Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Kristin Hannah is high flying, adored....plus a book giveaway

Introduction and interview by Melissa Amster

**Giveaway is now closed**

Photo by Charles Bush
It's a pleasure to have Kristin Hannah back at CLC for a third visit! This time, it's to reconnect with some beloved characters from one of her previous novels because her latest is a sequel to that novel. That's right....we're talking about Fly Away, the sequel to her standout hit, Firefly Lane!

In case the subject of this post is ringing a bell, I got the idea from an Evita song, even though Kristin's success comes from her own amazing writing talent. (Unlike what the song suggests in regards to Eva Peron.) And as you will find out soon, there's an Andrew Lloyd Webber reference in her interview.

If you're new to the world of Kristin Hannah...welcome! We hope you'll love her as much as we do. Just keep in mind that Fly Away has spoilers for Firefly Lane, so read them in order. (There's also a very minor spoiler in this interview, but it doesn't give too much away.) This California-born author moved to Washington (state...I could only be so lucky if she were to live in the country's capitol) when she was still a kid and has called it home ever since. She is now the author of 19 novels. If you haven't even read one of them yet, you're definitely missing out! Kristin is also available to speak with book clubs by phone and has ideas for ways to enhance discussions about some of her novels.

You can get to know more about Kristin by visiting her at her website and Facebook. Thanks to Sarah Hall Productions, we have FIVE copies of Fly Away (reviewed here...contains spoilers) for some lucky US readers!

Did you have a sequel to Firefly Lane in your head as soon as you finished writing it, or did it come to you later?
 I always knew that there was more to the story, and I always intended to someday write about these characters. I never thought of it as a sequel, per se. I just wanted to check in on the characters and see where they had gone in the years after Firefly Lane. Although, to be honest, I was surprised by how difficult it was to re-enter that world. 

Which character from Firefly Lane and/or Fly Away do you relate to most?
Kate was always that character that came most easily to me, and that I related to the most. Perhaps this is why the "sequel" proved so difficult. I always loved Tully, but she remains one of the most difficult characters I've ever written because while I adored her, I often had trouble relating to her.

Do you have sequels planned for any other books?
No! I hate to say never, but I know it will be a long time before I attempt a sequel again. I really love a blank canvas when I begin a book. 

If Firefly Lane and/or Fly Away were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
Oh, what an interesting question! I know my Facebook friends have a lot of opinions on this. I think all of the women in these books are so vibrant and alive, I like to let readers imagine actresses on their own.

If we were to visit you in Washington, what would you take us to see or do first?
I would love that! I love to show off my hometown. I think it's that idea of sharing that has encouraged me to set so many of my novels here. A perfect day in the Northwest is a morning visit to one of our fabulous coffee shops, and then a leisurely walk along the Seattle waterfront, and then if we are really lucky and the weather is perfect, a boat ride.

You talked about music in both Firefly Lane and Fly Away. What is your all-time favorite song?
Another great question. I would have to say "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera. Every time I hear it, I am moved.

Who is the Tully to your Kate? How long have you been friends? 
 I don't really have a "Tully" to my Kate. Most of my best friends are Kates, like me. :)  Although we all have our "Tully" moments.

What is the best compliment you received about your writing? (Given that we love your books, we don't mind you bragging a bit!)
I have two favorites. With Firefly Lane, I hear from women who say, quite literally, that reading the book saved their lives--women who got breast exams because of the book. And with Home Front, I love hearing from people who say that reading the book gave them a better understanding of, and appreciation for, our military men and women and their families.

Thanks to Kristin for a lovely chat, St. Martin's Press for coordinating the interview and Sarah Hall Productions for sharing the book with our readers.

How to win Fly Away:
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 or blog if you can receive messages there.)

1. Please tell us: Which character do you relate to more, Kate or Tully? (If you haven't read Firefly Lane yet, then just tell us what type of role you take on in your closest friendship.)
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

5. Follow us on Twitter and/or Pinterest.
6. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.


US only.  Giveaway ends April 28th at midnight EST.



25 comments:

Book Mama said...

In my closest friendships I am more like a sister to my friends. There is nothing I wouldn't do for them and am always here no matter what time or place.

I follow this blog

I posted this contest on FB

I am a member of CLC on FB

I follow CLC on Twitter and Pinterest

I added Diane Grugan Duvall and Jacqulyne Beddow Venditti to CLC on FB

mengel2@nycap.rr.com

JROSEN60 said...

1. Please tell us: Which character do you relate to more, Kate or Tully? Definitely Kate
2. I Follow
4. Already a member :)
5. Follow on Twitter!

Jrosen60@gmail.com

Hailey Fish said...

Sounds like a really great read! Kristin Hannah is a fave of mine.

In my closest friendships, I have two best friends who are my sisters. They are there for me as I am there for them. There is nothing I wouldn't do for them. We have always been there for each other and we will continue to do so until our last day on Earth.

I posted this contest on FB

I am a member of CLC on FB

I follow CLC on Twitter and Pinterest

fishiegirl22@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Hi! Loved Firefly Lane, have recommended it to friends and the bookclub at work. I relate most to Kate, dedicated, hardworking, family oriented. I am a follower of Chick lit on Facebook, and will post the contest there to share with others. CantCan't wait to read Fly AwyAway, hope I win since my hubby has me on book buying hold for a bit. ;) Thanks for the opportunity. Dawn. Wildirishlass17@gmail.com

Linda Kish said...

My friends say I am the smart one. They come to me to get answers to everything because I see things rationally.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Nova said...

I am more like Kate.
I follow this blog by email.
I follow this blog by GFC.
I am a fan of CLC on facebook.
I follow CLC on pinterest.
sparkle40175@hotmail.com

Jessica said...

1. Kate!
2. I follow this blog through GFC.
3. I posted this on twitter. https://twitter.com/xxpaperhearts/status/326785372057112577
4. I'm a member of Chick Lit Central on facebook.
5. I follow through twitter and pinterest.

Thanks!
-Jessica M
walkingcorpse11@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Kate
I follow this blog
I posted this contest on twitter
I follow CLC on facebook
I follow on twitter

Thanks!

SuzyQ4PR at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm most like Kate.
I follow this blog.
I follow this blog on FB.

Anonymous said...

I'm most like Kate.
I follow this blog.
I follow this blog on FB.

melinda.garza15@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Very nice interview, Melissa! I'm going to see Kristin Saturday night here in Miami, so I'll buy a book and get it signed. xo Good luck, ladies!

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

Ooooh, great giveaway! Firefly Lane was my first Kristin Hannah book and I have been hooked ever since!

1. I'm a Kate, for sure!
2. I'm a follower of the blog!
3. I posted on Twitter (IowaAmber)
4. I'm a follower on FB
5. I'm a follower on Twitter

missamberljohnson at gmail dot com

bn100 said...

Haven't read the book yet. I'm the kind one.

I follow the blog.

bn100candg at hotmail dot com

susieqlaw said...

In my closest friendships I am a confidant and positive person.

I posted this contest on twitter at susieqlaw.

I follow CLC blog, facebook, twitter, and pinterest.

sendsusanmail at gmail dot com

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel

i'm a follower, too

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

TinaB said...

Haven't read Firefly Lane...yet
I follow u on fb & pinterest
Brannanflooring@aol.com

Lisamarie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mrs Mommy Booknerd said...

I am more like Kate!

I follow this blog

I am a member of CLC on FB

I follow CLC on Twitter and Pinterest

mrsmommybooknerdsbookreviews@gmail.com

BRN2SHOP9 said...

Brn2shop9 at gmail dot com

I follow via GFC, twitter and Facebook

I take on the leadership role with my friends. I am also a really good listener.

Lisamarie said...

I forgot put my email on my comment yesterday...

tropicalsunlover05(at)yahoo(dot)com

I have not read Kristin's books YET...
My role in my close friendships is being the listener & positive one.

I am a CLC blog follower
I am a CLC groupie on FB & twitter

Susan @ The Book Bag said...

I love, love, love Kristin's books!

1. I am a middle child so I take on the nurturing role, I want everyone to be happy. So I would say I am the listener.
2. I am a GFC follwer
3. I tweeted
4. I already belong to Chick Lit Central on Facebook
5. I follow on Twitter

Jeryl M. said...

For my closest friend I am the one she can go to when she just needs to talk about things.

I am follower.

I am a facebook fan.

I am a twitter follower.

I am pinterest follower.

Melissa said...

Thanks to everyone who participated in this giveaway.

Thanks again to Kristin for a wonderful interview, St. Martin's Press for coordinating the interview and Sarah Hall Productions for sharing the books with our winners!

Random.org chose FIVE winners from all entries with contact info.

Congrats to:
47-melinda.garza15
53-Amber @ A Little Pink...
55-bn100
67-TinaB
79-BRN2SHOP9

Book Mama said...

Congrats Melinda! I just added her to CLC on FB recently!