Interview with Author
I don't remember the first time I walked into a library, though I really wish I did. I can only imagine my wide eyed gaze as I looked at stacks upon stacks, row after row of glorious books! To this day, I continue to be amazed at the never ending choices of genre before me each time I walk into a book store or library. I've had many a love affair with certain genres, forsaking all others only to discover that yes, I love the new ones I stumble across, too. Just like the newest conquest in my Kindle!
Now, I went into this novella slightly biased,*I happen to know the author personally and adore her style*
but, let me tell you, she knocked my socks off with this debut! I cannot wait to read her Pine Mountain Series coming out next year.
Michele: Alright, dish! What inspired you to write this novel?
KK: I had some time in between projects, and my agent suggested a novella or two. I was a little (okay, a lot) writer's blocked, so I flipped through an issue of Cosmopolitan magazine, and saw a gorgeous photo of a model in a long purple skirt. She became my heroine in about three seconds flat! And from there, the whole story snowballed onto the page.
Michele: Care to share how you can possibly think, cook and write about food so much yet rock those heels?
KK: Practice! No, at home, I am much more relaxed and mostly barefoot all the time. I cook a lot at home, whether for research, personal enjoyment or with my family. But when I am out, I am a total clothes horse. I'm allllll about the shoes!
Michele: I may or may not have been caught out peeping on your Friday Man Wars on your Facebook page. Might I have stumbled across your inspiration for Noah there?
KK: Yep. Probably a lot! I used actor Taylor Kinney as my brain candy for Noah. I wanted someone a little rough around the edges, with that definite bad-boy air, but who was still a definite hero beneath it all. Taylor was perfect, but I'll admit, trying to work while his picture was on the idea board over my desk was a little giggle-worthy sometimes!
Michele: Any deleted scenes you hated seeing hit the floor?
KK: There always are. I joke with my critique partners that I will write 40,000 words just to end up with a 30,000 word novella (you don't even want to know what my full single-title books look like in-process!) For this one, I wanted to incorporate Noah's brothers a little more than I was able to. I had a scene all mapped out in my head where they came to visit and met Violet. But, sadly, it wasn't meant to be!
KK: There always are. I joke with my critique partners that I will write 40,000 words just to end up with a 30,000 word novella (you don't even want to know what my full single-title books look like in-process!) For this one, I wanted to incorporate Noah's brothers a little more than I was able to. I had a scene all mapped out in my head where they came to visit and met Violet. But, sadly, it wasn't meant to be!
Michele: Last, but definitely not least, remember our class at RWA 2012? Have you managed to work any cocktail experiences into your upcoming novels?
KK: Yep! I'm actually working on expanding my full-length Pine Mountain series, and the next proposed book features a bartender as the heroine.
Michele: Are you sharing any details yet on your next release?
KK: I can't keep that stuff under wraps-- I'm too excited! My next digital release is Jason's story (Violet's brother and Noah's partner). It will be out in late May. His heroine is the feisty owner of Mac's Diner, and they are thrown together in some very unusual circumstances. After that, my first Kensington release will hit shelves in October. The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap is the kickoff to the Pine Mountain series, and it's an anthology with Donna Kauffman and Kate Angell.
Thank you so much Kimberly for stopping by today and the opportunity to chat with you!
Click on Kimberly's picture above to visit her website or follow the links below.
Violet Morgan puts the personal
in personal chef, catering to clients who want the full cooking experience
rather than a culinary drop-and-dash. But when her brother’s police detective
partner is injured in the line of duty and needs help during recovery, she
makes an exception. Violet lost her father to the job seven years ago, and
worries for her brother’s safety every day. The last thing she wants is to get
up-close with her brother’s career-cop partner…again.
For Noah Blackwell, being a detective isn’t just a
lifestyle, it’s a legacy. So when he’s forced to take mandatory leave and deal with the trauma amnesia keeping
him from identifying his shooter, it’s a literal case of adding insult to
injury— and now he’s got to deal with an unwanted culinary caregiver on top of
it. Never mind that he and Violet shared a steamy, secret kiss last New Year’s
Eve. She rejects everything related to the job, and Noah’s not about to be
distracted from recovering his memory and getting back to what he does best. No
matter how pretty Violet is.
Despite their differences, Violet and Noah share a
surprising bond in the kitchen that grows into something neither of them
expect. But as Noah heals and their feelings for each other extend from the
kitchen to the bedroom, Violet knows she must make an impossible choice. She
may wear her heart on her sleeve when it comes to food,
but can she risk it all to put love on the line?
