Aloha again to my blog friends---
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Aloha my blog and firefly friends---
It has been far too long since my last post, and for that I am really sorry. It's not that I haven't thought of you all, or that I've had nothing to say, it's simply that for the past few months I've been inundated with life. Work, friends, family, travel, reading, social networking---I honestly adore all of it, and yet I find that I can't keep up with everything that I want to do. There just aren't enough hours in the day. I'm sure you all know what I mean. We women are movers and shakers--we get a lot done. A super human amount, actually, but every now and then the To Do list overpowers the available time list. That is where I've been. Tell me I'm not alone. Has this summer been crazy for you, too?
Although I've clearly fallen into the deep end of the blogging pool (help, I've fallen and I can't get up!!), I really truly haven't forgotten you all. The conversations we've all shared over the last few years and the e-friendships we've made have meant something to me. Which is why I wanted to check back in and let you know that I'm still here.
The biggest piece of my lost time puzzle has definitely been the new book. HOME FRONT is coming out Jan 31, 2012, and I can tell you that I've never had such a difficult time writing a novel--at least not that I can recall. The only upside to all of this hard work, all of these extensive edits, is that I'm really proud of this book. You all know me well enough to know that I don't say that lightly or often. It is, hands down, the most honest and real novel that I've ever written. I can't wait to hear what you all think of it.
For months now, I've been keeping the story under wraps. Maybe that's because the book feels so special to me...or maybe I've been scared. Who knows what goes on in the minds of a nervous writer? Only the Shadow knows. :) Anyway, (with a drumroll, please), here is the first tidbit about the story:
Like many married couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades have to balance the pressures of everyday life--children, careers, bills, chores--even as their twelve year marriage is falling apart. Then an unexpected deployment sends Jolene deep into harm's way and leaves defense attorney Michael at home, struggling to care for his frightened, worried children. At once a profoundly honest look at the landscape of a disintegrating marriage and a dramatic exploration of the price of war on a single American family, HOME FRONT is a story about love, loss, heroism, honor, and ultimately, hope.
For the next few weeks, I'll be talking about the book on my facebook page. I know that most of you are already there, and I encourage the rest of you to please join us. I'll be giving out all kinds of information and answering questions and doing a few giveaways as we get closer to publication. I look forward to seeing your posts both here and there. But I won't give up blogging--honestly.
Thanks for still being here---
aloha,
Kristin
14 Comments:
I do hope you don't give up blogging. For a multitude of reasons, I won't be on facebook.
Don't worry, Lynn---I am going to try really hard to keep blogging. My posts might be a little less often, but they'll be no less heartfelt. Glad you're still here...
Oh, I've been confused. I thought this was a rerelease of Home Again (titles and authors and character names are never a strong point of mine). Yay for a new book! :)
I love the style of all the covers. So fresh and inviting. Can't wait!
Love the cover! Love the story tease! Love that you love it most! Can't wait to read it!
L
Hello everyone -- nice to see and hear from familiar faces. Have missed people.
Kristin, when I saw the title of your new book, my reaction was that it was about the war -- had a feeling you would address this subject at some point. I know it's going to be a tear jerker. Just finished Patricia McCormick's YA novel "Puple Heart," which was well done. Last Memorial Day, I devoted a whole week to blogs about books that have been written that military families might find helpful -- good grief books, books for kids who have a parent deployed, stories of loss and organizations like TAPS that asssist families. As you know, we lost a 20-year-old grandson in Nov. 2009. Perhaps I'll be able to review your book this year.
Comment on your facebook occasionally. But it's discouraging for us to respond when there are 580 comments. I know it's great for you and your publicist must love it!
Glad to see a knew blog. Am excited about the new book. Will you tour during the worst time of the year? You and a handful of writers are among the few the Houses send out anymore -- says a lot about your books and your followers.
Great to see you back on the blog!
Patricia
Kristin-
You're BACK! yay! This is a good thing :) I mentioned you on Linda Lael Miller's blog as "My author friend Kristin"
I figured you were very busy with stuff, and I want you to know how much we all appreciate you being here.
And- turns out I wasn't way off base with my HOME FRONT thoughts-
(no pun intended) Remember I thought a soldier got wounded and had to go home only to deal with stuff on the "home front?" Well I guess that's kind of backwards of what actually happens. You say this is the most honest book you've done? Well, they all touch me with their magic and honesty, but I am truly breathless in anticipation for this. I just know I'll love it more than even True Colors.
Go Kristin! (I'm your cheerleader!)
BTW, I saw Blondie in concert and she absolutely blew me away!!
See ya later.
Hey Patricia and Michelle--I'm so glad to read your posts! Honestly, I was--and am--a little nervous about the "military" angle of this book, but it was such a powerful, emotional thing to write about. I hope you love it. xok
Hi Kristin!!
My brother is in the Army so I have a tremendous amount of respect and love for our military.
I don't care if all the details are 100% true to life. The important thing for me is that the story is respectful of our service people.
Your books have tackled many sensitive subjects and every one was done beautifully. I have absolutely no doubt that this one will be as well.
So stop worrying! I can't wait to read it and I really hope I'm able to make it to one of the stops on the tour. Even if I have to drive 5 hours in a blizzard...again =)
-Jo
I know what you mean, Krisin; the frequency with which I get to my blog, or even my Flickr friends seems to be less and less.
That's a great cover and the excerp is enticing. Best of luck with it!
I've got about three books going right now--one is audio--that's Jeffrey Archer's "Sons of Fortune". I'm really enjoying it but it's demanding an inordinate amount of my attention trying to keep the characters straight (twins seperated at birth living parrallel lives)--might be better in print for the visual ques or as a movie. The others are non-fiction--Alison Weir's "The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn" is well written and full of intrigue; & the last, "Bilogoy of Belief" by Bruce Lipton is a cell biologist's support of the "Body/Mind" concept.
Happy reading and writing everyone!
I don’t think it worked the first time I entered this message, but if it did, I apologize profusely for the duplication--I've taken the opportunity to spell check and edit a little but it's very much the same message.
I know what you mean, Kristin about struggling to fit everything in you want to do; the frequency with which I get to my blog, or even my Flickr friends seems to be less and less.
That's a great cover and the excerpt is enticing. It never ceases to amaze me that you can create such detail with the situations and backgrounds your characters have in such a short amount of time. Best of luck with it and I look forward to the reading!
I've got about three books going right now--if audio counts—that one is Jeffrey Archer's "Sons of Fortune". I'm really enjoying it but it's demanding an inordinate amount of my concentration trying to keep the characters straight (twins separated at birth living parallel lives)--might be better in print for the visual cues or as a movie for the same reason. The others are non-fiction--Alison Weir's "The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn" which is well written and full of intrigue; & "Biology of Belief" by Bruce Lipton, which I’d say is a cell biologist's support of the "Bodymind" concept—if that concept refers to the theory that, at least in part, we create our own health or lack thereof.
Good to see new messages from everyone. Happy reading and writing!
Just read my first novel of yours, Comfort and Joy, and I have to let you know how awed I am by it!!! I LOVE the mix of reality/fantasy/magic/destiny/reality!!! It is by far the best book I've ever read and I am now officially addicted to your writing and cannot wait to read every book you've ever written! I love your style! No swearing! Magic! Hope! Doubt mixed with conviction... fabulous, uplifting, and genuinely optimistic. Thank you!!!!! (Now I've got to get back to reading; there are so many other novels of yours here to discover and I can't wait!) You are awesome! :) Thanx for sharing your gift.
Yay! I just saw that the new book comes out on payday (I get paid the last day of every month). heehee
3 short months to go - I can do it!
~ april
I wanted to stop by and say that I bought Distant Shores yesterday as I am spending the weekend alone and needed something to read. I grabbed it off an HEB shelf and have not put it down yet. It is fantastic. I've never read anything by you before and am thrilled to find that you have more books out. I have become a fan--rarely do I read a book as I am this one. Thanks!
I have to tell you that I really loved Firefly Lane. It made me cry and the mother/daughter relationships resonated with me. I passed the book to my 22 year old daughter and the first thing she said is " Is this gonna make me cry?" Yes it will and you will love it. And then she began to read. Thank you.
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