The Rejected Mail-Order Bride, book two in the Love in the Kentucky Hills series
When Rose Henderson steps off the train at the Harrisville Depot, she is confident that she can make a new start as a hatmaker and create a home for herself as far away from her father and his plans for her as possible. But when she meets the man who has promised to marry her, she suddenly finds her plans beginning to unravel. With barely any money to her name and an unstable future ahead of her, will Rose be able to find a place for herself in Harrisville, or will she have to succumb to her father’s will instead? Harl Adams is a self-proclaimed bachelor, content to live on his family’s apple orchard and take care of his mother and the farm. Harl’s past as a soldier in the Civil War still haunts him, keeping him from any possible future with a wife and children. But when he meets Rose Henderson, Harl sees things quite differently. Rose is unlike any woman he has ever met before, and she challenges him to see things in a whole new way. Unfortunately, Rose has come to Harrisville to marry someone else, and Rose does not share the same faith that Harl does. With a past chasing at her heels and an unsure future in front of her, what choice will Rose make?
- ISBN: 164960517X
- Publisher: Ambassador International
Interview with Greta Picklesimer
No matter how far we have fallen, the Lord is always ready to forgive us.
Are you a plotter or a pantster?
I am a plotopantster. Meaning before writing, I know how my story starts and ends. I plot out the beginning and end in my mind. As I start writing, I fill in the missing parts.
Reflecting back, what do you see as most significant to your publication journey?
Persistence. No matter what I just keep writing so I’ll have more than one project ready to go when I do get a publishing contract.
What’s your biggest challenge in balancing writing time with your other responsibilities?
Once I get home from work, I’m tired. I have to push myself in order to spend time writing. I usually write on the weekends.
How do your faith and spiritual life play into the picture and affect your storytelling?
The faith element comes through very strong in my writing. Characters need forgiveness or need to lean on the Lord for strength to get them through certain situations.
Who/What spurs you to write? Where do your story and character ideas come from?
I think I’m supposed to say that the Lord spurs me on to write, but that wouldn’t be honest. I lean on the Lord for story ideas, but He has given me a creative mind to think up story ideas and characters. Such as, years ago, I was watching TV and wishing I could think up a story to start writing my first romance novel. I placed my hand on my forehead and said, “I just can’t think. I just can’t think.” As soon as I said those words, the idea for my first romance novella came to mind. I opened my laptop and began writing what would become a 40,000 plus word novella in two weeks.
What is your writing routine? Any quirky habits or must-have snacks?
I don’t have a writing routine because I’m stuck on the novel I’m currently writing. So, I’ve been avoiding writing, which isn’t good for my creative spirit.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you as an author?
I don’t have any funny stories about anything that has happened to me as an author. I mean, people are impressed when they find out I’ve written and have two Christian historical romance novels traditionally published and am working on more, but that is not funny.
What do you think makes your style of storytelling unique?
I’m not sure my style of storytelling is unique. The story and characters live in my head until I can get their words on the page.
What led you to choose the genre in which you write?
I read a poorly written contemporary romance and thought, “I bet I could write something just as bad” and I did—well at least with my first attempt, which turned into a novella that won’t see the light of day. I’ve learned a lot since that first attempt and have grown as a writer and author.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
I love to watch mysteries on BritBox or Acorn TV—British TV. I have a subscription. Work on my scrapbook/art journal, and play with my cat, Pearlie Blue.
What books are on your nightstand right now?
None. I don’t have a nightstand. I have a Kindle and read audiobooks. There’s a lot in my TBR pile on audible by Karen Witemeyer and on my Kindle by Ann H. Gabhart. I also have Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill on my Kindle TBR pile.
Finish this statement: If I were not an author, I would be…very sad and bored.
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Kathy McKinsey lives in Lakewood, Ohio, with her husband Murray and the oldest of their five children. Besides writing, she enjoys activities with her church, editing for other writers, braille drawing, crocheting, knitting, and playing with their rambunctious cat. https://www.kathymckinsey.com.
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