by: Therese Beharrie
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Christmas
Release Date: November 1, 2018
Publisher: Harlequin Romance
Amazon | Paperback | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Goodreads
The bridesmaid, the best man…
A Christmas wedding they’ll never forget!
A year after being jilted, Ava Keller finds herself forced back up the aisle — as bridesmaid at a beautiful Cape Town wedding. Best man — and Ava’s first crush — Noah Giles is the perfect distraction from her painful memories. But their flirtation turns serious when Ava’s feelings for him resurface! Hurt when Noah left after their kiss years before, will Ava give their chemistry a second chance?
Thank you for having me! I’m wonderful. SO excited to celebrate the release of Her Festive Flirtation with you!
I’m so excited to speak with you! By the way, congratulations on the release of Her Festive Flirtation. I have to tell you, I love the cover. Tell me about the story.
I’m so excited to speak with you! By the way, congratulations on the release of Her Festive Flirtation. I have to tell you, I love the cover. Tell me about the story.
Thanks! Honestly, same. I’m so lucky with covers!
Her Festive Flirtation is one of my favourites. It’s low-angst, Christmassy, and there’s a lot of flirting! It’s about Ava Keller, who, after being jilted at the altar a year ago, has to be a bridesmaid in her brother’s wedding, which is the last thing she wants to do. Things get even more complicated when her brother’s best friend, Noah Giles, comes back to town to be the best man. He was Ava’s first crush and – oops – the chemistry is still there!
What do you like/love about Ava Keller and Noah Giles?
I love how prickly Ava is! She knows she’s pushed people away because of it, but it proves to her that the people who love her really do love her. And Noah is just charming. How can you resist a man who saves your cat from a fire?!
Oh my gosh! That scene! I loved that scene!! Noah and Ava know each other from years before. What makes them ready for an HEA this time?
Her Festive Flirtation is one of my favourites. It’s low-angst, Christmassy, and there’s a lot of flirting! It’s about Ava Keller, who, after being jilted at the altar a year ago, has to be a bridesmaid in her brother’s wedding, which is the last thing she wants to do. Things get even more complicated when her brother’s best friend, Noah Giles, comes back to town to be the best man. He was Ava’s first crush and – oops – the chemistry is still there!
What do you like/love about Ava Keller and Noah Giles?
I love how prickly Ava is! She knows she’s pushed people away because of it, but it proves to her that the people who love her really do love her. And Noah is just charming. How can you resist a man who saves your cat from a fire?!
Oh my gosh! That scene! I loved that scene!! Noah and Ava know each other from years before. What makes them ready for an HEA this time?
It’s a combination of them realising how much they mean to one another because of the time they’ve spent apart, and their growth during that time. They can no longer claim their feelings are immature crushes. There are real feelings that won’t be ignored!
Tell me about one of your favorite scenes from the book.
Definitely the grand gesture moment! It involves Noah making a complete and utter fool of himself in front of a crowd of people to prove to Ava that he cares about her. I can say no more, but trust me, it’s fun!
I read the book. That was a fun scene. What are some fun facts about Her Festive Flirtation?
I got the idea after I saw the video of a man who saved a rabbit during the California wildfires last year. My writer brain immediately thought ‘yep, that’s a romance hero’, hence Noah saving Ava’s cat in the opening scene.
Her Festive Flirtation is my first Christmas romance! It’s also set during the summer in South Africa, and since I’ve never read a book like that, I’m so excited to have been able to write it.
What’s your favorite part of a book to write?
I love beginnings! Those are usually the first scenes to appear in my head. I always aim to get the main characters on page together as soon as possible so I can have fun with their chemistry!
I might have stalked you a little bit for this interview (Looking around like that’s just the most natural thing in the world to say.) What caught my attention was that you’ve said you wanted to write books featuring people who look like you and taking place in your geographic location. I’ll admit I don’t know anything about South Africa. Do you think in a way your books are introducing people to another place?
Tell me about one of your favorite scenes from the book.
Definitely the grand gesture moment! It involves Noah making a complete and utter fool of himself in front of a crowd of people to prove to Ava that he cares about her. I can say no more, but trust me, it’s fun!
I read the book. That was a fun scene. What are some fun facts about Her Festive Flirtation?
I got the idea after I saw the video of a man who saved a rabbit during the California wildfires last year. My writer brain immediately thought ‘yep, that’s a romance hero’, hence Noah saving Ava’s cat in the opening scene.
Her Festive Flirtation is my first Christmas romance! It’s also set during the summer in South Africa, and since I’ve never read a book like that, I’m so excited to have been able to write it.
What’s your favorite part of a book to write?
I love beginnings! Those are usually the first scenes to appear in my head. I always aim to get the main characters on page together as soon as possible so I can have fun with their chemistry!
I might have stalked you a little bit for this interview (Looking around like that’s just the most natural thing in the world to say.) What caught my attention was that you’ve said you wanted to write books featuring people who look like you and taking place in your geographic location. I’ll admit I don’t know anything about South Africa. Do you think in a way your books are introducing people to another place?
Haha! It’s an honour to be stalked by you 😉 And yes, I absolutely do.
When I was growing up, I remember reading only one romance novel (out of hundreds) set in South Africa. It wasn’t in English, and it didn’t feature people who looked like me, but it meant the world to me. That’s the feeling I hope to bring to South Africans reading my work, and I love the idea of introducing my international readers to my home, too. I always try to set my books in different places within SA and specifically, Cape Town, so that international readers can fall in love with its beauty.
Are you a full-time writer? If so, what is your day generally like?
I am a full-time writer! My routine is pretty boring though. After breakfast, I’ll usually do my admin, like respond to emails and check social media. I’ll dive into work as soon as possible after that. That work will depend on whether I’m writing a draft, revising or proofing an already finished book. I’ll break for lunch, then continue working. It isn't very exciting, sorry!
Her Festive Flirtation is your, wait for it…..eighth book from Harlequin. You’ve only been a published author for almost two year. That’s insane! How do you think your writing has changed?
When I was growing up, I remember reading only one romance novel (out of hundreds) set in South Africa. It wasn’t in English, and it didn’t feature people who looked like me, but it meant the world to me. That’s the feeling I hope to bring to South Africans reading my work, and I love the idea of introducing my international readers to my home, too. I always try to set my books in different places within SA and specifically, Cape Town, so that international readers can fall in love with its beauty.
Are you a full-time writer? If so, what is your day generally like?
I am a full-time writer! My routine is pretty boring though. After breakfast, I’ll usually do my admin, like respond to emails and check social media. I’ll dive into work as soon as possible after that. That work will depend on whether I’m writing a draft, revising or proofing an already finished book. I’ll break for lunch, then continue working. It isn't very exciting, sorry!
Her Festive Flirtation is your, wait for it…..eighth book from Harlequin. You’ve only been a published author for almost two year. That’s insane! How do you think your writing has changed?
Gosh, how much time do you have? LOL. The number one thing is that I’m a lot more aware of what I’m writing now. I know that sounds strange, but before I was published, I just wrote, and didn’t engage with my content and characters as much as I do now. I like to think there’s more nuances in my stories now because I’m actively trying to challenge myself and give readers a reading experience they’ll remember and enjoy.
Therese, Her Festive Flirtation was a good read. Thank you so much for answering some of my burning questions.
Therese, Her Festive Flirtation was a good read. Thank you so much for answering some of my burning questions.
Thank you for your wonderful questions!
Being an author has always been Therese’s dream. But it was only when the corporate world loomed during her final year at university that she realised how soon she wanted that dream to become a reality. So she got serious about her writing, and now writes books she wants to see in the world featuring people who look like her for a living. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her husband and dogs in Cape Town, South Africa. She admits that this is a perfect life, and is grateful for it.
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So, nothing’s changed in the seven years since you’ve seen him, then?
Clearing her throat—her mind—she took a step forward, her legs shaking through her strides were steady.When she reached him, he pulled the oxygen mask from his face, coughed, and then said, ‘Are we going to have to talk about why you decided to run into a fire to rescue a cat, Avalanche?’
His words were said with a crooked half-smile, and then he began to unbutton the jacket she’d only just noticed was moving to reveal a squirming Zorro.
There had been a pause before she’d even realised it was her cat. And that pause came because she’d been distracted by the muscular chest under the white vest Noah had just uncovered.
No, she thought. It had been years since she’d seen Noah. Years since she’d even thought about the silly crush she’d had on her brother’s best friend. Or about the kisses they’d once shared.
There was no way any remnants of that crush were still there. She’d been in a five-year relationship since then. She’d almost got married.
But you didn’t get married, a voice in her head said enticingly.
So clearly, there was a way.
Clearing her throat—her mind—she took a step forward, her legs shaking through her strides were steady.When she reached him, he pulled the oxygen mask from his face, coughed, and then said, ‘Are we going to have to talk about why you decided to run into a fire to rescue a cat, Avalanche?’
His words were said with a crooked half-smile, and then he began to unbutton the jacket she’d only just noticed was moving to reveal a squirming Zorro.
There had been a pause before she’d even realised it was her cat. And that pause came because she’d been distracted by the muscular chest under the white vest Noah had just uncovered.
No, she thought. It had been years since she’d seen Noah. Years since she’d even thought about the silly crush she’d had on her brother’s best friend. Or about the kisses they’d once shared.
There was no way any remnants of that crush were still there. She’d been in a five-year relationship since then. She’d almost got married.
But you didn’t get married, a voice in her head said enticingly.
So clearly, there was a way.
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I'm so glad you interview Theresa Beharrie. I really enjoyed reading this interview.
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