Letters From Home Virtual Book Tour February & March 2011

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Join Kristina McMorris, author of the women’s fiction novel, Letters From Home, as she virtually tours the blogosphere February 21 – March 25 2011 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About Kristina McMorris

Kristina McMorris lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Her foray into fiction began in the fall of 2006 as a result of interviewing her grandmother for the biographical section of a self-published cookbook intended as a holiday gift for the family. Inspired by her grandparents’ wartime courtship, Kristina penned her first novel, a WWII love story titled Letters from Home. This award-winning debut is scheduled for release in trade paperback from Kensington Books (2-22-11; U.S.) and Avon/HarperCollins (5-5-11; U.K.). The condensed book rights have been sold to Reader’s Digest, and the film rights are represented by the prestigious Creative Artists Agency of Los Angeles.

Prior to her literary career, Kristina acted in numerous independent films and major motion pictures. She began hosting an Emmy-award winning television show at age nine, and most recently served as the six-year host of the WB’s weekly program Weddings Portland Style. Adding to her diverse résumé, McMorris is a professional emcee, literary workshop presenter, and former owner of a wedding/event planning business. Her previous writing background includes being a contributing writer for Portland Bride & Groom magazine and ten years of directing public relations for an international conglomerate. A portion of Kristina’s sales proceeds from Letters from Home will benefit United Through Reading®, a nonprofit organization that video records deployed U.S. military personnel reading bedtime stories for their children. She is currently working on her next novel.

You can visit her website at www.kristinamcmorris.com.

About Letters From Home

In the midst of World War II, a Midwestern infantryman falls deeply in love through a yearlong letter exchange, unaware that the girl he’s writing to is not the one replying. Woven around this tenuous thread are three female friends whose journeys toward independence take unexpected turns as a result of romance, tragedy, and deception, their repercussions heightened by an era of the unknown.

Inspired by a true account, LETTERS FROM HOME is a story of hope and connection, of sacrifices made in love and war – and the chance encounters that change us forever.

Read the Excerpt!

July 4, 1944
Chicago, IllinoisSilence in the idling Cadillac grew as suffocating as the city’s humidity. Hands clenched on her lap, Liz Stephens averted her narrowed eyes toward the open passenger window. Chattering ladies and servicemen flocked by in the shadows; up and down they traveled over the concrete accordion of entrance steps. The sting of laughter and music drifted through the swinging glass doors, bounced off the colorless sky. Another holiday without gunpowder for celebration. No boom of metallic streamers, no sunbursts awakening the night. Only the fading memory of a simpler time.
A time when Liz knew whom she could trust.
“You know the Rotary doesn’t invite just anyone to speak,” Dalton Harris said finally. The same argument, same lack of apology in his voice. “What was I supposed to do? Tell my father I couldn’t be there because of some dance?”
At the condescension, she snapped her gaze to his slate gray eyes. “That,” she said, “is exactly what you should’ve done.”
“Honey. You’re being unreasonable.”
“So it’s unreasonable wanting us to spend time together?”
“That’s not what I meant.” A scratch to the back of his neck punctuated his frustration, a habit that had lost the amusing charm it held when they were kids. Long before the expensive suits, the perfect ties, the Vitalis-slickening of his dark brown hair.
“Listen.” His square jaw slackened as he angled toward her, a debater shifting his approach. “When I was asked to run my dad’s campaign, we talked about this. I warned you my schedule would be crazy until the election. And you were the one who said I should do it, that between classes and work, you’d be -”
“As busy as ever,” she finished sharply. “Yes. I know what I said.” With Dalton in law school and she a sophomore at Northwestern, leading independent but complementary lives was nothing new; in fact, that had always been among the strengths of their relationship. Which is why he should know their separate activities weren’t the issue tonight.
“Then what’s the problem?” he pressed.
“The problem is, anything else pops up, campaign or otherwise, and you don’t think twice about canceling on me.”
“I am not canceling. I’m asking you to come with me.”
Liz had attended enough political fundraisers with him to know that whispers behind plastered smiles and greedy glad-handing would be highlights of the night. A night she could do without, even if not for her prior commitment.
“I already told you,” she said, “I promised the girls weeks ago I’d be here.” The main reason she’d agreed, given her condensed workload from summer school, was to repay Betty for accompanying her to that droning version of Henry V last week – just so Dalton’s ticket hadn’t gone to waste. “Why can’t you make an exception? Just this once?”
He dropped back in his seat, drew out a sigh. “Lizzy, it’s just a dance.”
No, it’s not. It’s more than that. I have to know I can depend on you! Her throat fastened around her retort. Explosions of words, she knew all too well, could bring irreversible consequences.
She grabbed the door handle. “I have to go.” Before he could exit and circle around to open her side, she let herself out.
“Wait,” he called out as she shut the door. “Sweetheart, hold on.”
The plea in his voice tugged at her like strings, halting her. Could it be that he’d changed his mind? That he was still the same guy she could count on?
She slid her hand into the pocket of her ivory wraparound dress, a shred of hope cupped in her palm, before pivoting to face him.
Dalton leaned across the seat toward her. “We’ll talk about this later, all right?”
Disappointment throbbed inside, a recurrent bruise. Bridling her reaction, she replied with a nod, fully aware her agreement would translate into a truce.
“Have a good time,” he said, then gripped the steering wheel and drove away.
As she turned for the stairs, she pulled her hand from her pocket, and discovered she’d been holding but a stray thread. The first sign of a seam unraveling.

Here’s what critics are saying about Letters From Home!

“An absolutely lovely debut novel.”

— Kristin Hannah, New York Times bestselling author of Firefly Lane

“A novel to savor and remember [from] an evocative and compelling storyteller.”

— Ben Sherwood, bestselling author of The Death & Life of Charlie St. Cloud

“Skillfully written…sweeps the reader away. [The] research and attention to detail commendably honor veterans of World War II.”

— Lynn “Buck” Compton, author and famed “Band of Brothers” veteran

Letters From Home Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Monday, February 21
Book spotlighted at Virginia Beach Publishing Examiner

Tuesday, February 22
Book spotlight at Celtic Lady’s Reviews

Wednesday, February 23
Book reviewed at Reading Frenzy
Awesome review! Reading Frenzy says, “I thoroughly enjoyed Letters from Home and I expect the author to do very well with this debut novel. Well-written, nicely developed characters, excellent use of research … what more could a reader ask for!”

Thursday, February 24
Chat & Book Giveaway at Night Owl Reviews Chat

Friday, February 25
Book reviewed at Ohio Girl Talks
Ohio Book Talks loved Letters From Home! “Beautifully written, I felt like I was reliving the past as it really might have been.Over all an amazing story line and fantastical written.”

Tuesday, March 1
Book reviewed at A Cozy Reader’s Corner
Tiffany gives Letters From Home an awesome review on all counts! “Overall, this is a refreshing and exciting read. It is clear the author had a personal connection to this story. She pens a tale that means something to her which portrays to itself to the reader. I highly anticipate the next novel by Kristina McMorris. This always makes me fearful due to my expectations! I would love to give another wonderful review for whatever she has ready next!”

Wednesday, March 2
Book reviewed at Life in Review
Michelle says, “Letters From Home by Kristina McMorris is a beautiful WWII novel and a wonderful debut!”

Thursday, March 3
Book reviewed at Beck’s Book Picks
Beck says, “You will genuinely enjoy this story. It will be one you will want on your bookshelf and to pass among friends until everyone you know has read it.”

Friday, March 4
Book reviewed at A Book Lover

Monday, March 7
Book reviewed at Red Lady’s Reading Room

Tuesday, March 8
Book reviewed at Carlybird’s Home

Wednesday, March 9
Book reviewed at Carpe Libris

Thursday, March 10
Book reviewed at Psychotic State Book Reviews

Friday, March 11
Book review & book giveaway at Book Reviews by Molly

Monday, March 14
Book reviewed at Just Another Book Addict

Tuesday, March 15
Book reviewed at Steph the Bookworm

Wednesday, March 16
Book reviewed at Must Read Faster
Book reviewed at WV Stitcher

Thursday, March 17
Book reviewed at Sormag
Book review and book giveaway at Acting Balanced

Friday, March 18
Book reviewed at My Reading Room
Book reviewed at Community Bookstop

Monday, March 21
Interviewed at Blog Talk Radio’s A Book and a Chat (originally aired live Saturday, March 19, 11 a.m. eastern)

Tuesday, March 22
Book reviewed at The Book Faery Reviews

Wednesday, March 23
Book reviewed at Celtic Lady’s Reviews

Friday, March 25

Book reviewed at BookNAround
Chat & Book Giveaway at Pump Up Your Book’s March Authors on Tour Facebook Party

Kristina McMorris’ LETTERS FROM HOME VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR ‘10 will officially begin on February 21 and end on March 25 ’11. Please contact Dorothy Thompson at thewriterslife@yahoo.com if you are interested in hosting and/or reviewing her book or click here to use the form. Thank you!

If you would like to book your own virtual book tour with us, click here to find out how!

UPDATE: THE LETTERS FROM HOME TOUR IS NOW FULL. THANKS TO ALL REVIEWERS AND PARTICIPATING TOUR HOSTS!

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach