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My favorite V-Day memory is not romantic but very sweet. I was 23 years old, no boyfriend in sight, new to a city where I didn’t know a soul. But lo and behold, a beautiful bouquet of flowers was delivered to me at work!
The card said, “Happy Valentine’s Day from your secret admirer.” I called my dad immediately and thanked him, and though he denied sending anything, I knew that he knew I knew. He died later that year, so the memory is especially precious. Thanks, Dad!
Thank you Kristan for sharing that sweet and special memory with all of us.
Lee: Hi Kristan and let me be ther first to welcome you to Guilty Pleasures. I’ll admit that I’m kind of in fan girl mode right now and I’m thrilled to get to do an interview with you!! I just have a few questions for you…
Kristan: I’m thrilled you asked!
Lee – Okay, so there is one thing that I have been curious about so I’m going to ask on behalf of all of your Facebook followers. What’s the story behind the half naked hottie war you have going on with Jill Shalvis and who exactly started it? Also, God bless both of you for it!!!
Kristan: The war we can all support! You’re very welcome!
The Hot Guys War started out quite innocently. I often post a picture for, um, inspiration, and I know Jill does the same. Hers are a little more revealing than mine are, and one day, I just tagged her and voila! The Hot Guys War was launched! That first time was so much fun, we decided it’d be a regular feature, so stay tuned!
Lee: I have read all of your books and love them all but Until There Was You was your first attempt to write from the Hero’s perspective. What made you decide to go that route with this story? Was there something special about Liam that you wanted to get through in this book?
Kristan: I did think there was something special about Liam that would be missed if I stayed with only Posey’s perspective. When I started writing, first person just felt natural to me; I didn’t have a plan to be the first person author or what have you. I think some of my heroes would’ve been less interesting if we’d seen into their heads (Malone, anyone?), but Liam had a lot going on: the teenaged daughter, his late wife, his conflicts about being back in the town where he and Emma had first met. And I also really enjoyed his take on Posey and hers on him, and how different those were.
Lee: Did deciding to write from two characters perspectives make this book more difficult to write than the others?
Kristan: A little bit. Surprisingly, it was easier to write from Liam’s point-of-view than it was for Posey’s. Because I’d written seven books in a first person, female POV, that habit was more ingrained and harder to break. But once I got in the groove, it went really well. My next few books will have both hero and heroine viewpoints, but I imagine I’ll do first person again as well.
Lee: You managed to write the PERFECT teenager when it came to both Nicole and Brianna. You hit both ends of the teenage spectrum with those characters. The dialog between Nicole and Liam could have been conversations that me or any of my friends had with their parents at fifteen. And I’m willing to admit that I might have been a tad mouthy to authority figures while I was growing up, like Brianna. Were there people in particular that you based Nicole and Brianna on?
Kristan: Thank you so much! I’m the proud mother of two teenagers, so I do get to hear a lot of teenage dialogue. Nicole wasn’t based on anyone I knew, but Brie was based on one of my favorite kids, who lives around the corner from me. When she read the book, she said, “This is my favorite of all of them,” but she didn’t ask if Brie was supposed to be her. Sometimes, I think, we authors start out with a character who’s based on someone we know, but they take on their own personalities during the actual writing of the book.
Lee: My all time favorite book of yours has to be Just One of the Guys. I’m sure I can speak for most of our followers on here when I say that that we have all experience the “Friend Zone” with a guy that we were secretly crushing on at least once in our lives. I saw so much of Chastity’s character in myself. As a woman, we all tend to feel a little plain, and somewhat awkward more times than not. Where did you get your inspiration for Just One of the Guys?
Kristan: I was vacuuming. If I have a muse, I think it’s Electrolux. =) I wanted to have an unconventional heroine, somebody big and bold and strapping, and someone who, as much as she felt embraced by her family (and the O’Neil family is my favorite to date), she also feels like an outsider. So there I was, vacuuming away, and thought, “Who could be the hero? A friend? Someone she already knows? Her brother’s friend?” But I needed more, so I kept going with the off-limits factors… “What if he works with her father? What if he’s a surrogate son?” And then, as I was sucking up a particularly large clump of dog fur, I thought, “What if they’ve already been together, and it didn’t work out? Huh? Hm? What then?” That’s when I dropped the trusty Electrolux and leaped for the computer.
Lee: I have read a number of books where it is obvious that the story and the characters both are complete fiction. The characters in all of your books, secondary characters included, seem so real. How do you manage to write characters that all of your fans can relate to?
Kristan: Thank you for that huge compliment! It’s one of the nicest a writer can get, really. One of the things I really value as a reader is the emotional honesty of the characters in a book. Sometimes characters can seem on the cliché side, or just lacking depth in some way. Everyone is some personality type, after all. So if I have a method, it’s actually pretty simple. I think a lot. I sit with those characters all the time, ask questions, figure out why they are the way they are. I try to think of clothing choices and eccentricities in speech or body language, the kind of food they eat…and I try to make everything matter. The fact that Lucy in The Next Best Thing could only eat Twinkies…that mattered. The reason that Chastity adopted Buttercup…that mattered, too. I try to make everything relate to the character or story for some good reason; not just to make them colorful, but to make them real. So I’m very, very happy that you think it works!
Lee: I have to ask… Is there any way you can spill on what’s coming up next for you? I know that we all want to have at least a small taste of what’s in store for the next book!
Kristan: The next book is pretty special to me, and when I announced my idea to my editors, they pounced on it. “Yes, yes, Kristan, do it! We love it!” It’s a little unique, too, in that it takes a character from one of my previous books and puts her in the setting of another previous book. And so…
Parker Welles, the best friend and author of the Holy Rollers children’s book series in The Next Best Thing, finds out she’s broke, courtesy of dear old dad and his insider trading plan. The only asset she has left is a house on the coast of Maine—Gideon’s Cove, Maine, home of Maggie and Malone, the hero and heroine of Catch of the Day. She finds out her inheritance isn’t quite what she expected, so when Thing One, a.k.a. James Cahill, her father’s personal attorney, shows up to help, he’s the last person she wants hanging around. She has three weeks to get the place livable before her son comes back from a trip with his dad and new stepmother (Ethan and Lucy), and she’d be crazy to turn away Thing One’s help. But it’s hard to trust the guy…and even harder to ignore him, too, especially given a certain tawdry encounter at a wedding a few years back.
I think readers are really going to love seeing some old friends again in this book, and I just adore the romance story here…James is not what he seems, and neither is Parker, and the way those little bits are revealed was something I really enjoyed. I had the biggest crush on James, I tell you. It was also so gratifying to visit with Maggie and Malone and some of the Gideon’s Cove folks, as well as be with Ethan and Lucy again.
Lee: Thank you for sharing =) You have written so many fabulous books but I’m curious, which one is a favorite for you and is there a reason why that book holds a special place?
Kristan: Well, the cheesy and true answer is, they all do. They really are all my favorite…just at different moments. But the one that was closest to home was The Next Best Thing, because it was like writing about my family. I’m also a pretty great baker, so it was really fun to immerse myself in desserts the way Lucy did. I loved that book because Lucy had so much to overcome, and Ethan…sigh! Who doesn’t love a patient man?
Lee: The last question that I want to ask, just to end things on a light note is this. James Franco, Derek Jeter, and Gerard Butler… you can only pick one… who’s your free pass? 🙂
Kristan: Here I thought you were so nice, and you throw me that question. Okay, well, James seems like he has a great sense of humor, so we’d have fun together, no doubt. And Derek and I could talk baseball till the cows come home, and I could stare into his beautiful green eyes for hours. But Gerard Butler…well, I think he’s the winner for the simple fact that come on! He’s Gerard Butler!
Lee: Thanks so much!!!
Kristan: It was absolutely my pleasure. Thank you!
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| Lee’s UNTIL THERE WAS YOU Review |
WE LOVE WHEN YOU LEAVE COMMENTS…To leave a comment click on comments a page will pop up for you to leave your comment. Thank you!!
I really enjoy Kristan’s books. I highly recommend Too Good To Be True.
I have read several of Kristan’s books and loved them. Can’t wait to read more. The Upcoming book sounds really intriguing. Can’t wait for it to release. Thanks for the great interview.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Major fan girl alert, too. OMG, OMG! Love Kristan Higgins. Thanks for a great interview. The Man War is hilarious!
Marika Weber
maw1725@gmail.com
I received My One and Only for Christmas. Looks like I should move it up on my reading priority list!
It is nice to know the back story on the Half Naked Hottie war. It is nice to benefit from that (friendly) rivalry!
Heather E
hregtvedt@aol.com
*hanging head in shame* I have not read Kristin but have always wanted to. I love the fact that she is going to bring back past characters from other series for a new book. That is a really need concept 🙂
Kristan’s books are always fun and they are the sort of romances that can me laugh and enjoy. My One and Only is a favorite.
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for a great interview. I will be checking out these books and the Man War’
Mel
Kristan your father was such a sweetheart!!!! Thank you for sharing that memory with us!!! I absolutely enjoyed reading the interview!!! Kristan is new author to me I haven’t read anything by her yet but I do own thanks to Lee’s review, Until There Was You, I’m waiting for a quiet time with no interruptions where I can sit and read it from to cover!!!!
An awesome interview, great questions and so happy to learn more about my favorite author Kristan. ALL her books are a genuine masterpiece, each with their own special charm. Now I really can’t wait to read Somebody to Love! This might be the one to top the rest. ;D
I am quite a fan of the HOT GUY WAR…and of Kristan!
Thank you Kristan for sharing that super sweet memory and for doing the interview!
Wow! What a question (lol)…How can anyone choose between James Franco, Derek Jeter, and Gerard Butler???? That is a rough one!!!
staniszeski3824@comcast.net
Love the humor and the down to earth guys. Keep up the good work!
I love the fun of Kristen’s books.
I have read several of Kristan’s books and they are good reads. Am working my way thru her back list, one of her books is a special treat for me every now and then! I absolutely loved Catch of the Day, my favourite so far.
great interview! One of my favorite authors. Loved ‘Just one of the Guys’ and ‘My One and Only.’ and the flowers from her Dad on Valentine’s day. precious memory for sure.
Love the man war on Facebook! Kristan wins every time! Keep up the good work.
Your father sounds like a great guy :). Good luck in the hot guy war!!
super good author:)
Loved the valentine story above. I’ll have to remember to do that for my girls when they’re older.
Ever since I discovered Kristan’s stories last year I became a big fan of hers. I love how her contemporary romances are emotional besides being sexy. They make me tear up one minute and laugh the next, and I love how she brings unparalleled emotional depth to her stories, making them unique and memorable. I just discovered a new novel of hers will be released in April and I can’t wait!!
Thank you so much for the giveaway, crossing my fingers and toes! 🙂
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com
I Can’t believe it but I have not read any of your books. I have added to my wish list and looking forward to reading. Enjoyed your interview Kristen.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
I have only read 2 of her books so far. But they are great! I really recommend them and am looking forward to reading the rest.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I have one of Kristan’s books and would love to read more. Thanks so much for the giveaway and the lovely post.
geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
Kristan, thank you for sharing that memory about your dad. You must have been a’daddy’s girl’, I was too, and they always came through to brighten a day. Love your books, your new sounds interesting, especially having some old friends in it. You have been blessed with a great talent.
A new author me. I will be checking out Kristan Higgins books:)
Thank you Kristan, for sharing your story!
Great interview!
I love when I learn about a new author!!! I will be checking out Kristan’s books.
Thanks!
Ruth
What a sweet daddy! Aren’t they the best?:-)
Great interview. Have not read this author but will be adding to my to try list. Sounds like a good story. Nice cover.
Thank you for the interview – love Kristan’s books!
Oh Kristan how that story touched me.. I remember my first Birthday away from home and he and my mom sent me flowers at the office. It made me cry because he was so frugal, but mom said he told her to order them and send them from them both.. I will miss them both this birthday..
Thanks for sharing…
You are one of my fav writers, and I cannot wait for your upcoming book…
superauntkx9_(at)live(dot)ca
And her last sentence says it all. He’s Gerar Butler!!! LOL This sounds really good can’t wait to read it.
Francesca
What a great interview! And what an even better dad 🙂
It’s awesome that he did that. He gave such a cherished memory that I’m sure this day still gives you warmth and comfort!
This is the first time I’ve heard of Kristan Higgins. And it will not be the last, now on my TBR list and looking forward to it!
Your new book is already in my shopping cart at Amazon! Thanks for the interview and giveaway.
Kristan is, hands down, my favorite author. Thanks for the fun interview. Can’t wait for the new book!
Kristan is a new author for me (yeah, I’m living under a rock). I look forward in reading her works.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
I have Til There Was You on my reading list. I have read the reviews & can’t wait to start reading it.
That’s a VERY sweet story, Krista! Daddy’s ARE special…I lost mine 12 yrs ago and still think about him nearly everyday. You are a new author to me…nice to meet you! Thx for this winning opportunity…Happy Valentines Day <3
barbbattaglia @ yahoo.com
Thank you for all of your comments!
Kristan thank you so much for the great interview and awesome books!
Lee thank you for such great questions!
Congratulations Dawn you have won one of Kristan’s back-list.