Interview with Kathleen Ball

Today I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing author Kathleen Ball. Kathleen is an author of contemporary romances, but not just any contemporary romance, she writes about cowboys! *Swoon*

Welcome to Coffee Time Romance, Kathleen!

Can you tell us a bit about Lone Star Joy?

Lone Star Joy is a Contemporary Western Romance. It’s book two of the Lasso Springs Series. Callie’s Heart is Book one.

Sexy, Cowboy, Stamos Walker has a choice, either marry Joy Courtland or send her back to jail. Joy is a convicted murderer but Stamos believes she is innocent in every way.

 

Sounds fantastic! This is the second book in a series, can you tell us a bit about the first book?

Callie Daniels’ mother has one dying wish. She wants neighboring rancher, Garrett O’Neill, to marry her seventeen-year-old daughter. Callie knows it’s not supposed to be a conventional marriage. Garrett O’Neill would keep Callie’s ranch safe and Callie would go away to college.                                                      

Four years later, Callie comes home with stars in her eyes and happily ever after in her heart. She plans to make their marriage real until finds the new housekeeper, Sylvie in Garrett’s arms.

Heartbroken, Callie moves out. She sustains injuries from her horse and Garrett forces Callie to move back in to his house.

Callie finally gets her heart’s desire. Alone in a line shack, they make sweet love for the first time. Unfortunately, the love light is gone from Garret’s eyes the next morning.

 

What kind of books do you enjoy?

I love a romance that makes me cry.

I think we all love books that can evoke such emotion. What gave you the idea for Lone Star Joy? What sparked the muse?

I’ve been reading romance for years- all types. I started leaning toward Cowboy romance and when I started writing it was western romance. I really don’t know where the ideas come from they just flow.

Can you share an excerpt?

Stamos stood over his new housekeeper and frowned. She looked a bit young to him. Hell, if she could get Dillon to sleep every night it would be worth it. He touched her shoulder. The panic in her big hazel eyes surprised him. “It’s just me,” he assured her.

Joy blinked twice and looked around the room. “What?”

“You must have fallen asleep.”

“Oh. Well I want you to know that I never fall asleep in the saddle.”

“Honey, as long as you can keep us happy you won’t have to worry about the saddle.” He knew instantly that he must have said the wrong thing. Her pale face turned bright red.

“George never said. I don’t do that. I…” She bit her bottom lip.

“Whoa. What’s this about George?”

“He said you were on the up and up with your work release program. He never mentioned me making anyone happy.”

“I think we’re talking about two different things. Here give me Dillon.” Stamos leaned down and took the sleeping baby from her. “Now let’s start from the beginning. I’m Stamos Walker and you are?”

Her whole body tensed. “I’m Joy Courtland. I’m the horse wrangler. I’m on the prison work release program.”

Stamos softly swore. “George sent you here? You’re not the new housekeeper?”

Joy shook her head. “Is there a problem?”

“I don’t hire women to work on my ranch. George knows it too.”

“If you would just give me a chance.” Her bright blue eyes were too big for her thin face. In fact, all of her looked down right thin, except for the glorious chestnut braid that hung down her back. It looked as thick as his wrist.

“Listen, can you hold Dillon while I make a phone call?”

Joy stretched out her arms and took the baby, cuddling him to her. Stamos gave her a curt nod and walked to the phone across the room.

“Well, Dillon, I guess it’s back to the women’s penitentiary.” She looked down at Dillon and sighed. “You sure are a cute one, but I guess it makes no never mind to me.” Her braid hung over her shoulder and Dillon grabbed it. “Ouch. You little dickens. Give me my hair back.” Dillon held on tighter with both hands this time.

“Well if you don’t beat all. You are a handful. Full of piss and vinegar I’d say. Cute as a doodle bug, but a handful.” She smiled, as she tried to pry his hands from her hair.

Stamos watched, trying not to laugh. Dillon had pulled his hair a time or two and he knew how much it hurt. This little gal acted like it was all a game. She was good with his son.

He picked up a plastic horse that was Dillon’s favorite and tried to entice him with it. “Dill, come on now, let go of the sweet lady’s hair.”

“Dillon,” Joy cajoled, “come play horsey with your daddy.” She stared at Stamos. “Maybe if you made horse sounds.”

Stamos thought she was a bit daft, but he tried it. Dillon immediately let go of Joy’s hair, which she put behind her, and reached for the horse. “I’ll be damned. It worked,” he said.

“I talked to George.” He watched her face close and her body tense. “It doesn’t make sense. I run a work release program for non-violent offenders, male non-violent offenders. You don’t qualify for either. I don’t know what to do with you. I feel bad, but you’ll have to go back in the morning. Will I have to worry about you running off ?”

Fantastic excerpt!

Do you write in silence, or do you have a playlist of songs? If you listen to music what kind of music inspired you to write Lone Star Joy?

Sometimes I have the radio on. I can write through anything- I can tune pout everything else and not be aware of my surroundings.

What is your favourite type of hero, barring your own? 😉

I love a hero that is more on the alpha male side.

Why do you like writing books about cowboys?

Cowboys are fun to write about. In mine they are usually their own boss and set in their ways.  It’s a great conflict with a strong woman.

How do you relax? What hobbies do you take part in?

I read. I have so many to be read books on my kindle.

What’s the most important advice you can give to a newbie author?

Set up a Facebook page, a Fan page and a website. Make friends with other authors. Share other author’s post. People usually remember who helped them and return the favor.

Anything new in the works you want to share?

I’m writing a new series. It’s set in Montana and it’s a western contemporary series.

Where can we find out more about you?

www.kathleenballromance.com

Now for my standard foray of questions!

What is your favourite colour?

Green

What is your favourite drink?

Starbucks pumpkin spiced coffee

What is your favourite food?

Pizza

Trapped on a desert island what three movies would you take with you? What three books and what three fantasy men?

Dirty Dancing, Titanic and Gone With the Wind

Little Woman, Jayne Eyre and Dear John

Brad Pitt

Matthew  Mcconguahey

Jeff Porbst- hopefully he know how to make fire

Thanks again Kathleen for allowing me to interview you. Be sure to check out Kathleen Ball at her website for news about her latest works!