Hi! *waves*
A big shout out to Kim for hosting me today! I’m really excited because this is my first release through Dreamspinner and only my second blog tour! Kim said she didn’t mind what I talked about so I figured I would talk about contemporary versus paranormal.
Fixing the Hole is my first novella-length contemporary. I’ve had a few short stories in various anthologies, but this is definitely the longest thing I’ve written without even the hint of something paranormal. I almost feel like contemporary is harder then paranormal. There are so many more rules you have to adhere to. Places have to at least feel real. I actually researched menu items for the one lunch Riley brings in. And the shrimp dish Steve cooks? Mine.
I also did (thanks to my pre-reader Button) a bunch of research on tree removal and how all that works. I even did a trial call to our insurance company to see how I would go about reporting something like that. The lady on the phone was very friendly and happy to help. Once I reassured her that we really didn’t have a tree in our living room.
It’s funny what you learn through research. Where my in-laws live? The city comes and removes damaged trees. Where my parents live? (Same state mind you) they have to call a service to have a downed tree removed. (Unless it’s affecting a wire of some sort). Same thing where we live. You have to call a landscaping/tree removal service. They can either mulch it up for you or cut it up and leave it by the street. If you leave it by the street, you have to arrange for a special trash pick up. See? So many rules!
But the benefit of contemporary? Not as much world building. The laws of physics still apply, I don’t have to figure out how to fuel my spacecraft, and I don’t have to worry about stepping on any vampire/werewolf lore toes anywhere. That made it fun. I was able to concentrate on the characters and turn this into more of a character driven piece – explore just what made these two men tick.
And I enjoyed the heck out of that and I hope you do too!
Thanks again to Kim for hosting me!
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Katherine
Blurb:
Heavy rains and strong winds slammed an uprooted tree through Steve Crowell’s roof, leaving a gaping hole to match the one in his heart. After his ex left him for a younger man, Steve’s not sure he’s ready to handle another disaster. His best friend highly recommended the contractor, but the man’s already late, and when he shows up with his music thumping, Steve isn’t impressed—until Riley steps out of his pickup truck. Personable, gorgeous Riley talks a mile a minute, which Steve finds both ridiculously endearing and terrifying. Piecing together a heart isn’t as easy as fixing a roof, but Riley might just be the right man for the job.
Buy Links:
Dreamspinner: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5646
Amazon:
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Bio:
Katherine Halle is known as the “Queen of Happy Endings.” She firmly believes that no matter what the obstacles, what the struggles, or how much angst is involved in the journey, that the ending should always be a happy one.
Katherine’s love of the written word started at a very early age with repeated demands of “read to me” to any who would listen. It was only natural that writing would follow. As a child, she could often be found daydreaming, thinking up fanciful stories and writing them down. Now she does it on a laptop. Much faster.
Katherine’s favorite animal is her dog. She likes books, movies, and quirky television shows, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Hart of Dixie. She loves cooking and watching cooking shows. She has lived in both Europe and the United States and loved both. When she’s not writing or plotting, Katherine enjoys spending her time listening to music, reading books written by other people, and being with her family.
You can find Katherine here:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatherineHalle
Blog: http://katherinehalle.wordpress.com/ or http://thraceadams.dreamwidth.org/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5761673.Katherine_Halle
Email: katherinehalle@yahoo.com
