Interview + Giveaway: Tour Stop for The Girl He Knows by Kristi Rose

Welcome to my tour stop for The Girl He Knows by Kristi Rose! I reviewed TGHK last month and I loved it! Read on to know more about the book and the author! And oh, don't forget to check out other tour stops at JenHalliganPR!

Synopsis:

Waking up naked next to a good looking man is not a bad way to start the day. Especially since Paisley missed all those opportunities in college, when she was too busy supporting her no good, thankfully now, ex-husband. The problem? This hottie is Hank, her best friend’s older brother, a guy she’s known her entire life.

Stopping after one night is the right thing to do. Being with him clearly breaks the best friend code, and from his career as a Naval officer to his Boy Scout reputation, everything about him screams monogamy and commitment. Two things Paisley has had enough of.

When Hank presents a “no strings attached” offer, it’s too good to be true. She can enjoy him while still embracing being single. But, poor choices force her to confront old fears of love and loss, and Paisley has to decide if Hank is worth the risk. The alternative is never experiencing the real deal. Or far worse, settling for less.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | KOBO

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The Girl He Knows was a light and fun read. I really enjoyed it. Go on and read my full review here!

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About Kristi Rose

Kristi Rose was raised in central Florida on boiled peanuts and iced tea.  She’s lived by an active volcano, almost fallen off a mountain, and was married in Arkansas by a J.O.P in flip flops named Earl. Today, as a proud military wife and mother of two, she’s been lucky enough to travel the world. No matter where she is, she enjoys watching people and wondering what’s their story? That’s what Kristi likes to write about: everyday people, the love that brings them together, and their journey getting there. Kristi is a member of RWA. The Girl He Knows is her debut novel.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

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Interview

Hi, Kristi! Thank so much for letting me interview you!
Hi Joy! Thanks for the wonderful review. It’s a scary thing to put work out there but it’s worth it when people say the lovely things like you did.

I really liked your book. I found it entertaining and light (my favorite kind of books). What inspired you to write TGHK?
Thanks, I like the same in books-light and entertaining, so I wanted to capture that vibe with my books while still having some ‘meat’ :) I’m an avid chick-lit reader and thought many of those books are about life before marriage but not after a failed one and that’s what I set out to build my story around.

How much of the book was realistic? I know that situations like this happen in real life, but is the book based on someone you know, or events in your real life?
This book is not based on any real facts or people but I used some of my favorite characteristic from the people I love and paid tribute to them in the book. An example would be Josie. I have a friend who is up front and frank. I really appreciate that and think everyone should have a friend who’s not afraid to tell you you’re acting stupid.

TGHK’s is my first book so there was a huge learning curve with writing it. Because I work, have a young family, and have limited time to write, I decided to spend my energy on learning how to craft the story and not wasting it on researching things that were background for the story. So these are the things I used that are real to my life: I, too, am a pediatric occupational therapist, I grew up in Lakeland, Florida, and lived in Daytona Beach, and I fell in love with a Navy man. Oh, and I stole the phrase/chalkboard and journal idea from my critique partner who has a chalkboard door with the phrase, “Fears Erased Here Daily.” I loved it too much not to include it because it made me think of Paisley. Sounds like a lot, right? But I promise, the book is not a memoir :) Here is my Pinterest board with some of these actual landmarks- Like The Ocean Deck. :)

What was the hardest part of writing TGHK?
The whole thing! Just kidding. Trying to balance out Paisley’s weakness and fears and still making her relatable. I wanted readers to be frustrated but not so much that they close the book or don’t root for her to get a clue. She couldn’t be a strong female character- initially- she had to grow into that. She had to feel safe enough, too.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in the book?
Ugh- probably a lot :) My least favorite chapter is when they are at the Swan Ball. I’d give that one a do-over.

I read that your husband is in the military. What was his reaction to the novel?
Ha! He thinks the girl on the cover is hot and wants to know if we’ll get to meet her. Other than that he doesn’t really have a reaction except to be happy for me. His favorite author is Stephen Ambrose who wrote about the first railroad and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. My book is a different sort of entertainment, lol. Though I will say -- Band of Brothers is an amazing book, BTW.

I love the name Paisley! Where did you get the idea?
I love it too! I had gone on a trip to Scotland, saw a town with that name, and fell in love with it. I think it would be a great name for a person. My husband doesn’t so I knew I would never get to use (like on my child). So I gave it to my ‘other’ child.

What books have influenced you most?
Jude Deveraux’s A Knight in Shining Armor -- I cry every time I read it.
Julia Quinn’s Romancing Mr. Bridgeton -- makes me laugh
Janet Evanoivich’s Stephanie Plum series -- because someone can be a hot mess and still be great, funny, and smart.
Stephen King’s On Writing -- Amazing
And the list goes on… Any book that makes me want to pick it up year after year influences me.

What book are you reading now?
I keep a lot going at one time because I have to maximize my opportunities
On MP3 (on smartphone) -- Janet Evanovich’s Top Secret Twenty-One
On Audio (CD -In the car) – Jennifer Weiner’s The Next Best Thing
Queued up on the kindle -- Cop a Feel By Robyn Peterman
On my night table -- The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman
I just finished the True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex

Any advice for new writers?
Read – a lot. Find a good critique group and don’t be afraid to leave one that isn’t working. Write every day- even if it’s jotting down notes on paper to fix a scene and more importantly-hang in there! Reach out to other writers. It’s a great community. Drop by my site and drop me a line if you have any questions.

Anything to say to your readers?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my book. We all have busy lives and I appreciate the time you’ve given me. I hope you enjoyed it. I would love it if you stop by my site and tell me what you would have liked to see happen or which characters you liked the best and why. Do you want to read their story? What do you want to see?

Again -- I’m glad we could spend this time together and I appreciate you hosting me, Joy. You all take care and I hope our paths cross again soon.

Thanks again, Kristi, for your lovely answers and sharing your time with us! :D

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Now, for the most fun part (hehehe), we have a GIVEAWAY!!! Just a few days left... so join now!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks for checking out my tour stop, guys! If you're looking for a light and entertaining read, look no more and get a copy of The Girl He Knows (or win one when you join the giveaway!)

Thoughts? Rants? Suggestions? Don't be afraid to leave a comment! :)