Maggie Blackbird

Today, I have author Karen Hulene Bartell in the interview chair. We’re discussing her latest release Kissing Kin, a paranormal romance. Be sure to read my review. And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

****

1. What is something you’ve lied about?

Karen: My age. When I was a kid, I was always turning eleven or almost twelve. When I was a teen, I wanted to be of age and lied about being twenty-one. Then when I became a returning adult student of thirty-eight and thirty-nine, I left off the last syllable, saying I was thirty–

2. Who’s the last person you hugged?

Karen: My husband is the last person I hugged. Although I admit to being “a hugger,” who hugs everyone upon every greeting or leaving, I hug my husband morning and night.

3. What are you reading right now?

Karen: I’m currently reading The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Though I’d never been interested in novels set during WWII, I find the writing of The Nightingale compelling. (As an aside, I’m tired this morning because of staying up last night to finish it.)

4. How do you come up with the titles of your books?

Karen: I keep a running list of titles that come to me at odd times–when I’m walking the dog, driving, or shopping for milk. (I admit to loving alliteration: Seven Summers, Cats and Cactus, Sacred Stone.) Each time I begin another book, I scour that list for ideas, then word play, using those words as the basis for the next title.
For a series title, for example, I might use Saline Series–think salt–briny–brackish. Then I brainstorm.
TITLE: Salt of the Earth
TITLE: Worth His/Her Salt
TITLE: [With a] Pinch of Salt
TITLE: Salt and Pepper–Differing Couples: old/young, different races/types/personalities
TITLE: Salt Away
TITLE: [Rub] Salt in the Wound
TITLE: [Throw] Salt Over His/Her Shoulder
TITLE: Old Salt–Brackish Mariner

5. Share your dream cast for your book.

Karen: Maeve, the female protagonist for my Kissing Kin dream cast would have to be Millie Bobby Brown because of her amazing acting range. With her talent, she could pull off being an M2 Bradley driver in Afghanistan and the unwitting spectator to specters.

The male protagonist would have to be Timothée Chalamet. Not only is he a heartthrob, but he’s a versatile actor, whether the genre be drama, comedy, or action. I can see him as the struggling vintner, who makes Maeve a deal. On a shoestring budget to convert his vineyard into a winery, he offers her room and board in exchange for pruning grapevines.

****

Title: Kissing Kin
Series: N/A
Author: Karen Hulene Bartell
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: March 13, 2024
Length: 296 pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Blurb: Maeve Jackson is starting over after a broken engagement—and mustering out of the Army. No job and no prospects, she spins out on black ice and totals her car.

When struggling vintner Luke Kaylor stops to help, they discover they’re distantly related. On a shoestring budget to convert his vineyard into a winery, he makes her a deal: prune grapevines in exchange for room and board.

But forgotten diaries and a haunted cabin kickstart a five-generational mystery with ancestors that have bones to pick. As carnal urges propel them into each other’s arms, they wonder: Is their attraction physical…or metaphysical?

Goodreads | Amazon

“Mind if I camp out ’til the roads clear?”

“Under the circumstances?” The clerk shook his head. “Not a problem.”

“Thanks.” He started toward the sitting room and nearly bumped into Maeve, leaning against the wall. “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t.” She tossed her chin. “I was cat-napping.”

“Right.” He compared her guarded veneer to her sleeping-beauty persona. Which is closer to her true self?

“Couldn’t help overhearing.” Gesturing toward the clerk with her chin, she grimaced. “I’m responsible for you being out tonight–”

“No.” He shook his head. “This is just a freak storm.”

“You don’t have to sleep in a chair.” She took a deep breath and gave a quick, tight-lipped smile. “My room has two queen beds, and you’re welcome to one of ’em.”

Unsure of the extent of her invitation, he did a double take.

“Just so we understand each other, this is a bunk, a place to sack out. Period. Amen.” She spoke in a low-pitched, no-nonsense voice. “Nothing more, so don’t get any–”

“Got it.” He covered his disappointment with a laugh. “Thanks, I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine dozing by the fire.”

“Hey, I’ve bivouacked with soldiers in Afghanistan. We do what’s necessary under extenuating circumstances.” Shrugging, she glanced at the door. “And this blizzard qualifies.” Her face relaxed into a smile.

Her offer tempting, he compared sitting up all night to stretching out in a bed. Then he glimpsed the clerk.

“If you’re worried about my reputation, don’t be.” She laughed, the sound like sleigh bells tinkling on a crisp, wintry night.

What is it about her that conjures thoughts of other times–other eras?

****

Maeve is determined to start over after a broken engagement and the death of her grandmother.  When she leaves her town to find out what the diaries contain by heading for the town where it all started, she loses control of her car and winds up stranded in said small town.

To the rescue is Luke, who assists Maeve, and the two connect immediately.  They also learn they are distant cousins.

I enjoyed the concept of the diaries and how the two bond (they aren’t blood-related) over them.  Maeve is ready to accept everything at face value, but Luke isn’t as big of a believer in the supernatural, and he’ll take some convincing.

The two also bond over their love of wine and vineyards, since Luke has one on his property.  It’s a great setup for a mystery and romance.  And the author does a great job at both.

I don’t blame Maeve for being leery about the romance part.  Her engagement’s broken, so she’s packing hurt and mistrust.  Plus, she also lost her grandmother.  That’s a tall order for Luke to punch through.  Although he has his own wounds, he’s already moved on.  But his ex-girlfriend won’t let him.

I loved how everything that played out in the past is impacting the future, and even parallels it sometimes.  A big thumbs up to the author for the way she plotted this novel to tie it all together.

The setting and historical facts aren’t overwhelming. The author uses them to create the story.  Awesome job.  I don’t know anything about Texas, being from Canada, so there were surprising movements when I learned about what Texas truly is.

As for the romance between Luke and Maeve, this is well done.  They built a romance on friendship, trust, and chemistry.  To me, they were the perfect pairing.

It’s a wonderful read full of mystery and romance, along with the past merging with the present.  Do yourself a favour and get a copy.

****

Author of the Trans-Pecos and Sacred Emblem series, Karen is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life, who writes multicultural, offbeat love stories. Born to rolling-stone parents who moved often, Bartell found her earliest playmates as fictional friends in books. Paperbacks became her portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night—reading feverishly. The paranormal was her passion. Novels offered an imaginative escape. An only child, she began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy of creating her own happy endings.

Professor emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the Texas Piney Woods with her husband Peter and her “mews”—three rescued cats and a rescued *Cat*ahoula Leopard dog.

Follow Karen: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | MeWe | Linked In | BookBub | Goodreads | Amazon

****

Enter for a chance to win a $25.00 Amazon or B&N Gift Card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway