LK Hunsaker

Biography

~ Literary Romance With An Artsy Twist ~

LK Hunsaker is the author of a string of novels centered around the arts and societal issues. Raised in Central Illinois in the midst of an artistic family and surrounded by cornfields, she married a career soldier and spent the next 20 years moving around the U.S. and abroad. During that time, she raised two children, worked a few odd jobs, finished her psychology degree, and embarked on a writing career. She and her husband are now settled in Western Pennsylvania surrounded by trees and lakes, but they still get restless feet and the urge to travel.

LK has been called one of the "great storytellers" with "brilliant writing" by reviewers and peers, and has won several peer awards and commendations. Her short stories, poems, reviews, and articles have been published in literary ezines and print magazines.

Smashwords Interview

What are your five favorite books, and why?
Only five? That's tough. Let's see:
1) I have to start with the Hardy Boys series because it pulled me back to my local library time and again until I read every single one they had, and thankfully, that was a lot. After I'd gone through them all, I started searching for other books that looked interesting. Of course there were plenty. I do love libraries!
2) John Jakes, the Kent Family Chronicles. I was so fully captivated by that series they might be the first books I reread (since I haven't yet reread a book). I read them back when I was a teen. I love history, especially American history, and the characters pulled me right in.
3) The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. I love the whole inter-connectedness idea and it's truly uplifting. I'm Christian and follow Christ's teaching to love each other and treat people well (at least I try!), but I've studied enough world religion to realize at the heart of it all, the best and most influential religous leaders all really agree on that one thing: love each other and treat each other, and ourselves, well.
4) The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Just ... yes. I haven't read them all yet but I plan to get there.
5) Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson. Not only is it a touching realistic story with beautiful societal content, but her prose is absolutely outstanding. I also love Gilead and Home. These will be rereads, as well. As a literary-bent writer, these are books not just to savor, but to study.
I cheated a bit using series, but I'm a writer who knows you have to break the rules at times.
What do you read for pleasure?
I read a lot of literary/mainstream fiction and I have since I was young. I also love historicals and my current author loves are Edward Rutherford and Frank Delaney. I tend more toward male authors for some reason. However, I do love a nice well-written deep characterization romance when I can find that. Now and then I read non-fiction, often music and other artist biographies. I like cozy mysteries, such as Roberta Isleib and Maggie Toussaint. I'm fairly open to most genres other than horror, graphic suspense, erotica, or sci fi (although I'm a Star Trek and original Star Wars fan).
Read more of this interview.

Where to find LK Hunsaker online

Where to buy in print

Series

Rehearsal
It's About The Journey. The Rehearsal Series is a musical romantic saga beginning in Spring, 1974 and running into the mid-Eighties. Societal aspects of the era highlight family, parenting, and friendship, all behind a story of lingering and passionate romance mixed with laughter and drama. Rehearsal is a continuing serial read.

Books

Rehearsal: A Different Drummer (1-6-Serenade)
Series: Rehearsal. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 45,050. Language: American English. Published: December 29, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » New adult, Fiction » Women's fiction » General
The Rehearsal Series is a musical romantic saga beginning in Spring, 1974 and running into the mid-Eighties. Family, parenting, and friendship mix into a story of lingering and passionate romance. A Different Drummer is the first book of the series, now split into separate sections. In Serenade, part 6, an explosive climax leads to cemented resolutions for the band and the friends.
Rehearsal: A Different Drummer (1-5-Dissonance)
Series: Rehearsal. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 46,740. Language: American English. Published: August 29, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » New adult, Fiction » Women's fiction » General
The Rehearsal Series is a musical romantic saga beginning in Spring, 1974 and running into the mid-Eighties. Family, parenting, and friendship mix into a story of lingering and passionate romance. A Different Drummer is the first book of the series, now split into separate sections. In Dissonance, the band hits the road and friendships hit shaky ground.
Rehearsal: A Different Drummer (1-4-Crescendo)
Series: Rehearsal. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 21,010. Language: American English. Published: August 26, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » New adult, Fiction » Women's fiction » General
The Rehearsal Series is a musical romantic saga beginning in Spring, 1974 and running into the mid-Eighties. Family, parenting, and friendship mix into a story of lingering and passionate romance. A Different Drummer is the first book of the series, now split into separate sections. In Crescendo, Susie's past rushes in and misunderstandings arise. Book 1 Part 4.
Rehearsal: A Different Drummer (1-1-Fugue)
Series: Rehearsal. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 80,990. Language: American English. Published: June 30, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » New adult, Fiction » Women's fiction » General
The Rehearsal Series is a musical romantic saga beginning in Spring, 1974 and running into the mid-Eighties. Family, parenting, and friendship mix into a story of lingering and passionate romance. A Different Drummer is the first book of the series, now split into separate sections. In Fugue, Duncan moves in with Evan, joins his band, and falls for his long-time best friend and love interest.
Rehearsal: A Different Drummer (1-2-Fanfare)
Series: Rehearsal. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 60,640. Language: American English. Published: June 30, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » New adult, Fiction » Women's fiction » General
The Rehearsal Series is a musical romantic saga beginning in Spring, 1974 and running into the mid-Eighties. Family, parenting, and friendship mix into a story of lingering and passionate romance. A Different Drummer is the first book of the series, now split into separate sections. In Fanfare, the band goes on tour amidst gradual and abrupt personal developments.
Rehearsal: A Different Drummer (1-3-Transpositions)
Series: Rehearsal. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 32,420. Language: American English. Published: June 30, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » New adult, Fiction » Women's fiction » General
The Rehearsal Series is a musical romantic saga beginning in Spring, 1974 and running into the mid-Eighties. Family, parenting, and friendship mix into a story of lingering and passionate romance. A Different Drummer is the first book of the series, now split into separate sections. In Transpositions, stronger bonds are created while other bonds are shattered.
Rehearsal: A Different Drummer (1-0-Overture)
Series: Rehearsal. Price: Free! Words: 3,310. Language: American English. Published: June 18, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » New adult, Fiction » Women's fiction » General
The Rehearsal Series is a musical romantic saga beginning in Spring, 1974 and running into the mid-Eighties. Family, parenting, and friendship mix into a story of lingering and passionate romance. A Different Drummer is the first book of the series, now split into separate sections. In Overture, the prologue, Evan finds Duncan playing in a little dive in Greenville, Pennsylvania. Spring 1972
Final Strokes
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 90,990. Language: English. Published: June 28, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Women's fiction » General, Fiction » Literature » Literary
Jenna Rhodes has life set up the way she wants, with a burgeoning career and her artist boyfriend at her side. While raising children and juggling job responsibilities, the two painters with different styles find they also have different visions of the future. Their separate choices and Jenna's resentments from the past push them to the far corners of their canvas. A Finishing Touches sequel.
Moondrops & Thistles
Price: $4.95 USD. Words: 195,210. Language: English. Published: July 4, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Women's fiction » General, Fiction » Historical » USA
(4.00 from 1 review)
Daws is a stalwart soldier entrenched in his work. Deanna is a fiery spirit on a mission. Love. Honor. Trust. Sacrifice.
Toward The Sky
Price: Free! Words: 2,240. Language: English. Published: August 24, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » General, Fiction » Women's fiction » General
(5.00 from 3 reviews)
Daws returns to NYC from a military funeral to find a burst of new life in the guise of a rain-drenched love-scorned ball of fire. (Pre-edit scene from an in progress novel titled "Moondrops and Thistles," expected summer 2011)
Protect The Heart
Price: $3.95 USD. Words: 66,770. Language: English. Published: May 29, 2010 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » War & military adventure, Fiction » Romance » General
(4.50 from 2 reviews)
Abraham and Cameron leave their Snake River Valley homes to join the war effort while Maura, Cameron's near-betrothed, is left at home holding the pieces together. Over time and letters, she ponders her relationship with Cameron and is drawn to Abraham's artistic and poetic nature. A twist as unpredictable as the Snake itself brings Maura an unexpected ally and swift change of course.
Off The Moon
Price: $4.95 USD. Words: 162,570. Language: English. Published: December 3, 2009 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Romance » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
"Riveting" Ryan Reynauld is immersed in a world of music, parties, and temporary companionship. At the top of the pop charts, his biggest concern is the way his music is produced, until he finds a young woman on a window ledge. Against advice from family and friends, and through media attacks and fan protests, Ryan determines to care for her himself, making a promise that may destroy his career.
Jacob's Cross
Price: Free! Words: 2,220. Language: English. Published: April 10, 2009 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary
(4.00 from 2 reviews)
Alicia goes fishing in the dark of night to wrestle with her grief and to try to understand the nature of loss and sacrifice.
Mount Good Take
Price: Free! Words: 3,210. Language: English. Published: March 22, 2009 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary
(4.00 from 2 reviews)
Derek fills a void in his own life by leading locals on weekend treks up a small mountain. This time, a young climber touches that void in a way he couldn't have imagined, or wanted. First published in Wanderings Magazine, Spring 2007. A short story.
Finishing Touches
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 78,190. Language: English. Published: January 7, 2009 . Categories: Fiction » Women's fiction » General
Jenna escaped demanding parents with an early marriage to an unknown artist, but her husband's success catapults her into another world she feels she doesn't belong. Newly widowed as a young mother, Jenna fights overwhelming artistic desires while she hides from her husband's shadow. Rejecting her impulses becomes impossible when another magnetic young artist begins to pull at her spirit.

LK Hunsaker's tag cloud

1970s    abuse    army    art    artists    ballet    bands    celebs    chicago    climbing    cross    culture    dance    design    emotional    family    fiction    fishing    friendship    grief    home front    idaho    illinois    landscaping    loss    love    massachusetts    military    montana    mountain    music    new adult    new york city    painting    pennsylvania    peoria    pop    psychology    rain    relationship    relationships    religion    rock    rock and roll    rock band    romance    saga epic    serial    seventies    seventies music    snake river    trauma    vermont    war   

Smashwords book reviews by LK Hunsaker

  • Syzygy on June 02, 2011

    I have to start by saying I'm not a big paranormal/fantasy fan and it takes a lot to hold my interest in this genre. I also am not a fan of urban fiction. Even so, Syzygy grabbed me firmly by the wrist from the beginning with Berenstadt's unique word styling and gentle humor and kept yanking until I had no choice but wonder where this "narrated" story would lead. Although at times Bea grated my nerves, the supporting characters were charming/captivating/curious enough that mattered little. In fact, I was more intrigued by the supporting stories than the main line. And yet, that didn't bother me, either. The twist was in just the right place and the story moved along well. Syzygy is what an indie book should be: experimental, unique, well-written, and thoughtful. The deeper themes running through make this much more than a fun fantasy. Amanda Berenstadt is an author to watch.
  • Cherry Cheesecake on Feb. 11, 2012

    A sweet story. I love real character growth!
  • Lemon and Lace on Feb. 11, 2013

    These three quick life vignettes have some very nice mood and imagery as well as real characters. I feel they could all have more to say and would enjoy reading them as longer shorts or even novellas. I'll watch for more Jenny Worstall fiction.
  • Face the Music on Nov. 30, 2013

    A fun read for a snowy no-power day that made the time fly.
  • Drayden's Queen on Jan. 01, 2018

    J.A. Fleming's debut novel, Drayden's Queen, the first of the Curse of Royalty series, features intrigue, romance, and adventure with an historical/literary feel. Peydra, while learning the tasks of her new position, also must learn what's inside herself and of how much she is capable. There's also the issue of who to trust and who to keep a close eye on, inside and outside her castle and kingdom. Fleming has an eye for detail that brings the reader right inside the story and her love for her characters shines through with their every movement and every bit of dialogue. A recommended read.