SAVING SABINE - Kelley Rene - One Free Ebook

Welcome, Kelley. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Saving Sabine is based on a personal experience. I worked hard to make Celia, Meghan, and Libby fictitious, although many of the emotions that Celia experiences when she meets Sabine mimic my own.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Oh my! There are soooo many to choose from. The most interesting I think is potty training my last child at 4 months old. A friend told me about an Asian method she used with her kids. I was so intrigued I had to try it. Incredibly, it worked. He was my most stubborn, and yet, potty training was a piece of cake.

There may be other mothers who would like to know that method. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

In grade school, a teacher invited me to join the Young Author’s Club. We met during lunch in the library. Our teacher encouraged us to write a story and showed us how to construct it into a book with a laminated cover. I looked forward to our meetings every week, and I was so proud of that book!

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I love well-written biographical books. I love to meet new people and learn about their heritage/upbringing. Any time I get my hands on a book based on real life, I generally can’t put it down. I also love good (clean) romances, historical fictions, and self-help books. I’ll read just about any genre but it must be engaging to keep my attention.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I’m an avid crocheter. My mother taught me when I was four years old. Crocheting occupies my hands while my mind thinks (and prays). I usually crochet for 20-30 minutes just before I write to get the creative juices flowing. I never leave the house without a bag of yarn and needles.

I loved crocheting, too, until arthritis in my shoulders slowed me down. I also knit. How do you choose your characters’ names?

When a story begins to unfold in my mind, I usually go with whatever name pops into my head. As I get to know the character(s), I research the origins/meanings of the name(s), choosing the best ones for the characters’ personality and situation.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I am most proud of being the mother to five perfectly imperfect people. Years ago, my doctor told me it would be a miracle if I ever got pregnant. Each of my children remind me of God’s miraculous power and His faithfulness in my life.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Lioness. They’re independent, fierce, loyal, brave, strong, graceful, agile, and highly protective over their young. Kelley means warrior, and I will fight for what I believe in.

What is your favorite food?

Ice cream. Specifically, caramel pecan praline. So yummy!

My favorite ice cream is a Blue Bell flavor, Chocolate Covered Cherry. It’s a seasonal flavor and hard to find. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Fear of disapproval choked out my writing voice for almost my entire life. My love for writing and my conviction that writing was my true passion and calling forced me to overcome those fears. By studying the art of writing and practicing every day, God helped me to turn my experiences and imaginings into cohesive stories on paper.

Tell us about the featured book.

Saving Sabine is the first book in the European Collection, a series of novellas inspired by true experiences while living in Europe with my family.

After the death of their mother, Celia takes her sister, Meghan, and Meghan’s best friend, Libby, on a cross-country road trip to London. Unfortunately, the sights of the famous city aren’t able to erase the grief they feel. One evening, they meet Sabine in the restroom of a Hard Rock Cafe. They are faced with a decision. Will they turn a blind’s eye to this young woman’s plight or will they step out of their comfort zone and make a difference in her life?

Please give us the first page of the book.

The Long Ride

The crescendo of my ringtone sent me fumbling for my cellphone in the passenger seat of the rental car. “Hola, que tal?”

           

“Celia!” Mercedes’ laughter bubbled through the receiver. “You’ve confused your languages.”

           

“I knew it was you.” I glanced over my shoulder, checking the gas pump.

           

“How’s the trip going?”

           

“As expected.” I rolled my eyes. “The girls were bored at Normandy Beach. They just wanted to eat Cheetos and talk about boys.”

           

“It hasn’t been that long since boys were your first priority.”

           

I snickered not wanting her to be right. “I don’t like being the adult of the group.” Cool air pricked my arms as it passed through the rental car’s open windows.

           

“I wish I were there.” She sighed.

“Me, too. Then I wouldn’t be all alone in this band of teenage giddiness.” A car pulled into the station, its driver and steering wheel perched on the right.

“A girls’ weekend to London isn’t exactly a hostage situation.”

           

The gas nozzle popped. I topped off the tank. “Trust me, with my sister and her gal pal, I feel like a hostage to a couple of teeny boppers without a care in the world.”

           

“It wasn’t a week ago that you were beside yourself with excitement over their arrival.” Static crackled through her words. “Try to have a good time.” Her voice was suddenly somber. “You’ll be sad when they’re gone.”

           

“If I don’t drop them off on a street corner first and race back to Wiesbaden in peace.” I thrust my chin in the air, smiling at the visual as the sun peeked out from behind the clouds. “I’m kidding. I’ll miss them but… they’re sucking every ounce of my energy.”

           

“They’re not toddlers,” Mercedes chided. “By the way, I tucked a little surprise into your backpack.”

           

“Oh yeah? That was thoughtful.” I squinted toward the convenience store, eyeing the girls approaching the vehicle.

           

“Don’t forget about the memorial service next week. I’ll roll into town with no time to spare.”

           

“I won’t.” I winced, wishing I could. “I gotta go. This call is likely costing me a small fortune.”

           

“I’ll be praying for you.” The line went quiet.

           

“Don’t bother.” Annoyance coated my words. “It’s never worked for me in the past.”

           

“Well, I will just in case.” Mercedes’ voice was cheerful. “Love you!”

           

I didn’t respond. Stowing the phone in my pocket, I returned the pump and grabbed my wallet to complete the purchase.

********

“Don’t stop... ’til London!” Meghan shouted along with the radio, ad libbing the words to fit the occasion.

           

“Ow!” Her best friend, Libby, belted.

           

I laughed at the teen girls. “You’re making me regret hauling the two of you off to England,” I shouted over the music.

           

The yellow Mini-Cooper scooted along the highway with as much pep as its passengers’ exhilaration for a European vacation. My hands tightened on the wheel with each car that passed, reminding myself to stay on the wrong side of the road.

           

Lowering the volume, I primed my sister for info. “Now that you’ve graduated from high school, and you’re officially an Aggie, where do you see yourself in five years?”

           

“Shut up, already!” Meghan joked. “I’m on summer break. No serious conversations allowed. Only fun. Please?”

           

“Here ye, here ye. I hereby proclaim all conversations the rest of this trip to be about guys, fun, and Lady Diana. May she rest in peace forever,” Libby announced in her best regal tone.

           

Both girls chuckled, clinking their soda bottles together in agreement as Libby cranked the stereo once again.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can download a free short story, One Final May Storm at www.kelleyrene.com 

On FB: www.facebook.com/imkelleyrene

On Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/imkelleyrene

On Twitter: www.twitter.com/imkelleyrene

On Instagram: www.instagram.com/imkelleyrene

Thank you, Kelley, for sharing the story with my blog readers. I loved it when you brought each chapter to critique group.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

Saving Sabine (European Collection Book 1)

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