Today we are interviewing Kathleen Gallagher, contemporary romance author with a hint of
paranormal.
Alexis: Hi Kathleen, thank you for visiting Happily
Ever After Thoughts :-) As a nurse, what inspired you to start writing romance?
Kathleen: Hi
Alexis. Thank you for inviting me today. I started writing short stories at a young
age, and have always loved storytelling, especially in the areas of romance and
women’s fiction.
Alexis: So it
sounds like romance grew from a time long before your adult career. How
wonderful that you continued to write. I understand you released your debut
book Echoes at Dawn last year. Can
you tell our readers a little about it?
Kathleen: Decadent Publishing released Echoes
at Dawn, and it is currently available in print.
The
strangely intertwined lives of a widowed woman, and a charismatic bachelor come
together in order to show that in life, there are no coincidences… only
destiny.
Waterfront restaurant chef Madeline Young adores her job. If only her love and family's lives were as successful as her career. With a teenage son, who spends time in the emergency room for alcohol poisoning and a dementia-plagued mother, Madeline doesn't know how much more she could handle. Then her mother enlists the help of her deceased twin sister, Mary, to guide Madeline to find happiness. An early dawn visit from the spirit directs Madeline to volunteer at the local hospitals center for addiction recovery, where she comes alive for the first time in many years under the attention of Nat Griffin.
Nathaniel Griffin, a part-time counselor and contractor, fascinates his clients with his lectures. In keeping with his philosophy of professionalism, Nat prefers to keep his personal life private. When attraction tests his beliefs, Nat must confront his marred past. Is he willing to face his demons or take the easier path and remain isolated?
Can unworldly ghosts save this couple from their own self-destructive behavior? Will they be able to accept change and move forward, or allow secrets to stand in the way?
Waterfront restaurant chef Madeline Young adores her job. If only her love and family's lives were as successful as her career. With a teenage son, who spends time in the emergency room for alcohol poisoning and a dementia-plagued mother, Madeline doesn't know how much more she could handle. Then her mother enlists the help of her deceased twin sister, Mary, to guide Madeline to find happiness. An early dawn visit from the spirit directs Madeline to volunteer at the local hospitals center for addiction recovery, where she comes alive for the first time in many years under the attention of Nat Griffin.
Nathaniel Griffin, a part-time counselor and contractor, fascinates his clients with his lectures. In keeping with his philosophy of professionalism, Nat prefers to keep his personal life private. When attraction tests his beliefs, Nat must confront his marred past. Is he willing to face his demons or take the easier path and remain isolated?
Can unworldly ghosts save this couple from their own self-destructive behavior? Will they be able to accept change and move forward, or allow secrets to stand in the way?
Alexis: Sounds interesting. Where did you get the
idea for this story?
Kathleen: The premise for Echoes
at
Dawn
developed after seeing an old family portrait. The black and white snapshot had
adorable twin girls posed in the front row, and seeing them made me curious.
The sisters wore white dresses and had huge bows sitting on top of their heads.
I began to think more about the connection between twins, and I wondered if it
were different then the relationships between other siblings.
Alexis: What are your favorite character traits of Madeline
and Nathaniel?
Kathleen:
Madeline and Nat are both interesting characters. Each has core values
that are admirable. Madeline shows compassion, and demonstrates patience and
devotion when she offers to care for her aging mother. Nat’s independence and
adventurous spirit, can make him appear rebellious, yet underneath his rough
exterior, he has a kind and generous heart.
Alexis: What spurred your interest in the
paranormal?
Kathleen: I’ve always been fascinated with spirits,
ghosts, and magic. My father was a
professional magican, and I was his assistant.
He captivated his audience with his illusions and sleight of hand
tricks. Sure, there would be an occasional skeptic who would shout out “I know
how it’s done.” My father would smile,
call him up on stage, and without delay, he dangled his wallet and watch in the
air. The heckler would stand on the stage mesmerized, with his mouth open in
disbelief. It was all in fun, but it left a lasting impression on me.
Alexis: That is such a unique experience. How fun. What
can we expect next from you? Do you have any new releases coming or a work in
progress?
Kathleen: My
next project is a novel entitled, A Moment
in Time. It’s a women’s fiction with
strong romantic elements. A Moment in Time is a story about
the career driven journalist, Savannah Mason, who befriends a stranger on a
train, and offers to speak at a charity event. Her act of kindness takes her on
a journey to find more than she ever imagined.
Alexis: Thank you so much for sharing your stories
with us. It's a pleasure having you visit.
Kathleen: I
had a great time today, at Happily After Ever Thoughts. It’s wonderful to have an opportunity to meet
new people.
Alexis: For a chance to win a print copy of Echoes
at Dawn, be sure to leave a
comment for Kathleen. If I have contact
information, I will let you know when you win, otherwise, check the side column
for your name on Wednesday under WINNERS :-)
For more information on Kathleen go to http://kathleenanngallagher.net/Home.html
Alexis: Check out the trailer for Echoes at Dawn.
