Get ready to dive into the enchanting world of Kristy Woodson Harvey, a beloved Southern author whose latest novel, A HAPPIER LIFE, promises to captivate and inspire. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Beaufort, North Carolina, this story weaves together themes of family secrets, self-discovery, and the enduring pursuit of happiness. With her signature warmth and charm, Kristy brings to life the vivid characters of Keaton and Becks, drawing readers into their intertwined journeys across generations. In this exclusive interview, Kristy shares the inspirations behind her setting and characters, the significance of historic homes, and the powerful connections that shape her storytelling. Don't miss this insightful conversation that will leave you eager to explore the pages of A HAPPIER LIFE and discover the magic of Beaufort through Kristy's eyes.
Jennifer Vido: You chose to set A HAPPIER LIFE in the picturesque coastal town of Beaufort, North Carolina, where you have made your home. What initially inspired you to craft a story rooted in the very place you reside, and how did your intimate familiarity with Beaufort shape the way you brought this charming setting to life on the page?
Kristy Woodson Harvey: To be completely honest, I was originally going to set this story in Key West. My great aunt and uncle inspired Becks and Townsend in a lot of ways, and they lived in Key West—and passed away in an unusual accident in the 1970s. That said, I needed a lot of things to make this novel work: a historic home, a town of very involved and interested locals, and a real event that could connect the 1970s and 2024 storylines. So, the more I wrote, the more I realized that Beaufort was the perfect setting. I have lived here for eight years now, and I felt like I was finally in a position to credibly bring this town to life, and I hope locals will agree!
Jen: You've created vivid and layered characters in Keaton and Becks for A HAPPIER LIFE. Can you discuss your process for developing these two central women and what you hoped their individual arcs would convey to readers?
Kristy: I think the parallels between these women ended up being as interesting to me as their separate arcs. I don’t outline, so I often go into a story not knowing what’s going to happen, which is a great deal of fun. I didn’t really expect for Becks’s passions and journey to end up shaping Keaton’s next chapter as much as they did, so that was a fun surprise. And I also didn’t plan for the Beaufort Old Homes Tour to become a link between the past and present that would connect these women through time. I think what I loved most was the way that Becks’s life ended up shaping and informing Keaton’s even though she wasn’t alive to guide her in the present. To me, it’s a testament to how strong family ties can be even beyond death.
Jen: The relationship between Keaton and her neighbor (and his son) is central to the story. Can you discuss the importance of this connection and how it impacts Keaton?
Kristy: The scene where Keaton thinks ten-year-old Anderson might be a ghost—and Anderson helps Keaton with her squirrel problem—was the first one I wrote in this novel. I don’t know why or how, but it just popped into my head, and Anderson became a central part of the story from then on. I didn’t want everyone to be thrilled that Keaton was in Beaufort and so Bowen (the neighbor) serves as that initial prickly welcome for her and grows into so much more.
Jen: Becks' character is described as a renowned hostess, known for her legendary summer suppers. What inspired this aspect of her character?
Kristy: Becks was, in some ways, like my grandmother, who was the consummate hostess and passed along so much of her wisdom to me. But I think this book also becomes an observation of the ways in which tradition still stands—and the ways in which some of it is lost—and the push-pull between the two. I didn’t mean for that to happen, but I love that aspect of Keaton’s storyline as she fights to hold onto some of the tradition the grandmother she never knew was so attached to.
Jen: The house on Sunset Lane is a recurring motif, protecting the secrets and dreams of the women in the family. What significance does this setting hold?
Kristy: In a lot of ways, this story began with the house and the notion that houses forever hold the stories of their inhabitants. I live in a 1903 house in Beaufort (quite “new” for the area!) and I love the folklore and urban legends that are specific to this house and thinking about all the memories made by the people who lived here before I did. I liked thinking that the house was the only one that really knew what happened to Rebecca and Townsend Saint James and it was a bit of a jumping off point for me.
Jen: As an author known for your warmth and Southern charm, how did you infuse these elements into the novel's storytelling and characters?
Kristy: Thank you! That’s very nice. Honestly… the South is just what I know. It’s where I grew up, and where I still live, and it’s interesting to me what changes and what stays the same. I don’t think I intentionally put that into the books; it’s just a part of the lives we lead.
Jen: The book explores themes of family secrets, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness. What message did you hope to convey to readers through these themes?
Kristy: Going into the book, I loved the idea that finding out where we came from can ultimately help set up on the path to where we are meant to be, so that was always an important part of the story. But I think this became a book about how what happens to us might shape our lives, but we always have the chance to be ones to define what happens next. Keaton and Becks are both good examples of that.
Jen: As an avid reader yourself, I'm curious what books are currently on your to-be-read stack? Are there any upcoming releases you're looking forward to diving into this summer?
Kristy: So many! I have absolutely loved Jamie Brenner’s A NOVEL SUMMER, Jane Rosen’s SEVEN SUMMER WEEKENDS, Emily Giffin’s THE SUMMER PACT, and Annabel Monaghan’s SUMMER ROMANCE, just to name a few! What a great summer for reading this is going to be!
Jen: Friends & Fiction has become a beloved virtual gathering place for readers to connect with their favorite authors. What has the experience been like being part of this innovative online community?
Kristy: Completely life changing! I never imagined having the opportunity or the platform to meet with so many readers at the same time. It’s incredibly gratifying to say the least. And, now that I’m about to head out on tour, meeting members of this community in real is one of the most exciting things I get to do. Plus, my relationships with the other authors have been nothing short of sustaining. We were given a huge gift, and I’m so grateful for it!
Jen: Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and chat about your new novel, A HAPPIER LIFE. Wishing you a happy, relaxing summer filled with more creative inspiration!
Kristy: Thank you SO much for having me, Jen. You are incredible, and I’m so thrilled to get to spend this time with your readers! I so hope that they will enjoy A HAPPIER LIFE as much as I loved writing it!
The historic houses in the seaside town of Beaufort, North Carolina, have held the secrets of their inhabitants for centuries. One of the most enduring refuses to be washed away by the tide: What happened to Rebecca and Townsend Saint James on that fateful night of their disappearance in 1976?
Now, the granddaughter they never knew, Keaton Smith, is desperate for a fresh start. So when her mother needs someone to put her childhood home in Beaufort on the market, she jumps at the chance to head south. But the moment she steps foot inside the abandoned house, which has been closed for nearly fifty years, she wonders if she’s bitten off more than she can chew. Wading through the detritus of her grandparents’ lives, Keaton finds herself enchanted by their southern traditions—and their great, big love. As she gets to know her charming next-door neighbor, his precocious ten-year-old son, and a flock of endearingly feisty town busybodies, Keaton begins to wonder if the stories she has been told about her grandparents are true.
Keaton’s grandmother, Rebecca “Becks” Saint James’s annual summer suppers are the stuff of legend, and locals and out-of-towners alike clamor for an invitation to her stunning historic home. But, in the summer of 1976, she’s struggling behind the facade of the woman who can do it all—and facing a problem that even she can’t solve.
As Keaton and Becks face new challenges and chapters, they are connected through time by the house on Sunset Lane, which has protected the secrets, hopes, and dreams of their family for generations.
Women's Fiction Contemporary | Romance Contemporary [Gallery Books, On Sale: June 25, 2024, Hardcover / e-Book, ISBN: 9781668012192 / ]
Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly best-selling author of nine novels including Under the Southern Sky, The Peachtree Bluff Series, and The Wedding Veil. Her Peachtree Bluff Series is currently in development with NBC with Kristy as co-writer and co-executive producer. She is the winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing, a finalist for the Southern Book Prize, and her books have received numerous accolades including Southern Living’s Most Anticipated Beach Reads, Entertainment Weekly’s Spring Reading Picks, and Katie Couric’s Most Anticipated Reads.
She blogs with her mom Beth Woodson on Design Chic about how creating a beautiful home can be the catalyst for creating a beautiful life. Design Chic is the inaugural member of the design blogger hall of fame, sponsored by Traditional Home, and winner of Amara’s Best Luxury Blog, as chosen by Roberto Cavalli. She also loves connecting with readers her website.
Harvey is a Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism and holds a master’s in English from East Carolina University, with a concentration in multicultural and transnational literature. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications and websites, including Southern Living, Traditional Home, Parade, USA Today, Domino, Our State and O. Henry. She has been seen in Today.com, Women’s Health, The Washington Post, US News and World Report, The Huffington Post, Marie Claire’s The Fix, Woman’s World, Readers’ Digest, Bustle, New York Live and North Carolina Bookwatch, among others.
Kristy is a co-founder and co-host of the hit weekly webshow and podcast, Friends & Fiction, with fellow authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel and Patti Callahan Henry. She is a proud member of the Tall Poppy Writers, serves on the board of The University of North Carolina’s Library Board, the Beaufort Historical Association, and is a member of the University of North Carolina’s Women’s Leadership Council. She is a frequent speaker at fundraisers, book conferences and private events. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and ten-year-old son where she is working on her next novel.
Jennifer Vido writes sweet romances set in the Lowcountry filled with southern charm and hospitality. In between chapters, she interviews authors for her bi-weekly Jen’s Jewels column on FreshFiction.com. Most mornings, she teaches an arthritis-friendly water exercise class for seniors before heading to the office to serve as the executive director of a legal non-profit. A New Jersey native, she currently lives in Maryland with her husband and two rescue dogs and is the proud parent of two sons who miss her home-cooked meals. To learn more, please visit her website.
No comments posted.
© 2003-2025 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy