Don't forget the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of the post!
Contemporary Romance & Women's Fiction
Date Published: 3/30/2020
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
CAMELLIA HOLIDAY wants it all – love, family, and a career in fashion design. At twenty she snagged a dream job with one of the top designers in New York. However, scandal in the fashion world unravels her life when her boss is accused of stealing a famous fashion ingénue’s designs. Entangled in the sordid mess and with her fashion future in ruins, Camellia decides to return home to Serenity Island to start over and be with family. The downside? She must face her past, which include her ex-fiancé Noah and her longtime nemesis Trina who both seem determined to ruin any chance of reconstructing her life.
Old rivals, new love, and a needed do-over challenge Camellia to design a new, stronger self. It will take home, family and caring for a young boy to help her find the right path and make the right choices.
Excerpt
“Ha. I’m a long way from thirty. Besides, hooking a guy and landing a marriage are not at the top of my to-do list.” Camellia stepped toward the closet. A sudden queasiness rippled through her stomach and she wasn’t feeling hungry any longer.
“Oh, I’ll agree to a certain extent. Careers are essential for either sex. Gotta make a living, but I hope for marriage and a family someday. Don’t you?” Freesia’s eyebrows puckered into a frown.
“Maybe.” Camellia lifted her bag out of the closet and straightened. She caught the concern on Freesia’s face. Pausing for a moment, she fished out her keys. “Of course, I think about those things. I imagine every woman does, but the situation doesn’t require a time table. Not nowadays. I do know one thing.” She slid her finger playfully along the bridge of Freesia’s nose. “If and when I decide to get married, you’ll be my maid of honor.”
“Nice.” Freesia’s grin spread from ear to ear. “Maybe I’ll be your matron of honor, if I beat you to the altar.”
Camellia shrugged. “I could take your words as a challenge, but I won’t. Because I don’t care. Thirty, forty, or whenever, I’ll wait until the time feels right. You’ll be wiser to think the same.” She squeezed Freesia’s shoulder. “Now, I’m off. I have tons of errands to run and things to do at my shop.” My shop. Those words sounded pleasing. Despite the tragic news of Gloria’s death, she grew more confident about her decision, her shop, and her fashion line. The idea was becoming her own possible reality.
Interview With Kathryn Long
Please
tell us about growing up.
I’m the youngest of five. The sibling closest to me was 16
when I was born. And I have a sister who’s 23 years my senior! Growing up was
like being an only child. I was shy, and I’d often spend my free time reading
and escaping into imaginary worlds rather than socializing with other kids. I’ve
lived all my life in northeast Ohio and I’m second-generation American on my
mom’s side, third-generation on my dad’s.
A mix of German, Irish, and Yugoslavian in my heritage makes
for fun and interesting celebrations. I’m married with three children, two
daughters and a son. Fortunately, all live close by so we get together quite
often. My
life has been the textbook definition of arrested development. When I turned
22, I learned to play the guitar. I started my career in teaching at age 40.
And I had my first novel published at the age of 53. Never let people tell you
it’s too late to try something new!
When
you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge? Hobbies?
I
have two adorable grandsons—ages 3 and 1 ½. I love spending time with them and
with the rest of my family. Vacation getaways to a cabin in the Pennsylvania
Allegheny Forest and anywhere near a beach are always relaxing and fun. I enjoy
playing the guitar. Though currently, I’d say my skills are a bit stale. LOL.
How
long have you been writing?
Mine
is the typical writer’s story. I began writing poems and stories almost as soon
as I learned how to put words to paper. However, I didn’t get serious about it
until high school. I never attempted writing a novel until in my late
forties…and that was twenty years ago! Since my first effort, I’ve written and
published a dozen novels, both mystery and romance. It’s been a fun ride, and I
guess I’m a testament to the saying, “better late than never”.
A
lot of us were late bloomers. LOL Where do you prefer to write? Do you need
quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?
I have an office, yet I
seem to spend more time sitting in my family room and comfy chair, typing away
on my laptop. I need quiet while writing—no tv, no music, no talking, no
distractions whatsoever. When editing, I can listen to music, but not
television. Way too easy to get wrapped up in whatever show is on!
Are
you a plotter or a pantser?
Mostly
plotter. I outline by writing chapter summaries, which, of course, I always
tweak along the way.
Tell
us about your writing schedule. Do you set goals? Do you write daily?
I
don’t have a daily schedule, but I try to keep up with a set
word count per week when I’m on deadline. For instance, I have a manuscript due
in July. So, I’ve set a goal to write X amount of words each week, leaving a month
to spare for polishing and editing. In truth, it takes the joy out of it
somewhat, but I believe in the advice that the more you write, the better your
writing can become. Let’s hope!
Tell
us something about yourself that might surprise readers.
I
actually spent a few years, in my thirties, writing songs, and I tried to sell
some but unfortunately without success. It was fun trying, though. And my kids
loved it!
What
advice would you give to unpublished authors?
It’s
not enough to say if you love writing, you’ll keep trying. I mean who wants to go
at it blindly? Every writer needs direction. For instance, you should learn as
much as you can about the industry before attempting to get your work
published. Check out author/writer chats on query dot com and other sites like
it. Join a writers’ group to stay aware of current trends, to be inspired, and
of course for the opportunity to engage with other writers who enjoy talking
about writing as much as you do! As for improving your skills, read a few
how-to books on the craft. Stephen King’s ON WRITING is one of my favorites.
And finally, read lots of books, contemporary ones, in your genre.
What
has helped you in your writing career?
My
stubborn, dogged attitude to never give up, for one. As I mentioned above,
books on the craft helped me tremendously, and the author friends I meet with
keep me inspired.
What
do you hope your writing brings to readers?
Entertainment
and escape. I’m not, nor ever want to be a nonfiction author. I read fiction
because I enjoy that escape into another world. I hope to reach my readers in a
similar way.
About the Author
Kathryn Long is a retired teacher and novel-reading addict who loves weaving intricate details together into stories readers can’t help but enjoy. When writing and the creative muse take a break, this author loves to travel, especially to warm, sunny beaches, and to watch heart-wrenching movies with happy endings.
Kathryn lives in the City of Green located in northeast Ohio with her husband and little pooch Max. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers. Besides her contemporary romance WHEN I CHOOSE, Kathryn has several other published works, including romantic suspense A DEADLY DEED GROWS, and her more recent release, BURIED IN SIN, a murder mystery set in the rural Allegheny Forest of NW Pennsylvania.
Contact Links
Purchase Links
