Monday, December 07, 2015

MISTLETOE MADNESS AUTHOR KELSEY BROWNING

Thank you for stopping by Blogging by Liza for today’s Mistletoe Madness spot. This year’s event is hosted by Blogging by Liza, Books Make Me Happy, and That’s What I’m Talking About. It’s a two week event where authors with 2015 winter releases (November 2015 – January 2016) will take over our blogs with guest post written from their character’s POV with a holiday theme (Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus, New Years, etc.). For a line up of all the authors featured at all three blogs, please click on the image above or go to the kickoff post from December 1, 2015.

Today’s Mistletoe Madness author is…

Kelsey Browning

Christmas Baking with Delaney and Aunt Raylene

Delaney Shields sat in the kitchen of her aunt’s B&B and watched the woman who was more her mother than her own wash cake pans. Then she glanced at the Sexy as a Playboy Bunny carrot cake waiting on the counter and reached out for it. Surely Aunt Ray wouldn’t mind if she just—
“Don’t even think about it.”
She snatched her hand back as if the cake had burned it. “Fine. Carrot cake isn’t exactly Christmas food anyway.”
“Are you telling me it’s Christmastime already?” Aunt Raylene spun around from her kitchen sink to stare at Delaney, a cake pan dripping suds onto the floor. Her trademark over-the-top earrings, a cluster of bright plastic cowboy boots, kicked back and forth like they were dancing the Cotton-Eyed Joe. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”
Delaney pointed at the window overlooking Aunt Ray’s Texas Hill Country backyard. “Didn’t you notice the leaves have fallen off your Redbud tree?”
“Wasn’t Thanksgiving just yesterday?” Her aunt’s tone was so bewildered, Delaney had to laugh.
She gave up her comfy spot at the island—and her close proximity to that tempting cake—and strolled  over to the cabinet where her aunt kept the medicine. “Is a Lynchburg Lemonade scenario or should we go straight to a double Cotton Candy?”
The right side of her aunt’s mouth lifted. “Sugar, don’t you know it’s almost Christmas? Mexican hot chocolate with a shot of Jameson is the only answer.”
“You have any of those instant packets?”
Aunt Ray glared at her but waved toward the coffee station where she kept drinks on hand for her guests. “I guess it’ll have to do in a pinch.”
Delaney assembled the necessary ingredients, pushed play on the microwave, and turned back to find her aunt had already pulled out half a dozen cookbooks and had them open on the kitchen island. “What are you doing?”
“No, that won’t do. Too predictable,” Raylene mumbled to herself and skimmed a finger down a page.
The microwave dinged and Delaney added whiskey to her aunt’s cup.
Raylene glanced up and grabbed the now steaming mug from Delaney’s hands. A quick cool-off blow, and she knocked back a Texas-sized swallow. When the cup came away from her mouth, she gave a gasp. “A little hot chocolate with my whiskey would’ve been nice.”
This time, Delaney was the one to grin. “I don’t know why you’re digging through cookbooks. You won’t be happy if you don’t work up something original.”
“What do you think about Come Ye Adore Me divinity or Nuts About You peanut brittle?” She slid Delaney a sly look. “And I know how much Cal loves my cinnamon rolls. I’ll make you some for Christmas morning. A pan of warm dough, and that man’ll be putty in your hands.”
Delaney pulled her aunt in for a quick hug, so damn happy she’d found her forever home. That she had a real family, including the man she’d loved almost half her life. “I won’t say no to cinnamon rolls. But I promise you a pan isn’t the warm thing Cal wants to wake up to.”
Aunt Ray bumped Delaney’s hip with hers. “You’re a lucky woman, you know that?”
Her smile came from somewhere deep inside. If Delaney had to put her finger on it, she’d point directly to her heart. “I’ve never felt so lucky in my life.”


Book: A Love to Last
Release Date: November 9, 2015


Her boots were made for walking…

Drifter Delaney Shields plans to breeze through Prophecy, Texas, before setting off on an around-the-world trip of a lifetime. She never expects to see sexy-as-sin Cal Maddox, the man she ran out on a decade ago. One look between them and their past attraction ignites, flaming hotter than ever. But acting on it would be disastrous because she’s not the sticking kind, and Cal has roots a mile deep.

Cal Maddox left the military only to find both the health of his dad and his hometown failing. When Delaney walks into his father’s custom boot shop, she spurs emotional memories and sexual fantasies Cal has no business indulging in. Especially once he realizes she’s the next Prophecy bootmaker, the only person who can design custom cowboy boots with the power to change a person’s destiny. But if fanning those old flames will keep her in Prophecy, he’s willing to take the heat, even if it means keeping secrets and risking his heart again.

Duty and desire throw Cal and Delaney together, but will their feelings be strong enough to forge a new bond or will they destroy their second chance at love?

Buy Links

Barnes & Noble - http://buff.ly/1MW60mJ

About the Author

Kelsey Browning writes sass kickin’ stories of love, humor, and adventure. s. Originally from a Texas town smaller than the ones she writes about, Kelsey has also lived in the Middle East and Los Angeles, proving she’s either adventurous or downright nuts. These days, she hangs out in northeast Georgia with Tech Guy, Smarty Boy, Bad Dog and Pharaoh, a (fingers crossed) future therapy dog. For info on her upcoming single title releases, drop by www.KelseyBrowning.com.


Giveaway

Kelsey is generously giving away one (1) digital download of A Love to Last (Prophecy of Love series). To enter through Rafflecopter, comment on Kelsey’s Facebook page AND leave a comment telling us one of your favorite holiday treat. The giveaway is open during the time specified on the Rafflecopter form. Winner(s) chosen at random from all eligible entries. This contest is open internationally, where not prohibited by law. Open to participants, 18 years or older, who are legally allowed to participate in such a contest as allowed by their local laws. All federal, state, local, and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. By participating in the contest, participants agree to be bound by the decisions of the contest sponsor. Prize will be delivered by the author. This blog, its reviewers, and the owner are not responsible for items lost in the mail. By entering this giveaway, participants agree to abide by these terms.


Now head over to BOOKS MAKE ME HAPPY to see today's feature with Paige Tyler and THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT to see today's feature with Alexandra Ivy


3 comments:

KB/GBL said...

Liza - Thanks so much for having Delaney and Raylene on your blog today.

Happy holidays from all the characters in Prophecy, Texas!

Kelsey

Nancy Naigle said...

I love the town of Prophecy, TX. This book has it all. Now...as for my favorite holiday treat?? Homebaked cookies. My favorite ones are the almond crescents that are dipped in confectioners sugar. My mother-in-law always called them Sand Tarts.

Maureen said...

Christmas cookies are a favorite treat.