Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Kathryn Hills - An Author Interview at the HBS Author's Spotlight

Today our blog puts the Spotlight on Award Winning Author Kathryn Hills. She writes romance novels, set in New England, that are 'hauntingly romantic'.

Author: Kathryn Hills

Author Genre: Romance

Website: Kathryn Hills
Author's Blog: Author News: Kathryn Hills - Hauntingly Romantic…
Twitter: @AuthorKathrynH
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Amazon Author Profile



Author Description:
The rich history and many mysteries of New England are the perfect backdrop for Kathryn's books. Winding roads lined by old stone walls, forgotten cemeteries, grand homes with shadowy pasts...all sparks for her imagination. Whether it's a quaint seaside town or the vibrant city of Boston, it's easy for this "hauntingly romantic" author to envision the past mingling with the present. Romance, time travel, ghosts, and magic... You're off on a great adventure!


SPOTLIGHT Questions and Answers with the Author

First things first. Let’s start with what’s next. Rumor has it that you are working on another book. Can you tell us the timeline for its release and give us a little tease?

Big plans for 2021, James! I’m returning to my spooky roots, writing Book 2 of a four-part, generational, paranormal romance anthology. It’s hush-hush now, except I will tell you each book is set approximately a century apart in one gloriously gothic location.

I’ll also be heading back to the beach with a spicy new Last Chance Beach book. Plus, I’m planning a sweet Christmas in the charming town of Dickens. So, I guess you could say I’m writing through the seasons this year!

We are featuring her series: Time Travelers Journey Series.






You have a good following on twitter. How important have your social media relationships been? How did you build your following in your niche? Do you see a carry over to your writing success?

Social media is an ever-changing mystery to me. I simply try to share things I enjoy and that interest me. That means everything from haunted locations and folklore to Victorian ballgowns, and travel destinations. Dogs, cats, coffee, graveyards, and vampires fill out the rest.

I do believe it’s vital to support your fellow authors. Social media relationships are a big deal in our industry. I know some wonderful authors, and I ALWAYS try to share what’s new from them.

I like the idea of Author bundles. You are a part of several Short Story collections that have been featured on HBS Author’s Spotlight (See list below) What was the impact on your other sales? What was the main objective of bundling your works with other authors? How did you put something like that together?
Christmas Comes To
Last Chance Beach: Summer's End


My first experience collaborating with other authors began during this pandemic, and it gave a BIG BOOST to my writer’s soul! I love intertwining stories now, sharing characters and locations like Dickens and Last Chance Beach. It’s a super-fun, grown-up game of pretend, as authors develop characters, businesses, and romantic situations together. I also stepped out of my comfort zone with these group projects, learning to write short and sweet. My full-length romances are SPICY!

Short story collections have helped my other book sales, mostly by introducing new readers to the other side of me…the time travel/fantasy/paranormal side. Perhaps it has a lot to do with readers wanting to read different things at different times. Seasonal reading – I know I’m like that. When “sweet readers” are ready to get spooky and spicy, my other books are waiting for them. Crave the beach or a snowy holiday romance? I’ve got those books too.

Besides the Romance Gems, what other writer support groups do you belong to? Do they help with the writing, marketing and the publishing process?

Romance Gems has taught me SO MUCH and continues to do so! The other Gem authors are always quick to help with writing, marketing, and publishing questions. Honestly, I’ve been blessed to be able to reach out to them, as most are much more experienced than me. Yet other groups of author friends work the same way. We just don’t have a designated group name or hashtag, but everyone helps out.

We have had several of the Romance Gems in the Author’s Spotlight. What a group of outstanding people. I feel so strongly about this group. What is the main thing that you get out of this association? Why are the booksets so successful, besides having outstanding authors?

I adore the Romance Gems, and we even have a new member – USA Today bestselling author Amie Denman. Such a talented group of women! I can’t speak for everyone, but I’ve had a great time collaborating on our group projects. They’re fun, challenging, and they remind me why I’m so passionate about writing romance.

The daily blog posts are wonderful too. They showcase how unique our author’s voices and visions are, and they cover everything from What’s New and Writer Topics to Friends, and Family Issues. You'll even find Recipes and Pet Stories! MUCH MORE FUN than “buy my book!”

I would like to highlight one group post we do each month that your readers may not know about. It’s called Coffee & Conversation with the Romance Gems. It airs on the 26th each month with changing topics. Things like… “What was your best/worst date?” and “What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done to a character?” Great stuff! Here’s a link to the Romance Gems.

How do you start your book launch process for a new book? Give a brief outline of the steps you go through to get your book to market. What methods were the most successful?

I spend a lot of time promoting on social media and visiting reader blogs once the pre-order is available. Hard work, daily posts, and connecting with readers on a personal level whenever possible. Maybe I don’t have any of this figured out—that’s likely—but I do truly enjoy interacting with readers and learning what they love most about romance.

What is your primary genre? What has been your best marketing approach to this group?

My roots are in Time Travel Romance, which can also be considered Fantasy or Paranormal Romance. What’s the best marketing approach? Great question, James! I wish I knew. I will say my greatest writing inspiration comes from investigating the paranormal. Experiences with/and questions about haunted locations, ancient artifacts, and concepts like time slips are what fuel my writer’s imagination.

How do you manage your plots, characters and timelines to keep your stories going? Do you use any software to keep track of your books?

No software. I’m an old-school mess of scrap papers and notebooks. My writer’s brain is a labyrinth of twisting, turning plots. The Time Travel books are the hardest to write and keep track of, because there’s so much happening in different periods and locations. I’m writing both historic and contemporary romance then. BUT that’s the fun part, right?

I like your Authors News section on your website. It is a great source for readers to read the backstory about your novels. What is your primary goal? And where in the world do you find the time to create great novels, and take care of social media?

Time is one thing I wish I had more of. It's challenging to write while keeping up with the social and business side of things. I do my best work in the early morning, surrounded by three sleepy dogs, and fueled by copious amounts of iced coffee. Before I get distracted online.

What is your method of getting reviews for your novels? Do you seek professional reviews, use social media or do you rely on your reading audience to supply them?

I have sought out professional reviews for my traditionally published books. However, more often, I’ve come to rely on dedicated readers. There’s nothing better than talking romance novels with those who read them often!



Author's Book List




Christmas Comes to Dickens - A Christmas Romance Anthology
Welcome to Dickens—a quaint New England town bustling with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Christmas holiday. We have the annual tree lighting in the town square, a snowman building competition, ice skating on Grosvenor’s Pond, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. You’re welcome to cut down your own Christmas tree at Gridley Meadows, or join in the caroling on the Common.

Dickens offers an abundance of heartfelt wishes, a few much needed miracles, and—quite possibly—a touch of magic! Families reunite, new friends are made, and old flames take a second chance at happiness. All while celebrating this most joyful time of the year.

Join us as our best selling and award winning authors fill your holiday stocking with ten brand new novellas ranging from sweet to sassy, including:

Millie’s Awesome Holiday Miracle by Top 100 Author Nancy Fraser
She’s an overworked single mom struggling to make ends meet. He’s the handsome CEO who’s come to Dickens to save—or close—the toy factory. Can one precocious little girl bring a couple of much-needed miracles to the people she cares about most?

Miracle At Holly Hill Inn by Top 100 Author Maddie James
Ariana is looking for the perfect Christmas village. Instead, she finds the town Scrooge. Will two days snowbound together at Holly Hill Inn bring them closer together, or send them each on their merry way?

Holiday Hearts by Top 100 Author Caroline Clemmons
Laura Jordan’s beauty and sense of humor are more apparent than her sharp mind, soft heart, and strict code of right and wrong. Ward Callahan has avoided romantic complications to throw himself into building his ad agency. Once he meets Laura, he falls hard but must convince her that dating her boss is not inappropriate. Can he convince her he doesn’t want her heart only for the holidays, but forever?

The Tinsel Tango by Best Selling Author Bonnie Edwards
Brenna needs some R&R over Christmas in Dickens. Tango lessons from mysterious Jett…Smith? may bring her everything her heart desires, but his secrets may kill the love they find.

Wisdom of the Heart by USA Today Best Selling Author Liz Flaherty
They were best friends who fell in love, but that was high school. Life and families and other loves had happened since that dear and distant time. They're friends again, comfortable with each other and having so much fun at Christmas time in Dickens. They're not still in love, but...wait...could it be happening again?

Operation Snowball by Best Selling Author Kathryn Hills
Returning to small town life is hard for Army veteran John Gridley. The last thing he expects to find is love with the beautiful widow, Heather Murphy. Can the perfect Christmas tree and a missing cat named Snowball bring them together despite meddling townsfolk?

Angel Kisses and Holiday Wishes by Best Selling Author Peggy Jaeger
When Sage left town 18 years ago, she left Keith's heart in tatters. Now she's back, and he's wondering if they can put the past behind them and rekindle the love they lost.

Holly’s Wish by Top 100 Author Kathleen Lawless
What if the girl who got away is actually standing right in front of you? Years earlier, Nico and Holly shared one magical Christmas Eve. She never stopped wishing he’d find where she left her number.

When he does, is it too late?

Holiday Heart Wishes by Award Winning Author Lucinda Race
On her way into Dickens to visit family, Vera picks up Tony, a stranded motorist. Rather than part ways when they arrive, they discover their loved ones are intent on getting married. Can they slow down the older couple's rush to the altar? Or, will holiday heart wishes come true for everyone?

Santa’s Wish by Best Selling Author Jan Scarbrough
Will Christmas magic help them overcome Roz’s career ambitions and Cooper’s grief, and bring them together for a second chance at love?


Order the Book From:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
KOBO Store






Last Chance Beach: Summer's End
LAST CHANCE BEACH is the island paradise where Dreams go to live again, and Wishes may come true. It's Summer's End on the island, and the cottages, condos, hotels, and bungalows are filled to capacity.

There's plenty of time left to find summer fun and summer love, new romances and second chances, hot alpha males and heartwarming heroes, love at first sight and romantic delight, enemies to lovers and opposites attract.

Throw a log on the beach bonfire tonight and celebrate LAST CHANCE BEACH: Summer's End, a special romance collection of 14 all-new short stories from bestselling and award-winning authors. These summer stories—created especially for this collection—will thrill the hopeful romantic in you. Some are sweet: some are sizzling! Some are humorous; some are serious. All the stories will make you sigh!

LAST CHANCE BEACH: Summer's End will make you want to book a vacation to the island of legend and love, the place where soul mates find each other and love at first sight happens all the time!

Joan Reeves, NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author When they met, it was hate at first sight. Now they're stuck in the same overbooked beach cottage and horrified to discover they have the hots for each other!

Liz Flaherty, USA Today Bestselling Author Their lives are planned out...until they're not! Are they in love or just stuck in a habit?

Nancy Fraser, Top 100 Bestselling Author At a high school reunion; old flames meet again. Can they re-ignite what they once had and take a last chance on love?

Caroline Clemmons, Top 100 Bestselling Author She faces a hard decision; he encourages her to choose with her heart. Will the solution drive them apart or into one another's arms?

Maddie James, Top 100 Bestselling Author It's the typical annual week on the beach with the girls—until her summer fling from 20 years back shows up. He's the one who got away. She's the one who couldn't commit.

Jan Scarbrough, National Bestselling Author The kids are grown; her husband has an important career, and she wonders if she still loves him, and if he loves her. Can she turn back the clock to save her marriage?

Kathleen Lawless, National Bestselling Author Of all the beaches on the coast, who shows up on her beach? Him! A former competitive surfer runs into her former love, and revisits all the reasons things didn't work out for them before.

Bonnie Edwards, National Bestselling Author She wants divorce—he doesn't. What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas!

Marcia King-Gamble, National Bestselling Author She's hiding from the paparazzi after a scandal. He's the guy next door, an amateur photographer. Will he accept tabloid money for pictures of her? Or will he choose love over jumpstarting his career?

Kathryn Hills, Award Winning Author Kat must convince her Gran to move to the mainland, but Gran—and hunky neighbor Ben—want Kat to takeover the B&B and antique shop. What will it take for Kat to stay? Some of Gran’s special island magic?

Connie Vines, Award Winning Author She returns to Last Chance Beach to begin a new life. He's a single dad on vacation with his pre-teen daughter. He's worried his daughter may become too attached to her, but maybe he's the one whose heart is at risk.

Laura Hunsaker, Award Winning Author Can dreams of the future erase her nightmares of the past? She's looking for a fresh start, but he’s rented the same beach cottage. One bed, two people? Whatever will they do?

Nora LeDuc He's handsome and in town for only 2 weeks. She wants someone interested in a fling. He wants someone interested in a ring.

Hannah Rowan She won the big lottery, but doesn't want anyone to know. He's a fixer-upper specialist, but things aren't always what they seem.


Order the Book From:
Amazon






Hellfire and Handbaskets - A Time Traveler's Journey Book 2
It’s hell in the ER, but Army veteran Dr. Rick Hauser wouldn’t work anywhere else. The hardened combat medic thinks he’s seen it all. Until she storms into his life.

Amelia Pennington is not just a pretty face. She’s a time-traveler. A medical student from 1895, forced to flee a madman. She’s been in trouble before, but this time everything she loves is at risk. Can a reluctant hero be the key she’s searching for?

What’s left of Hauser’s heart is still on the battlefield. Last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a mystery woman. But when he finds Amelia on the streets, he ignores the warning shots firing off in his head and takes her home. In less than twenty-four hours, she’s upended his self-protected world. Even his dog, Rocky, is in love.


Order the Book From:
Amazon






Haunting Highland House - A Time Traveler's Journey Book 1
She’s looking to escape her man troubles. Instead, she finds the man of her dreams. There’s only one problem – he’s dead.

Living in a haunted house and uncovering a gateway in time were not in the job description when Samantha Merrill agreed to be the property manager of Highland House. Old photos of the reclusive master of the manor captivate her, yet she’s terrified when he appears out of nowhere. How can Robert Pennington be making love to her by the parlor fireplace when he died over a century ago?

Robert Pennington is a powerful industrialist charged with caring for an ailing father, a meddling mother, and two wayward siblings. Weary of his burdens, he longs for change. Is he ready for a woman from the future? His disciplined world turns upside down when the mysterious Samantha Merrill crashes his sister’s birthday ball. He is wildly attracted to this intriguing beauty, but is it magic or mischief motivating her? When Sam vanishes before his eyes, he knows only one thing for certain. He wants her back.


Order the Book From:
Amazon


Post Created by: James Moushon
Mystery Author, Industry blogger and Author Advocate
James is the author of the following blogs:
HBS Author’s Spotlight
Indie Author's Corner
HBS Virtual Bookshelf
Mystery Reader’s Circle

7 comments:

  1. Thank you, James, for such a great spotlight! I'm always excited to visit your blog and meet your readers. Your questions have me VERY excited for what's coming up next. Here's to a wonderful year of exciting, romance-filled books!

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  2. Thank you for featuring one of my favorite authors of time travel and all things spooky and fun!

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    1. Aawww...Thank you, Nancy! I'm having a great time getting back to my spooky roots. After all, it's always Halloween somewhere in my imagination. :D

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  3. Wonderful interview, Kathryn! As always, I'm wishing you great success with all your books!

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    1. Thank you, Judith! I truly appreciate your kindness and support!

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  4. James, you have been so kind to Romance Gems authors. Thank you for your support and encouragement! Best wishes for 2021.
    Kathryn, time travels are fun to write IMO. I've written three so far. Most of my titles are western historical romances that include adventure. Time travels, contemporary romances, and a couple of mysteries are thrown into the list. Best wishes for success with all your titles!

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    1. Oooo...I can't wait to download some of your time travel adventures, Caroline! Thank you for your kind words, for reading, and for being such a wonderful Romance Gem!

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