I am so thrilled to host today’s guest, talented author, Kara O’Neal. Kara is a sweetheart and her books are fabulous. Take it away, Kara…
Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?
I am from Texas, the east side where there are a lot of pine trees and humidity, lightning bugs and flowers, brisket and tacos and most of my family. I have three children, who won’t stop growing up, and a husband who is a lovely combination of Captain America, Mr. Darcy and Jim Halpert. I’m a teacher and work with lots of people who are my heroes and many friends who have inspired my characters. The heart of me, the center of my life, is God and family. And I think those two things shine through in my books.
Where did you get the idea for LOVE’S REDEMPTION?
This book was born in book 2 of my series. Willa Kramer has to deal with abuse, and she does something that no twelve-year-old should have to do. She ended up having a strong relationship with Lonnie Davis, which developed into a beautiful love story.
What is the most difficult thing about writing a book?
For me, the most difficult thing is giving my characters trouble and allowing them to make mistakes. I don’t like it when people get mad or sad or hurt others’ feelings. So, it’s hard for me to write.
What was the most difficult thing about this one in particular?
Lonnie has to lie to Willa, which is totally against his character. It was very hard to give him a reason to lie and to have him keep up with it.
What book have you read that you wish you had written?
I soooo wish I had written A Box of Peppermints. I love that book. Or Little Women.
Do you collect anything?
Yes! I collect castles, crosses and things with the number 7 on them.
What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?
Well, that would be my day job. But it’s not time yet.
What’s your favorite book of all time and why? What’s your favorite childhood book?
My favorite book of all time is Pride And Prejudice because Lizzie Bennett and Mr. Darcy are absolutely gorgeous. Jane Austen wrote a masterpiece. And it’s so subtly done. My favorite childhood book is Riki Tiki Tavi.
What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie?
I’m sooo glad you asked this!!! I would love Jennifer Morrison and Colin O’Donoghue to play any character they wanted. I love them together.
Would you rather have a bad review or no review?
Any review is a good review in my opinion. I like to see what people thought.
What is your favorite quote?
In daily life, “There are no perfect people in this world, only those with perfect intentions.” From the bible, “Fear not.”
Have you written any other books that are not published?
Not other books, but I do have a blog called The Story Continues. I post extra scenes about characters in published books or short stories about characters who won’t need a full book.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
Half and half. Some of my characters are based off of my siblings, my best friends, and the hero in my current release, Lonnie Davis, is based off of my husband.
Blurb:
September, 1880
Pike’s Run, Texas
When she was little more than a child, Willa Kramer went to extreme lengths to save her family from their abusive father. After that horrible day, her mother and siblings moved to Tennessee, and Willa had hoped to leave Texas, its memories and Lonnie Davis, the only boy she ever trusted, behind. But fate is unpredictable.
Five years have passed, and Lonnie finds himself reunited with Willa, the only girl he’s ever loved. He’s determined not to let her slip away again, but a figure from the past looms, threatening his hopes for the future.
Excerpt:
A sagging house stood before Oscar Kramer. His blood boiled. What the hell had happened to his brother’s home? The damn place was falling apart. The weeds rising around the rotting wood served as evidence something had gone wrong. He spat tobacco on the ground.
While he considered possible scenarios, he cracked his knuckles and narrowed his eyes. If someone had ruined his brother, Oscar would rip his heart out then get back everything that had once belonged to his kin. The acres of wheat and corn surrounding the house were in good condition. What was going on?
A cheerful whistle distracted him. He turned his head toward the sound and found a man with a hoe slung over his shoulder walking down the dirt road. Oscar stalked to the gate. “Whoa, there.”
The wiry man noticed him and paused. Caution spread over the whistler’s face. “M-Mornin’.”
Oscar jerked his head at the decaying structure behind him. “You know the people who lived here?”
The man swallowed then nodded.
When he didn’t continue, Oscar had to tamp down irritation. Grabbing him by the throat wouldn’t help get the answers he needed. “Where are they?”
“Gone.”
“Where?”
The man’s face paled. “I…uh…I don’t know. Their man died.”
The explanation knocked Oscar on the jaw. “What the hell do you mean? Willard Kramer is dead?”
White appeared around the informer’s lips. “I-I…”
Oscar shoved the gate. “Get the damn words out before I rip them from you!”
The man’s eyes shot wide. “The sheriff shot him. K-Killed him. A-After Kramer beat up the schoolteacher, Miss Parker.”
Murdered? His brother had been murdered? Because of a woman? He blinked as a roaring grew in his head. The sound of harsh breathing reminded him he wasn’t alone. He snapped out of his haze. “Get the hell out of here,” he growled.
The man didn’t hesitate. Dust followed in his wake.
Oscar’s hands trembled. He whipped back to the house. The sheriff would pay for this, and he’d find his brother’s children and take them from that bitch of a wife. He gritted his teeth as he cracked his knuckles again. No one murdered a Kramer. No one.
Buy link:
https://books2read.com/u/49lVYM
Bio and links:
Born and raised in Texas, the state had to be the setting for my first series. From the food to the fun, like floating the rivers, it is the fire in my blood that inspires me. My family and friends take center stage in my books. My sisters and best friends are my heroines, and my husband created my favorite hero. Love and family are the point of my stories, and I seek to entertain, relieve stress, and inspire people. Books can take one on a journey that one can relive over and over. I am extremely grateful to those authors who did that very thing for me. I learned and I fell in love with their words and characters. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Please visit me at www.karaoneal.com.
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Author Alicia Dean 