Guest Author Interview: Kathleen Gallagher

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?

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

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000735541011

http://kathleensplacetoreflect.blogspot.com/?zx=7730c00a6d0dade1

https://twitter.com/#!/Kathleenwrites

Alexis: Check out the trailer for Echoes at Dawn.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjgI7Isi8tU