An Interview with Judy Kentrus
The Wedding Gift
wasn’t on my writer’s radar to be written. Readers loved Cindi Pearl Sullivan
and Preston Reynolds, the couple from Winner
Takes All so much, I stopped my work in progress and wrote about their
wedding. Of course, I had to make it interesting enough to hold the reader’s
interest because the couple was already in love and were eager to wed. What
better way to disrupt their plans than bring back a man who held Cindi’s heart
as a teenager. The girl he once knew as a plain, sweet innocent, had turned
into a Monarch butterfly with a vivacious personality. He wanted to pick up
where they left off, but first he had to break up her engagement.
wasn’t on my writer’s radar to be written. Readers loved Cindi Pearl Sullivan
and Preston Reynolds, the couple from Winner
Takes All so much, I stopped my work in progress and wrote about their
wedding. Of course, I had to make it interesting enough to hold the reader’s
interest because the couple was already in love and were eager to wed. What
better way to disrupt their plans than bring back a man who held Cindi’s heart
as a teenager. The girl he once knew as a plain, sweet innocent, had turned
into a Monarch butterfly with a vivacious personality. He wanted to pick up
where they left off, but first he had to break up her engagement.
After facing hair-pulling challenges and Cindi being
kidnapped four days before the wedding, everything came off.
Did I have a plan of action when the book started out? No,
I am a “panster” writer and my characters jump in and tell me what direction to
take and rule the dialogue. Is it what I had in mind? No, but in the end it all
comes together. When I type “The End” I sit back and ask myself how did I get
here?
I am a “panster” writer and my characters jump in and tell me what direction to
take and rule the dialogue. Is it what I had in mind? No, but in the end it all
comes together. When I type “The End” I sit back and ask myself how did I get
here?
Along with a happily ever after, you will find lots of
humor in my books, especially The Wedding
Gift. I introduce three senior citizens who believe age is a state of mind
and life is over only when you take your last breath. There are laugh-out-loud
moments and the things that come out of their mouths, are priceless. I will
confess to having volunteered at an assistant living center and encountered
very similar characters. The names and places were changed, naturally.
humor in my books, especially The Wedding
Gift. I introduce three senior citizens who believe age is a state of mind
and life is over only when you take your last breath. There are laugh-out-loud
moments and the things that come out of their mouths, are priceless. I will
confess to having volunteered at an assistant living center and encountered
very similar characters. The names and places were changed, naturally.
The book that I interrupted and just completed is Tea in Time. Samantha Kingsley was a
character in three of my other books and readers told me she needs her own
book. After ten years working as an undercover operative for a private security
company, she’s about to fulfill her dream and open a Victorian themed tea shop,
Tea in Time. Her boss asks her to take on one more assignment, one that will
change her life in ways she never imagined. I am planning a summer release.
character in three of my other books and readers told me she needs her own
book. After ten years working as an undercover operative for a private security
company, she’s about to fulfill her dream and open a Victorian themed tea shop,
Tea in Time. Her boss asks her to take on one more assignment, one that will
change her life in ways she never imagined. I am planning a summer release.
As a writer, when a reader finishes one of my books, I
hope they have a smile on their face and wonder when the next book will be out.
My characters are not perfect. They laugh, cry, have flaws and face challenges.
Preston Reynolds lost a part of his right leg in Afghanistan and thought life,
as he knew it, was over, until he met Cindi Pearl.
hope they have a smile on their face and wonder when the next book will be out.
My characters are not perfect. They laugh, cry, have flaws and face challenges.
Preston Reynolds lost a part of his right leg in Afghanistan and thought life,
as he knew it, was over, until he met Cindi Pearl.
I’d like to end this interview
with a quote from a guest at Cindi Pearl’s personal shower. “Cindi, sex to a
man is like hunger. If he can’t get into an expensive French restaurant, he’ll go
to McDonalds!”
with a quote from a guest at Cindi Pearl’s personal shower. “Cindi, sex to a
man is like hunger. If he can’t get into an expensive French restaurant, he’ll go
to McDonalds!”
Happy Reading Everyone!
Wedding of the Year
Back
Cover Copy for The Wedding Gift
Cover Copy for The Wedding Gift
Preston Reynolds and Cindi Pearl Sullivan, the loving
couple from “Winner Takes All,” have planned the perfect winter wedding. Two
weeks before they say “I do”, Cindi is invited to a holiday get together for
the graduates of Stevensville High School. Four months before graduation, Cindi
fell in love, but suffered teenage heartbreak a week before she got her
diploma. The invitation brought back all of the humiliation she suffered. She
confesses all to Preston and he encourages her to attend, hold her head high
and show everyone she has made a success of her life. She also has a man who
loves her more than life itself.
couple from “Winner Takes All,” have planned the perfect winter wedding. Two
weeks before they say “I do”, Cindi is invited to a holiday get together for
the graduates of Stevensville High School. Four months before graduation, Cindi
fell in love, but suffered teenage heartbreak a week before she got her
diploma. The invitation brought back all of the humiliation she suffered. She
confesses all to Preston and he encourages her to attend, hold her head high
and show everyone she has made a success of her life. She also has a man who
loves her more than life itself.
Thomas Leland has returned to reclaim the woman he
pushed away and to plans to pick up where he left off. His cheerless moth has
transformed into a Monarch butterfly and he’s a man who gets what he wants.
First he has to break up her engagement.
pushed away and to plans to pick up where he left off. His cheerless moth has
transformed into a Monarch butterfly and he’s a man who gets what he wants.
First he has to break up her engagement.
Reviews for The Wedding Gift
Yet another book from Judy Kentrus to love. Preston
& Cindi Pearl are the sweetest couple. They have such opposite
personalities which just makes them perfect for each. Of course all the
characters, human & animal, from previous books made an appearance. The Lemon
sisters are so funny. While Cindi’s ex was doing everything to stop the
wedding, the town & all Cindi & Preston’s friends were doing everything
to make it right. This is a must read from a fabulous author.
& Cindi Pearl are the sweetest couple. They have such opposite
personalities which just makes them perfect for each. Of course all the
characters, human & animal, from previous books made an appearance. The Lemon
sisters are so funny. While Cindi’s ex was doing everything to stop the
wedding, the town & all Cindi & Preston’s friends were doing everything
to make it right. This is a must read from a fabulous author.
G TK Baker….. Amazon
Move over Cinderella and Prince Charming, meet Cindy and
Preston! This story is a modern love story that we get to see what happens
after Cinderella puts on that glass slipper. On the way to the church, the
wicked step sisters are replaced by Cindi”s high school boyfriend, Thomas
Leland. And the wicked step mother is very tame compared to Thomas’s Mother.
For comic relief you will meet Muriel, Sadie, and Bertie. The coolest senior
citizens you will ever meet. This book is a sweet love story, with laughs,
cheers, tears, and romance. Wait till you see how Thomas goes to extremes to stop
the wedding! Total romance! Still smiling after reading this book.
Preston! This story is a modern love story that we get to see what happens
after Cinderella puts on that glass slipper. On the way to the church, the
wicked step sisters are replaced by Cindi”s high school boyfriend, Thomas
Leland. And the wicked step mother is very tame compared to Thomas’s Mother.
For comic relief you will meet Muriel, Sadie, and Bertie. The coolest senior
citizens you will ever meet. This book is a sweet love story, with laughs,
cheers, tears, and romance. Wait till you see how Thomas goes to extremes to stop
the wedding! Total romance! Still smiling after reading this book.
Cindi….. Amazon
Loved this book! It was funny, poignant, and a great
follow-up to Winner Takes All. I especially enjoyed Cindi’s bridal shower. The
three senior citizens who crashed the party were a hoot. Cindi pulling a SING
maneuver on the bad guy was fun too. If you enjoyed Winner Takes All you’ve got
to get this one too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
follow-up to Winner Takes All. I especially enjoyed Cindi’s bridal shower. The
three senior citizens who crashed the party were a hoot. Cindi pulling a SING
maneuver on the bad guy was fun too. If you enjoyed Winner Takes All you’ve got
to get this one too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Globally Unique Paula….. Amazon
Excerpt from The Wedding Gift
“Hold it! You can’t have a personal
shower for our girl without us,” Sadie, Muriel and Bertie announced.
shower for our girl without us,” Sadie, Muriel and Bertie announced.
Cindi rushed over to the three ladies
from her Saturday morning bingo crew. “This is a wonderful surprise. Did
someone from the center drop you off?”
from her Saturday morning bingo crew. “This is a wonderful surprise. Did
someone from the center drop you off?”
“Are you kidding? They are all a bunch
of old farts thinking we’re too old to go out at night. Don’t have a license
any more, but I took the special van and drove us here,” Bertie proudly
announced to the entire room.
of old farts thinking we’re too old to go out at night. Don’t have a license
any more, but I took the special van and drove us here,” Bertie proudly
announced to the entire room.
Cindi was mortified the white-haired
senescent would do such a thing. They’d taken her license away due to vision
impairment, among other things. “You stole the van and drove illegally!”
senescent would do such a thing. They’d taken her license away due to vision
impairment, among other things. “You stole the van and drove illegally!”
“Ah, fishcakes! I’m trying not to
curse too much. We distracted the night guard and told him there was a fight in
the TV room. Went in the social worker’s office and got the keys from the top
draw of her desk and took off in the van. It was a perfect get away!”
curse too much. We distracted the night guard and told him there was a fight in
the TV room. Went in the social worker’s office and got the keys from the top
draw of her desk and took off in the van. It was a perfect get away!”
“You could have gotten into an
accident!”
accident!”
“Ever hear of the saying ‘if a, could
a, should a, would a, maybe? We ain’t getting any younger and I got us here in
one piece.” Her birth certificate said she was ninety, but her mind was a
youthful fifty and she took enormous pleasure in the balloons. “Great
decorations. That yellow one reminds me of husband two. On the small size, but
what he lacked in size, he had in stamina.”
a, should a, would a, maybe? We ain’t getting any younger and I got us here in
one piece.” Her birth certificate said she was ninety, but her mind was a
youthful fifty and she took enormous pleasure in the balloons. “Great
decorations. That yellow one reminds me of husband two. On the small size, but
what he lacked in size, he had in stamina.”
“We’re glad you three arrived safe and
sound. We were just about to have champagne, but first let me introduce you to
everyone.”
sound. We were just about to have champagne, but first let me introduce you to
everyone.”
Samantha, as the maid of honor, asked
everyone to raise their glasses to make a toast to the bride-to-be, but she was
interrupted by Muriel. “I’ve buried four husbands and would like to give Cindi
a piece of advice. No woman can be happy if a man’s tallywacker is less than
seven inches long.”
everyone to raise their glasses to make a toast to the bride-to-be, but she was
interrupted by Muriel. “I’ve buried four husbands and would like to give Cindi
a piece of advice. No woman can be happy if a man’s tallywacker is less than
seven inches long.”
Sallie Mae jumped right in with an
affirmative nod. “Men should be like coffee, strong, hot and not let you sleep
the whole night. My second husband was like that, God rest his soul.”
affirmative nod. “Men should be like coffee, strong, hot and not let you sleep
the whole night. My second husband was like that, God rest his soul.”
“Well, I’ve only been married one
time,” Sadie interjected. “I kicked his ass out after fifteen years because he
couldn’t keep his horse in the stable. When you think about it, men are born
between a woman’s legs and that is the reason they try to get back there the
rest of their life.”
time,” Sadie interjected. “I kicked his ass out after fifteen years because he
couldn’t keep his horse in the stable. When you think about it, men are born
between a woman’s legs and that is the reason they try to get back there the
rest of their life.”
“That is a very sound, reasonable
conclusion. As a judge, I’ve had a lot of adulterers come before my bench and
men don’t know when to keep their fly zipped. Cindi, sex to a man is like
hunger. If he can’t get into an expensive French restaurant, he’ll go to
McDonalds.”
conclusion. As a judge, I’ve had a lot of adulterers come before my bench and
men don’t know when to keep their fly zipped. Cindi, sex to a man is like
hunger. If he can’t get into an expensive French restaurant, he’ll go to
McDonalds.”
Jessie sat next to Lisa Kay, but her
very pregnant friend refused the champagne and sipped a cup of plain tea. “Let’s
check out the desserts. You are eating for three.”
very pregnant friend refused the champagne and sipped a cup of plain tea. “Let’s
check out the desserts. You are eating for three.”
“Thanks. I’ve got two more months to
go. I hope everyone likes what I brought. When I stuffed the strawberries, I
added orange liquor to the cream cheese to give it a little extra flavor.”
go. I hope everyone likes what I brought. When I stuffed the strawberries, I
added orange liquor to the cream cheese to give it a little extra flavor.”
Jessie helped herself to two of Lisa’s
strawberries. “I made chocolate beer cupcakes with whiskey filling and used
Bailey’s Irish Cream in the icing.”
strawberries. “I made chocolate beer cupcakes with whiskey filling and used
Bailey’s Irish Cream in the icing.”
Samantha stepped up to the table and helped
herself to a rum ball. “Wow! These are delicious! The flavor is so intense!”
she said and selected a second confection. “Who brought these?”
herself to a rum ball. “Wow! These are delicious! The flavor is so intense!”
she said and selected a second confection. “Who brought these?”
“Oh, I did,” Suzie Q said. “I couldn’t
find any regular rum, so I used Tom’s one hundred fifty one proof that he only
drinks on special occasions.”
find any regular rum, so I used Tom’s one hundred fifty one proof that he only
drinks on special occasions.”
“I hope everyone tries my fruitcake,”
Margaret said. “I used my great grandmother Struck’s recipe. The fruit is
soaked in brandy for a month.”
Margaret said. “I used my great grandmother Struck’s recipe. The fruit is
soaked in brandy for a month.”
Julie dipped the skewer of pineapple,
apricots, peaches and cherries into the dark chocolate sauce being kept warm in
a copper fondue pot. “I didn’t have time to bake, so I brought the fruit
kabobs. The sauce recipe calls for Cherry Brandy.”
apricots, peaches and cherries into the dark chocolate sauce being kept warm in
a copper fondue pot. “I didn’t have time to bake, so I brought the fruit
kabobs. The sauce recipe calls for Cherry Brandy.”
“Wait until you taste the watermelon
pops. I had Samantha pick me up a bottle of vodka and I dumped the entire thing
in this morning,” Sallie Mae said, sampling a piece of fruitcake and rum balls.
pops. I had Samantha pick me up a bottle of vodka and I dumped the entire thing
in this morning,” Sallie Mae said, sampling a piece of fruitcake and rum balls.
Alexis bit into her second fresh strawberry,
wondering what the unique flavor was in the cream cheese. “I wanted to bring a
Bourbon Pecan Pie, but Samantha suggested finger desserts, so I used the
mini-cupcake pans. The recipe called for three tablespoons of bourbon, but I
threw in two more for extra flavor.”
wondering what the unique flavor was in the cream cheese. “I wanted to bring a
Bourbon Pecan Pie, but Samantha suggested finger desserts, so I used the
mini-cupcake pans. The recipe called for three tablespoons of bourbon, but I
threw in two more for extra flavor.”
Bertie wandered
over to the table that displayed the drinks. The champagne was lovely and the
eggnog delicious, but her eyes lit up at the sight of the little bottles
wrapped in colorful foil. “I haven’t seen these in years,” she announced and
selected a Grand Mariner filled chocolate bottle. She turned away from the
table and almost collided with Cindi. “Listen up, girlie. Money can’t replace
love, especially on cold winter nights when you need someone to keep your feet
warm.”
over to the table that displayed the drinks. The champagne was lovely and the
eggnog delicious, but her eyes lit up at the sight of the little bottles
wrapped in colorful foil. “I haven’t seen these in years,” she announced and
selected a Grand Mariner filled chocolate bottle. She turned away from the
table and almost collided with Cindi. “Listen up, girlie. Money can’t replace
love, especially on cold winter nights when you need someone to keep your feet
warm.”
Cindi was worried her friend had
consumed too much alcohol, but gave her an endearing smile. “I’ll remember
that.” She nodded toward the dwindling row of foil wrapped bottles. “How many
have you had?”
consumed too much alcohol, but gave her an endearing smile. “I’ll remember
that.” She nodded toward the dwindling row of foil wrapped bottles. “How many
have you had?”
“The chocolates? Only three.” She
wasn’t about to tell Cindi she stashed a dozen in her oversize purse.
wasn’t about to tell Cindi she stashed a dozen in her oversize purse.
“Have you eaten anything?”
“Oh, sure. Have to keep a balanced
diet. Had me some of that chocolate dipped fruit, a cupcake, bunch of
watermelon, couple of rum balls. Didn’t eat any strawberries. Makes me break
out in hives. I had two of the pecan cups, too. I washed everything down with
Eggnog.”
diet. Had me some of that chocolate dipped fruit, a cupcake, bunch of
watermelon, couple of rum balls. Didn’t eat any strawberries. Makes me break
out in hives. I had two of the pecan cups, too. I washed everything down with
Eggnog.”
According to Cindi’s calculation,
Bertie consumed an entire liquor store of booze. “I think you need some
coffee.”
Bertie consumed an entire liquor store of booze. “I think you need some
coffee.”
She was about to suggest to her
guests, who were feeling no pain, that everyone could use coffee, but paused at
the sound of tipsy giggling. Suzie Q stood up and thrust out her empty glass of
eggnog. “I’ve got something to say. Men mostly hate the words not and enough,
unless you say them together!”
guests, who were feeling no pain, that everyone could use coffee, but paused at
the sound of tipsy giggling. Suzie Q stood up and thrust out her empty glass of
eggnog. “I’ve got something to say. Men mostly hate the words not and enough,
unless you say them together!”
The punch-drunk women burst out in a
fit of slap-happy laughter.
fit of slap-happy laughter.
“No, no.” Julie stood up and grasped
the edge of the table to keep steady. “Remember, sex for a man is a goal, and a
tool for a woman! I think I’ll ask Scott for a tool box for Christmas!”
the edge of the table to keep steady. “Remember, sex for a man is a goal, and a
tool for a woman! I think I’ll ask Scott for a tool box for Christmas!”
The women put their hands together and
clapped. Jennie put her pinkies in her mouth and a shrill whistle filled the
room.
clapped. Jennie put her pinkies in her mouth and a shrill whistle filled the
room.
“I’ve got one better.” Alexis stood up
and rested a steadying hand on Julie’s shoulder. “This is coming from a woman
who owns a cleaning service. Some men know that women dream of having two men
at the same time. What they don’t understand is, in these fantasies, one naked
hunky guy is cleaning the house and the other is cooking.”
and rested a steadying hand on Julie’s shoulder. “This is coming from a woman
who owns a cleaning service. Some men know that women dream of having two men
at the same time. What they don’t understand is, in these fantasies, one naked
hunky guy is cleaning the house and the other is cooking.”
The howling and merriment got louder
and wilder.
and wilder.
Jennie polished off the last of her
chocolate dipped fruit, two strawberries, and four rum balls and lined up the
six toothpicks from her watermelon pops. She stood up and thrust out her third
glass of champagne. “Hear ye! Hear ye!” The pink balloon brushed her cheek and
she moved it aside with her hand. “Pardon me,” she slurred. “I’ve seen a guy
with a similar size and color, but he didn’t need helium to fuel his staying
power.”
chocolate dipped fruit, two strawberries, and four rum balls and lined up the
six toothpicks from her watermelon pops. She stood up and thrust out her third
glass of champagne. “Hear ye! Hear ye!” The pink balloon brushed her cheek and
she moved it aside with her hand. “Pardon me,” she slurred. “I’ve seen a guy
with a similar size and color, but he didn’t need helium to fuel his staying
power.”
Her audience whoop whooped in response
to her statement.”
to her statement.”
“Thank you, thank you,” she said,
doing an Elvis Presley impersonation and took another drink of chilled bubbly.
“Now where was I? Oh, yea, I’ve never been married. You know why? Men think
with the teeny tiny brain between their legs and not the one in their head. You
won’t find this advice in any nature book, but men are like frogs. The most
important thing a woman can do is jump on them faster.”
doing an Elvis Presley impersonation and took another drink of chilled bubbly.
“Now where was I? Oh, yea, I’ve never been married. You know why? Men think
with the teeny tiny brain between their legs and not the one in their head. You
won’t find this advice in any nature book, but men are like frogs. The most
important thing a woman can do is jump on them faster.”
Peels of laughter rang out, joined by
a few rib bit, rib bits.
a few rib bit, rib bits.
“Frogs! Frogs!” Julie shoved up,
pushed her chair back and politely fell on her ass. She got up quickly and
braced herself against the mayor’s shoulder. “I’m okay.” She tried to say it
with a straight face, but broke out into a fit of giggles. “I’ve got a secret,
but everyone has to cross their hearts and promise not to tell a soul what I’m
about to say. Scott has a big blue frog costume and I did a strip tease to the
song, I’m in love with a big blue frog.”
pushed her chair back and politely fell on her ass. She got up quickly and
braced herself against the mayor’s shoulder. “I’m okay.” She tried to say it
with a straight face, but broke out into a fit of giggles. “I’ve got a secret,
but everyone has to cross their hearts and promise not to tell a soul what I’m
about to say. Scott has a big blue frog costume and I did a strip tease to the
song, I’m in love with a big blue frog.”
“That’s it? I’ve got a story about a
boa and what happens when you put it between a man’s legs,” Alexis began.”
boa and what happens when you put it between a man’s legs,” Alexis began.”
Cindi had heard enough. At the rate
these women were going, she’d be able to compile a book entitled ‘Naughty
Wisdom Sayings and Embarrassing Moments.
these women were going, she’d be able to compile a book entitled ‘Naughty
Wisdom Sayings and Embarrassing Moments.
About the Author
I have always loved to read and write, but put my
writing career on hold to raise my family. My reading interest runs from
contemporary romance, romantic suspense to espionage and cookbooks.
writing career on hold to raise my family. My reading interest runs from
contemporary romance, romantic suspense to espionage and cookbooks.
I married Joe, my high school sweetheart, and he
is the love of my life
is the love of my life
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