Interview with Kathy McKinsey & spotlight of All My Tears...

We're happy to have Kathy McKinsey with us today talking about her new release All My Tears.

Back cover blurb

Meet five women who struggle with life’s deep sorrows. Beth fights to recover from alcoholism and to mend her relationships with her family. Ann doesn’t believe God will forgive her. Kathleen wrestles with a years-old fear and with saving her marriage. Cassie needs to learn to deal with chronic depression. Martie finds herself the single parent of the eight-year-old niece she barely knows when the child’s parents die in a car wreck. See how god gives them the gifts of hope, healing, and love.

Kathy, please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

I have three brothers; please pray for me.

My favorite TV shows are MASH and West Wing

I graduated from high school in a class of seventy-two

My mother’s homemade white bread is my favorite recipe to bake.

I love when my dog kisses me on the lips.

Why did you choose to write this book?

I wanted to write stories about women, in different stages of life, with a variety of struggles.

What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?

I wish non-writers understood what a hard job writing is.

What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?

The toughest part for me is convincing myself to start a story. When I start, I thoroughly enjoy it.

What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?

I want my readers to know that God is a loving Father, who waits for us and runs to greet us the moment we turn to him.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?

I am so blessed to have five adult children who are fascinating, competent individuals.

The first page from All My Tears

 When I opened my eyes, my brother Jeff sat beside me, his head in his hands, asleep.

Where was I? I didn’t know this room. What . . . “Jeff?” My voice croaked.

He jerked awake, then looked straight at me. “Cassie. Hey.”

“Why are you here?” My eyes were heavy and my mouth dry. Turning my head, I saw the IV attached to my arm. “Is this a hospital? Why, what, why are you here?”

Jeff leaned over and put his face right beside mine. “Because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now.”

“What—what happened?” I lay in a bed, and my head was confused and groggy. “Jeff?”“You’re hurt.” He laid his hand on my shoulder. “But yes, this is a hospital, and you’re going to be okay. Just sleep now. I promise I’ll stay with you.”

Relaxing, I closed my eyes. He wasn’t going anywhere.

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 What do you do for fun when not writing?

Besides reading, I love to knit and crochet and play with the cat and dogs.

What are you working on now?

My current story is about a lady who, after tragedy, returns to the farm home and family she’s kept herself from for twelve years.

Bio:

Kathy McKinsey grew up on a pig farm in Missouri, and although she’s lived in cities for nearly 40 years, she still considers herself a farm girl.

She’s been married to Murray for 31 years, and they have five adult children.

She’s had two careers before writing—being a stay-at-home-Mom and working as a rehabilitation teacher for the blind.

Now she lives in Lakewood, Ohio, with her husband and two of her children. Besides writing, she enjoys activities with her church, editing for other writers, braille transcribing, crocheting, knitting, and playing with the cat and dogs.

Where else can readers find you online? 

http://kathymckinseyauthor.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/kathy.brinkmann.mckinsey

https://twitter.com/kathymckinsey

Contact Kathy at:

Kathy.mckinsey@gmail.com

Interview with Carol McClain and Giveaway of Yesterday's Poison...

We're happy to have Carol McClain with us talking about her book Yesterday's Poison. To learn more about Carol and her book, read on!

Back Cover:

After her boyfriend betrays her, Torie Sullivan careens her car into a ditch in a drunken fury. Paramedic Adam Benedict rescues the unconscious woman, then realizes she's one of the middle school bullies who tormented him twelve years ago. The encounter rips open scars he thought had healed.

While kayaking one morning, Adam discovers Torie bathing in the frigid waters of Hookskill Preserve. He then learns she’s living in a lean-to in the wilderness. Despite his hatred for her, Adam’s innate compassion won't allow him to leave Torie in the wilds of Albany County. He offers her a secure, private room in his minuscule cabin.

When tragedy strikes Adam’s family, his girlfriend Maya Vitale gives Torie a room in her apartment. Torie envies Maya’s idyllic life, unaware she, too, hides a dark and shameful past.

Each character drinks yesterday’s poison. Their friendships intertwine their lives and expose their toxic pasts. They must learn to forgive the unpardonable.

My favorite author

We have so many great authors to choose from. For years, I loved Annie Dillard. Her way with words and her thought process and sass always keep me thinking. I’ve reread Pilgrim at Tinker Creek too many times to count. With each reading, I uncover more wonder.

Dillard’s always my first thought when it comes to authors. Recently, though, in the realm of fiction, I’ve fallen in love with Lisa Wingate and Susan Meissner. Both authors think differently than most CBA authors. They don’t seem to lean to the obvious. Never am I afraid to pick up one of their books—so much so, that I don’t put a lot of thought into it. If I find a secondhand book or on a bookstore shelf, I nab it.

If I could write about anyone or anything it would be what I want at this moment.

Currently, I’m obsessed with goats. I love their personalities. We live on two acres in the country, and if my husband was willing to help me, (or willing to own them), I’d have goats. I, at one time, owned a Nubian named Heidi. Such a sweet animal.

Since goats are not on my horizon, my new protagonist owns eight of them. She creates soap and yogurt from their milk. I’m learning soap making (I already know how to milk) and having a ball living through Meredith’s world. Her mother shears Meredith’s angora goats (she owns angora and Nubian), and creates fabric from it.

If I could spend time with anyone, it would be Adam Benedict from my latest novel, Yesterday’s Poison.

Although Adam allowed the past to poison his true nature, I love Adam’s vocation. He’s a paramedic. When researching his occupation, I got to attend training sessions with the local EMTs. My critique partner, Randy Cook, was a paramedic at one time. I love the idea of saving people’s lives. I’m obsessed with medical shows (and weirdly—I love the autopsy scenes the most). Adam has a heart for the hurting, when he discovers his nemesis needs help, despite his disdain, he finds a solution to her problem. His love, his skill and his compassion make me want to be like him.

I will give away a kindle or nook copy of Yesterday’s Poison. Let me know your favorite author or if you could spend time with anyone, who and why?