Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Patti Callahan Henry's great idea...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to welcome back Patti Callahan Henry and to celebrate the publication day of her latest novel, The Idea of Love. Thanks to Sullivan and Partners, we have a copy for a lucky reader in the US or Canada!

Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times bestselling storyteller of eleven books, including The Stories We Tell, And Then I Found You, and Driftwood Summer. Patti lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband and three children, where she is crafting her next story. Visit Patti at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Synopsis of The Idea of Love:

Ella's life has been completely upended. She's young, beautiful, and deeply in love--until her husband dies in a tragic sailing accident while trying save her. Or so she'll have everyone believe. Screenwriter Hunter needs a hit, but crippling writers' block and a serious lack of motivation are getting him nowhere. He's on the look-out for a love story. It doesn't matter who it belongs to.

When Hunter and Ella meet in Watersend, South Carolina it feels like the perfect match, something close to fate. In Ella, Hunter finds the perfect love story, full of longing and sacrifice. It's the stuff of epic films. In Hunter, Ella finds possibility. It's an opportunity to live out a fantasy - the life she wishes she had because hers is too painful. And more real. Besides. what's a little white lie between strangers?

But one lie leads to another, and soon Hunter and Ella find themselves caught in a web of deceit. As they try to untangle their lies and reclaim their own lives, they feel something stronger is keeping them together. And so they wonder: can two people come together for all the wrong reasons and still make it right?
(Courtesy of Amazon.)


What is one of your favorite compliments that you received on your writing? What is a piece of constructive feedback that has affected how you approach writing each of your novels?
My favorite compliments are the ones where the reviewer or reader somehow tells me that I've accomplished my goal -- hitting the heart. I also smile whenever I'm compared to my favorite writers (ie: Anne Rivers Siddons in this last book) or if my writing is called "lyrical."

A piece of constructive criticism that has affected my approach to writing? That would be anything really. If a reader doesn't resonate with the story, I want to know why and I take it to heart and try to fix the next time around. An example would be if a reader complains they didn't understand why a character did or didn't do something, I know that I need to spend more time showing (not telling) their motivation for action.

What is one piece of advice you can offer aspiring novelists?
Stop trying to be perfect and just set your aim for the heart. You can fix it later.

What did you enjoy most about writing The Idea of Love?
I loved weaving together their stories and watching the two main characters -- Blake and Ella -- get to know each other through stories (both true and false). I loved writing about how this changed their lives.

Since your latest novel is about love and even has the word in the title, please finish the following statements:

The last person I said "I love you" to was: My son, Rusk. Ten minutes ago.

My favorite song with the word "love" in the title is: "When Love Finds You" by Vince Gill

Something I always love to do is: Read!

Thanks to Patti for visiting with us and to Sullivan and Partners for sharing her book with our readers.

~Interview by Melissa Amster

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


US/Canada only. Giveaway ends June 28th at midnight EST.

36 comments:

Janine said...

Something I always love to do is cuddle with me cats. I feel very loved when one wants to be close.

Rhonda J G said...

Something I love to do is read!

Kelly M said...

Something I always love to do is read!

Suburban prep said...

The last person I said I love you to was my husband this morning just as he left for work.

Anonymous said...

Something I love to do is any get together with my family.

Christy S. said...

Something I love to do is anything that involves my family since it gets harder to get together.

jawdance said...

The last person I said I love you to was my daughter Michelle.

Unknown said...

My favorite song with the word Love in it is Love The Way You Lie Eminem/Rhianna. I don't know why. It defies logic for me.

MarthaJane said...

Love Me Tender/Elvis!

Wall-to-wall books said...

OHHH ya know... I have a ton of her books and have not read a single one yet! They all look so good! I will have to make sure I read one this summer.

I decided to do all three -
The last person I said "I love you" to was: My husband. I always say it before he goes to work.

*My favorite song with the word "love" in the title is: I never used to like country music! Now I love it. This was the first country song I ever liked and Martina is still one of my favorite singers!
"I Love You" by Martina McBride

*Something I always love to do is: Read, and now go in my new swimming pool!

Jennifer C said...

Something I always love to do is READ! :)

Deana said...

Something I always love to do is READ!

traveler said...

I love to read in the backyard all summer long with tea. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Vicki said...

I love going to the beach...with a good book!

cpr040304 said...

The last person I said I love you to was my husband.

susieqlaw said...

Something I love to do is to spend time with my nieces and nephews!

Kimberly V said...

The last person to whom I said I love you was my daughter.

jodi marinich said...

i knew i loved you before i met you by savage garden

Rita Wray said...

The last person I said I love you to was my grandson.

Bonnie K. said...

The last person I said I love you to was my grandson, Jameson.

bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

Grandma Cootie said...

I love to communicate with my grandchildren, whether it's FB, email, phone calls . . . we all live far from each other so it's great to stay in touch.

bn100 said...

Something I always love to do is read

Melanie Backus said...

I love, love, love my three precious grands! Their hugs, their kisses, their I love you's....they are the best!!!!!

mauback55 at gmail dot com

Viv V. said...

I love to sit outside in the shade with my dog by my side, a glass of ice tea, and a good book.

Linda Kish said...

The last person I said "I love you" to was my father's significant other (he's been gone since 1998 but she's still important in my life).

Patricia said...

My mom.

Unknown said...

The last person I said I love you to was my son, Jacob.

Carol D said...

The last person I said I love you to was my children. I try to remember
to say that to them everyday!

Erin Kathleen said...

The last person I said I love you to was my sister!!

lbryant said...

The last person I said "I love you" to was my 8 year old son - Collin. <3

Anonymous said...

Something I always love to do is read.

Shelby N. said...

*The last person I said "I love you" to was: my hubby. We say it often, but we always kiss goodnight and say I love you before going to sleep.

Unknown said...

The last person I said I love you to was my Boyfriend <3

Rosemary Huelsebusch said...

Last person I said I love you to was my husband this morning.

rubynreba said...

I have an adorable blonde haired, blue eyed grandson who I love to cuddle with!

Unknown said...

The last person I said I love you to was my daughter :)