Blogiversary Version Guest Author & A Giveaway: Christie Kelley

Hi friends! I’m very excited to welcome Christie Kelley to ALBTALBS. I believe she’s a first time guest, so I hope you all give her a warm welcome! I do also want to note that this post was initially supposed to go live on January 9th, but … well. Anyway! What’s important right now is that A Little Bit Tart, A Little Bit Sweet turned 10, and Christie Kelley is kind and generous and offering you a prize! Remember those ~zany interviews I used to do as part of the monthly “Guest Author & A Giveaway” series? Christie opted to do one of those, so here are her questions and answers!

Ten Ways to Ruin by Christie Kelley book coverWhat was your favorite book as a child? And what is your favorite book now?
When I was a child, I devoured the Little House on the Prairie books. I think I’ve always felt like this was not my time period, which is probably why I write historical romance.

Learning about my family as I was growing up, my mother always talked about her how her relatives had crossed the Appalachians by the early 1800s, and finally settled in Missouri and Kansas so I felt an affinity toward Laura Ingalls.

I’m not sure I have a favorite book now. I love Pride and Prejudice but my favorites change depending on my mood and what is happening in my life. Lately I’ve been reading a lot of cozy mysteries.

If you could create any movie mash up – which films would you combine? (Why?)
I have to be honest here, this is not something I think much about. So I did a little Googling and saw a movie post for The Bounty Hunter staring Jennifer Anniston and Boba Fett (from the Star Wars franchise). Admittedly, as a Star Wars fan (not fanatic like my sons), I thought the idea of Boba Fett finding out his ex-wife is his next bounty was great. I don’t think he’d be as easy to get away from as Gerard Butler.

What inanimate object would you eat if it was safe to do? Why?
Hmm, well as I write this, I’m staring at my Christmas tree, which fills me with happiness. So why not munch on a Christmas tree. Maybe not full size, though. I’m assuming the ornaments would be little candies that could be pulled from the main tree, which would be cookie or cake. And now I’m hungry.

What is the first thing you learned how to cook? Do you have a go-to dish? And/or a signature dish? (What makes it so?)
I’m honestly not sure. If I had to guess it would be either eggs or grilled cheese (still love both). My go-to dish is probably herb roasted chicken thighs. I pretty much add salt/pepper, garlic, onion powder, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and sometimes basil. They need to have the skin on them to keep them moist. One of my signature dishes is chicken merlot, a super easy slow-cooker recipe. If anyone wants the recipe, I can dig it out. Again, now I’m hungry!

What was your first job? What is/was the most interesting job you’ve had?
My first real job (not babysitting job) was a salesperson at a shoe store while I was in college. Some real interesting characters in that small downtown store. A homeless man would come in and try to smoke his cigars in the store. But my most interesting job is writing (not my IT jobs 😉). Writing any genre, but especially historical, means getting lost in research, which also means going down the rabbit hole of research until you realize you’re not even reading anything about what you were supposed to be investigating.

A Deal with A Duke by Christie Kelley book cover

Which fairy tale would you most like to be in? And the least?
Favorite – Beauty and Beast. I think most people who love books would agree with me because of the library! Even if the beast didn’t turn back into the prince, you could spend all day in the library reading while he did beasty things.

Least favorite – Cinderella. She’s basically a scullery maid who must go to the ball in a pumpkin and then loses her glass slipper even though it is supposed to be a perfect fit. Then her Prince Charming, who she’s only known for what an hour?, can’t find her. And how did no one else in the kingdom have the same shoe size as Cinderella? Just too many plot holes.

What is the most embarrassing thing to happen to you at a conference?
I guess I either don’t embarrass easily or had nothing terrible happen to me at conferences. The worst thing was probably the first time I tried to pitch to an editor. I was not prepared for all the in-depth questions and nerves got the better of me.

What is the coolest thing that has ever happened to you at a conference?
I was sitting at a table alone in the hotel coffeeshop waiting for a friend when a woman came up and asked if she could join me because she hated to sit alone. Until she introduced herself, I had no idea it was Kat Martin. She was a lovely person to chat with and ended up giving me a quote for my first book published by Kensington. I’m pretty sure that was also the year I finaled in the Golden Heart Contest, which was super cool.

You’re an actor or participant in a TV show for a season. Which show are you picking and what is your role? (Why?)
I hope the show doesn’t have to still be on the air. I’d pick Supernatural, and I would be a hunter. Why is simple, his name is Jensen Ackles (look him up if you don’t know him). Plus, it would fun to be a kickass, paranormal hunting heroine.

What is the most interesting or oddest “fun fact” you know? If you do research for your books, what’s the most interesting thing you’ve come across?
In the United States in 1865, it only took 5 months of study to become a doctor. I should clarify that was at the Women’s Medical College in Philadelphia. I have no idea if the men’s program was longer. But I was surprised it was so little time. I had expected at least a year. It also was the one time I had to reach out to a research librarian because I could not find that fact anywhere.

You must become a mythological creature. What combination of 3 or more animals are you? How are you put together? And what would your new mythological creature name be?
A phoenix, a dragon, and a Cerberus. I’m taking the three heads of Cerberus, the throat and body of the dragon, and the ability to rise from the ashes from the phoenix. I now can fly, have three heads that can breathe fire, and I’m immortal. My name is Dragberux, and I’m awesome!!

What is Christie giving away you ask? A wonderful copy of The Cursed Countess (winner’s choice of print or giftable e). The giveaway will be open through the end of January February 5th.

The Cursed Countess by Christie Kelly book coverHow many husbands must die before the gossips say it’s a curse? In Lady Tessa Stanhope’s case, three husbands in five years has set tongues wagging. So when she attracts the attention of the handsome and mysterious Jack Raynerson, she is torn between desire for him and the yearning to keep him safe. But Jack is making it clear that he’s more interested in her than the curse.

Is she truly unlucky or the killer they say she is? Tessa’s stepson hires Jack to investigate the suspicious death of his father, her third husband. To gather evidence against her, Jack decides he must get closer to her. While he remains unsure of her guilt or innocence, he is certain of one thing…he wants her.

Just when Jack decides Tessa cannot possibly be guilty, there is another death. Can he believe in her innocence and her love? Or will he be her next victim?

And I know you’re wondering “how do I enter to win?” Well, you answer Christie’s question: If you could be any fictional character who would you be and why? (The more odd ball answer the better).

7 thoughts on “Blogiversary Version Guest Author & A Giveaway: Christie Kelley

  1. dholcomb1

    Well, I was going to say Lizzy from P&P because I love her wit and ability to go toe-to-toe with Darcy, but you want odd ball, so I need to think of another.

    My husband said Willy Wonka, but I’m thinking Mary Poppins. She could pull anything out of her hat, was soothing, could rally people, persuade them to do anything, solve problems, and she could sing. Practically perfect in every way. Yes, I’m punny. And, I’m going with the movie Mary since I have not read the books. And, my friend Dawne and I use the Chim Chim Cher-ee as a theme song for a hobby of ours.

    denise

    Reply
  2. Aliquis

    Hi Christie! Hi Lime!

    Congratulations on 10 years! My most oddball choice would be the Cheshire Cat. I wouldn’t mind being able to say cryptic things then disappear. Thank you for hosting a giveaway.

    Reply
  3. flchen1

    Molly Weasley–she’s one fierce mama, and I can see inhabiting that 😉 I’d love to say Hermione, but I’m not nearly smart or determined enough for the likes of her!

    Reply
  4. Limecello

    Hi Christie!

    Thanks so much for joining me in my 10th blogiversary celebrations!
    (I’m not entering the giveaway)

    I wanted to answer your question though 😀
    I’m totally blanking on an “odd ball character.” Low key I want to be like “a flower pot! or plant!” but … can’t think of anything where one is actually a character. Then Gurgi popped into my head and for whatever reason I thought he was named Growch or something (cuz … it’s the noise he made?) 😛 I haven’t read the books since middle school 😅
    Character I’d most want to be though probably would be Feyre in the ACOTAR trilogy. Cuz she gets Rhysand 😜😇

    Reply
  5. Sandra

    Hi Christie! Thank you for having the giveaway! I’m picking Strega Nona as my oddball character because she could make endless pasta.

    Reply

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