Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Tis the Season: Interview with Jennifer Shirk!

Ho, ho, ho!!

Guess what? Jennifer Shirk has a new release!! Kissing Kendall came out this week through Entangled Publishing's Bliss line. Naturally, I needed to learn all about the book and the scoop on Jennifer's Christmas plans!

Let's get to it!

1.      Does your family have any holiday traditions?

Yes! We eat a meatless Christmas Eve every year. (I pretty much go meatless year round but for the family this is a big deal). We only have fish. And because my mom was a stickler for Lithuanian/Polish traditions, we have potato pancakes, herring, and sometimes pierogies with our main fish meal.

Another tradition we have is that we all are allowed ONE gift to open before we go to bed. (This is the kiddo’s favorite tradition because she NEVER lets me forget it) Be careful when you start that one! LOL

2.     Christmas shopping: are all the gifts bought, still working on it, or do you wait until Christmas Eve?

I am about 75% done (NOT wrapped…YET). I know. I’m anal. I never wait to the last minute for anything. It stresses me out too much!

3.     Do you bake Christmas cookies? What's your favorite holiday treat?

I DO bake cookies! At least 7 different kinds. That’s what I like to have for breakfast on Christmas Day while we open gifts. (Hey, don’t judge! It’s the holidays)

I make a brown sugar ginger crisp that is sooooo good with a cup of tea.

4.     You're a gadget gal--what gadget can't you live without this time of year?

Oooh gadgets…I recently bought myself one of those light-pro Christmas light guns, but I haven’t had to use it yet. LOL And I bought myself a YONANAS—to make desserts out of frozen fruits!

5.     What inspired your new book, Kissing Kendall, and where can we buy it?

 I wrote Kissing Kendall because I had enough people who read GEORGIE ON HIS MIND to ask about Brad’s story (Georgie’s brother). The problem was I wasn’t really thinking about getting him together with Kendall in a book because in the old book she was getting married to someone else! So I decided to make her a widow (yes, I can be evil) and thought I could grow a nice emotional conflict from that.

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Jennifer, your YONANAS machine sounds pretty awesome. I love fruit smoothies, so I know I would love frozen whipped fruits too. :) I'm jealous of your Christmas shopping progress. You're motivating me to get mine done. I don't have much time left! And of course I wouldn't judge the cookie breakfast. It's my favorite type of meal! ;)
 
***
 
Jennifer has graciously offered to give one lucky commenter an ebook copy of KISSING KENDALL! Just leave your e-mail address in the comments to enter. The contest is open until midnight of Friday, December 14, 2012. Winner will be notified by e-mail.
 
**Must be from the United States and at least 18 years old to enter.**

 If you’d like to purchase KISSING KENDALL, it is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!



KISSING KENDALL

Kendall Grisbaum is finally taking charge of her life—pouring her heart into opening a new bakery business and even allowing her best friend Georgie to play matchmaker for her. Trouble is, the one guy she secretly wants is Georgie’s older brother, Brad.

Brad can’t seem to get his little sister’s best friend out of his mind. He and Kendall used to be close friends, too, though they drifted apart years ago. But as a local policeman, Brad can’t help but play protector, looking out for Kendall. And when he offers to help her renovate her new bakery space on the side, their attraction flares back to life.

Amid the temptation of doughnut muffins and blueberry cobbler, a new temptation draws them both closer. Can two friends take a chance on love when it means risking everything?

***

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Have a fabulous day!

43 comments:

  1. Hello, Jill and Jennifer! Love these interview questions. I'm about 90% done my shopping, and what I've got done is already wrapped!! Heehee. I have to do that, though, because I don't really have a place to put all the gifts. So I wrap them right away and put them under the tree. Let me tell you, my nieces and nephews are SO spoiled!!! It looks like Santa arrived already!

    Happy Holidays and congrats on your new book, Jennifer!!!

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  2. You are SO smart to wrap them right away! We have a mini-dachshund who usually goes on Santa's naughty list this time of year, so I can't leave wrapped gifts out! :)

    Enjoy the season!!

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  3. Thanks, Laura!
    And thank you, Jill, for hosting me!!

    I plan to finish up shopping today. (and maybe start wrapping?) don't hate me. LOL

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    1. What? Finish up?? I'll try not to hate you! But I am jealous!! :)

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    2. Ok. NO shopping done. Went out to lunch with the hubby instead. Happy? LOL

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  4. Oh! This sounds great - and HOT cover too;) Wonderful to meet you Jennifer, I like you , even if you DO have your Christmas shopping done already...

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    1. It's hard to like Jennifer (Ms. I'm Almost Done Shopping) today, isn't it, Susan? The cover does make up for it, though! :)

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  5. Great interview with a great writer! Jennifer, I'm am totally envious of your Christmas preparedness. I've barely started. Eek!

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    1. Linda, come over and have a store-bought cookie with me. I am so far behind, it isn't funny! :)

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  6. Sounds so good, Jennifer and Jill!! Congrats, Jennifer!

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  7. Lol - I don't even know what a light gun is!
    Congratulations on the release and have a fabulous Christmas!

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    1. I don't either, Nina, but it sounds like the kind of weapon a writer should have! :)

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    2. Ok. It's actually called the Lightkeepr http://www.amazon.com/Keeper-01201-Complete-Fixing-Miniature/dp/B000R8KBOK

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  8. Jennifer, Congrats on your new release!! I'm buying it for a little early Christmas gift to myself. You know I'm a big fan of yours - I know I'll love this book too.

    Hey, Jill - Good seeing you Saturday.

    xoxo - Jenna

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  9. I have to say I'm inspired by your Christmas breakfast! LOL

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  10. One of my favorite Christmas traditions is going to see the Christmas lights. Every year, we have to go see this house where the lights are set to Christmas music. I love it! http://www.downsfamilychristmas.com/videos%202010.html

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  11. Great interview! I love hearing about traditions people hold dear. 75%? Really? 10% here!

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  12. I enjoyed this interview with Jennifer and Kissing Kendall sounds like a great book!

    One of my and my kids' favorite Christmas traditions (that started about 10 years ago) is spending the night at a hotel with my husband's family on the Saturday before Christmas. The kids get a few small gifts, but the best part is hanging out in the lobby, eating, swimming, and spending time with their cousins. Something we look forward to every year.

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    1. Um, that sounds heavenly! I would love to hang out at a hotel right now. Enjoy!!

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  13. Great interview and that cover intrigues me. ;)

    I have so many favorites, but one Mike and I adapted from something my family used to do is we go look at lights a few days before Christmas. We like to go to this fancy neighborhood--okay, confession, we sometimes admire the houses themselves more than the lights! Ha. But then we order pizza, come home, and watch A Christmas Story. It was my mom's favorite Christmas movie.

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    1. I'm all about admiring houses, Lindsay (and pizza and A Christmas Story)! What a nice way to remember your mom this time of year. :)

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  14. Great interview! I can't wait to read Jennifer's book. And I love that she makes 7 kinds of cookies! Mmmm. ;)

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    1. I know!! 7 kinds of cookies--my mouth is watering!

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  15. Ref: Amid the temptation of doughnut muffins and blueberry cobbler, a new temptation draws them both closer.

    Okay, this is just an awesome line. Well done, Jennifer!

    PS What is a light gun?

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    1. Isn't that an awesome line, Maria?? Love it!!

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    2. Alas, I can't take credit for that line. Wah. My lovely and talented editor came up with that for me. LOL

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  16. Love your traditions, Jennifer. Potato pancakes sound fabulous on Christmas day! I am in awe that you're so prepared. I'll be at my good friend Amazon soon.

    Congratulations on Kissing Kendall sounds fabulous. I look forward to reading it.

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  17. Cookies for Christmas breakfast - love it! My favorite tradition is baking cookies with my kids, I think.

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    1. That was one of the things I used to LOVE to do with my mom!!

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    2. Same here, Susan. We all enjoy decorating the sugar cookies. They may not be elegant, but they're delicious. :)

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  18. Love all the traditions you've shared and just what is a light pro Christmas light gun? Inquiring minds want to know. My favorite tradition is the Christmas Eve meal. We have a mix of Italian and Cuban foods and always have a lot of family and friends to share all the goodies. It's one of the best days of the year. Christmas morning is also fun as we wake up and see what Santa has brought us.

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    1. Ooh, Italian and Cuban food? YUM!

      I can't believe nobone has seen the Light Pro!

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    2. Ooo, the menu sounds so good! No wonder it's your favorite day of the year!

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    3. P.S. Caridad--your book cover rocks! :)

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