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