Since becoming a reviewer, checking the mail each day has taken on a whole new meaning. It's like Christmas, six days a week. I always wonder what I will find tucked inside a package and which new author I may discover. It's kind of like a horse race. Each author is jockeying for position hoping that I will pick their work to review. The success of a book is not only based on the writing, although it should be. A majority is left up to the publicity, in which book reviews play a vital role. Landing a review in People Magazine is sure to send an author's career to the top, if good, or to the very bottom, if bad. The main objective is to get the book reviewed in as many venues as possible so that its exposure will sell the book and move it up the charts.

It just so happens that I stumbled upon an author, who was unknown to me, but quite well established in the world of fiction and romance. I was asked to review Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah for the web site www.freshfiction.com. I will be quite honest, I did not know what to expect. Little did I know that this novel would make such an impact on me. I was so blown away by the intensity of this book and its in-depth character development that I knew I just had to interview her. Although I have no personal experiences even remotely similar to the lead character, I could feel her pain and joy as if I were right there with her. If you read just one book this year, make it Magic Hour. You will not be disappointed. Find this book in our catalog.

Meeting and working with Kristin via e-mail has been a very rewarding experience. She is modest, generous and quite sincere. Not all authors are willing to be so honest and open. I want to thank Kristin up front for letting me into her world and sharing her life and career with our readers. As if that were not enough, as part of this interview, Kristin has graciously agreed to give five of our readers a copy of Magic Hour! Go grab a cup of java and get to know Kristin Hannah!

Jen: What is your educational background?

Kristin: I graduated from Snohomish High school in Snohomish, Washington. Immediately after graduating, I went to the University of Washington, where I got a bachelor's degree in Communications. I also received a Juris Doctor (law degree) from Seattle University school of Law.

Jen: Did you have another career before you became an author?

Kristin: I was actually in my third year of Law School when I began writing romances. I then practiced law for a few years before becoming a mother. As is the case with most women, I really feel that motherhood is my “core” career and writing comes second.

Jen: How has your writing career evolved and if you could do one thing over again, what would that be?

Kristin: Hmmm. What would I change or do over? I'd have to say nothing. The combination of at home mom and novelist is about perfect. I mean, I could say that I wish I'd been better at both, but I gave the twin pursuits everything I had, and I'm happy with the results.

Jen: How often do you write and do you stick to a schedule?

Kristin: I used to stick to a very strict schedule: I wrote school hours, school days, and school months for years. Now, however, my son is eighteen years old (how did THAT happen???) and I'm a little freer with my time. I still try to write about five or six hours a day, though.

Jen: What was the first book you had published and how long did it take to complete?

Kristin: My first published novel was an historical romance called “A Handful of Heaven.” It was kind of a romantic comedy set during the Alaska Gold Rush. I still have a very tender place in my heart for the book that started it all.

Jen: You have been with Ballantine Books for 15 years! Quite an accomplishment!

Kristin: I honestly can't believe that it's been so long. The years have flown by on a magic carpet. I was extremely lucky to have been bought by Ballantine in the first place. They have been a remarkable group of people with whom to work, and I've truly enjoyed every moment with them.

Jen: When you first started out, did you think you would still be writing 15 years later?

Kristin: Honestly, no. All I could see at the time was that writing filled the creative needs of my soul. Even to this day, I would be doing it whether I was published or not, whether anyone read my work or not. I simply love the process.

Jen: Who has had the most influence on your writing?

Kristin: So many people have helped me along the way. Some have helped with the actual words and the way I put them together, some with the crazy, unpredictable business side of things, and some (the best of them) have held my hand and poured me a glass of wine when everything seemed to be falling apart. A few key names: Megan Chance, Jill Stadler, Jill Marie Landis, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Andrea Cirillo, Elisa Wares, Leona Nevler, Linda Grey, Ann Patty, Linda Marrow, and Gina Centrello.

Jen: Of all the characters that you have created, which one do you wish was real?

Kristin: Wow, what a great question. To be truthful, the one I most wish for is my mom. I lost her to cancer when I was young and just beginning on this career. In some form or another she finds her way into every novel. I'm sure that when I pass through the Pearly Gates she'll be waiting for me with a critique of every word and a proud hug.

Jen: Which book are you the most proud of and why?

Kristin: Throughout the course of this career, a few books have touched me personally more than others — some because the story/characters were better and some because they changed the course of my career. My personal favorites are “Home Again,” “On Mystic Lake,” and “Magic Hour.” Of these, I honestly think that “Magic Hour” is the best novel.

Jen: For someone who has never read any of your books, how would you best describe your writing style?

Kristin: Quite simply, I try to touch readers' hearts by writing about real women facing real issues and coming out triumphant.

Jen: Which book was the most difficult to write and why?

Kristin: Two of them—“On Mystic Lake” and “Magic Hour.” Mystic Lake forced me to truly find and hone my contemporary voice and it was a long (two years) and difficult road to get there. “Magic Hour” is probably the deepest, most emotional book I've ever done, and I found it exceptionally difficult to put my vision down on paper. I loved the story so much that I wanted to do it justice, and it was a real challenge.

Jen: Is it hard to turn off the creative juices when family needs are calling?

Kristin: My husband would tell you yes. Like all writers, there are times when I'm so deep in Never Never Land that the real world kind of ceases to exist. Those are the times when my family has to say everything twice and sometimes even tap my shoulder to get my attention.

Jen: Which book surprised you when it became a huge success?

Kristin: I was, of course, surprised most by “A Handful of Heaven.” To actually finish a book and have it published was absolutely stunning. A truly magical moment. Following that book, “On Mystic Lake” has proven to have a surprisingly long lasting resonance with the readers. Of all my books, that's the one I hear about the most often.

Jen: MAGIC HOUR is one of the most powerful, touching and emotional books I have ever read. What inspired you to write this story?

Kristin: Thanks so much for that. The true inspiration for the book was actually found in the news. A few years ago, a pair of boys “walked out” of the deep, impenetrable woods of British Columbia, just north of where I live. They claimed to have been raised in the forest, in isolation. They said they'd never been to school or seen people or a town. The locals embraced these boys and fell in love with them. It turned out, in the end, to have been a heartbreaking hoax, but my writer's imagination had already engaged and asked the magical question: what if?

Jen: Was MAGIC HOUR an emotional journey for you? The themes were so intense at times.

Kristin: “Magic Hour” was an incredibly intense story to write. I fell head over heels in love with little Alice. Of all the characters I've written, she is the one that broke my heart.

Jen: Who was your favorite character in this novel and why?

Kristin: Hands down, it was Alice. Everything about her was special and magical and lovely. Her resilient spirit and loving nature in the face of incredible odds really struck a chord with me.

Jen: In my opinion, one of the most moving paragraphs in the story was on page 254 when Ellie was summing up her life. Without giving away the plot, what was going on in your mind as you wrote this eloquent passage?

Kristin: Gosh, you're going to make me re-read it, huh? Okay, off I go… Ah, yes. That's where Ellie is finally realizing that she isn't exactly the woman she wants to be. When you hit forty, I think all of us are forced to reassess our life's choices and wonder what could have been. What I liked about Ellie, was that even when she realized that she'd made mistakes, she didn't give up, didn't give in. She learns, over the course of the story, that change is possible and love is worth fighting for.

Jen: Was it difficult to say good bye to these characters when you completed the novel?

Kristin: Honestly, by the time I finished writing and re-writing (a process that took the better part of two years), I was ready to say goodbye. However, I must have had a few regrets, because I just kept editing and editing. Perhaps that was my way of holding on just a little longer.

Jen: Will there be a sequel?

Kristin: Generally, my answer to the sequel question for all books is a resounding no. Once I'm done with a story I'm done with it. That said, Alice is the only character I've created that I can foresee wanting to revisit in the future. Though I have to wait a while for her to grow up.

Jen: Please tell us about your web site. Do you have a mailing list?

Kristin: My website is KristinHannah.com. Not surprisingly, right? I'm pretty sure that my webmaster sends out notifications of upcoming releases, but as to a detailed mailing list, I'm honestly not sure. In order to be the writer I want to be, and the mother I choose to be, I've found that I have to pare down the demands on my time. I focus most of my energy on writing the books and less on promoting them.

Jen: When will your next book be released? What can you tell us about it?

Kristin: There's no new book scheduled right now. I'm busily putting the finishing touches on my idea and following where it leads. But I'll let you know when there's news to report.

Jen: Do you have any book signings coming up?

Kristin: No book signings scheduled at the moment. That could change any second, though. Thanks so much for interviewing me, Jennifer. It really means a lot to me that you enjoyed reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it. We writers are a solitary bunch, and people like you—and the readers of your library website—make it all worthwhile.

My best,  Kristin Hannah

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Kristin Hannah. As I said earlier, as part of this interview, Kristin has agreed to give away five copies of Magic Hour. The first five people to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the title of Kristin's first book published will win a copy of MAGIC HOUR! Don't forget to include your address and phone number! Good Luck! ... Well, that was fast! All five books have been distributed. Thanks for your interest.

Next month, I will be bringing to you an interview with the fabulous Michele Martinez, author of Most Wanted and the sequel, The Finishing School. The library has copies of both! Go grab yourself a copy and then check back here in April. You won't want to miss it!

Until next month…..Jen