Today I’d like to introduce you to Love and Libations, a contemporary Valentine’s Day romance by author Patricia D. Eddy.
Garrett James was discharged from the army with a prosthetic leg and a Purple Heart. He found a new purpose behind the bar and has big dreams that involve his own restaurant and someone to share it with. Too bad most of the women he dates either balk at the idea of dating an amputee or can’t stand the fact that he works every night.
Lilah McKinney doesn’t have dreams. Her abusive boyfriend has systematically destroyed them, even though he’s never laid a hand on her in anger. A chance meeting with Garrett reminds her what it felt like to want something for herself. When her boyfriend snaps and nearly kills her, Garrett steps in, but he can’t stay. Lilah needs to reclaim her dreams on her own.
Fate brings them back together almost a year later, a few weeks before Valentine’s Day. Will Lilah share her dreams with Garrett? Or will her past come between them once again?
WARNING: Love and Libations contains scenes of domestic violence and abuse that may be disturbing to sensitive readers.
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Patricia D. Eddy stopped by today to talk a little bit about Love and Libations and her very personal story that went into this book.
Patricia, thanks for stopping by today.
You’re welcome. Thanks for having me. I love this book and it’s important.
What do you mean?
Love and Libations is a very personal story for me. It’s about an abused woman, Lilah McKinney, who finds herself unable to escape her situation until it nearly kills her. She’s been constantly berated and belittled for years and she feels like she’s nothing—worthless. But Garrett James, a man she’s only just met, offers her something she needs. He talks to her like she’s worth knowing and when her boyfriend pushes her into the path of a moving car, he’s there.
They lose touch with each other for a year after that, which gives Lilah time to heal. When she walks into his bar again, there’s a spark neither of them can ignore.
So they don’t strike up a romance right away.
No. Definitely not. Lilah isn’t in any sort of place where she can have a relationship when we meet her. Not only is she in a relationship, but it’s a bad one. She doesn’t believe she’s anyone worth knowing. She can’t leave him, can’t flirt with Garrett because why would he give her a second look? Once her ex goes to jail, she starts to work on Lilah. She finds herself again. And it’s only once she finds herself that she can even think about being in a healthy relationship with anyone else.
That all sounds so…logical.
Well, yes. I hope so. Nothing ticks me off more in books than a lack of logic. But I did this for a reason. I told you that this was a personal story for me. It’s the most personal story I’ve ever written. In part, it’s my story. Many years ago, I was abused by my ex. He never hit me, unlike Lilah’s ex, but he was a classic emotional abuser. He left me feeling like I was nothing. I lost most of my friends, my confidence in my abilities, and the joy in my life. When I started to think about hurting myself, I left. It was the smartest thing I’ve ever done. A few of the conversations that went into this book were taken directly from my life.
Wow. And like Lilah, you’re an author.
Yep. Interestingly, it was my relationship with my ex that led to me being a writer. Like Lilah, I started writing during that time in my life to escape. I didn’t do anything with that book, didn’t even finish writing it, but it was that partial book that stuck with me. I kept thinking about it and going back to it, even after I was happy again.
This book started out as something different, didn’t it?
Yes. I wasn’t intending to write my own story. I wanted to write a light-hearted romance with a veteran amputee hero and a spicy and intelligent heroine. But as I got into it, the heroine started turning more and more into me. I fought it for a long time. Months, even. But once I decided to go for it and leave all of myself on the page, it just flowed. And I realized I hadn’t really dealt with a lot of my emotions from my relationship. It wasn’t the most pleasant writing experience.
Let’s talk a little bit more about the love story. How can you write the romance after Lilah’s abuse?
It was tricky. But that’s why Lilah and Garrett had to be separated for a year. Lilah had to heal. And she’ll keep healing, even with Garrett.
What about Garrett? Was he fun to write?
Absolutely. I love him. I’ll tell you a little secret. I have a major crush on Christian Kane. You know him? He was in Angel, Leverage, and the Librarians. That accent is about the sexiest thing in the world. Maybe even sexier than an Irish or Scottish accent. But it would be close. Garrett is a mash-up of Christian Kane, BT Urruela, and Alex Minsky. And if you don’t know who those last two are, you should go look them up. Not only are they yummy, but they’re both completely inspirational. Two veteran amputees who have successful modeling careers and work to help other vets. So amazing.
Garrett’s voice, along with his insecurities and his protectiveness make him the perfect hero. He cares for Lilah, right from the start, but he knows what she needs and that’s why he walks away.
Any last thoughts?
I hope everyone enjoys Love and Libations. Yes, it’s important and a story that needs to be told, but it’s also a wonderfully sweet and tender love story.
You can buy Love and Libations on Amazon, or borrow it for free if you’re a Kindle Unlimited member.
And don’t forget to follow Patricia D. Eddy all over the web:
Love and Libations: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Libations-Holidays-Heroes-Book-ebook/dp/B00RSDC1RM
Patricia’s Website: http://www.pdeddy.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/patricia_eddy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pdeddy.author
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/patriciadeddy
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day! ~Jen
