Dear Readers, please help me welcome Karin to the blog...I love the premise of a dance competition, because I love to dance. How about you?
Introduce yourself—name, where you’re from, and something people notice when they meet you.
I’m Karin Beery, a native Michigander now residing in northern Michigan. At 5’10”, I’m often the tallest woman in the room, and my love of heels accentuates my height.
Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb.
Finally Forever is a contemporary romance set in northern Michigan. It features a former fundraising event that used to happen in Traverse City. Here’s a peek at the plot:
Winning the dance competition could land Caroline her dream job but at the cost of her heart.
Former competitive dancer Caroline Novak dreams of leaving the corporate world to work with special needs women at the Pathways non-profit, but the organization can’t afford a full-time director. All-American defensive end Ben Allen was on his way to the NFL when a knee injury sent him home and into the same office as Caroline, his best friend’s older sister. When Pathways participates in a Dancing with the Stars-inspired fundraiser, Caroline quickly volunteers, and Ben joins her as the local “star.” It doesn’t take long for Ben to realize it’s more than a dance competition, and Caroline is more than his best friend’s sister, but after two failed engagements, she’s hesitant to trust her heart with another man. When the NFL calls Ben, it looks like his dream might finally come true—but it could cost them the championship and Caroline her heart.
Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging about writing this book.
It always amazes me how much research I need to do for contemporary novels. For this book, I had to research football positions and injuries, assisted living facilities, and ballroom dancing (including talking to a dancer). That helps me write more realistic scenes like this one:
“Ladies and gentlemen, Ben Allen and Caroline Novak!”
Ben inhaled as Caroline squeezed his hand. The singer crooned about birds in the sky. Once the band started playing, he would lead Caroline onto the dance floor.
The piano started. He smiled, lifted Caroline’s hand in his, and stepped into the spotlight. When she smiled at him, pride filled his chest, pushing his arms into their proper positions and propelling him around the floor. Together, apart, twirling. One more time. One-two-three. Before he knew it, he dipped her. The band stopped. The crowd cheered. Exhilaration swept through him. It was almost as exciting as sacking the quarterback. An exquisite, feminine quarterback.
Caroline beamed, a brilliance in her eyes that he’d never seen before. “You did it!”
I’d never watched Dancing with the Stars until my aunt Linda introduced me to it, and we enjoyed it so much that it inspired this story. I don’t watch it much anymore, but I’ll never forget the nights watching it with my aunt. I’ll forever love the show for that reason.
Did you ever pick up a hobby or watch something new for the sake of spending quality time with someone? I’d love to hear about it!
Bio and Social Media Links:
Author of hopeful fiction with a healthy dose of romance, Karin Beery lives in northern Michigan with her husband and pets. They drink too much (decaf) coffee, put up their Christmas tree the first weekend in November, and do their best to live every day for the Lord.
Get your copy here! https://amzn.to/3OMbUwL
Thank you so much, Karin, for being a guest--I love your tagline!