My favorite book this year, has to be Orphan Train. Maybe it had something to do with my roots in Minnesota, but I think mostly, it was just a book that touched my heart. I got to interview Kline this week, and I was so excited to get to know this fabulous author. She was gracious and sweet, and I knew right away that I might love her books, but I would also like her as a person as well! Thank you , Christina~

Read on to know more about this author and to find the scavenger hunt clue for Solstice’s Halloween Hunt! Solstice Publishing will have you visit several websites to find riddles and jokes to answer–winner may receive up to 50 free books!

What do you expect to accomplish this year?

I am working on a novel inspired by the painting, Christina’s World. It speaks to me and represents America in its dignity and strength. There is a great story behind it and I can’t wait to write more about it. If you google the name, you will see what I mean; it is set in Maine, my favorite place to be. (It helps that the name of the painting just happens to be my name as well! I grew up knowing this painting.)

Also, I am still touring for Orphan Train as it remains a bestseller, and will continue to do so for as long as the events are available.

What genre do you like to write? Read?

I am a fan of Literary Fiction in general. I also write for this genre, and mainly stay to an adult contemporary fiction path. I do love so many novels, memoirs, and some nonfiction as well. Sometimes, I think my books cross genres and age groups as they have a hint of historical fiction, or maybe have a younger protagonist that may interest teens, but overall they fit into literary fiction.

Where do you get your ideas? Do you have a personal attachment to the Orphan Train story, or an interest in history?

My husband’s grandfather was an orphan on a train sent to Jamestown, ND. When I read the article, I just knew this was a fascinating piece of history. He wasn’t from New York, as in the setting in my book, but from Missouri.  I also have another book with a character that cooks, which I used to do professionally. I do incorporate a lot of my life into my work.

What other hobbies do you have besides writing?

I love to go for walks with friends, cook, and spend time with my three boys. I like to go to Maine and hike as much as I can, and I am doing a little bit of weight training, which I don’t love, but it is part of my life.

Who is your favorite author? Favorite book?

I do tend to favor the 19th century authors. I love books like Anna Karenina, Madame Bovary…I love The Hours by Cunningham, and most recently, Room by Donahue.

Which book are you most proud of?
That’s hard to say. It would be like asking to pick your favorite child. For a more serious read, I might choose, Bird in Hand. It involves a car accident and the dissolution of marriage. It has a lot of depth. On the other hand, for a lighter read, I would say, The Way Life Should Be. It’s a great read as it’s light hearted, has delicious recipes and a little bit of comedy.

Christina Baker Kline is the New York Times-bestselling author of five novels – Orphan Train, Bird in Hand, The Way Life Should Be, Desire Lines and Sweet Water – and the author/editor of five nonfiction books.  Writer-in-Residence at Fordham University from 2007-2011, Kline is a recent recipient of a Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Fellowship and several research fellowships (to Ireland and Minnesota), and has been a Writer-in-Residence at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.  She lives with husband and three sons near New York City, and spends as much time as possible on the coast of Maine, where she grew up.

Scavenger Hunt Riddle:

Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road?

 Go to this website to find out all the sites you need to visit to win tons of free books! http://store.solsticepublishing.com/halloween-scavenger-hunt/