Wednesday, September 12, 2012

50th party blog guest - Kelly Hunter

I met Kelly Hunter on an email loop, as our books were among the first released in the Modern Heat line (in fact, Kel’s was the actual first). I love, love, love her books. There’s a lot of talk about Johnny Depp and Antonio Banderas, when we get started. And ice cream. And wine. And music. And films. And books. And Kel does great deadpan teasing. (Dare I mention the platypus?) She’s a good friend, and I really wish she didn’t live half a world away!

Anyway, over to Kelly:

The first book of Kate’s I ever read was The Cinderella Project – Kate’s first Modern Heat. Then Strictly Legal, then Seeing Stars, and then... the rest ;). We were writing for the same editorial (Modern Heat/Modern Extra/Riva) and we were getting to know each other online. I don’t know about Kate, but I was often just trying to survive the publication ride. Our editorial survived that first year, and the next. It tweaked this way and that. We tweaked our stories this way and that. We’ve had cover catastrophes. Torturous tweaks. Moments of acute self doubt.

Why are we not all basket cases, you ask?

I swear, the only reason I'm still (vaguely) sane is because of the support and generosity of my fellow writers – and, Kate, you’ve gotta let me gush a bit here... Picture a kid during her first day at a new school. It’s lunch break and she’s nervous because she doesn’t know anyone, has no idea where to sit and there are no cupboards handy to go and hide in. Terror! But there’s another girl on her lunch break too, and she’s not a newcomer and she’s surrounded by friends. She catches the newcomer’s eye, tilts her head and says, ‘there’s a seat over here,’ and there’s warmth in those words, and welcome, and knowledge – and once you’ve sat down, she leans forward and says ‘Hi, I'm Kate.’

And all of a sudden you remember to breathe.

Kate was that person for me. Generous. Supportive. Kind. Smart. Fun. Always. Thank you, Kate, for your friendship - I truly appreciate it - and congratulations on your first fifty books!

I have a book to give away to one commenter (chosen by Kate’s spaniel) – It’s the first in my West Family series, and it’s called ‘Flirting With Intent’ and I'm offering up the Australian version because it comes as a 2 in 1 with Kate’s ‘A Moment on The Lips.’

But we’re going to need something to comment on, and in keeping with the friendship theme, I’d love to know which book or film character you’d love to have as a friend. Male or female, and, yes, Antonio Banderas would make a fine BFF (though I think you’re missing the point!). Me, I want Stephanie Plum in my life; especially if she comes with a Ranger, a Grandma, donuts and Joe.

Find Kelly online at:
Website: www.kellyhunter.net
Blog: www.kellyhunter.co
Twitter: @KellyHunterova
FB: http://www.facebook.com/kelly.hunter.73307

24 comments:

Liz Fielding said...

With you on Stephanie Plum, Kelly (and Kate!), although the exploding cars are a bit scary!

Nikki Cole said...

For me it would be Eve Dallas from the JD Robb books! And, of course, that would mean getting to hang around with Roarke as well!

Kate Hardy said...

I have to say I'm totally with you on this, Kelly. (Grandma Mazur has to be the best comic creation EVER. And I'm Morelli all the way. And Bob the dog. And I have a soft spot for Lula because I'm the same shape as her.)

Maria said...

Anyone as long as they're kind, supportive and caring with a great sense of humour. There's nothing like a good laugh especially when things are not going well!

Kelly Hunter said...

Maria, that's true. Friends like that are absolute treasures.

Kelly Hunter said...

Liz, yes, you'd definitely have to think twice before you let Stephanie borrow your car ;). Or before you got in a car with her.

Trifles, really.

Kate, Lula would be another BFF candidate, I think. Life would not be dull.

Kelly Hunter said...

Nikki, Eve kinda scares me. She's all competent and tough! Handy in a scuffle.

Anonymous said...

I love Kelly's books!!! I would also like to be Stephanie Plum's friend. She can have Joe and I'll take Ranger.

Trish Morey said...

LOL Liz, on the exploding cars. I thought the exploding dog was even more scary:-) As for Grandma Mazur, what a fabulous character. Makes me want to go visit some funeral parlours...

Kelly, what a gorgeous blog. I've always found Kate to be so warm and welcoming into the M&B family too. Scary though, at the same time, given her amazing output. I sent a package to her once addressed to the Energizer Bunny and it got there. You see, the postman knows as well!

Carol Hedges said...

Love Stephanie (Stephanie..Stephanie!) but for me, I think it has to be the Dolly Parton character in Steel Magnolias - caring,coping,crying. And if all else fails, she could make you some pie AND do your hair and nails - that's friend with benefits!.

Nikki Cole said...

Kelly, you find Eve kinda scary but you're happy with Stephanie?!? I love the Stephanie Plum books but I'd run a mile from Stephanie - I'd be worried about being kidnapped, being too close to an exploding car, or being accidentally shot by Lulu! Life would certainly be fun though! So I'm sticking with Eve...and Roarke...and Peabody...and Somerset...might be something to do with the New York setting too.

Caroline said...

A lovely blog Kelly. Your tribute to Kate was lovely. Caroline x

Laney4 said...

I would love to email Tom Hanks' character in YOU'VE GOT MAIL. I find people are often more direct when emailing, as opposed to being there in person (somewhat similar to openness on the telephone instead of in person).

Annie West said...

Kelly, I'm torn between Stephanie Plum and Corinna Chapman from Kerry Greenwood's mystery series. Stephanie would get us through the tough times and make me laugh. But Corinna would supply gorgeous food and a sense of quiet calm that would work wonders.

Kelly Hunter said...

Donkey from Shrek!

Annie, I love the Corinna Chapman character - there would be bread! And now I'm thinking of Barbara Samuel's Jewel Sabatino in 'No Place Like Home' as well. Wine, food *and* music there...

Kelly Hunter said...

Tammy, we may have to thumb wrestle for Ranger. Kate, you can keep Joe.

Kelly Hunter said...

Thanks, Caroline. And Trish. The Energiser Bunny, eh? So that's the secret.

Carol, you've sold me on Steel Magnolia Dolly. There's a 'warm and caring and there for you' theme developing in these comments. No surprises there.

Kelly Hunter said...

Laney, my friendship with Kate started out via email and email loop. One of these days I'm going to meet her in the flesh (and there will be chocolate and good books and music and wine and I may even round up a deadly Australian animal or two for her perousal. Because she loves those ;)

Anne said...

Gorgeous blog, Kelly — and thank goodness for friends like Kate. Luckily the romance genre seems to breed 'em warm-hearted and generous.

Kate, congratulations on your 50 books — I can't believe it! Have you had yourself secretly cloned? ;)
It's a brilliant achievement.

bn100 said...

It'd be fun to have Becky Bloomwood as a friend.

Kelly Hunter said...

Becky is new to me, bn100. But I can google with the best of them ;)

Eli Yanti said...

I love Stephanie Plum too :)

Desere said...

I would adore to have Julia Roberts character from Pretty Woman,yes she had a bad profession but she also had dreams and was making the best out of a bad situation in order to reach her dreams ,and even when the going got tough she still had the courage to walk away and dare to lose it all.

Thank you so much for the very lovely contest!

Kate Hardy said...

First name drawn from the hat for ‘Flirting with Intent’ – Nikki Cole. Please contact me kate(dot)hardy(at)btinternet(dot)com with your details, and I'll get everything sorted :o) Thanks for taking part!