Author Guest Post
A Chat With Author Caroline Mickelson
Where is home?
Southern Arizona, specifically the Sonoran desert. It’s beautiful but hot. Every summer I question my sanity for living here but the spring is like a slice of heave.
Where is your favorite place you’ve ever lived?
Scotland. I attended graduate school in the U.K. and was lucky enough to live in two different Scottish cities. I absolutely loved it and when the sky is gray and it’s raining, I still get homesick for it.
What is your favorite book of all-time?
I love Gone With the Wind. Even though I didn’t care for the movie at all, I reread the book every year. It’s an amazing tribute to Margaret Mitchell’s talent.
What is your favorite genre to read in?
I love chick lit, romantic comedies and humorous romance. I also like cozy mysteries, especially if it’s a series and there is no violence or gore. Just give me the clues and hold the corpse.
What is something you've written that will never see the light of day?
The first romance I ever wrote. An editor said this about it” ‘The writing is good but the hero and heroine spend no time together. How do you think they can fall in love?’ She had a point. That one is beyond saving.
What is the biggest challenge when you write?
Sitting down to work every morning. Even though I love writing, every morning I suffer from a ten minute insecurity attack but if I push through and start writing I’m good to go.
Do you listen to music when you write or prefer quiet?
I listen to music with headphones that block out the real world. Fortunately I really enjoy Christmas music because I listened to it over and over while writing Miss Kane’s Christmas and Mrs. Saint Nick.
Thank you for visiting with us at Jersey Girl Book Reviews, Caroline! Happy Holidays!
Thank you, Kathleen. Very happy holidays to you and your blog readers.
About The Author
AUTHOR WEBSITE
GOODREADS
Book Review
Miss Kane's Christmas by Caroline Mickelson
Book 1: A Christmas Romantic Comedy Novella
Publisher: Bon Accord Press
Publication Date: October 18, 2012
Format: Paperback - 154 pages / Kindle - 174 KB / Nook - 305 KB
ISBN: 0985129654
ASIN: B009SU0NVO
Genre: Chick Lit / Holiday Romantic Comedy
BUY THE BOOK: Miss Kane's Christmas
BUY THE SERIES: A Christmas Romantic Comedy Novella
Book 1: Miss Kane's Christmas
Book 2: Mrs. Saint Nick
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
Book Description:
Posing as Miss Kane, the children's new nanny, Carol pulls out all the stops to show Ben how fun Christmas can be, all the while struggling to understand how one man could hate the holidays so much. How could she, Santa's only daughter, be so attracted to a man who refuses to believe her father exists?
Book Excerpt:
Carol grabbed ahold of Tinsel’s shoulder and pulled him back into the kitchen by the scruff of his green felt collar. “Get in here,” she hissed. “Quick, before anyone sees you.”
“What?” Tinsel objected. “Why are you acting like this? We’re here to help you.”
“Well it won’t help me if you’re seen,” Carol shot back. She threw up her hands. “Look, Tinsel, please go back out to the garage and wait with Jolly until everyone has gone to bed.”
“Rapz is here with us too,” Tinsel said, his voice suddenly a stage whisper.
“What?” Carol sounded frantic and she knew it, but she couldn’t help it. The day had been long. She’d never lived in such a Christmas hostile environment. Acting casual about the holidays was proving to be exhausting. She closed her eyes for a second. Focus, Carol, she instructed herself. Breathe deeply. She was a seasoned professional who managed over twelve hundred elves, often under very hectic circumstances. She could handle this. “Rapz is a loose cannon. Why couldn’t he have just stayed in the wrapping department?”
“Nicholas said-”
“Nicholas?” Carol shook her head. So this was her brother’s doing, his idea of a joke. She should have known her father wouldn’t send a wrapper elf. Like all of Santa’s helpers, Rapz’s heart was in the right place. But he paid more attention to wearing just the right sun glasses and gold chains than he did to all the little details that were necessary to make Christmas magical. “Never mind what my brother said. I just need you three to stay out of sight until I can get everyone to sleep and the house is quiet.”
Tinsel winked, clearly finding the situation amusing. “Can do.”
“Miss Kane?” Ben’s voice called from the living room. “What’s going on in there?”
She cringed. Oh, holy holiday, had he heard Tinsel?
“I’ll be right there, Mr. Hanson,” she answered. She shooed Tinsel in the direction of the garage. “Just stay out of sight.” She turned back to the elf. “Go on. I’ll get them all upstairs and then I’ll come get you.”
As soon as Tinsel slipped into the garage, Carol headed toward the living room but she took only a few steps before she bumped straight into Ben Hanson.
“Owww.” Ben staggered backward and held up his good hand to keep Carol from coming any closer. “Who’s in the kitchen with you?”
“No one.” Carol reached out but he backed away.
“I heard voices.” Ben’s voice held an accusatory tone.
“Voices?” Carol shook her head. “The medicine must be playing tricks on you.” She tried to maneuver him back into the living room but he wouldn’t budge. “Do you want me to call the doctor?”
“No, I don’t want you to call the doctor.” He drew his brows together in an expression that was equal parts confusion and annoyance.
Ben’s frown, Carol decided, was rather attractive. She smiled. She couldn’t help herself.
“And just what is so funny?” Ben demanded.
“I always smile during the holidays,” Carol said. “Now, we really need to get you up to bed.” She gently turned him toward the staircase. “Let’s say goodnight to the children and then get you between the sheets.”
“What?” Tinsel objected. “Why are you acting like this? We’re here to help you.”
“Well it won’t help me if you’re seen,” Carol shot back. She threw up her hands. “Look, Tinsel, please go back out to the garage and wait with Jolly until everyone has gone to bed.”
“Rapz is here with us too,” Tinsel said, his voice suddenly a stage whisper.
“What?” Carol sounded frantic and she knew it, but she couldn’t help it. The day had been long. She’d never lived in such a Christmas hostile environment. Acting casual about the holidays was proving to be exhausting. She closed her eyes for a second. Focus, Carol, she instructed herself. Breathe deeply. She was a seasoned professional who managed over twelve hundred elves, often under very hectic circumstances. She could handle this. “Rapz is a loose cannon. Why couldn’t he have just stayed in the wrapping department?”
“Nicholas said-”
“Nicholas?” Carol shook her head. So this was her brother’s doing, his idea of a joke. She should have known her father wouldn’t send a wrapper elf. Like all of Santa’s helpers, Rapz’s heart was in the right place. But he paid more attention to wearing just the right sun glasses and gold chains than he did to all the little details that were necessary to make Christmas magical. “Never mind what my brother said. I just need you three to stay out of sight until I can get everyone to sleep and the house is quiet.”
Tinsel winked, clearly finding the situation amusing. “Can do.”
“Miss Kane?” Ben’s voice called from the living room. “What’s going on in there?”
She cringed. Oh, holy holiday, had he heard Tinsel?
“I’ll be right there, Mr. Hanson,” she answered. She shooed Tinsel in the direction of the garage. “Just stay out of sight.” She turned back to the elf. “Go on. I’ll get them all upstairs and then I’ll come get you.”
As soon as Tinsel slipped into the garage, Carol headed toward the living room but she took only a few steps before she bumped straight into Ben Hanson.
“Owww.” Ben staggered backward and held up his good hand to keep Carol from coming any closer. “Who’s in the kitchen with you?”
“No one.” Carol reached out but he backed away.
“I heard voices.” Ben’s voice held an accusatory tone.
“Voices?” Carol shook her head. “The medicine must be playing tricks on you.” She tried to maneuver him back into the living room but he wouldn’t budge. “Do you want me to call the doctor?”
“No, I don’t want you to call the doctor.” He drew his brows together in an expression that was equal parts confusion and annoyance.
Ben’s frown, Carol decided, was rather attractive. She smiled. She couldn’t help herself.
“And just what is so funny?” Ben demanded.
“I always smile during the holidays,” Carol said. “Now, we really need to get you up to bed.” She gently turned him toward the staircase. “Let’s say goodnight to the children and then get you between the sheets.”
My Book Review:
Miss Kane's Christmas is an enjoyable Christmas novella that will get you in the spirit of the holiday season!
Author Caroline Mickelson weaves a sweet romantic comedy that follows Carol Claus aka Miss. Kane as she is sent on a mission from her father, Santa Claus, to share the true spirit of Christmas with a widower and his two young children. Ben Hogan is a non-believer who has issues with Christmas. He is a sportswriter who is working on a book that has Santa worried: "Why Lying To Your Child About Santa Is A Bad Idea." Carol's mission is to teach Ben to learn to love Christmas and turn him into a Christmas Ambassador, who will keep the tradition and magic of Christmas and Santa Claus alive. Carol assumes the role of Miss. Kane, a nanny that Ben has contracted to help him with his two children: eight year old Hillary and six year old Patrick. Carol pulls out all the stops to spread the true joy and magic of Christmas to the Hanson family, but an unexpected thing called love happens along the way ... Can Carol change Ben's feelings towards Christmas or will she get her heart broken trying to keep her promise to Santa?
This was such a sweet holiday story that captivated me from the beginning. I am a sucker for everything Christmas, and this quick little novella sure left a smile on my face. You can't help but get drawn into Carol and the Hanson family's story, it will tug at your heartstrings, and also keep you laughing at Carol and her helpful trio of elves crazy antics that they pull to get the Hanson family in the Christmas spirit. I fell in love with little Hillary and Patrick, I wanted them to experience the magic of Christmas like other children do, and I wanted to box Ben's ears for denying them the chance to believe in Santa, but I also wanted to hug the whole family for what they've gone through too. I loved following Carol's mission, she is a sassy girl with a heart of gold that shined throughout the story.
I was thoroughly entertained by the romance and comedy in this story. I could easily see this story as a Lifetime or Hallmark TV movie. I think the author sprinkles her own kind of holiday magic dust on the readers, Miss Kane's Christmas is a must read that will make you believe in the joy and magic of Christmas, and it will definitely put you in the holiday spirit!
RATING: 4 STARS ****
Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway
Win (1) of (2) $20 Amazon Gift Cards
Virtual Book Tour Schedule
Tour Schedule:
November 19 – Chick Lit Goddess – Excerpt
November 19 – Book Mama Blog – Guest Post & Excerpt
November 20 – Mrs. Mommy Booknerd’s Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
November 22- Everything Books and Authors – Excerpt
November 25 – Keep Calm and Blog On – Review
November 26 – Musings and Ramblings – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
December 2 – The Book Bag – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
December 4 – Storm Goddess Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
December 5 - Chick Lit Plus - Excerpt
December 6 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
December 9 – Samantha March – Q&A & Excerpt
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ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to host the virtual book tour event.
DeleteI love contests, and would put the gift certificate to good use. I also love books. Thanks for the contest.
ReplyDeleteHi Jacqueline! Thank you for visiting my blog. Good luck in the giveaway. :)
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