INDEPENDENCE DAY - Kay Stockham

Morning everyone!
Today I'm introducing my good friend and fab writer, Kay Stockham.
I hope you'll give her a warm Quill welcome!


Hello, Quills! It’s a pleasure to be here, especially today, one of America’s most celebrated holidays. Anyone else always find themselves singing Martina McBride’s song by the same name?

July 4th celebrations are so much fun. It’s my husband’s favorite holiday due to the fireworks displays, not to mention the food (Oh, my!), and we’ll be heading out later for some fun.

Until then I’d like to chat about my latest release, HIS SON’S TEACHER, which hits store shelves next week on July 8.

Have you ever wanted to declare independence of something? An ex-spouse, a friendship, a bad habit? My heroine does. Jennifer Rose is sick of spending her evenings alone, eating herself into oblivion. But how to get out of the rut and lose the weight she’s gained? Surrounded by her friends, she witnesses her ex-husband in a torrid kiss with his beach bunny mistress, the woman he left Jenn for—and Jenn takes that all-important step. She declares her summer vacation the Summer of Jenn. Not only is she determined to lose the weight she’s put on, she’s taking her life back and determined to go on her dream vacation to Paradise Island, even if it means going alone. Learning gym owner Nick Tulane needs a tutor for his son, she makes Nick an unusual proposition in trading tutoring for a private, personal trainer. She never dreams Nick would insist on training her himself, or that a pudgy bookworm would have anything in common with the hunky gym owner. But as time passes and they grow closer, Jenn learns Nick has issues of his own, including a secret Nick’s guarded for so long he’s alienated himself from the people he loves most.

I loved writing Jenn’s character, and as I worked through her character arc and changed her way of thinking about herself, her weight, food and life, I found my own attitude changing. So much so I joined a local Weight Watchers group and vowed to get the extra weight I carried off. I knew exactly what Jenn was experiencing and thinking throughout the story because I’ve been there and thought those things myself. And I give my fictional character full credit for inspiring me to get my rear to the WW meetings.

I hope you’ll take a moment out of your busy day to check out my website at http://www.kaystockham.com/
I host a weekly contest on my blog as well as Launch Party contests. Also posted there are book trailers (including one for HIS SON’S TEACHER and THE POWER OF LOVE), WW progress reports (losing weight is a bumpy road full of pot holes—and chocolate), updates on my latest hobby of beading and jewelry making (to keep my hands from snacking), and Getting To Know segments where your favorite authors answer some quirky questions.

Until then, I’m giving away a pair of beautiful earrings I made in honor of this wonderful day, and will choose a winner from those who post a response to the following question:

If you could declare independence from anything be it person, habit, vice or whatever, what would it be?

Thanks for hosting me, Quills (waving at Lori!).
I hope you’ll make today a true independence day!

Kay

Kay Stockham - Double Finalist, Gayle Wilson AOE
Another Man's Baby, Harlequin Superromance- Mar 08
The Power of Love Anthology, Berkley, Jun 08 - AVAILABLE NOW!
His Son's Teacher, Harlequin Superromance, Jul 08 - RT TOP PICK! 4.5 Stars!
Want to win fabulous prizes? Check out www.kaystockham.com! Friend me! www.myspace.com/kaystockham