Monday, March 21, 2022

FINDING HER FAMILY'S LOVE - Kayla Kensington - One Free book

Welcome, Kayla. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters? I don’t include a great deal of myself within my characters. I always have the goal of making my characters able to stand up to all the obstacles they face. Other than sharing Kendra’s Christian faith in Finding her Family’s Love, I’m not like her character. She is an accomplished athlete and a talented knitter, both of which I am not.

I place my characters in small towns because small towns fascinate me. I live in a large suburb of Chicago.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? “Quirky” would not be an adjective anyone would use to describe me. However, for a Girl Scout book discussion I replicated the Arctic within my house by blasting the air conditioner as high as it could go. Everyone shivered and had to don parkas and mittens. I covered the furniture with white sheets making it look like mounds of snow surrounded us. The book included some physical trials for the main character, so I also created obstacle courses and competitions.

When did you first discover that you were a writer? I discovered that I was a writer in spring of third grade in Ms. Eaton’s classroom. We all wrote a story, which I enjoyed doing. Then, our teacher explained that authors write for a living. Although I read voraciously, I never thought of who wrote the books I devoured. I remember everything about that moment, including my teacher’s sleeveless green dress, the way the breeze rattled the window blinds, and how my heart leapt at the idea of crafting my own stories.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. I work as a middle school librarian. My goal is to read a book a day, and I read in multiple genres to support my students. In my reading of books for adult, I turn the           pages of inspirational romance, romantic suspense, contemporary fiction, mystery, historical, select memoirs, and some nonfiction. I don’t like horror books.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? I spend time with my family, and I love to exercise, which includes a brisk walk, a dip in the park district pool, or stationary bike ride when I feel stressed.

How do you choose your characters’ names? I look up names’ meanings. In addition, I consider the sounds of names. For example, I liked how the name “Kendra,” brought to mind for me a strong person. The “Old English meaning: bold power.”

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? I am proud that my husband of thirty-two years and I have raised three happy and kind daughters who all strive to make our world a better place.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? I’d be a dog because canines rank as my favorite animal. Specifically, I would be a Standard poodle, therapy dog so that I would not provoke anyone’s allergies, and I could help others.

What is your favorite food? I love fresh salmon cooked any possible way, and of course a salmon dinner would include chocolate for dessert.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? I used to write a great deal of nonfiction. I had an article assignment while I was on bed rest while pregnant with my second daughter. I wrote the article while lying down and met my deadline. In hindsight, I wished I told the editor my situation. 

Tell us about the featured book. Pregnant, widowed, and alone, thirty-year-old Kendra McFarland yearns for family for herself and her unborn baby. She strives to put the pain of her emotionally abusive marriage behind her. With her strong faith and optimism leading her forward, she works to regain her self-confidence and open her heart to love.

Kendra visits the small town of Shallow Stream thrilled to meet her late husband’s family for the first time. To her shock, her grieving mother-in-law accuses Kendra of  being a gold digger and rejects her. Will Pierce, her late husband’s cousin, offers her the love and family she seeks, or will the relationship create new heartbreak?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Heart thrumming, Kendra McFarland stood outside the farmhouse    and waited for the rest of her life to begin.

“We’re here, little one.” She gave her still-flat belly a pat. Kendra

couldn’t wait to tell her mother-in-law the news about the baby. She

imagined the woman’s delight would equal hers. Mrs. McFarland

deserved to be the first one to hear about Kendra’s pregnancy and

warmly welcome her and the baby into the family.

 Soon, she’d meet her Shallow Stream, Illinois, relatives. Instead of the McFarlands’ vehicles crackling across the gravel driveway, only the chirps of robins greeted Kendra. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. MerylMcFarland, had scheduled the extended family to gather at 3p.m., exactly when Kendra arrived for this first-time meet up. Where was everybody? No cars lined Hickory Road, a remote street that her GPS had difficulty locating.

Her stomach fluttered. Perhaps, the family would stop by later that Sunday afternoon, clutching steaming chicken casseroles and chocolate chip cookies warm from the oven. Her mouth watered. Even more, she craved the idea of sharing a meal. Family. She rolled that delicious word around her tongue.

Strolling along the cobblestone path, crimson rose bushes edged both sides of the curved pathway. Rosebuds leaked their sweet scent, and, overhead, the leaves rustled. A hint of a summer storm sliced  through the 90-degree air, but Kendra still shivered. On the freshly painted front porch, a new-looking mat proclaimed, “Welcome.”

She smiled at the simple word.

Before she reached the doorbell, a man in his thirties, clutching a water bottle, flung open the front door. Placing the bottle on the front porch's wicker chair, he bent to tighten his athletic shoe’s laces. Then he looked up and gazed right at her. His gray-blue eyes sparkled under his thick brows. Her heart quickened. His stance reminded her of the way her late husband stood. She bit her lip at the memory of her David, gone from her life only two months ago.

The guy on the wraparound porch stood taller. Wind ruffled his dark, wavy hair, but he didn’t bother to smooth it back. Unlike her late husband, he didn’t shout or scowl.

“Hi, I’m Kendra.” She took a deep breath and held out her shaking hand to accompany her trembling voice. “Uh, David’s wife. I’m happy to be able to meet the whole family today. I...I guess I should’ve said I’m David’s widow.” She’d never get used to that term, especially being widowed at age thirty.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Twitter:                  https://twitter.com/KaylaKensington    

 Instagram:      @kayla_kensington/

Web site:              https://kaylakensington.wordpress.com/

Facebook:            https://www.facebook.com/Kayla-Kensington-Writes-112240217205129

Thank you, Kayla, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=finding+her+family%27s+love&i=digital-text&crid=1V61VJKFGRNBT&sprefix=Finding+Her+FAmily%27s+Love%2Cdigital-text%2C193&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_25

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: https://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/2022/03/finding-her-familys-love-kayla.html 

19 comments:

JJ Cronin said...

Thanks for sharing information about you and your writing. Finding Her Family’s Love is a great and enjoyable read!

Emma S. said...

FINDING HER FAMILY'S LOVE by Kayla Kensington sounds good. Pa. Thank you for the chance.

RA said...

This looks like a great read! I have added it to my wish list.

Lucy Reynolds said...

Wow! That except had me drawn right in. Sounds like a must read to me. Thank you for sharing. Blessings from WV.

traveler said...

This novel sounds captivating and unforgettable. Anne in NM.

petite said...

An emotional and memorable story that would be a treasure to enjoy. Pearl-NM.

Sharon M. said...

Thanks so much for sharing your writing journey with us.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

This sounds like a must-read. Thanks for sharing!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Kayla Kensington said...

Hi Connie,

I'm happy you want to read the book!

Kayla Kensington

Kayla Kensington said...

Hi Sharon,

Reading about other authors' writing journeys always inspires me.

Kayla

Kayla Kensington said...

Hi Pearl,

Thank you for your kind comment. I hope the many emotions the book expresses makes it relatable to you as a reader.

Kayla Kensington said...

Hi Anne,

Thank you for your sweet comment. I'm happy to hear that the story premise captivated you.

Kayla

Unknown said...

Hi Lucy,

I'm so happy to hear that the excerpt made you want to read more. Thank you for your kind comment.

Kayla

Kayla Kensington said...

Hi RA,

I'm excited to learn that Finding Her Family's Love appears on you wish list.

Thank you,
Kayla

Kayla Kensington said...

Hi Emma,

Thank you for you interest in reading Finding Her Family's Love. I appreciate your support.

Kayla

Kayla Kensington said...

Hi JJ,

Thank you for noting you have read Finding Her Family's Love and you enjoyed the book! I appreciate you taking the time to make you kind comment.

Kayla

Melissa M. said...

Please enter me in your contest--thank you! :)

-Melissa from TN

Lourdes said...

Love small town stories, would love win a copy.

Lourdes from Long Island, New York

Sharon Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Nichols SC.