I’m thrilled to introduce you to Kari Trumbo, today’s feature author. Be sure to enter for a chance to win a paperback copy of her novel More Than a Heartthrob.
How long have you been writing?
I have been writing since 2008 but didn’t publish until 2016. The first scribblings are still in a notebook buried in my office. Though, the first book I started wasn’t the first book I finished. The first book I started still ended up being the one published. Confusing?
A little, but my own journey sounds quite a bit like that. What advice would you give a new writer or someone just starting out?
Don’t be quick to hit publish. I know that it seems like you should rush, and the adrenaline is amazing, but it’s really hard to overcome poor reader experience. Better to have a great book that takes a little longer to produce than a mediocre book that won’t build a following for you (or rather might keep people from reading your future work).
What is the most difficult part about writing for you?
Setting my brain process for the task at hand. Even the genre doesn’t do this. I have some books in historical that are written with an audience in mind, those who love fast fiction that really only deals with the romance, then other historical novels delve deep into history and story. Then, I can switch around and do a fun contemporary, but still others like their contemporary novels thought provoking… Each type of book takes a completely separate mind set and feel. It’s not easy to maneuver your way of thinking to match the book needed.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I have written over 70 books, some are yet to be published. I publish under two names, my name (Kari Trumbo) and a sweet women’s fiction pen name, Teri Blake, who is a USA Today bestseller. My favorite book…that is a really tough question. I have some books I don’t love, but picking a favorite is hard. It’s probably (at the time of writing this) a tie between Great Lakes Light and Teach Me to Love.
Can you share a snippet that isn’t in the blurb or excerpt?
I’d love to! This is from More than a Heartthrob:
An older woman approached her. “Is this seat taken?” She pointed with her cane to the area next to Jazzy.
“No, please sit.” Even though there was plenty of room, Jazzy moved over a little to make more.
“Thank you.” The silver-haired woman sat and held her cane between her knees. Her calf-length dress showed off support socks and thick-soled shoes. “I’ve ridden this ferry with you almost every day for the past three years or so.”
Heat crept up Jazzy’s neck, and she said nothing. She’d never noticed the woman before. She tried to stick to herself on the ride every morning. Since her day would be full of noise and children, she liked the quiet of the ferry.
“I’ve noticed a change in you. Confidence you didn’t have before. I’ve also noticed that you stopped wearing all that gunk on your face.” She scrunched her nose. “That stuff will give you wrinkles.”
Jazzy held in a giggle but didn’t point out that the woman was old enough to understand about wrinkles. “I was feeling…led to.”
“Well, that means there’s a good reason for it. Maybe someone you know needs you to be fresh so you can be just you, so they can see something important. You just never know.”
She was hoping that very thing. If the girls on her blog could see that she was happy and confident just as she was, then maybe they could see how happiness didn’t have to be tied to what they looked like. “I’m feeling challenged to show some people that happiness is deeper. Real happiness can’t be taken away if you have a bad hair day or even if someone says something cruel.”
“Not just happiness, dear. Joy. Happiness will always be a come-and-go thing. We are never promised happiness. We are promised joy. Deep joy. The kind you have when you understand that the hatred of this world is temporary and the pain you go through is dust in comparison to what’s coming.”
What is the key theme and/or message in the book?
This book is the reverse of Beauty and the Beast. In this case, a Hollywood actor (you’ll have to decide if he’s beauty or the beast, I’ll never tell) has to convince a vlogger (video blogger) that the scars beneath her makeup don’t define who she is. Since most people would expect an actor to be the first to cover up scars, I really liked flipping this trope on its head. I also love that at various points in the story either character could be beauty or the beast.
I love that! Are you working on anything else at the present you would like to share?
I’m currently working on finishing edits for Sweet Rivals, my next fun island story in the Independence Islands series, and a fun series slated for next year, The Belle Fourche Chronicles.
Purchase a copy of More Than a Heartthrob here.
Connect with Kari on her website
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Comments 6
Love new authors
The book sounds great, Thanks for your amazing generosity.
Thank you so much for having me on your blog! It was a pleasure.
Author
Thank you for being available. It was a delight to feature you!
The quote that Kari shared from her book is the best thing I’ve read in a couple of days, excluding the Bible. 😊
I am excited to read one of your books Kari! Thank you Jennifer for introducing Kari. I like the advice you give for beginning writers. Given that you’ve written over 70 books, I value your advice and wisdom in well-written books.