AP Author Spotlight: Patricia Kiyono

 

Patricia Kiyono

 

Website: http://patriciakiyono.com

Blog: http://creative-hodgepodge.blogspot.com/

Twitter ID: @PatriciaKiyono

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5132660.Patricia_Kiyono

Google +: https://plus.google.com/+PatriciaKiyono/posts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patricia-Kiyono/149294485148710

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/patriciakiyono/

 

Describe yourself in three words:

happy, busy, optimistic

 

Tell us a little about your latest release:

The Friendship Star Quilt, co-written with Stephanie Michels:

Anne Brown loves her job at The Stitching Post Quilt Shop in Grandville, Michigan, but she keeps a suitcase packed so she can leave at a moment's notice. Living under the radar, she longs for a normal life, but settles for listening to family stories told by the friendly ladies of the quilting club who meet at the shop on Tuesday evenings. When she meets Brad, the handsome band director of an area high school and his adorable daughter, Anne begins to hope for a happily ever after of her own. But someone has far different plans.

Brad Carmichael is juggling the demands of his job as band director at Rivertown High School with trying to be a better father to his daughter. When Brad is late picking Jennie up from a birthday party, the pretty young clerk from the local quilt shop comes to his rescue. Kind-hearted and talented, Anne becomes a vital part of his and Jennie’s lives. Until her past threatens to destroy their relationship.

 

What is your earliest memory?

I remember moving to a new house when I was five years old. Funny how I have no memories of life before that! But I remember being so excited about  having an upstairs attic room. My mom still lives in that house.

 

What would you consider the greatest moment in your life?

Holding my first baby in my arms.

 

What’s the hardest thing in in life you’ve done?

Allowing that first baby to live through her difficult teenage years!

 

What have you learned in life so far?

I've learned that there are very few do-overs, but that it does no good to dwell on what hasn't gone right. We just need to do the best that we are able, and accept that some things aren't going to go our way.

 

Everyone’s favourite question: if you could invite five people for dinner, who would it be?

1. I'd definitely love to talk to my paternal grandfather - he died before I was born. He came to America in 1915 from Japan. He came alone, hired as an artist to run the art department at Stickley Brothers Furniture Company in Grand Rapids. I learned he was descended from a shogun - I'd love to ask him about that!

2. Jimmy Stewart - I always loved the calm, reasonable, intelligent type he played in the movies.

3. Morgan Freeman - for the same reasons as Jimmy Stewart

4. Debbie Macomber - anyone who can create such heartwarming characters has to be a warm person herself - and the fact that she knits is a real bonus!

5. Aaron Copland -  I'd love to thank him for providing me with hours of great music.

 

 

Chance for our readers - what else would you like to know about Patricia Kiyono?

AP Author Spotlight: Stephanie Michels

Stephanie Michels

 

Website: StephanieMichelsAuthor.com

Blog: same
Twitter ID: @SMichelsAuthor
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7133902.Stephanie_Michels?from_search=true
Facebook: www.facebook.com/StephanieMichelsAuthor

 

Describe yourself in three words:

Crazy shoe addict!

 

Tell us a little about your latest release:

The Friendship Star Quilt
Stitching Post Romance: Book Two
co-authored by Patricia Kiyono and Stephanie Michels

The Friendship Star Quilt is the second romance in the Stitching Post romance series. The books are about different women who shop there and bond over their love for quilting. Like all quilt shops, this one in Grandville, Michigan, has customers of every age and marital status. We wrote the stories to show different facets of love and romance in today's world. 

The first book was about a long-married couple who are nearing retirement age and suddenly realize their dreams are no longer on the same page.

This second book is about a young woman who fled from an abusive situation and sought a safe haven in Grandville. Here's a little about it:  

Anne Brown loves her job at The Stitching Post Quilt Shop in Grandville, Michigan, but she keeps a suitcase packed and ready so she can flee at a moment's notice. Living under the radar, she longs for a normal life but settles for listening to the family stories told by the friendly ladies who meet at the shop on Tuesday evenings to quilt. When she meets Brad, the handsome band director of an area high school and his adorable daughter, Anne begins to hope for a happily ever after of her own. But someone has far different plans.

Brad Carmichael is juggling the demands of his job as a high school band director with trying to be a better father to his daughter, Jennie. When Brad is late picking her up from a birthday party, the pretty young clerk from the local quilt shop comes to the rescue. Kind-hearted and talented, Anne becomes a vital part of his and Jennie’s lives. Until her past threatens to destroy their relationship.

Excerpt:

He’d hit her. Not open-handed like in the past. This time, he’d used his fists, beating her until she’d been too weak to struggle and had fallen, broken, to the floor. He’d cursed at her, kicked her then dragged her to her feet so he could punch her some more. Finally, he’d tossed her in his fancy convertible and raced through the darkness, driving much too fast for the country roads. At least he’d stop hitting her.

The squeal of the tires nearly drowned out his angry tirade. Maybe he’d realized how bad she was hurt. Maybe he was taking her somewhere for help. She cried out as the car reached a stretch of rutted, gravel road, and her lungs burned as she gasped for air. Where were they? This wasn’t the way to the hospital. She tried to ask but her lips were swollen, her mouth too dry to form the words. She sank against the seat as he raced through the night, still travelling way too fast.

The car swerved, and she suddenly felt a rush of air as the door opened beside her.

"Die!" he hissed then shoved her from the moving car.

***

"Can you tell us what happened? Who did this to you?"

A shadowy figure leaned over her and blocked the brightness. A kindly face wavered into view. Another figure leaned over her from the opposite side.

Who were they, and where was she? She heard the sound of distant traffic and crickets chirping somewhere closer. So many questions flitted through her head. But her pain made it too hard to focus on them. She tried to look around to get her bearings but something pressed against her forehead, preventing her from turning. She tensed, feeling more restraints on her arms and legs.

"It’s all right, miss," the first shadowy figure reassured in a soft voice. "We had to immobilize you, so we could lift you without injuring you more. We’re going to carry you up the hill and take you to the hospital now."

Hospital? The word triggered a panicked reaction until one thought bubbled up through her confusion and pain.

What about my baby?

 

 

What is your earliest memory?

I remember visiting a relative of my parents, who lived on a high, grassy hill above one of the Great Lakes. It was a beautiful summer day and my two older sisters, and I were wearing matching, yellow cotton sundresses. We had an absolute ball giggling and rolling down the grassy hill over and over.

I later shared the memory with my Mom and she was amazed I remembered as I was 2-1/2 years old at the time. But the memory is crystal clear and I can still recall the pattern on our sundresses. (I wonder how long it took Mom to scrub the grass stains from our dresses since this was long before the invention of permanent press and stain-resistant fabrics.

 

What would you consider the greatest moment in your life?

I was with my daughter and son-in-law when my first grandchild was born, and it was the most incredibly moving moment of my life. My daughter is my oldest child, and her birth was pretty special, but to see the circle of life continue is indescribable -- and I'm a writer, for Pete's sake!

 

What’s the hardest thing in in life you’ve done?

Do you mean besides stepping on the scale in the doctor's office? I mean, what on earth does weight have to do with going in to see her for a broken thumb? :)

 

What have you learned in life so far?

That it's never too late to go after your dream, that the only true limits in life are the ones we put on ourselves, and that there is always something new to see or experience or do.

 

Everyone’s favourite question: if you could invite five people for dinner, who would it be?

Margaret Mitchell (my first literary hero), Princess Diana (I admired her courage and grace), Pope Francis (he is a genuinely humble and beautiful spirit, I'd just love to bask in his presence for a bit), JRR Tolkien (he gave my kids and me countless hours of of bedtime reading together),  and Sean Connery (because I'm a woman and he's soooooo nice to look at).

 

 

Chance for our readers - what else would you like to know about Stephanie Michels?

New Release: Love's Refrain - Patricia Kiyono

Blurb: Lady Laura Montgomery would much rather spend her summer at the family estate, but instead she must act as her stepsister's chaperone for the London season. She takes solace in her poetry books and in her love of music. They're all she has to comfort her as she once again faces the one man who stole her heart ten years ago. Andrew Bradford, Earl of Covington, needs an heir, but he's not looking for love.

His mother has made her selection, but he can't help being drawn to the girl's chaperone. Can he hope to make a match based on more than beauty and suitability?


Bio: Love's Refrain is Patricia Kiyono's seventh release with Astraea Press. During her first career, she taught elementary music, computer classes, elementary classrooms, and junior high social studies. She now teaches music education at the university level. She lives in southwest Michigan with her husband, not far from her children and grandchildren. Current interests, aside from writing, include sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, and music. A love of travel and an interest in faraway people inspires her to create stories about different cultures.

Excerpt: Andrew had just settled back in his chair when the most beautiful music floated through the open window. At first, he thought it was his imagination. But the uplifting of
his soul was not imagined. The smile on his face was real, as was the voice he heard.

Quiet at first, as if the singer tried to hide it, the smooth soprano melody was barely discernible. But gradually, the singer gained confidence, and the volume grew, to Andrew’s delight. The song was one familiar to him — a Scottish air his nanny had sung to him when he was small — and he absently hummed the melody along with the singer. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Suddenly, the weight of his worries drained away. The dull ache in his forehead eased, and he breathed more easily.

Who was the mystery singer? The voice was cultured and had the maturity of a woman but without the force of one trained for the stage. Still, the music was pleasing to his ears… and to his world-weary soul. He settled back to enjoy the performance.

But as soon as it had begun, the singing stopped. An undistinguishable voice called out a command, the singer responded, and footsteps receded away from him. And as the volume of her footsteps decreased, so did his state of euphoria. Silently, he thanked the singer for providing a welcome respite from his daily drudgery. It had been a pleasant interlude, but now it was time to return to his life and responsibilities. With a rueful twist of his mouth, he sorted through the day’s correspondence.

Author links: Patricia Kiyono can be found at her WEBSITE |BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Purchase Links: ASTRAEA PRESS | AMAZON |

Why I Write for Astraea Press: Patricia Kiyono

They say that if something is meant to be, it will happen. When I started writing a story about a wandering former samurai, I had dreams of one day having the book published and enjoyed by someone other than me. I had no clue what went into writing a book, but I'd always received good grades in school and felt qualified to do what it took.

I joined two writing groups and received lots of wonderful advice about shopping for editors, agents, and publishers. One group offered a wonderful, unique opportunity to have a written query read by an agent, and I took advantage of it.  The agent responded to my query by telling me that two things would prevent her from representing my book: the length of my novel (around fifty thousand words) was too short, and the fact that there were no explicit love scenes made it difficult for her to market. I was all right with adding more words, but struggled with adding spice to the manuscript. I just wasn't comfortable trying to write those scenes, and put it off as long as I could.

My writing group was very supportive. They told me not to worry. They said I would eventually find a home for my story. It was just a matter of finding the right home. If I believed in the book, it would be published, eventually. I really owe a lot to my writing group. They are a mixed lot of authors writing in various genres, at different stages of their writing careers. So I continued to write, refining my novel and starting storylines for other books. And the wait paid off. In early 2011, of our group members had her novel published at a brand new company called Astraea Press, and urged me to submit a story to them since they had put out a call for a charity program for Japan's disaster relief. I quickly wrote a short prequel to my samurai story and submitted it.

I was so pleased when The Legacy was accepted at Astraea Press. It gave me the impetus to finally complete my samurai story and submit that as well. And now that first book has a home. Astraea Press didn't tell me my book was too short. Thanks to their trademark clean fiction, I didn't have to add spice. And thanks to social media, I'm connecting with another wonderful group of writers. 

Another great reason I'm so thankful for Astraea Press: there's no middle man. I can deal directly with the owner of the company, or the editor working on my book, or the cover artist. Whenever I have a question, I usually get an answer within twenty-four hours. After hearing about various woes from authors signed with other companies I am so glad I held my ground and waited for a company that wanted what I had, rather than tailor my writing to what someone else wanted. 

Astraea Press truly is the best.

Summer Snippets: Aegean Intrigue

Welcome to another installment of Summer Snippets! Are you ready for another peek at a great read? I know I am...

Six Sentences:

He was staring at her again.

She knew it, despite his outward lack of interest. His long, lean frame was draped casually on the wooden chair in the outdoor section of the Appolon Grill. Dark shades covered his eyes, but the jet-black eyebrows above them rose and tilted her way every time she moved. Unlike locals, who occasionally threw friendly greetings her way, this man stayed in his seat and silently watched her.

Francie Vasileiou bent her head and focused her attention on the textbook in front of her.

Blurb:

Someone has been stealing priceless Greek artifacts and it's Alex Leonidis' job to uncover the thief. His prime suspect is beautiful archaeological graduate student, Francie Vasileiou. His plan is to join in an archaeological dig and catch her in the act. All he has to do is keep his mind on his job, and not on the way his lovely suspect warms his heart. He's learned the hard way not to trust fragile-looking women who seem to need his help.

Francie wants to get her PhD and become an archaeologist, like her famous father. The sudden invitation to participate in a dig on the beautiful Greek island of Paros is a wonderful opportunity. She has no time for distractions like Alex, the handsome Project Director. Experience has taught her to stay clear of handsome, charismatic Greek men.

On the shores of the Aegean Sea, Alex and Francie work togeth-er, searching for treasures from Greece's past. While pursuing their goals, they discover some of the truths they had believed to be carved in stone may have been flawed.

Buy Links:

Astraea Press: http://astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662253&mode=product&product=8347324

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Aegean-Intrigue-ebook/dp/B0074NQ410/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336699420&sr=8-2

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aegean-intrigue-patricia-kiyono/1108566346?ean=2940014115506

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/133797

Obsessions: My Obsession with Fabric

Written by Patricia Kiyono

Growing up, I wore a lot of homemade clothes. My family didn't have a lot of money, but my mom knew how to sew (Grandma was a kimono maker by trade) and Dad bought her a Singer sewing machine soon after we moved to America. When times were really tough, Mom made my blouses out of Dad's worn out dress shirts. But when she had extra money we would go to the fabric store and pick out material for a new dress. I loved those times. She taught me how to check the fabric for quality.

By the time I got to junior high school, our financial situation had improved and my wardrobe included items purchased at the department store. But for special occasions like Easter and Christmas, and later on Homecoming and Prom, we went to the fabric store and picked out the most beautiful shiny fabrics. I felt like a princess in my gowns. It seemed there was always a sewing project on mom's sewing machine cabinet.

So I guess it was natural that I learned to sew and create things out of fabric. It wasn't as much from financial need, since I worked full time. But I enjoyed it, and I made Halloween costumes for my own daughters, as well as dress-up clothes. For a short time I had a crafting business and my machine hummed at all hours of the night. It got so that the clerks at JoAnn Fabrics knew me by name because I was there every week. Of course, being a busy working mom I often had more projects than time, so some of the material piled up.

Now that I'm retired I have more time to sew, sort of. Every week I spend time sewing with ladies at my church. We create "comfort quilts" which are distributed by the parish nurse to people who need them. I'm still surrounded by fabric because I often work on quilt tops in between the quilting days. My sewing table is piled high with quilt pieces waiting to be pieced together, and the floor around it is covered with pieces of other projects – scarves, tote bags, stuffed toys. I'm still guilty of collecting more fabric than I could hope to sew.

The strange thing is I don't have to purchase much fabric any more. The quilting group gets lots of fabric donations every week. But not everything can be made into quilts, so after we separate what we can use, we bid on the rest. I don't take EVERYTHING home, but it seems like I've brought home a lot. I can't bear to see good fabric thrown out, so if no one else takes it, I often do. If it's in good shape, I figure I can find a use for it, somehow, sometime. Canvas and burlap can be made into sturdy tote bags. Flannel makes wonderful pajamas for the grandkids. Stretchy knit fabrics are a bit more tricky, but I've used some to make seat covers for my daughter's car, exercise pants, and burp cloths for baby gifts. I brought home some pretty lacy stuff and made curtains for the basement windows. But some of it has been sitting in the stash for a while because I haven't quite figured out what to do with it.

Every once in a while my husband or one of my daughters will make a comment about clearing out all the fabric and burning it. That's my cue for spending a lot of time at my machine so I can use it up. And what I can't get to right away goes into a hiding place. No, I'm not telling you where it is. My family might find out and then I'll have to find a new one!

Price: $1.99

Buy it HERE.

Aegean Intrigue blurb:

Someone has been stealing priceless Greek artifacts and it's Alex Leonidis' job to uncover the thief. His prime suspect is beautiful archaeological graduate student, Francie Vasileiou. His plan is to join in an archaeological dig and catch her in the act. All he has to do is keep his mind on his job, and not on the way his lovely suspect warms his heart. He's learned the hard way not to trust fragile-looking women who seem to need his help.

Francie wants to get her PhD and become an archaeologist, like her famous father. The sudden invitation to participate in a dig on the beautiful Greek island of Paros is a wonderful opportunity. She has no time for distractions like Alex, the handsome Project Director. Experience has taught her to stay clear of handsome, charismatic Greek men.

On the shores of the Aegean Sea, Alex and Francie work together, searching for treasures from Greece's past. While pursuing their goals, they discover some of the truths they had believed to be carved in stone may have been flawed.

Excerpt:

He was staring at her again.

She knew it, despite his outward lack of interest. His long, lean frame was draped casually on the wooden chair in the outdoor section of the Appolon Grill. Dark shades covered his eyes, but the jet-black eyebrows above them rose and tilted her way every time she moved. Unlike locals, who occasionally threw friendly greetings her way, this man stayed in his seat and silently watched her.

Francie Vasileiou bent her head and focused her attention on the textbook in front of her. Inwardly, she was flattered by his interest. But she reminded herself she was here in Athens to further her education, not to find a man. She sipped her water and

struggled to ignore him and concentrate on the words on the page.

The warm breeze calmed her nerves as she sat at her usual table in the back corner of the restaurant. Most tourists preferred to sit at the outer edges of the seating area with a view of Mount Olympus and the spectacular sunset. But here, next to the kitchen, she wasn’t distracted by the conversation and the view. The light from the kitchen allowed her to continue reading until Kostos closed down for the night.

Her job here at the restaurant was perfect. She worked enough hours so she could pay her living expenses, and when she wasn’t cooking or waitressing, Kostos allowed her to use one of his tables for studying. Even with the commotion from the kitchen and the restaurant patrons’ conversations, this setting was much better for concentrating than the noisy apartment building where she lived.

It took some effort, but finally the words on the page became concrete ideas, and she was transported back in time to the world of ancient Greece, to the time of the patricians. The structures on the Acropolis were not ruins but proud, gleaming works of art. Toga-draped people walked the dusty streets, while the less fortunate hawked their wares from makeshift stalls.