 Texan mom, Chriss Hill took a creative writing class in 2000, which resparked her love of writing and romance and resulted in a 608 page-turning novel. Sit back and enjoy as we discover how the musical family shows of the 70s led to a tale covering two continents, multiple heros, and multiple births.
PDB: Chriss, welcome to the Polka Dot Banner. As you know, your profile was the top viewed for January. Congratulations!
CH: Wow! I'm suprised and very honored!
PDB: Would you like to tell readers a little bit about your book?
CH: Hostage to her Heart is a unique story that includes large families with multibirth situations, music, and the belief that fate and the power of prayer can bring answers to many of our internal conflicts.
I think many women can identify with the heroine, Tara Reece. She's a new bride that deals with aristrocratic in-laws and strange outsiders who bring interference to her life as she settles into her role of new wife and mother-to-be. She’s living in a strange country where the customs are different. So at first, we can undestand her problems. Then her husband is away too often because of navy assignments. It's his job. It's what he's suppose to do, although he truly wishes he could just stay behind to be with her. He gets baffled how to make their relationship stronger when she suddenly takes an interest elsewhere. They both make many mistakes as they try to figure out the other.
PDB: What prompted you to write this book?
CH: I grew up in the 70's when television really brought out musical families. There were The Osmonds, The Jackson Five, and The Partridge Family -- all in our living rooms. Thus, I had to create a story with this theme in it somehow, that's why this book includes a lot of children. Everything is truly believable, and you will fall for this family.
PDB: What is your style of writing like? 
CH: Like a dramatic television soap, the characters encountered make you either love them or hate them, but then they do something to change your mind. You have to dig deep to figure out their motives overall. In my book, even the maids make observations about what’s happening in these particular households and put in their two cents. Everyone is flawed, but then just like us, aren't we all in some way?
The language in the book is not pornographic or too erotic. I do write with candor so you do realize what’s happening between the characters, but I don’t make the scenes vulgar or write with foul language. There are other books for that, but this is not one of them. I wanted to write about the heart of the characters -- their high-energy emotions and their personal conflicts, how they resolve their issues and what makes them tick inside. I think everyone can identify with at least one or two as they read along.
PDB: You had a great review from Coffee Time Romance (Wateena). She said, "This is a very emotional and heartfelt story... it was hard to cheer one character on and not another." She, and others, are definitely applauding you for your great characterization!
CH: Yes, my readers find themselves rooting for Danny Cross, the hero, yet also loving Ross Kelly as well. The story was originally pulled out from a longer manuscript that I conceived about the lives of two childhood "cosmic" friends, Tara and Ross. The pair has an unbreakable bond so that ultimately if they love one, they have to put up with the other. It makes for interesting conflicts along the way. What are their answers to fix their lives? Who gives the best advice? Who holds their destiny?
PDB: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
CH: Writing is a wonderful outlet to create a world born from our imaginations. Once it's done, you have to work to make it as perfect as possible: in the flow, the grammar, the editing process. Hard work indeed. Then, when you have to sell your book, it's not easy when there are so many out there who want the same success. You need to feel good in your accomplisments, no matter how small. Be satisfied with each baby step that gets you to your goals and makes you grow as a writer. Never give up. Never surrender, and never sell yourself short. You completed a book, a narrative that can be passed down through your family. In your children's eyes, they will see you as someone who ventured forth with an idea and finished it. Something checked off in your own personal bucket list. No matter if fame finds you. You have your own star in your hands--something that will always be yours forever.
PDB: What are some ways you have marketed you book?
 CH: I stumbled upon a podcast on the internet where Jamie Saloff was describing the PolkaDotBanner. I joined right away and never regretted it. It's been one of the best websites for marketing books. We must stick together as authors to promote our books. 2008 was a real challenge for me and with a sequel coming up, I know this website is an asset. The more I can tell others about it, the more it helps the authors here and not just me. Curiosity kills the cat they say, and with advertising this site to as many places as I can, it's like putting a lot of catnip out there to reel them in to buy our books.
To buy Chriss' book now from
Amazon.com, click here.
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