In the Midst of Angels by Seelie Kay

I am so pleased to have Seelie Kay returning with us this week. Seelie will talk about her latest contemporary paranormal romance, In the Midst of Angels. On her last visit, she brought us Bovine Tricks, the first book in her Royals Gone Rogue series.

Cover for In the Midst of Angels by Seelie Kay

An Interview with Seelie Kay

Why do you write romance?

It began as a way to relieve the stress of a career as a lawyer/journalist and dealing with MS “on the side.” Writing has always been my outlet and the best way to break away from reality for a bit was to write romance. Plus, I love happy endings. I get rather emotional (yes, I’m a crier) but it’s a wonderful release.

Do you prefer a certain type of romantic hero?

I adore smart, dashing gentlemen who aren’t afraid to live on the edge. They can be a lawyer, a bad boy, a billionaire, a prince, or a secret agent. That hint of danger just hooks me! However, they have to be paired with strong, independent women who aren’t afraid to fight for what they want, even love. And brains over brawn, every time!

Why did you write “In the Midst of Angels?”

For several reasons. When my father died during the pandemic (not from COVID), I really struggled with the idea that I could never ever seek his advice again. He lived in another city and was kept in a tight “bubble,” so neither my son or I could visit. My mother had died 15 years prior and I regularly had dreams in which we had some pretty serious discussions about love and romance. That had me thinking about what type of advice they would give my son about relationships and finding the right partner. I also wondered how they would react to the relationship style of Millennials. Somedays, I feel like all of the advanced technology they use has killed romance. They seem much more practical about it, less playful. In a way, this book is a nod to my parents, as well as a guide to romance for the younger generation.

You pretty much use lawyers as your main characters. Why?

It’s what I know. After 30 years, the law and the legal world are so firmly embedded in my brain that I can’t flush them out. That has become the lens through which I view the world and that naturally guides my characters and plots. Injustice infuriates me, but it also leads me to great stories. Even in this book, I find a way to explore social and criminal justice issues.

Background for In the Midst of Angels

Greta McDonald is convinced she doesn’t have time for love, but her dearly departed parents feel differently.

As an attorney, Greta runs a free legal clinic for Milwaukee’s financially disadvantaged population. Funded by the estate of her late parents, Greta’s dedication to those who can’t afford legal services leaves no time for romance. While on Earth, Melissa and Steven McDonald had enjoyed a true love match and they want the same for their daughter. Unfortunately, angels are only permitted to observe family members left behind, and in times of extreme danger, request assistance, but they are not allowed to interfere in matters of the heart. The couple has already tested God’s indulgence several times and now they’re facing the possibility of being cast out of Heaven into Purgatory.

Enter Aaron Buckley, a ruthless litigator, and Greta’s primary nemesis in court. Despite their differences, he is determined to win Greta’s heart. Unfortunately, Greta’s commitment to her clinic, her resistance to a relationship, and her propensity to place herself in peril, threaten to prevent a love match. Without a little heavenly #1 intervention, this couple may never have the opportunity to embrace the miracle of true love.

When Aaron’s grandfather offers a family-tested three-part plan to win Greta’s heart, Aaron is all in. Unfortunately, Greta isn’t making things easy, but as everyone knows, the show’s not over until the heavenly choir sings!

Excerpts from In the Midst of Angels

Excerpt #1

“Pops, she looks like an angel. Long wavy blonde hair with glints of red, big hazel eyes, and built like a nymph. Slender with legs that were molded by Venus. And she’s bright and snarky and just a breath of fresh air. So different from other women I’ve met.”

Pops whistled. “Molded by Venus? Son, you’ve got it bad.” He ran a hand through his sparse gray hair and shook his head. At age eighty-three, he was still in fine shape. “She just wants you to work for it. Hell, all women want their men to work for it. Why your grandmother made me plow her father’s fields. For free. She said she wanted his approval before she would grant me the pleasure of her company.” He grinned. “So, there I was, sweating my ass off in this humungous field, plowing away with some rickety old tractor, she and her daddy grinning from ear to ear, so proud that they had conned me into free labor.”

Aaron chuckled. “What did you do?”

“I plowed the rest of the damn field into a crazy-eight pattern, one that would require a do-over, and told her—and her daddy—that I wasn’t going to fix it unless and until she went on three dates with me.”

“You did not…”

“Yup. And she caved, too. Her Daddy was horrified that I would leave his fields in such disarray. Said he’d be the laughingstock of the Farmer’s Coop. He ordered her to date me. Of course, he had no way of knowing that I intended to charm her socks off. By the third date, she was all but begging me to marry her. And believe me, I made her beg. After the third date, I fixed her Daddy’s field and started dating Gladys Culpepper. Your grandmother was fit to be tied. Came storming up to me after church and tried to slap me. I grabbed her hand and nuzzled her neck—much to the consternation of all the old church ladies—and whispered, “You want me? The only way to get me is to agree to marry me at this very moment. I won’t be offering again.” Pops ran a hand through his thin gray hair. “She grabbed me by the ears, laid one on me, turned to poor Gladys, and declared, Charles Buckley won’t be calling you anymore, Gladys. He’s marrying me.”

Aaron stared at his grandfather. “What the heck did you do to charm her?”

Excerpt #2

“Oh, my.” Melissa McDonald leaned over the cloud she was perching on and shook her head. “Your daughter is at it again.” She glared at her husband, who floated on an adjacent cloud.

Steven McDonald laughed, an expression of amusement crossing his face. “Oh, don’t get your wings in a bunch, Mel. That girl knows exactly what she’s doing, and I am darn proud of her. She dedicates her life to doing good, and she has fun with it.”

Melissa sighed. “I just wish she was more…ladylike. More polite. Sometimes, she is just so blunt. Aggressive. I fear when the time comes, she won’t know how to yield. Up here, I have no way to guide her, except for putting an occasional suggestion in her head. I worry she will never settle down, have children, or build a productive life.”

Steven slapped his knee, not noticing that his hand passed right through his leg, and chortled. “Times have changed, dear. Women no longer spend their days at tea parties. They have long abandoned their hats and gloves. No, women are coming into their own. They are seizing their fate, asserting their voice. Greta’s destiny is for great things. Sure, I would have loved to be there personally to share advice and impart some wisdom, but God had other plans.” He smiled. “Our daughter survived the accident in which we perished for a reason. Folks down there have an angel in their midst and they don’t even know it.”

Melissa“ frowned. “But that Blodgett Corp. They’re dirty. They’re evil. They might harm her.”

Steven’s wings fluttered, and he rose above his cloud. “And I have no doubt when the time comes, the Prince of Darkness will gladly welcome the men and women in charge of Blodgett Corp into his toasty realm. We can only do what we can do—watch, listen, and ask God to intervene if necessary. When we arrived, St. Peter told us God had a plan for Greta and it didn’t involve a premature ascendance into Heaven. We need to let her life play out.” Steven smiled at his wife. “Now, let’s get over to the nurturary so we can nurture a few more souls. Many angels are returning to Earth today, and we need to make sure we assign them to worthy parents.” He rolled his eyes. “There have been too many slip-ups lately. God wants stricter quality control measures in place.”

Melissa groaned. “I just wish more people realized that conception is a miracle. That God chose and gave them a genuine gift. As a former teacher, it’s so hard to watch parents who cross over to the dark side, putting themselves before their children. When you become a parent, your child must become the center of your universe.” She shook her head. “Why don’t humans get that?”

Steven gazed at his wife and offered his hand. “It’s not our place to reason why. Certainly, every child deserves love. That’s why it is so important that we choose worthy parents. Sometimes…things just get screwed up. Free will can lead to all kinds of harmful results. Unfortunately, humans make bad choices and a child is the one who suffers. God deals with that in his own way. Our job is to give each child the best chance at a worthy life.” He beckoned to his wife. “Come on, I’ll race you. I love watching those itty-bitty wings trying to keep up.”

Melissa glared at him. “Steven Joseph McDonald, one of these days I’m going to…”

A large rumble shot through the sky, and a deep melodious voice reached their ears. “Now, Melissa, no need to get wound up over a bit of teasing.” The voice chuckled. “One, two, three, fly!”

Excerpt #3

Greta McDonald glared at the cop who shackled her.

“There’s no need to slap on the cuffs, Officer Short,” she sniped. “I am more than willing to accompany you to your smelly squad car.”

Officer Kendall Short snickered. “It’s standard procedure, Greta.” He pulled her hands forward and fastened the tarnished silver cuffs around her wrists. “What did you do this time to piss off the Judge?”

Greta sighed. “I supposedly refused to produce a witness. Someone I didn’t know should be a witness. How can I produce someone I didn’t even know existed? Cripes! There were plenty of others to testify to the same set of facts. This person wasn’t on my witness list, but the defense claims I was hiding them. That they could provide valuable evidence.”

Kendall chuckled. “And are you? Hiding him or her, that is?”

Greta groaned. “Of course not. I think Blodgett Corporation is trying to find the whistleblower, the employee who exposed their corrupt practices.” She frowned. “My case began with an anonymous tip. I started poking around and found my own witnesses. People willing to sign affidavits and others who would testify. If I was the whistleblower, hell, I’d probably hide, too. Blodgett is dirty, and they will do anything to discredit us, me. They have even been harassing the witnesses. But does Judge Shady Pants cite their lawyers for contempt? Ohhh, noooo. He golfs with them. Bastard should have recused himself.” Greta emitted a frustrated sigh. “Maybe it’s time I made a motion to that effect.” She shook her head. “But then I’ll wind up with someone worse.”

Kendall poked her arm. “Instead of working for that legal services charity, you could have been at some high-brow law firm, handling multi-million-dollar cases. You certainly had the grades for it. Maybe it’s time for a change.” He laughed. “The boys at the station are thinking about naming a cell after you. I’ll bet you spend more time at our pleasure palace than at your own apartment.”

“At least you guys feed me. I haven’t been to the grocery store in weeks. I am down to a bag of whole grain cheese crunchies and a jar of sugar-free raspberry jam.”

Kendall screwed up his face. “That’s just disgusting. Sounds like you need something substantial for dinner. How about a number twelve from Grover’s Subs? All that protein might put some meat on your delicate bones.”

Greta giggled. “Thanks for implying that I’m too thin, Ken.” She tossed her head. “I’ll have you know, I still fit into my prom dress, one I believe you greatly admired ten years ago. Your tongue was hanging out the whole evening.”

Kendall’s face flushed as he guided her out of the courthouse. Several members of the press had gathered at the top of the steps. The minute she walked through the door, the reporters shoved microphones in front of her face.

“Hey, Greta, what did you do this time?”

“Ms. McDonald, you sure spend a lot of time as a guest of the local jail. How does your employer feel about that?”

“Geesh, Greta, when are you going to learn to behave?”

“Any comments for the Legal News, Ms. McDonald?”

Greta stopped and gazed at the reporters. “Ladies and gentlemen of the press, this is nothing more than an example of how poorly the courts and the City of Milwaukee treat hardworking people. People barely making ends meet must work under deplorable conditions to feed, clothe, and shelter their children. Instead of addressing the wrongs inflicted upon the employees of Blodgett Corp., Judge Stevenston entertains the frivolous motions of the attorneys from Redstone and Mitchell and harasses their opponents’ lawyer. I will gladly spend the night in jail to protect my clients’ rights. Unlike some of my colleagues, I did not go to law school to stuff my pockets with cash. I went to law school to fight for justice and the rule of law.” She grinned at the press. “And mostly, I succeed.”

Kendall scowled and gently pushed Greta through the throng. “All right, folks. Party’s over. Counselor McDonald has a date with the city jail.”

Greta smirked at him. She muttered, “At least there I won’t be manhandled by some testosterone-laden cop with clammy hands.”

Kendall rolled his eyes. “It’s not my hands you need to worry about.” He nodded at his tool belt. “It’s my Billy Club.”

What Seelie’s Readers are Saying…

This is the second book in the Donovan Trait series by Seelie Kay and is just as intriguing as the first book. Seelie Kay sprinkled a little more intensity over this book but made sure to throw in some light-hearted humor to break up the tension. This book is a fun paranormal romantic suspense, with vampires, lawyers, vampire politics and law, agendas, uncovering the truth, and more. And as with the first book, Ye Gods! has an original take on vampire lore.
If you loved the first book, then you really will want to grab a copy and dive in. If you have yet to read ‘First, We Kill All the Lawyers’, then I highly recommend that you do before starting on this story. There is important backstory, character details, and key information contained in Book One, which will definitely enhance your reading experience of this book.
I’m excited to continue on reading this series in the near future.

– Skylar Daniels – Ye Gods! The Law is an Ass! (Donovan Trait Book 2)

Ye Gods! The Law is an Ass! is the second book to the Donovan Trait series, by Seelie Kay. Wedding bells are ringing for my friends Donovan Trait and newly turned vampire, Shirley Magnusen! But when Seelie comes down with feeling under the weather, they make a new discovery… she is pregnant! While they are both quite excited about the news, the Vampire Coalition does not mirror their happiness. The Trait’s find themselves escaping to an island for vampires, and is ran by vampire nuns.

I just love the twists in this book. And while I giggled at some of the concepts initially, such as ‘vampire nuns’.. it all WORKS. Seelie makes everything flow together well. Her writing is fantastic and it grips you tight and pulls you into the world she weaves upon the pages. I do recommend reading the first installment before picking this book up. It will be so worth it. I cannot wait to dive into book 3!

– Katie – Ye Gods! The Law is an Ass! (Donovan Trait Book 2)

I love this series! I also love this author!
Vive La Resistance! I say that with authority as if I’m involved. Because that’s exactly how this author makes you feel. That you are the half-breed fighting to survive!
Donovan Trait is back! He’s one of my favorite Vampire character’s ever written, but I digress. We are at war, the Coalition vs Trait’s. Well it started out that way. But as you read through book three in the Donovan Trait series, you begin to realize it’s bigger than revenge and silencing the Trait’s.
Now don’t take me saying war lightly because yes there may be some fire power, this is more cyber and technological warfare. Headed by the Lynx, he and his team find a way to get the messages out to half breeds. First starting with subliminal messages, then creating an app for protection, as well as creating units of humans to unknowingly keep the half breeds safe.
Do they succeed?
What other obstacles present themselves?
Who will come out the victor of this war?
Just a few questions and as you read I’m sure you will have others.
Also another big theme throughout is vampire infertility, and why all the sudden one day it ceased to exist.
The author does a fabulous job tying the two themes together in an unexpected way. She has a knack for that type of writing. It keeps you interested and guessing. You will not want to put this book down. But you must start at book one if you haven’t, it will be so worth it! I guarantee you will fall in love with Donovan Trait just like I have!

– Beverly – Vive la Résistance (Donovan Trait Book 3)

Meet the Interesting Seelie Kay

Seelie Kay

Award-winning author Seelie Kay writes scintillating tales of lawyers in love, sometimes with a dash of kink.

Writing under a nom de plume, the former lawyer and journalist draws her stories from more than 30 years in the legal world. Seelie’s wicked pen has resulted in more than 20 works of fiction, including the new paranormal romance series Donovan Trait, as well the erotic romance Kinky Briefs series and The Feisty Lawyers romantic suspense series. She also authored The Last Christmas, The Garage Dweller, A Touchdown to Remember, The President’s Wife, The President’s Daughter, Seizing Hope, The White House Wedding, and participated in the romance anthology Pieces of Us.

When not spinning romantic tales, Seelie ghostwrites nonfiction for lawyers and other professionals. Currently, she resides in a bucolic exurb outside Milwaukee, WI, where she enjoys opera, the Green Bay Packers, gourmet cooking, organic gardening, and an occasional bottle of red wine.

Seelie is an MS warrior and ruthlessly battles the disease on a daily basis. Her message to those diagnosed with MS: Never give up. You define MS, it does not define you!