Book Review and Interview: Kissing Kendall by Jennifer Shirk

Title: Kissing Kendall
Author: Jennifer Shirk
Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Bliss)

About the Book: Kendall Grisbaum is finally taking charge of her life—pouring her heart into opening a new bakery business and even allowing her best friend Georgie to play matchmaker for her. Trouble is, the one guy she secretly wants is Georgie’s older brother, Brad, who is decidedly off limits.

Brad can’t seem to get his little sister’s best friend out of his mind. He and Kendall used to be close friends, too, and as a local policeman, Brad can’t help but play protector, looking out for Kendall. When he offers to help her renovate her new bakery space on the side, their friendship—and their attraction—flares back to life.

Amid the temptation of doughnut muffins and blueberry cobbler, a new temptation draws them both closer. Can they take a chance on love when it means risking their friendship, even when not doing so risks everything?

My thoughts: This was a fun and quick book to read, and was just what I needed to make me sit for awhile this week.  I was attracted to this book first off because of the title.  My maiden name is Kendall and I always thought it would be neat to have a daughter named Kendall (that didn't happen, but my daughter says if she ever has a boy she is going to name HIM Kendall - Oh well, close enough!)  

I really liked Kendall and while I didn't feel sorry for her (she had lost her husband Jake, a fireman, after just a couple of months of marriage), I did feel sympathy for her.  Even though she hadn't really started living again - after two years - she didn't really hit me as the type that would let you feel sorry for her.  She has some great friends in Georgie and Dee - but especially Georgie.  They want what is best for her and never tire in telling her what they think that is.  

On their urging she makes up her mind to go ahead and open up a bakery - something she has always wanted to do.  This also brings Brad, Georgie's brother, a reason to spend more time with her.  Brad and Kendall had been friends until Kendall married Jake.  What Kendall didn't realize was that Brad had more than just "friend" feelings for Kendall.

I loved the chemistry between Brad and Kendall.  I am not sure why it works for some authors when they write scenes that take chemistry, but it definitely worked here!  You could almost see the sparks sizzling off the page (ok - off the Nook, and No, I hadn't spilled something on it!) I got to the first good part when I was sitting in the dentist chair and had to put it away!  I couldn't wait to get home so I could start reading it again.  

If you need a quick, pick-me-up romance - especially with Valentine's around the corner - pick up Kissing Kendall!

~I received a complimentary ebook of Kissing Kendall from Entangled Publishing in exchange for my honest review.~

Purchase links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Jennifer was nice enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions for me!  Please welcome her to Books and Needlepoint!

 DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE AUTHOR/BOOK OR ONE YOU ALWAYS RECOMMEND?  

 Hands down my all-time favorite author is Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Her humor is THE best. Plus she has a great way of taking unlikeable characters in the beginning then making you root for them by the end of the book. My favorites are HONEY MOON and NOBODY’S BABY BUT MINE.

Check them out!

DO YOU HAVE MUCH SAY IN THE TITLE OR COVERS OF YOUR BOOKS?

Well, it really depends on the publishing house. But I can say that with Entangled Books, they’re really great at listening to your suggestions. They manage to nail exactly what I’ve wanted both times.

 WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Hmm…I don’t know if there is much left to me that I haven’t already purged on my blog. But people may not be aware that I am a HUGE Three Stooges fan.

We just watched the new Three Stooges movie with our son and he loved it.  There might be another Three Stooges fan now! 

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

First off, what spare time? LOL! But most often than not, I’m either reading or trying out a new recipe. I do love to cook!

HOW DOES YOUR FAMILY FEEL ABOUT HAVING A WRITER IN THE FAMILY? DO THEY READ YOUR BOOKS?

 My in-laws tend to be my BIGGEST fans—especially my father-in-law, who is a big Tom Clancy reader and so not a romance fan. Both of them have read everything I’ve written and don’t hesitate to brag to all their friends. I think that’s both hilarious and sweet. J

NIGHT OWL OR EARLY BIRD? Early! Well, fairly early.

FAVORITE SEASON? Summer hands down. I live in a beach resort. Nuff said.

FAVORITE SPORT? I LOVE baseball—especially going to live games. When I first got married, we lived in the Boston area for five years and made it to Fenway Park dozens of times. I’m still a BIG Red Sox fan.

TALK OR TEXT? Texting all the way! (except to my mom and to my in-laws) J

CAT OR DOG? I’m a huge dog person and am looking to adopt one right now. (Just don’t tell my kiddo that yet)

That's so cool!  I am hoping to add a new puppy to our mix in March!

This was so much fun!  Thanks so much for having me!

I hope you all get to check out my sweet romance KISSING KENDALL and also my upcoming Valentine’s novella A LITTLE BIT CUPID released this month, which is guaranteed to be UBER FUN!

About Jennifer Shirk: : Jennifer Shirk has a bachelor degree in pharmacy--which has in NO WAY at all helped her with her writing career. But she likes to point it out, since it shows romantic-at-hearts come in all shapes, sizes, and mind-numbing educations.

She writes sweet (and sometimes even funny) romances for Samhain Publishing, Avalon Books/Montlake Romance and now Entangled Publishing. She won third place in the RWA 2006 NYC's Kathryn Hayes Love and Laughter Contest with her first book, The Role of a Lifetime.

Lately she's been on a serious exercise kick. But don't hold that against her.

Feel free to follow her on Twitter or become a friend on Facebook.

Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferShirk
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorjennifershirk
Website: http://www.jennifershirk.com/
Blog: http://www.jennifershirk.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3112488.Jennifer_Shirk

For all my readers - I will be spotlighting A Little Bit Cupid on Valentine's day and reviewing it in February - so come back and check it out!

Kissing Kendall

Publisher/Publication Date: Bliss, December 2012

ISBN: 978-1-62266-813-7

202 pages

Contemporary Romance