Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Virtual Book Tour - Guest - Author Kristin Callender

The Truth Lies In the Dark
Hi Mystery Reader Discussion fans. I am Kristin Callender, author of the newly released mystery The Truth Lies in the Dark. Before I share my book and extra special reason I am proud of it, let me take a second to thank you for taking the time out of your own busy lives to be here (virtually). I would also like to thank the host mistereereeder for having me as a guest on this blog.

The Truth Lies in the Dark is about a woman who lost all memory of her life and her parents in plane crash when she was a child. She only knows what her protective grandparents have told her about her past and her family, but reoccurring nightmares of a strange young girl tell her something else. Then an unfinished letter written by her grandfather confirms her fears and doubts. In it he hints that she is not who she thinks. On Amanda's journey to find her true identity she uncovers a dark secret that everyone in her life knew, even her loving husband. She is pushed to her emotional and physical limits as she tries to answer the most important question. Who is there to help her and who is there to make sure the truth remains...in the dark?

Writing has always been something I have enjoyed, but never thought I would ever find the time or the guts to write a book, never mind get published. I started this book with a pen and a pad, sitting at the park watching my kids play. I had the first chapter hand written and pages of notes on the characters and their back stories. Once I made them more real to me the story came to life in my head. Getting it down on paper was the problem. Between my family, school (I returned to college) and self doubt I had a hard time allowing myself the time to write. After all it was just a dream and I had real life commitments that needed my time and efforts. I am so glad now that I stopped feeling that way. Now it is a dream come true. Once I made up my mind to finish the book it took only two months. Then came the hard part, finding a publisher. After a lot of researching and reading I found BlueWater Press and 18 months later I was published. It was not at all easy, but that process is another post for another time :) .

As I hinted in my introduction, I have another reason to be proud of The Truth Lies in the Dark. The cover was taken from a painting done by my teenage son, Michael. Some friends of mine kept telling me that his portrait of the New York City skyline at night would make a great cover. So I took some pictures and submitted them to my editor, who loved it. Michael is a very talented artist and I am so proud to be able to share this accomplishment with him. The original painting is posted on my website on the Art Showcase page, along with a few others he has done.

Thank you for your time and interest in me and my book. If you would like to follow my Book Blog Tour you can go to my website: http://sites.google.com/site/kristincallenderbooks.

The Truth Lies in the Dark is available on www.amazon.com/Truth-Lies-Dark-Kristin-Callender/dp/1604520140 and is the 'Featured Book of the Month' on http://www.bluewaterpress.com/ .

Thanks Again and keep on reading,

Kristin Callender

4 comments:

misterreereeder said...

Great post!!! It is interesting hearing about how you got started. And it is cool you inckuded your son's art as the cover of your book. I also enjoyed the book. Looking forward to more.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading your book. “To read a writer is for me not merely to get an idea of what he says, but to go off with him and travel in his company.”

- Andre Gide

Anonymous said...

This was such an unexpected surprise when I visited your blog this morning. I'm glad Kristin Callender stopped by too. How wonderful that her son did the book cover artwork. I thought it was striking when I first saw it and now it's even more so. I look forward to checking this book out :-)

Anonymous said...

Thanks misterreereeder for your kind comments and for having me as a guest on your blog. This tour has been great so far thanks to hosts like you :)

Thank you Friends of Sachse Library for your comment and quote. I am glad you enjoyed The Truth Lies in the Dark.

Also thanks JenningsJunk. I love the cover too :) I would love to hear your comments after you have read it. I will have t ostop by your blog again, it looks interesting.