The New York Times bestselling author of Under the Southern Sky and the Peachtree Bluff series brings “her signature wit, charm, and heart” (Woman’s World) to this sweeping new novel following four women across generations, bound by a beautiful wedding veil and a connection to the famous Vanderbilt family.
We had the pleasure of chatting with Kristy Woodson Harvey about her latest novel The Wedding Veil, along with writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi, Kristy! We last spoke a year ago. How has the last 12 months been for you?
Great, actually! Under the Southern Sky, which released in April, and Christmas in Peachtree Bluff, which released in October, were my first two New York Times Bestsellers, so that was super exciting. My Peachtree Bluff Series is in development with NBC, Friends & Fiction, the weekly webshow and podcast I co-host with Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, and Patti Callahan Henry has grown to more than 65,000 members, and we got a new puppy! What could be better?
Your new novel, The Wedding Veil, is out March 29th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Family heirloom influences four generations.
What can readers expect?
This is my first historical/contemporary novel. There is a present-day storyline between a granddaughter who leaves her fiancé at the altar and her grandmother who runs into an old flame while attempting to start over after the death of her husband. And, in the past, Edith and Cornelia Vanderbilt, the first mistress and daughter of Biltmore Estate, attempt to rebuild their lives—and save their family home—after the untimely death of George Vanderbilt. Edith’s missing family veil at the center of the book binds these two stories together.
Where did the inspiration for The Wedding Veil come from?
I was putting a veil on my cousin’s head—the veil that I had worn, many members of my husband’s family had worn, and several friends had worn as well—before her wedding, and it occurred to me how the veil connected the many women who had worn it. As I so often do, I thought, That’s a book! And here we are!
What was your research process like for The Wedding Veil?
Different than I thought it would be! I got off of tour March 9, 2020 and was getting ready to start researching The Wedding Veil. I imagined long hours in library stacks and many tours of Biltmore, but, of course, the world had different plans. I was very lucky to have several Biltmore experts assist me with this book, as well as librarians, books and a newspapers.com account that I about burned up! I did eventually get to visit Biltmore again (I had been many times in the past!), and it was perfect timing because that visit helped me fill in my last-minute holes and questions.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
Lack of focus—which I very rarely struggle with—was a huge challenge. It was the beginning of the pandemic, when we were in true lockdown, and I was beginning my first entirely virtual book tour for Feels Like Falling. In addition to the obvious worry about the state of the world and our health, I was worried about losing my career. Fortunately, Mary Kay Andrews had a plan for our Friends & Fiction crew. Kristin, Patti, and I began every morning, seven days a week, with a 7 am text from Mary Kay asking for our writing goals that day. We all circled back when we had met them. Knowing I had someone to be accountable to was hugely helpful, as was knowing we were all digging into our work together.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Oh, man, all of them! These are such vastly different women. Fictionalizing Edith and Cornelia while trying to imagine their real lives as closely as possible was just fascinating. Babs, the present day grandmother, was so inspiring to me. And I think we’ve all been at Julia’s place, where we just can’t quite figure out our next step. Each of these women worked her way into my heart in a different way, and I’m oh so very excited to share all four of them with readers!
What’s next for you?
I just signed a deal for my 2023 novel (yay!) and am working to put the finishing touches on the pilot for Peachtree Bluff. I’m looking forward to a wonderful year!
Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?
Absolutely! The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews, Gilt by Jamie Brenner, and The Lifestyle by Taylor Hahn (a debut!) are all books I’ve had the pleasure of reading early and would highly recommend!
