As if raising her six polite, accomplished children (ages 2 to 16) weren't enough; as if growing a large garden, helping brand cattle, chase chickens and feed horses didn't stretch her jam-packed days more (and she has that in full supply, too, for all the canning she does); as if hosting a TV cooking show didn't already cement her status as an amazing, creative woman; she has become a bona fide published novelist!
Her first book is now available in stores and online. I love that expression, "first book," don't you? It's so full of promise.
It is the story of kindergarten school teacher Eva and her career-driven lawyer fiance, Sean. Weeks before the wedding a traumatic event shatters the facade of their tidy relationship, revealing two vastly different ideas of family commitment beneath. This, from the back cover:
With her engagement to Sean in jeopardy, Eva finds herself relying on the support and encouragement of Peter, her kind and attentive next-door neighbor. Faced with a choice between her penitent fiance and the increasingly mysterious Peter, Eva is unprepared for the consequences -- and peril -- that come with her decisions.
It's part romance, part suspense. I really enjoyed reading it. (That is, I enjoyed reading the drafts Katrina emailed me as she wrote; I haven't been able to read it in book form yet because Emma grabbed my copy.) Soon!
Katrina was one of my best friends in college. We worked together at the USU ticket office -- in the office during the day and at sporting and theatrical events at night. We were the youngest on the main staff, entrusted with a lot of responsibility. It was the perfect college job. I loved it!
Memories of Katrina:
• We made a little snowman one day toward winter's end and put him in the work freezer to see how long he'd last. (Um, I don't remember.)
• Her grace and flexibility and the silver gymnast charm on her necklace. She often did stretches at the ticket counter.
• Her ready laugh and her speaking voice smooth as butter.
• We had both advanced to different jobs when she met her future husband. She brought Nate to my apartment to meet me. It was a Sunday, and they were in dress clothes. I knew it was the start of something special when they erupted into a laughter-filled snowball fight.
• Ka-tween-ah I-weene and Jennifah Wynne Koh-wah. How this dropping of Rs and Ls even started, I don't recall, but we got such a kick out of that that years later, we each thought of the other upon our parallel discoveries of the children's book "Hooway for Wodney Wat."
• Her amazing Christmas cards.
I admire Katrina for doing something I'd love to do -- write a book -- but have never had the courage to try. I'm not sure if I ever will. So scary. Besides, I tell myself my life is too chaotic to take on one more thing. Katrina embraced this goal and set aside the time to do it. Now that's passion. Thanks for that, Katrina, and also for giving me a peek into the publishing process. It was fascinating.
I doubt Katrina set out to create a heroine like herself in many ways, and will be, I am sure, the last to admit it. Yet her Eva is similarly upbeat and hard-working. And oh, so, likeable. See for yourself.
Happy Birthday, Katrina! I am so happy for you. You can write a hundred more books as Kate (and I hope you do), but you will always be Katweenah to me.
P.S. Circe, you're next!
2 comments:
Jenni, I am so honored that you would post this--on my birthday no less. It's just the sort of thoughtful thing you would do. Your readers should know that this book wouldn't exist without your insightful critiques.
They should also know that you crafted most of the second paragraph of my back cover copy. (Your lead up paragraph here is what should be on the back cover, too!)
AND that you are the Jenni referenced in the the acknowledgements. Next time I'll remember to type Jennifer Kohler Hatch so everyone will know. (Just as I will always be Katrina to you, you will always be Jenni to me--or perhaps Jennifah. :))
You have an amazing gift with words.
I had so much fun reading through your memories. That snowman still makes me smile! (Incidentally, he lasted until July when Greg cleaned out the freezer.)
Thanks! We need to get together soon!
How inspiring! I want to read it right away, especially if you are friends with the author. Someday when I attempt to write a book, I will have to take workshops from Kate...if she's not too busy writing, raising kids, gardening, canning......
Congratulations, Kate!
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