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Read an excerpt from By God's Design
Visit Kelly McDonough's web site
About Kelly McDonough
After spending years as a corporate marketing/promotions assistant for nine radio stations and eleven newspapers across the country and working nearly thirteen years as an on-air announcer for classic rock radio stations, she decided to try her hand at what she loves writing and reading best: romance. All because she discovered an article in People magazine about something she never knew existed -- The Romance Writers of America. She found that one while working on her radio show -- and was paid while reading about the national organization that helps budding romance authors do their thing!
Kelly lives in a close-knit community in Pennsylvania with her husband, Jack, her two children, Jackie and Kayleigh and her cat, Pickles and Beagle, Max. Her dream is to bring more fairy-tale endings to the world -- and possibly a psychological thriller that'll knock socks off and scare the hell out of people because her research thus far scares the hell out of her!
Kelly loves to hear from her readers. She can be e-mailed at kellymcdonough@verizon.net.
Backlist:
Crazy for Kate Make-Believe Bride Christmas Wishes and Holiday Kisses Her Magical Marriage COMING SOON:
"It" Girl - a story of a modern day woman to sexy for her own good and a hero that every woman wants to know…
An Interview with Kelly McDonough
By Holly Hewson for The Romance StudioHH: Kelly, thank you for talking with us at TRS! Please tell us about your featured book, By God's Design. KM: It's the story about an extremely rugged and good-looking priest -- Father Michael Kerrigan -- who is used to women's advances. But, he's never felt anything... until Kathleen. Kathleen is the mother of two young children and in an emotionally abusive marriage. Michael helps her by giving her a job working as a church events coordinator so that she's financially able to stand on her own two feet and able to afford to divorce her husband and support herself and her children. Of course, there's an annulment from the church involved. But most of the book focuses on the developing relationship between Michael and Kathleen and how completely different Michael is than Kathleen's ex-husband. It's really about two people made for each other coming together. The conflict for Michael is internal. His pastor tells him he must have been given his good looks to be a test. Michael, however, finds the real test to be in deciding his future: will he leave the church to be with Kathleen? Or does remain in a vocation that has been a good life for him up until this point.
HH: Your hero is a wonderful man faced with a great decision. Where did you get the idea for this emotional tale? KM: Strange as it may seem, when I was a young girl I once saw a priest who was so good-looking it took my breath away. He looked like the Marlboro man and all I could think was what made him choose God over a woman and a family because he could have any woman he'd have wanted and still believed and worshipped his God.
HH: What do you like best about Father Michael Kerrigan and how do you relate to him? KM: I love that he embodies all that I see a hero being –- looks aside -- he's strong, caring, protective, loving. He's truly one of the good guys and one you know will be faithful. That's how I relate to him seeing him as being a rare find and a man that most women would love to call their own.
HH: What do you like best about Kathleen? KM: I like her strength despite the fact that she endured emotional pain in her marriage. She finds it within herself to stand up to her husband, and with Michael's help, leave him behind to pursue a better life. Falling in love with Michael is just a natural part of her evolvement as a woman discovering how a real man should treat a woman.
HH: What else do you have in store for lucky readers? KM: Well, "It" Girl is finally available. It's about a unique heroine who is engaged to an unfaithful man with lots of money. She run's a New York City boutique he's set up for her. It's called Naughty & Nice Clothes. Basically, it's a huge success among models and famous actresses. She's “discovered” by the owner and publisher of a classy men's magazine—For Him men's magazine. The hunky publisher who has always had a different beautiful woman on his arm decides she's "the one." Only problem is she's engaged and thinks him a playboy not even realizing the true playboy is her fiancé. She has a spunky friend. He has his photographer as a side kick. The two of them help bring the hero and heroine together. It has a little bit of glitz and glamour. It has conflicting emotions about what love really is. It has some funny moments. Some poignant moments. And a moment when you know two people are perfect for each other despite not being together. It's a story about getting them together.
HH: What do you think today's readers are looking for in the romance genre? KM: Variety. If you look on-line or on bookstore shelves, you'll see so many different kinds of romances, and readers are buying them. However, I honestly believe romance readers are looking for an escape from reality and happily ever after of some sort or at least a happy for now.
HH: What changes do you see coming in the genre and how will it affect you? KM: I think we're going to see a throw back to the early 80s style romance novels. Writers like Johanna Lindsay who really paved the way for romance writers. I also think the genre is going to continue opening the door to more "unexplored" topics and stories that normally “fell through the cracks” in an editor's mind now being more acceptable to consider for publication.
HH: What do you enjoy most about being a writer? KM: The freedom to make my characters do anything I want them to do. The freedom to work when I want to work. And the ability to explore and experience so many different careers and life paths and relationships and physical characteristics. It's just so wonderful to create something from nothing. It's emotionally freeing, and that's what I love most about writing.
HH: Do you read print books, ebooks, or both? KM: Both -- absolutely!
HH: Any big plans for the fall? KM: I think I'm going to start a new book and maybe even tackle writing a romantic suspense series or to love again series. And, of course, I plan on being my kids cheerleader whether they be involved in sports or the arts and their academic life.
HH: Thank you!
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