Hi everyone! I am beyond excited to welcome our guest today.  Our fabulous reviewer Crissy has her first published work out under the name Kenzie Cade!  I am so incredibly proud of her and so happy for all she has achieved! Â
The story is called Son of a Fish and is part of the Dreamspinner Daily Dose. Â It is available for purchase starting today if you are buying it individually, and released at some point this month if you have purchased the entire Daily Dose series.
So please join me in showing Crissy some love and help me give a big welcome to author Kenzie Cade!
Hi guys! And thanks JJ! I’m so excited to be here in this capacity. It’s so different to be on this side of the review blog. You guys probably know me as Crissy, reviewer here at Joyfully Jay. And I count myself lucky every day to be here, working with JJ. It’s been almost two years since I was asked to join this fabulous group of reviewers, and I’ve been so fortunate to be here for the addition of several more after me. They are wonderful group of fellow readers and friends.
I would say I wear lots of hats, but that’s not true. Mostly I wear one really big, Pharrell-sized hat. And in there I carry the titles of reader, reviewer, and author. Because without one role I’m not sure there would be another. First and foremost, I label myself a reader. I’ve always loved to read, and once I found m/m romance about four years ago, I never looked back. I found my love, my niche and it continues to grow and develop every day.
Two years ago, JJ found me. I’m pretty sure it was because I left so many comments about the books I’d read or the books I loved… or didn’t love. But one day she asked me if I would think about putting those words into a review. And here I am.
I’ve had the desire to write for most of my life. I loved English and Literature in school. My teachers started free writing when I was in high school, and there I excelled. But when it came to actually putting my ideas on paper with the purpose of writing a story—short, novella, novel, or otherwise—I froze. Then I found m/m and ideas flowed galore, but by that time, I was so out of practice and afraid to do something about it that I let those ideas fade away. Until I mentioned it to a friend of mine who encouraged me to write. About anything. Just write. And keep writing.
So I did.
Then another friend encouraged me to complete a short story for Dreamspinners Daily Dose. It’s a good step, they said. It’ll build your confidence, give you a foundation to write even more. And what truth that was—is. Since I received my first contract—this very one for my short, Son of a Fish, in the Daily Dose— I’ve received another contract for an anthology coming out in July through Less than Three Press, Everyone Deserves a Home. Right now, I’m working on a full-length novel, the first of a series and my first Advent story. I have a more and more ideas and inspiration coming to me constantly. I keep notebooks with me at all times. They litter my house and office.
My point is: If you have a dream, a desire, a need to do something, don’t give up. Most likely you’ll regret turning your back on it. And if you have given up or been afraid to pursue it, don’t be surprised if it finds you and pursues you right back. I was lucky. I still am. And that luck starts with the day JJ found me. Thankfully, my luck has continued to change and grow from that moment.
So, yes, don’t give up. And if your dream is to write. Do it. Write, write, and keep writing.
Blurb
Sam Crowe lives a quiet life. He’s a freelance journalist and sometimes fiction writer. His world is turned upside down when love lands on his doorstep—literally, while cursing up a G-rated storm. Son of a fish, indeed. Casey Sanders doesn’t know whether it’s good luck or bad when he slips and falls on the icy steps of his apartment building, but the hero who comes to his rescue is worth the discomfort.
Their attraction is instant, but Sam is certain Casey’s flirtation and kind words are a result of the pain medication. But Casey is persistent and won’t give up until he has what he wants. And what he wants is Sam.
Bio
Kenzie Cade was born and raised in the South where she spends her days in the sometimes stressful field of private medicine observing interesting people and committing them to memory for later use. When she isn’t reading, experimenting with recipes, or being distracted by social media, Kenzie spends time with her family, friends, and the Pomeranian/long-haired Chihuahua mix who likes to keep her company while she writes. As a young girl, Kenzie dreamed of princesses and their white knights. As an adult (or sort of adult), she dreams of princes and their proverbial white knights, which she attributes to fellow Arkansan S.E. Hinton and her novel The Outsiders. Writing to keep the fictional voices at bay, Kenzie enjoys the journeys her characters travel to find their happy endings, and she loves the challenge of writing a great love story.
Contact Kenzie at kenziecade.author@gmail.com. You can also find her online at her blog: http://kenziecade.wordpress.com; on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kenziecade.author; and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/thekenziecade.
Giveaway
Kenzie has brought a copy of Son of a Fish to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Thursday, June 5th at 11:59 pm EST.
- By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win.  The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
- If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
- Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
- Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
- By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
- Readers may only enter once for each contest. Â Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
- Void where prohibited by law.
Hi Crissy, Congratulations of your first publication!!! Â I have followed all your reviews and I look forward to reading your short story. Â I went ahead and purchased it already from Dreamspinner, so please don’t count me in on your giveaway. All the best!
Aww…Hannah!! Thank you so much…you make this girl’s heart happy 🙂
Congratulations Crissy/Kenzie!  Can’t wait to read your story.  I’ve already read a review that was praising your writing abilities. 🙂  Thanks for the giveaway!
*waves* thanks! And good luck! 🙂
Congrats on publishing your first book! It has to be so exciting for you. Your story sounds great!
Thank you so much Jen! I hope you like it!!
We have not known each other long but I feel a kinship with “both” of you. Â I truly loved Son of a Fish and admire those who can write short stories as it feels that the short is becoming a dying art. Â What a challenge to create a new world, coherent plot and make us empathize with characters in such a short number of pages. Â Congratulations and thank you so much!
LOL…we “both” feel a kinship with you too 😉 And thank you for your support and love…you’re the best Jason! 🙂
I’m so excited for Crissy/Kenzie. I’ve already bought it and hope to slide it into my reading schedule tonight. Yay, congratulations Crissy!!! smiles…
Ohmigod! I’m beyond words…I need a moment to SQUEE! Christi is reading my book…I might go hide now… I heart your work! Thank  you so much!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!  That’s seriously awesome.  I’m running off to buy since I can’t win, and I wouldn’t want to wait anyway.  🙂
Congratulations on Son of a Fish! I cannot wait to read it! Thanks for the chance to win!
Great post & giveaway!
Great news about your book! Â Count me in for the giveaway.
Congrats on newest book! Love finding new to me authors! Can’t wait to read this!
Congratulations on your book. Please count me in on giveaway.
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you, and the story sounds awesome…
Congrats Chrissy, a big step and I hope there are many more to come!
Congratulations sweet girl! I’m so excited for you, and to download your short story! I’m so proud to call you my cousin, always have been, always will be! Enjoy the ride!
Aimee…I’m in tears…love you so much! And thank you for your support! 🙂
Congratulations, Crissy! I am sure you will be a really successful writer. By the moment you have already achieved the first step in the pursuit of your dreams. Keep it up!!!.
Congratulations on your first published book!
Thanks for your inspirational words. Congratulations on your first book and looks like more to come. Looking forward to reading this – love hurt/comfort stories.
Please count me in. Thanks!!!
Congrats on your first book and thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Congrats on your book. Â I love the title.
Mazel Tov! I think it’s wonderful that you’ve made your writing dream come true!
Late to this party, as usual, but congrats Crissy! I can’t wait to check the story out; it sounds really enjoyable. <3
I love your tale from reader to author – congratulations! I too love to read, but don’t have the talent to write. I’d love to win.
Please, count me in. Thanks for the giveaway!
How exciting to be a new published author, Congrats! Please count me in the giveaway.