I don’t know about you, but the world seems to be getting pretty (insert your favorite colorful word here) intense. While I like to stay informed, I also like to laugh to deal with stress. And, I need some chuckles these days.

Today, the wonderful Kim Hartfield is here to help us laugh with an embarrassing story. Also, Kim is giving away 1 ecopy of Half a Heart. Below the guest post, you’ll find more details about the giveaway.

Take it away, Kim.

In The Wild

Starting a new job is always a nerve-wracking experience, maybe more for me than most other people. It takes me a while to warm up to people, and all the pressure of a workplace environment makes me extra anxious.

In this particular situation, I’d been newly hired in an administrative role. My boss was a little older, and she was perfectly nice – but she was also so mature and capable and confident that I was utterly intimidated. I could barely talk around her. It was one of those horrible cycles where you’re so worried about making a bad impression that you end up making a bad impression.

As the first few days passed, I was keenly conscious that we hadn’t exactly clicked, and I desperately wanted to make her like me. She’d be such an amazing mentor.

When she left me alone at her desk, I checked out her personal things. Maybe if I could find something to compliment her on, we could still get off on the right foot.

She had some pictures of herself with a young, pretty woman, and some with a tiny baby. In one picture, she and the other woman were wearing white dresses and smiling. There were no men in any of the pictures.

Now, you probably already see where this is going. But apparently – despite writing F/F romance, despite being bisexual myself – I’m not used to encountering lesbians in the wild.

My only thought was, “Huh, I wonder why neither of their husbands are in the pictures.”

When my boss returned, I knew this was my chance to win her over with a little fawning flattery. I opened my (big, fat) mouth and said, “Wow, you look great for your age!”

She blinked. “Sorry?”

“I was looking at your pictures.” I pointed – God help me! – to one with the other woman and the baby. “I never would’ve guessed you had a grown-up daughter, never mind a grandchild.”

She smiled… but not in the surprised and pleased way that I’d envisioned. This was more of an icy smile, one that said she was being polite for work’s sake but in fact had just decided to hate me forever. “That’s my wife, actually. And our daughter.”

Needless to say, she never ended up becoming my mentor.

GIVEAWAY

HALF A HEART

by Kim Hartfield

Available in Kindle Unlimited

Young single mom Jenelle is facing her worst nightmare. Through no fault of her own, her daughter Mercy was placed in foster care. Now Jenelle only sees the seven-year-old during supervised visits. To help bring Mercy home, social worker Sylvia does her best to understand Jenelle’s world. But Sylvia’s interest becomes personal as well as professional, and Jenelle finds herself drawn to the social worker’s kindness and compassion. Could Mercy have two moms waiting for her when she gets home? Or will Jenelle lose half of her heart, along with her daughter?

MEET THE AUTHOR

Kim Hartfield is a queer woman who’s been writing since she could pick up a pen. Her novels are sweet and steamy, and they always end with a happily-ever-after. She lives in a beachside city with her partner and their dogs, Chelsea and Rodent.

CONNECT WITH KIM HARTFIELD

Newsletter / Email: kimhartfieldauthor@gmail.com

Thanks so much for stopping by today.