This month’s second featured author is Kelsey McKnight.
Kelsey McKnight is the co-author of Royally Abandoned and Cupid Claus. I was introduced to her last year when they asked me to read those two books. Kelsey also writes other romances that have a bit of heat. So, far I haven’t read their other books but I bet that they are just as good as these sweet romances.
So, enough from me. Let’s get to know Kelsey McKnight.
Personal
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
My author’s bio is pretty informative, mostly about my love of history and coffee! I’m a work from home mom, often have pastel-colored hair, and enjoy photo editing. I’m really into alternative music as well and bake at least twice a week. I have a weakness for Dr. Pepper and watermelon, just not together!
What made you want to become a writer?
I’ve always been a reader and thought it would be fun to try and write, but I didn’t really get into it until after my daughter was born a few years ago. I was playing with some story ideas when Sarah told me she was doing the same. We ended up working on our own projects at first, then after a few books, decided to try our hand at writing romances together.
What book that you have read has most influenced your life?
Picking just one book is impossible, so I have to pick three. Outlander gave me a love for sweeping romances that really inspired a deep admiration of historicals. My interest grew as I read the series and began genealogy, later learning of my ancestor’s own part in some of the same battles featured in the books. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was also my first chapter book, and The Hobbit is one I can always reread and am currently reading with my daughter.
(Fun fact; J.J.R Tolkein, the author of The Hobbit, and C.S. Lewis, author of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, were great friends and members of the same informal literary group at Oxford. They helped inspire the other and loved some good teasing.)
That is so cool. I didn’t know that.
Who is your favorite author?
Another tough one! To spice things up, I’ll say Phillipa Gregory. Her historical fiction novels are really fantastic, although not the most accurate. I enjoy the way she ties things together and always look forward to her new releases.
I am not familiar with Phillipa Gregory, but now I have to check out her books.
What is the first book that made you cry?
I’ve been reading for nearly thirty years, so I can’t remember the first, but the one that really got me was Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon. When I thought Jamie Fraser died at Culloden, I was a wreck!
What do you want your tombstone to say?
As someone with family in the mortuary business, I’d rather be cremated! But I will say when I die, I want a fabulous, yet slightly creepy, portrait of myself painted in the Renaissance style. I like to think if I ended up as a ghost, I would enjoy having a physical representation of myself for my descendants to be unsettled by.
That is fantastic and so cool. Your portrait would be passed down from generation to generation.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
If I could turn mind reading on and off, that’s what I would pick. If I would have to hear everyone’s thoughts all the time without end, I’d like to fly.
Where is one place you want to visit that you haven’t been before (real or imaginary)?
The Scottish Highlands! After writing seven books there, studying it for school, and delving into family history, I’d really like to put myself in the world that’s grown so dear to me.
Do you have a bucket list? What is the last item on it?
Have one of mine and Sarah’s books made into a movie!
Writing Style
What do you love most about your writing process?
Building characters I want to fall in love with. I want the heroines to be the kind of women I’d be friends with, and the heros be the kind of men that could sweep me off my feet.
Do you like music or silence?
I usually write with the TV on in the background. I tried music, but I keep ending up flipping through my choices, looking for the perfect songs.
Do you have goals of a certain # of words a week or when inspiration strikes?
I normally don’t make goals for myself. I found that it personally gives me major writer’s block!
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
I’d say we like to share the power. Like, I create scenarios and settings, but they like to make up their own words.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
My daughter! She’s always curious about what I’m doing and always wants to read and play, so I try to only write at night so I can really focus without taking breaks.
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
In a way, I do. I write under my maiden name, but not for any great reason. I just began writing before I got married!
How important are character names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning?
I usually just pick names I like, but when I’m working on something in another country or time period, I pick names that fit the setting.
Book/Series
What is your favorite part of Falling in Puppy Love?
When Aiden and Emily begin to fall for one another, but he gets a certain call that changes things for both of them.
Is anything in your book based on real-life experiences or purely all imagination?
All imagination on my part.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
The epilogue! I hate to give anything away, but early reviews have said some wonderful things.
How did you come up with the title?
That’s all Sarah! She’s really great at making up the names of books and places within them. For example, there’s a restaurant in the book at an orchard called “Before Pie.” How cute is that?
If you could spend time a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
Emily for sure. She’s busy, but so relaxed and has a ton of animals. There’s nothing more fun to me than hanging out with a ton of dogs!
If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?
Emily would be played by Amanda Seyfriend and Aiden would be Chris Pine.
What project are you working on now?
Sarah and I are working on a sweet romance series set on Lake George in upstate New York in 2021. I’m also working on a solo series of steamy western romances that are also coming out in 2021! It’s a very busy time for us.
Do you have any other books coming out this year?
Falling in Puppy Love is the last book for 2020, but I have four books set to be officially released in early 2021 with hopefully more to come!
You can follow Kelsey here:
Sweet Romances by Sarah Fischer and Kelsy McKnight
(cover links to my reviews of these sweet romances)
What Happens Series
A steamy contemporary romance series.
Also, check out Kelsey’s Scottish Stone Series. There are four books in that series which is a Scottish Historical Romance series with lots of heat.
And look for her steamy western romance series Blue Bloods and Blue Collars coming soon.
Giveaway
Prize: Kindle versions of What Happens in the Highlands, What Happens in the Ruins, and What Happens in the Castle for (1) winner. Open internationally.
Thank you to Kelsey McKnight being featured on the Baroness’ Book Trove, I know that it takes time to answer all these questions. I hope you all enjoy getting to know Kelsey. Make sure to sign up for the giveaway.
Until the next time, happy reading!
I am reading To Rescue a Runaway Bride. On page 103 they ride into town on a motorcycle. On page 104 he drops her off and gets back in his truck “to stock up on groceries” before going home.
I enjoy your books but this has happened several times and it is “jarring” when it doesn’t transfer right. I am to believe his truck is in town and he is going to leave his prized black motorcycle in town.
I don’t how this happens as I am a reader not a writer. Thank you.