2/22/2013

The Incomparable Kathleen Eagle


 Get Lost in a Story Readers, today's guest published her first book, a Romance Writers of America  Golden Heart winner, in 1984.  Since then she's published more than 40 books, including historical and contemporary, series and single title, earning her nearly every award in the industry.  Her books have consistently appeared on regional and national bestseller lists, including the USA Today list and the New York Times extended bestseller list.   Please welcome Kathleen Eagle.

One Less Lonely Cowboy

He's ready and able… Jack McKenzie is an old-school cowboy. A loner making a good living at a Missouri ranch, he just wants to collect his pay, keep to himself and—most important—forget the past. But the return of his boss's daughter changes everything…and makes him long for more than his solitary life….  But is she willing?  The last place Lily Reardon had ever imagined going was home, but there she is—the prodigal daughter with a child of her own. Estranged from her father, she struggles to reconnect. Slowly, with the help of strong, silent ranch hand Jack McKenzie, she begins to see her past—and even her future—in a new light. But can Jack trust in love enough to take his place in Lily's renewed family?

And now let's learn about Kathleen Eagle. . .

 
DONNELL:  Welcome!  According to your bio you have written more than 40 books.  Now, my first question for you is:  When do you sleep?

KATHLEEN:  Thanks for inviting me to hang with this terrific group today, Donnell.  Sleep?  I confess to being a night owl, which makes me a night writer.  I do enjoy an afternoon siesta when I can sneak one in.  And zeroing in on fifty books, but it’s taken me almost  30 years.

DONNELL:  You’ve no doubt gotten some advice over the years, so here’s your chance to share:  What is the best advice you’ve ever received?  And What is the worst advice you’ve ever received?

KATHLEEN:   I met LaVyrle Spencer shortly before I attended my first RWA convention, and she was a wonderful mentor.  Best advice:  hire Steven Axelrod.  I already had an agent, but when he retired a few years later, LaVyrle hooked me up with Steve, and I’ve been with him ever since.

Worst advice—and everyone gets it somewhere along the way—has to do with trying to write what’s “hot” at the moment.   

DONNELL:  LaVyrle Spenser as a mentor? She was recommended reading when I joined RWA in 2001. I'm having a "wow" moment.  What’s in your refrigerator right now?

KATHLEEN:  Vanilla ice cream right next to the Lean Cuisines, lots of Trader Joe’s brand stuff—even the staples  like milk, eggs, mayo, mustard, chicken, cheese.  Honey crisp apples, mmm, and heirloom oranges, both of which will soon be out of season so I’m enjoying my fill.

DONNELL:  Heels, hiking boots or tennis shoes?

KATHLEEN:  Crocs.  Flip-flops for summer and winter clogs.

DONNELL:  You’re written so many books.  Have you ever had writer’s block? Was there one in your memory that you almost didn’t finish? 

KATHLEEN:  Lately I worry about repeating myself.  I had a dry spell a couple of years ago, so I went back to my series roots and focused on straightforward romance for a while.  I’m not a fast writer, and in some ways that makes it harder to write commercial fiction for a living.  But do you want it fast, or do you want it good?  Every woman knows the answer to that one.

DONNELL:  (I want it good) :) What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned in researching a book?

KATHLEEN:  Researching SUNRISE SONG—soon to be re-released by Bell Bridge Books—was an eye-opener, even for someone who’s lived in Indian Country and been part of a Lakota family for over 40 years.  Did you know that from 1902 to 1934 the U.S. government ran an insane asylum for American Indians?  We didn’t until we attended a lecture, then traveled to Canton, SD, site of Hiawatha Asylum For Insane Indians. 

DONNELL:  What is the most unusual thing you have in your closet.

KATHLEEN:  I was just digging around for something and found an old rug beater.  Wondered where that thing went.  I collect women’s tools from times gone by.  Things like hankies and button hooks and hand-operated egg beaters.  I like to hold them in my hands and  imagine who used them

DONNELL:  If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be?  And why? 

Kathleen:  One person?  I’m a history buff, so I’d go back in time.  My husband is from Sitting Bull’s band.  He was quite an amazing man— powerful, insightful, charismatic and wise—whose life spanned a transitional period.  There’s so much to be learned from people who stood their ground, as Lincoln said, “with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right.”  Lincoln.  Oh, I’d love to meet him, too.

Kathleen, now it’s your turn:  Time to ask Readers a question:

QUESTION FOR READERS:  Let me turn the tables.  If you could be a character in a book you’ve read, who would it be, and why?  What would you do differently?

Book Giveaway  I’d love to send an autographed copy of my new book, ONE LESS LONELY COWBOY, to one of today’s commeters.

Links and Contact information




 Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Don’t feel comfortable leaving your email on the blog? Send it directly to Angi at GetLostInAStory@gmail.com. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address

 

25 comments:

  1. Kathleen, thanks for joining us today. Such a great mix of information in such a few short questions. I am really looking forward to your re-release from Bell Bridge. I have so many people I would love to meet, gosh, I never new my paternal grandfather or my maternal grandfather or grandmother. May I choose three? Thanks for joining us today!

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    1. Thanks for having me over this morning, Donnell. A few inches of the fluffy stuff fell overnight here, so the beach is glorious this morning.

      Speaking of my BBB books, the e-book version of THIS TIME FOREVER is still $1.99 this morning at Amazon. They matched last week's promo price from another site, so the price is good today.

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    2. Oh, I would love to meet hubby's mother--she died when he was 17--and his paternal grandfather, Lala Francis. (Lala is Lakota Grampa).

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    3. Off to download right now. Thanks for the heads up!!! THIS TIME FOREVER! Got it!

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  2. Great blog, Donnell and Kathleen. Kathleen, you made me feel so much better about my own writing style (night owl/PM nap if possible), not to mention your choice of footwear. I'm all about Crocs clogs. Or Doggers. To quote the granddaughter, "They're bouncy." But I digress. Love your books and thanks for sharing!

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    1. Cheryl, my longtime friend and one of my very favorite writers, does it surprise me that we've walked many miles in each other's shoes? Hoo hoo hoo!

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  3. Wonderful blog! I'm pretty sure I've told Kathleen (and anyone who will listen:) that Sunrise Song is one of my favorites of hers. I read it many years ago and it's stayed with me since. And I read a lot of books, so that's unusual.:) The new one, One Less Lonely Cowboy sounds great too! Very interesting tidbit about liking to hold things from days gone by. Enjoyed the blog!

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  4. Good morning, Eve (another favorite author of mine!) Thanks so much for recommending SUNRISE SONG. I can't wait to see our mutual publisher do her cover magic for the re-release.

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  5. I love Kathleen's books. One Cowboy, One Christmas was wonderful. So was Cool Hand Hank.

    I would like to be Hannah in Pearl Cove by Elizabeth Lowell. Archer Donovan is one of my favorite heroes.

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  6. Hi, Tammy! Thanks for your kind words. I loved PEARL COVE too--enjoy the whole "jewel" series. Elizabeth Lowell is such a solid writer.

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  7. Thanks for the 'worst advice' advice!

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  8. Great interview! :)

    I am not sure if I am willing to suffer the pains and sorrows of most books that I have read! Maybe just Elizabeth Bennett at the most!

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  9. Fun interview, Kathleen! I still have the three womens hankies I bought at our auction and think of you every time. They're on display in my china cabinet with my other antiques. A rug beater huh? Interesting. Glad to see you back in the writing chair and hope to see you at a meeting.

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  10. THANKS for joining us today Kathleen !!
    Fabulous title !
    ~Angi

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  11. Great interview, sounds like a fabulous read and I do love me some cowboys.

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  12. Kathleen:

    I think I'd want to be Phoebe Calebow from Susan Elizabeth Phillip's It Had To Be You. For one, then I'd own an NFL football team, meaning lots of hunky men. What I'd do differently? I'd cart around my bulldog instead of a sissy miniature poodle.

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    1. Oh, but Trish, when that poodle pees on the coffin...
      Love that book!

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  13. Nice interview. Maybe any of Lisa Kleypas' heroines for the heroes they end up with.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  14. Very bright, entertaining interview! Good questions, Donnell and very personable answers, Kathleen. I'd be Kinsey Millhone in the Sue Grafton series and find a friggin' man for a change to give my life more depth. Or I'd be Stephanie Plum in the Janet Evanovich books and finally marry Morelli.

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    1. Ooooh, okay, okay, good one, Hope... Stephanie and Morelli, or wait for it, J.D. Robb's Eve and Roarke... oh wait, they're already married Okay, Roarke leaves Eve for me :) These are some fun answers, all!

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  15. I would much rather live the adventure through reading a good book in the safety of my home than to actually be living the story. I have enough real life adventure...smile. Congrats on your new book. Would love to read it.

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    1. I hear you, Brenda. Every time I think I'd like to go back in time, I come to my senses when I realize I would've died when I was 23 when I had kidney failure or my first rather touch-and-go childbirth at 25.

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  16. Late to the party! LOL (Story of my life...) What a wonderful and entertaining interview, Donnell. Kathleen, love your books and love the question. Still thinking about it. Hmmmm...so many great choices.
    ML

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  17. CONGRATULATIONS TO BRENDA RUMSEY. YOU HAVE WON KATHLEEN EAGLE'S AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF OF ONE LESS LONELY COWBOY!!!

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  18. I'm very excited about winning this book and can't wait to read it. Thank you Donnell and Kathleen for a great blog post and contest.

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