Happy Saturday everyone! I'm excited to introduce you to an author I have known 'virtually' for most of my writing career, Kathleen Maher. I was first introduced to her writing through her novella Bachelor Buttons, which was a really great story and hooked me on her writing. She now has released not just one but TWO books this month and is here to share the joy with us at Stitches Thru Time.
Welcome
Kathleen! We're so glad you could visit us today. Tell us about your
book.
Thank you Amber! It’s such a
thrill to be here and share about my new arrivals. I have twin book babies,
actually. One is a Civil War romance The
Abolitionist’s Daughter, and the other is a novella in Barbour’s beautiful
new Victorian Christmas Brides
collection.
Where
did the inspiration for your story come from?
Both
stories center on history from my hometown Elmira, NY. Elmira is little known, but played key parts
in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and in women’s rights. I felt this
history was in danger of obscurity, and wanted to capture it in story.
That sounds fascinating. What was the funnest
thing about writing this story?
I
love research and visiting sites and talking with people who have kept history
alive. But hands down, the biggest thrill for me was learning of a group of
people dedicated to creating a museum to preserving and promoting local
history. Kindred spirits! I just recorded a brief video on site of the Elmira
Civil War Prison Camp Museum. It can be found on my facebook author page
FB.com/KLMaherAuthor
How
does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing?
History
really is the story of God’s courtship with the human race, and to tell stories
without that heavenly hand of influence would be revisionist or lacking, in my
opinion. I see even in academic texts and first-person narratives the work of
Divine Providence. It is my delight to show the ways I have seen the Lord work,
even in the stories of fictional people. God is always righting wrongs, and
lending aid and guidance when we get tangled in our human folly! It can be
tragic or funny, or just plain inspiring. I love it when God hits a home run!
Why
did you choose this genre?
Romance
appeals to every part of my heart. I believe God’s relationship with us is a
divine romance, and the love of a woman and a man symbolizes the ways He
attempts to woo us and capture our hearts.
And
for me, there is a nostalgic thrill in exploring times past, where people were
more connected to animals and nature and simplicity. I love a hero who works
hard with his hands, loves animals, and proves himself to his woman!
What
are you working on next?
I
have already written the sequel to my Civil War romance and will be editing it
for Indie publication. I also have a few novella proposals out that I hope to
hear back on. But I’m really excited about an idea I’ve been working on—it’s a
departure for me. It’s a comedic romance, something on the order of Shrek meets
the Princess Bride, with a Medieval setting. I hope to write it as a playfully
satirical look at how people with disabilities have been viewed in times past
and even today, exposing superstitions, ignorance and misunderstanding. I guess
all of my works have a social awareness message.
Oh wow. That's very
interesting. Looks like you have some great stuff going on. Thank you so much
for being with us!
Thanks Amber! It’s been a pleasure
being your guest.
I’m offering a giveaway of winner’s
choice of one of my books, plus a rafflecopter during my blog tour now through
November. http://gvwy.io/48sxkxc
Would love to chat with your readers
a bit. QUESTION: What story or movie
tugged on your heartstrings about a social justice issue? Did it change your
perspective?
Good luck to everyone!
About Kathleen:
Kathleen L. Maher has had an infatuation with books
and fictional heroes ever since her preschool crush, Peter Rabbit. She has a
novella releasing with BARBOUR in the 2018 Victorian
Christmas Brides collection, featuring her hometown of Elmira, New York.
Her debut historical, Bachelor Buttons,
blends her Irish heritage and love of the American Civil War. She won the 2012 ACFW
Genesis contest for her Civil War story, releasing this summer under a new
title The Abolitionist’s Daughter.
Kathleen shares an old farmhouse in upstate New York with her husband,
children, and a small zoo of rescued animals.
Follow Kathleen
Welcome to the Weekly Windup! We have a winner to announce. 
