The Kari AnnAlysis

Yesterday, I posted a review for a book I read and loved. It was Heather Gudenkauf’s One Breath Away. Today, I have the pleasure of hosting a Q&A with Heather.

1. Are you influenced by other writers? If so, who?
HG:  I have so many favorite authors. Some of my favorites are Elizabeth Berg, Anita Shreve, Ann Patchett, Louise Erdrich, T.C. Boyle,  and  Barbara Kingsolver.

2. What sort of research did you do while writing One Breath Away?
HG: While writing One Breath Away I had the opportunity to visit with a local police chief. I learned so much from him about police procedure and also learned what the gruesome meaning behind the phrase 9 mm skylight in law enforcement circles.  I also traveled to two Iowa farms to learn the ins and outs of raising cattle. We saw newborn calves just a few minutes old that weighed ninety pounds (more than my 7th grader!) and bulls that weighed over 2000 pounds. Now that was an education!

3. What literary character would you like to invite over for dinner?
HG: I would be honored to have Francie from A Tree Grows in Brooklyncome to dinner. I’ve always imagined that she would be someone I could become fast friends with. If Francie isn’t available I would invite Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum over. Of course I would end up serving pineapple upside down cake and pizza. And if Morelli or Ranger came too, all the better!

4.  What makes you laugh?
HG: My mom is hilarious. She is a lovely, very poised, refined woman, but the things she says…she is able to find joy and humor everywhere. Case in point ~ she’s been telling the grandkids for years that she can fly like Mary Poppins. To prove it she dressed up like Mary Poppins, stood on a ladder, and had my dad lie down on the ground and take a picture in such a way that it looked like she was being lifted into the air by her big black umbrella. She then sent us all a copy of the photo as evidence. We can always count on her to make us all laugh.

5.  What makes you cry?
HG: The movie Beaches gets me every time! My best friend from grade school and I love this movie and always call each other when we come across it on television.  I cry whenever I hear the theme songWind beneath My Wings. My children think I’m nuts!

Love these answers! I’m a fan of anyone who likes Stephanie Plum and the Beaches is uncomparable.

Don’t forget, you can enter to win a copy of Heather’s latest book One Breath Away. The contest is open until Sunday. All you have to do is leave a comment with you email address, saying you want to win. Can you leave the comment here, or on the post below. You can ono

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