.

“It’ll get done,” he whispered, giving her hand a little squeeze. “I promise.” Her hand melted in his and the burden dissolved from her face. She smiled tiredly before pulling her hand away to pick up a dish.

“Go hang out with your girlfriends for a couple of days.”

She looked down at the plate and walked to the sink.

“You do have some of those, don’t you?” he asked, suspicious.

“Not really,” she replied. “All my college friends moved away a few years ago and I haven’t met too many people around town.” Shrugging, she added, “I don’t mind when it comes down to it.”

“Cree likes to be alone,” Seth said. “She’s weird.”

“I’m one for haunting graveyards by myself as well. Nothing wrong with liking your own company, kid,” he said as an arm shot out and his hand caught Cree’s arm as she passed with another plate for the sink. “Nope,” he commanded. “Go sex wax your board or whatever you surfers do to prepare for a day with the sharks.” He took the plate from her as he released her wrist. “You’re taking tomorrow off.”

About the Author Dina Keratsis is an award-winning author of romance fiction in which all roads lead to illumination and magic is found in the mundane. A New England girl, she has a penchant for punk rock, Scottish tea rooms and a mad crush on Sirius Black. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two children.

Website: http://www.dinakeratsis.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dina-Keratsis-128401957254964/timeline/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dinakeratsis
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/dinakeratsis/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Dina-Keratsis/e/B002BLU538/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1442157959&sr=8-1

Buy the book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

a Rafflecopter giveaway