Kristan Higgins, author of My One and Only and six other romantic comedies, combines real life, true love and lots of laughs in her stories. Her books have received praise and accolades from readers and reviewers alike. Kristan is a USA TODAY bestselling author and the two-time winner of the Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award...in 2010 for Too Good To Be True and in 2008 for Catch of the Day. Called "one of the most honest and creative voices in contemporary romance," Kristan is hard at work on her next book. She lives in a small Connecticut town with her heroic firefighter husband, two lovely children and a very cute puppy. Kristan loves to hear from readers!
Reading with Tequila: I loved the secondary characters in All I Ever Wanted. Which one was your favorite to write and why?
Kristan: I had a lot of fun with Damien, the sniping receptionist at Callie’s job, just because it’s fun to write such a snarky character. I also always love writing kids, so Bronte and Josephine were fun for me (especially Josephine’s inappropriate taste in music). But for this book, Noah, Callie’s curmudgeonly grandfather, was my favorite character to write by far. I think he steals every scene he’s in. He’s so blunt and grumpy, but he’s got the biggest heart. I love how he struggled with aging, and I loved how capable he was in his craft. And of course, I loved the jacuzzi scene.
RWT: In All I Ever Wanted, Callie's parents embark on the "Tour of Whores," where Callie's mom makes her dad introduce her to all the women he cheated on her with, which I found emotional in a surprising way. Where did you get the idea for those scenes?
Kristan: Eleanor, Callie’s mom, needs closure—and, let’s be honest, she wants to punish her ex-husband. Tobias had gotten by on charm for a long time, and Eleanor wants him to face what he did. But in a way, he already has…Eleanor’s the one who needs to put the past behind her…even if that’s not her intent in the beginning. For me, a lot of ALL I EVER WANTED is about forgiveness, and in order to forgive, sometimes we have to suffer a bit first. What’s revealed by the Tour of Whores isn’t quite what Eleanor expected…I think those scenes are hilarious at times, agonizing at others…and I love the fact that Callie’s parents make her a witness.
RWT: Your newest book, My One and Only, Harper James is trapped on a cross country ride with her ex-husband. Is it ever difficult to make awkward situations like this humorous?
Kristan: I think awkward situations are the funniest—in writing, at any rate! In real life, they only become funny after a good long while has passed. For MY ONE AND ONLY, writing the enforced intimacy of these two was a real joy…all those emotions simmering just under the surface, all that past waiting to be examined!
RWT: How important is realism in romance to you, in what you enjoy reading and in your own books?
Kristan: As a writer, realism is very important for me—mostly in terms of emotional honesty. I like writing about situations we could all be in, and I love writing a big, memorable love story about regular people. I don’t let my characters get off the hook—at least, I try not to. At some point in every book, they have to drop the outer defense mechanisms they’ve used for so long and take a chance, and it’s not easy! A lot of times, I find myself asking, “But what would THIS character do or feel, given what’s happened?” That’s where I really try to be realistic.
As a reader, I enjoy escapism as much as anyone. But to me, the perfect book is about character I really know, whether they’re part of the ton from Regency England or cowboys from Western Montana or a vampire slayer in rural Maine. No matter what the situation, I have to believe this character. When the character does something that’s simply out of character, that’s when I close the book.
About the Book
and no sign of any forthcoming babies to rock in ol' Georgebury, Vermont. For Callie Grey, turning thirty means coming to grips with the fact that her boss (and five-week fling) is way overdue in his marriage proposal. And way off track because Mark has suddenly announced his engagement to the company's new Miss Perfect. If that isn't bad enough, her mom decides to throw her a three-oh birthday bash in the family funeral home.
Bad goes to worse when she stirs up a crazy relationship with the town's not so warm and fuzzy veterinarian, Ian McFarland, in order to flag Mark's attention. So Ian is more comfortable with animals…. So he's formal, orderly and just a bit tense. The ever-friendly, fun-loving and spontaneous Callie decides it's time for Ian to get a personality makeover. But dang, if he doesn't shock the heck out of her, she might actually fall for Vermont's unlikeliest eligible bachelor….
No comments :
Post a Comment