Today I am so pleased to welcome Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga to Joyfully Jay. Jodi and BA have come to talk to us about their latest release, Special Delivery: A Wrecked Holiday Novel. They have also brought along an exclusive excerpt and a great giveaway. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!

 

Hey all, Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga here to celebrate the new release of our Christmas novel, Special Delivery! It features Skler and Beckett, the couple from Wrecked, as they move into a very special new chapter of their lives.

We decided to ask them about their favorite holiday shows to watch, and we figured they’d have this down after several years of marriage but… apparently not.

Sky: Look. We’re not going to argue about this anymore. The best Christmas show is Santa Claus is Coming to Town. 

Beck: I love you, Stud, but you’re wrong. Burgermeister Meisterburger is a highlight, for sure but A Charlie Brown Christmas is the best. Linus is everything. And that little tree…

Sky: Charlie Brown is turd, though. I want to spray him with a hose a little bit. *grins* Is that mean? Those Prep and Landing ones are cool. 

Beck: No one does stealth like an elf? Those guys? They’re funny I guess but I’m more of a classic guy. What about the Muppets? Michael Caine?

Sky: Kermit’s eyes freak me out. I mean, who gives a frog bug eyes? And why doesn’t Miss Piggy eat him? I like the dog. You know, that one that plays the piano? He’s cool. 

Beck: Fozzie? No, wait. Rowlf. Rowlf is awesome. Kermit’s eyes freak you out but you’re okay with Kris Kringle’s eyes? Nope. Um… How about It’s a Wonderful Life? Jimmy Stewart and the gorgeous Donna Reed. We used to watch it every Christmas Eve growing up.

Sky: *nods*: That one and White Christmas and Holiday Inn and Scrooge and Miracle at Macy’s…

Beck: Pardon me. Miracle on 34th Street? That’s a Thanksgiving movie. I mean, okay, it’s got Santa in it but it’s Thanksgiving. 

Sky: Listen to yourself! Santa means Christmas. The only possible exception is The Nightmare before Christmas, because that’s a little scary for Christmas.

Beck: The real nightmare before Christmas is when you start shopping.

Sky: *chuckles softly, then kisses Beck before whispering* Grinch.

We give up!

But, we should also mention that to celebrate the new release, Window Dressing, last year’s holiday novel, is available for $.99 through the New Year!

Happy holidays everyone!! Stay safe and be well.

Jodi and BA


Excerpt

The P&B was walking distance for him, so he waited a half an hour or so for Sky to get there and walked over, grabbing a seat at the bar. Sky might be more comfortable at a table, but sitting alone at a table always felt so weird.

He heard the warm greetings before he saw Sky, the happy laughter and hellos all around making him proud of his cowboy.

It was like Doc had once told him; Sky had never met a stranger. He loved how at home Sky was here now, making friends everywhere he went. Between his local practice and Sky’s invitational, they’d become fixtures in Burlington. He waved so Sky would see him at the bar, but not to rush him.

Sky wandered over, the limp sort of pronounced today, and he got a warm smile, those pretty eyes taking him in. “Hello, gorgeous. How’s your day going?”

“Good. Better now.” Beck took Sky’s hand and kissed it. “Did you have a nice drive? It’s getting pretty out there.” The leaves were just starting to turn. Another two weeks and the mountains would look like a painting.

“I did. When I left, Bruiser and Walter were sleeping together on the sofa.” Sky pulled out his phone, showing off a photo.

Okay, that was adorable. A couple of Christmases ago, when he’d brought Bruiser home, it was partly because Sky was sure Walter needed a fluffy friend to keep him warm. At long last, it looked like maybe Sky was right. “Well, it only took nearly three years. Look at them.” He slid off his bar stool. “Do you want a table?”

“I do.” Sky took his hand and led him to one by the window. “A table, a beer, something crunchy coming—life is good.”

“Crunchy?” He held Sky’s chair for him. “What are you ordering?”

“Hmm…fried cheese? Fried things? I’m a fan of crunchy, salty goodness.”

“Fried cheese. I’m so in.” All he had to do was look up, and a server made his way over. “Hey, Rick.” Rick had been there as long as he could remember.

“Hey, guys. What can I get you?”

He gestured to Sky. “He has ideas.”

“Crunchy salty things. Something with cheese would be good. Anything that you can dip in ranch.”

Rick laughed. “I think I can work with that. Beer?”

Beck nodded. “The usual.”

“You got it. I’ll be back, guys.”

Beck smiled at Sky after Rick left. “So now that Walter has accepted Bruiser, how do you think he’ll do with the baby?”

“He’ll love her. Bruiser is going to think she’s the best playmate ever.”

“Her?”

Sky grinned. “Yep. I dreamed about her this morning.”

Wow. “Really? Was she amazing? Did she have your gorgeous eyes and dark hair?” He couldn’t wait to meet the baby—even a dream version was exciting.

“She was perfect and ours, and we brought her home.” Sky beamed at him. “I’m excited to meet her, honey.”

“Me too. I made lists today. I started looking at cribs.” But he wanted to give his attention to his husband right now. “We’re supposed to be talking about you. I’m sorry. How did you feel about the week?”

“It was good. Tiring—damn tiring—but I made the sponsors happy. I pulled some rope, went to a couple of after-parties.” Sky shrugged and grinned at him. “Mostly I listened to the young kids and wondered if we were going to have a baby that got into rodeoing.”

“Oh.” That thought hadn’t even occurred to him. He knew Sky wasn’t going to like his initial reaction, so he didn’t offer it. “Is that something you want?”

Sky stared at him like he’d grown another head. “Lord, no. Rodeoing is a hard fucking life with a short run and tons of scars and broken bones.”

He let out the breath he’d been holding in a rush. “Oh. Good. I mean…I’d worry all the damn time.” Thank fuck. He’d have compromised if it came to that, and who knew what having a former bull rider celebrity for a father would eventually mean, but he really didn’t want to put his kid on a bull.

“Shit, baby, I rode bulls so there was enough money to send this kid to college. Ain’t you ever heard ‘Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys’?”

He laughed. “Yes. I have. Even we Yankees know Waylon and Willie.” Although the Chipmunks version was his favorite. “You scared me for a second.”

“Don’t you worry, baby.” Sky patted his hand. “She’ll be a professor or a doctor or an interior designer. Something fancy.”

Something safe. “Works for me. So your sponsors were happy? That’s great. Danny’s okay? He had a good summer, huh?” He should pay better attention to the rankings; he wasn’t even sure who besides Danny was riding well this year.

“He’s good. His little one is good. Everyone seems very young, you know? Or maybe I feel older. I’m not sure the fans are going to remember me much longer.”

“They’re young. But we’re not old, Sky. We had this same conversation after the invitational in the spring, remember? You’ll feel better once you’re rested.” Sky was sore and probably having some post-event letdown. Maybe Beckett should find a way to go next year, help keep his husband from working too hard. Keep his spirits up. “Hip hurts today, huh?”

“It’s tender.” Ah, tender. Cowboy-speak for it hurting bad enough that Sky would take a pain pill at some point today.

“Beer, gentlemen.” Rick set down two tall drafts on the table.

“This’ll help. Thanks, Rick.” Beck picked up his glass, grinning. “To the hottest husband I’ve ever had.”

“I’m the only husband you’ve ever had.” Sky beamed at him, clinking their glasses together. “And I intend to let you keep me.”


Blurb

And baby makes three?

It’s fall in Vermont. The holidays are coming, the leaves are turning brilliant colors, and Skyler and Beckett are expecting a baby! They’re picking out furniture and paint colors for the nursery. They’re looking at ultrasounds and choosing names.

But nothing is ever simple for these two, and something they’re not expecting throws a wrench–or a great big crowbar–into Beck’s carefully planned paternity leave and Sky’s nursery decorations. But is it a disaster, a blessing, or both?

As with all deliveries, they’re at the mercy of fate and mother nature. They’ll be adding to their family for Christmas—but they’ll be doing it in the most chaotic way possible.


Bios

Jodi Payne

Jodi Payne takes herself way too seriously and has been known to randomly break out in song. Her men are imperfect but genuine, stubborn but likable, often kinky, and frequently their own worst enemies. They are characters you can’t help but fall in love with while they stumble along the path to their happily ever after. For those looking to get on her good side, Jodi’s addictions include nonfat lattes, Malbec and tequila any way you pour it.

 

BA Tortuga

Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her hounds and her beloved wife, texting her grandbabies, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting, and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. Following their own personal joys, BA and Julia heard the call of the high desert and they now live in the New Mexico mountains. BA’s personal saviors include her wife, her best friends, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to cowboy daddies to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which is committed to giving everyone their happily ever after. With books ranging from hard-hitting BDSM, to fiery passions, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.


Giveaway

Jodi and BA have brought a copy of Window Dressing to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Tuesday, December 8th at 11:59 pm ET.


  • By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
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