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Friday Friends: Ben Hadley of Secondhand Hearts by Kathryn Hills

8/14/2020

24 Comments

 
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For this post of Friday Friends we are chatting with Ben Hadley of Secondhand Hearts by Kathryn Hills. Secondhand Hearts is a contemporary romance included in the fabulous box set of Last Chance Beach: Summer's End. When Ben arrives at Last Chance Beach, he meets Kat Worthington and love blossoms!

Where do you live and why?
Umm… Hello? Hey. Thank you for having me, Kara. I live out on Sandpiper Point. That’s the far end of Last Chance Beach. I renovated an old nineteen twenties-era cottage. Just a short stretch from where Kat’s gran lives. Haddie runs Sandpiper Cottage B&B and Secondhand Hearts Antique Shop.

What is your profession, and do you enjoy it?
I’m a master carpenter, although I can pretty much fix anything. My business is One Guy and a Dog Home Repairs and Carpentry. Boomer—my Yellow Lab—he’s ‘the dog’ part. He does all the tough work. [Laughs] I love my job. Been doing it for about ten years now. Last Chance Beach is a great place to live and work.

How would others describe you? Are they accurate?
[Releases a long breath] I don’t know. Quiet, maybe. I keep to myself. I have a few good buddies. We meet at Rods after work sometimes. That’s out on the fishing pier, a local joint. As for accurate…Yeah, I guess. I’m pretty low maintenance.

When you met Kat was it love at first sight?
Kat is hard to ignore. She’s gorgeous! We didn’t hit it off at first – she was mad because her grandmother was climbing a ladder in the heat, but that sorted itself out. Well…after my dog stole her— I don’t wanna talk about it.

Was it love at first sight for her?
Nope. She was pissed. Although…she admitted later that she thought I was…well…easy on the eyes. [BIG grin]

What do you like most about Kat?
That’s a tough one. There’s a lot to like. Maybe how she cares for people, especially her grandmother. But she is a really good kisser. And her legs are tanned and long. Am I allowed to say that?

What does she like most about you?
She said it’s the way I respected what she was trying to do…keep the career she loves while helping out her family. That can be a pretty big hill to climb. Still, she did call me ‘exceedingly handsome’ once. And she really liked my idea for the perfect date.

If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
That’s a good one. Maybe take Kat some of the places my kid brother goes. He’s a world traveler. Perhaps you’ll meet him someday.

What’s one thing you learned from your personal love story?
A dog can be a really good wingman. Smart little dude had my back. [Wink] If I’m being serious… Don’t be afraid to give love a second chance. Yeah. Starting over can be very nice.

Well, Ben, you are certainly a charmer! And pretty funny. Which is always a plus. And you're right, starting over can be nice. Scary sometimes, but very nice!
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Secondhand Hearts
Last Chance Beach: Summer's End
​Contemporary Romance​

Tasked with convincing her beloved grandmother to move back to the mainland, Kat Worthington returns to Last Chance Beach. This vacation island paradise is filled with cherished memories, and the thought of relocating her loved one weighs heavy on Kat’s heart. Is the alternative to uproot her life, stay on the island, and help run Gran’s charming B&B and antique shop?

Handsome neighbor, Ben Hadley, sure hopes it is. He and his playful pup are doing their best to upend Kat’s plans. Will their efforts convince her to stay?

Or will it require some of Gran’s special island magic?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CV3GN3R/

​
There’s also a special add-on book - Cocktails on Last Chance Beach! And it’s FREE!
Free Book Buy Link: https://books2read.com/last-chance-cocktails

Secondhand Hearts: Excerpt

“Look at that… Didn’t even break the pot.” Gran gave her a sassy little wink. “You’ve always been one for divine timing, Kitty.”

“Pot?”

“Yup, I knew I had a matching teapot to the set that came in yesterday.” Gran stood a little straighter and squared her chin. “Besides, I’m not alone. Ben is here.”

“Who the heck is Ben?”

“That’d be me.” A deep voice came from behind, startling Kat. Spinning with a gasp, her eyes widened when connecting with six feet plus of drop-dead gorgeous, dark-haired man. He met her stare full on without so much as a hint of humility, and he nodded a curt greeting.

“Haddie Marshall are you up to your old tricks again?” Ben brushed passed Kat. “I told you to wait and I’d look with you.”

“Well, I didn’t want you to fuss. I know you’re busy.”

“Excuse me,” Kat interrupted, not bothering to disguise the irritation in her voice. “Who are you, and why would you allow my seventy-seven-year-old grandmother to climb to the scorching top of a barn and up a ladder for a teapot?”

The man stared in silence. One dark brow cocked in obvious annoyance.

“Ben Hadley meet my first grandbaby, Kitty Worthington,” Gran announced with a proud smile.

“It’s Kat, Gran. Or Katrina,” she grumbled. “No one has called me Kitty since the fifth grade.”

“Oh, shush child, you will always be Kitty to me and Grandpa Mike.” The elderly woman’s smile fell away. She took a wobbly step forward to hand Ben the box. “Be a love and take this down for me. I think I’d better hang on extra tight to the railing after all this excitement.”

​“I’ll take the box,” Kat snapped. “You help my grandmother back to the house, where we can turn on some air conditioning.”

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Bio: Kathryn Hills

The rich history and many mysteries of New England are the perfect backdrop for most of Kathryn’s books. Winding roads lined by old stone walls, forgotten cemeteries, grand homes with shadowy pasts...all sparks for her imagination. Whether it’s a quaint seaside town or the vibrant city of Boston, it’s easy for this “hauntingly romantic” author to envision the past mingling with the present.

Taking it further—to have characters experience the past and present, opposite to “when” they belong—is the fun part. No surprise, some of Kathryn’s favorite stories involve time travel. And ghosts! Sprinkle in some magic, and you’re off on a great adventure.

When not writing, this award-winning author is researching, taking photographs, gardening, or cooking up something special in her chaotic kitchen. Kathryn shares her colonial home in the north woods with those she loves most – her wonderful husband and daughter, and three crazy dogs.

AMAZON | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
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24 Comments
Kathryn Hills link
8/14/2020 03:47:47 am

Thank you, Kara, for hosting Ben and me! We're delighted to stop by and meet all your lovely Friday Friends readers. See you at Last Chance Beach!

Reply
Liz Flaherty link
8/14/2020 04:04:14 am

What a fun story this is--and a great interview! I love your picture, too.

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Kathryn Hills link
8/14/2020 06:43:41 am

Thank you, Liz! It was a super-fun story to write!

Reply
Jan Scarbrough link
8/14/2020 05:25:11 am

Love this interview!

Reply
Kathryn Hills link
8/14/2020 06:44:26 am

Thanks, Jan!

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Lucinda Race link
8/14/2020 05:31:30 am

I loved this LCB story from Kathryn Hills and this interview was fun. Also love the profile picture. See you at Last Chance Beach!

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Kathryn Hills link
8/14/2020 06:46:21 am

Thanks, Lucinda! I was lucky to have you as an ARC reader! I can't wait to return to Last Chance Beach. :D

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Nancy Fraser link
8/14/2020 05:31:42 am

Wonderful post. Having read the book, I can vouch for the fact that Ben is as sexy as he sounds.

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Kathryn Hills link
8/14/2020 06:47:39 am

He really is, Nancy! LOL Love this guy. Thanks for reading!

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Pamela S Thibodeaux link
8/14/2020 06:36:34 am

You sound like a really great guy, Ben! My honey is a (retired) Master Carpenter too. Nice to meet you.
Good luck and God's blessings
PamT

Reply
Kathryn Hills link
8/14/2020 06:51:09 am

Pamela...that's SO cool! I WISH I had half of Ben's (and your "honey" carpenter's) skills. I can swing a hammer, but that's about it. LOL Thanks for reading and for the well wishes. ALWAYS appreciated!

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Nora LeDuc link
8/14/2020 08:09:44 am

Great interview. Might need to hire your man there! Was lots of fun to read. Where was your picture taken? Near your home? It's lovely.

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Kathryn Hills link
8/14/2020 08:49:35 am

Thanks, Nora! I would TOTALLY hire Ben Hadley, he's such a nice, honest guy! The pic was taken on the front porch of the mansion that inspired my time travel romance, Haunting HIghland House. It's located on Cape Cod. :D

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Alina K. Field link
8/14/2020 08:27:04 am

Any story with a dog wins my heart! Loved the excerpt!

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Kathryn Hills link
8/14/2020 08:52:57 am

Thank you, Alina! (Love your name BTW) All my stories include pets. I'm a real animal lover. Plus, I keep three crazy dogs. Or, rather, they keep me. LOL Thanks for reading!

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Joan Reeves link
8/14/2020 08:33:21 am

Love, love, love this interview. Thanks, Kathy, for "allowing" Ben to be interviewed. Thanks, Kara, for supporting Kathy and our box set.

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Kathryn Hills link
8/14/2020 08:54:35 am

Thank you, Joan! Ben is a man of few words, but when I told him Kat would be please he agreed. *wink* I love those two together. *sigh*

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Caroline Clemmons
8/14/2020 09:15:42 am

Loved this character interview as well as the story. Thank you, Kara, for helping promote LAST CHANCE BEACH. Kathryn, that's a terrific photo of you.

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Kathryn Hills link
8/14/2020 09:42:20 am

Thanks, Caroline! :)

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Patricia Kiyono link
8/14/2020 09:19:41 am

Giving up a career to run a B&B on an island would be a tough choice, but it sure would be tempting! Thanks for sharing.

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Kathryn Hills link
8/14/2020 09:45:22 am

Kat faces some tough choices, Patricia, but she grew up spending summers on Last Chance Beach. It feels like home. Most important, she loves her Gran. Happily-ever-afters are what I'm ALL about though. Fear not. :D

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kathleen Lawless link
8/14/2020 11:52:06 am

This was a super fun way to introduce your hero. thanks Kathy and Kara.

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Kathryn Hills link
8/16/2020 06:26:46 am

My thoughts EXACTLY, Kathleen! I did have a tough choice, deciding just WHO would come with me for this interview, though. :D Many thanks for reading!

Reply
Maddie James link
8/17/2020 06:11:17 am

I'm late to the party! Great feature today of Kathryn's story at Last Chance Beach! Loved it! And very cute blog, Kara!

Reply



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