Interview with Kimberly Van Meter

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Kimberly Van Meter. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called A KISS TO REMEMBER. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

I would love to tell you a bit about my latest release. It’s the third in the Emmett’s Mill series, published through Harlequin Superromance and it’s the story of Nora Simmons and Ben Hollister III. What can I say but this is my favorite character thus far? Nora is the kind of heroine you don’t often find. She’s not cute and cuddly or sweet and nice—far from it!— but she’s really an awesome character because she’s genuine, loyal and truly flawed in such a wonderful way. Nora and Ben have a love story that is alternately funny and wild to poignant and revealing. I love it!

KISS TO REMEMBER is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Well, it’s actually integral to the story. It’s my original title and I was tickled that the PTB agreed that it was perfect. The hero and the heroine share their first kiss when they are kids and it’s just something that always stuck with them even though they grew up apart after that one fateful moment.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book?

A bit. I didn’t know anything about landscape architects and so it was fun to learn about this very creative and hands-on type of business. I have the very definition of a black thumb so I really couldn’t rely on my own expertise. (I can relate to that) KW

What character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Well, since this book is the continuation of a series, which started with the middle sister, Natalie, then Tasha, I’ve come to know Nora fairly well. And from the start she was my favorite because I could always count on Nora saying what needed to be said even if it wasn’t polite or politically correct. I also liked Nora because she felt most genuine. She wanted to love and be loved (don’t we all) but sometimes she went about things the wrong way and I loved that about her because in the end, we see past her flaws to the true person beneath, who just happens to be a wonderful person. I’m sure we all know someone like that in our lives. I know I do.

If your book was made into a movie, what actor would you like to fill your hero’s shoes?

This is such a hard question to answer and yet it’s such a popular question. That takes some serious thinking…I guess I’d have to say that I would leave that up to the reader because we all have different ideas of what the hero looks like. I think the model the art department used on the cover of the book is a very good representation of Ben, so whoever that was would fit the bill nicely!

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Oh yes! Margaret Mitchell (of course!) for starters. Then, it’s a freefall through the countless authors I’ve learned from, enjoyed, or just flat-out idolized over the years. Judy Blume and V.C. Andrews (who didn’t read Flowers In the Attic?) from when I was a kid; recently, Karen Marie Moning and J.R. Ward are sitting pretty high in my regard and I’ve only just discovered Nora Roberts (I know! Scandalous!) but I’m totally hooked on her new series.

What do we have to look forward next?

My next book after A KISS TO REMEMBER in April is another Emmett’s Mill story entitled, AN IMPERFECT MATCH, which comes out in September. This is the story of Dean Halvorsen and Annabelle Nichols. For those who are following the series, readers will remember first meeting Dean in RETURN TO EMMETT’S MILL when his younger brother Josh hooks up with Nora’s sister, Natasha. I confess, Dean and Annabelle’s story came together so easily and it was a delight to write. I actually came in a full month ahead of my deadline I was writing so quickly. I do love that story, too. Annabelle is a wonderful heroine. And my editor said Dean was the kind of hero that made her feel warm and fuzzy. Yum!

Thanks, Kimberly!

To celebrate her book release, Kimberly is offering a free book from her backlist either FATHER MATERIAL or RETURN TO EMMETT’S MILL to one lucky commenter on today's blog. She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio: An avid reader since before she can remember, Kimberly Van Meter started her writing career at the age of 16 when she finished her first novel, typing late nights and early mornings, on her mother’s old portable typewriter.

Although that first novel was nothing short of literary mud, with each successive piece of work her writing improved to the point of reaching that coveted published status.

A journalist (who during college swore she’d never write news), Kimberly has worked for both daily and weekly newspapers, covering multiple beats including education, health and crime, but she always dreamed of writing novels and someday saying goodbye to her nonfiction roots.

Born and raised in scenic Mariposa, CA, Kimberly knows a thing or two about small towns—preferring the quiet, rural atmosphere to the hustle and bustle of a busy city anyday—but she and her husband make their home in Oakdale, which represents a compromise between the two worlds.

Kimberly and her husband, John, met and fell in love while filming a college production. He was the camera operator and she, the lead actress. Her husband often jokes that he fell in love with his wife through the lens of a camera. A year later they were married and have been together ever since.

In addition to writing, reading, and drinking hot chocolate by the windowsill when it rains, Kimberly enjoys photography and is the resident photographer for every family event, including weddings and new babies. The photographs gracing the walls of their home are comprised almost entirely of shots Kimberly has captured, whether on the job or just playing around with the camera.

The oldest of four siblings and the mother of three children, Kimberly divides her time between soccer games, swim meets, bottle feedings, and deadlines.

Check out author’s website at http://www.kimberlyvanmeter.com/

Buy through Amazon or anywhere Harlequin Books are sold.