Interview with Cristal Hummingbird on Three Little Birds Book Blog 12/1/14
http://3lbbookblog.com/authorspotligh...

Thank you so much for doing this interview with me! Here are my questions. Sorry if it’s a lot, but I’ve always wanted to interview you!

H: Tell us a little about yourself: Who are you? Where are you from? What do you like? What do you do?

AH: I’m just a wife and a mom. My coolest claim to fame is that I know Gladys Knight and sang in her choir for seven years. She’s a fantastic lady and an amazing inspiration. I write, I take care of my kids, I love to do research and I adore a good love story. I love food and books and music, not necessarily in that order. I grew up in Utah, lived in Las Vegas for ten years and moved back to Utah four years ago.

H: When did you start writing? Why?

AH: I’ve always been a writer. Poetry, song lyrics, essays. But I didn’t start writing in earnest until about eight years ago. I started publishing because I was desperate. We were seriously broke, I had a new baby, my oldest was in and out of the hospital, and my husband was working in another state. Things had to change, and I jumped in with both feet and published a book I’d written years before. (Running Barefoot)

My son, Samuel, was born with a port-wine stain that covered half of his face. It was very dark red and the skin on that side is slightly thicker than the skin on the other side of his face. Luckily for Sam, they can now treat this condition, where even ten-fifteen years ago, that option did not exist. The treatments are very expensive and painful, and so far, Sam has had four laser surgeries, which have improved the overall appearance. He will have to have several more. However, he still gets stares and whispers, and I can't tell you how many times I've overheard someone say, (mostly little kids who don't know better) "What's wrong with his face?"

In my new book, Making Faces, I introduce you to Ambrose Young, a handsome, young, athlete who volunteers to serve his country and is injured in Iraq. This is a special story, and it's an important one. It's funny and romantic and heart-breaking. I hope my romance readers won't be turned off by Ambrose Young or his injuries, both emotional and physical. 

Available on October 20! I would really love to see this book do well, because it isn't your typical romance. It will break your heart, but you'll love every second of it.

I made the New York Times Bestsellers List. #6. I did it. I don't know how. I don't know why. But I'm absolutely overcome right now, and have just been sitting on the news for the last couple of hours, crying a little, laughing a lot. I called my husband and then my parents and my younger brother Joey because he has been my biggest cheerleader. I told my kids and they proceeded to ask me if we could finally buy a house (ha ha). I told my daughter Claire, who is nine, that I felt like throwing up but was deliriously happy at the same time. She said, "So you feel like puking rainbows, right?" Yep. That pretty much sums it up. Puking rainbows. 

Thanks to all who believed in me and believed in A Different Blue. Thank you for reading and encouraging me. I have a list too long to name, and would hate to leave someone out. But mostly right now, I'm just grateful for the readers and the bloggers and the wonderful friends I've made all across the world on this adventure. And I'm grateful to a loving God who has always made his presence known in my life. So overcome right now.