Kathryn Albright grew up in southern California
where she sets many of her sweet western romances. A Golden Heart finalist and
recipient of the HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, she writes historical romance
that celebrates courage and hope against all odds with a dash of adventure.Her enjoyment of historical romantic fiction began as a teenager when she was given the novel Ramona ~ set in southern California after the Mexican-American War. A few thousand books later, she still enjoys reading romance set in the past. (She also loves fairy tales and all things Disney.)
Kathryn's past includes careers as a nurse and an obstetrical sonographer where daily she witnessed many "happy ever afters" and miracles.
Kathryn's latest western historical romances for Harlequin are "sweet" although her earlier stories were not. Please check her website if you are wondering what brought on the change ~ Why Sweet?
Along with her writing, Kathryn also judges for the Romance Writers of America Rita contest for published writers and the Wisconsin Romance Writers FabFive contest for unpublished writers.
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contests, and more, sign up for Kathryn's newsletter.
She loves to hear from her readers. Please contact her through one of
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Connect with the Author here:
Gloria Palmer has
always done the proper thing expected of her as the daughter of a shipping
tycoon. The approval of her family and friends mean everything. And yet, when
the perfect suitor offers for her… she hesitates.
Colin McDougal has
little use for those living on the fancy side of the trolley tracks. He is too
busy managing the family pub and, in his spare time, writing down the lively
tunes in his head. So, when Miss Palmer asks for his help to prepare for a
music audition, he is flummoxed. What does he know of highbrow music?
But with each practice
session, their feelings for each other grow. When it comes time for Gloria to
make a choice between what is proper and what she desires, will she realize
that if music can cross class lines, it might also be able to harmonize two
hearts.
Q&A with the Author:
1. Tell us about things
you enjoy — what you do for fun or personal satisfaction besides writing?
I enjoy
spending time with my family—in the winter, trying out new recipes, playing
board games and bowling. In the summer, I like hiking and boating. I like to
study the Bible and I like to play the piano.
2. When did you first
realize you were an author?
I first
realized I was an author when I wrote a non-fiction piece for a nursing
magazine and they paid me to publish it.
3. Have you done anything
writing-related, but besides actually writing your books, that seemed to get a
lot of positive response? Something that encouraged you?
Ha! See
#2 above. I also entered a Redbook Magazine contest and my short story placed
and received a personal note of encouragement from a noted literary agent who
judged it and asked to see more of my work. Those smaller accomplishments
encouraged me to keep trying.
4. What is the thing you struggle with the
most while writing? And how do you defeat it?
I get
distracted easily by other things such as marketing and social media. I wish I
had a background in marketing so that it would all come easier and faster! I
love the ideas of book trailers and games and Facebook parties, but I am a
private person and to put myself out there to the world is a bit exhausting.
5. What is the “message”
of your writing? (For example, is your purpose to encourage old-fashioned
values, encourage romance, or do you have different purposes in different
books?)
Besides,
entertaining with a good story, I hope to encourage my readers to put
themselves out there for the people in their lives. I believe in committing to
a relationship and weathering the ups and downs. In a world with too many
broken homes and too many fatherless children as the result of selfishness, I
want readers to be encouraged that courage matters, hope matters, and love
matters most of all. We make a difference in the lives we touch. Make it for
the good.
6. What are your
thoughts/feelings on ebook vs. print book?
I like
them both! It is great to have choices. I probably enjoy ebooks more simply for
the convenience of making the print larger and easier to read while I am using
my treadmill.
7. How many books do you
have out? Are you planning a specific number altogether, either in this series
or separately?
I have
8 western historical romances out with Harlequin Historical – and 3 more in the
works. Gloria’s Song is my first
independently published book—which has been an exciting journey for me. It was
also nice to write something other than a western for a change.
8. Are your characters/stories/scenes, etc. based on
anything in real life?
My
Heroes of San Diego series has real places and events in them—the Pt. Loma
lighthouse, La Playa, the gold rush that occurred in the back country in the
early 1870s. I did a lot of research for them. The same with my two Alamo
books. Gloria’s Song is more a nod to
my mother’s family who comes from Alexandria, Virginia and the love of music
that our entire family enjoys.
9. What are your future
projects?
The
three books for Harlequin—one of which is finished and scheduled for a May 22nd
release date. Hopefully, I’ll be doing another collection of stories with the
authors at Sweet Americana Sweethearts. I would also like to have a short
offering on my website—perhaps a Christmas novella as a gift to my readers.
So…a lot of things in the works.
To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page
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