Reader Corner

Hello and welcome to Reader Corner!

Ever since my very first book was published a highlight for me has been interacting with readers. I love learning about others and giving them a place to tell us about themselves. If you're interested in joining the fun email me at[email protected] or use the contact link at the top of the page.

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Celest and Eric

This week I welcome Celest Nagel Fitzpatrick. She has a shining sense of humor that came right through in her answers.

Elizabeth: Tell us a little about yourself?

Celest: I’m 35, married for almost 14 years, and live just south of Portland, OR. I’m an accounting assistant for a labor union and really love my job, just not the drive. Because of my long commute, I’ve just started listening to audiobooks and I’m really glad I did. I’m currently listening to Tales of the Harker Pack by Tara Lain.

I am the oldest of five girls, though only raised with two of my sisters. I’ve just met the other two within the last couple of years. I have a tattoo that represents all five of our birthstones in one celtic knot.

Elizabeth: Do you have hobbies?

Celest: If I’m not working, I’m either reading, hiking, or volunteering.
I spend most of my free time (and sometimes not-so-free time) reading. Now that I’ve started listening to audiobooks on my commute to and from work, I now have the ability to go through two books at the same time.

I have recently started hiking and can’t wait for the weather to cooperate so I can find more fun places to visit.

For the last two years, I have volunteered for the AARP Tax-Aide program preparing taxes for low-to-middle income taxpayers and seniors. It is a wonderful program that helps take the pressure of those that are confused by the tax system. This year, I added instructing new volunteers to my plate and found it to be a great learning experience as there are so many volunteers from different walks of life that bring different levels of experience to the program. There are different roles for different people and not all volunteers prepare taxes. Some translate and some act as greeters/facilitators. I highly encourage anyone that wants to volunteer for a worthy cause look into the program.

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Elizabeth: Do you have pets, and if so tell us about them?
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Celest: We don’t have any kids but we have a dog and a cat. Our dog Sammy is a five-year-old, 30-pound, beagle-lab mix that is a big mamma’s boy. Nothing is worse than having to look him in the eyes when I have to pack an overnight bag or when I leave in the morning. He enjoys playing with his two canine cousins but prefers people. Our cat is a gray-tuxedo, two-year-old jerk that has his sweet moments (though far and few between).

Elizabeth: How did you discover MM romance and gay literature?

Celest: I actually stumbled onto it. I was at a large national bookstore chain looking for a new book and came across Wolf Tales by Kate Douglas. There were some m/m scenes that I found hot and started looking for more stories like it. It was actually m/m books that got me hooked on e-readers; first the Nook and now the Kindle.
 
Elizabeth: What are your reading habits?

Celest: I read and it’s a habit. I read anytime I can and I go through withdrawals if I forget my Kindle at home.
 
Elizabeth: What’s your favorite TV show and/or movie?

Celest: My husband and I love watching Making the Team: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, American Ninja Warrior, and The Big Bang Theory. Most nights that we have together include at least two or more episodes of TBBT and we record our other shows when they’re on and use the weekends to catch up.

Currently, my favorite movies are Moana and the new Beauty and the Beast. Here in a month or so, my husband and I plan on watching a double feature of Guardians of the Galaxy.
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BTW: if anyone lives near Portland and wants to go see Beauty and the Beast, find me on Facebook and I would love to go.
 
Elizabeth: Why did you decide to do this interview?
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Celest: I thought it would be a great way to interact with others while getting out of my comfort zone. As much as I would love to meet a bunch of my favorite authors as well as other readers, I am a complete introvert and need to get to know people in smaller groups.

Elizabeth: Do you ever go to conventions to meet authors? Do you like to interact with authors on social media?

Celest: The only convention-like event that I’ve been to is the Gay Romance Northwest Meetup. I’ve gone the last two years and have enjoyed getting to know some Pacific NW authors. This year, they’ve changed the name to Read with Pride Northwest. I look forward to attending this year’s event to see what other changes may happen. Some of the authors I’ve met before and hope to get to see again are Amber Kell, Rick R. Reed, Annabeth Albert, and Charley Descoteaux. Hopefully, sometime in the next few years, I will get a chance to attend GRL so I can meet even more of my favorite authors like Andrew Grey, Jacob Z. Flores, Charlie Cochet, and Amy Lane. While I like to follow them on social media, I don’t really interact much but that’s more social awkwardness than anything.
 
Elizabeth: What other types of books/magazines do you read?

Celest: Before I stumbled on to gay romance, I read lots of Harlequin books, of all varieties. I’m currently reading Lori Foster’s Buckhorn Brothers series. I love her contemporary romances. I also enjoy reading Nora Roberts.
 
Elizabeth: What do you like in a book’s cover art?
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Celest: I’m absolutely horrible and judge most books by their covers. If I’m browsing online, I gravitate towards covers that have kids or animals or covers that use light, softer colors. If a book has a dark cover or difficult-to-read writing, If I don’t see the cover before reading a blurb or review, it likely won’t bother me as much.

Thank you, Celest (and Eric) for sharing your family and a bit of yourself with us! We are all lucky to have people like you as part of our reader community.

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