Holly Day: A windy day

Let’s welcome Holly here today, to talk about her new release, Blown Away!

Hi! Thank you, Ally, for allowing me to drop by on this super windy day! Is it windy where you are? No? But today is Big Wind Day, it should be windy 😀

To celebrate Big Wind Day, I wrote a story called Blown Away. We should get better at celebrating things. Did you know that according to social psychology researchers, even small celebrations will help us build resilience against setbacks and bad experiences? It’s true, celebrating things make us more mindful and aware of the now which boosts our well-being.

Having something to look forward to makes us more optimistic, and positive emotions allow us to handle stress better. So celebrate your wins! Doesn’t matter if they are big or small. Make a thing of the little things. Eat cake, high-five your partner, make a toast, light a candle or say a prayer – do something to celebrate the moment.

I believe each day should be celebrated, so I’m writing stories about them. I wrote Hop Hop, Carrot Top for Kiss a Ginger Day (January 12), Be Still, My Heart for Valentine’s Day (February 14), There Will Be Aliens for Extraterrestrial Abductions Day (March 20), and now we’ve reached Big Wind Day.

I figured there had to be something good coming out of the terrible weather, so I wrote about a bird shifter who’s stranded since he can’t fly in the storm. He happens to be in a grumpy bear’s territory, and who doesn’t want to be saved by a bear? Even if it’s a hungry bear who’s far more interested in cakes than he is in birds.

Excerpt:

Espen took a deep, calming breath as he walked up the stairs to fetch some clothes. It was easier to breathe when he was away from the bird. He hadn’t known he was allergic. And shouldn’t his eyes itch if he was?

He grabbed a T-shirt, a hoodie, and glanced at a pair of jeans. They would be way too big. He grabbed a pair of pajama pants instead. As soon as he entered the living room again, his heart was beating like crazy. Frowning at the bird, he rubbed his chest. Was it an allergy?

“Here. I fear you’ll drown in them, but put them on and we can move you closer to the fireplace until you get warm.” His stomach grumbled. “Food.”

“What?”

“I need to eat. Hot dogs?”

The bird looked in his direction, but not exactly at him. Espen frowned. He had a candle. Was he still unable to see? He took a step forward and the man’s eyes snapped to his. That was better. He liked it when the man was looking at him.

“What’s with hot dogs?”

“We’ll cook them in the fire.” He gestured at the fireplace. “It’s fast and easy.”

“You want to… eat? Oh…” His gaze jumped between the fireplace and Espen. “What’s your name?”

“Espen Urso.”

The bird snorted. “Of course, it is.”

Espen frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. “What’s wrong with my name?”

“Nothing. It’s very… bear-ish.”

“Of course, it means bear.”

“It means Bear Bear.”

Heat climbed Espen’s cheeks. It was a ridiculous name, but many shifters named their children after the species they were. “What’s your name?”

“Arvid Rai.”

Espen frowned. Jay, he would’ve understood. Or Blue, Blue would’ve been a good name for him. “What does it mean?”

The chuckle, Espen would say it was self-conscious. “Arvid means free or eagle—” Ha! It was a bird name. Though the difference between a blue jay and an eagle was significant. “And Rai means storm.”

“Well, Mr. Eagle Storm, would you care to move closer to the fire?”

Seconds went by, Arvid’s gaze sliding up and then down his body, making Espen shiver. “You’re not gonna… attack me?”

Espen jerked. “Attack? You’re injured!” He gestured at his arm. It must hurt like hell. “And I’m hungry.” He turned toward the kitchen, needing some space. The poor thing thought Espen would chase him like the imbeciles in the forest had. Grumbling and growling, he dug around the dark freezer for some hot dogs. He had roasting sticks in the closet in the hallway.

Placing a plate with the hot dogs on the coffee table, he went to grab the roasting sticks. As he passed he noted that Arvid had put on his pajama pants. He grinned as warmth spread in his chest.

“I… eh… think I need some help with the shirt.” He flinched as he spoke.

“Sure. Let me grab…” He opened the closet and dug out the bag with his hiking stuff. With two roasting sticks in one hand, he walked the three steps, bringing him up to Arvid’s side.