Guest Post - Nikki LeClair - Living Life With Joy

Today I’m excited to tell you about a new novel that’s been released by the lovely miss Nikki LeClair, called Locking Up Santa. Not only am I going to tell you all about her new novel, but I’m also sharing an exclusive guest post written by the author herself in honor of her blog tour arranged by Hello Chick Lit. Nikki’s guest post is titled Why a Beauty Company? and it’s a must read!!

Locking Up Santa by Nikki LeClair

Book Tour Dates: November 8th – 15th, 2016

Book Blurb:

It’s the Christmas season, and seven months since Phoebe Mercer’s life dramatically changed. She went from being an overworked legal assistant, to a CEO of a popular beauty company. She moved from the bustling big city, to a quaint seaside town. She’s gone from living with a fiancé, to living with a ghost. Yet, it seems she can’t get a grip on her new life, whether it’s getting used to being a public figure, having a Chief Operating Official who hates her, or a ghost who is just too passionate. As if things can’t get any worse, Phoebe’s friend and mentor is arrest for a horrible crime many think they were capable of committing. Except for Phoebe, and her ghost. As Phoebe races to prove her mentors innocence, and stop the company from sinking, she must deal with a face from her past that throws her in a disarray of emotion, an unwanted visitor, and old friends who seem to have abandoned her.

Book Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Why a Beauty Company?

Thank you SO much for having me on Living With Joy! So grateful to be given a chance to share a bit about myself and my new book, on your wonderful blog.

My name’s Nikki and I am a writer from Canada. I write Cozy Mysteries and Chick Lit’s. My new release is part of my cozy mystery series that centers on an eccentric ghost and her multimillion dollar beauty company, Lavish Looks. Lavish Looks specializes in skin care, hair and body products, which in the series, are well known all over the world for their uplifting scents. Scents like Lavender, Coconut Grove, and Sweet Orange. My inspiration for the company came from two things; my obsession with The Body Shop, mostly their Brazil Nut line, and my sister. She makes her own all natural soaps, and the moment she gave me a sample of her first batch two years ago, I knew exactly what my characters lives would centre around.

Natural and delicious smelling beauty products.

Before the first book was published in the series, I had to ‘research’. I had so much fun when I was researching how a beauty company is run, or how their scents are invented. Not only did I get tons of samples from dozens of beauty companies, like the Body Shop and L’occitane En Provence, but I was able to score some behind the scenes videos on how they run their factories and headquarters! I was introduced to the way they test their products and market them. I was surprised to discover how so much ‘power marketing’ by these companies is now relied on whether famous beauty bloggers around the world give it a ‘pass!’ or ‘fail!’, but should I have been? It is the power of social media after all.

I’ve always been a fan of sweet scents, and delicate beauty products. Hair masks, face masks, homemade bars of soap… I think they are the perfect way to pamper yourself after a stressful day, and I think they are fantastic gifts to give friends and family. I absolutely love how our world is changing and how more people are getting cautious about what they put on their skin. It’s making a great difference in how these companies create their products.

Edie Edwards, the fun-loving ghost in the series is beyond proud of her company Lavish Looks. And she makes sure her human companion, Phoebe Mercer, knows it. Even beyond the grave Edie is still there to guide Phoebe into making the right choices with the products and company. Locking Up Santa takes the two of them through a situation that would be a nightmare for any beauty company; a failing scent. A scent they spent thousands and thousands of dollars on, that comes out smelling like a rip off of Mr.Clean with extra bleach. Toss this in with a series of scary break and enters in their gorgeous hometown, and you have a rather dramatic Christmas novel! Though it was fun to write, it was also torture for someone who loves hair masks and lotions.

I’m curious; do you have any favorite beauty products? What are they?

Comment below and let us know.

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About the Author – Nikki LeClair

Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Author Bio:

Nikki LeClair lives in Canada with her loving husband and their two rambunctious children. When she isn’t ordering her children to behave or begging her Border Terrier to listen to her, she sits behind her lap-top plotting out the next adventure of her new characters. She’s a fan of a good glass of Pinot Noir, and can’t live without her favorite Tea blends.