Greetings Book Lovers!
It is Friday friends and I am in absolute love with today’s Indie Author Guest Writer. Best Selling author Kandi Steiner is on the blog today and I couldn’t be more excited. Steiner is best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories and loves bringing flawed characters to life. No two Kandi Steiner books are ever the same. If you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, Steiner has got you covered. I Have been a fan of Steiner for more years than I can count. Her book, On the Rocks was featured in The 2019 Dear Mr. Hemingway Holiday Books & Pairings. Be sure to check out my love for this book and what I paired with it for the winning combination!
An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Steiner graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. She started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed it to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a diehard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs.
When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, snuggling her furry puppy and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys live music, traveling, anything heavy in carbs, beach days, movie marathons, craft beer and sweet wine — not necessarily in that order.
I am living vicariously through Steiner today as she shares a book she loves and her memories of spending time at The Hemingway House in Key West Florida (my trip was cancelled to go there last year due to the pandemic). Get ready to add ANOTHER fabulous book to your TBR. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!!!
Happy Reading!
Kelly
P.S. Happy Pub Day to Steiner. Her book Hazed, was released yesterday! Be sure to check it out!
P.P.S. Connect with this beautiful writer on all her wonderful platforms below!
➜ NEWSLETTER: kandisteiner.com/newsletter
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/kandisteiner
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (Kandiland): facebook.com/groups/kandilandks
➜ INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/kandisteiner
➜ TWITTER: twitter.com/kandisteiner
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/authorkandisteiner
➜ WEBSITE: www.kandisteiner.com
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
On my 30th birthday, I strolled through the house in Key West that you once called home. I was in awe, standing in your second-story office overlooking the pool and the palms, my eyes soaking in the same views you did while writing some of your greatest works. It was easy for me to understand why that would be your favorite place to sit and be inspired, especially because Key West is one of my favorite places in the world, too.
And of course, having a dozen or so polydactyl cats roaming around doesn’t hurt.
That wasn’t my first trip to your house. No, that first time was many years ago, when I was early in my writing career and had no idea what the future held for me. But on my 30th birthday, my second time touring your old home, I wasn’t alone.
I was with a boy named Jack.
Jack and I met on Bumble, a dating app that I find is difficult to explain if you haven’t been on it yourself. All you really need to know, however, is that we went on a hike for our first date, and I knew instantly that he was something special.
Two years later, and we are engaged.
Engaged! Writing that word makes me giggle like a schoolgirl, Ernest. I just can’t get over the way it feels to say, “My fiancé!” Our engagement is recent, you see, as he just proposed on March 11th. Maybe that’s why I’m all wrapped up in my ooey, gooey romantic feels and find myself reaching for books that make me feel the same way.
Have you heard of Staci Hart?
She’s a fantastic writer with a knack for romantic comedy, and I’ve never read writing so lush and poignant in all my life. I recently read her latest release, Bet the Farm, and I’ve included it here with my letter for you to read, too. This romantic comedy had me laughing so hard my eyes watered, but even better? The romance made me swoon with big, fat, heart eyes and my hands clasped over my chest. I couldn’t get enough of the main characters, and the setting of this picturesque small town in California was just the icing on the cake.
Did I mention that the heroine is lactose-intolerant, and she’s just inherited her grandfather’s dairy farm?
Trust me — this is a must read.
I hope all is well on your end, and I look forward to hearing about your most recent hunts and boxing matches. You’re still the reigning champion in Key West, no doubt.
Warm Wishes & Whiskey,
Kandi Steiner
P.S. Also, thought you might find it funny to know that you can name your iPhone when you set it up. Mine is named Ernest Hemingway. 🙂
