BOOK CLUB FRIDAY GUEST AUTHOR ALISON STONE

Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited

Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited

Alison Stone credits an advertisement for writing children's books for sparking her interest in writing. She never did complete a children's book, but she did have success writing articles for local publications before finding her true calling, writing romantic suspense. Learn more about Alison and her books at her website. -- AP 

Making Time

Thank you for hosting me on Killer Crafts and Crafty Killers. I think this is the best title for a blog, ever. Anyway, it got me thinking how much I used to love to do crafts. I say “used to” because life and writing have gotten in the way over the years.

I have a beautiful cross stitch I completed for my wedding twenty years ago. I completed another two cross stitch projects announcing the births of each of my first two sons. I have a third cross stitch half completed for my daughter. She turned thirteen earlier this year. I also have an eight year old. I had to mention her or she’d feel left out. I never even purchased the materials to start a cross stitch for her. It makes me sad to think how days roll into months and months into years and we fall away from the things that used to bring us enjoyment.

Over time, I put the cross stitch aside, and picked up a notebook and found writing also brings me great joy. I’ve been fortunate to turn what started out as a hobby into my career, with the support of my hubby who brings in a steady income. J

My latest book, Plain Pursuit, will be out in June 2013 from Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense. In doing research for my suspense set in Amish country, I took a trip down to Conewango, NY. (I set my book in fictionalized Apple Creek, NY because, well, it has a nice ring to it.) My daughters and I stopped into a local shop and admired the beautiful handcrafts made by the Amish—everything from potholders to quilts. There’s something very tranquil about the country and the image of women gathered around a quilt or sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch, the rhythmic motion of their hands as they stitch the fabric…

Taking the time to do things they enjoy…

All this talk of crafts, makes me want to take a trip to a craft store. Maybe I could start a wedding cross stitch. I figure I have a good ten years or more before my oldest gets married. In the meantime, I’ll be working on my next book. I hope you’ll check them out.

Is there any craft project you’d like to work on that you just haven’t made the time for lately? I’d love to hear about it in the comments section. 

Plain Pursuit

Danger in Amish Country

When her brother is killed in a small Amish town, Anna Quinn discovers she's an unwelcome outsider. But the FBI agent investigating the case is right at home—because Eli Miller was born and raised in Apple Creek's Plain community. Eli left his Amish faith behind long ago, but his heart is rooted in a local cold case he can't forget—a mystery with strange connections to Anna's loss. Desperate to uncover the truth, Anna and Eli are faced with stony silences and secrets…secrets that someone wants to keep buried in the past.

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THIS WEEK'S BOOK WINNER

Thanks to everyone who stopped by Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers this week and special thanks to our Book Club Friday guest author Alison Stone. The winner of a copy of Too Close To Home is Mary Hawkes. Mary, since you included your email in your comment, Alison will contact you directly to make arrangements for you to receive your book.

BOOK CLUB FRIDAY GUEST AUTHOR - ALISON STONE

Today we welcome Alison Stone to Book Club Friday. After years of conferences, critique groups and writing, Alison achieved her dream of becoming a published author.  Random Acts and Too Close to Home are currently available with a third novel being released in June. Learn more about Alison at her website and blog.

Alison is offering a copy of Too Close to Home to one of our readers who posts a comment to the blog. -- AP

Books on the Big Screen

It seems that every time someone learns I’m a writer, they smile and make a comment about how cool it would be if they made one of my books into a movie. Yes, I agree, it would be cool. Very cool.  I’m not picky. It doesn’t have to be a major motion picture; I’d settle for a Lifetime Movie. Tell me, who hasn’t hunkered down on a chilly Sunday afternoon and gotten lost in some fantastic Lifetime Movie where the diabolical nanny methodically tries to drive the mother crazy so she can take her place? But then again, I write suspense, so this is right up my alley.

However, in my experience, I rarely enjoy watching a movie that has been adapted from a book I’ve read. The movie never compares. In a book, I’m able to get inside the head of the point-of view characters. This is lost to some degree in the movie because it’s a different medium. Another reason I don’t enjoy the movie as much as the book is because I already know what happens. Instead of getting lost in the story, I’m anticipating what happens next and comparing it to the book every step of the way. I turned off The Lovely Bones, adapted from Alice Sebold’s fantastic novel (I read it twice) because I was too familiar with the story. The movie bored me.

 And have you ever been annoyed when the movie changes the ending of your favorite book? I’m thinking of Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper. However I think the real reason I didn’t like this movie is because I had a headache after it was over. It’s a real tear-jerker.

There are exceptions, however. Kathryn Stockett’s The Help jumps to mind. I thoroughly enjoyed both the book and the movie. Emma Stone was fantastic as Eugenia aka “Skeeter.” I loved seeing 1960s Jackson, Mississippi come to life. It’s hard to imagine this was a way of life in the not-so-distant past. I was able to get lost in the story. And I think that’s what both books and movies are supposed to be about. Getting lost in the story.

Do you enjoy watching movie adaptations of books? What were some of your favorites? Or least favorite? I’m giving away an eBook copy (from Amazon or Barnes & Noble/US) of my latest romantic suspense, Too Close to Home, to one commenter.

Too Close to Home

They say you can never go home. If you do, better watch your back.

Ten years ago, after her father’s gruesome death was ruled a suicide, Kathryn McNabb left her hometown, vowing never to return. And never to let anything—business or personal—break her heart.

Now an overachieving manufacturing engineer, she thrives on order, control and solitude. But an unexpected inheritance makes her the co-owner of the company her father founded, forcing her to face the ghosts of her past. Including Ben Nowak, childhood friend, secret crush, and son of the man who ruined her father.

Ben hadn’t planned on returning home, either, but with his own father’s death it falls to him to continue the family legacy. When he learns Kathryn plans to sell the plant out from under him, his quest takes on new urgency—Midport Industries is the main source of jobs in town.

Butting heads strike sparks of attraction that entangle business and pleasure into a hopeless knot. And someone is watching. Someone with a darker reason to prevent the deal from going through. Someone desperate enough to kill…

Warning: Beware of the shadows, disgruntled employees, and childhood crushes all grown up.

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Thanks for joining us today, Alison! Readers, if you’d like the chance to win a copy of Too Close to Home, post a comment. Don’t forget to either include your email address or check back on Sunday to see if you’re the winner. Too many winners are forgetting to do this, and we can’t send you your book if we can’t get in touch with you! -- AP