Oh my goodness, I have the most vivid dreams. Upon occasion I do dream something that lands in one of my books. But, mostly, my dreams are pretty strange, and, sort of, sometimes can be a touch prophetic. I had a dream last night that I walked outside and heard the most beautiful music. I peeked into an open door and James Taylor was inside, working on a new album. He asked me to come in and help him with it. It was so amazing and so funny, especially since I have no business helping anyone work on anything musical. When I woke up, I had an email from James Taylor's website that his new album was available for pre-sale!
When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?
When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?
Dear Carolina is my first novel, so I’m first published 5.5.15! I actually started this book at the end of 2012, but publishing is a bit of a long process, as you well know! I think I’ve always been writing… As long as I can remember. But, strangely enough, I never thought I’d be an author.
What is it about 'chick lit' that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres?
What is it about 'chick lit' that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres?
I read absolutely everything, fiction, non-fiction, memoir, thrillers, women’s fiction, YA, romance… I do love chick lit, though, because it’s generally light-hearted, feel good and is relatable to me at this time in my life. And most of the chick lit I’ve read is so smart and well-written too. But I’ll read anything, really!
Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
Dear Carolina is written from a birth mother and an adoptive mother to their daughter, Carolina, about the ways their lives change in the year after her birth. It’s a story about how families are made and the strong female bonds that can carry us through our lives.
What inspired you to write it?
What inspired you to write it?
Becoming a mother. When my son was born, I realized how amazingly difficult it would be to give up your child and what a huge gift and sacrifice that was. The idea of the birth mother, Jodi, came to me from there.
What's your favourite 'chick lit' book that made it to the big screen?
I adored “Something Borrowed.” I love Emily Giffin’s books and think Kate Hudson is just amazing, so it was one I couldn’t wait to see!
What were the last two books you read?
What were the last two books you read?
What I Remember Most by Cathy Lamb and Eversea by Natasha Boyd.
Where do you write?
Where do you write?
Everywhere! I have a beautiful desk and office, but I also have a three-year-old, so I sneak it in whenever I can. Sometimes on the couch, in the car, outside if it’s sunny. I’ll write anywhere!
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I was the youngest person in the state of North Carolina to ever have a work permit! I was six-years-old and my dad taught me to write my name in cursive so I could get one!
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Someone extraordinarily young… Hahaha! I wouldn’t mind someone capturing my nineteen-year-old self or something. That’s so tough. I’m not sure, but I don’t think I’m interesting enough to have a movie made about me!
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
You hear people joke about places having “more cows than people.” Well, my county has more chickens, turkeys and hogs than people.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
My next novel is coming out from Berkley in spring 2016. (Hooray!) So, for now, I plan is to keep writing, get out there and find readers, and, if all goes well, keep getting published for years and years to come.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
I’ve traveled a lot, but I’ve never seen the pyramids. I definitely have to do that. I find Egyptian history and art completely fascinating. I might have to write a book set there so I’ll actually go!
Name one of your all time favourite songs.
Name one of your all time favourite songs.
Carolina In My Mind by James Taylor, which is fitting since I dreamed about him!
What do you listen to whilst writing?
What do you listen to whilst writing?
It depends on what I’m writing. I listened to a lot of country music while I wrote Dear Carolina!
Who (or what) did you want to be when you were a kid?
Who (or what) did you want to be when you were a kid?
I always, always wanted to be a mom first and foremost. And I wanted to be a teacher. I still might be one day… You just never know.
Thank you so, so much for having me, Suzy, and for sharing my work with your wonderful readers!! I am so happy to be a part of your wonderful blog!
Thank you so, so much for having me, Suzy, and for sharing my work with your wonderful readers!! I am so happy to be a part of your wonderful blog!
My pleasure, Kristy!
Visit Kristy's website for more information.
A moving debut novel about two mothers—one biological and one adoptive—from a compelling new voice in Southern women’s fiction.
One baby girl.
Two strong Southern women.
And the most difficult decision they’ll ever make.
Frances “Khaki” Mason has it all: a thriving interior design career, a loving husband and son, homes in North Carolina and Manhattan—everything except the second child she has always wanted. Jodi, her husband’s nineteen-year-old cousin, is fresh out of rehab, pregnant, and alone.
Although the two women couldn’t seem more different, they forge a lifelong connection as Khaki reaches out to Jodi, encouraging her to have her baby.
But as Jodi struggles to be the mother she knows her daughter deserves, she will ask Khaki the ultimate favor…
Written to baby Carolina, by both her birth mother and her adoptive one, this is a story that proves that life circumstances shape us but don’t define us—and that families aren’t born, they’re made…
“Characters with rich, complicated lives…beautifully shows how a family comes to be.”—New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas
"Dear Carolina is Southern fiction at its best. Lovely and lyrical, with the strong voices of the two female narrators taking us deep into the heart of what being a mother is about. It shows us that love is not without sacrifice, and there’s little in life that doesn’t go down easier with a spoonful of jam. Beautifully written."—New York Times bestselling author Eileen Goudge
"Dear Carolina is like the Southern women within its pages and those who will love this book, sweet as sweet tea on the outside and strong as steel on the inside. The dialect of the south is so entwined in these pages the reader is transported to a place where women and children are treasured and family rules all. Kristy Harvey is a natural."—Ann Garvin, Author of On Maggie’s Watch and The Dog Year
Visit Kristy's website for more information.
A moving debut novel about two mothers—one biological and one adoptive—from a compelling new voice in Southern women’s fiction.
One baby girl.
Two strong Southern women.
And the most difficult decision they’ll ever make.
Frances “Khaki” Mason has it all: a thriving interior design career, a loving husband and son, homes in North Carolina and Manhattan—everything except the second child she has always wanted. Jodi, her husband’s nineteen-year-old cousin, is fresh out of rehab, pregnant, and alone.
Although the two women couldn’t seem more different, they forge a lifelong connection as Khaki reaches out to Jodi, encouraging her to have her baby.
But as Jodi struggles to be the mother she knows her daughter deserves, she will ask Khaki the ultimate favor…
Written to baby Carolina, by both her birth mother and her adoptive one, this is a story that proves that life circumstances shape us but don’t define us—and that families aren’t born, they’re made…
“Characters with rich, complicated lives…beautifully shows how a family comes to be.”—New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas
"Dear Carolina is Southern fiction at its best. Lovely and lyrical, with the strong voices of the two female narrators taking us deep into the heart of what being a mother is about. It shows us that love is not without sacrifice, and there’s little in life that doesn’t go down easier with a spoonful of jam. Beautifully written."—New York Times bestselling author Eileen Goudge
"Dear Carolina is like the Southern women within its pages and those who will love this book, sweet as sweet tea on the outside and strong as steel on the inside. The dialect of the south is so entwined in these pages the reader is transported to a place where women and children are treasured and family rules all. Kristy Harvey is a natural."—Ann Garvin, Author of On Maggie’s Watch and The Dog Year
Thank you so much for hosting Dear Carolina and me! I loved this interview. It was so much fun!! xo Kristy
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