Today I am so pleased to welcome Kelly Jensen to Joyfully Jay. Kelly has come to share a character interview from her latest release, Counting Fence Posts. She has also brought along a great giveaway. Please join me in giving Kelly a big welcome!

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Character Interview

We’re here with Henry Auttenberg and Marc Winnamore. After the Christmas Eve blizzard drove their rental car off the road in upstate New York, these guys made a lucky escape when they were rescued by a passing snow plow.

Host: Wow, so what a way to start the holiday!

Henry: I could think of better.

Marc: Not the worst Christmas Eve in history, either.

Henry: I didn’t mean the company—

Marc: *winks at Henry* Keep your panties on, Auttenberg. I know what you meant.

Henry: *folds his arms*

Host: What were your thoughts as the storm worsened?

Henry: *chuckles* Marc’s thoughts would probably need to be censored.

Marc: Not wrong. I’m not the kind of guy who likes to sit still, you know?

Henry: Forward momentum. If there’d been less snow, he’d probably have got out and walked to Boston.

Marc: If I remember correctly, you’re the one that got out of the car.

Henry: Because you wanted to look for a farmhouse!

Marc: Yeah, well…

Henry: *eyes narrowing* Let’s share the rest of it. You wanted to find a farmhouse and I, being the responsible sort, thought you shouldn’t go alone. *nods toward host* This is after having failed to convince him to stay with the car. Or appearing to have failed. *turns to Marc* Want to tell the rest?

Marc: *fidgeting* The storm was pretty bad. I opened the door and figured Henry was right. But he’d already run off down the road.

Henry: After you.

Marc: Dude, I was still in the car.

Henry: *shakes his head while trying to hide a smile*

Host: All’s well that ends well, right? So now that you’re two days past your ordeal, can you share how you felt about being forced off the road? Were you optimistic about your chances?

Marc: *elbows Henry* Mr. Survival Manual here was going to make us a pair of snow suits out of the car upholstery.

Henry: *mouth opens, closes* No, I said I knew how to make gloves out of the seat covers. I never mentioned—

Marc: *spreading his hands in a gesture of appeal toward the host* Who does that?

Henry: One day, you’re going to be caught in a situation where you’ll wish you’d read that book.

Marc: I’ll just call you. You can negotiate with my kidnappers or tell me how to kill an alligator with my bare hands.

Henry: *folds his arms*

Host: How well did you two know each other before this trip?

Marc: We’re worked together for two and a half years, so reasonably well.

Henry: Uh, I didn’t think we knew each other well at all.

Marc: *raising a brow at Henry* You seemed to know an awful lot when you were describing my career trajectory.

Henry: That’s… Okay, fine. *smiles faintly*

Marc: *turns to host* We know each other much better now.

Host: So it was like a team building exercise, then.

Marc: And then some. *grins at Henry*

Henry: *blushes*

Host: I’m sensing a little more than team building went on in that car.

Marc: You could say we’re definitely on the same page about a few things now.

Henry: *blush deepens*

Host: So what’s next for you two? Anymore road trips planned for the future?

Marc: I’m taking Henry to a party on New Year’s Eve.

Henry: You’re… I… What party?

Marc: It’s at Shelly Flores’ place. She’s got an amazing view of the harbor. We’ll have a great time.

Henry: Are you asking me out on a date?

Marc: *grins* Yep.

Henry: On live T.V.

Marc: It’s just a local station. *glances at host* No offense intended.

Host: None taken! *chin-hands* So… *looks between Marc and Henry*

Henry: *shifts in his seat and scrubs his cheek* Um, okay.

Marc: *claps his hands together*

Host: I hope you both have a wonderful time!

Henry: *looks a little faint*

Marc: I’m sure we will, thanks. And getting back to your original question—

Henry: There’s more?

Marc: Of course there is. *looks to host* Henry’s a valuable asset. I’m hoping he’ll join me in D.C. in the New Year for a reorganization project we’re both interested in.

Henry: *offers a cheeky grin* I’ve already put together a proposal.

Marc: Of course you have. I look forward to reading it, and it’ll be good to travel with someone who doesn’t mind sharing a hotel room.

Henry: *quiet choking sound*

Host: *laughs* You two make a great team. I wish you a safe journey and hope your business isn’t sidelined by any more winter weather.

Marc: *puts his arm around Henry’s shoulders* I think we’ll be just fine.

Henry: *leaning gently into Marc* I’ll be bringing along my survival book, just in case.


Blurb

Counting Fence Posts coverThere are over two hundred thousand fence posts between Syracuse and Boston. Henry Auttenberg likes numbers—it’s his job—but he isn’t going to count them all, even if the view outside the rental car is less confounding than the driver, his attractive but oh so obnoxious colleague, Marcus Winnamore. It’s Christmas Eve and Henry would much rather be home with his family. When the blizzard that grounded their flight forces them off the road, however, he’s stuck with Marc until the storm passes—or a plow digs them out.

As the temperature outside plummets, the atmosphere inside the car slowly heats up. Henry learns the true reason for Marc’s chilly distance—he’s not exactly straight…maybe…and he’s been fantasizing about Henry’s mouth, among other things. Confession laid out, Marc is all for sharing body heat…and more. Henry isn’t interested in being an experiment, but as the night and cold deepen, he could be convinced to balance certain risk against uncertain reward.

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Bio

If aliens ever do land on Earth, Kelly will not be prepared, despite having read over a hundred stories of the apocalypse. Still, she will pack her precious books into a box and carry them with her as she strives to survive. It’s what bibliophiles do.

Kelly is the author of a number of novels, novellas and short stories, including the Chaos Station series, co-written with Jenn Burke. A lot of what she writes is speculative in nature, but sometimes it’s just about a guy losing his socks and/or burning dinner. Because life isn’t all conquering aliens and mountain peaks. Sometimes finding a happy ever after is all the adventure we need.

Connect with Kelly: Twitter | Facebook | Website


Giveaway

Kelly has brought a tour wide giveaway that includes a copy of When Was the Last Time and Out in the Blue, plus a $25 credit at the Dreamspinner Press store.

Terms: Rafflecopter runs from 12:00 AM EST 7/23/2016 to 12:00 AM EST 8/3/2016. Giveaway is open internationally. Gift card value is US dollars. Winner will be contacted via email.

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