Lindi here–and admit it–you are singing the Girls Just Want To Have fun song in your head, aren’t you? Or maybe even out loud–and yay if that’s you! I love it.
Today we have a special guest!! Yes we do. Welcome Inspirational Regency romance author Kristi Ann Hunter.
Kristi says hello!!
Kristi and I have known each other a few years, now. She is an amazing girl, awesome author, and a great mom and wife. She wears so many hats! But today, we are going to focus on her author hat–or mask I should say. I asked Kristi a few questions! Here we go.
Lindi asks—-Why do you love Regency romance?
Kristi: The Regency is such a state of transition that anything can happen. Technology, class structure, and even religious practices and views were in a constant state of flux. It makes a fascinating backdrop for almost any story imaginable. This is also what makes the time period so relatable for modern readers.
From a Christian standpoint, the Regency is the beginning of a new era. Movements and changes were beginning that would eventually raise up the leaders of The Great Awakening. DL Moody, Charles Spurgeon, and so many other great evangelicals came out of the new mindsets being developed during the early 19th century.
Lindi: How does having a deadline affect you?
I have to have deadlines. Deadlines are my very dear friends. Without them I am the world’s worst procrastinator. Before contract, I used contest entry deadlines as well as critique groups and beta readers to keep myself on track. Now I have hard deadlines written in to my contract, and it’s a lovely, motivating thing.
Lindi asks: Tell us about your free novella-A Lady of Esteem – what does it lay out for us?
A Lady of Esteem is an introduction to both the Regency era and the Hawthorne family. For readers unfamiliar with the era, the upstairs/downstairs structure of the book will provide a good idea of how society worked at the time.
Readers will also get to know the Hawthorne family as the heroine, Amelia, becomes a part of the family. I hope everyone will feel like Amelia, pulled into the fold of a family that loves each other and the Lord. Amelia is caught between two worlds – the drudgery of the servants and the glinting of the aristocracy. Anthony is also caught feeling like he doesn’t belong as he tries to establish himself as a new Christian in spite of all the rakish sins of his former lifestyle. There is something for everyone to relate to as they take the journey with Amelia and Anthony.
Here is Kristi’s debut novel, A Noble Masquerade–and the blurb.
Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother’s old school friend, the Duke of Marshington. Since she’s never actually met the man she has no intention of ever sending the letters and is mortified when her brother’s mysterious new valet, Marlow, mistakenly mails one of the letters to the unsuspecting duke.
Shockingly, this breach of etiquette results in a reply from the duke that soon leads to a lively correspondence. Insecurity about her previous lack of suitors soon becomes confusion as Miranda finds herself equally intrigued by Marlow, a man she has come to depend upon but whose behavior grows more suspicious by the day. As the secret goings-on at her family’s estate come to light, one thing is certain: Miranda’s heart is far from all that’s at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.
Lindi here again: I went to Kristi’s book launch at FoxTale Book Shoppe. Talk about fun–she had a photo booth!
This was so much fun! I had to ask Kristi about it in our interview. (And yes that’s Yours Truly behind that blue mask.)
Lindi: Tell us about your photo booth – how it came about.
The photo booth is one of my happiest strokes of genius. When looking for ideas and gimmicks to have at the book launch, we really wanted to play off the whole masquerade idea. That, of course, led to the idea of masks, but a random wall makes for a very unpredictable backdrop.
After a good bit of trial and error (and some horribly grandiose plans on my part that had to be greatly scaled back) the photo booth/backdrop was born. The Hubs built the frame and my mom sewed the curtain so my main contribution was a trip to Wal-mart to pick up the posters for the backdrop, but the end result is great fun. I’ve taken it several places in the past couple of months and it’s always a big hit.
We can’t have a photo booth on the blog, but we can have fun! State something fun you’ve experienced at a book signing. Every comment will be entered to win a print copy of Kristi’s book. Don’t forget to pick up her free novella–link above!
Thank you, Kristi, for being on Inspy Romance today. All right–let’s show Kristi the love!
USA Today featured author Lindi Peterson lives in north Georgia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and a lively array of cats, dogs and birds. She loves sharing life with her family and friends. Her passion for reading led her to writing, and then God spoke words of love into her heart and changed her life forever.
Hi! Loved the photo booth!
Welcome, Kristi! We are kindred spirits. I must have a deadline, otherwise I flounder and procrastinate.
The photo booth sounds like fun! Most book signings I’ve attended have been just that…signing…way to liven things up.
I used to have a large collection of Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances and enjoyed reading them. The photo booth sounds fun!
A great idea to have a photo booth! :-) Looks like fun. Looking forward to reading your books.
Linda–It was so cool–and something fun to do!
Jill–I’m right along there with you and Kristi–Must. Have. Deadline. :)
Georgette Heyer! Love!!
Melissa—Kristi won several awards for A Noble Masquerade before it was published. I know you will enjoy it.
I love Regency romances. Looking forward to reading Kristi’s books!
Kristi I haven’t had the privilege of being a a book signing but the photo booth sounds like a blast.
I don’t think I’ve ever gone to a book signing… I’ve ordered the free novella to see how I like it…
Hi Kristi. I love Regency romances. Oh I used to savor those Georgette Heyer books, too. Going to love your work, I am sure.
I don’t know that I’ve ever been to a book signing, I order most of my books online… I did read A Lady of Esteem recently and really enjoyed it!
I love the photo booth idea. I can’t recall anything fun at a book signing. Most of the ones I’ve been to you just stand in line waiting your turn. So I usually read my Kindle while waiting or try to start a conversation with the person beside me.
Thanks for having me, Lindi! I think the photo booth is something I’ll continue, just change the props and backdrop for each book, so keep an eye out fir my appearances and I’ll let people know when I’m bringing the booth with me.
In the meantime, enjoy the books!
I’ve never been to a book signing before but they sound fun!
Thank you, Katy!
Hi Stella–It was different and made the event that much funner…(made up word!)
Very cool, Margaret!! I know you’ll love it.
Sharon!! Hello–yes, you will love her stories.
Hi Patty!! Thanks for sharing that you enjoyed, Lady of Esteem. Look in your area for book signings–they really are a lot of fun.
KDA–Not sure where you live, but we have amazing Indie book stores that provide the best atmosphere for book signings–the authors read and talk and you can ask questions. So much fun. I just went to one Saturday with 2 of my fav authors–I brought my old books (1 for each author) and they signed them as well.
Charis—Check out your community. :) Maybe they’ll have one that you can attend. If so, do it!! :)
And when you go on book tour—maybe you’ll hit some of the cities these ladies live in—and folks, I’m just making that up about a book tour for Kristi–but I think it would be cool!! Kristi might miss her family, but….:)
Love the photo booth!! I’ve been to a book signing and I consider it funny now but it probably wasn’t then!! :) When I first met Debbie Macomber in person I broke into tears. Yup, I was that “author-struck”! I couldn’t believe I was actually meeting one of my favorite authors at the time. I could barely speak! :) She was so kind though, I think she understood. :) Now I just laugh about how I reacted! :)
Looking forward to checking out your book!
Kim–I love your story–I’ve about done that–no shame! I’m sure she was appreciative of you. She’s such a gracious lady-I did a workshop with her once and had to go and say hello. Amazing lady. I love meeting authors that I adore their stories–it’s almost like there’s a connection even though you’ve never met them.
I’ve never been to a book signing but the photo book idea is very unique. I love Regency fiction, I’m listening to Georgette Heyer’s The Talisman Ring right now, such funny characters. I downloaded the free novella so I can’t wait to read it!
oops, I meant photo “booth”… :)
I’ve never been to a book signing before, but always wanted to! I live in a small town, so not many authors that I like come to our little library (hint hint anyone) ;-) I think the most fun for me would be meeting that author and having them sign a book & take a picture of us together. I’ve only met one local author at the county fair, but she doesn’t write in the genre I read (secular fantasy). But I did talk to her, she looked so lonely :-( She was super friendly and answered my many questions. What a delight it was & I hope I at least made her smile!
I have Kristi’s novella on my Kindle & really would love to have a copy of “A Noble Masquerade”….it sounds so good! I’ve read other blogs and book reviews on this, she sounds like a delightful person and her writing exquisite. Loved that you took time out of your busy schedule to do an author interview, Kristi! I really enjoyed reading it! Blessings!!
Hi Trixi!! How cool what you did at the fair–you probably made that author’s day! Thanks for being so excited about Kristi’s book. You will be in the drawing–Kristi is a great gal–I love her so much!