Kathleen
Y’Barbo, Texas A and M Class of 1980, is a multiple Carol Award and RITA
nominee and bestselling author of more than 100 books with over two million
copies of her books in print in the US and abroad. A tenth-generation
Texan and certified paralegal, she is a member of the Texas Bar Association
Paralegal Division, Texas A and M Association of Former Student and the Texas
A and M Women Former Students (Aggie Women), Texas Historical Society, Novelists
Inc., and American Christian Fiction Writers. She would also be a member of the
Daughters of the American Republic , Daughters of the Republic of Texas
and a few others if she would just remember to fill out the paperwork that
Great Aunt Mary Beth has sent her more than once.
When she’s
not spinning modern day tales about her wacky Southern relatives, Kathleen
inserts an ancestor or two into her historical and mystery novels as well. Recent
book releases include bestselling The Pirate Bride set in 1700s New Orleans and Galveston , its
sequel The Alamo Bride set in 1836 Texas ,
which feature a few well-placed folks from history and a family tale of
adventure on the high seas and on the coast of Texas . She also writes (mostly)
relative-free cozy mystery novels for Guideposts Books.
Kathleen and her hero in combat boots husband have their own surprise love story that unfolded on social media a few years back. They now make their home just north of
Welcome back, Kathleen. What kind of files takes up the most space on
your computer?
Book
files, followed close behind by research files.
Do you have plans to ever retire from writing?
Why or why not?
Never! I
love it too much. Although if the day comes when God says stop, then I will
stop. But that would be His plan, not mine.
Are you a
stay at home kind of person, or do you like to be on the road a lot?
Ironically,
I like both. I have a day job, so I’m on the road weekdays, even during the
quarantine because our office is considered essential. During my commute, I
listen to e-books, which is fabulous. I’ve “read” more books that way than any
other way. And if you follow me on social media, you know that my husband and I
document our road trips using #TurnerTravels. However, there’s no place like
home, and I do love my time there, too.
Please
share a Bible verse or passage that has had the most impact on your life.
Ephesians
3:20! Any time I am tempted to think I know what God will do in any given
situation, I remember this verse. He can do so much more than I can ever think
or dream of!
I like that, too. Do you have a favorite Bible
character? Who is it and why?
She’s
never given a name, but I very much like the Proverbs 31 woman. That gal’s got
it all together!
When we celebrated our 25th anniversary
with a renewal of our vows, James used Proverbs 31 to describe me. As you might
imagine, I was crying when he finished. What has been your favorite time in
your life? And why?
Now! Every
day I grow closer to God, so tomorrow will be even better!
Do you have an e-reader? If so, what kind do you
use?
I started
with a Kindle years ago and loved it. However, now I read off my iPad.
Do you read mostly print books or e-books?
Other than
my Bibles, I read only e-books.
Do you like to read books in the genres you
write, or do you read only other genres … and why?
I love
reading historical mysteries and contemporary cozies. I’ve got one coming out
in August—The Black Midnight—but I mostly
write cozy mysteries now.
I’d like to feature that book when it releases. Please
tell us about the books we’re featuring today.
The Chisholm
Trail Bride
is the third book I’ve written for the Daughters of the Mayflower series. A
Series for Lovers of History, Adventure, Romance, and Ancestry, Barbour
Publishing offers a series for fans of all things related to history, romance,
adventure, faith, and family trees.
Stubborn Hearts Clash on
a Cattle Drive
Eliza
Gentry’s pursuit of marriage to the son of her family’s sworn enemy has cost
her greatly. Furious at his daughter’s choices, her father sends her off with
the cattle drive heading toward Fort Worth and the Barnhart ranch, but under
the watchful eye of Wyatt Creed, a Pinkerton man he has hired to see to her
safety. With danger at every turn—not the least of which to his heart—can Wyatt
Creed keep his focus with Eliza Gentry around? Is the Chisholm
Trail a place for falling in love or a place to die at the hands
of cattle thieves?
Please give us a peek at the first page of the
book.
March 1880
On theChisholm Trail
On the
The stars
at night were big and bright. Eliza Gentry sighed. Was there any more beautiful
sight? There couldn’t possibly be.
A wisp of
cloud drifted lazily over a hazy fingernail of a moon while cattle lowed in the
distance. Eliza lay back on the pile of quilts she’d made into the most
comfortable bed in the entire encampment and stared up at those beautiful Texas stars.
Tonight
they were the canopy beneath which she would sleep, and tomorrow the blazing
sun would take its place. The cowboys would rise before dawn to complain about
the coffee and each other, but never would they complain about riding all those
miles under the big blue sky.
Much as
they grumbled about other things, the men who drove cattle from the Gentry Ranch
up toward the Red River lived the whole year
for the spring drives. Chief among them was her father.
The fact
that Mama had allowed her to go along with Papa and her brothers this year was
a miracle in itself. She’d threatened to bundle Eliza off to New Orleans for the annual visit with the
Gentry and LeBlanc cousins.
“The girl
needs finishing,” she’d heard her mother say. “She needs the companionship of
fine young ladies and the company of young gentlemen.”
Papa’s
chair legs had scraped the kitchen floor at that statement, causing Eliza to gather
closer into the shadows behind the kitchen door lest Papa come strolling past
and find her.
“She’s got
time for that,” he’d said gently.
“My mother
would disagree. At twelve I already knew my place as a young lady. I had been
taught how to carry myself in society and was already planning my trousseau.
Meanwhile, our daughter is doing nothing of the sort.” Mama’s voice rose. “Do
you know I caught her on the roof of the spring house again? When I asked her
what on earth she was doing, she told me she’d only just determined that it
might be possible to land in the saddle of her horse from that angle if she
were to wait until the wind blew just right. Can you feature it?”
Papa’s
chuckle drifted toward her. “Sounds like the work of her brothers, Pauline.
Boys tease, especially their sisters.”
“I don’t
find it funny at all,” her mother said. “And no, this time the culprit was that
Creed boy. I know you like the elder Wyatt Creed, and I can find no fault with W.C.
other than perhaps his background, but the younger Creed is trouble. You mark
my words.”
Eliza’s
lips twisted into a smile as she recalled the conversation and the dare that
precipitated it. Mama spoke the truth when she told Papa that Wyatt Creed was
involved, but what she did not know was that Eliza had never planned to try
landing in that saddle.
As with
every other conversation she had with Wyatt, if he thought she would do it,
he’d have to do it, too. And better. Or faster.
Or
whatever else it took to best her.
Sometimes
he did and sometimes he didn’t. This time they would never know whether Wyatt
might have landed that jump into the saddle thanks to Mama’s interruption of
what would have been a perfectly good idea.
And of
course that traitor Wyatt saw Mama heading for them and cut out for home before
she spied him. That left Eliza on the roof with no good explanation other than
the truth.
The
reverend said the truth would set her free. This time the truth almost sent her
into exile.
Only Papa
and his insistence on taking her along with the purpose of talking sense into
her kept her off the steamer that was currently heading east. For that she was
eternally grateful.
Mama’s
sister, Eugenie, had just given birth to a baby girl she’d named Justine. All
Mama had done from the time the letter arrived until she’d left on the stage
was to sew up dainty baby girl clothes for her new niece, all the while
rattling on about how in no time it would be her turn to marry and have babies
of her own.
As much as
she loved Mama, she did not value her opinion on this subject. From what she
could tell, growing up and marrying meant giving up riding alongside Papa on
the trail and sleeping under the stars.
A life
without that was no life at all. And babies? They cried and made messes and
were a general source of disruption. She had Wyatt for that.
Thank you, Kathleen, for letting me share this
new book with my blog readers. My copy arrived the other day. I’m eager to get
to where I can read it. I want to know what happens next. I’m working on getting a print copy of my latest book
published on Amazon.
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KathleenYBarbo
Website: www.kathleenybarbo.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kathturner/
Readers, here are links
to the book.
The Chisholm Trail Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower)
The Chisholm Trail Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower)
The Chisholm Trail Bride (The Daughters of the Mayflower (12))
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comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions
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18 comments:
I can't wait to read this book. I love both of yours books! I'm from Otisvile, Michigan.
Hello from central Texas where summer is quite near. I have read and enjoyed a few of The Mayflower Brides series books including at least one of Kathleens. I’ve definitely enjoyed them and appreciate the rich historical detail.
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
Perrianne Askew
Thank you! I'm so glad to be here on Lena's blog.
This book sounds so fun and entertaining. It will be a fabulous read. I excited to read it. Thank you for this opportunity.
Barbara Thompson, LA
barbmaci61(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I so enjoy Kathleen Y'Barbo's books, thank for the chance to win a copy of this book.
Wendy in Nebraska
wfnren at aol dot com
I haven't read any of The Daughters of the Mayflower series, yet, but I plan to. I love historical fiction!
Patty in SC
Historical westerns are one of my favorite genres. Looking forward to reading this.
Cheryl in Chi-Town.
Love Historical westerns Sounds like such a great book Thank You for this amazing giveaway as I love to read print books! Sarah Taylor from Waterloo,OHIO
Hey Lena and Kathleen! I've been enjoying the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I'm excited to read this one.
Caryl K in TEXAS
Can't wait to read this!
Abigail in VA
I love this series. I enjoy Kathleen’s books. Thank you for sharing. Blessings from WV.
Kathleen is a new to me author. I love reading historical fiction This book is a great addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series that I would love to read.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in New York
Sounds great FL
Looking forward to this!
Elly -Indiana-
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
I read both The Pirate Bride and The Alamo Bride and I am hoping to read this title soon. Thanks for sharing. I love historical fiction!
Blessings!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Connie! I'm loving writing about the redheads. :)
Thank you for all of you who have commented that you enjoy my books! To the others, welcome!! :)
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