Good Monday Morning, reader friends!
Today, we’re interviewing Kathy Douglass again. This time, we’re talking about another one of her books. This one is titled, How to Steal the Lawman’s Heart.
Enjoy!
Interview with Kathy Douglass about her book, How to Steal the Lawman’s Heart:
Alexis: Why did you write this book?
Kathy: I wrote this book because the characters called to me. The idea began floating through my mind and I couldn’t rest until I put their story on paper.
Alexis: What do you want readers to take away from this story? Why?
Kathy: I want readers to understand that no matter what happened in the past, you have to move forward. Trent had a wonderful wife and a truly happy life ripped away from him without warning. It was hard for him to let go of the happy memories or the bitterness at losing it all. Carmen had so many regrets for mistakes she had made. Neither one of them could change the past, so they had to find a way to put it behind them and move forward in the present with an eye toward the future.
Alexis: Would you like to see more stories that feature characters of color published by the Christian book industry? Why or why not?
Kathy: Absolutely. People of color read Christian books so they should be able to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. Not that POC should be the only people who read those stories. Just as POC read stories featuring white couples, white people should also read stories featuring POC.
I’ve heard books referred to as mirrors and windows. Mirrors reflect people like you and windows give you the opportunity to see into the lives of people not like you. Both are important. Both must be done well by authors who know what they are writing about. That’s why own voice books are so important.
Alexis: Who is your story’s heroine? Describe her looks, personality, and heart for the hero and then explain the conflict that she is experiencing.
Kathy: Carmen Shields is the heroine in this story. Whenever I create a character, I find someone to serve as the physical model. In this instance, I used actress Rochelle Aytes. Carmen is beautiful and kind. She’s had some difficulty in her past, so she is sympathetic. As a person who’s made mistakes in her youth, she can spot a person who is on track to make similar mistakes. When she does, she tries to help them avoid the pitfalls.
Carmen feels guilty for her role in the accident that resulted in the death of Trent’s wife and wants to make amends. But since she knows he doesn’t care for her, she is reluctant. Not only that, she refuses to beg for his affection.
Alexis: Who is your story’s hero? Describe his looks, flaws, strengths and his heart for the heroine and then explain the conflict that he is experiencing.
Kathy: Trent Knight is the hero in this story. I used actor Henry Simmons as his physical model. Trent sees the world as black and white. No gray. He expects a lot of himself and others. He can be hard and unforgiving. He is loyal and loves his daughters with his whole heart.
He blames Carmen for the death of his wife. As he gets to know her, he discovers she is not the monster he’d believed she was. Still, he is not happy when he finds himself falling for her and fights hard against his feelings.
Alexis: Why is forgiveness as important as a stolen kiss in this story?
Kathy: Forgiveness is important in this story. Trent needs to forgive Carmen in order to put the past behind him. Carmen also needs to forgive herself for the same reason.
Alexis: If you could step into this story as a licensed counselor, what would you tell Trent and Carmen to help them live their best life?
Kathy: I’m not a counselor, but I would tell them they need to put the past behind them. They need to forgive themselves and each other in order to embrace the present.
Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Kathy! Would you like to share closing thoughts?
Kathy: Thank you so much for the interview. I love hearing from my readers, so if you want to drop me a note, please do so via my website kathydouglassbooks.com. Also while you’re there, feel free to sign up for my newsletter.
*Interview conducted by Alexis A. Goring, contributor
About the Author:
Kathy is a born reader who as a child always had her nose in a book. That love of reading grew with her. She often would finish one book and immediately pick up another. She went from reading Bobbsey Twins to long, lush romance novels. One day she stumbled upon The Shining by Stephen King and was hooked. She turned her back on romance and became a serious Stephen King fan, reading every word he wrote. When she caught herself checking under the bed and looking in the closet for monsters or worse, she knew it was time to put down the horror stories and pick up the romance novels.
Her return to romance novels was short lived. She’d started law school and soon her reading was limited to legal opinions. Then one happy day her younger sister handed her a Harlequin romance. They were just what the doctor ordered. The books were short enough to read in a week and still get her required reading done. Best of all she knew there would be a happy ending and she wouldn’t have to search her room before she went to bed each night.
When her first child was born, she stopped practicing law to become a stay at home mom. Her second child followed nineteen months later. With two little ones in the house, reading suddenly became limited to Dr. Seuss and other children’s books. Any free time was spent trying to catch up on sleep or laundry.
All too soon her kids were attending pre-school two hours a day. She spent those few precious renewing her relationship with romance novels. After a while, she felt the urge to write a book of her own and she began writing the stories she wanted to read. She spent many years writing some really terrible books and learning her craft. In 2016, Kathy sold to Harlequin Special Edition. Her first book, How to Steal the Lawman’s Heart, was released in February 2017. Since that time she has released three more books in her Sweet Briar Sweethearts series with more to come.
Follow Kathy on social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter
About the Book:
Forgiveness starts with a stolen kiss.
Chief of police Trent Knight had it all until an accident took his wife and he was left alone to raise two beautiful girls.
Now the person he always blamed for his loss is back in town, and all bets are off. But soon his anger toward Carmen Shields gives way to a very different emotion—awareness of Carmen as a woman.
On one hand, it feels like a betrayal of his late wife’s memory. On the other, it could be his second chance at life—and Carmen’s shot at redemption. Maybe she can go home again—with the help of a certain lawman…
Buy How to Steal the Lawman’s Heart on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Books-A-Million
Indigo Burns is excited. Her wedding preparations to the man of her dreams are under way, her career as a photographer is a success, and her family seems to be doing better than ever–all except her brother Reuben who nobody has seen in years. But that’s about to change, because Reuben has decided to move back home to Jubilant, Texas.
Diversity Between the Pages 