Meet The Author Monday – Kathleen Denly

 

Happy Monday!

Each Monday I would like to take some time to get to know some of our favorite authors. My hope is that this will help readers connect with the authors.

Today I would like to introduce you to: Kathleen Denly!

I first met Kathleen on Facebook during a book club event for a Jen Turano book. After talking with her for a bit, I learned about her first book that was going to be coming out not too long after that. I signed up to read and review it. I’m so glad that I did! She’s such a sweet lady and a talented author!

Author bio:

Kathleen Denly writes historical romance stories to entertain, encourage, and inspire readers toward a better understanding of our amazing God and how He sees us. Award winning author of the Chaparral Hearts series, she also shares history tidbits, thoughts on writing, books reviews and more at KathleenDenly.com.

 

To help us get to know her, I have given her some questions and here are her responses:

 

Q: How long have you been writing?

A: That is a very difficult question to answer because it requires answering the question: When did you begin writing? Which begs the question: What qualifies as “beginning to write?” … I mean, I’m pretty sure I learned to write my alphabet in Preschool, but I don’t think that’s what you’re asking. I entered a poetry contest in the fifth grade, but does that count as “beginning to write?” What about the horror story club I tried to start in middle school (except I was the only one of my friends who actually liked writing stories)? Then there’s the novel I started writing in high school but wound up throwing into the garbage bin in college. Maybe that’s when I started writing. I can say that I finally started taking my writing seriously shortly after my third child was born in 2010. That’s when I tried to stop writing (I didn’t think I could parent AND write at the same time) and soon realized it was like holding my breath. I could only do it for so long before it had a significant and negative effect on my health.

 

Q: What are you currently working on?

A: I recently finished the first draft of my third novel for the Chaparral Hearts series, Harmony on the Horizon. It follows the lives of three secondary characters from book two and introduces a new heroine. It’s been a challenging but fun story to write because it involves two couples living in two different locations but making decisions which directly impact the other couple’s lives. The main couple are also inspired by two people who actually lived in nineteenth century San Diego and found themselves at the center of a scandal. The story of the scandal is still told during tours of the old schoolhouse in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

 

Q: What are some of your writing must haves? (Drink, snack, supplies, etc.)

A: Water! If I don’t drink enough water I start to get sleepy and that’s no good for writing creativity. After that, I like something with protein and something with carbs. Some of my go-to snacks are pork jerky, pretzels, and shelled pistachios.

Regarding actual supplies, a secondary monitor, an ergonomically designed mouse, and a wireless keyboard have been vital to staving off the pains that can develop after hours spent at the computer. 

 

Q: What is your favorite time period to write about? Or read about?

A: For writing, that’s easy: nineteenth century America. I love the adventure, travel, and exploration aspects of that time period. For reading…it depends on my mood. I do read a lot of my own subgenre, but I also enjoy other historical periods as well as contemporary romance. Since my blog is dedicated to Christian romance, it might surprise readers to learn that I also love science fiction and dystopian novels. At least forty percent of what I read falls into one of those last two genres.

 

Q: What are some of your favorite books?

A: Wow. That’s a tough one. Well, the classics would include Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, and Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (that can be considered classic now, right?). For recently published reads, here are a few that come to mind: One Plus One Equals Trouble by Sondra Kraak, Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson, When You Look at Me by Pepper Basham, Turtles in the Road by Khaley Rhea & Rhonda Rhea, A Song Unsung by Roseanna M. White, Stealthy Steps by Vikki Kestell, The Painter’s Daughter by Julie Klassen, Flights of Fancy by Jen Turano, Laurel’s Dream by Pepper Basham, The Return of the King’s Ranger by Angela K Couch, The Innkeeper’s Daughter by Michelle Griep, The Story Peddler by Lindsay Franklin, and I could go on, but I’d better stop there.

 

Q: If you could spend a day with one fictional character, who would you pick and what would you do?

A: Anne Shirley/Blythe from the Anne of Green Gables series. I’d borrow her imagination to plan adventures and plot novels. ☺

 

I have saved my favorite question for last!

Q: What would you like readers to take away from your books?

A: I hope when they close my books they feel they’ve been entertained and encouraged. I also hope that they’ve been inspired to see themselves as God sees them. The world is full of distractions and arguments for why we should measure ourselves and our worth in one way or another, but the only true judge of our worth is the One who created and loves us.

 

To connect with Kathleen, please click on any of the following links: her website, newsletter, FB author page, FB reader group, Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, BookBub, and Amazon.

 

I’m also featuring her newest release, Sing in the Sunlight! This is book 2 in the Chaparral Hearts series and releases tomorrow! You can get your copy at Amazon, Books-a-Million, and Barnes & Noble.

About the book:

Richard Stevens isn’t who he thinks he is. Neither is the woman who now claims his last name.

Disfiguring scars stole Clarinda Humphrey’s singing career, her home, and her family, but she refuses to let her appearance steal her future. While attending The Young Ladies Seminary in 1858 Benicia, California, she finds a man who promises to love and cherish her. Instead he betrays her, leaving her with child, and Clarinda must take drastic measures to ensure her child doesn’t suffer for her foolishness.

Richard Stevens’s life hasn’t turned out as he expected, and when a shocking letter turns even his past into a mystery, he travels to San Francisco in search of guidance. On the way, he encounters a mysterious young woman hiding beneath a veil. That night he experiences a dream that sends him on a quest to find the bride God has chosen for him. He never imagines she’s already told everyone they’re married.

Unwilling to lie, nor accept a marriage of mere convenience, Richard wants the real thing. Yet Clarinda’s not interested in love, only a chance to save her child. Can he help her rise above the pain that runs deeper than her scars to accept a love worth every risk?

 

YouTube link to audio recording of Kathleen reading the first scene from Sing in the Sunlight: https://youtu.be/t8ZqDYJIjDA

 

Giveaway!

Giveaway Details:

To celebrate her upcoming release of Sing in the Sunlight, book two in her Chaparral Hearts series, Kathleen is offering a giveaway. One winner will receive: 

• 1 digital copy of Waltz in the Wilderness (Chaparral Hearts book 1)
• 1 leather journal (Proverbs 31:25)
• 1 flower seed packet
• 1 set of custom Sing in the Sunlight gold vinyl stickers
• 1 bookmark made and signed by Kathleen Denly
• 1 Chaparral Hearts pen

Open to U.S. winners only, void where prohibited. Entries open until midnight on (seventh day after this post goes live). Winner will be announced on Kathleen’s Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram accounts and must contact Kathleen with your mailing address within seven days of announcement.

Enter here!

 

Thank you Kathleen for your time! Please leave some love in the comments!

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