Kimberly Fish's Blog - Posts Tagged "romance"

How exciting to share the big news about Comfort Plans' big win! Thanks to the group Texas Authors, Comfort Plans was awarded 2018 Best Historical Romance award. This is my second novel, and quite the departure from the WWII fiction of The Big Inch. Because I love historical context, Comfort Plans has a rich backstory of early immigration to the Texas Hill Country, and the imprint left by those needing to reinvent themselves among the limestone and prickly pear cactus around Comfort, Texas. Twenty-five years ago I used to drive those hilly roads peeking into a landscape that was foreign to this Georgia girl, and fascinated by the grit of the German settlers who chose to get off the wagon trails in a land filled with cougars, bears, and Mexican soldiers. The testament to that era was still seen in the architecture of the farms and small towns, and I would run my fingers along those limestone walls and listen for the echoes from the past. I'm weird that way.

The idea of turning one of those farmsteads into a modern family retreat is not unique--it's done countless times a year in the Hill Country, and I chose to set a mulish builder and a historical preservation architect (one who had been derailed from knots coming undone) among one of those old houses needing restoration--just to see what would happen. What happened was a fun ride through the ins/outs of historical preservation, home construction, and power struggles, but also the reinvention of a woman who needed to prove herself. Comfort Plans is as much about a woman finding her own identity, as it is about a house shedding it's secrets. Family dramas, charming characters, and treasure also keep the story hopping and I hope that you as a reader, enjoy it as much as I did in writing it. This is the first time in my life I can say I've written an award-winning book, and I'm honored and thrilled that Comfort Plans opened that door.

I’m one of those folks who love to celebrate. Return home from a vacation?–put out the welcome sign. Make a good grade?–ice cream with sprinkles. Did something good without having to be harassed about it?–special dinner. So when a new book rolls out to the public, I throw a party. You’ll recognize me by the chocolate smears on my fingertips. (Sweet Shop USA keeps me stocked with Fudge Love truffles for just these sorts of occasions.)

Harmon General is getting the star treatment. Not only because it has a built-in audience thanks to the generous readers of The Big Inch who’ve been asking about this sequel, but because it proves that writing a good novel wasn’t a fluke. Well, the fluke factor might be a presumption since the book reviews are just beginning. But, still.

Friends are gathering to toss confetti for Harmon General’s flight into the hands of readers, but I also have a special book event planned for Saturday so that everyone in this neck of the woods (that would Longview, Texas) can buy an autographed copy as well. I’ll be at my favorite local book store, Barron’s. Though more of a gifts store and cafe now, Jim and Julia Barron have cultivated this author (and others) and I love, love, love that I can sell books in the beautiful treasure box of a store.

I hope to take the book with me to several area bookstores this summer and am willing to travel if you know of independent bookstores that welcome authors in for meet and greets with readers. Thanks for your kind support, and I hope you enjoy the new book!

Some of the best love stories look doomed from the start. I write novels of women discovering their grit (grace under pressure, perseverance) and self-discovery is not one of the typical cornerstones of romantic fiction. BUT, is there anyone less appealing than someone who has just discovered their own power?? Male. Female. People who are comfortable in their own skin and know their worth are imminently attractive people. Those are my characters--eventually. The second chance romance I write are all about both the heroine and hero finding the inner grit and then doing something about it. Love follows. From historical fiction to contemporary, I write stories that I like to read about characters that I can identify with--I'm hopeful you like those stories too.
As cupid's arrows are flying and chocolate and wine on are so many tables, let's remember that one of the most attractive quality a human being can possess is .. . confidence--particularly if that swagger came at a price.

I hope you will discover your own grit, and glow with the power that comes from knowing you can overcome.