It’s here!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you’re all well and if you’re in the Northeast, I hope you’re embracing the change of weather. Welcome Fall, my favorite season!

Okay, this post is not about Fall and how much I love it. I have news.

I am so happy (and slightly terrified) to announce the release of my new book, The Fabric Of Us, now available in both the Kindle version and paperback on Amazon.

I’m excited to share Chris and Olivia’s story with you all. I love these characters and I hope you fall in love with them too.

Here is the blurb for The Fabric Of Us:

On the eve of Olivia Bennet’s fiftieth birthday, she and her husband, Chris, toast to the next stage of their lives. Their children are settled; Ella is married and planning a family and Nick is starting his senior year at college. After thirty years of sacrifices and struggles for their family, it is finally time to do all the things they’ve dreamed to do as a couple.

Always unpredictable, life has other plans for the Bennets when Olivia gets shocking news that threatens all that she and Chris have built together.

* * *

Alternating between the past and present, THE FABRIC OF US beautifully unfolds the layers of a devoted marriage, exposing an interwoven thread of secrets and consequences that threaten to unravel a relationship once believed to be built on love, trust and faith.

 

So comfy up on the couch, grab a blanket and sip a pumpkin beer. Tis the season. Happy reading!

Kim

Hello!

It’s me. You know. Me. The one who seemed to drop off the radar for the past, oh..several months.

Hi. (I’m waving)

The last we connected, I was sending my first born off to college, commemorating the event with a nostalgic, Nope, Not Me post which expressed my sentiments at the time. Since then, the boy finished his freshman year and has returned to the nest for the summer. In a flash. My son being away was not the reason for my absence these past months. I have another reason.

I got a J.O.B.

That’s right. My first full-time-out-of-the-house job in 15 years. Now, you may ask, Where does someone who loves to write get a job?

If you answered: An accounting firm, you’d be a little nuts, but correct.

I know what you’re thinking. An accounting firm is the place where creativity goes to die.

Okay, maybe that’s what I was thinking.

So, I’ve been adapting these past months to the daily grind, as I like to refer to my new lifestyle. As difficult as the change is (I know, most of the world works, but give me this, ok? I’ve been wearing shirts with hoods for the past umpteen years and my commute went from fifteen steps to my home office to navigating traffic every single weekday, both ways, showered (by 7:00 am!) and dressed in pants and a blouse),  I find the most difficult adjustment for me is knowing nothing and having to learn everything. At almost fifty. I’ll give you an example: Since my last foray in an office, at the turn of the century, copy machines can now staple. Clearly, I’ve missed much.

So, among other things (cooking, cleaning), I gave up blogging for a bit. To adjust. To focus. To learn.

What I didn’t give up, is writing my novel. Which leads me to my news: I’m so proud to share that The Fabric of Us will be out this summer. August-ish. Here’s the blurb:

On the eve of Olivia Bennet’s fiftieth birthday, she and her husband, Chris, toast to the next stage of their lives. Their children are settled; Ella is married and planning a family and Nick is starting his senior year at college. After thirty years of sacrifices and struggles for their family, it is finally time to do all of things they’ve longed to do as a couple.

But life, always unpredictable, has other plans for the Bennets when Olivia gets shocking news that threatens all that she and Chris have built together.

Alternating between the past and present, The Fabric of Us beautifully unfolds the layers of a devoted marriage, exposing an interwoven thread of secrets and consequences that threaten to unravel a relationship once believed to be built on love, trust and faith.

Currently, I’m working on the cover with my fan-tabulous graphic designer and friend, Suzanne, (who also runs a publishing company). Suzanne designed my first two books.  I’m in good hands.

So, that’s what’s been going on with me.

I’ve missed you guys. I hope you’re still within earshot (you know what I mean). We have a lot of catching up to do. I’ll be sure to touch base weekly bi-weekly more often.

I hope you’re all well. Drop me a line and let me know what you’re up to.

I’m all ears.

~Kimberly

My Writing Process- Pass the Baton Blog Hop

This week I’m thrilled to be part of the Writing Process Blog Hop where different authors connect and share information about their writing processes.

The baton was passed to me by wonderful author and editor, Gina Ardito, who writes lighthearted contemporary and sensual paranormal fantasy romance. Under pen name, Katherine Brandon, she writes sweeping historical romance. In her spare time, she also runs a freelance editing service, Excellence in Editing. Check out her website: http://ginaardito.blogspot.com. It’s chock full of entertaining anecdotes and informative advice on writing, as well as a complete list of her books. Thank you, Gina.

Now, here’s a little bit about me:

What am I currently working on?

I have just finished editing the first draft of my next novel, a contemporary romance tentatively titled Letting Go, about a man who struggles with his son to move on after his wife suddenly leaves them.

How does my work differ from others of Contemporary Women’s Fiction?

I think my stories differ from others who write contemporary fiction in that they are written through my point of view, my “lens”, influenced by my experiences. Everyone has their own perspective on life, love and friendship and that is what makes each person and therefore each story so unique.

Why do I write contemporary Women’s Fiction?

Currently, I am most comfortable writing a story that takes place now or in the recent past because I imagine my characters existing in a world I know and understand. I love stories about wanting and needing something that can’t be easily attained. I enjoy reading about friends and lovers, and that is what I want to write.  I am a hopeless romantic.

I do enjoy reading historical fiction and hope to one day, give that genre a try.

How does my writing process work?

I’m a relatively new author, having published my first book only last month (called Both Sides of Love), so I’m still ironing out my writing process. I’ve read countless writers’ blogs and ‘how-to’ books on what writing processes work, what to do and not to do, and I discovered over the past years that what works for others doesn’t necessarily work for me.

When possible, I write every day, finding precious snippets of time between my consulting job and driving two teenagers all over town after school. Evening is the most productive time for me – television takes a backseat to my laptop. I write a complete first draft and then go back to it a few weeks later to try to see it with “fresh” eyes. This is when I start to edit. So far, this works for me. I’m sure as I grow as an author, so will my writing process.

Next, I am supposed to pass the baton to another author, but outside of Gina, I don’t know any personally. So, in the words of  L. Frank Baum, of The Marvelous Land of Oz, “Everything has to come to an end, sometime.”

What writing process works for you? I’d love to know.

~Kim

 

Happy New Year!

As we embark on another new year, we are surrounded by goals and promises thrown about like confetti.  I’m not one of those people who makes resolutions like dieting, or exercising everyday, or being nicer to my children.

It works out much better for me this way. When I eat an apple instead of cake, go for a walk with the girls at the beach, or not lose patience with the boys, I’m pleasantly surprised…

This year, I’ll just continue writing and reading as much as possible, and keep to my Chocolate-tarian diet: a diet I’ve perfected, where chocolate accompanies every meal. You should try it. I guarantee it will make you happy and you’ll never quit.

Today is January 2nd. My children went to school and I had the day off. We’re expecting a snowstorm later, so schools will be closed tomorrow and we’ll be hunkered down, cozy in the house, while the howling, frigid winds and white stuff surround us.  

Do you know what that means?

I’ll have another full day to write!

Occasionally, I might stop to fortify myself. I’ve strategically placed a healthy bowl of chocolate kisses beside me (I don’t even have to get up from the couch).

Hypothetically, if I were to make resolutions, I would promise to self-publish this year, read 40 books, finish another manuscript, blog more often, and spend more quality time with our boys (without TV or handheld devices).

Hypothetically, I’d devote more time to these tasks, somehow further manipulate my schedule around my job and packed schedules of two active children.

These are some I would make, if I was the type of person to make resolutions — which I’m not.

Does anyone else not make New Year resolutions?  I’d love to know.

I hope 2014 brings you good health and happiness.

I saw this New Year quote from Brad Paisley and thought I would share it:

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.”