Krista Lynne Jensen

Just Wait

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 04:06:00 +0000

I can't believe it's been two years since I've posted. Well, yes I can. A lot has happened since then, sadly not much of it has been writing. I've battled multiple surgeries (me:4, husband:1, daughter:2) and chronic illness, among other things. The toll on my writing groove was high. I say "was" because I'm climbing out of it and will have my groove back in full swing. It feels great. Super great. But it's been a very long time.

I was able to do a few things while in battle. I taught at Storymakers and was asked back again this year. I wrote my first historical romance when I was invited to contribute to this lovely anthology:

Isn't it beautiful? My story is Christmas at Canterwood. All the stories are a treasure.

I truly enjoyed writing this story and have been asked to write another Regency due this summer. More research!

I rewrote and finished a contemporary romance I had shelved (Hold On Forever), and just submitted it to my publisher two weeks ago. I'll learn within a couple of months if they like it or not. Guys, this was HUGE. I honestly questioned whether or not I had it in me anymore. I guess I do. Watch for more news on that.

AND my friend, Suzanne Gale, urged me with all the urging of an accountability partner bestie who thinks she knows what's best for me (and she usually does) to apply for the Writing Excuses Writing Retreat CRUISE scholarship. Putting the packet together alone was good for me. I almost didn't do it. So much bad was happening in life, on top of the physical pain. Nonetheless, Suzy persisted. Writing the personal essay was healing. Gathering the letters of recommendation from friends was assuring. Choosing my writing samples was hard, but it forced me to take a look at words I'd written and remember that I'd done this before, this writing thing, and I was pretty good at it.

If you follow me on IG (kristalynnej), you know the basic, miraculous, I'm-still-in-shock outcome of that application. Here are the mini-story graphics I made to share it.

Hello?! I'm going on a WRITING CRUISE. I'll be saying that a lot between now and September.

I also thought I'd post my Personal Essay here. I'm a little scared to do that, because, hey, it's personal, heh. But it's also my writing. And apparently it's good writing. And this is my writing blog.
So here. With love.

I drowned once. At least, I should have. I was almost three years old and remember it like looking through dimpled glass. Or maybe water.

Our apartment complex had a swimming pool. In Renton, Washington where it rained and rained, we had a swimming pool. The sun did come out, though, and the pool filled with tenants, noisy, joyful. My mom found an open lounge chair and settled herself with a towel and a magazine. I had a cup.

I don’t know if the cup was mine or if I’d found it lying somewhere and had claimed it, but I crouched at the edge of the pool, surrounded by splashing and shouts and laughter, and gripped it with both hands, dipped it in the water, poured it out, dipped it again. Watching water fill and pour in the sunlight.

At the deep end.

A boy came, not much older than I was, ripped the cup from my hands and pushed me in.

I remember the small gasp of air and surprise I took before hitting tepid water and slipping beneath. I remember not struggling. Surely someone saw me. Surely my mom, or the legs kicking around me attached to people, surely someone saw. The boy would tell someone.

But I floated midway between top and bottom, looking. Hoping. Sinking in muted sound and blue.

Fear blossomed—a feeling, a knowledge that being invisible here meant danger, and no one saw me.

A kick. A panic.

Wait, I heard. Just wait.

My eyes were drawn to the shallow end across the pool. A splash of bubbles exploded beneath the surface and emerging from them, a woman with long, dark hair trailing behind her like a mermaid swimming toward me.

I recognized her. She lived on my floor. Her waist-long brown hair was always worn down and shiny, and she smiled at me whenever she saw me in the hall as I hid behind my mom’s legs.

She swam straight for me. Between half-submerged bodies and surface-swimmers across the length of the pool. Straight for me.

Wait. Just wait.

As she neared, I reached my arms out to her. She reached back, folding her own around my body and pushing me up, up, out of the water and to the ledge where hands grabbed me and pulled me and placed me with my mom who squeezed and squeezed and squeezed me.

I don’t remember coughing or choking or crying. Just blinking water from my eyes. The story is I fell asleep within minutes.

I’m asking myself why I’ve shared this memory as part of my essay. It came to mind when you asked, “What makes you unique?” I’ve had other brushes with death. But this memory—this is my first memory. Of life.

Over the past five years my family and I have been hit by wave after wave, breakers of trial pushing us under, and as we swim up, reach the surface, think we can grab a breath, another crashing blow hits and under we go again. And through all of this, I nearly lost my writing. I could not escape physical pain far enough into my imagination, could not write romance when pummeled by pornography and infidelity, could not face making up conflict when so much already filled my reality, could not write happy endings when I wasn’t sure they existed. Injury. Illness. Addiction. Loss. Death. I would stare at my laptop screen. After four published novels, three published novellas, and five more unpublished novels in nine years, my passion was drowning in fear. My words.

Wait, I kept hearing. Just wait.

And one morning only a few weeks ago I woke up, ideas like bubbles rising around me in water. Words came like arms around me, pushing me up and I don’t know what will happen and I still fear the next wave, and I’m still in pain, but my words are coming.

And in considering this memory and what it means to me, and what it means to this essay and this entry and the writing still inside me, maybe it is this:

We are not meant to be invisible here.

Oh Yeah, I Do Have Something!

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 22:49:00 +0000

This sweet little anthology of true Christmas stories is coming out soon! In all the "busy" of my life (my friend Annette Lyon would call it resistance) I sort of forgot that this was something to look forward to. That's pretty sad. But these stories are not sad! They are full of hope and love and everything that reminds us to look up, to look forward, and to remember why we are here. To have joy.

This publication is a little nostalgic for me for a couple of reasons. One is that five years ago my very first published story came out as a true story in Covenant's "A Christmas to Remember" anthology. My first novel, "Of Grace and Chocolate," came out the following year. So this is where it started. I'm so grateful.

I'm so pleased to have been asked to be a part of this collection again. I know some of these authors and they are the best sort of people. And I know my gift-giving just got a little bit easier this year. What will you be giving? I hope it's a little joy.

Coming October 2016. Find it here. I'll add more links as they show up.

Krista

Sneak Peek: HOLD ON FOREVER

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 21:03:00 +0000

The new novel is progressing and I'm getting that familiar feeling of excitement and anticipation as the story starts to come together and take off. The hope is to have it ready by the end of May, so I'm really going to have to make the most of my writing time. So, to cut this short, I'm giving you a fun little snippet of HOLD ON FOREVER.

To set up the scene, Mark has accidentally broken Riley's front door knob and is going to get a new one. Riley is concerned that the new knob matches the style of the home. Enjoy!

Without batting an eyelash, she asked, “Who is the designer credited for Americanizing the Craftsman style?”

He blinked.

She took advantage of his silence. “Gustav Stickley. 1856 to 1942. Furniture designer and architect. See that rocking chair over there?”

He glanced at an old square rocker in the corner next to the fireplace. Oak.

“It’s a Stickley,” she said. “Someone was throwing it out! You don’t throw out an old Stickley just because it’s a little beat up. You bring it home and polish it up and put it in a Craftsman style home that maybe you’re only renting but would someday like to buy if you finally decide to stay in one place longer than twelve months, that’s what you do.”

He blinked again. “Would you . . . like to come help pick it out?” She was out of her freaking mind.

She marched over to the front door and swung it shut. It bounced, shuddered, and slowly swung open again. “Somebody broke my front door. I have to stay and protect the Stickley, among other things.”

He rubbed his face. This was not the morning he had planned. He glanced around the room. “With your baseball bat?”

She gave him a hard look, but only said, “Send me a pic from the store.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’m not your mother.”

He covered a smile. “No, ma’am.”

She growled and put her hands on her hips. “You’ll need my number.”

“Yes I will. Riley.”

She paused, looking up at him. In that brief moment, with the banter stopped, he found it hard to breathe. Then just like that, Riley Madigan was standing close to him, her hair threatening to poke him in the eye, putting her phone number into his phone.

She gave it back to him, and he detected a little shake in her hand. “There. I didn’t mean to be so bossy. I tend to go a little nuts over old things.” She looked up at him, her freckles clear now in the light streaming through the window. “I’m sorry.”

“Your eyes are the color of moss you see in the woods,” he said. “It’s a cool, soothing color.”

She blinked and looked away, now her cheeks blushing pink.

“It’s deceiving,” he said. “You’re not very soothing at all.”

He watched her eyes open wide.

“You . . .”

He chuckled and made for the door.

“You . . .” she repeated.

He waved goodbye and made it off the porch.

“You . . . are no Gustav Stickley!” she called from the open door.

Pain, Writing, and Fun Stuff Like That

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 07:46:00 +0000

Dear readers and friends, 

In the craziness that is my life, I've been pretty neglectful of this blog. I think about it and my following here (thank YOU) a lot, and I think about what I could share, but the fact is, my author hat has had to hang on its peg (I really don't have a peg for my hats; it's a metaphor) these last several months. I may or may not have a new book coming out next year, and the idea of that makes me pretty sad and frustrated. But things here at home are demanding and some things have to give.

I'm not referring so much to our new little boy and the adoption, though that is a huge, incredible portion of my life right now. He does take nice long naps most days and I have lots of helpers after school. Will is transitioning really well and thought it's a ton of work, it's worth it. I've raised four of my bio toddlers into nice, somewhat functional grown-up toddlers. I've got this.

No, I'm referring to the demands, the selfish, relentless tyranny of physical pain (dramatic, huh?). Some of you know I fight chronic back pain and have done so for most of my life since a car going 65 mph slammed into my car while it was stopped. I was 22 years old. I missed death by feet. Since then I've ridden a roller coaster of rising and ebbing pain, I've had years of different treatments (please don't suggest any, really, I've had them all), and various diagnosis, and because of the instability in my lower back, have suffered through several disc issues, including bulging, rupture, and now a protrusion in a precarious position. In summary, it hurts.

As I recently told my editor, it's hard to focus on romance when you feel like you're being ripped in half.

And now, after so many years of hearing, "We want to save surgery as a last resort," it's time for a last resort. I meet with the neurosurgeon next week. I'm frightened, but also fine. I don't hope to be cured, but a little relief would be nice. Just enough so I can start writing again. So I can lose myself in a story and a struggle and a happy ending. 

Yes, I've heard lots and lots of back surgery stories, horrific to miraculous. I know. A few weeks ago I made the comparison of what to expect in the outcome of back surgery to playing roulette. I'll be peeking through my fingers and praying. Feel free to join me.

I do have 30,000 words into a new romance. But I already know I have to rewrite it. When I'm in pain my writing dives into a darker place and that's not what I had in mind for this story. I had to let my wonderful editor know I couldn't make my deadline. I'll still be working on the story. I like it and I think it needs a place outside of my head. I'd also like to be working on my fantasy stories. I can dive a little darker in those, and escape a little further. But until I get this newer injury taken care of, it's a struggle to even focus on my own world. That's a pretty important place, too.

I hope you'll stick with me as I crash through this particular hurdle with my usual tenacity and grace. I'd like so much to share my stories. I'd like so much to try to put a little more hope and triumph into the world.

Thank you,

Krista

Rain is Good: A Photo Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 07:24:00 +0000

I promised readers that at the end of the blog tour for Kisses in the Rain I would post a photo tour of some of the settings in the story. I love the Pacific Northwest. I know it rains a lot, but look at what rain does? And really, that's what the story offers:
Rain is good.

We'll begin our tour at Deception Pass. This image doesn't quite capture the height you feel as you walk on that bridge. Isn't it gorgeous, though?

This is Jace's view from his duplex. Pretty sweet. It's about the only thing he loves about his living arrangements.

Camano Island waterfront homes like Faye and Tru's. No wonder Georgie comes here to heal.

Pines, ferns, blackberry bushes on a Camano Island road. I can totally picture Jace on his motorcycle.

As we leave Camano we are greeted by snow geese on the fields. Thousands migrate through Skagit Valley every year.

Jace and Georgie visit the daffodil fields in the morning mist on their quest for good food.

Swinomish Channel-front dining in La Conner, Washington, and Rainbow Bridge, where Jace answers another one of Georgie's many questions.

Sunset over La Conner with Mt. Baker backdrop. Romantic.

Finally, we end our tour with the damp, ethereal tulip fields of Skagit Valley. *sigh*

I was told that a presenter at a recent writers conference was teaching that putting romance in a rainy setting was ridiculous, because it's cold and shivery and wet. But I would offer that if you can take such a setting and make it buzz, make it tense or breathless, despite the cold and wet, then you've done your job.

Dave Farland teaches that you choose your setting, any setting, and make it sexy.

Look at this. I didn't have to try too hard.

And I loved writing this story for you. Every raindrop.

I hope you've enjoyed our photo tour of Kisses in the Rain. Kind of makes you want to visit, huh?

Thank you so much for coming!

Blog Tour and Giveaway for Kisses in the Rain

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:40:00 +0000

We are halfway through a blog tour for Kisses in the Rain, and I have to say, I'm feeling the love. I've never done this before so I was curious to see how it would work. My publisher organized the tour and found all of these book bloggers who were willing to read my story and tell the world how they feel about it. Which, you know, is somewhat terrifying but part of the biz.

Have a look, and while you're browsing, enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of Kisses in the Rain! And stay tuned, because I'm following up the blog tour with a little tour of my own. I've been able to track down some perfect images of Camano and the surrounding areas from scenes in the book!

Thank you to all of the book bloggers for sharing your reviews!

Blog Tour Schedule

*June 15th:

http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/,http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/

*June 16th:

http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/, http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

*June 17th:

http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://mybookaday.blogspot.com,http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/,http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/

*June 18th:

http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/,http://rachellewrites.blogspot.com/, http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/

*June 19th:

http://littlelightdesigncollective.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

Release News for Kisses in the Rain

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 21:41:00 +0000

News! I have news news news all over the place.

"I'm just looking out for her," he said.
And fate laughed.

Georgie Tate is a survivor. She survived an abusive relationship. She survived the car accident that took the life of her controlling fiancé. Now she just needs to survive the memories that haunt her. Escaping to her aunts’ cozy home on a tiny island outside of Seattle, Georgie finds just the change of pace she needs to pick up the pieces of her life. Taking a job at a local seafood restaurant is the first step in reclaiming her sense of self, but she is completely unprepared for the battle that awaits her there.
Jace Lowe has loved and lost, and he’s determined that it will never happen again. Hardened by heartbreak, he stays focused on his work as sous chef at one of the island’s top seafood restaurants. When beautiful Georgie takes her place on the restaurant’s staff, Jace is resolved to keep her at arm’s length, and his downright rudeness her first week goes a long way in achieving that goal. Georgie, on the other hand, doesn’t want anything to do with Jace anyway and prickles against his abrasive behavior. As the combative pair comes together on a joint project for the restaurant, they find their distaste for one another dwindling. The connection is undeniable— and it terrifies them both. Can two people jaded by the past be softened by the promise of once-in-a-lifetime love, or is this just another recipe for disaster?

1. Kisses in the Rain should be making appearances in bookstores this and next week! Orders have been sent, so shelves should be stocked with a few copies soon. I would love to see this for myself, so if you happen to snap a pic of you and my book on a bookshelf somewhere, send it to me on Facebook and you'll be put in a drawing for something fabulous of which I have not yet decided! Click on the links to learn more: Seagull Books, Deseret Books in store and online, and Amazon for paper and Kindle versions. Oh! Also, Barnes & Noble and Nook. Which I may or may not have known about until just now...

2. A blog tour! My publisher has set up a blogger book tour with giveaways and excerpts and reviews of Kisses. I've never experienced one of these before, so I'm curious and excited. The blog tour happens June 15-19, with 18 participants. That's a lot of participants. Whew. Now I'm kind of nervous...

3. A Book Launch and Signing at Far West Books in my home town of Kennewick, Washington! This event takes place on Saturday, June 13th, 1:30-3:30. I'll be hoping most of the graduation festivities will be just about done by then. *crosses fingers* But I will be there with a smile and a pen and probably some sort of treat of which I have not yet decided.

8508 W Gage Blvd #C-103
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509)735-1402

Store Hours
Monday - Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Closed Sunday

Keep up to date on all--well most--of my latest book news by following my Facebook author page here. I promise, I don't bite. But it's the easiest, fastest way to learn about things like the blog tour and contests.

On a more personal note, we'll be hearing any day now from our adoption agency about our travel date to go get our little boy from China. It's happening so quickly! I could have left a month ago. So lots of exciting events happening. Another crazy year for the Jensens.

This is Will. I need to go get him.

One. Year. Later.

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:51:00 +0000

HEY REMEMBER ME?

I used to post on here fairly regularly and share all kinds of writerly stuff. The last time I posted I was sharing all the wonder of releasing THREE books in one month! That was pretty sweet and I remember it fondly.

But life is funny and when lots of big things happen, priorities have a way of slamming themselves in order, and sadly, this little blog took bottom rung, patiently waiting for me to, well, remember it existed as we traversed life's wrecking balls and celebrations. Our family has been reminded that stumbling blocks can become stepping stones, and our journey here moves forward in surprising, exhausting, wondrous ways, whether we want it to or not.

That sounds way more cinematic than I intended. If you'd like to catch up with what we've been up to lately, visit the kickyloo&co blog. It's a little crazy over there.

And now, what do you know, I'm back here. Which has made me consider what I want to use this blog for. In the past, I've shared things I've learned about the writing process and industry. I've shared all of the news about my books and their releases, and I've conducted contests for those occasions. I've interviewed other authors and I've had regular post series (Tuesday Edit Crunch, anyone?).

But blogging has changed a bit in the last couple of years. I know I still visit blogs if I'm researching a specific topic or following an interesting link. But I remember the days of blog lists and weekly visits to my favorites. Ah, the sweet bygone days of where-did-I-find-the-time-to-do-that.

Honestly, my favorite posts were the shared writing tips, thoughts on writing, and the news about my own books. So maybe if I just focus on those things, I'll be more apt to hop over here and post. Simple. I'll still conduct giveaways and such for my book releases, etc, but I'll do that from Facebook. I've been posting from my FB Author page for most of that news. If you'd like to keep up-to-date on how things are going, like my page HERE. It's not too in-your-face, and pretty laid-back. Promise.

EXCEPT WHEN A NEW COVER COMES OUT FOR MY NEXT BOOK!

So go on over there and see what my next book, KISSES IN THE RAIN, looks like! There is also a sneak-peak at the back cover! And a contest! Yup, a chance to win a signed copy of KISSES. It comes out in JUNE. THAT'S CLOSE.

See? I may have been absent from this blog, but I was working hard. I love this job. And I hope you love this new book.

~FALLING FOR YOU~Triple the Romance Countdown Contest: 3

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 18:34:00 +0000

Happy Valentine's Day!

Falling for You is out!

It's here! What I've been waiting FIVE years for! That's right. I wrote Falling for You (aka The Inn) in 2009. I began writing this story one week after I finished The Orchard, the first novel I ever wrote. I wasn't sure I could write another novel, and I was still a bit bewildered that I'd completed one. But the story wouldn't leave me, and I had to give Elizabeth Embry her chance. I loved writing Elizabeth and Ryan. They were so different from Alisen and Derick. I loved putting them in Wyoming, where I lived for seven years. I also wasn't following an Austen storyline this time. In many ways, this was the book where I found my voice as a writer. It's fun and tough and cold and warm. Just like Wyoming.

As with The Orchard, there is an element of faith that runs throughout the story, as Elizabeth faces her demons. But, as with my other stories, I try to handle it gently. The characters did a really good job of guiding me along. I can't wait to share them with you. While Alisen was very open, searching and trusting, her sister Elizabeth is . . . not. I just love this story!

Falling for you can be found in paperback and Kindle at Amazon, and Deseret Books and Seagull Books, online and in stores.

To celebrate, I'm giving away TWO copies of FALLING FOR YOU, and with each book I'm including a hand-crocheted scarf made by me!

So soft and warm...

Where do I get the time, you may ask? I don't know, I haven't figured that out yet. But rest-assured, when my books arrive, there will be scarves!

To enter please share this blog post on Facebook , Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, your own blog, in emails. Be sure to let me know how you shared. You may "like", "share" or "retweet" my own posts. That counts! I'll be watching, too. And please, feel free to mention my upcoming book launch! What's a party without happy people? And treats? I would love to see you there!

Contest will close on Tuesday, February 18th. That will give you lots of time to enter. The more you share, the more entries you earn!

~Triple-the-Romance Book Launch~

DAY: Saturday, February 22

TIME: 11:00am-1:00pm

WHERE: Fort Union Deseret Books

Midvale, Utah

**I've also been invited to do an interview on The Good Word podcast on Thursday, February 20th. The podcast recording takes place at 10:45 am, and then it is immediately followed by a book signing at the downtown Eborn Bookstore at 254 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City.**

Stop by! It'll be fun!

With All My Heart is out! Triple the Romance Countdown Contest: 2

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 18:45:00 +0000

This one is SO FUN! Anita Stansfield. Sheryl C.S. Johnson. Me. Want a teaser? Okay, I'll give you a teaser. From HANGING BY A MOMENT, as Kendal returns from the ladies room:

Lila turned, saw Kendal approaching, and smiled. Big. She thumbed toward a figure in a ball cap pulling a huge duffel off the conveyor. He reached again for some kind of bulky equipment wrapped in a tarp and duct tape. His T-shirt fit him well. Really well. Nice tan. Nice . . . but it wasn’t like Lila to check out guys at an airport.

Kendal raised her eyebrows at Lila in question, but when the guy settled his luggage and tugged off his ball cap, revealing short, dark blond waves, Kendal knew why Lila was smiling like a kid in line at a carnival.

Bret McCray had arrived in St. John’s. And he was looking right at Kendal.

He grinned. He could still pull off that reddish scruff of facial hair. Dang. “Hello, Magic.”

Oh, good. College nicknames. She smiled. “Hello, Bret.”

Yay! I love this one.

WITH ALL MY HEART: LOVE UNEXPECTED is available at the following websites, and at Deseret Books and Seagull Books stores. It's being pushed nationally (not LDS or inspirational themed) so I'll let you know where else it shows up.

Amazon

Deseret Book

In the meantime, how about a contest? I'm making this one simple. Everyone worked so hard for that last one! All you have to do is share, tweet, retweet, blog, pin, just POST this book and either link above. I already have a post to share on FB at Krista Lynne Jensen, and watch for a post to retweet on Twitter. Easy peasy!

Authors love to give these books away, but the way these contests help us the most is by spreading the word. Even if you plan on purchasing the book (thank you so much) a share will still help more than you know. And you could win a second book to give away yourself! Win Win!

Congratulations to the winner, Nikki Lewis! Thanks for playing, everyone!

And some other fantastic news: THE ORCHARD is a Whitney Award finalist in the Romance category! Thank you to those who nominated and voted! That was a delightful surprise.

And don't forget! My book launch is Saturday, February 22!

~Triple-the-Romance Book Launch~

DAY: Saturday, February 22

TIME: 11:00am-1:00pm

WHERE: Fort Union Deseret Books

Midvale, Utah

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letter Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:36:00 +0000

HERE JANUARY 28, 2014 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

It's here! I'm so excited! The beginning of the Triple the Romance countdown!

Hmm, that's a good name for a contest . . .

ANNOUNCEMENT:

I'm giving away one ebook copy of A TIMELESS ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY: LOVE LETTER COLLECTION, and I will call the contest . . .

TRIPLE THE ROMANCE COUNTDOWN CONTEST:1.

*Congratulations to Evelyn Hornbarger who won the contest! Thanks everyone!*

This is such a fun way to kick off the next month! Each week until the Triple the Romance Book Launch on FEBRUARY 22, I will give things away! Just give them. *makes swirly magic fingers* Like, I can almost grant wishes. So, in order to be entered into this week's contest, you must perform 3 (THREE) tasks. These are:

1) LIKE my Facebook page. Here you will be kept up to date (even much better than on this blog) on all the writerly things happening in my little world of writing things. *note: If you've already done this not only are you super cool but you are that much closer to being entered.

2) SHARE the cover of this beautiful ebook, The Love Letter Collection, on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, your own blog, in emails to your family and friends or book club, etc.

3) LINK to information here about my TRIPLE THE ROMANCE BOOK LAUNCH. The more, the merrier. The link is: http://kristalynnejensen.blogspot.com/2014/01/i-hope-everyone-had-wonderful-holiday-i.html

*TIP: Post the picture with the link to the book launch attached.

If you complete all three of these noble tasks, you will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of A TIMELESS ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY: LOVE LETTER COLLECTION!

THEN, come back here and *in the comments section, let me know what you did! It's the best way for me to keep tabs of all entries. And, if you feel like you'd like to SHARE again within the week, that will gain you a bonus entry.

*Okay, most of you are just letting me know by Facebook, so that's accepted, too. :)

Do you need more incentive? Well, I will give you some!

About the Anthology

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letter Collection

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letter Collection. Readers will love this collection of six novellas—three contemporary and three historical—all with one thing in common: Romance.

In Maggie’s Song, a charming story by Karey White, Maggie Jensen is part of a trio of best friends with Lucas and Dan. Together, they own and run Wild Country Hiking Tours. When Lucas returns to the company after getting his college degree, Maggie realizes that the crush she had on him as a teenager has now blossomed into so much more. But Lucas still treats her as one of the guys, and Maggie worries that if she tells him her real feelings, their relationship will be damaged forever.

In Just Fly, Krista Lynne Jensen's captivating novella, Wren is faced with the devastating news of her grandfather's death. But when her mom finds a mysterious letter from a woman named Dot in Seattle, Wren decides to visit the woman herself to deliver the news in person. Wren learns of the bucket list Dot and Gramps had put together with the help of Dot's grandson, Seth, and Dot challenges Wren to take her grandfather's place in completing the list. Before the week of adventure is over, Seth has impressed Wren in more ways than one. But is that enough to overcome Wren's fear of losing those she loves?

How to Rewrite a Love Letter, an enthralling novella by Diane Darcy, high school teacher Julie Ashburn believes she’ll never live the “event” down in which she wrote her true feelings in a love letter to Principal Dane Parker, and he laughed out loud, mocking her. Now that her honors English students want to write love letters for the school fundraiser, Dane turns down the idea flat. Julie tries to convince him that it was her students’ idea and not any sort of payback. But when a student writes a fake love letter from the principal to Julie, everything gets even more mixed up, and both Julie and Dane are caught up in a series of misunderstandings that might be impossible to sort out.

In Sarah M. Eden’s delightful story, A Thousand Words, Shannon Ryan has been waiting half a year to be reunited with her fiance, Patrick, with only the letters between them keeping their relationship alive. He finally sends for her after securing a good job with the Sidney newspaper, and she can’t wait to be reunited with him, swept up in his arms and thoroughly kissed. And of course, married as soon as possible. But when she arrives at the train station, there is no Patrick waiting for her. Shannon must discover if the man she loves still has feelings for her.

Between the Lines is a sweet romance by Annette Lyon. Jane Martin is intelligent but extremely shy, especially around men. When the Aid and Cultural Society proposes a letter-writing program, Jane signs up, hoping she can find true friendship. The program doesn’t run as smoothly as expected, and unknown to Jane, one of the men in her city becomes her writing friend. Thomas Allred has always known shy and quiet Jane, but reading her letters written to his secret persona, opens his eyes to what an amazing woman she is. The only trouble is, Jane doesn’t know that the man who she is falling in love with through letters is also Thomas, the man who is falling in love with her in person.

In the enchanting novella, Blackberry Hollow, by Heather B. Moore, Lucy Quinn travels to England to inspect her inherited estate. Unfortunately, as a resident of New York and nearly engaged, Lucy needs put the house on the market. But first, she wants to learn more about her ancestors. What she doesn’t expect is Calvin Bevans, the man living next door. The two families have been divided by a misunderstanding decades old, and when Lucy discovers a set of love letters, she learns the truth. As Calvin helps her unravel the hidden secrets between the two families, Lucy finds that she has more reasons to stay in England than to return to New York. And Calvin is at the top of that list.

How's THAT? It's a really fun book. I'm so delighted to be in a compilation with these other authors. This ebook series is available for Kindle and Nook.

Contest will close at 10:30 PM on Friday, January 31st. I'll announce the winners on Saturday. Then, on Monday I'll post the next contest! I know, it's magical.

TRIPLE-THE-ROMANCE BOOK LAUNCH

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 19:46:00 +0000

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I enjoyed it very much. So many things to be thankful for, and so many amazing things happening. A Happy New Year to all!

Enough with the chit-chat. TA DA!

~Triple-the-Romance Book Launch~

DAY: Saturday, February 22

TIME: 11:00am-1:00pm

WHERE: Fort Union Deseret Books

Midvale, Utah

Don't they look pretty lined up like that? Whether you'd like one or two or all three, come see me at the beautiful Fort Union Deseret Books store. I'll have treats and bookmarks and of course, books to sign. Falling For You and With All My Heart are paperbacks, and the Timeless Romance: Love Letter Collection is an ebook, available soon at Amazon.com.

What a month for romance!

Stay tuned for a contest you don't want to miss out on. Three winners will be chosen!

Grand-babies, Book Babies, Oh Baby!

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 06:49:00 +0000

First of all, THIS:

This is Carly Lynne, and she loves me. As much as I didn't think I'd be a grandma this soon in life, being a grandma is THE BEST. Her mom and dad are doing GREAT and she is in good hands. I wish I lived down the street. She is precious and sweet. Those are my jammie pants.

And now, some more happy happy news! I just turned in the final proofs for two projects!

Last week I turned in the novella, HANGING BY A MOMENT, for a romance anthology called WITH ALL MY HEART. The next place I see it will be in a box at my front door! I hope to post a cover for that soon. Need a tropical escape? Hanging By a Moment whisks you away to the British Virgin Islands and throws in some undeniable competition and chemistry in the sun.

The second project, my next novel, FALLING FOR YOU, was just turned in this afternoon! I'm so pleased with how it turned out! This story is funny, touching, and romantic. I love Elizabeth and Ryan. I love Jackson, Wyoming, in the Fall. Elizabeth was a snobby, flirty woman of the world who came to her sister's rescue in THE ORCHARD. But she was also alone. I just couldn't leave her like that . . . but I couldn't make it easy on her, either.

But I can give YOU something! I give you the shiny, brand new cover for my next novel, FALLING FOR YOU.

Isn't it beautiful? And perfect? It is, trust me. And because it's so great, I'm holding a contest.

The Falling For You Cover-Love Contest!

Simply share this cover and the release date (FEBRUARY 2014) on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, your book review site, your sweetie's car window, anywhere it can be shared with others! Throw those hints around for Valentine's Day! Let me know how you shared and you will be entered into a drawing to win a signed copy of FALLING FOR YOU of your very own, or to give to your Valentine! The more you share, the more entries you will have. Even if you share again the next day! Or the next!

You have until Wednesday, December 18th, midnight, to spread the cheer. How easy is that?

Need a blurb?

Elizabeth Embry has traveled the world, been there, done that, lived a life of glamour... and fear. When an old colleague offers her a new career opportunity in the sleepy ski town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, she feels an excitement she barely understands.

The two-week trial period is anything but the private getaway she hopes for. Elizabeth finds herself booked in the honeymoon suite of a woodland bed and breakfast, where her hosts greet her like family and her protected private life is as read as the complimentary morning newspaper.

But her friend is scheming and the handsome owner is aloof, drawing Elizabeth into a place she never thought she wanted to be. A place she knows she doesn't deserve.

Ryan Brennan is alone, raising his children, running the inn, keeping up walls to protect himself from betraying the promise he made his wife, even five years after her death. He does not welcome Nancy Colette's matchmaking, nor can he get the guarded Elizabeth Embry out of his head. But as events keep throwing Elizabeth in his path, he catches glimpses of who she really is and finds himself wanting to know more.

As two individuals struggle to find if there is more to living than their past, the people around them conspire to bring them together... to bring them home.

Now, go! Share, my lovelies!

Utah Book Signings 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 18:07:00 +0000

*THE WINNER OF THE BOOK SIGNING PROMO CONTEST IS CORY WEBB! THANKS FOR THE RETWEET, CORY! You get to choose THE ORCHARD or OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE to have for your very own, or to give away! Let me know your shipping address and preference. CONGRATULATIONS.*

I'm heading over to Utah for the next several days. My daughter, Chelsea, and her husband, Matt, are about to bring my first grandchild into the world, and I'm going to be there! Hopefully. It looks like it, anyway. The doctor said so.

My publisher has arranged two book signings for me while I'm there, so pay attention and mark your calendar.

Tuesday, November 12
2:00-4:00 pm
Centervillle Seagull Bookstore
This is a joint signing with the lovely Margot Hovley (that rhymes), author of Sudden Darkness, and she's The Damsel on the Old School Blog. Plus, she's a great friend.

I really think that if you're in the Salt Lake area or north of the city, you should find an excellent excuse to head to Salt Lake, and stop by Centerville Seagull and say HI on your way. Or, you know, use US as your excellent excuse. We'll have chocolate. And lots of smiles.

Saturday, November 16
1:00-2:30 pm
Orem Seagull Books on University Avenue
I should definitely be a grandma by this time so stop in and we'll knit baby booties. Just kidding. But stop in! This will be my last trip to Utah in 2013. I'll sign your book, we can take pictures, or I'll show you pictures of the grandbaby! Oh! And chocolate.

Share this post and your name will go into a drawing to win a copy of THE ORCHARD or OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE. Your choice! Just leave a comment telling me how you shared the book signing. Contest ends Monday, November 11, at 10pm.

Thanks! See you soon!

When it Rains, it Pours

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 16:31:00 +0000

We are somewhat, kinda-sorta moved in to our new house in Washington! Time for a post, don't you think?

So much news and so little time. I have a window of 20 minutes between now and taking my son to school (I've already taken my daughter to her bus stop and picked Jacob up from early morning seminary--it's a late-start day for him YAY) and then I work out and then I leave for my chiropractor appointment (an hour both ways to my brother's office but better than 12 hours and totally worth it), and then I will be tackling a large stack of adoption paperwork, and then going to get 4 pumpkins to please get carved before Halloween so we look somewhat normal (as opposed to carving them after Halloween and looking lame).

THE INN has a new title! Dear Readers, I give you .. .... . . . . ...... . . .. (that's a drum roll)

Falling for You

by Krista Lynne Jensen

Three reasons I love this change: 1) The story is set in Autumn. Everything is falling: leaves, rain, snow, our characters...2) Waterfalls. 3) It sounds like a romance. Which it definitely is.

I'm very pleased. I'm also excited to announce that the final edits have been sent in and FALLING FOR YOU is with the copy editor RIGHT NOW. Time to gear up for some contests, don't you think? Honestly, this story is my favorite so far. I was eager for THE ORCHARD to be released so we could get this sequel out. You are going to love Elizabeth's story.

NEXT:

THE ORCHARD has received a really great review in the Deseret News HERE. But here's a snippet:
"Teenage fiction authors have found a niche in spinning Jane Austen’s timeless romances, and Krista Lynne Jensen’s delicate adaptation of “Persuasion” enlightens the genre." And, "...her interesting take on “Persuasion” is a welcomed, beautifully crafted and fresh addition to the Jane Austen adaptation genre."

I like it. I didn't even know I was writing teenage fiction! I'm diverse that way...

Along with this, I'm happy to see that THE ORCHARD is at #11 on the Deseret Books Romance list, and OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE still hovers around #6! Hooray!

MORE:

Yesterday I sent in the edits for my contribution to Covenant(my publisher)'s new romance anthology (yet to be titled). My story does have a title, though. It's called HANGING BY A MOMENT. The story is mainly set on a rented pontoon yacht in the British Virgin Islands. I LOVE THIS SHORT STORY. I just do. I really hope you do, too. My story will be alongside the fabulous ANITA STANSFIELD's romantic offering, and one more author whose name I have not been given yet. If you know who you are, raise your hand. Hi!

AND... (okay here I have to leave because it's time to run boy-child to school. BRB.)

I'm back...to announce that I've been invited to be part of another anthology! Heather B. Moore, Annette Lyon, and Sarah M. Eden have asked me to write a short romance for their amazing Timeless Romance Anthology series. This is an e-book series and it's been doing very well and I'm just honored to be asked to take part in the next installment. To find out a little more about this collection, see and like their Facebook page HERE. I'm excited to get working on my story idea. I have butterflies.

SO, WHEN DOES ALL THIS HAPPEN? WHEN DO YOU SEE THE FRUITS OF MY LABORS?

Thanks for asking. It's a little crazy, and a little kaPOW:

ALL OF THESE PROJECTS WILL BE RELEASED IN FEBRUARY 2014.

KAPOW. February is going to be off the hook.

Did I say that right?

Uh, hello? Perfect month for romantic overload. So prepare to splurge. That's all I'm saying.

Now, I must go. I must get on my treadmill as my dear brother chiropractor has instructed me to, and strengthen my healing back injury. My first grandbaby is coming and I need to be able to hold her for a really really long time. My Gramma skills are going to be off the hook.

Make the day count, lovelies!

A Novella

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 03:25:00 +0000

Wikipedia told me a novella is a work of fiction anywhere between 17,500-40,000 words.
Short stories: under 7500 words.
Novelette: 7500-17,500.
Novel: 40,000 words or more.

My latest project clocks in at just under 21,000.

Behold, I've written a novella.

Several months ago my editor at Covenant requested that I submit a short story for an anthology (around 17,000 words, so novelette-ish). I was happy to give it a shot. HANGING BY A MOMENT is set on a yacht rental in the British Caribbean. This was an easy choice. Last October my husband and I took a rare opportunity to escape to the British Virgin Islands with my sister, her husband, and some of their friends. I kept a journal, all the while considering that the experience might work into a story someday.

The only hiccup was, 10 days on a rented pontoon yacht does not a full novel make. Although I had a basis for a story-line in mind, I couldn't shake the feeling that I would have to add or force additional settings to make it longer. But really all I wanted to do was create a focused story centered on the trip.

And then I got the request from my editor, and lo, a light shone around my story idea and I said, "SO LET IT BE WRITTEN. SO LET IT BE DONE." A focused story the way I envisioned it. A novella.

I'd never written a novella before, but I had written a short story, and I'd also seen the benefits of outlining when writing any story. The main thing I learned in writing short stories is to start in the middle, or even near the end. Lose subplots. Keep the MC up front. These guidelines worked well for the novella, too.

I figured I'd write about 1500 words per "chapter" (I kind of used scenes instead of chapters when drafting this shorter story). I divided my end goal word count by 1500 and wrote a skeletal outline. Super skeletal. I chose a word or phrase per "chapter", numbered them, and went to work getting my characters from one scene to the next. Sometimes I flipped scenes around, or crossed some out, or added a new one, but for the most part I stuck to the outline, hit the chapter word count almost without trying (that seemed to be how my pacing just played out and my characters quickly began to lead me), and let the fun happen without pulling all my hair out. Only some of my hair got pulled out.

Mission accomplished.

*sigh* It's a bit of vacation all over again:

The driver answered their questions in his thick island accent and as she listened, Kendal watched a different world pass by the windows. So much color. Poverty, wealth, commerce, tourism, all packed together in a humid tropical paradise. Bicycles, motorbikes, limousines, rusty old trucks, taxis, and flowers everywhere flowers could grow. They passed a school yard filled with cocoa-skinned children dressed in white shirts and black shorts running crazily after a soccer ball.

She found herself leaning forward, nose almost touching the window, taking it all in.

“First time here, Magic?”

Kendal pulled away from the window and faced Bret, who had turned in his seat, his arm draped over the back. She hadn’t been called that in a really long time, and she wasn’t sure she liked how it made her feel. She shook her head. “Have you?”

Life at Full Speed Ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:46:00 +0000

BOOK NEWS:
I am happy to announce the THE ORCHARD is still holding its place at #2 in LDS Romance over at deseretbook.com! I am so thrilled and surprised. Thanks to everyone reading LDS romance. And OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE is holding her own at #17 on the same chart. I'm so pleased with this. You never know how long a book is going to "live", and still being fairly new to all this I'm just enjoying this crazy ride.

I'll be posting about LDStorymakers 2013 soon. Again, it was fabulous. My favorite. Lots of stuff.

Many of you know OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE was a finalist for the 2012 Whitney Awards. The gala was held on May 11 and it was so much fun to sit at the VIP tables and be part of the shaky-hands, loss-of-appetite group of would-be winners. I sat with Annette Lyon and Janette Rallison, and my daughter, Chelsea, and her husband Matt. LDStorymakers founder Rachel Ann Nunes was also at our table. I'd never met Rachel or Janette before and loved getting to know them better. As the presenting for the Romance category began, Chelsea reached over and held my hands, which was good because I didn't quite know what to do with them. Of Grace and Chocolate didn't win, but EDENBROOKE by Juliane Donaldson did and it truly is a lovely romance. And Juliane is adorable. So I got to be in the Loser's Dessert Picture! Which has always been another dream of mine. So, sad . . . but YAY, CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE.

A few of my favorite losers: Julie Wright, Janette Rallison, Melanie Jacobson, and Me.

Here is a list of the Whitney winners!

And here is where you can nominate your favorite LDS books of 2013. A title needs five nominations by readers to qualify for the initial judging. So it couldn't happen without you!

I would like to say I'm currently and steadily working on another project, and I have several in the hopper, but I explain below why any writing right now is very sporadic. But the sequel to THE ORCHARD is in the line-up for next year, and I'll be revising the third book soon. I'm revising SILK whenever I get a chance, and I'm working on a short romance for an anthology. It's very difficult having these stories inside, and struggling to get them out.

So here's why.

LIVING NEWS:
We are moving. We are leaving our dear little Cody, Wyoming and heading back home to Washington state. We are very excited about this new adventure but I'm very sad to be leaving my friends here in Cody. When you live in a tiny secluded town, people tend to make one another family very quickly, and we've appreciated that. But now it's time to be closer to my family. So, selling the house, purging seven years of "stuff", repairs, new paint, finding a new house, and the back and forth of my husband's new job leaves little time, seclusion, or focus for writing. I eke it out here and there and I MISS IT. But school is also out, kids are home, and for all their work in helping with the house and the showings, they also remind me that they are in need of "fun". So we try to fit that in, too. The cool thing is that we will soon be surrounded by orchards. Apple, cherry, pear, peach, blueberry . . . quite serendipitous, don't you think?

I am still recovering from the ruptured disc in my lower back. The first epidural steroid shot lasted 11 months, which is very good, but when it wore off, it wore off fast and hard. I received the 2nd shot in May, and the effect is not quite as good as the first time, but I think part of that is because I keep over-doing it with the moving thing. Trying to be better.

Our oldest son, Braeden, graduated from high school and is currently working on his application to serve as a missionary for the LDS Church. As some of you know, the Church recently changed the qualifying age to serve a mission from 19 to 18. So, Braeden has decided to take advantage of this and go serve as soon as he turns 18 in July. We are very proud and weepy. Can't imagine him gone for a few months let alone 2 years, but I know he will grow and serve and have an experience of a lifetime. Thank goodness for email.

And on top of this, we have also learned that we are going to be GRANDPARENTS. O_O Should have seen that one coming. We just found out it's going to be a little girl and I may have cried very happy tears. So although we are moving a couple hours farther away from the Utah writing scene I am so thankful to be a part of (and my daughter and her husband who is attending BYU), my visits will be no less frequent, because MY GRANDDAUGHTER will need me. And she will be there. I imagine Chelsea will appreciate that, too. I hope. :/ Due date: November 7.

And although all that is very exciting and busy news, we have this: the secret thing that I've been working on for months, before we knew we were moving, the decision that was hard-fought for many many years and now has been made and moved forward with my husband on board and the kids pushing from behind, all of us with anticipation, joy, impatience and a little bit of humble fright and bewilderment but with all the conviction in my bones . . .

We are adopting a little girl from China.

I'll be blogging about this new experience over at Kickyloo&Co. if you're interested.

I just feel like I'm being pushed from behind, taking each step in a forward direction, doing what I can with it, counting my blessings along the way and staring down the roadblocks as I push past. And after what has to be two of the most difficult years of my life, good things are coming. Big, huge, challenging wonderful things.

Full speed ahead.

Note: I now have the first post up at http://kickylooandco.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-letter-at-start.html if you're interested in following along. It's our old family blog so it needs some updating, ha. More to come!

THE ORCHARD Book Trailer Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:09:00 +0000

It's here! The book trailer for THE ORCHARD is here, and just in time. I'm already getting reports of THE ORCHARD being spotted on bookstore shelves! And you know what that means . . .

CONTEST TIME.

All you have to do is share this book trailer in as many ways as you desire, as often as you desire. For each share, you get an entry into a drawing for a signed copy of THE ORCHARD and a beautiful cherry red scarf crocheted by me! And that's not all! Second place wins a signed copy of OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE, which is up for a Whitney Award! Double winning!

Just let me know here in the comments what you did to enter. The contest will be open until Saturday, April 6th at 10pm. So get the word out!

Special thanks to my son, Braeden, for creating another beautiful book trailer for me. XO.

THE ORCHARD COVER and a SWEET CONTEST

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:41:00 +0000

THE WINNER OF THE SHARE THE SWEETNESS COVER CONTEST IS:

RU!
Congratulations to the winner and thank you everyone for helping to spread the word about THE ORCHARD. I'm already cooking up the next contest to keep an eye out for another chance to win!

Ru, please send me your mailing address at kristalynnej at yahoo dot com. Thanks!

HERE IT IS!

I'm so pleased. It's perfect! The cherries! The heart! The swirly-stemmy lettering! And because I love this cover so much, I'm going to give a copy of THE ORCHARD away (juicy sweet cover included) in a celebratory contest! It's called the . . . the . . . Share the Sweetness Cover Contest! I just made that up just now.

I'm going to keep this simple. To enter you must:

1) Become a follower of this blog.

2) "Like" my Facebook Author page where you will get all the news about my books and events, here: Krista Lynne Jensen Author

3) Share the contest on Twitter, Facebook, your blog, email to your family, post it on the bulletin board at work, send it in a note to your kids' teachers, skywriting, that kind of thing. It you rent a billboard I will make you a pie. Let me know what you did in a comment here. You will be entered for each mode of sharing the sweetness.

This contest will run until Saturday, 10:00 pm. I will announce the winners here. THE ORCHARD will not be in my hands until April, at which time I will send the winner their very own signed copy.

And this will not be the last contest, oh no! You will have more chances to win, very soon!

Also coming soon, news about my book launch and signings. Stay tuned!

THE ORCHARD

After her mother's sudden death and her father's unexpected estrangement, Alisen Embry finds comfort and purpose working the cherry orchard adjoining her family's Montana home on Flathead Lake. When she meets Derick, a boy with dreams and spirit, she realizes his answers fill the empty spaces in her life. No two souls fit better, and no place could be closer to heaven than the orchard in Summer.

Their connection, however, is threatened by the intolerance and secrets of her father, and just when Alisen thinks she has found everything that could make her happy, she is given choices testing her love, and loyalty.

Derick Whitney is a compulsive returned missionary with his future mapped out, and beautiful Alisen quickly seals her place in those plans, and his heart, with her endless questions and obvious desire for the truth. But when his plans are both realized and ripped apart, he buries the whispers of wisdom and direction in bitterness and blame, leaving heaven, vowing never to return.

One letter brings these two lost spirits to face the choices they have made, and learn that losing themselves may be the only way they find home.

If you love Jane Austen's Persuasion, read The Orchard.

I'm A Whitney Award Finalist!

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:06:00 +0000

It's true. I got the news last night at midnight as I lay in bed, unable to sleep, playing Angry Birds. My phone buzzed. Then buzzed again. Then buzzed some more.

And I found this.

I found it here, under the heading, FINALISTS.

And there were lots of !!!! and virtual shouts of HOORAY and WOOHOO and HUZZAH! Virtual because it was midnight and I didn't want to wake the house up.

And then I happily fell asleep and dreamed that I was offered a contract from an agency for SILK, and I didn't care at all that the contract was written in the margins of an old Cosmo magazine/scrapbook. :)

I'm so honored. And I have a bunch of friends on this list, too! Very very pleasant, vibrant, talented, excited company.

Congratulations, everyone! I will see you at the awards gala!

*happy Whitney dance*

Roller Coaster Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:45:00 +0000

I've been busy with good things and hard things and right now, RIGHT NOW, I have a breather so I'm breathing. This is me breathing.

( ) )( ( ) )( ( ) )( ( ) )( ( )

Okay that's enough of that.

I've just finished the first major round of edits for THE ORCHARD with my editor, Sam, and as exciting as it was, frankly, I'm fried. Frizzled. Because of some time/life/deadline issues it was an editing marathon between the both of us and I didn't get much sleep. It was entertaining and eye-opening to look at something I wrote four years ago (THE ORCHARD is the first book I ever wrote ever even including my submission in second grade for Young Authors because I procrastinated and my mom dictated a story to me about a girl who procrastinated--who I named after my sister, actually--and I still turned it in) and see how much I've learned and applied. I chuckled a lot. I grimaced a lot. I removed some cheese and kept some in. I had fun. I pulled out my hair. And I got excited honing this sweet romance into the voice I've grown into. I hope I did that. The copy editor has it now, then I get it for another go-over, and then, barring any major gaffes, it goes to print.

And then the real fun begins. Book covers. Back copy. Promotion. Woohoo!

I've also begun querying SILK. Trying to find an agent. This is a first for me. Oh, and writing a synopsis. Taking a 476 page book and condensing it down to...well, I did my best. It wasn't three pages. But it wasn't seven. Crossing my fingers, throwing salt over my shoulder, avoiding ladders, and wishing on stars. All that.

I'll be attending the LTUE writers conference for the first time next week. Megan Whalen Turner is the Special Guest and Keynote. I love her. Love. Looking forward to all the things I'll be learning and the people I'll be seeing and the rejuvenation that always comes with a writers conference.

In the meantime, I've been collecting images (creative commons) for a book trailer for THE ORCHARD and my son and I will be putting that baby together soon! I'll be presenting a class on the basics of writing romance at the Storymakers Writers Conference in May, so I'm researching for that. Lots of exciting stuff! I can't believe, sometimes, when I look back at when I first got an idea for a story and decided to write an outline, where that simple and compelling notion is taking me.

I love this ride.

CC Flickr by sfllaw.

Thoughts of Children

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:13:00 +0000

I love children. Easy. Making a child smile is one of my favorite things, and that has always come pretty easy, too.

I've learned through some recent counseling that because of the long and frequent absences of my husband and my shy nature in social circles, I poured my love and friendship into my kids, and they reciprocated. When they were smaller and more dependent upon me, the more-present adult in their lives, I was their confidant and they were mine. We shared our joys and tears and secrets and dreams and I taught and they listened and taught me back. They still do. I depended on them to fill a void, as I filled their minds and hearts and hopefully, fed their spirits.

I know I'm not the only parent who experiences this.

So I know that some of those parents in Newtown, Connecticut, didn't lose children. They lost best friends, they lost companions, they lost future hopes, secret-keepers, inside jokes, special handshakes, friends they knew inside and out. Their favorite people in the whole wide world.

I do believe they will see their children again, that their sons and daughters are in good, loving hands. But there is still loss of something so beautiful, so exquisite.

And that's why I mourn with those parents.

Today is my daughter's birthday. She would have been 16, had all gone as I'd hoped. It doesn't hurt so much. But I don't love her any less.

Thanks, Everyone!

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:57:00 +0000

I ended the contest early because I always make contests too long. So, the winner of the "Help Me Choose My Author Pic" contest (which I guess it was never really officially titled) is Letha Richardson! Lisa is from my hometown of Cody and I'm excited to get her a copy of OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE. Hooray!

So, which pic did I choose? After the black and whites were posted it narrowed things down, and although I'm still a bit torn, I'm going with:

But I'm also sending in:

My publisher can choose. :)

Thanks everyone for the help and all the compliments. See you on the back of my next book (which is THE ORCHARD coming April 2013)!

Author Pics II

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:29:00 +0000

I mentioned a few posts ago that my oldest son, Braeden, recently got his senior portraits taken, and since I was in need of an updated author photo, we made a day of it. It turned out to be great for both of us, because having a big camera aimed at you for large chunks of time as you hear *click* *click* *click* repeatedly is a little unnerving, and we fed off each other's antics, got some genuine smiles in, and a few laughs, too. Which happens a lot with my son, who has my sense of humor but is much quicker on the draw.

See that smile? I'm up on the hill jumping around, waving my arms.
That smile is for me. It says, "Man, my mom is weird AND awesome."

He makes this face a lot.

Braeden is a pretty quiet kid, but if he decides to talk, he will talk and talk and talk.
I love being the recipient of this.

This is my favorite. It reminds me of when he was little and would ask for a cookie
or something and just wait quietly with this look on his face
and of course I would say YES BECAUSE LOOK AT THIS FACE.

It was a really good day with my son, who will soon be moving on to big, grown-up world things.

I try not to think about it because when I do a chunk of broken cement gets lodged in my throat and everything goes watery.

So now I have some new author photos. I need to decide which photo to send to my publisher for the back of my books and since you all were such great helpers a few years back, I'm asking again.

What do you think?

And to move things along, I'll put everyone who votes into a drawing for my book OF GRACE AND CHOCOLATE, which you may want for yourself, OR to give as one of the best Christmas presents ever. Just sayin'. I'll draw names on Wednesday, December 12th at 10pm.

Thanks for the help!

Okay, it was requested that I post the B&Ws since that is what my publisher uses. I'm kinda getting tired of seeing my face, but I'm thankful for all the help!

And since some of you wanted to see this cropped...
#5

OKAY, TELL ME WHAT TO DO.
:)

The Next Big Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Krista) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 01:56:00 +0000

I am not participating in NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month) this month, but to all of those who are, get to it! GO, GO, GO! I have never done NANO for various reasons, the main one being that I've hosted Thanksgiving/company the last few years, and a lot of my energies go there. Also, I've only KNOWN about NANOWRIMO the last few years, so . . . Anyway, this year I have a different reason. I just finished a big novel and so I am between submitting that work and waiting on edits for my next book, THE ORCHARD. I didn't get to read all summer, so I am enjoying this limbo time reading other people's writing. Yay!

The other day I was tagged for The Next Big Thing blog meme by my friend, Jordan McCollum. So in today's post I will be answering some questions about the novel I just finished. I haven't been asked many questions about this book so I'm curious what the answers will be . . .

Thanks, Jordan!

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:

What is your working title of your book? SILK. Or SILK: INHERITOR.

Where did the idea come from for the book? I wanted to write a YA, and wrote this opening scene of a girl chasing after her little brother and then they run into a stranger. It was contemporary, but I wasn't liking how it was going. After thinking about it, and apparently dreaming about it, I woke up and changed the whole idea to fantasy, and dove into world-building.

What genre does your book fall under? YA Fantasy. It's my first time writing fantasy, but I grew up on the stuff because of my dad's love for it. I've learned so much about writing in this genre. I'm sure I have much more to learn!

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Rafe: Steve West. The wicked Elunid: Christina Hendricks. Myrick: Clive Owens. Alyra: Young Jane Seymour. But my main heroine, Jessamyn? So far she hasn't found a match for who she is in my head. Yes, I have pictures of all these characters and more.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? A privileged silk merchant's daughter accidentally summons an ancient enemy and to save those she loves, and the world, she must accept that old stories hold truth and that magic runs through blood . . . and silk.

(I have no idea why that type is so small but it sounds good, huh?)

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I'm shopping agents RIGHT NOW.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? Two years. Two years ago I was having lunch with Rob Wells and his wife, Erin, and he asked why I wasn't writing a national. I couldn't answer him. And every time I began to give him an excuse he'd interrupt me and say, "Do it." I'd say, "But I--" "DO IT." He's so pushy that way.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? My other books are written in another genre (contemporary LDS romance), so that's an interesting question. There is definitely romance in SILK. And I always use at least two POV characters. SILK has FIVE. I think. Maybe six. Eep. I seem to gravitate to stories of hope against all odds.

Who or what inspired you to write this book? As I said, Robison Wells was a huge influence in getting me out of my comfort zone. I'm really glad he did. I heard somewhere that if a story idea scares you, that's the one you should write. This story scared the wahoozies out of me. I'm terrified of writing the sequel. And totally excited.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? Magic, humor, danger, new mythology, battles with nature, men, and immortals, and umm . . . genealogy? Ha.

Did I mention Rafe?