Running With Quills: Kay Stockham

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Kay Stockham - She's the One

Good morning all! I hope you've been enjoying some wonderful spring weather.
I'm loving the sunshine and milder tempts here in Ohio - but I haven't been able to go out and play. I'm hopelessly behind right now, so I'm thrilled that my good friend and mega talented author Kay Stockham is blogging in my spot today.
Please give Kay a giant Quill welcome!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hello, Quills!

Thanks so much to Lori and the other ladies for inviting me to stop by.

I'm always amazed (even though I shouldn't be) at the generosity and willingness to help that can be found in the romance community. That goes for the readers as well.

Last year when I was researching Alaska, I found myself clicking away on the internet and shaking my head. While there was overwhelming amounts of information, I wasn't finding what I was looking for. I wanted an insider's look at Alaska, at bush planes and remote lodges and all the other 'stuff' that makes Alaska such an appealing destination for so many. So I sent out a few emails explaining who I was and what I wanted and once again I was overwhelmed by someone's generosity. A wonderful lady named Marlie not only returned my email, she answered dozens of emails, each with dozens of questions. She also sent photos and went above and beyond to help with my research for She's the One, my latest release with Harlequin Superromance and the fifth and final book in my Tulanes of Tennessee series.

RT gave She's the One 4 stars and praised the 'bird's-eye view of Alaska.' But I’ll readily admit it was a view Marlie provided with every answer and every photo she gave me permission to share with all of you.

When I asked for photos of the types of planes flown into the bush, Marlie sent these:

One look at these photos and my heroine immediately developed a fear of flying in small planes.

Lake photos? Lodges? What did Alaska look like in the bush?

And when I asked about bears, well... Here's a photo Marlie simply titled "Lunch."

LOL Cool, no? Marlie was so gracious about sharing her experiences living and working in Alaska, and She's the One became richer and more detailed as a result. Thank you, Marlie!

I hope you'll take a moment to venture to my website at http://www.kaystockham.com/ and read the excerpt from She's the One.
But before you do, I hope you'll tell me about someone who has gone above and beyond for you. A family member, a stranger.
Your mechanic? Doctor? Friend?

Tell us about them. I'll choose a winner from those who post and they'll win an autographed copy of She's the One.

Kay Stockham
The Tulanes of Tennessee Series-Five stories...five ways to fall in love.
SHE'S THE ONE, March, 2010
Look for a NEW Montana series coming soon!
Want to win fabulous prizes?
Check out http://www.kaystockham.com/ Friend me on Myspace & Facebook!

39 Comments:

Shiloh Walker said...: Too many to count... ;o) I've been blessed with some awesome friends.

Have had a few strangers offer as well, but the details run together because my memory sucks.

Alaska-how awesome. I've been there twice. My DH is half native Eskimo-on our last trip, we saw a bear-first and only time. We saw a lot of moose, though. They are like deer.

(don't enter me...); 5:12 AM
Barbara said...: Hi Kay-

Can't wait to get a copy of She's The One. I love the Alaska setting. Strangely enough Alaska is one of only two states that I have not been to...the other one being Washington state. I hope to visit both in the next few years so I can say I have been to all 50 states.

Someone who has gone above and beyond. On Jan 30th (the day before my birthday no less) my car decided to die on the way home from Noblesville. I called my friend Donna to come and pick me up and take me home. Then on Monday I had asked my friend and coworker Judy to give me a ride to work. Garage went and got my car. Come to find out the car ended up needing a new head gasket, timing belt and water pump and one other part that I keep forgetting. Total repairs close to $2000. Great but cheaper than a new car and no payments with getting a new car. Anyway they had a problem getting one of the parts so to make a long story short I was without a car for a total of 5 weeks. My fried Judy gave me a ride to work every day for the first three weeks...way above and beyond the couple of days I thought it would be. The last two weeks I ended up borrowing a car from someone else so they went above and beyond as well. So anyway I have some pretty amazing friends.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing She's The One with us...I love the story behind the story. Those are some amazing pictures of Alaska...very beautiful.; 5:38 AM
denise said...: The pics are so great. Love reading about this book. My mom always goes above and beyond. What a wonderful, giving person she is. I am so thankful to have her in my life. Enter me. csdsksds@gmail.com
Thanks.; 5:41 AM
Whalehugger said...: Nice pictures of Alaska. Very beautiful country.

One of the folks who's gone above and beyond for me is my best friend, Betty. We've been friends for some 25 years now. She keeps me grounded but also helps me fly, is a one-woman cheering section, and is a great writing buddy.; 5:43 AM
Kay Stockham said...: Lori, what a great intro! LOL Thanks so much.

Shiloh, great to see you!

Funny story--my dh and I were on our way home from vacation when we ran into Shiloh and her family coming home from one of her Alaska trips. Both of our flight schedules had been altered so the odds of meeting were next to impossible. Both of us were worse for wear after such long days/flights.

Barbara, how exciting to have been to so many states! I'd love to travel to all 50 as well.

Denise, moms are great, aren't they?? Thanks for stopping by!

Whalehugger, I have a BFF who has been around over 30 years. We've shared everything. So glad you have Betty.

Kay; 5:57 AM
Rebecca Ringler said...: Hi Kay - It's funny you are guest-blogging on here because I was actually wondering recently if I would ever see you on this blog. I used to subscribe to Alaska magazine because it fascinates me & I have always wanted to go there. I love the scenery. Thank you for letting us know the setting is Alaska. That makes it an instant read! I am not good when put on the spot about ?'s like this, but I know I have had many people go above & beyond for me. You can definitely send a book my way. I don't know what happened to the other one when you were celebrating your 5th, but I have yet to see it!! I hope you have a good day!! Rebecca; 6:15 AM
Andrea said...: The person that goes above and beyond in my life has to be my papaw. Whenever I need anything he is always there to help no matter what it is. When you can't really count on your parents for much its good to have granparents that are there to help and take care of you! The real stickler is I am not really biologically connected to him but when my dad adopted me at 2 there was no one else and it was great.

I am happy that you had the help you needed. And if you ever need help with rural Ohio lol e-mail me I am always happy to help!

dreabecraft520@aol.com; 6:20 AM
Becky said...: Hi Kay and all - some great pics and a wonderful example of the generosity in the romance community. The book sounds like another winner, too!

Hugs, Becky
www.BeckyBarker.com; 6:37 AM
Karren said...: I have been blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life, and I would have to say my mom and other members of my family have gone above and beyond more times that I can count. But one instanace that sticks out in my mind from a friend happened in 1998. My fiend and study partner during college and I would go to class together and study all evening together *when not at work). Well, we had a final in Organic Chemistry II on Monday morning and on Thursday evening I found out my dad had unexpectantly passed away. I called Ashley heartbroken and terrified because I knew there was no way I could take the final. She went to the professor, explained what happened to him and he carried forward my other grades. I never had to go back to the class and still came out with a good grade. Both she and my professor's actions allowed me to grieve and be with my family without having to worry about something, that while it was important, didn't compare.; 6:42 AM
Melissa Martin Wilson said...: Hi Kay,
We had a wonderful vet that would always go above and beyond to help us out with our fur babies (cats). He was our vet for over 10 yrs. and if we had an ill kitty that needed something on a Sunday, he would open up the clinic just to take care of them for us. So many times he did not charge us for visits & medications. Even when he moved from 20 mins. away from our home to 45 mins. away we followed him. Then one visit he shocked me by saying he was changing his career path and would no longer be practicing and would be taking another job. We were devasted, but wished him well. We still send him Christmas cards and will always love him, his generosity and caring ways. I still feel blessed to have known him. Melissa Wilson; 6:48 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm going to have to say my Dad. When I was going thru a time with my ex, my Dad was there. He lived in Florida at the time and I was considering moving back. He said I could live with him until I got back on my feet and even set up a job working with him. I decided not to move back, but knowing I had somewhere to go made what I was going thru easier. And then there was the time the alternator went out in my car - my Dad knew a guy and got me a deal and paid for the replacement.

Marcie; 7:18 AM
Anonymous said...: Thanks, Lori, for bringing Kay to us today.

Kay, welcome! I finished She's The One yesterday and really enjoyed it. I will fly in anything that will leave the ground, so I am familiar (very familiar) with the SuperCub and the DeHavilland Beaver and Otter aircraft, so this was wonderful to read a story with those planes playing such a large part in creating the story.
You did a fine job of using the information your friend Marlie supplied for you to build your story world. I was transported, something that doesn't always happen, to your characters' world and left to enjoy their story.

Thanks. I look forward to your next series.; 8:26 AM
Anonymous said...: Whoops! The above comment was made by

Ta Da!
Lynne Thomas; 8:28 AM
blackcatkitchen said...: Beautiful photos! I love the bears :)

I have two friends who have gone above and beyond. When I decided to get divorced, these two women who had gone through it stepped up and held my hand through the entire process. They checked in on me all the time just making sure I was OK. The reason I say this is above and beyond is because I was a horrible friend and didn't do the same for them when they were going through their divorces. It just made me realize that even if I don't know what someone's going through or are particularly close, I should be there for them no matter what. These two women are so strong and have become great friends to me. I am so thankful I have them in my life.; 9:08 AM
blackcatkitchen said...: Beautiful photos! I love the bears :)

I have two friends who have gone above and beyond. When I decided to get divorced, these two women who had gone through it stepped up and held my hand through the entire process. They checked in on me all the time just making sure I was OK. The reason I say this is above and beyond is because I was a horrible friend and didn't do the same for them when they were going through their divorces. It just made me realize that even if I don't know what someone's going through or are particularly close, I should be there for them no matter what. These two women are so strong and have become great friends to me. I am so thankful I have them in my life.; 9:08 AM
sonya said...: Hi Kay!

I have my copy of She's The One. No entry needed for me; however, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that I have thoroughly enjoyed the Tulane series. I love the way you have captured this family's dynamics.
SonyaM; 9:27 AM
elizabeth said...: The pick of the salmon run is awesome! I'm usually out on the ocean, trying to get a salmon or two before they go into fresh water.

Thanks for the memory blast. (and don't enter me; wouldn't be fair); 9:33 AM
elizabeth said...: oops, so enchanted by the bears that I didn't add that I am bless with friends who are my "sisters of choice." Plus one genetic sister, who would go to the wall for me--and I for her, just as for the chosen sisters.; 9:36 AM
Anonymous said...: A friend who does computer work. Used to do it full time, now just part time on the side, but if your hard drive crashes, this guy can recover anything.

KathyLynn

Cruelty is a mystery, and a waste of pain. --Annie Dillard; 9:42 AM
Carla Neggers said...: Great pics, Kay, and what a great story -- I just want to crawl into the artwork for SHE'S THE ONE! Congrats. I've found in my own work that people are incredibly generous with their expertise. I'm grateful to every one of them.; 9:43 AM
Kay Stockham said...: Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories with me. I loved reading them.

Rebecca, I'm so sorry you didn't get the book! Please email your shipping info again and I'll put another one in the mail.

Lynne and Sonya, thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed Alexandra's story.

Elizabeth, I meant to comment on the bears. They're not after fish but swarming a whale that had beached itself. Amazing pic, isn't it?

KathyLynn, Tech-savvy people are wonderful! I don't know what I'd do without the ones who help me.

Thanks for stopping by!

Kay; 12:06 PM
Anonymous said...: I was just sitting in the office, listening to the radio...heard a couple of pilots talking about the wind coming off Chakachama today. Made me think of you, Kay! So I checked in on your website, and ended up here. Thanks for letting me be a part of She's the One! I enjoyed answering your questions, and I really enjoyed the book.
I hope you get to Alaska someday, and we get to meet.
Marlie; 12:32 PM
Anonymous said...: Thank you, Marlie, from all of Kay's readers!

Lynne Thomas; 12:44 PM
Judy F said...: Great pictures Kay. I loved the book so don't enter me.

My best friend Ann has been there for me for so many things. I know I can call her anytime if something is up or even if it isn't.

The greatest people on earth are the nurses and aides that took care of my dad. They were the best support during his stay at the nursing home. Even the admistrator was wondeful. Can't thank them enough; 1:34 PM
tami said...: OOhhh, the Alaska pictures remind me of high school when my Dad work for an oil company when they first started the pipeline up there.

My husband is "Super Samaritan"! He always goes above and beyond not only for me but every stranded motorist he has come across.

Tami B.; 1:50 PM
slfrykholm said...: Hi Kay,
I want to tell about someone who helped me with writing research too. I was planning a trip to a small city off the beaten path in Italy for research on a (still unpublished) historical novel. I met Cesare online, and he helped me find a place to stay, when we arrived he transported us to several key locations, talked the watchmen into letting us in to hermitages, loaned us his cell phone, and (after months of fruitless effort on my part) arranged for a tour of a former monastery founded by one of my characters. WAY above and beyond!
I'm glad you made the connection with Marlie--I know she's a great researcher too. She's my sister. :)
Happy writing,
Sandy Frykholm; 2:07 PM
Kate Douglas said...: Kay, so cool to see you here today, and welcome to the Quills! I can't count the number of people who have gone "above and beyond," for me, though I did dedicate my latest book, DemonFire, to a dear friend who lost a long and courageous battle with cancer just last year. Her name was Patricia Lucas White, and we met online as authors for a small epublisher over ten years ago. Pat was a true example of "paying it forward," and her encouragement and advice got me over a lot of rough spots on my long road to publication. I've discovered that this business is absolutely filled with generous and kind people--both readers and authors--who will do anything to help someone in need.

Love the photos, and as much as I love to fly, those little planes remind me of mosquitoes!; 2:48 PM
Deb said...: I've been blessed many times with friends, my two sisters, and my mother. My mom was always positive and cheerful while I was growing up. She is now fighting an illness, but recovering, and she is doing it with grit, determination, and positive 'tude! SHE is MY HERO!!

Thanks for a good post! I look forward to reading STO!; 4:34 PM
susan andersen said...: Cool, post, Kay! My next book up, Burning Up, features a small town fire chief and shortly after getting the go ahead to write it I went skiing with a King County fire marshal. He not only supplied me with all kinds of great insider stuff, but gave me the name of an asst fire chief who was also generous with information. Then at a family reunion I cornered --um, politely asked--my cousin's son in law, an Oregon firefighter, about a scene I was then writing where my heroine is trapped in an abandoned farmhouse. He had me build a second floor onto it for a more realistic scenario.
And that's just that book. I could go on and on. :); 7:49 PM
Jayne Ann Krentz said...: Kay, welcome to RWQ. Alaska is a great setting! Our last frontier, as they say. Your book sounds perfect for the summer cruise traffic. Cruise season starts the first of May and runs through October and everyone who gets on a ship here in Seattle is headed to Alaska. We're talking thousands of folks! I sure hope your publisher makes certain your book is in all the on board shops on all the ships. If they aren't aware of how many books get sold on those cruise ships, you might want to drop a hint...

Best of luck with SHE'S THE ONE.

--Jayne; 8:14 PM
Mary said...: Wow, that's just awesome that someone did that for you. Those pictures are just awesome and those Bears, wow.

I would ahve to say the person who went abouve and beyond for me was a woman at the adoption research website I had contacted to try and find my brother.

She said he had contacted the same website and left his information years earlier but he must have moved since then because she sent dozens of letters out to the places he had moved to and they all came back moved to a new address.

So she told me about the letter forward thing that the DMV can do in California and told me exactly what to write so the DMV would forward my letter to my brother. it worked and I found him within a month.

I cannot thank that woman enough, she was such a big help.; 12:57 AM
Kay Stockham said...: Marlie!!! Your post reminded me that I meant to send you a link before I left the house yesterday and I forgot. Sigh. Babysitting a 3 year old will do that to you. LOL I'm so glad you followed the breadcrumbs and I'll hold you to meeting in person one day. Thanks again for all the help!

JudyF-so glad your BFF is there for you. They get us through the hard stuff, don't they? And hospice care workers are angels on earth. It takes a very special person to be able to do that day after day.

Tami, your husband sounds like a hero!

Sandy, good luck with your writing and I hope that story sells soon. How wonderful to have such a personal tour of Italy!

Kate, I'm so sorry for your loss, but happy you had Patricia in your life. She sounds like a very special person. ((hugs))

Deb ((hugs)) to you, too, on your mom's illness. I learned the true meaning of the word strength when my mom battled cancer six years ago. She's now well and can out work me any day of the week. I'll keep your mom in my thoughts.

Jayne, thank you so much for the advice! Will definitely pass the nudge along. Great idea! I hadn't even thought of that.

Mary, what an amazing adoption story! I did not know the DMV would do that for people. So glad you found your brother.

Kay

ps--Hope I haven't missed anyone. If I have please forgive me.; 4:47 AM
Rebecca Ringler said...: I loved Jayne's comment about the books on cruise ships. It's a nice thought & the business end is important!! I hope everyone has a good weekend!!; 7:37 AM
Mary said...: Actually as far as I know not all DMV's will do that, but California is one that will.; 5:45 PM
Tina said...: The pictures are beautiful. I'd love to visit Alaska someday -- preferably in the summer, though.

My above and beyond story: There are a few things (like the friend that recently rescued my computer from a heinous rogue program), but the most "above and beyond" anyone has ever gone for me was when my oldest 2 kids were 18 months old and 7 months old, respectively. Their dad and I were stationed in New Mexico and coming back from one of our twice-a-year trips home (he is from Illinois and I'm from Kentucky). The trip back began badly with a flat tire when we were barely 20 miles away from his parents' house. It continued in that vein with our daughter (the youngest, at the time) throwing up all over the car. Unfortunately, I couldn't crack the window after cleaning her and the car seat up because of the massive thunderstorm that lasted for hours. If all this weren't bad enough, we got to the Oklahoma state line, pulled into the toll booth, and the guy there said, "Darlin? You seem to have some smoke coming out from under your hood there." We popped the hood and found that the freaking car was on fire! We got the fire out before it did too much damage, fortunately, but many of the parts -- spark plugs, air filter, etc -- were oil-fouled and fire-damaged.

So, at this point, we had one sick baby, one massive rain storm, one very broken car, one husband that was going to be AWOL in 2 days if we didn't get back, and exactly $200 to our name. None of our relatives had much money and we didn't know what we were going to do.

The guy that owned the garage overheard me on the phone to my grandmother and saw that I was crying and he -- unbeknownst to us at the time -- called his wife who called her church group. The church group put us in a motel overnight and arranged for us to eat at the restaurant next to it. The garage owner's wife brought a bag of food to the motel so that we wouldn't have to buy anymore food along the way. Meanwhile, her husband found that we had a cracked head gasket and some clogged hoses, which had caused oil to drip on the manifold, causing the fire. He replaced the damaged parts, the head gasket, and the hoses and wouldn't take more than $100 for everything. AND he gave us his card and said that if we had anymore problems within the next 150 miles, just call him.

That was 22 years ago and it still is, flat-out, the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me. At the time, I was so frazzled, it didn't even dawn on me to get their address to send them a thank-you card, but I wrote a letter to their local paper, thanking them for all their help. I sure hope that they saw it.; 2:41 PM
Stella said...: Hi Kay: It's lovely to have you here. Thanks for the wonderful photos and the best of luck with SHE'S THE ONE.

Stella; 4:37 PM
Kay Stockham said...: Thanks so much for visiting and keeping me company! I absolutely loved the stories.

And now... The winner is Tina! Tina, please email me CIA my website at www.kaystockham.com with your shipping information.

Hope you all enjoy She's the One!

Kay; 6:02 PM
Kay Stockham said...: Heh. I hate trying to respond with my phone. Lol That should have said VIA not CIA!

Oops! Lol

Kay; 6:04 PM
Tina said...: Thanks Kay! I'll be sure to email you right away. I'm looking forward to getting your book!; 8:28 PM

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Kay Stockham - She's the One

39 Comments: