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Super excited about this book, the author, and the giveaway!! :) Count me in please!

Sounds great! Will certainly look for it. And the next one, too.

I loved 'Guernsey..' and can't wait to read your book. Kristina, did you develop your characters and their POV as you went along, or did you have them pretty much set before you began writing?

It sounds like an interesting, engaging book. Put my name in the hat, please.

Great interview! Can't wait for the March 16 Party! I love surprises!

What a great interview - so down to earth and insightful. This book sounds simply wonderful - can't wait to read it!

Enjoyed both the video and the interview.

Please enter me in the giveaway - it sounds like a book I would absolutely love. :)

I love novels and murder mysteries set during WWII. What made you choose this time to set your first novel?

This book sounds wonderful! It has been my 16 year old son's interest in WWII that has sparked a newfound interest in this period of time.

I have learned so much and would love to get a chance at reading this book.

I can't wait to read this book. I love stories set in the past.

Definitely enter me in the drawing - this book sounds fabulous!

edwina(dot)cowgill(at)yahoo(dot)com

How wonderful to read all your generous comments! Thanks so much for stopping by, everyone, and good luck in the drawing.

I hope you'll swing by a few more stops on the tour, where I tried my best to sound like I actually know what I'm talking about, lol.

Cindy (#2) - Initially, the story focused almost entirely on two points of view, with only one or two chapters in another character's POV. Once I developed the secondary characters, though, they started taking over the book a bit. And when I was done, I realized that I loved the female protag's best friends much more than her. Not a great thing.

I eventually went back to the draft and gave my main character a stronger personality, one I could truly root for. So, although I'm a big plotter, the personalities evolved quite a bit from the beginning. :)

Thanks so much for the question!

Linda and Melissa Ann - I'm so glad you enjoyed the interview. WOW had some fabulous questions that really made me think!

I love surprises too. Hope to see you at the "party!"

I have heard that there are some recipes from that era at the back of the book. Are they from your family?
I would love to read the book, it sounds so good.
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Brenda - I'm glad you enjoy reading about the era too! Aside from my fascination with the time period, the reason I chose to write a WWII novel was due to the story being inspired by my grandparents' love letters.

An agent once asked me, "Why World War Two? Why can't the story be contemporary?"

My answer: "Because email and texting aren't the same."

Something is being lost today when it comes to personal communication, and I'm hoping my story will help remind people of the value of the written word between loved ones.

Thanks for the question!

Debbie - Yep! There are indeed '40s recipes in the back of the book; each of them relates to a character in the story. They aren't my grandmother's originals, but they were based on recipes from a 1940s cookbook she's saved all these years.

Thanks for the kind words!

Loved your description of researching the novel (using colored post-its to juggle timelines, checking the historical record to avoid anachronisms) and the evolution through rewrites to multiple POVs. For a novice writer like myself, it's interesting to hear about the writing process. My daughter lives near the Powell's on Hawthorne. Have you scheduled any local author events or book signings, Kristina?

Hi Kristina, I really enjoyed your interview. :) Thank you for sharing your publishing journey. I think that's something a lot of us can definitely relate to! We've all had that rude awakening at one point. It's such an ever-evolving learning experience.

I agree with you about something being lost today when it comes to personal communication. And technology has certainly made it tough for fiction writers! My hubby rented "The Town" the other night, which I really enjoyed, but the whole time I couldn't help but think that it was unrealistic because they outrun the police in car chases several times. How do outrun a radio? LOL.

But I think there are probably more challenges in writing a story set in the past. I admire you for taking on the challenge. And I think it's so cool that you have your grandparents' love letters! That's such a treasure.

I can tell this is going to be a fun tour!

Kathryn - Oooh, I love Powell's. Such a great store!

Yep, I'm actually doing an official book launch party at the Clackamas Barnes & Noble (a heavenly place; two huge floors of shiny books). It's this coming Friday, the 25th, at 7pm. My grandmother, who inspired the book, will be there to meet people and even sign some copies, I'm sure; we'll be doing a WWII trivia contest for prizes; and I'll be reading excerpts from my grandfather's letters.

Please tell your daughter I'd love to see her there!

Angela - Thanks for taking the time to leave such thoughtful comments.

As writers, it's a blessing and a curse to be able to analyze books -- and movies -- even when we're supposed to be enjoying them. When it comes to rom-coms in film, the unrealistic endings usually drive me up a wall, lol.

And I agree; I definitely consider my grandma's letter collection a treasured gift. :)

I cannot wait to read this book! The WWII war years are my absolute favorite time period to study (my grandparents also met and fell in love during the war). If I don't win, I will most certainly be purchasing this book!

Many, many congrats, Kristina!!! So excited for you!

This is such a perfect setting for a story in the war-time era.!
Congrats!
Patricia

What an inspiring story. I would love to win a copy of the book!

Congrats on your new book! Can't wait to read "Letters from Home" and your children's book when it comes out! Thanks for entering me! Sincerely, Cindy Eckhart

Congratulations! How exciting! I'm impressed with the amount of research you put into the book and wanting to stay 'real' to the time period. I look forward to reading it!

Thank you to all the commenters who just posted! I truly appreciate your enthusiasm. :)

Sunny - Thanks for sharing about your own grandparents' courtship. That's wonderful.

Conni - I certainly did my best, anyhow. The fact that I got to ride in a B-17 bomber in the name of "research" was definitely a highlight.

Count me in. I've been reading about this book on other blogsites and it sounds really good!

This book sounds captivating. I love the way you spoke about it in your trailer.

Sounds fascinating, love war stories.

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Looks like a good book.

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I am a fan of stories set during the world wars, especially when romance is woven into them.
Unfortunately, most of such books are written from a male perspective. How heartwarming it is to have a book written by a woman, about women and for the enjoyment of all, but especially women.

I would LOVE to read this!

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iid like to win this book [email protected]

I am eager to read your book. I am also fascinatied by the World War II ear. My father was a soldier from the Midwest, who fell in love with a girl from Connecticut.
And I am working on a novel that is set partly in Britain during that era.
Much success with your book!

the book sounds amazing -- I always true stories!

Count me in!

dwarzel at hotmail.com

I love books written in the letter form. I recently read Guernsey and it was so well done. I can't wait to read yours. All the best, Madeline

This looks like a great book to curl up with on a cold winter's night.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kristina,
Congrats! Sounds like a must-read; I love historical fiction. Do you have any advice for novice writers? I've decided to self-publish my book about the hilarity and heartbreak of being single. My goal is to publish by June of this year.
Can't wait to read your book!
Paula

Wow, I would love to win this book. The Midwest is great inspiration for WWII stories. The farm boys of the era stood tall and measured up in many ways, but the men and women of the times built hangers, runways, and planes where only corn and wheat had grown. Those planes helped win the war. Can you tell I love the Wichita, Air Capital story?

What a wonderful plot. This must have been difficult to write.
I would love the chance to read this
rhondastruthers atyahoo.ca

This sounds like a great book, would love to read it.
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I'm adding this title to my to-read list. Thanks for sharing.

I really enjoy historical fiction. Sounds like a great read!

Hi, everyone! Since yesterday was launch day, I'm afraid I've been too swamped to keep up replies. But I'm grateful for all your generous comments, and I hope you enjoy the read!

Paula - My advice to any writer is...be true to your voice, the way you see the world. You can improve upon everything else, but don't let anyone edit out what is uniquely yours. Best of luck to you!

My father died when I was 14 and some of my favorite memories are of him telling me about the good things he saw while fighing with the Railsplitters (84th Infantry.)

So, I am super excited to read a book of historical fiction set during World War II.

I look forward to reading it (and I'd love to win it in the giveaway!)

I can't wait to read this book. I love historical fiction that somehow transcends time. We get to learn about another time period while still relating to the story and characters. As an aspiring writer, this is an inspiration.

I would love to read this work!

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Mary Ann - My goodness, I'm so moved by your post. Thank you for sharing those memories!

Regina - That's precisely why I love historical fiction too. I've learned so much from others' novels while enjoying the flow of their stories. Thanks for stopping by!

I can't wait to read this!

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Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway

bmweida at yahoo dot com

Enjoyed the review
Diane Baum
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i would love to win
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

Sounds like a wonderful book, thanks!

erroneous02(at)yahoo(dot)com

I don't usually like diary/memoirs but this lokks like an exceptional story, well authored in this format. Thank You for the chance to win!!


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This is a book that I want to read. It sounds very interesting. Thanks. [email protected]