Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Miracle in New Hope by Kaki Warner & a Giveaway


 Read an excerpt here!
Kaki's back! This time, with an e-novella just in time for the holidays. I can't wait to snuggle up with this book and a cup of tea. Cookies too. This e-book will be released on Dec. 11, but you can pre-order it now! Imagine, a Kaki Warner story sent straight to you on Dec. 11 without you lifting a finger! Oh, the technology!
Check out this blurb:

Amidst the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains in 1871, Daniel Hobart keeps to himself—a man with a hole in his heart that matches the scar on his face. But when Daniel starts having visions of a young girl crying out for help, he begins to fear that solitude may have caused him to lose his mind. Determined to find out the truth about the mysterious girl, Daniel travels into New Hope and learns that she’s the missing daughter of widow Lacy Ellis. 
After a year of heartbreak, Lacy isn’t sure what to make of Daniel’s claims of seeing her daughter. But when he sets out to find Hannah on his own, Lacy decides to join him, allowing herself one last chance to hope. And as they retrace the long-cold trail of Hannah’s disappearance, two broken people manage to take some small comfort in each other, and in the possibility of a miracle… 
So enticing! Naturally, I had to ask our author a few more questions. Welcome, Kaki! 

What exactly is a novella, and how was the writing process different for you?


A novella is a work of fiction that’s longer and more complex than a short story, and shorter than a full novel. It usually runs 15,000 to 40,000 words and often covers a shorter time span. Since most novels range from 80,000 to 130,000 words, you have to limit description, backstory, and long narration or introspection. You’ve probably heard how in a novel every scene must move the story forward? In a novella, every word must do that. You still have to introduce the setting and characters, establish a conflict, and build toward a crisis that leads to a climax and satisfying ending, but you have to do it by using fewer adjectives and adverbs, and with less extraneous dialogue and more precise description. Gads.

MIRACLE IN NEW HOPE came in just under 40,000 words, and it was a battle to keep it that short. In my full-length novels, I take a long time to develop the characters and relationships, and I also add a host of secondary characters—including the setting, which I think of as a character, too, but one that necessitates a lot of description. I had to pick my scenes carefully, make sure each drove the story where I wanted it to go, yet showed my characters in varied situations. Since MIRACLE is a Christmas novella, I also had to keep that foremost, too. Sound daunting?  It isn’t. Just start with a single event (in my case, an avalanche) and build the story from there. Try it. It’s fun.

Are there plans for more novellas?

I hope so. I had a great time writing MIRACLE. That’s not to say it was easy—it still had to have all the elements needed to create a good story and compelling characters—but it was a nice break for me, and certainly taught me discipline. But right now I’m contracted for three more Heartbreak Creek novels, and a short story for an anthology, so I’m pretty busy. That said, I’ve long thought it would be great fun to go back for a Christmas visit with the Wilkins clan. We’ll see.

Which characters or scenes did you particularly enjoy writing in this new story?

I love these characters, especially Daniel, the hero. Here’s a man who has lost everything—his family, his looks, his purpose. He’s content to live the rest of his life as a recluse, making furniture for rich folks, and talking with his loyal companions, a hound and an escape-artist horse. Don’t worry. They don’t talk back. Not really. Yet Daniel hasn’t let bitterness or loss rob him of his sense of humor and determination to do what he thinks is right, which is what leads him on a desperate search for a child lost in the Colorado Rockies. Sounds like a downer, doesn’t it—a scarred man, a grieving mother, and child who was presumed dead a year ago? But it’s not. It’s about hope, second chances, and the courage to believe in the impossible. I guarantee a tear and a giggle.

Do many of your real-life experiences find their way into your books?

Some. I’ve never been in an avalanche or tunnel explosion, thank God, but I have been within coughing distance of a forest fire, raised horses, children, dogs, lived in snowy mountains, chased cattle, watched loved ones die, and laughed a lot. But the drama and angst you find in a romance novel? Not really. I’ve had a charmed life. So I guess it’s a good thing I have a vivid imagination, right?

If you had to write a book in a completely different genre or set in a different part of the world, what would you write?

Since the settings in my books are like secondary characters, I’m reluctant to write about places I’ve never been. The American west is where my heart and imagination reside, even though I’ve lived in cities (under duress). So I’m content to write about what’s most familiar. Yet I’ve also thought it would be fun to use the historical west as a setting, but add a touch of the paranormal to it. MIRACLE has a tiny element of that in the psychic connection between Daniel and the lost child. But I’ve left it to the reader to decide if it’s something paranormal, or miraculous, or simple faith and hope at work. And no matter what my sissy daughter says, it’s not creepy.

How will you be spending your holidays? 

Lucky me! A road trip to Texas and a long visit with the prince. Oh yeah, and his parents, too.  A hot, snow-less Christmas. What a treat. No, really. We’re looking forward to it. Beats sliding around on icy roads and having to plow our steep, quarter-mile driveway all the time (or so my husband says). But we’ll sure miss the princesses, who live up here. Oh yeah, and their parents.

Readers, we would like to know how YOU will be spending your holidays? What do you have planned? Whom will you see? Two random winners will be selected on Dec. 9 to receive Miracle in New Hope for your e-reader. Please include your e-mail.
(Don't forget: if you don't have an e-reader, you can still download the free app for reading on your phone or PC.)  Congratulations to winners, Christi and Kim! Thank you to all who commented. 

22 comments:

  1. Novella writing sounds like a major but fun challenge! I hope to spend my holidays reading Kaki's book!

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    1. It's definitely a challenge, G., and definitely fun. I've got a 10k word limit for the anthology later next year, and I don't know how I'll manage with so few words to play with. That'll be a REAL challenge.

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  2. I am soo looking forward to reading Kaki's new Christmas book....and I am soo looking forward to all the Christmas get=togethers...love this time of year...so much to be thankful for...Happy Holidays to you and your family Kaki...and keep up the wonderful books you so gracefully write for all your wonderful fans............babyruthmac16ATyahooDOTcom

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    1. I appreciate the kind words and well-wishes, eyeballlucy. Happy Holidays to you, too. Thanks for reading my books, and for stopping by. Stay safe and have a wonderful Christmas season.

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  3. Hi Kaki, I am really looking forward to reading your Christmas story. I will be driving to my sister's house which is about an hour away on Christmas Eve for a large Christmas dinner and spending time with my family. On Christmas day we will go to my husband mother's house for dinner and spending time with his family. They are only a few blocks away from us. I wish you and yours a very happy holiday season and enjoy your time with the Prince.

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    1. Sounds like you have a lovely holiday planned, Quilt Lady. I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a safe and prosperous New year. Drive carefully, and thanks for coming by.

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  4. I love Kaki's books and would love to win! I will spend Christmas at home with my boys. We get up on Christmas morning and open gifts and then go next door to mother-in-law's to eat breakfast and open gifts! Of course I cook Christmas dinner for everyone. Merry Christmas everyone!

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    1. And merry Christmas to you, too, Kim. Thanks for coming by. Sounds like you have a busy day planned. I hope you have some apples or carrots for your handsome boys (horses, that is). Have a great holiday!

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  5. Since we are choosing to visit with family and friends throughout the month of December (had our first small party December 1st), my hubby and I will actually spend a very quiet Christmas here at home with our beloved Yorkie, Maggie. Listing to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies and walking in our own 'hood will be very inviting and welcome by the the time the 25th rolls around. BTW, I hope you continue to write western romances or have your future paranormals with a western setting. I was born and raised in New Mexico and have spent much time there and in Arizona since...I love western stories!

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    1. Ah, a quiet, peaceful Christmas. Sounds great, Janice. Keeps the stress down, I bet. Yes, I'll probably always use the west as the settings for my books. And lucky you to have lived in two such beautiful states. I hope I got it right--I've only visited, and had to fill in the scenery by memory. Thanks for coming by...and have a joyful Christmas season and a prosperous New Year.

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  6. How will I be spending my holidays? Why reading Kaki's novella, you silly geese! Actually, I'll probably hunker down with it during the long car ride from Upstate NY to Pittsburgh, PA, on the way to celebrating Xmas with family--unless it's blizzardy and I'm too nervous watching the road and the other cars and trucks around me. Oh, (giggle, giggle) just so you didn't think I was reading while driving, I'm a passenger.

    Happy holidays, Christina and Kaki! Hope you have great fun. As usual, another stellar interview by both of you. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.

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    1. Glad you came by, Lisa. Wishing you and yours a grand holiday and outstanding New Year. With your new release and all the fine reviews, it'll be a tough one to top, but I'm hoping 2013 is even better for you. Drive/ride safe!

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  7. I am a HUGE fan of Kaki and I am so looking forward to this new book. Great Post and thanks for much for the chance to win. Have a great day! :) mariann297(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. So glad you dropped by, Mariann. And extra glad you read my books. Thanks! I had a lot of fun writing this one, and hope Daniel's and Lacy's story is a fun read for you. Have a great holiday and a safe New Year!

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  8. I love Kaki's books and can't wait to read this one. It's sounds great! I'll be spending Christmas at home with my family this year. It is always a special time for us! angieinky(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Angie! I think you'll like this one. As I wrote on facebook, it's fairly mild--no killing, mild cussing, and no actual boinking, although there is some lust. The usual Christmas stuff--HA! Mainly, I really love these characters, especially Daniel. He deserves a second chance. Thanks for coming by, and Merry Christmas!

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  9. Me and the hubby spend our Christmas with my parents, which means a six hour drive to their house. Our car is packed with presents, food, seven-year-old twins, and our newest addition...a 12 week old puppy who managed to get his head stuck in a box of Lucky Charms during our last road trip.

    It really isn't ever boring.

    Hopefully on this trip I'll be able to distract myself from the chaos and mayhem (my nicknames for my twins) by reading Kaki's newest book :)

    Great interview!

    Christi Corbett

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  10. Whoops, forgot the email address!

    christicorbett at gmail dot com

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    1. Sounds like a Chevy Chase movie in the making, Christi. I envy you your ability to manage all that and your writing. This has been a great year for you on that score, but I predict 2013 will be even better. I'm looking forward to having your first book on my shelf! Thanks for coming by, drive safe, and keep writing. Merry Christmas!

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  11. I have really enjoyed Kaki Warner's stories and this looks like another good one. Our son will be home from college and we will be spending Christmas Eve with him and our daughter and then Christmas day brings us to my sister's to see my whole family. Happy Holidays to everyone!
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

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  12. Thank you to all who stopped by! Genevieve, eyeballlucy (I thought you wrote "KakiLand" for a second-- wonder what that place would be like? :), Quilt Lady, Kim, Janice, Lisa, Mariann, Angie, christi, and Maureen. Sounds like everyone has something wonderful to look forward to. Thanks to Kaki for giving away her books. And for writing them in the first place. I hope you all will give a review on the usual sites, so other readers will find her great stories.

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    1. I had a wonderful visit, Christina. Thanks so much for inviting me. I wish all of you a safe and happy holiday, and a wonderful 2013.

      Ho Ho Ho,

      Kaki

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