"She let him in, and he stayed forever."
Happy Monday, Everyone!
I would like to introduce you to a wonderful author, Katie Kenyhercz. This is Katie's first visit to my blog and I'm thrilled to have her.
Katie, thank you for sitting down today with us. To start off this interview, tell us a little about yourself--the real Katie behind the writer.
When I’m not writing, I’m a college English teacher. I love painting and walking in the park, and I have a fluffy, grumpy cat named Motley.
I would love to see your paintings. Maybe next visit you can give us a peek of that side of your life, and of course, you can bring Motley too. I love moody cats. Can you tell us a little something about Vegas Girl and how you came to write it?
Vegas Girl is book 2 in my Lady Sinners series, a spinoff from my original Las Vegas Sinners hockey romance series. The Lady Sinners are the dance team for the Las Vegas Sinners. To gain respect, they form a community hockey team and play in an intramural league. The series shows the women finding their way in life, love, and hockey.
I have to admit, before reading On the Fly, I wasn't much of a hockey fan. But Katie, your book brought hockey alive to me in a big way. Along with reading the series, I started following my local team, The Washington Capitals, then they went and won the Stanley Cup! So thanks for that.
Here is a look at the cover of Vegas Girl and the blurb. You can get your own copy HERE.
Melody Hanson was born to be a professional dancer and she’s so close to achieving it. But when her best friend Miranda leaves their intramural hockey team and the dance team captaincies to Mel, it’s an honor. It’s also a ton more responsibility right before she’s set to graduate with her dream job. She can juggle everything for half a season, right? It might have been possible if Miranda’s older brother hadn’t taken over coaching their hockey team, reigniting the major crush Melody’s had on him for as long as she can remember. They’d always been star-crossed, but now those stars are aligning. Following her heart and her dream had always been the same path. Until now.
Spencer Evans breathes hockey. Assistant coaching for UNLV’s Aces has been fulfilling, but the head coach spot is opening up, and it’s his. If he can get a little outside experience first. When the Lady Sinners offer him that chance, he can’t say no, especially not when his little sister Miranda begs him to save her team. It’s not ideal, but along with the experience, it also puts him in daily contact with Melody, the girl he’d spent the better part of his teen years secretly in love with. The more he’s with her, the stronger the sparks until a full-out fire blazes between them hot enough to melt the ice. But she’s about to graduate and leave Las Vegas—and him—in the dust. Asking her to stay would mean asking her to give up her dream, but he’s not about to give up on her.
Completing a book is an enormous challenge. What was your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it? In other words, what do you think drove you to complete this enormous project?
Writing this book was a little different because when I started, there were only a few months until my husband left for a six-month deployment—our first ever. I was so nervous and upset I couldn’t write at all. After he left, the muse still wasn’t there. I started my teaching semester and got sidetracked. It wasn’t until the December school break that I buckled down and wrote every single day. I finished my last editing pass right before he came home!
Life has a way of getting in our way, driving the muse into a quiet corner. I'm so happy your sweet hubby home. He must be so proud of you.
When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
Writing has been something I loved to do since I was twelve years old. I started with fan fiction and worked my way up to original stories. I’d say I was in my early twenties when I knew I wanted to be published.
Do you believe writers are born or made?
Both! Most writers I know have come by it naturally. They can’t remember a time they weren’t writing something. Some people just have a tendency toward it, and I fall in that category. It was always my best subject and the one I enjoyed most. That said, anyone can improve with practice and by learning from their favorite writers as well as a good editor! But I do think most writers are born.
I agree. My earliest memories I had stories running loose in my head. I dreamed of being an author and having my book on the shelf next to my favorite authors. It took me a long time to actually do something about that dream. How do you think your life experiences have prepared you for a writing career?
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing and Editing, a Master’s in English, and a Master’s of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction. The course of my education has prepared me as well as one can be! The connections I’ve made along the way have also made an enormous difference. I’m better for knowing every single writer friend I’ve met over the last eight years.
I would say your advance education gave you a great advance. I bet your editors love you. I think I give my editor nightmares. LOL! Tell us a little about your ideal writing space?
A sunroom with a desk! Or a covered porch on a nice day. I need sunlight.
OH yes! That is lovely. I believe fresh air clears the cobwebs from my brain, giving way to suspenseful, heartwarming stories. Winter of 2019 can't leave fast enough.
So what would you say is the moment in this journey you are most proud?
In 2017, I made the USA Today Bestseller’s list in a hockey romance anthology!
Congratulations. That is an incredible accomplishment and so well deserved. Now for a few giggles. Can you write a love story in eight words?
She let him in, and he stayed forever.
Beautiful, and so romantic. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Nice job.
That's my wish too. What is up next for you?
Lady Sinners Book 3, Vegas Vixen!
Where can readers find out more about your book and yourself?
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That's it for today. If anyone has a problem leaving a comment for Katie Kenyhercz, please send me an email at nancy@nancycweeks.com or use the CONTACT ME icon above. I'll post it for you.
I hope everyone can find a couple hours to relax and read a great book.
Hugs to all,
Nancy C. Weeks
