Kathleen Irene Paterka

INTERVIEW with Kathleen Irene Paterka, author of “Secrets of the Royal Wedding Chapel”

November 13, 2015 1 Comment

About the author: KATHLEEN IRENE PATERKA is an Amazon bestselling author of women’s fiction novels. Her popular James Bay series includes Fatty Patty, Home Fires, Lotto Lucy, and For I Have Sinned. Her latest work, The Other Wife, is set in Chicago. Her newest release, Secrets of the Royal Wedding Chapel, was published by Booktrope Publishing in October 2015. Kathleen lives in Northern Michigan with her husband Steve, where she is busy working on her next James Bay novel.

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INTERVIEW

Describe yourself in five sentences: My husband would say I’m his best friend (true), romantic (I try my best!), and passionate about the things (and people) I love. My daughter would say that I am a perfectionist (true), creative (true), and overprotective (Hey! She’s 34 years old, but I’m her mother. Mothers are allowed to be overprotective!). My own mother (who died in March 2015) would have said that I work too hard (still debating that one), that I’m too hard on myself (I tend to agree at times), and that I’m kind, generous, and good-hearted (Mom, stop! People will think you’re prejudiced). My friends would say I tend to run full-tilt (true), I can be counted on to keep my word (also true), and that I’m loyal to a fault (and this is a problem?). As for what I think about myself? The jury’s still out on that one!

What is your writing/editing/publishing process like? I’m a very slow writer. It takes me a good year to write the rough draft of a book. My novels tend to run 80,000 – 100,000 words. There are days I consider myself lucky to even get one page written. Once the rough draft is finished, I start in on a round of edits (my least favorite part of the creative process). I hate chopping away at my words; I consider them ‘my babies’. Once the edits are done, I work with a professional editor/proofreader. The story is then re-edited, and then submitted to either my publisher or readied for indie-pub.

When did you know you were a writer? When I was 8 yrs old, I read my first Trixie Belden book (a series about a teenage girl detective). After devouring the novel, I made a decision right then and there that when I would grew up, I would be an author and write more Trixie Belden books.

Salty or sweet? I love a dash of salt on foods, and a bit of sweetness in the books I read.

Every author must have (a): Patience, perseverance, and nerves forged of steel.

Do you have any writing rituals? I’m up early every morning, on purpose. The house is quiet, and there are no distractions to pull me away from the steady stream of dialogue as the characters start chatting in my head. The world outside may still be sleeping, but my mind is buzzing. I try to get it all down on paper before too many interruptions pull me out of the magical daydream my imagination has created.

Tell us what a typical day is like for you? Since I have a day job (I’m the resident staff writer at a Castle! How romantic!), it’s necessary for me to allocate my time very carefully. My alarm goes off at 5 every morning. By 6:30, I’m dressed, have had breakfast, and am at my computer where I work for two hours on my latest writing project. I shut down at 8:30 AM, and then I’m off to work at the Castle. After dinner with my husband, I’m back at the computer answering emails and chatting on social media. Weekends, I pretty much follow the same scenario, except my alarm doesn’t go off at 5 AM… plus, I allow four hours for writing, rather than two. But regardless of whether I’m working my day job or not, mornings are reserved for my novels. That’s when my creative juices are fresh and flowing.

Hard/paperbacks or eBooks? Both! I’m a big fan of our public library, which has plenty of hard cover and paperback books to enjoy. Libraries = free books! What’s not to love about free books? But eBooks are great too, and I especially love my Kindle. There’s no waiting for someone to return a library book you want to read. Just download it on your Kindle. One flick of a finger, one-stop shopping! But hard/paperback or eBook, the most important thing I look for is a great story that keeps my interest.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Retired from my ‘day job’ as staff writer at a Castle, and cozily tucked away at my home computer working on my novels.

If you could meet another author, who would it be? Stephen King. I’m a huge fan of his books. His novel 11/22/63 about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is a literary masterpiece. King’s non-fiction work On Writing is the one craft book about writing that I keep close at hand.

What do you want readers to take away from your books? Take heart and have courage. There are plenty of experts out there handing out advice on how to deal with things. You can have all the head knowledge in the world, but it doesn’t begin to touch what’s inside your heart. My novels are about real people trying to find their way through issues or events that have shattered their lives. How do you learn to pick up the pieces? I believe that it’s ultimately about listening to what’s in your heart, rather than your head. That’s what I hope readers gain from reading my books.

What are you working on right now? My latest book takes readers back to the small resort town of James Bay (the setting for my first four novels: Fatty Patty, Home Fires, Lotto Lucy, and For I Have Sinned. The book features Chuck’s Tavern and Grill, a local eatery from the first four books. Chuck owns the Tavern, and his adult daughter Katie is the manager. Chapter 1 starts out with a simmering stew of a story that quickly escalates into a rolling boil when a mysterious young woman shows up at the Tavern and takes a seat at the bar. Who’s the stranger? What’s she doing in James Bay? Why is she so fascinated with Chuck? Katie’s radar is on high alert. She’s very protective of her dad, and she doesn’t appreciate strangers trying to worm their way into his affections. There’s a touch of mystery, a dash of romance, a pinch of suspense, and plenty of twists and turns… blend together, and hopefully it will turn into a delicious read (especially since each chapter features a favorite recipe from Chuck’s menu!)

**Blurb: Immersed in the regal world of weddings and romance, Lily Lavender grew up believing in brides, grooms and happily-ever-afters. A direct descendant of the British royals, it seemed her destiny and royal birthright to someday assume a position as wedding coordinator in their family-owned wedding chapel business. But when her mother Mimi’s third marriage eventually fails, Lily’s dreams of her own happily-ever-after quickly fade. She’s no longer interested in a life of assisting brides walk down the aisle into a life of disillusionment and possible divorce. Lily turns her back on The Royal Wedding Chapel and leaves Las Vegas to fashion a life of her own. Years later, Lily—now a single mom—discovers her teenage daughter has run off to Las Vegas, lured by Mimi to help run the chapel. Determined to save her daughter from the broken dreams of Sin City and the nonsensical world of which family fairy tales are made, Lily returns to Las Vegas. But nothing prepares Lily for the royal drama which awaits her… or the sins and secrets she stumbles across that threaten to close the chapel and ruin her family forever.

PROLOGUE

There’s a reason they call this town Sin City, my mother told me long ago when I questioned her about something I’d heard at school that day. But when I asked about the secrets part, Mimi had refused to explain. “You’re much too young to hear about such things, Lily,” she said and left it at that.

I wandered away, a confused eight-year-old, my head filled with even more questions. How could Las Vegas be full of sin and secrets when it was filled with so much sunshine? Growing up in this town, in the ornate, spacious villa behind Mimi’s Royal Wedding Chapel near the center of the Strip, I saw the glitz and glamour. It shimmered and sparkled like the beautiful brides in their wedding gowns gracing the aisles of the chapel. Peeking around the pews, I saw their glowing faces, heard the vows exchanged, witnessed the beginnings of so many happily-ever-afters.

And then I grew up.

It took a while—around the time Mimi’s third marriage, the one to Jack’s father, collapsed—for me to discover the truth. Las Vegas is full of sin and secrets. Most of them stay in Vegas, left behind to be cleaned up by maids and blackjack dealers who sweep away the debris. Others get carried home like guilty luggage, busting up marriages and businesses and causing bankruptcy.

I’m forty years old, and that naïve little girl I used to be disappeared long ago. She learned that happily ever after is merely an illusion and that sins and secrets can weigh just as heavy on your heart as our family’s heirloom tiara can weigh on your head. The dazzling crown, in the special display case behind bulletproof glass in the lobby of the Royal Wedding Chapel, gleams like the fortune it is worth. But the antique combs pinch and the diamond diadem is a burden. How my grandmother managed to keep the jewel-encrusted crown on her head when presented to the Queen is the stuff of which family legends are made. With my grandfather descended from British nobility and in distant line for the throne, the tiara is a priceless treasure, proof of our family’s heritage.

As far as I’m concerned, though, that tiara is exactly where it belongs: safely behind glass, viewed from a distance. It glitters and sparkles, but the pain isn’t worth it. Dare to wear it, as I did once, and—just like the secrets hidden in Sin City—the pain and guilt will tear you down. I’m lucky I managed to yank it off in time.

And I refuse to allow that tiara to ruin my daughter’s life the way it almost ruined mine.

Kathleen Irene Paterka

April 22, 2015 2 Comments

About the author: Kathleen Irene Paterka is an Amazon Bestselling Author of smart women’s fiction. Her newest novel, The Other Wife, was published in February to critical acclaim. Kathleen’s popular James Bay series, set in Northern Michigan, includes: Fatty Patty, Home Fires, Lotto Lucy, and For I Have Sinned. Love weddings? Pick up a copy of her novel Royal Secrets for a fascinating glimpse into the world of royalty, romance and brides. Kathleen is the resident staff writer for a world renowned castle listed on the National Historic Register, and co-author of the non-fiction book For the Love of a Castle. Kathleen and her husband live in the beautiful north country of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, where she is busy working on her next James Bay novel.

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INTERVIEW

Describe your writing style in five words: Smart, emotional, witty, intense, and personal.

Which do you prefer, hard/paperbacks or eBooks? Both! I’m a big fan of our town’s public library, which has plenty of hard cover books to enjoy, but eBooks are great too. I especially love using my Kindle when I’m reading in bed. The backlit screen, plus one flick of a finger, and I’m on the next page. But hard/paperback or eBook, the most important factor will always be a great story that keeps my interest.

Tell us about your writing/editing/publishing process: Though ideas and conversations constantly bounce through my brain, I’m very linear when it comes to writing. I start with Chapter One and write my way to The End. I’m slow and methodical when it comes to writing; I count it a good day if I manage to produce 500-750 words. By the time I’m finished, my rough draft usually only requires one or two edits. I then turn it over to a few trusted beta readers for their input. An indie author, I signed with Booktrope Publishing in February. I’m excited about the opportunity to promote my works to an expanded audience.

In what location do you think you write better, (ex: office, kitchen, etc.)? I’m a very structured writer, and tend to work best in my home office. Unlike other authors who can write anywhere (J.K. Rowling wrote reams of Harry Potter materials while riding on the train and sitting in coffee shops), I need the peace and quiet that surrounds me when I’m at my computer.

While working on a WIP, do you have any rituals? I write every day. I’m up early, at 5 am. Normally, by 6:30 am, I’m at my computer. I have a little timer which I set for two hours. Then I open up my WIP, and I’m quickly lost in a beautiful daydream that unfolds before me on the computer screen. Thank God for that little timer. If I didn’t have it, I’d probably be late for work every day, and have been fired from my day job long ago.

If you had to meet any author who would it be? Stephen King. I am a huge fan of his work (11/22/63 and The Shining are classics). His book On Writing is the one craft book about writing that I keep close at hand.

You mention that your husband was an inspiration for this story. What were your emotions when you were writing “The Other Wife”? Grief is not an easy issue to tackle, and The Other Wife proved the most difficult story I’ve written to date. First, I was dealing with two separate characters: Eleanor and Claire—two wives, each with their own perspective and storyline. Eleanor (wife #1) and Richard (her husband of 38+ years) were already living semi-separate lives when he died on page 1. Eleanor’s method of coping with Richard’s death also proved semi-detached; her scenes were easy to write. Claire (wife #2), however, was a different story. She and Richard had been married only a few years, and she was left feeling betrayed and bewildered at the situation in which she suddenly found herself. With two young children to raise, Claire’s grief threatened to overwhelm her… and me, as the author. Eventually, about ½ way through the book, I switched from writing in 1st person to 3rd in order to distance myself from Claire’s emotions. Her grief was so intense, I found myself not wanting to write. If I hadn’t switched POV, I doubt the book would have been finished.

What is your favorite word? Perseverance.

What is the best advice you’ve been given? A dear friend of mine (who is a NYT bestselling author) gave me the following advice years ago: “Don’t give up. Don’t give up. Don’t give up. Work hard, work smart, work tirelessly. Be tough, be brave, and be persistent. All clichés, yes. But when they apply to you and how much you want to realize your dream, they are very apt.” Her words came to me in an email, which I have framed and hanging right above my computer. I’ve often looked at it throughout the years, and her words have served me well.

Where do you see your writing career in five years? I would like to have written and published another three novels. I’m an idealist at heart, but I’m also realistic. I’m a slow writer, and that’s okay. It’s part of my process. Normally it takes a good 12-15 months for me to complete a work to my satisfaction… and that’s before my editor sees it. I am not going to kill myself trying to impose strict deadlines upon myself that will only stress me out. My latest work, The Other Wife, took 18 months to write. While I was in the editing process, my 92 yr. old mother was diagnosed with cancer. I slowed down and allowed myself time to focus on her. Thank God I did. The book was published on Feb. 18th (my mother’s birthday), and she passed away on March 13th. I’m slowly beginning to pick up the pieces and begin the process of writing again.

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“The Other Wife” by Kathleen Irene Paterka

Till death do us part…

Eleanor Anderson has a beautiful home, a loving husband, a tranquil life. After thirty-eight years of marriage and her children now grown, she finally has time for herself. She’s not expecting any surprises; certainly not to wake up one morning and find her husband dead in bed beside her from a massive heart attack. It’s a devastating discovery… but not as much as the shock awaiting Eleanor when she learns the truth about her husband’s secret life. And then there’s the damaging document he signed before his death, which threatens to destroy her life.

Claire Anderson isn’t your average thirtysomething. A professor of psychology at a prestigious university, Claire has a successful career, a handsome husband, and two young children at home. But nothing in her background, including her academic accomplishments, prepares Claire for the horrendous reality of discovering that the life she’d led was all a lie… fostered by a husband who’d promised to love and cherish her forever.

Two women from two generations, bound together by denial, anger, and grief. How far will their misery and fear push them? Does compassion rule the day, or will a husband’s betrayal lead to a woman’s revenge?

What happens when each of these women comes face-to-face with the other wife?

**Buy “The Other Wife”: Amazon Barnes & Noble iTunes

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GIVEAWAY

**Click HERE to enter to win an eBook of “Lotto Lucy” by Kathleen!

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**Click HERE to see other stops on Kathleen’s Chick Lit Plus Blog tour!

Royal Secrets

August 6, 2013 8 Comments

Book review of “Royal Secrets”

RoyalSecretsCover

“Royal Secrets” by Kathleen Irene Paterka

Book Description:

ROYAL SECRETS is the story of the Royal Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, and of Lily Lavender, whose family is distantly descended from the British royal family. Immersed in the regal world of weddings and romance, Lily grew up believing in brides, grooms and happily-ever-afters. It seemed her destiny and royal birthright to someday assume a position as wedding coordinator in their family-owned wedding chapel business. But when her mother Mimi’s third marriage eventually fails, Lily’s dreams of her own happily-ever-after quickly fade. She’s no longer interested in a life of assisting brides walk down the aisle into a life of disillusionment and possible divorce. Lily turns her back on The Royal Wedding Chapel and leaves Las Vegas to fashion a life of her own. Years later, Lily—now a single mom—discovers her teenage daughter has run off to Las Vegas, lured by Mimi to help run the chapel. Determined to save her daughter from the broken dreams of Sin City and the nonsensical world of which family fairy tales are made, Lily returns to Las Vegas. But nothing prepares Lily for the royal drama which awaits her… or the sins and secrets she stumbles across that threaten to close the chapel and ruin her family forever.

My Review:

I have been a huge fan of Kathleen ever since I read “Fatty Patty” (such a great book), so I was eager to start “Royal Secrets”. Being a huge fan of the Royal Family, I really enjoyed this book, and even the references to Kate. There were a lot of twists and turns, which made for a page-turner. While the beginning seemed a little slow and there were parts that seemed to drag on a bit, it definitely picked up in the middle. I was constantly wondering what would happen next.

I thought the characters were written really well, but my favorite was Tori. She was mature and smart, and I liked how she challenged her mother. My main issue with this book was Lilly’s character. From the beginning, she seemed really upset with her mother for having a stroke. It like she was put out for having to take care of her. I also thought Lilly needed to step in take over for Tori, who seemed to take better care of Mimi.

Kathleen’s writing was witty and fun! Like I mentioned above, this wasn’t my first book by her, and I know it won’t be my last!

I give “Royal Secrets” 4 stars!

INTERVIEW

Describe yourself in five sentences: I’m a published author, with five women’s fiction novels and one non-fiction work available both digitally and in print. I’m wife to Steve (33 years and counting), a mother to our daughter Abby (31 yrs.), and grandmother of 3 yr. old twin boys. I have a day job I love as resident staff writer at a fairy tale castle in Northern Michigan. I’m in love with my husband, devoted to my family, loyal to my friends, and happy in what I do. Most of all, I love my life and wouldn’t trade it for anything.

When did you begin writing? I started scribbling stories down as soon as I could hold a pencil and string words together. Growing up, I thought everyone was like me ~ living with a stream of stories and ideas, and people chattering away in their heads. Little did I know that ‘normal people’ weren’t necessarily like that. But I’ve always loved making up things. Nowadays, I get paid to put that imagination to good use.

How do you come up with the titles of your books? My first novel, FATTY PATTY, is about an elementary school teacher named Patty who’s struggling to lose weight. I was a fat teenager (I weighed 300 lbs. when I graduated from high school) and they called me ‘Baby Huey’ on the playground. That got me thinking, “What would Patty’s nickname be?” Thus, the name (and title) FATTY PATTY was born. My latest novel, ROYAL SECRETS, is about a Las Vegas wedding chapel (the Royal Wedding Chapel) owned by a family of women who are distantly related to the British royal family. The novel contains plenty of intrigue and drama, plus plenty of secrets! Seemed like a no-brainer. Royalty + Secrets = ROYAL SECRETS.

Walk us through your writing/editing/publishing process: I love writing the rough draft. It’s my favorite part of the entire process. By the time I begin, I’ve been dreaming about the characters for a good six months. I know where the story begins and where it will end. For me, the fun part is discovering the story magic in the middle. I’m a very slow writer. My current work in progress is due to my editor next March. By the time it arrives in her In-Box, I’ll already have a cover design back from my graphic artist, plus a formatting time-slot booked. From start to finish, the entire process takes about eighteen months.

Do you get writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it? I’ve never had writer’s block, and it’s something I prefer not to think about, thank you very much! Perhaps I’m afraid I’ll jinx myself? However, I did quit writing once, for several years. My younger sister (my only sibling ~ a 37 yr. old single mom with five young children) had just been diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. I was four chapters into a new novel, but I just couldn’t concentrate. After a few weeks, I made the decision to quit writing and concentrate solely on my family. My sister died nine months after being diagnosed. Looking back, I’m so glad I made the decision to put my writing aside for that time in my life. I have no regrets. I believe that being there for her when she needed me, helping out with my nieces and nephews, making memories that will last forever, strengthened me as a person, as a woman, and as a writer. It took a good three years following her death before I finally picked my writing up again. But when I did, it was with a renewed determination, and I vowed to never quit again. Life is too short not to follow your dreams.

Are any of your characters based on someone you know? Each of my heroes contains certain core elements of my husband Steve’s personality. He’s such a wonderful man and the most positive person I’ve ever met in my life. How could I not help being influenced by him when it comes to creating the perfect guy? The only male character Steve complained about (and disliked) was Sam Curtis, the overweight hero in FATTY PATTY. At the time I wrote the novel, Steve had been struggling to lose a few pounds. He didn’t like being compared to Sam. (Interesting side note: women readers adored Sam! But I say, “Too bad, ladies… he’s taken!”)

Where is your favorite writing location? I have a home office. The walls are red, my desk is a beautiful antique rubbed walnut, and my computer monitor is the largest I could find that would fit on my desk. My eyes aren’t the greatest and I need that visibility on the screen!

If you’re not working, then you’re probably…Watching episodes of HBO’s THE NEWSROOM (with Jeff Daniels). It’s my favorite show on television ~ the new season begins this month! I’m psyched! I also love going to the movies with Steve, or losing myself in a good book. TV, movies, books… can you tell I love escaping reality?

What is your favorite word? Perseverance.

What would you be if you weren’t a writer? A talk show hostess! (not that I believe for one minute that any network would hire me- LOL). But I love interviewing people, finding out about their lives and discovering why they do the things they do. People are so interesting. The situations some of them find themselves in make for wonderful stories!

What is the best advice you’ve been given? Never give up. That applies to everything in life, whether it’s writing, marriage, children, or anything. Work at it long enough and you will succeed (or, at least, things will improve). A person cannot survive without hope. Hope is the thing that keeps us going. I try every day to fill my life with hope.

Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects? I’m three chapters into a new work of women’s fiction. The story evolved from a horrible event I experienced in my life a few years ago. My husband had been hospitalized for a heart condition. Early one morning I was sitting by his bed and woke with a start to the oddest noise. Little did I know that it was the infamous ‘death rattle’. My Steve had just taken his last breath. Thank God he was in the cardiac unit. A skilled team of doctors and nurses rushed to his side with a crash cart and zapped him back to life. But that experience got me to thinking. What if Steve hadn’t been in the hospital? What if we’d been home and asleep in bed? He would have died. One thought led to another, resulting in my current work in progress, a women’s fiction story I callELEANOR (for want of a better title). It’s the story of a woman who wakes from a sound sleep by a curious sound coming from her husband of 38 years next to her in bed. Then she goes back to sleep… only to waken the next morning to find him dead beside her. A shocking secret he’s been keeping is exposed upon his death, destroying the idyllic life they’d built together, leaving a stunned Eleanor alone to figure out how in the world to begin putting her life back together.

My novel ROYAL SECRETS was released on July 1, 2013. It’s the story of the Royal Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, and of Lily Lavender, whose family is distantly descended from the British royal family. Immersed in the regal world of weddings and romance, Lily grew up believing in brides, grooms and happily-ever-afters. It seemed her destiny and royal birthright to someday assume a position as wedding coordinator in their family-owned wedding chapel business. But when her mother Mimi’s third marriage eventually fails, Lily’s dreams of her own happily-ever-after quickly fade. She’s no longer interested in a life of assisting brides walk down the aisle into a life of disillusionment and possible divorce. Lily turns her back on The Royal Wedding Chapel and leaves Las Vegas to fashion a life of her own. Years later, Lily—now a single mom—discovers her teenage daughter has run off to Las Vegas, lured by Mimi to help run the chapel. Determined to save her daughter from the broken dreams of Sin City and the nonsensical world of which family fairy tales are made, Lily returns to Las Vegas. But nothing prepares Lily for the royal drama which awaits her… or the sins and secrets she stumbles across that threaten to close the chapel and ruin her family forever.

KathleenIrenePaterkaPic **About author, Kathleen Irene Paterka: Kathleen Irene Paterka fell in love with writing (and food) at a very young age. By the time she graduated high school, she’d completed her first manuscript and she weighed 300 lbs. Though the extra pounds have long since disappeared, Kathleen still carries the emotional scars of being a former fatty. FATTY PATTY was born from the cruel teasing she endured on the school playground. Kathleen is the author of numerous novels which embrace universal themes of home, family life and love, including the Women’s Fiction series, “The James Bay Novels”. Kathleen is the resident staff writer for Castle Farms, a world renowned castle listed on the National Historic Register, and co-author of the non-fiction book FOR THE LOVE OF A CASTLE, published in 2012. Having lived and studied abroad, Kathleen’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Michigan University. She and her husband live in the beautiful north country of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Kathleen loves hearing from readers. You can contact her via her website at http://www.kathleenirenepaterka.com or follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KathleenIrenePaterka.