Aloha again---
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Good evening all--
Thanks so much for keeping in touch with me on my wonderful, relaxing vacation. As you know, I've been hanging around with my girlfriends for the past couple of weeks--riding our bicycles through town, eating shave ice from street vendors, paddleboarding (don't try to make me show the photos of Christina--I won't do it), swimming, snorkeling and of course, making margaritas.
It's been especially cool to see how many of you are also connected to the Hawaiian islands--some in reality and some of you in your dreams. It's no wonder. The swaying palm trees and lapping waves and warm days bring out the dreamer in almost everyone.
But, alas, even in paradise, there is work to be done. Yesterday my husband and I spent ALL day in town, going to Costco (I bought far too many books), Borders (where I also bought too many books), Safeway, and Walmart. Yes, friends, you can fly far from the mainland, land on a beautiful island, and still discover that you need paper towels and sponges. So there I was yesterday, standing in the checkout aisle at Walmart, where, as you guessed it, I also bought too many books, and wondering exactly how long all this shopping would take me. The good news was that we went out for dinner on the way home and watched Dancing with the Stars on a big screen tv in the restaurant. And just for the record, I don't care what Carrie Ann says--Kristi and Mark's dance with the umbrella was beautiful. In fact, I'm starting to be irritated that the judges in general are too hard on the really good dancers and too easy on the lesser competitors. It worries me that their scores will cause some of my favorites to go home...it wouldn't be the first time in the reality show world. (Can anyone say Melinda Doolittle? Tamyra Gray? Sabrina from DWTS?)
Back to the real world, though. I've just heard from my editor that they're bringing my new book out in the beginning of the year--I'm hoping for February again. That was a lucky month for me. They're working on the cover as we speak. Last I heard, they were "playing with" peaches and golds as a color scheme. Sounds good to me. I can't wait to hear what you all think of the new one. It's a boldly romantic story with a breathless pace. It's been a long time since I've written a flat out love story, and let me tell you, this hero is something. :) I'm hopeful that we'll have ARC's for a few lucky readers at the end of the summer.
And now, for my BIG NEWS. My husband and I are planning a trip to Africa in the Fall. It's really going to be the trip of a lifetime, celebrating all our years of marriage in one fell swoop. Well, as I was planning the trip, I found myself studying more and more about the continent, and as I read more, I found myself wanting to do something to contribute. I didn't want to simply go to Africa and take; I wanted to give back. But how? More research ensued. In the end, I've chosen to contribute to the Botswana Book Project. It's a local, grass roots organization that distributes books to school age children in dire need. This year in particular the organization is focusing on popular fiction. That's right: they want the kind of paperback, popular novels that people love to read. Of course I had to help. So, to make a long story short, I'm collecting as many paperback novels as I can between now and the first of July. Then I'll send these novels off and help them get into the hands of faraway readers. I don't yet have all the information, but when I do, I'll pass it along. Maybe some of you would like to clean out your bookcases or go to your local bookstore for a good cause.
That's all the news that's fit to print from paradise. I'm heading off to the kitchen now to make coconut/panko crusted tiger prawns. One of my favorite recipes. :)
Aloha to all and thanks for keeping in touch. I treasure all of your posts and comments...
Kristin
ps: I hope I uploaded a photo of Christina Dodd (left), Jill Marie Landis (center), and yours truly in Hawaii. Did I??? :)
16 Comments:
Kristin, it's been a lot of fun reading about your island adventures, although I must admit it's made me very envious, especially as I've watched the rain and blustery winds from my office window in downtown Seattle. ;-) Great idea of going to Africa for your anniversary trip, too! And, what a fabulous way to "give back" with the book program. I look forward to reading more about that when you post the information.
Christina
Hey Kristin!
YAY!! A new blog entry!!
What a concept, you go to Costco! :) I frequent Sam's Club and BJs warehouse myself.
As for the Africa project, I will be happy to send quite a few paperback books, and some hard covers as well. It isn't like I don't have more than I know what to do with. I would imagine that the audiobooks would not be much help, especially if they do not speak English.
What type of books does Ms. Dodd and Ms. Landis write? I can't say that I am familiar with them. Just let me know where to send the donation, and I will collect as many as I can from friends as well.
I want that recipe for the tiger prawns please! :)
Nice picture by the way.. and yes, it did upload.
Oh, the top 3 are just who I thought they would be.. :) I KNEW Jason was hitting the dusty trail last night. Now, I am looking very forward to seeing who gets to the finale. I wonder if my predictions about David Cook will be spot on or just off the mark!
Write soon.. I think that all of your blogging fans love to hear from you just as much as you treasure our notes!
There are, by the way, a lot of ways that so many folks are helping the people in Africa. My husband works for a company that tests STD prevention items and then sends them to Africa along with other third world countries. Their primary focus is AIDS prevention, and they have just started working on a project to prevent malaria in third world countries. I was surprised when he came home and told me that they were testing mosquito netting to make sure that there were no holes big enough to let mosquitoes in the homes of the people who receive the nettings. They also contribute medications and contribute financially to so many third world causes. I am quite proud of my hubby and the company he works for.
Take care.. I hope to hear from you soon!
Linda
The photo is great! Good friends having a wonderful time. As I told you in our emails, I am on a "Kristin Hannah Reading Marathon" and loving it! I am making myself slow down because I'm already nearing the goal of having read them all, and it's making me a bit melancholy. I have to stretch them out until your next pub. =) I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Magic Hour. Keep enjoying your vacation in paradise! Best to you and yours .....
GREAT photo! All of you look like you are having so much fun. But Christina is right, our weather as been dreary and blah to say the least. Could you send a little Hawaiin sun our way?! :) And I'm with Linda (I think it was Linda) please post the shrimp recipe, it sounds divine!!
Linda, Christina Dodd and Jill Marie Landis both write historical romance and some contemporary romance with a little drizzle of mystery, but they're not mysteries. Hm, that came out wrong. :) I like Christina Dodd's contemporaries and Jill Marie Landis's historicals.
I third (?) that the recipe should be shared. It sounds yummy! If we can't all go to Hawaii, we should be able to have a little of it in our own homes.
Oh, I would love another straight-up romance. Yummy hero, hm? Well, my favorite hero is Liam Campbell, but I have a soft spot for Larrence, too, and Mad Dog. I'll look forward to the new one.
Forget the prawns, I'll take the margaritas LOL! but the prawns with the rita's would be best. I'm glad you have had such a relaxing time, and I am really glad to hear that I only have 9-10 months to wait to read another book. Excited to hear more about the book drive, and I would love to participate, as I'm sure many of my friends will as well. Hugs and kisses to my buddy. Look forward to catching up on the rest of your blogs. Oh and hey what about Survivor? Are you a fan, cuz this is by far the most hilarious season of all.
Mary in Malaga
I had to laugh when you mentioned going to Costco because that's one of my favorite stops when I'm in the islands. It's also the best place to pick up Hawaii coffee table books and macadamia nuts as souvenirs.
The weatherman is promising us warm weather this weekend...thanks for sending it our way!
I am with April...Liam Campbell is one of my favorites.
I am so bummed you didn't get to go ziplining though I am sure you will get to it one day in your life. I really think that is something to experience along with skydiving, parasailing and anything else adventurous.
That is so great to hear you get to go to Africa. I believe it will be a trip never to forget.
Just found out who was kicked off on Idol and I won't say who for those who have not seen it yet but the last two are exactly who I expected!
Kristin, last blog you asked how many books we read at once after I asked you and honestly I can only handle one book at a time. When I read a novel I am completely committed to that one novel and nothing else. For now...it is your latest Firefly Lane. I have not been able to read it for awhile now because of being so busy but I hope to get to it SOON!
Great photo, thanks for sharing!
Hey Stranger.. :)
Did you watch American Idol this week? I was so hoping that Syeshia would make it through to the finale. However, the 2 Davids will make it interesting to say the least. I like both of them, and I really think that they both will get some sort of contract at the end of the show when the actual winner is announced.
So, I know you are pulling strong for David Archuletta.. but are you pulling strongly enough for him that you will actually man your phone lines to call in and vote for him? The only time I participate in the calling/texting is on the finale night. The last time I tried to call in was way back with Rueben Stoddard and Clay Aiken were in the finale. I called Clay's numbers, (all 3 of them) and each time I got through the recording thanked me for voting for Rueben. So, I decided that from now on I would simply send a text message.
There were a lot of upset NC folks that raised the roof over that. I really believe that Clay would have taken the crown that night if the phones were working correctly. Doesn't really matter now, cause Clay is a powerful balladeer in his own right. AND he hails from NC!
Fantasia.. OMG!! What was THAT last night? Did you see that? Did you see the look of total shock on Simon's face? I cannot believe that whatever that was that she was supposedly singing.. ooops yelling, was supposed to be a song from her new album. If the rest of them will be like that, I will skip it, thanks.
Have you ever read any of Mary Kay Andrews books? If so, don't you just LOVE Weezie Foley? I just finished my first book of hers, and I will definitely read more..
So, now I am impatiently waiting to hear that your new one is about to hit the stands, and I know it will still be another 8 to 9 months before it does.. I don't have any more Kristin Hannah books to catch up on.. **Pout**
How are you doing Kristin? I hope things are going well in Paradise this week! I look forward to your next blog post!
Take care..
Linda
Dear Kristina, Lisa, and Linda:
Hello again from paradise. I'm glad to hear of your enthusiasm for the books for botswana project. As soon as I head back to the mainland--Thursday--I'll be posting something with all of the information. I guess I'll do it on the main blog page and perhaps even on the welcome page. I'm sure any contributions you can make would me much appreciated. Oh, and I'll post that darn shrimp recipe, too. I just have to remember what it was. :)
I'm gearing up for tonight's finale on DWTS--can it possibly be anyone except Kristi and Mark? Please say no. And idol, I honestly don't know. I think they're both incredibly talented. There's no loser possible, is there?
And Lisa, glad you're loving Magic Hour. Honestly, little Alice is one of my favorite characters of all time.
aloha all--
kristin
Dear April and Kim--
Hey, thanks for chatting up Christina and Jill Marie's books. I just got a copy of JML's new short story collection and I can't wait to start it. And I recently read Christina's newest paranormal romance and loved it. Also, for the record, I recently adored the new Harlan Coben (he's always a favorite of mine), and finished the new Dean Koontz--it's a must read for dog lovers.
And kim--I know you're shocked that I uploaded the photo. Aha! is all I can say...
aloha,
k
Dear Kelli and Mary (from Malaga)--
I know how sad it is--Costco is a great day of shopping on vacation. :) Us island girls have to enjoy what we have available. :) And I'm glad the good weather is coming your way. I hope I find it lovely at home, too, when I finally get back. I will miss the smell of plumeria in the morning.
And Mary, of course I'm watching Survivor. Is this the most surprising, entertaining season, or what? How can one even begin to explain Eric the ice cream scooper? I was rolling in the aisle. :) All I needed was a good friend to share a margarita with while I watched...
Take care and mucho aloha to you both...
K
Dear Pricers--
I hope you finally get a chance to finish Firefly. I know how tough it is to find time to read for pleasure. One of the best things about my time in Hawaii is the time I spend reading on the beach. All year I buy books in anticipation, then I ship them over and pour through them like a machine. Last week was Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty, which i really enjoyed. There's a lot of great YA fiction out there these days.
Great hearing from you! Aloha,
kristin
oops, Christina--
I spelled your name wrong. So sorry!
K
Dear Linda---
I haven't read MK Andrews, but thanks for the recommendation! I'll put her on my tbr pile. Although, now that my vacation is winding down, I'm back on the research wagon. I'm reading five to ten research books a week. Got to find that new idea, don't you know? :)
And don't worry, I'll blog again soon. Right now, though, my son is here, back on island after college, and our time together is short, so I want to enjoy every minute. :) In fact, I'm off to the beach right now to join him. We sit side by side, reading. He's my son, all right.
aloha,
Kristin
Kristin, I love your books and I think I have read all but the last one. I can't believe you said The wolf and the dove was one of your favorite books.
I loved The Flame and The Flower and The Wolf and The Dove and Shanna.
Have you ever read Forever Amber, that is also one of my favoites.
I am not too much of a historical romance reader but those I loved.
Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend and rest of the summer.
Good luck with your next project.
Can't wait to read it.
Mary Branham Willard Ohio
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