Monday, August 15, 2011

Karin Kaufman's "The Witch Tree"


Title: The Witch Tree

Cover blurb:Four days before Christmas in Elk Park, Colorado, genealogist Anna Denning discovers a client’s body. When she starts asking questions no one wants answered, she becomes the killer’s next target. Still grieving the death of her husband, Anna must draw on her wounded faith to enter a world of wicca and paganism -- and discover the secret of The Witch Tree.

1) How did this story come to you?
Several things came together. First, I’ve loved mysteries since I was a kid and I’ve always wanted to write the kind of mystery I like to read. Second, about ten years ago I started researching my family tree, and as anyone who’s done that knows, genealogical research is a lot like detective work -- or at least how mystery writers imagine detective work to be! (I should mention that the “tree” in the title is a family tree -- in this case, one full of witches.)

And finally, in my twenties, even though I considered myself a Christian, I dabbled in wicca. I feel tremendous empathy for young people caught up in wicca, witchcraft, and paganism. I completely understand what draws them to those “paths.”

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Although I wrote a lot as a child and off and on as an adult, I didn’t complete my first mystery novel until about seven years ago. A couple years after that, I wrote my second mystery. Neither book was fit for publication, but I learned a lot as I wrote and received some encouraging feedback. After I finished The Witch Tree, I realized that the world of publishing had changed a great deal, so I decided to change with it and publish my mystery as an indie ebook.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. In my early teens I played guitar in an all-girl rock band. We were ahead of our time!
2. When I lived in Los Angeles, I worked on the sets of two low-budget movies produced by the king of B movies, Roger Corman.
3. I dislike summer, and since weather plays a big part in everything I write, I may never write a mystery that takes place during the summer months . . . though a Christian horror novel and August seem made for each other.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m working on some short stories (mysteries with a touch of romance) and the second novel in my Anna Denning mystery series.

5) Parting comments?
Thank you for having me, Dawn! I love connecting with readers.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website: http://www.karinkaufman.com/
My blog: http://www.karin-kaufman.blogspot.com/
I’m also easy to find on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.







18 comments:

  1. Great interview! Your book sounds very interesting Karin!

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  2. Great interview K. Dawn, You gave! Karin Kaufman the opportunity to explain how she was inspired to write The Witch Tree.

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  3. Thanks for a great interview. I love mysteries also and I love to find ones I can share with my granddaughter. She also loves mysteries and its hard to find good ones a teen can read also. I know wroth will enjoy it. Thank for the chance to read a great story and share it.
    Heidi
    hshaferwilson3@gmail.com

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  4. though a Christian horror novel and August seem made for each other.

    Too funny, Karin! Sounds like our summers here in the south ~ although, it seems an early fall may be coming on, which is unusual.

    Please don't enter me to win as I already bought her wonderful book. I can barely wait to delve into it...
    Amanda

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  5. Very fun and interesting interview! I'm wondering if the next book in the series will involve an all-girl band!

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  6. Nice job, ladies. I enjoyed reading about the book and inspiration behind it. Sounds intriguing; definitely like something I'd enjoy.

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  7. This author is new to me and I really enjoyed her interview with you. Please include me in her book drawing...
    Thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  8. Great interview! It was interesting to see how this book came about to be written.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  9. I know nothing about wicca aside from the witch aspect of it, but it sounds like you've built a good story around it. Thanks for the chance to win.
    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  10. Colorado and Christmas. Sounds like a good read !!

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  11. Not sure if my email address showed up !! I always have trouble posting on here.

    Donna J Krueger
    djkrueger@wildblue.net

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  12. This sounds like a very exciting book! I'd love to read it. Please enter me to win. My e-mail address is shartmann5(at)yahoo(dot)com.

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  13. Very interesting interview - I enjoyed learning how the story line came to be! As for the book itself, the description of the winter climate in Colorado ALMOST makes me want to experience it for myself!
    Carole Pile
    cmpile@sbcglobal.net

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  14. What an interesting topic! I think it's important for believers to understand how easy it is for people to be drawn into these supposedly innocent things.
    I would love the book.
    Linda
    dlarock(at)wolfenet(dot)com

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  15. I want to know the secret of THE WITCH TREE too. Sounds amazing.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  16. I've heard about this book somewhere else and it sounded interesting. I am really looking into some mysteries lately so would like the chance to win it. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

    countrysunset40 (at) aol dot com

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  17. My thanks to everyone who posted. I've loved reading your comments. I've decided to have two winners instead of one, and my dog Sophie has done the choosing (via her nose touching pieces of paper--very scientific!). The winners are Tracy Smith and Heidi. I'll be sending you both an email. Thanks everyone, and thank you K. Dawn for having me!

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