Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Guest Author: Kay Stockham

Freedom

With the scent of spring in the air my thoughts have turned toward freedom and escaping the doom and gloom of winter.

I'm a homebody in winter. Hate the cold, hate the snow. Hate getting out in it. Period. But the last couple days have been warm and sunny and I soooo want to escape and bask in the sun! Too bad a deadline looms and I must temper my need for freedom with work.

But, freedom is also very important to Alexandra Tulane, the heroine of my latest release with Harlequin Superromance. In She's the One, Alexandra seeks freedom from what she sees as an interfering, sometimes overwhelming but loving family--by traveling. In fact, she has what she considers a dream job in the form of being an undercover travel writer. So much so she's even given up her apartment because she so rarely used it to travel the world and get paid to do it. Hey, if I were single, I might be tempted to take this dream job, too! (But it's fiction, remember? ;) I imagine these jobs are few and far between!)

Alexandra's latest assignment to a male-oriented hunting and fishing lodge in Alaska leaves her floundering, especially when she meets hunky bush pilot Dylan Bower. They don't hit it off. In fact, Dylan does everything to convince her to not fly to the remote lodge with them because he doesn't think she can handle it.

In the way romances typically work, Dylan finds himself drawn to Alexandra's outgoing and energetic personality. He's a homebody, too. One who has hidden himself away in Alaska at his father's lodge. In the beginning he came to Alaska to protect himself and his traumatized son but now?

Alexandra challenges him to see outside the bubble he's created. To see what he's doing to himself and to his son by keeping them so isolated. But the question remains of whether or not Dylan is brave enough to come out of his shell, face his demons--and convince Alexandra she is the one for him. What if the very thing you want walks away?

Thanks to Helen and all the gals for the jaunt in the convertible! It's always fun to take a roadtrip with friends, even if it's in cyberspace. And since spring is gradually hitting here in southern Ohio I thought I'd offer up a prize to chase away the gloomy gray skies for good. Tell me about your dream job, whatever it may be. I'll chose a winner from those who post and they'll receive an autographed copy of She's the One.

Kay
www.kaystockham.com

18 comments:

Laney4 said...

Kay,

I've thought and thought and thought about this, but I keep coming up with the same answer: I HAVE my dream job!

I decided I wanted to be a secretary when I was 13 years of age. My sister invited me and my brother to stay with her, her husband, and newborn for our entire summer vacation when I had just graduated Grade 8. I spent my time babysitting while SHE typed reports and letters for a neighbour. I used her old Remington typewriter to type up dozens of her recipes in my "spare" time, and I was hooked! I kept thinking that working in an office would be a good experience, but when I had children, I definitely wanted to type from home like my sister did!

I learned how to use an electric typewriter in high school, used an electronic typewriter at one of my office jobs, and progressed to a computer in the eighties. I had my first child in 1985 and second in 1987, so I've been a self-employed typist since 1985 (plus worked outside the home, when necessary, when the kids were in school).

The best part about being self-employed (to me) is the flexibility. The worst part about being self-employed (to me) is the flexibility. Yeah, as you probably realize, it is a double-edged sword, but worth it nonetheless. I tell people my job is "feast or famine", as I could have tons of customers one week and none or few the following week. When I want to take a vacation, I "book off" by giving my clients lots of notice. I try to do this when THEY have their time off, so it's a win-win situation.

Thanks for asking! BTW, I tend to hibernate in the wintertime too, as my body doesn't like the cold anymore. I live in Southern Ontario along Lake Ontario, and we have had spring-like weather recently. In fact, many people were in shorts and T-shirts today washing their cars! (We'll probably get snow next week, though!) Have a great day!

Virginia C said...

Hi, Kay! Congratulations on all the good things going on for you right now!

I have been through a lot of career ups and downs. I lost my job last November, and I am still unemployed. I live in a very small town with few job opportunities. I would love to be employed in a position which allowed me to promote literacy and put books in the hands of everyone who wants to read. We live in a PC and internet fueled world, but there are still many people in the United States struggling with literacy. That's why print books, newspapers, magazines and etc. are so vitally important. Not everyone is PC literate or has access to a computer or internet. Not everyone uses a cell phone, much less owns a multi-tasking "omni" cell phone! I started off in life as a bookworm, and the more complicated life became, the less time I had to read. The last few years, I have turned to books for comfort and to return to my roots.

I think it is especially important for girls and women to have healthy self-esteem. Improving their reading skills opens up the world, and brings them all kinds of new opportunities.

gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Helen Brenna said...

Hi Kay and welcome back to the convertible!

I'm pretty close to my dream job writing romances, so I can't complain.

Fun that you set a book in Alaska. I've been there 3 times - have a good friend who lives there - and have always wanted to use that as a setting. Some day!

Kay Stockham said...

Hello, everyone! I'll be in and out today but I'm soo happy to be here. The convertible is niiiice! ;)

Laney4, how fantastic that you have your dream job! And, yes, it sounds similar to writing. Feast or famine. LOL Gotta find that balance, don't we?

Virginia, I'm so sorry about the job loss. And I agree totally about literacy. So many of us are computer literate and we forget the vast crater that's developing with those being left behind.

Helen, you definitely have to use Alaska as a setting!

Kay

Kirsten said...

I would like to be an airhostess. They have such cute outfits and handle things so smoothly. They are in control, work as a team and make people happy. They get to fly all the time. See so many places and people. Being around sexy pilots is also a plus. I always imagined it to be a dream job.
And as this is a fantasy I refuse to think about complaining customers, pushing heavy carts & sore legs from standing up all the time.

Cindy Gerard said...

Hi Kay
Welcome to the Topdown. congrats on the new release.
I'm pretty content doing what I'm doing now so I'm thinking dream job pretty much fits. :o)

Michele Hauf said...

Welcome, Kay! I love the cover with the scenery and those bright flowers in the foreground.

Chelle Sandell said...

I'm not much of a winter person myself. Spring is always welcome in our household! I'd have to say that writing is my dream job. A contract and published author title behind my name is the ultimate for me. :D

Kathleen Eagle said...

Welcome, Kay!

I started writing stories when I was about 9 and said I would write a book one day, so I guess that qualifies as a lifelong dream continually fulfilled. But I love teaching--taught high school English for 17 years and still remember students by name, saved all my grade books and yearbooks, love seeing my students from back in the day. I teach a writing class off and on at the Loft Literary Center in Mpls, and I really enjoy that. So, two dream jobs, and I keep on keeping on.

My heart goes out to people all over the country who have lost jobs and are having such terrible difficulties in this economy. One of my sons is in that situation. He decided to go back to school. but he's struggling.

Unknown said...

Thanks for joining us again, Kay. I'm pretty happy with my job, too. Nothing like puttering around the house in one's pajamas all day. :)

Best of luck with your latest and greatest. Looks wonderful

Kay Stockham said...

I love it! I have to say, I'm living my dream, too.

Thanks so much for stopping by, ladies!

Kay

Helen Brenna said...

Chelle, keeping my fingers crossed it happens for you soon!

chey said...

Hi Kay,
My dream job is medical research.

Kay Stockham said...

Hi, guys!

Sorry I've been scarce. Sheesh, what started off as a calm day turned into a hectic one!

To all those writing and working toward publication, good luck to you! I truly think it happens when you least expect it.

Love the stories and dreams you have all shared with us today.

I'm going to leave the contest open until tomorrow morning for any late stragglers coming in to chat but be sure to check back, okay?

Kay

Pamela Keener said...

My dream job is being a travel agent taking people on tours of all sorts of places and seeing it through their eyes as well as my own.
Love & Hugs,

Pam

Laurie G said...

I love to watch the Food Network channel. They make cooking look so easy and effortless.

My dream job would be to have a show on the Food Network channel. YUMMY! I could try out new dishes and make old favorites. I'd actually have the time to enjoy deciding what to make and experimenting with new ideas!!

Kay Stockham said...

Hi, guys!

Before I announce the winner I wanted to issue a BIG, HUGE, GIANT THANK YOU to Helen and all the other ladies for letting me come play today. I appreciate the ride in the convertible.

As to the winner...

Laurie! Laurie will you please email your shipping information to me privately via my website at www.kaystockham.com?

Thanks to everyone who posted yesterday. I hope all your dreams come true!

Kay

Laurie G said...

THANK YOU KAY!