WELCOME KRISTAN HIGGINS
KRISTAN HIGGINS
Kristan Higgins is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author and two-time winner of the Romance Writers of America RITA Award. Her books have been praised for their “genius level EQ, whippet-fast, funny dialogue and sweet plots with a deliciously tart edge” (USA TODAY). She lives in Connecticut with her heroic firefighter husband and two extremely advanced children, one shy little mutt and an occasionally affectionate cat.
Connect with Kristan at these sites:
Q&A with Kristan Higgins
On Writing and Reading:
-Do you draw from personal experiences and/or current events?
Sometimes I do, sure! Not current events so much as a current mood, maybe. But for some of my books, I definitely use personal experience. Stalking, making up a boyfriend, falling for someone completely inappropriate. For THE NEXT BEST THING, I used my family as inspiration. Sadly, I come from a long line of young widows, and I wondered what it would be like to be widowed before you turned 30, and to be in a family (like mine) where remarrying just wasn’t done. For my next book, THE PERFECT MATCH, I tried to draw on the idea of an arranged marriage. There are so many matchmaking services now, and I think people have less patience for waiting to find love spontaneously. I had a lot of fun with that. Also, I had a dream that I was going to marry a guy I didn’t know. We were both very optimistic about how things would work out!
-Do you start with the conclusion and plot in reverse or start from the beginning and see where the story line brings you?
I always start with the “what if” idea and see where it carries me. I do love to outline, and there are certain anchoring scenes that will definitely make it into the book. But one of the unpredictable things that happens so many times is that I think I know a story, until about page 265…and then I have a moment where I smack my forehead and say, “Oh! So THAT’S what this book is about!”
-Your routine when writing? Any idiosyncrasies?
I can only work in my office. Once upon a time, I could write with the kids around. Those days are over. The children killed those days. I also need seltzer water, chocolate and my dog. I write almost every day. I talk to myself a lot. Lie on the floor sometimes and pretend to be single. That’s normal, right?
I usually start my writing day by reading what I wrote the day before. I also need to look at pictures of the actor or celebrity who inspired the hero. Need to, I tell you. It’s part of my process.
-Is writing your full time job?
Yes. That, and motherhood.
-Who are some of your favorite authors?
Robyn Carr, Eloisa James, Jill Shalvis, Sarah MacLean, Julie James, Huntley Fitzpatrick, Elinor Lipman. Had enough? Need more? Stephen King, Elizabeth Strout, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Susan Mallery, Dean Koontz, Jonathan Tropper.
-What are you reading now?
The Newcomer by Robyn Carr. It’s so good, I have to force myself to slow down so I don’t miss anything.
-Are you working on your next novel? Can you tell us a little about it?
Sure! My next novel is a story of opposites attracting: a very kick-ass heroine, and a rather gentle sweetheart of a hero. Her ex-fiancé is getting married after rather publicly denouncing her; his ex-wife is in town, hoping for a reconciliation. They both could use a friend of the opposite gender. Let’s see…there’s hockey involved; chocolate cake and lots of it; a super-genius dog and a Satan-worshipping cat. J
Fun questions:
-Your novel will be a movie. Who would you cast?
For THE NEXT BEST THING, I’d cast Jake Gyllenhaal as Ethan, and myself—oops, wait a sec—uh, and Reese Witherspoon as Lucy.
-Would you rather read or watch TV/movie?
I love TV these days! There are so many amazing shows…I’m kind of addicted to Breaking Bad (get it?). Love The Bridge and Orange Is the New Black. That being said, I’ll see just about anything if you give me a silo of popcorn. Saw The Conjuring twice. What does that say about me?
-Favorite food?
Popcorn. Also, chocolate. Preferably, Milk Duds tossed in popcorn to soften and smear. Try it. Thank me later.
-Favorite beverage?
Coffee.
Thank you for stopping by CMash Reads and spending time with us.
Thank you, Cheryl! It’s been a pleasure!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Lucy Lang isn’t looking for fireworks
She’s looking for a nice, decent man. Someone who’ll mow the lawn, flip chicken on the barbecue, teach their future children to play soccer. But most important: someone who won’t inspire the slightest stirring in her heart or anywhere else. A young widow, Lucy can’t risk that kind of loss again. But sharing her life with a cat named Fat Mikey and the Black Widows at the family bakery isn’t enough either. So it’s goodbye to Ethan, her hot but entirely inappropriate “friend with privileges,” and hello to a man she can marry.
Too bad Ethan Mirabelli isn’t going anywhere. As far as he’s concerned, what she needs might be right under her nose. But can he convince her that the next best thing can really be forever?
BOOK DETAILS:
Genre: contemporary romance
Published by: Harlequin HQN
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Number of Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780373777341PURCHASE LINKS:
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I sometimes read contemporary romances if they have a chick-lit quality to it. This story has gotten good buzz and I think the plot sounds cute. Would be a good read 🙂
Great author love to win.
I am new to Kristan Higgins’s books and can’t believe I did not discover her earlier, but can eat up her backlist!
Love Kristan Higgins’ books! Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂