Wednesday, March 2, 2011

HOW TO KNIT A HEART BACK HOME: PREVIEW, AUTHOR CONVERSATION, AND A GIVEAWAY!

 GIVEAWAY ENDED 
HOW TO KNIT A HEART
BACK HOME
A Cypress Hollow Yarn
BY RACHAEL HERRON
 
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Return with rising romance star Rachael Herron to the town of Cypress Hollow—site of her unforgettable debut, How to Knit a Love Song—and learn How to Knit a Heart Back Home. Fans of Debbie Macomber will adore this joyous tale of a fiery independent lady whose life interweaves with a bad-boy ex-cop’s and the shared mission that knits their hearts together.

Lucy Harrison sells books by day and volunteers with the Cypress Hollow fire department by night. Her life is just the way she likes it—full, even-keeled, and smooth—until bad-boy ex-cop Owen Bancroft comes back to town. Lucy has always been fearless, never scared about diving in to help others. When it comes to risking her heart, however, she realizes she's absolutely terrified.

In a small town like Cypress Hollow, everyone knows your business—and there is nowhere to hide. Then Lucy and Owen are thrown together by the discovery of the lost work of local legend, knitting guru Eliza Carpenter. Now Owen, adrift and struggling to redefine himself as a civilian without a badge, will have to learn how to open himself up to life's new possibilities . . . while Lucy decides just how much of herself she's willing to gamble on love.
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachael Herron received her MFA in writing from Mills College, and has been knitting since she was five years old. It's more than a hobby; it's a way of life.

Rachael lives with her better half in Oakland, California, where they have four cats, three dogs, three spinning wheels, and more instruments than they can count. She is a proud member of the San Francisco Area Romance Writers of America and she is struggling to learn the ukulele.


Rachel's website and blog are: Pens Fatales and Yarn-A-Go-Go and find some wonderful photographs in her Photo Album HERE

A CONVERSATION WITH RACHAEL HERRON:
Your writing seamlessly marries the idea of romantic storytelling with knitting. How did this concept come about?

The concept came about pretty organically. I've been a knitter as long as I've been a writer, since the age of about five or six, when I could first hold a pencil or a knitting needle. I have an MFA in writing, but I'd been struggling with what to write -- nothing felt important enough to warrant a novel. In 2006, I participated in National Novel Writing Month for the first time. An incredible online challenge, participants attempt to write 50,000 words in the month of November. The week before I started, I decided that in order to write that much, that fast, I had to write something that I loved, something that came naturally to me. I loved knitting, and I loved romance, so I put them together, and after another year of work (adding lots of words to those original 50,000) and a bit of editing, How to Knit a Love Song was born.

In your books, Eliza Carpenter is such a revered (fictional) figure for the knitting world. Does she have a real-life counterpart?

Eliza is truly herself, a personality that just kind of came out of my typing fingers and took over the world of Cypress Hollow, but I know that my reverence for certain figures in the knitting world came in to play for her character. Eliza is a combination of the genius of Alice Starmore, the knowledge of Barbara Walker, and the grace of Elizabeth Zimmerman. I had a blast creating someone I now look up to, something I didn't know could happen.

What inspired you to create the town of Cypress Hollow?

I love the rugged coast of California, and I've spent most of my life near it. Cypress Hollow is fictional, but I think of it as somewhere in the Half-Moon Bay area. There's a restaurant in the tiny town of Pescadero (Duarte's) that I spend time in as often as I can. Sometimes I've heard the ranchers talking in the other room, and they sound just like they do in my book. They gossip about the other ranchers, their kids, the way the valley is filling up with tourists... Sometimes I imagine my characters walking through the restaurant, and it makes me happy to know that the locals would be happy to see them, that they'd greet them by name.

Your novels are stand-alone, but characters from the past novels often make “guest appearances.” Is this always planned, or does it happen organically?

Luckily, it's totally organic. The town has populated itself in my mind, and as characters appear, I write them down. But some are more persistent than others, and I can't let go of them--they pop back in as they see fit. They have real voices that want to be heard, and when they walk on, it's like a friend coming back into the room. It's a pretty great feeling.

In addition to being an author, you also run the popular site, http://www.yarnagogo.com/ What role does knitting play in your life?

Some knitters describe knitting as being like meditation. I think this is a lovely idea, but I've been doing it for so long now that it's more like breathing air. It's just something I have to do. Ninety percent of the time, I'm not even thinking about what I'm doing -- the stitches just fall off the needles in (usually) the right order. Spinning, to me, is more meditative. It takes a bit more concentration, and it's a whole-body activity. It's calming when I'm doing it right (and a little stressful when I'm doing it wrong). So spinning is a process I'm learning, whereas knitting is just part of my life and makes up who I am. I love it.

CRITICAL PRAISE FOR HOW TO KNIT A HEART BACK HOME:
“How to Knit a Love Song is a treat for readers, filled with romance and spiced with suspense. Rachael Herron’s debut novel is the perfect book to curl up with, as warm and cozy as your favorite sweater.”
— Susan Wiggs, NYT Bestseller
 “You had me from howdy. Rising star Rachael Herron is a new writer to watch. Her first novel is a warm, witty, sexy love story with charming lead characters who have chemistry to spare. A must-read for knitters and non-knitters alike.”
— Barbara Bretton, USA Today bestseller
 
Intricate and clever, Herron¹s knit-centric novel is as warm as the sweater pattern it includes! The delightful Abigail brings both knitting know-how and down-home sense to this story about picking up the threads of your life and creating something brilliant.
— Romantic Times BOOK Club

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO MEGAN AND THE GREAT
FOLKS AT HARPER COLLINS, I HAVE
TWO COPIES OF THIS JUST RELEASED
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY! I KNOW YOU
 WILL WANT TO WIN, SO HERE'S HOW!
--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT HOW TO KNIT A HEART BACK HOME THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON RACHAEL HERRON'S "CONVERSATION"/INTERVIEW ABOVE!

+1 MORE ENTRY: CHECK OUT THE HARPER COLLINS WEBSITE "FUN STUFF" SECTION FOR HOW TO KNIT A HEART BACK HOME'S AUTHOR, RACHAEL HERRON, AND COME BACK AND COMMENT ON ONE THING YOU LEARNED ABOUT RACHAEL HERRON FROM THERE

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, MARCH 18!
GOOD LUCK!
  

107 comments:

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/42874809583009792


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

While I traditionally love series books these sound like there would be no problem reading them as a standalone

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

"I've been doing it for so long now that it's more like breathing air. It's just something I have to do." This is exactly the way I describe the fact that I must read.

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I like Debbie Macomber books (and I really liked How to Knit A Love Song) so I look forward to reading How to Knit a Heart Back Home.

meah56 at gmail dot com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/bookfanmb/status/42907781656887296

meah56 at gmail dot com

debbie said...

I love the idea of combining knitting and romance in a story. I am a knitter,too, so I would enjoy reading it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I enjoyed the interview. I think knitting is so important,also. I taught my son to knit, to help him regain dexterity in his hands due to a stroke. Now, in his free time, I rarely see him without his knitting.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Rachael interested me in spinning in her first novel but I'm not sure it's for me if it can be both calming and stressful, lol.

meah56 at gmail dot com

debbie said...

I learned she forgets to floss.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Rachael's least favorite food is chicken livers :)

meah56 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this romance novel with some suspense. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Carol N Wong said...

Main characters who are knitters are great for books! Sometimes, you can pick up knitting tips or even patterns and sometimes it is just the joy of knitting.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

My Twitter name is Carolee888 and I tweeted:

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-knit-heart-back-home-preview.html Giveaway of 'How to Knit a Heart Back Home'

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Suburban prep said...

I am a knitter and I love to read so this is blending two of my favorite things.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

I am a worrier and in the interview at the Harper Collins site it stated that she is a worrier about little things.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

I too love the Northern coast of California.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Carol N Wong said...

I like what she said about her decision to combine knitting and romance in writing because those were two things that she loved.

P.S. I went to her knitting blog and found an easy cable knit scarf pattern.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

Rachel Herron said that she is a homebody like I am.
And her favorite cities are Oakland, California and Venice, Italy.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Connie said...

Hi! I like that this book sounds like a heartwarming story that I would enjoy. I like the name of the town as well. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

cheryl c said...

I wanted to win this book after reading that fans of Debbie Macomber will adore it.

castings at mindspring dot com

cheryl c said...

I thought it was interesting when Rachael talked about her characters, especially when she said "They have real voices that want to be heard, and when they walk on, it's like a friend coming back into the room."
castings at mindspring dot com

Anonymous said...

I think the setting in a small town where everyone knows your business is interesting---because that sounds just like home.

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

cheryl c said...

I learned that Rachael and I share the same #1 wish: "to have the people I love stay healthy and happy."
castings at mindspring dot com

Anonymous said...

I find the author's description of knitting as being calming and just like breathing air to be interesting because I've tried knitting and have found it to be frustrating and I felt I could almost strangle myself with the yard!

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting that the author is mow reading "Gone to the Dogs"

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

petite said...

the characters and the setting make this interesting and lovely. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

The author worries about things. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

This would be appealing for the uniqueness of the story. Reading is vital. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I enjoy all types of books, series and alone ones as well. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I like how knitting is being featured in books which makes this story even more attractive. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The Calif. coast is lovely and special. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Karen B said...

I haven't knitted in over 50 years but I may just have to try again!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

Karen B said...

I like that she can imagine her characters walking into Duarte's restaurant (a favorite of hers) and know that the locals would be happy to see them, greet them by name. Cheers!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Love books about small towns.

gmapeony@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I also entered Daisy Bellamy contest.

gmapeony@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I also entered Sweet Treats.

gmapeony at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Also entered Call Me Irresisitble.

gmapeony At yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

also entered Rachel Ray cookbook contest.

gmapeony at yahoo dot com

Karen B said...

Favorite food - chocolate, and then more chocolate. I can so relate to that!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

Margie said...

The combination of love story, the background of knitting, and a strong competitive woman makes me want to read this book.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

On the site, I read that the author's definition of sexy is the ability to laugh at life's potholes. I like that!
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

From the interview...to the author, knitting is like breathing. Being a knitter myself, I can understand that!
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

+5 Swag
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

FB fan
March Bonus for FB fans

Amy said...

I love, love to knit and would enjoy this book. The story sounds great. avennett AT verizon DOT net

Amy said...

I like the cabled scarf pattern on the author's web page.

Amy said...

I enjoyed learning, via the author interview that Eliza is a combination of the genius of Alice Starmore and the knowledge of Barbara Walker, two knitters.

Rachael Herron said...

What WONDERFUL comments, all of you! And I'm learning stuff I forgot I put out there (like the flossing -- I'm getting better at remembering, I swear!) Thanks so much for having me!

cazpups said...

I would love to win a copy of Rachael's book How to Knit a Heart Back Home. I just loved her first book, How to Knit a Love Song. It was the knitting theme that brought to read this book. I have begun to knit and crochet once again and have been so inspired by Rachel.

cazpups@aol.com

Johanna R Jochum said...

I read How To Knit a Love Song and would love to read How to Knit a Heart Back. Her books are sweet and warm and just wonderful.

evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com

Johanna R Jochum said...

I love the knitting theme in the books. I have never knitted but I do cross-stitch so I understand the passion.

evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com

Johanna R Jochum said...

Anne of Green Gables is Rachel's favorite fictional character that she admires most. This is cool because I loved her too and wished I was Anne when I was little.

evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com

Anonymous said...

Would love to read this book. Love stories about warm towns and love series books.

lynnLR2@optonlin.net

Anonymous said...

also entered Daisy Bellamy.

lynnLR2@optonline.net

Anonymous said...

also entered Sweet Treats.

lynnLR2@otponline.net

Anonymous said...

Also entered Call Me Irresistible

lynnLR2@optonline.net

Anonymous said...

Also entered Rachel Ray Cookbook contest.

lynnLR2@optonline.net

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this book. Love the warm feelings certain books give you.

lovesthemets@yahoo.com

Pamela Keener said...

I love the way knitting is featured in the concept of this book. Lucy sounds like an interesting character.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Laura H. said...

What I read that made we want to read this book is the reference to Debbie Macomber's books. Since I'm such a huge fan of hers, I would love to win this to see how the two compare.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Tweeted giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/MamaHendo3/status/43396486922371072

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

I would think most authors write about things they are familiar with and since she's been knitting since 5 or 6 years old, I'd say this book will probably be one of the easier ones she writes.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Her most embarrassing moment was sticking her arm in a BART door (had to look up what a BART door was) and realizing it was going to close no matter what! I did that once too in NYC on the subway but I used my whole body and not just my arm.

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

+1 March FB fan bonus entry (Laura G. Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

#2 March FB fan bonus entry (Laura G. Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

#3 March FB fan bonus entry (Laura G. Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

#5 March FB fan bonus entry (Laura G. Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Charleydog said...

This story reminds me of my days in Santa Barbara and the little restaurant on the beach - just a shack, really.

pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

Linda Kish said...

Romance in a small town sounds wonderful to me.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I like how she has fashioned the small town and the residents from the Half Moon Bay area. It sounds so inviting.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

She loves to watch The Amazing Race. That is probably the only reality TV show I can watch.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Anne of Green Gables is Rachel's fav character.

lynnLR2@optonline.net

Anonymous said...

I like stories about bad boys and a bad boy ex cop to boot.

lynnLR2@optonline.net

windycindy said...

I adore books that incorporate knitting, food, etc. in their books!
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

"Tweet!"
http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/43563873269321728.
Many thanks to you!
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I love how Rachel describes knitting/
spinning is like meditation and is so calming for her...
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I learned that Rachel feels The person who defines "hot" is…
Anthony Bourdain. Now, I have to see
who he is...
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Karen B said...

+5 March Bonus for FB Fans.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

rubynreba said...

Sounds like a good romance novel
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

She has been knitting so long that to her it is just like beating air.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Her guilty pleasure is Vampire Diaries.
pbclark(at)neitns(dot)net

Deb said...

Know what I love about this author? Her using a topic about something she knows well and loves...knitting. I'm a knitter and I so identify with her description in the interview of finding not just relaxation but "breathing." Knitting is like a sort of zen...it helps you breathe and relax, it frees the mind to think and, most certainly, it would have helped her write this book. I'm sure it's a great book.

Deb said...

I'd love to have a copy of this book, "How to Knit a Heart Back Home." I'm living in Naples, FL, now and don't have as much reason to knit as I used to. I need the escape!

http://abookishlibraria.blogspot.com

Deb said...

It's so interesting that Rachel loves Anne of Green Gables. What a wonderful character!

BTW, please come and visit me on my blog. I've "followed" you on yours...loved reading and browsing it! Would you come see if mine is okay, too? I'd truly love your input. Thanks so much. We're from Book Bloggers together!

Hugs, Deb/TheBookishDame

Anonymous said...

The hero sounds like someone I would like to know very much.

lovesthemets at yahoo dot com

holdenj said...

I think Cypress Hollow sounds like a great place to visit! Thanks for the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I liked her "conversation" with you. I thought it was neat that the National Writing Month was what kickstarted her ideas.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

Now I want to read it even more. When I went to the HC fun stuff section, I discovered on of the characters she most admires is Anne of Green Gables. See, we're kindred spirits.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

heavenisabookstore said...

One of my favorite questions for authors is where the idea came from, so to know it was a mixture of her love of knitting and the push of writing so many words is fabulous input. Good to know, I have to keep writing. And reading.

Anonymous said...

I love stories where the town is an important part of the book. It sounds like a really warm read.

Karen T.

409cope said...

I would love to read this novel because I like that its witty and a love story,not one that is too serious.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I follow through google friend.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I am an email subscriber.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

MRWriter said...

I like how she intertwines knitting with romance & mystery.

AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

She is a proud member of the San Francisco Area Romance Writers of America and she is struggling to learn the ukulele.

AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

She's a fan of The Amazing Race.
AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

CherylS22 said...

I want to win this book because this book is compared to a Debbie Macomber novel & I love to read Debbie Macomber books.
Thanks for the giveaway!
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

Ms. Herron based her small town of Cypress Hollow on the Half-Moon Bay area of California. Sounds like a beautiful area of the country.
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I learned that Rachael Herron's greatest love is her family.
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

FB fan of Bookin' With Bingo II
+5 Bonus for FB Fans
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

Meredith said...

This book sounds like a sweet, small town romance.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

I like that she used her hobby in her new book.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

I agree with her favorite and least favorite foods! chocolate and chicken liver.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Nancye said...

I would like to win this book because I like books with female characters who are strong and independent. The main character, Eliza, seems to fit that description.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

In the fun stuff section I learned that Rachael has a tendency to worry about the little things too much. Sounds like me!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/48846410010996736

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I learned that Rachael has been knitting since she was 5 years old.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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