Say hello to Kathi Macias, and stick around for a giveaway!

 

Hi, Kathi. Welcome to the Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction!

 Kathleen L. Maher, here as this week's hostess. 

It’s an exciting time, with spring just around the corner, and one of my favorite holidays, St. Patrick’s Day, here. But the most exciting celebration happening is our new release coming up on the 29th, now available for preorder, Cowboy Cousins! But more about that later.

Kathi, please tell us about your writing and three fun or unique facts about yourself. 

Of the nearly sixty books I’ve had published (both fiction and nonfiction), I’ve been blessed with a few bestsellers along the way. Though semi-retired now, I still do a bit of writing, editing, and collaborative writing. I am no longer traveling for speaking engagements, but still do some occasional local speaking at churches and writers’ groups.

1.      I have been involved in prison ministry and once spent an entire day on Death Row in San Quentin.

2.      I was once introduced as Rosey Grier’s bodyguard (which probably won’t mean much to you if you aren’t at least close to my age).

3.      Back in the day, I rode a Harley with my husband, Al, and my “road name” was Easy Writer. 

I    That's amazing! I remember the football giant Rosey Grier from an episode of the Brady Bunch. Funny the associations that trigger a memory.

I was delighted when Molly Noble Bull told me you were also participating in this sweet western romance collection, because I have seen your name around the writing watering holes for years but have never had the pleasure of working with you until now. I have very much appreciated your wit, wisdom and professionalism, not to mention your talent!

I know parents aren’t supposed to have a favorite child, but if you were to have a special book baby, which one of the many stories you have written would it be and why?

That’s a tough one. For nonfiction, it would be my flagship book: Beyond Me: Living a You-First Life in a Me-First World. For fiction, it’s a toss-up between Red Ink, a novel that won the Golden Scroll 2011 Fiction Book of the Year Award and was an ACFW Carol Award finalist, and No Greater Love, which has been optioned for a movie (which, of course, may or may not ever happen).

What is one thing you know now that you wish younger you knew then when you were starting out in this writing calling/ministry/business/craft?

Oh my, so many things! I suppose, to narrow it down to one thing, it’s this: You don’t become a successful writer when you make the bestseller list, but rather when God calls you to write and you say “yes.” Taking that first step can be daunting, but obedience to God’s calling is always the first step to a successful life, whatever that calling may be.

Do you have a bucket list? If so, what does that look like?

As far as bucket-list goals in this life, I think my husband and I have achieved most everything on that list. However, my ultimate bucket-list goal is to hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Beautifully said, Kathi.

What or who has influenced and mentored your writing the most?

 I had a wonderful English and Creative Writing teacher in high school, who wrote in bright red ink on one of my essays, “So long as you can write like this, your life is on!” The best part was that he invited me to come back to my alma mater and speak to his creative writing class about my experiences.

If you had any advice for a struggling or new writer, what would it be?

I was once at a book-signing (trying to look busy and praying someone would show up) when a young man of about 16 or 17 came up to me and said, “We were studying about the history of South Africa in school, and my mom told me to read your book No Greater Love. I did, and I just want you to know that it made me want to lead a noble life.” May it always be your goal to write things that bless and honor God, as well as inspire readers to want to lead honest, pure, noble lives.

Oh, that's so moving. I'm sure he has been a blessing to many.

Cowboy Cousins is available for preorder on Kindle here for only $3.99, but on release day March 29 the price will go up to $4.99.

Please tell us about your novella, “Panhandle Sunrise.” 

I’ve never written a cowboy story before, but when one of my co-authors, Molly Noble Bull, asked me if I’d consider it, I was torn. Then she said it would be set in Texas. My hubby and I were married at the ripe old age of 18 and immediately left California to go live in Amarillo, TX (he had just joined the Air Force and was stationed there). Our two oldest sons were born there, and the Panhandle has special memories for me. I said yes, and have thoroughly enjoyed developing this story and incorporating many of those memories into it.

A Panhandle Sunrise depicts the life of Jake Matthews, 

one of three Cowboy Cousins in this book. He has only recently become foreman of a large cattle ranch just outside Amarillo. The rancher’s daughter, Anabelle, is interested in him but can’t seem to get him to respond to her in any meaningful way. Jake is completely taken with Anabelle and would like nothing better than to court her, but he feels inadequate and unworthy, so he doesn’t even try. Then a tall, handsome cowboy named Clint shows up and begins to pursue Anabelle, causing Jake to examine his own actions—or lack thereof—toward the fiery red-haired woman both he and Clint are interested in. It seems he has no chance at all until a near tragedy forces his hand….

I know our readers will thoroughly enjoy your story. There's something so appealing about a quiet, unassuming hero...

Well, these past few years have been a challenge to say the least for so many. Is there a particular message you hope readers take away from time spent with your characters, and the trials they must overcome by faith and God’s help, whether this story or others?

Like so many, Jake was raised by godly Christian parents and assumed that he too was a Christian, though he often wondered why he lacked the fire and conviction he saw in his parents and others. It wasn’t until he heard a well-known story from the Bible—one he’d heard many times before but never applied to himself—that he realized he had to take that first step toward making his faith personal. We all have to do that at some point, and as writers, we need to be sure our intentions are to enable our readers to do the same—whether for the first time or as a step toward deeper commitment.

How can people find you and follow you on social media? 

My website is www.kathimacias.com and I have two Facebook pages, one personal and one an author page, both under Kathi Macias.

Finally, our readers here at DMoCF are so terrific, we love to offer them a GIVEAWAY, chosen randomly among the commenters. We will notify the winner the following Tuesday, in this case March 22, by the email they leave in the comments *youremail(at)server(dot)com* 

I will offer two signed copies of Cowboy Cousins.

Wonderful! Okay, Readers, you heard it! ***extra chances to win if you share this blog on their social media.*** Just let us know in the comments where you shared (Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc) One extra entry for each share.

Kathi it has been a delight getting to know you better and collaborating with you and Molly on this project. I’m sure I speak for us all that we pray our messages of faith, hope, and love will not only entertain, but also bless many.

Molly's interview about her novella in the collection was posted on January 18, and can be read here