Posted by Kathleen Rouser
Tell us about your latest book and what compelled you to write it?
Murmur in the Mud Caves is book four of my Chaparral Hearts series. It takes place in 1873 in what is now known as the Anza Borrego Desert which is located in the eastern portion of San Diego County, in Southern California. Several factors inspired this story, but my favorite two are the reunion between the heroine and the siblings she hasn’t seen or heard from in eighteen years, and the struggle of a nineteenth century rancher to come to terms with the chronic health troubles left over from his time fighting the Civil War.
As a former foster mom and current adoptive mom, stories involving adoption, broken families, and children in need are near to my heart. Reuniting siblings that were separated at a young age by circumstances outside their control and showing the shades of loss mixed with elements of joy was something I enjoyed as a writer.
My hero spoke to me because his affliction of migraines with aura is one I have personally experienced, though to a lesser degree. I used my own experiences and the experiences of friends and family who also suffer with severe, debilitating migraines, to layer in my hero’s experiences.
What do you love most about being a writer?
Getting to live multiple lives through my characters and sharing those experiences with readers is the best part of being a writer. Receiving notes from readers who enjoy and are touched by my stories helps keep me going on the hard days.
What’s your favorite outdoor activity?
I love hiking. It is the closest I will come to living a frontier life and brings me closer to God as I marvel at His creation.
Do you see writing as a ministry? Why or why not?
I absolutely see writing as a ministry because I believe God works through my words to touch the hearts of my readers.
What would you do if you had a whole weekend off to yourself and an unlimited budget?
Fly away to a tropical resort where I could lounge on the beach all day and waiters would bring me water and snacks. LOL Can you tell I’m tired at the moment? If I weren’t so tired and my health were better, I’d opt for a backpacking trip into the wilderness.
Do you prefer traditional or indie publishing and why?
I think they both have their plusses and minuses, but at this point in my life I am very grateful to entrust the business of publishing and marketing my books to my publisher. There is a LOT of work that goes into taking a manuscript from a plain Word document to something a reader will eagerly purchase.
Author Bio:
Kathleen Denly writes historical romance to entertain, encourage, and inspire readers toward a better understanding of our amazing God and how He sees us. Award winning author of the Chaparral Hearts series, she also shares history tidbits, thoughts on writing, books reviews and more at KathleenDenly.com.
Kathleen lives in California with her loving husband, four young children, two dogs, and ten cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.
Always happy to hear from her readers, you can email Kathleen and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
