Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Interview with Kristina McMorris and book giveaway



**Giveaway is now closed**

Kristina McMorris lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. She has garnered more than twenty national literary awards since writing her first novel, "Letters from Home." A graduate of Pepperdine University, she spent twelve years hosting weekly television shows, including an Emmy® Award-winning television show at age nine. Prior to her literary career, she was the owner of a wedding/event planning business and public relations director of an international conglomerate.

For more, visit her website, become her friend on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

Inspired by a collection of her grandparents' World War II courtship letters, Kristina penned her first novel, LETTERS FROM HOME. This award-winning book, which celebrated its release just weeks ago, is being hailed as "ambitious and compelling...[a] sweeping debut" by Publishers Weekly. Various book club rights have been sold to Reader's Digest and Doubleday, sales of global rights are on the rise, and the film rights are represented by the prestigious Creative Artists Agency of Los Angeles.

Book summary:
In the midst of World War II, a Midwestern infantryman falls deeply in love through a yearlong letter exchange, unaware that the girl he's writing to isn't the one replying. Woven around this tenuous thread are three female friends whose journeys toward independence take unexpected turns as a result of romance, tragedy, and deception, their repercussions heightened by an era of the unknown. Beautifully rendered and deeply moving, Letters From Home is a a story of hope and connection, of sacrifices made in love and war -- and the chance encounters that change us forever.

A discussion guide and 1940s recipes are featured in the book, making it a great selection for reading groups!

Watch the book trailer:


Kristina stopped by Chick Lit Central to talk more about this fascinating new novel and has also offered to give away one signed copy to a lucky winner in the US or Canada.

MA: Could you tell us how the story came about?

KM: Several years ago, I was creating a Christmas present for the family. It was a self-published cookbook featuring recipes my grandmother had collected and created over decades. While interviewing her for the biographical section, she began to talk about her courtship with my late grandfather. That's when I discovered, much to my amazement, that they had dated only twice before getting married, as their relationship had developed almost entirely through an exchange of letters during World War II. Grandma Jean then retrieved from her closet a gorgeous stack of those very pages, each one full of the love and hope that had helped carry them through.

After leaving her house, I continued to think about their letters. And I wondered how different their relationship might have been if their correspondence had been anything less than truthful. This thought soon became the core idea of LETTERS FROM HOME.


MP: Did you initially face challenges selling your manuscript?

KM: In the beginning, absolutely! Although I've always remained passionate about the premise of my book, my craft had a long way to go. Also, when I first set out to find an agent, WWII was not a "hot" genre for women's fiction, to put it mildly. But eventually the market shifted, thanks to a handful of popular novels set during that era, and they opened a door for books like mine to make it to the shelves.


MA: Is it true that a portion of the proceeds from the book will benefit a specific charity?

KM: That's right. It's called United Through Reading, which is a nonprofit organization that video records deployed U.S. military personnel reading bedtime stories for their children. Not only is it a wonderful cause, but one that promotes literacy and, like my story, brings together loved ones separated by tours of duty. I couldn't ask for a better fit!

MP: I understand you just completed another book. Can you share a little about that?

KM: My next novel is titled BRIDGE OF SCARLET LEAVES. Essentially, it's about a female Caucasian violinist who secretly elopes with her Japanese-American boyfriend—against societal molds and families' wishes—the night before Pearl Harbor is bombed.

I'm very eager to share this one with readers. It features some shocking aspects of history that most people have never heard about, as well as heroes who are too often passed over. Also, being half Japanese, I was able to infuse a unique perspective of living between worlds.

Special thanks to Kristina for giving us more insight about her novel and for giving away a copy of "Letters from Home" through our blog.


How to win "Letters from Home":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page if you can receive messages there.)

1. Please tell us: How did your parents or grandparents meet?
2. Please tell us: What charity interests you the most?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

US/Canada only. No P.O. Boxes. Giveaway ends Sunday, March 13th at midnight EST

47 comments:

Tianna Xander said...

Good luck with your release. This sounds great. I've always loved reading about WWII and never could figure out why there weren't many books about it. I guess it just proves that the publishers don't always know what we want to read. LOL

Jonnie (JB) said...

My parents met when they were teens. My dad actually dated my mom's sister back then for a short time. A few years later my parents got together.

dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

Jonnie (JB) said...

My mom is a breast cancer survivor so the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is my charity of choice.

dftrew(at)gmail(dot)Com

Jonnie (JB) said...

I follow with GFC

dftrew(at)gmail(dot)Com

Darlene said...

Hi there, I've got this posted at Win a Book for you. No need to enter me.

Colleen Turner said...

My parents met when my dad came into a restaurant my mom was waitressing at and she spilled his drink all over him :). It must have been meant to be, because he broke off a current engagement he was in and my parents married like six months later! They have been married since 1977 so things seem to be working out :).
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

My grandmother had to live with us before she died and had hospice services come in and take care of her. They were so wonder with her that I always try to give to Hospice when I can so they can keep helping our love ones leave this earth in peace (as much as possible).
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a Facebook fan (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com

Tiffany Drew said...

My parents met when my mother worked for a laundry service with my dad's sister. My mother asked my aunt if she had any brothers, so she introduced her to my father :)

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Tiffany Drew said...

The charity that interests me most is Ronald McDonald House. A lot of the time it is forgotten how much the parents may be in need when they are stuggling to help their sick child. I love that Ronald McDonald house helps give them places to stay and the support they need when they need it most.

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Tiffany Drew said...

I follow via GFC :)

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Tiffany Drew said...

Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/#!/enterthedrew/status/45184996411052032

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Tiffany Drew said...

I follow on Facebook (tiffany drew)

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Kat said...

My dad was friends with my uncle, who raced cars (not sure how that friendship came about), so my mom would see my dad while he was helping out with the car. My mom had a nursing banquet/dance to attend and asked my dad and the rest is history. :)

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

Any charity that benefits children's mental health is one that I would be interested in. Although, I have participated in the MS Walk-a-thon.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

Follower of the blog.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

Published on FB.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

Member of CLC.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Qandthebooks said...

My parents met after immigrating to the US, they were introduced by mutual friends.

blissfulrains(at)yahoo(dot)com

Qandthebooks said...

GFC following!

blissfulrains(at)yahoo(dot)com

Qandthebooks said...

The classic Red Cross I suppose would be the charity of my choice.

blissfulrains(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I've never been told how my parents or grandparents met.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

The charity that interests me the most is the local Children's Hospital.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I already follow your blog publicly through Google Friend Connect.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Posted your giveaway on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/lemonslippers/status/45294757072732160
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I joined Chick Lit Central on Facebook.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

My grandparents were born in the 1900s and died when I was young so I have no idea how they met. My parents, however, I learned shortly before my mom passed away, that they met at a bus stop and got married about 6 weeks later.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

BRN2SHOP9 said...

My grandparents met through friends that introduced them.

BRN2SHOP9 said...

I donate to Haddassah.

BRN2SHOP9 said...

I follow on facebook

BRN2SHOP9 said...

i follow via twitter

BRN2SHOP9 said...

i follow via gfc

Heather said...

My parents met in college.
ra6352 (at) gmail (Dot) com

Heather said...

Any breast cancer charity would be my choice.
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Heather said...

I am a member of Chick Lit Central!
ra6352 (at) gmail (Dot) com

karenk said...

my parents knew each other as children

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

karenk said...

email subscriber

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Sarah E said...

My parents met on a blind date. They were set up by two mutual friends. :)

bookloversarah at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

My favorite charity is the National Wildlife Federation, which protects and restores critical wildlife habitats in the US.

bookloversarah at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

Follow via GFC.

bookloversarah at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

Shared on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=196232987066793&id=100002071774519

bookloversarah at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

Already a Chick Lit Central group member on Facebook.

bookloversarah at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Nancye said...

I'm not sure how my grandparents or my parents met. Looks like I have some questions to ask.........Can't believe I don't know!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

The charities that interest me the most are those who work with the orphans in the orphanages in China, and those charities who get special needs the surgeries they need to survive. One of those charities is The Philip Hayden Foundation located in Beijing. What a wonderful program that helps give hope to the most neediest of children in China. If I ever won the lottery, they would get a substantial donation to further their good works.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

GFC Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I joined Chick Lit in Facebook

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/47108121038036992

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net