THE YES DARE - Kathleen Y'Barbo - One Free Book

Bio: Publishers Weekly Bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee and bestselling author of more than one hundred 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 Students and the Texas A and M Women Former Students (Aggie Women), Texas Historical Society, Sisters in Crime, 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.

Kathleen and her hero in combat boots husband have their own surprise love story that unfolded on social media a few years back. They make their home just north of Houston, Texas, and are the parents and in-laws of a blended family of Texans, Okies, and a family of three adorable Londoners.

Welcome back, dear friend. Where do you write? Wherever I can! Have laptop will travel!

When deciding on how to publish, what directed you to the route you took? I’ve been publishing for 20 years as of 2021. Back when I started, traditional publishing was the only way to get a book in print. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to have more than 100 books released by traditional publishers. In 2021, however, I went hybrid and released THE YES DARE, my first independently published contemporary romance novel. With more traditionally published books in the works, I plan to continue as a hybrid author.

I’m also a hybrid author. What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing? Reading, photography, and taking long drives with my husband.

What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing? Just do it. Literally. Just start writing. Figure it out as you go along, but get words on a page.

What is your favorite book? Favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to write? No way I can name just one favorite author or book!! There are way too many! My first favorite—that I can remember—would be Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie.

Where did you get the idea for this book? THE YES DARE is the name of a fictional self-help book that the heroine and her best friend are reading in the novel.

From idea to final revision, how long did it take to write? Almost five years! The book was set to be published but the contemporary fiction line closed before the story could go to print. I was busy writing other books and didn’t get back to do anything with this one until earlier this year.

Are you working on anything now? I’ve been editing and re-releasing books that have had rights returned to me. So far I’ve released a set of novellas called the 20th Anniversary Special Edition Novellas and put new covers on FIREFLY SUMMER and AUTUMN LEAVES, books 1 and 2 of the Pies, Books and Jesus Book Club series. Now I’m working my way through edits and new covers for my Bayou Nouvelle series of romance novels, both contemporary and historical, set in fictional Latagnier, Louisiana.

Please tell us about the story.

Have you ever wished for a second chance to fix something you’ve messed up or for the courage to say yes to something that just may change your life? Sometimes saying yes to the last thing you want can mean saying yes to exactly what you need.
Ryan “The Rocket” Sutton’s winning streak is legendary makes him the undisputed best quarterback in the NFL. However, thanks to one dumb mistake, he’s a failure as a husband to Coco, the only woman he’s ever loved. When a judge’s mistake in divorce paperwork means Coco is still his wife, Ryan makes up his mind to fix what he ruined. Ryan’s game plan doesn’t count on an internationally famous movie director’s camera crew following him as he competes for Coco’s love.

After spending most of her adult life as a football wife and mother to twin sons, fashionista Coco Sutton is learning how to be single and fabulous. Emphasis on Fabulous. The sports trophies, memorabilia, and heavy masculine wood furniture in the home she used to share with Ryan have been banished to the attic, and her home is now a cozy haven of plush candle-scented comfort. She’s got big plans that include owning a boutique or maybe an art gallery, but she never planned to take on the biggest challenge of her life: staying single. Then her best friend gives her a copy of a book called The Yes Dare, and all her plans are turned upside down.

From a Hollywood movie to the local spring event formerly known as the Cow Chip Toss Festival and a country crooner with a crush on Coco, will Ryan dodge the obstacles to win back the only woman he ever loved?

Please give us a peek at the first page of the book for my readers. I’ve almost finished reading this wonderful story.

Most people thought the loss of his father was a bigger deal than the end of his marriage. Quarterback Ryan Sutton’s team—not the Austin Blues football team he’d played quarterback for the last ten years but rather the suits and handlers who made up Ryan Sutton, Inc.—sure spun it that way.

From his stone-faced expression as he stood by this father’s grave, to the tears that fell down Ryan’s face as the honor guard handed him the folded flag, the day Dad was laid to rest next to Mom paled in comparison to the day after when Ryan killed his marriage.

A lifetime ago and yet sometimes it felt like yesterday.

He shrugged off the thought knowing it would come back soon. Oh, but Pops would have loved this car.

Ryan squared his shoulders and climbed out of the red Ferrari 458 he’d been given by the Blues owner Mike Keaton on the occasion of his latest milestone, an entire season played without throwing a single interception.

Keaton had even smiled when he handed him the keys, something that happened only slightly less frequently than the never-before perfect season. Ryan didn’t bother to replicate that smile when he handed the keys over to the pimple-faced valet.

“Gosh, Mr. Rocket,” the kid said as he grasped the keys against his chest. “It’s an honor to meet you, sir.” He thrust the valet ticket toward Ryan. “Would you autograph this for me? Name’s Lucas.”

“Sure, Lucas. Got a pen?”

Once the kid located a pen, Ryan signed his name, leaned in for a photo, and then moved on to do the same with most of the crowd that had gathered. “Hey,” one of the fans called, I need some help with my homework.”

Ryan looked over at the middle-schooler who’d asked the question. “What are you doing hanging out in front of a restaurant on a school night?” he asked the boy.

“My dad and I saw the Ferrari and the crowd then found out it was you. I’m a huge Blues fan. I’m writing a report on the Blues because I want to be a sports reporter someday, and I’ve got a question I can’t find an answer for.”

He grinned. It seemed like yesterday that his sons were this age. Ryan nodded to the man who stood next to the boy—presumably the father—then returned his attention to the youngster.

“Okay, kid, sure.” He leaned in to allow the dad to snap a picture then straightened. “What’s your question?”

“Is it true that the Blues are named after bluebonnets and not the Austin music scene?”

Ryan chuckled. “Okay, well, that’s not the question I expected.”

And yet it was a question that had been tossed around by fans and reporters ever since the Austin team came to be fifteen years ago. While Mike Keaton swore he named his team after his favorite genre of music, his wife insisted she won the right to name the team after winning a bet with her husband.

What kind of bet had never been disclosed, nor had Mike ever owned up to it. However, Kelli Keaton had confirmed the story to Ryan at a team party in Mexico right after he joined the team. Since she’d sworn him to secrecy, he couldn’t give the boy the answer he sought.

The last thing Mike Keaton wanted was for anyone to find out his tough-as-nails NFL football team was named after a flower. Even if it was the revered state flower of Texas.

“That’s a good question,” he said. “Are you filming me?”

“Yessir,” the boy said.

“Okay, kid, then here’s the answer. Keep asking hard questions and looking for the right source for the answer. I’m just part of the team, but you call the team offices tomorrow morning and tell them Ryan Sutton would like them to set you up with an interview with someone who can help with your report.”

He flashed a smile at the boy then locked eyes with his dad. “I’m serious. Encourage this kid not to give up. It’s a lesson I’ve tried to teach my boys.”

Where can my readers find you on the Internet? To find out more about Kathleen or connect with her through social media, check out her website at www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Readers, here is the link to the book. http://ow.ly/r2er50FL9se

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