Shannon here: Barbara M. Britton shares the inspiration behind her Contemporary Romance, Escape to Whispering Creek. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a print copy. Deadline: Nov 9th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Barbara:
May I Help You?
Have you ever uttered that line in a retail shop? My first jobs out of college were working for a major fashion retailer and later in customer service for an insurance company. I tried to solve clothing issues and accident claims.
In my latest novel, Emma lives and breathes customer service. She grew up in retail since her parents owned a candle shop at a mall. Emma is also scammed by an investment company where she was hoping to help seniors. The fallout over the scandal has her fleeing to Whispering Creek, Tennessee to visit her bestie Samantha.
What type of job does Emma find in Nashville? Emma becomes an office manager doing customer service for Donoven Electric. The job would be ideal if it didn’t come with a grumpy boss named Wade Donoven.
I didn’t even realize that I had given Emma jobs that dealt with my work history in customer service.
As a teenager, I remember a food store that had this sign in its entryway.
- The customer is always right.
- If the customer is wrong, see rule number one.
Now, that is doing customer service right!
Emma is a fast learner at Donoven Electric. It’s too bad Wade doesn’t comprehend Emma’s skills, and his feelings for her, until it’s too late.
Wade realizes Emma is a gem in customer service and beyond.
Excerpt from Escape to Whispering Creek by Barbara M. Britton:
Donna’s name and address appeared on the screen. Below the phone number were a few sentences about the lighting fixtures and bingo, paint recommendations. If Emma had been sitting beside him, he would have kissed her. If only she was sitting beside him. He wasn’t her favorite person with the way she threw his keys at him like a fast pitch.
“Ma’am, it says here that you discussed Elegant Eggshell and Glory Morning.”
“Oh, fantastic. I should have written them down.” The woman sounded giddy.
He shared in her relief. His decorating tips were non-existent. “There’s also a mention of a Lavender and Lacey?”
“The candle scent. Thank you. I had almost forgotten. I wanted to make an impression on my fiancé when he sees the room for the first time. Please thank Emma, and tell her that I owe her one.”
“Will do. Glad we could help.” His conscience gnawed at him. He didn’t want to tell Donna that Emma was gone.
Question for Readers: Have you ever worked in customer service? What are the benefits and drawbacks?
About Barbara: Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction from Bible Times to Modern Day USA. Her Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. Her novel “Christmas at Whispering Creek,” is a compelling, yet fun story, shining a light on breast cancer. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Learn more & connect:
Barbara’s Website Barbara’s Twitter/X
Barbara’s Facebook Barbara’s Instagram
About the book – Escape to Whispering Creek:
Emma Uranova enjoys her office job until her boss disappears with the investors’ money. To avoid the media storm and false accusations, Emma flees to Whispering Creek, Tennessee to live on her best friend’ s secluded property. When a temporary position opens up in Nashville, Emma leaves small-town anonymity to pad her depleted bank account. With a handsome new boss and a steady income, Emma believes life is looking up… until she discovers she has transported the scandal in her backpack. Where is God when her life is falling apart?
Wade Donoven is recuperating from a crash that sidelined him from the family electrical business. Worse yet, his prodigal younger brother is getting the glory for Wade’s accomplishments. Desperation and physical setbacks have him agreeing to let Emma help him manage the business office. But when trouble follows her to his doorstep, Wade must make some difficult choices. Sending Emma back to Whispering Creek may unknowingly place the woman he’s come to love in danger.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Barbara’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now!
Escape To Whispering Creek – Amazon Escape to Whispering Creek – B&N
Escape To Whispering Creek – KOBO Barbara’s Books
Come back Nov 1st for Christina Sinisi!
Thank you for having me back on your blog, Shannon. I hope readers enjoy another trip to Whispering Creek.
I have worked in customer service. I love working with people but of course the drawback that there always are difficult people you have to work with that are never satisfied no matter how hard you try. Those type of people can really drain you.
Hi Cherie! Thanks for joining us.
You are right. Most people are very nice, but eventually you get one of those hard-to-please customers and they can ruin your day of you let them.
Yes, right out of high school I worked 3 jobs, 2 of which were customer service.
The department store housewares deparment did bridal registry. I loved setting those up but always felt bad if I had to take one down that had hardly an murch purchased.
Then I’d go do my shift at the Skillet a local restaurant. One night there was a group of 8 oilfield guys who came in to eat. They asked to be seated in the dinning room.(An old train car, which meant as hostess they would be my responsibility. They razzed me all night long. I gave it right back. Lol.
At the end of the meal one of the gentlemen who had teased me the most said you should double his bill. Pointing at the boss. I did. He paid and left me a big tip. We all laughed. Everytime he came in after he sat in the main room and asked for my to wait on his table.
Hi Renette. It’s always good to “see” you.
You were a good sport to take the teasing from the oil men. I’m glad you got a big tip and a loyal customer.
There was a restaurant in Dallas many years ago, where the wait staff would tease customers. After a while, you just wanted to say, “Let me eat in peace.”
It helps to let the teasing and jokes roll off your shoulders.
No, I have never worked in customer service. However, I think there’s occasionally the one customer who can be really demanding.
Hi Diana. It’s true. There is always ‘the one’.
I was a merchandise manager at a retailer. I had every register staffed on Christmas Eve with several helpers. I began to put all the tables of clothes back in order so the employees could leave sooner. A lady came over to me and berated me for not being behind the counter. I couldn’t believe her Christmas spirit. Oh well, you have to roll with it.
Thanks for being here with us.
Glad to have you here, Barbara. I was a hairdresser for ten years, then a loan clerk in a bank. The hardest two things to please people about are their hair and their money. Most people were nice. But there were a few. . .
Oh my, Shannon. Being a hairdresser has to be one of the hardest people-pleasing jobs.
I’m glad Wade figures out Emma is a gem of an employee. I haven’t worked in customer service, but I have worked fast food which includes a good helping of customer service!
Hi Priscilla! I would think working in fast food is the toughest kind of customer service because you get a rush of customers at certain times–lunch and dinner. And of course, everyone is hungry (Hangry).
It’s so good to see you here. Thanks for joining us.
I prefer numbers to people lol
I’m not in customer service per say but our finance department provides services to others.
You provide service in another way, Natalya. Your numbers have to be correct, or no one would be happy.
Thanks for being here with us.
I worked as a store gift wrapper in college. It needed to be done with care, almost perfection, but I really enjoyed it, especially at Christmas!
Hi Marilyn. Yes, store gift wrapping does have to be done to perfection. When I worked retail, I was put in the gift-wrapping section over Christmas right before the store closed for the night. I had one gift to wrap, and I was so nervous. My hands were sweating, and I worried that I wouldn’t be good enough. I think we gave the buyer a discount for my lackluster wrapping. I’m sure that you are a much better wrapper than me. Thanks for joining us.
I never worked in customer service, but I do appreciate helpful reps when I call for CS. Escape to Whispering Creek is at the top of my wish list!
Hi Roxanne. A helpful customer service rep can make or break a store visit. I don’t want to have to track someone down when I need help.
Thanks for adding “Escape to Whispering Creek” to your TBR pile. I appreciate you being here.
I have a winner! Renette Steele won the drawing. I appreciate Barbara for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.
Thank you so much!
I love Barbara and her stories!
I sent you a message.