Hello friends---


Okay, so really, I hate to be the kind of person who goes around touting her own success, and I'm vaguely uncomfortable doing it now (most of my friends and family don't even know that Firefly is on its third week on the Times list), but I really feel as if you all are such an integral part of it. Honestly, I couldn't have done it without you. You guys have been such an important, vital part of spreading the word on Firefly Lane and I think your enthusiasm has been contagious. Women all around the country are choosing it for their book clubs, and I suspect more than a few have talked to one of my online friends in the past year.


Thanks also to Lisa for posting the People magazine review of True Colors. What a lucky break that was, wasn't it?? As an avid People magazine reader myself, it's always fun to turn a page and see a review of my own book. Even if it's not good, but when it's great??? Well that's a call up the girls and order a pitcher of margarits night. :) Now, if only my local Safeway would put out the new magazines, I could actually SEE it!!

Okay, so that's what's happening with the books. But you know what's even more front burner these days...that's right...LOST is back on. I watched the season opener and I thought my head was going to explode as I tried to figure out all of it. When are they? Where are they? What in the heck is happening??? I love it, love it, love it. All I ask is that Kate/Jack/Sawyer get back together on screen soon...

And then there are the movies. What a month for good things to watch. I'm slowly working my way through the Oscar noms so that I can win the Oscar pool I have with my friends. To that end, I've seen Benjamin Button (loved it--thought Brad and Cate were remarkable, as was the make up), saw Slumdog Millionaire (LOVED it--favorite movie this year so far, but a very tough, difficult, gritty movie to watch--with a KILLER ending), Frost/Nixon (really good). On the list to see: Milk, Rachel Getting Married, The Reader, Revolutionary Road. Anyone got any reviews???

On tv--Private Practice, Fringe, American Idol, and Biggest Loser all have my undivided attention. I am liking Grey's Anatomy, but they better pull something big out of the hat with the Izzy/Denny story line. Haven't liked that much, but I like Sandra Oh and Kevin McKidd...

What are all of your favorite movies and tv shows this season?

Thanks again for being such loyal fireflies and for spreading the word about the books. You guys rock!!!

aloha,

Kristin

Hello everyone--

Before I tell you where I've been for the last few weeks, let me thank you so, so much for all of your support and enthusiasm for Firefly Lane. Last week, as you know, the book came out in trade paperback, and it rocketed right onto the bestseller lists. I am honestly humbled and grateful. It takes a lot of behind the scenes work to put a novel on The List and my publisher has worked tirelessly to make the book succeed, but I'm well aware of how much YOU make a difference. The readers. Whenever you tell someone about the book or pass it along to a friend, you are a part of the publishing process. So thank you very much for your continued support.

And now, on to what else has been happening. As most of you know, the Pacific Northwest got hit with a big time storm this December. My family and I had been planning a short ski vacation, which turned into a long vacation due to road closures and falling snow and threatened avalanches. It doesn't sound like a bad thing--a longer vacation--but when you're apart from your beloved computer and apart from friends and family, it can get a little hectic. I missed my fireflies and talking to you all about everyday life. It was a great treat to come home and find your posts.

When we got home, we had to run around a make up for lost time and have all the family holiday get togethers that we'd missed when the snow hit in December. It was like the holidays always is--fun, crazy, busy, stressful, and flat out wonderful. You'll all be glad to know that I even managed to put together an Africa scrapbook for the gang. I used a fabulous online resource--Shutterfly.com--and honestly I can't recommend this site highly enough. As we know, I'm not great in cyberspace, and this site made it amazingly easy, and the scrapbook was a hit! I wish I could send it out to all of you. Although, you have seen some of the photos, I'll make sure you see more in the coming weeks.

When I got home, it was time to hit the ground running. I know it's hard to believe, but we writers work well in advance, and I've been kicking my own butt to finish the first draft of the book slated for 2010. (Kicking Kim's butt too--just ask her. I know she'll love to complain about how hard she had to work in January). There's still a lot of work ahead of me, but I can finally see the end. It's crazy to realize that right now I have a book out in paperback, a book coming out in hardcover in three weeks, and am finishing the novel for next year. It makes me feel like Nora Roberts. :) Woo hoo.

Now I'm finally slowing down enough to look around and see what's around me. It's a new year, with a new President, and a new hope. You all know the resolutions I've made (and yes, I'm still reaching for the same things--how about you?), but I'm thinking about the bigger picture. So here, in no particular order are some of my hopes for 2009, big and small.

First and foremost, I hope we all take President Obama's call to service seriously. We each are stronger when we band together. I hope our generation rises to become another greatest generation by showing our faith, our strength, and our commitment to the ideals upon which this country was founded. I know I'm sounding political--but how could anyone watch today's inauguration and not feel the power of this moment in history?

I hope Harlan Coben's new book is as good as his last one and keeps me up late into the night.

I hope they keep that cute kid who played Jacob in the next Twilight movie. I think his name is Taylor Lautner. I hate the idea that they'll he'll lose the chance to grow into the role. While I on Twilight, I'm bummed that Catherine Hardwicke isn't directing the sequel, but I'm staying hopeful that it will be okay.

I hope the new Harry Potter movie rocks the house.

I hope Fox TV keeps Prison Break around for a long time. What can I say, I still love that show! And as long as I'm talking tv, I hope Lost keeps me on the edge of my seat and answers my questions and blows my mind. I hope Kate ends up with Jack. Yes, yes, I'm on THAT side of that fence. I'm sure I'll hear from those of you who love bad boy Sawyer.

I hope the movie version of The Road has all the power and beauty and sadness of the novel.

And yes, I hope most of you love True Colors and tell your friends. I'd be lying if I didn't say I hope that, and I'd never lie to you. :)

I hope my son loves the rest of his junior year of college and begins to see the future that is waiting for him.

There's the start of a list. I hope you'll add to it and let me know what you're all hoping for this year.

Thanks again for staying in touch while I was incommunicado. But I'm baaaaackkk now and here for the duration.

aloha and firefly out--

Kristin

Sheila from Idaho
Cynthia from Connecticut
Shirley from Georgia
Helen from Washington
Doreen from Indiana
Judy from California
Michelle from New Jersey
Patricia from South Carolina
Anita from Wisconsin

A huge thank you to everyone who entered the contest and congratulations to our winners.

Hey all you fireflies---

Just want to remind you that the contest for an advance copy of True Colors ends soon! So send your entry in today and don't forget to let me know you're a firefly...

Also, Firefly Lane comes out in trade paperback tomorrow, so tell your friends!

Aloha,

Kristin