chick lit | Author Deborah A Bailey

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Kindred Spirits by Whitney Dineen

December 2, 2017 - book promotions

kindred spirits tour banner

The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Genre: Chicklit / Romance

Kindred Spirits Description

Dashing and successful, Richard Bingham has been voted one of the top ten bachelors in New York City. After unwittingly offending a reporter from Manhattan Life magazine, he finds himself on the receiving end of an article that makes his quest of finding the perfect mate nearly impossible.

After one dating disaster too many, Richard decides it’s time to seek professional help, so he signs up for the matchmaking services of the East Side Yenta.

Philippa Fielding is single and searching for love in London, but her accidental profession of “Message Deliverer from the Great Beyond” puts most men right off.

Will Pip’s new “Spirit Helper,” Bertram, be able to set her on the course for true love with a message for Richard?

Matchmaking, misunderstandings, and mayhem abound in this fast-paced romantic comedy about love, life, and the afterlife!

Interview with author Whitney Dineen

What inspired you to come up with the idea for your book?

All of my books write themselves. I’m just the secretary, really. So when a new story starts, I have no idea what’s coming next. It pretty exciting really!

Do you have a favorite scene? If so, what was it?

I love all the scenes where Pip (the heroine) passes on messages from the great beyond. I’d love for someone to come up to me on the street with words from my passed loved ones, so these vignettes hold a lot of meaning to me.

When you’re not writing, what are you up to?

When I’m not writing I’m busy raising my two little girls, working in our extensive organic gardens, chasing after free-range chickens, or eating french fries –not necessarily in that order.

What do you love most about writing?

I love that there are an infinite number of stories to be told. I write in four genres and I never know which one is going to take center stage. Every day is a brand new adventure and as long as I write books, will continue to be so.

Do you have a favorite writing environment?

I do all of my writing on a desktop in my office. I’ve decorated the room with framed covers from my books for inspiration and my desk faces out the window to aid my daydreaming tendencies. I’m generally wearing yoga pants and drinking copious amounts of coffee.

Do you have a favorite genre you like to read (other than the ones you write in)?

I love to read spy thrillers, books on Quantum Physics, and anything regarding conspiracy. So far I haven’t written anything in those genres. But never say never.

Kindred Spirits Excerpt

After another thirty minutes of banter, Shelly turned off her recorder and announced, “I think I have all I need to write a great piece.” After a beat, she added, “Magazine rules don’t allow me to ask until our professional relationship is over, but maybe once I’ve written my article, we could go out to dinner sometime?”

Richard was shocked and answered, “That would be lovely, but isn’t that an engagement ring on your finger?”

“Maybe,” she replied coyly, “but an engagement ring isn’t a wedding ring, is it?”

“Perhaps not, but it does indicate a prior commitment.”

There was no way Shelly could misconstrue the judgment in his voice. She immediately knew she didn’t have a chance with Richard Bingham, so she responded, “I guess it does.”

Uncomfortably, Richard met her direct gaze and said, “I don’t mean to be rude, but once I ask a woman to marry me, I would hope she’d stop shopping around for someone better.”

“Mr. Bingham,” the reporter icily replied, “I’m sure in your case, she will. But not everyone is lucky to be engaged to a paragon like yourself. Sometimes people reach an age and place in their lives where they compromise their ideals a bit and settle for something instead of continuing on with nothing.”

“That’s a sad commentary on single life. No one should settle for anyone less than they truly desire.”

“Unfortunately,” she retorted, “only a handful of singles are considered as desirable as you. I’m afraid life is a bit different for those of us who live in the real world.”

Richard realized he’d gone too far and tried to amend his earlier statement by adding, “I think you sell yourself short, Ms. Milton. As far as I’m concerned the only reason I won’t have dinner with you is that you’re promised to another.”

Shelly responded, “That’s very noble of you.” Gathering her things together, she stood up and declared, “I wish you luck in your great love search, Mr. Bingham. I’m sure you’ll have a better selection of potential mates than the rest of us mortals.”

There was a gleam in her eye that Richard found disconcerting. For a moment he wished he’d merely accepted her offer and reneged at a later date. Shelly Milton looked mad, determined, and offended. Not exactly the trifecta of emotions you want to leave a reporter with right before she writes an article about you in a well-respected and well-circulated magazine.

Whitney Dineen Bio & Links

Whitney Dineen is a multi-award-winning author of romantic comedies, non-fiction humor and middle reader fiction. When she’s not spinning stories, Whitney’s raising her young daughters, wrangling chicken, or eating french fries, not necessarily in that order.