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Let’s get to know Kathleen with a few quick get to know you questions:
Which do you prefer—M&Ms or Skittles?
M&Ms, once in a while.
Are you a cat or Dog Person?
I like both but am allergic to cats. My sweet dog is Lacy, and we got her just after Christmas last year.
Do you have a favorite Song?
It’s hard to choose, but the first one that came to mind is Great is Thy Faithfulness.
Let's learn a bit more about Kathleen's writing and her process:
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always doodled little poems to express my feelings or investigate them, and my first published piece was a poem. Novels grabbed my “wants” when I took an online writing course that included starting a novel. The characters wouldn’t leave me alone, so I had to complete their story, which led to another, and another. And here we are!
Where do you like to write?
Usually, I’m sitting in our living room with my laptop, where I can see bits of our neighborhood.
What is your favorite childhood book?
I’ve always loved reading and read many, many books. I’d have to pick two: Little Women and Beautiful Joe.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
That also depends of what’s happening in my life. I may write for several hours, or it may just be a few minutes.
Which is your favorite book you’ve written so far? Why?
They’re all my favorites! Melody’s Song is the story that began it all, so it holds a special place in my heart. Like grandchildren, the first one grabs your heart first, but you love them all.
If someone were reading your books for the first time, which book would you recommend they start with?
Either Melody’s Song or Hearts Unfolding, since they each begin a series. Melody’s Song is followed by Nila’s Hope and Redemption’s Whisper.
Do you have a new release you'd like to tell us about?
Hearts Unbroken, book 2 in the Rockwell Chronicles, is my new release, and it shares Logan Rockwell’s and Paige Donnelly’s story. Paige has had a crush on Logan for years, but a choice she made has destroyed her dreams of ever being worthy of love. Hearts Unbroken deals compassionately and honestly with the touchy subject of abortion and its aftermath.
Hearts Unbroken releases in e-book form July 1, 2022, and I hope to have the print version ready a month later. I’m also re-releasing the first book in the Rockwell Series, a second edition with a new cover. That’s supposed to happen this summer also. When they’re all ready to go, I plan to have a sale on both!
Here is a blurb for the book:
Hearts Unbroken:
To Logan Rockwell, Paige Donnelly is his younger sister’s flirty friend—nothing more—until he rescues her from a horrific accident and yearns to be more than her hero.
Paige’s crush on Logan and dreams of catching his attention began years ago. Although the crash brought them together, her dreams died with a choice she’d made and would always regret.
Hearts Unbroken releases in e-book form July 1, 2022, and I hope to have the print version ready a month later. I’m also re-releasing the first book in the Rockwell Series, a second edition with a new cover. That’s supposed to happen this summer also. When they’re all ready to go, I plan to have a sale on both!
Here is a blurb for the book:
Hearts Unbroken:
To Logan Rockwell, Paige Donnelly is his younger sister’s flirty friend—nothing more—until he rescues her from a horrific accident and yearns to be more than her hero.
Paige’s crush on Logan and dreams of catching his attention began years ago. Although the crash brought them together, her dreams died with a choice she’d made and would always regret.
Can Paige find forgiveness for what she feels is an unforgivable wrong? Can Logan be her forever hero, or will his ambition destroy their chance at lasting love?
Hearts Unbroken embraces the aftermath of abortion in this story of faith, love, and abundant grace.
Purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ulq2mq
Do you find yourself returning to a similar theme in your novels or do you have a new message with each release?
In each of my books, faith, forgiveness and hope are vital, and I love watching my characters grow to realize that God is waiting to heal their brokenness.
Is there a certain Bible passage or verse that goes along with the theme of your book?
2 Corinthians 7:10 talks about the difference between a godly grief that leads to repentance and salvation and the worldly grief that can lead to death – such a vital difference! Paige needed to learn this lesson.
Ephesians 1:7 goes with the theme, too: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Did you enjoy creating one character more than another? If so, why?
Because Paige was a troubled character, I loved watching her grow, but I’d have to say I enjoyed Logan more. He appeared in Hearts Unfolding, and this story gave me the chance to get to know him better.
If you could be any of your characters, which one would it be? Why?
Tough question! I guess I’d love to be more like both Miss Glorie and Stacey Rockwell. Their wisdom and compassion inspire me.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
That depends on the topic. For the Rockwell series, because the family runs a concrete business, my research is asking my in-house expert, my husband, any question I may have about that subject.
Online research is a favorite source of information, and for previous books, I interviewed police officers, social workers, tree-planting crew bosses and others.
How do you select the names of your characters?
I look up baby names for the years they would have been born and try them out. Some I have changed mid-story, because the original names didn’t fit their emerging personalities.
Thank you, Kathleen, for joining us today!
I’m excited about your book and can tell readers I enjoyed Hearts Unbroken. I love how Paige and Logan’s story begins and ends. The way God’s love and forgiveness works through Paige and Logan’s life is beautiful. Kennedy’s little boy, Levi, is a favorite of mine, he’s a sweet boy with a caring heart. Kathleen has written a wonderful story of forgiveness and starting over as Paige walks the path of grief and redemption.
I’m giving away a $15 Amazon Gift Card. Make a comment by August 10, 2022 to be entered to win.
