Charlotte O'Shay Archives

Aug 18th Charlotte O’Shay Author of Always, Almond Fudge

Give a warm welcome to Charlotte O’Shay, author of Always, Almond Fudge. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Charlotte and her Always, Almond Fudge!

Okay Charlotte, tell us what you like in as few words as possible.

Speed Fun round – What do you like?

Leather or lace? Leather jacket with a lace camisole underneath

Black or red? Black boots, red fingernails

Satin sheets or smooth cotton? Smooth, cool cotton every time

Ocean or mountains? The ocean is everything- soothing to see, hear & smell. as a child, I once got lost in the mountains. Never mountains

City life or country life? City

Party life or evening at home? Home but I miss parties!!!

Dogs or cats? I admire the independence of cats but it’s dogs first, last, & always

What’s under your bed? the shoes I wore last night

Camping or hotel? Hotel. Poison ivy & mosquitoes love me

Road trip or staying at home? Road trip

Shopping or not? Not. Surprised you there, didn’t I? I’m short. Shopping is torture.

Picnic or restaurant? If there’s food involved, I’m there.

Bath or shower, alone or with someone? Shower always, only with an invited guest.

Bicycle or walk? Both

Watch a movie in theater or home TV ~ Home TV

Swimming pool or lake? Is an infinity pool overlooking a lake or a meadow too much to ask?

Dance or not? Dance all night

Sing or not? Sing. Karaoke is my thing

My thoughts on Always, Almond Fudge:

This is a cute short feel good read I truly enjoyed! On a long car ride to their annual seaside vacation, a mother recounts the true story of a wonderful family tradition involving Almond Fudge Ice Cream and the summer of 1941 her three children (twins girls and older brother Sebastian).

In 1941, it was love at first sight for 17 year old Meredith, working at an ice cream shop and Anthony on his way to becoming a major league baseball player. Something present-day young Sebastian dreams about. The story sparks interest in Sebastian. When he reads the love letters between his grandparents his attitude is changed. What happens next I’ll not tell.

Nor will I reiterate the blurb here, you can read it for yourself.

What I will say is Always, Almond Fudge a sweet summer tale with characters that were heartwarming and Ice cream. Can’t go wrong with ice cream. Will the family tradition of Almond Fudge ice cream inspire a new generation? You’ll have to read Always, Almond Fudge, which I highly recommend to find out. LOL

Tell us a little about Always, Almond Fudge:

During the summer of 1941 in the shore town of Langford, Rhode Island, seventeen-year-old Meredith Franklin works as a server at Seymore’s Ice Cream Shoppe. When aspiring baseball player Anthony Fanelli strolls into the ice cream shop, his teasing banter leads to dreams of forever love.
Their whirlwind courtship comes to an abrupt halt on December 7, 1941, when America enters World War Two, forcing the couple to put their future on hold.
Decades later, a treasure trove of wartime letters details the romance of Merry and Anthony and the sacrifices of a generation.

A sneak peek between the pages of Always, Almond Fudge:

“I wish I could slow down time,” Anthony said.

“I wish I could speed it up,” Merry responded.

“I guess I agree,” he said on a chuckle. “If we lived in the future we would be married at least. Instead…” he rested his forehead against hers.

Merry grabbed his hand. Before he knew it they were in Seymore’s. And it didn’t matter that it was so cold they could see their breath outside, it didn’t matter that ice cream was the last thing they should be eating on Christmas Eve. Their gloved fingers were clumsy around the little wooden spoons but the almond fudge ice cream was as delicious as ever. Anthony had brought along a blanket which he wrapped around them. Lights twinkled all along Main Street and throughout town as far as the eye could see. Even the gazebo was strung with colorful gold and white lights.

Ice cream finished, they sat side by side, hands intertwined, eyes closed.

“Will you wait for me, Merry?”

“How can you ask such a thing, Anthony? Of course I will.” Tears, always at the ready these days, glistened on the tips of her eyelashes. “I will wait forever. I love you.”

Buy Links Buy HERE

It’s been great having you with us today. Good luck with Always, Almond Fudge

Visits: 279

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Almond Fudge, Always, Charlotte O'Shay, Contemporary Romance, Ice Cream, One Scoop or Two, World War II by Tena Stetler with 8 comments.

Jun 20th Interview Charlotte O’Shay Author of Their No Strings Affair

Give a warm welcome to Charlotte O’Shay, author of Their No Strings Affair released May 29, 2019

Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Charlotte and Their No Strings Affair!

What is the theme of this book?

The theme of this book and this series in fact is finding your home in another person.

This is a question or a theme in all of my books. Where do I belong? With whom do I belong? What was I put on this earth to do?

The answer is my characters belong with each other. Jake and Honey find home in each other. The story is about how they figured that out.

If this book is part of a series, how does this book and this cover fit in? This is the final book in the City of Dreams series. Each story is about people with big dreams who come to NYC because like the song says, if you can make it here, you’ll make it anywhere. There’s lots of angst, steamy scenes and black moments before the final chapters in the books.

We catch up with the characters from the other two books, Sabrina and Vlad, Lacey and Connor which was fun for me because we leave them all so happy with life.

All of the books can be read as standalones though and all of them take place in or around NYC, my hometown.

I love the cover. My idea for the cover was to show all of the possibility that exists when you first move to the big city for a job. The cover has a vintage feel because moving to a new place to pursue a career is an age old story.

What do you want your readers to take away from your books?

Great question. Most of all I want to entertain people, give them a little escape from whatever is going on in their lives. I also want them to believe in love and believe good people exist. But a reader will see that to earn a happy ending you must go through challenges that will test your character. My characters all go through tough times which makes their happily evers after even sweeter.

Do you find it easier to write from the male or female point of view?

I try to make my characters rounded enough so their conflicts, issues and motives are human rather than gender related. I have four daughters who are all very different so that supports my theory of universal rather than gender-based conflicts. I also have four brothers, four brothers in law, and four sons in law. So I’m around a lot of testosterone too. I listen. I observe.

It’s fun to turn old-school gender roles on their head if it makes sense in the story, a woman CEO, a man as a stay at home parent. But what I try to do is create male and female characters who fit like puzzle pieces, each one having strengths or traits the other needs in his/her life even though at first they may not see it that way and the inevitable clashes occur. Their careers are usually extensions of their personalities.

In my new release, Jake needs order, rules and control. He needs to make others feel safe. He’s an ex-SEAL and a security expert. He hides his tragic past behind perfect grooming and a smile.

Honey is a creative and a nurturer with a genius IQ. She sports piercings, purple hair and has zero clothing sense.

Speed Round 2

Favorite Book of all time

Of all time is a long time but so far, Angela’s Ashes

Where do you relax to read?

In a cozy chair in our living room but if the book is really good, I will stand at the kitchen counter and read when I should be cooking.

What sound drives you right up the wall?

A mosquito heading my way in the middle of the night.

What sound relaxes you?

My dog snoring at my feet.

Favorite Drink

Coffee (since I was three years old…no wonder I’m so short)

Walking in the sand, shoes or barefoot?

In the northeast, barefoot. Down south, I need something on my feet.

Favorite Pet

Dog, hands down though I’ve met some charming horses and precious cats

Snow- love or hate?

I love to hate snow in winter. But I could never live someplace where it never snowed.

Painting my nails is like nailing jello to the wall. I can’t do it at all and when the salon does it, I wreck them the same day. Just once I’d like to have nice nails…is that too much to ask?
Rock and Roll, Country, Jazz or Classical?

I like it all. I also like Celtic music and Russian and Spanish guitar. But I will say classic rock wins. The heroine in my latest story loves it because her mom does.

Calendar or not? Paper? Electronic?

I have a paper agenda book. And another paper calendar. Some things go in my phone but I like to see the list and cross stuff off it.

Favorite place to write?

Desk, kitchen counter, dining table-I have written on Amtrak with ear pods in. But never in a coffee shop. Too distracting.

What is your decadent indulgence?

Scones, brioche, bread of any kind (with butter or olive oil)

You just won $1000. And you have to spend it in 24 hours. What do you do?

First instinct, take my family out to a fabulous dinner. I might not be able to organize it in 24 hours since some live in different states. Another idea: I would spend some of it on books…and with the rest, treat my husband to a romantic seaside weekend at an inn on the coast.

Plotter or Pantser?

Definitely a combination. I need an outline, and I need to know who my characters are inside out, then I begin writing.

Introvert or extrovert?

Introvert

Flight or Fight

If my family needed me I would fight my strong instinct to flee (if that makes any sense).

Favorite Monster

Cookie Monster

Magic or Not?

Yes, magic! We all have a little magic in us.

I couldn’t agree more. Now tell me a little about Their No Strings Affair! (Love that title)

Honey packs everything she owns and heads to NYC to jumpstart her art career. Her cheating boyfriend is history, and she finally acknowledges the truth of her mother’s mantra: Careers are forever and happily ever after isn’t in their DNA.

All she needs is a job and a place to live. What she doesn’t need is a taciturn, sexy, ballbuster but she’s woman enough to know the difference between need and want. Isn’t she?

Jake’s childhood was marred by tragedy and his future hijacked to a promise born of guilt. His failure drove him to a career as a SEAL and a security expert.
But it’s not enough. Now he’ll give up his freedom in reparation for the life he lost. Honey may be the last sweet stop on the road to a joyless future. If it’s what they both want, where’s the harm in a no-strings affair?

Buy links for Their No-Strings Affair

Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon CA Amazon AU Nook IBooks Google play Kobo

A peek between the pages of Their No String Affair.

He tossed his shirt on the chair, then froze when he heard the faint sound over the white noise of the hotel’s piped-in music. A slight rustle through the thick wood of the bathroom door. He pushed back a step toward the armoire to get into position, then in one fluid motion, grasped and cocked the pistol he slid from the holster strapped to his right ankle.

The door opened as he leveled the gun, chest high at the opening.

Her mouth gaped, and a wild shriek issued in the short seconds it took him to uncock the pistol, push it into his waist, take one long stride to reach her, and shove his hand over her open mouth.

“What the hell?” Her muffled words tickled the palm of his hand, and heat flooded his chest as electricity ran in a hotwire from his hand to the tease of her soft lips against his skin.

Jake, pull your shit together!

“Damn right, what the hell! What the hell are you doing here?”

She was slippery as an eel as she jerked back and forth to get out from under the arm pressed across her chest from shoulder to shoulder and the hand covering her mouth. She wasn’t at all concerned he had a gun or with his superior strength, he could do serious damage to her without breaking a sweat.

Or maybe she was well aware what froze him in a cold sweat was the shock of seeing a fantasy come to life. There was nothing imaginary about the round little ass pressed against his body and the precarious state of the towel that was about to slide off her. She squirmed, and a torrent of curses flew out of her mouth against his hand. Yeah, she was in a temper all right, but so was he. Because this person, this woman, who had trouble written all over her, was back again. Somehow, angry and aroused as he was, somewhere deep in his gut, he knew. The rest of his life would be divided into the time before he met her and the time since.

“Stop. Right now. I have a weapon.” He put his lips a breath away from the delicate shell of her ear. Kept his voice low but didn’t disguise the snarl in it. “If I take my hand off your mouth, you shut up. I ask the questions and you answer. Got it?”

The spiky roadrunner head bobbed up and down. “Okay.” He lifted his hand slowly.
She stepped away from him, and right away her hands jumped up to tighten the towel around her body. She jerked her chin up, keeping silent as instructed, but her lips pressed into a determined line, and her dark chocolate eyes sparked outrage.

By now he didn’t even find it weird the emotion showing strongest in her eyes was indignation. Nor did he wonder his strongest desire was not to find out how or why she’d gotten in here. Nope. His hands itched to remove that towel. His jaw tightened, and the rest of his body hardened into painful readiness. He forced out a harsh breath, unclenched his fists. Searched for logic.

About the Author of Their No Strings Affair:

Author Charlotte O’Shay was born in New York City into big family and then married into another big family.

Negotiating skills honed at the dinner table led her to a career in the law.

But after four beautiful children joined the crowded family tree, Charlotte traded her legal career to write about happily ever afters in the City of Dreams.

Charlotte loves to challenge her heroines and heroes with a crisis and watch them figure out who they are while they fall in love.

Social Media Links:

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It was a blast having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Their No Strings Affair!

Visits: 420

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Charlotte O'Shay, Contemporary Romance, New York City, Their No Strings Affair by Tena Stetler with 17 comments.

Apr 11th Interview Charlotte O’Shay Author of Forever in a Moment

Welcome Charlotte O’Shay author of Forever in a Moment, a Deerbourne Inn novella. I simply love these books in the Deetbourne Inn Series set in small town Willow Springs, Vermont. This is a fun multi-author series you don’t want to miss. Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Charlotte and Forever in a Moment.

Tell us a little about Forever in a Moment.

A stormy encounter…

Samantha DeMartino’s Christmas wedding is two weeks away when her fiancé calls the whole thing off. Word on the street: his cold feet are being heated by an old flame. With her well-ordered world in complete disarray, Sam’s friends convince her to go on her honeymoon—alone. A week at a charming Vermont inn away from the city and her demanding corporate career could be just what she needs to figure out her next steps.

Between his twenty-four seven work schedule on his family’s dairy farm and teaching tourists to ski, Jed Armstrong’s too busy to think about how lonely he is…until Sam sings her way into his life during a Christmas blizzard. Now he has to figure out a way to convince her to stay.

Can a vivacious city girl find forever with a reclusive farmer?
Will her secret keep her from trying?

A sneak peek between the pages of Forever in a Moment:

I stand and shove my hat on my head, anxious to go, not bothering to tuck in the unruly curls escaping my braid.

“Thanks, Jed. Um, tomorrow I’ve made other plans. But…um…thanks for these lessons. I’ve learned so much.” After that stilted speech, which I’ve been practicing in my head for the last five minutes, I smile so wide my bottom teeth are surely showing.

I back toward the door trying to memorize the exact way his hair catches the light streaming through the window. When I put my hand in my jacket pocket, his jaw clamps so hard and his eyes go so dark, I wonder what I’ve done to merit his displeasure before I realize he thinks I’m reaching for cash to tip him. But I pull out my gloves and put them on. They’re my final armor against him. God knows I’ll never forget the feel of his hands on me, whether gentle, capable or rough. I still feel them all over me, cupping my jaw, roving my body, tangling in my hair. I turn and reach for the handle on the door.

“Samantha.” If his voice were angry or commanding I’d have kept going. But his voice is low and there’s an anguished, guttural quality to the way he says my name. And I won’t have it. I can’t have him thinking anything negative about me after I go.

When I turn, he takes a step toward me and I raise a hand. “Stop…I can’t think when you get too close.” My face heats as those damning words spill out and he chuckles, a genuine laugh and it’s the only one between us today.

“Glad I still amuse you.” I fold my arms across my chest.

“I feel the same way, Sam.”

“Jed, don’t make this tougher,” I say but he keeps speaking in that same harsh voice.

“When I’m near you everything fades away except the need to be closer. Close enough to watch your eyes cloud up when I’m about to kiss you, close enough to hear your breathing get ragged when my hands are on you.”

“Jed, we agreed…”

He shakes his head. “No, I gave in. Because you asked me to. If I had my way, I’d see you all day, every day and… sleep with you every night. I…”

“Stop,” I say. “This, us, whatever this is—can’t happen. I go back to New York in a couple of days.” “Sam, I…” “No.” I slash my hand through the air. “I don’t know what’s happening to me.” I’m on edge, close to tears at the way I can’t control my response to him. And all my precious logic is eluding me.

He plows a hand through his hair then captures my gaze with his and I can’t look away.

“What’s happening is us. We’re happening. This is our beginning. You and me together. I’d started to think it would never happen. But it did. When I saw you that first night…I knew. And you did too.”

“No.” My denial is swift. “No. I didn’t. It’s not that simple. We hardly know each other…” I lift my chin in spite of the flush I know covers my cheeks. I think of Jed kissing me awake in bed after a perfect, unforgettable night and I squeeze my eyes shut at the sharp stab of need the recollection brings. But it’s true, isn’t it? We don’t know each other. I surprise myself when a tear trickles down my cheek and I swipe it fast.

Buy Links:
Amazon

My review on Forever in a Moment

Your heart goes out to Samantha DeMartino when her fiancé calls off their Christmas wedding two weeks before the event. Since the honeymoon already paid for (by the scumbag that jilted her) she goes alone to a cozy Vermont Inn. On her way to Deerbourn Inn her SUV runs out of gas in a blinding blizzard. She has no choice but to try to make it to the Inn on foot. I loved the scene where she is walking in the blizzard singing Christmas carols when Jed Armstrong stops to give her a ride to the Inn. The author describes the scene so well you feel like you are right there with her. Also you can identify with Jed when he considers her crazy for being out in the blizzard on foot.

I love to be swept along in the story with characters so full of life and setting described so well you can see, hear and smell the scene. Kudo’s to Ms. O’Shay! If you like second chance stories in a small town this book is for you! Don’t wait another minute, grab your copy today.

5 stars

About the Author:

Charlotte and her suit and tie wearing corporate warrior live in Manhattan with their last child, a black dog who thinks he’s a bear. When Charlotte isn’t reading or writing, she’s dreaming of the beach.

Favorite Movies: Terminator, Gladiator, all the other ‘ator movies,
Influences: Bruce Springsteen, Audrey Hepburn & Georgette Heyer

Let’s talk:

It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Forever in a Moment!

Visits: 619

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Charlotte O'Shay, Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Deerbourne Inn Series, Vermont, Wedding by Tena Stetler with 25 comments.