Kathleen Y'Barbo Interview

I'm welcoming Kathleen Y'Barbo to The Borrowed Book today. RITA and Carol Award nominee Kathleen is now the best-selling award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish to name a few. Her latest release is a contemporary Texas beach series for Love Inspired. The first book in the series, Daddy's Little Matchmakers is in stores now.

A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen has a daughter and three grown sons. She recently added her own hero in combat boots and is proud to be a military wife even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.

Welcome, Kathleen. I've been hearing a lot about your new release Daddy's Little Matchmakers. Please give us a short blurb about the book.

Veterinarian Eric Wilson is confounded by the classified ad his three young daughters have placed. The handsome widower is not in the market for a bride! But when the story of his little matchmakers hits the papers, would-be brides start swamping his waiting room. Despite them all, Eric finds himself drawn to the temp worker at the classifieds office: adorable free spirit Amy Spencer. Amy's been running for a while, and it's time she planted roots. Together, can Amy and Eric realize that trusting in God's plan is the sweetest surrender of all?

Your hero Eric Wilson sounds like he has his hands full with three daughters and trying to get a vet business started. How does he cope with all that's going on in his life?

Yes, Eric definitely has his hands full, but he gets alone with God aboard his sailboat when he can. He's also a member of a widowers small group at his church, and through that group he learns how to cope with his new life in Vine Beach.

Then there's your heroine Amy Spencer. What kind of person is she?

She's the eternal optimist with a bit of wanderlust thrown in for good measure. Amy believes in love, and she's sure that someday the Lord will bless her with just the right man. Until then, she's determined to follow her heart and the road out of Vine Beach.

Vine Beach sounds like a nice seaside town to live in. How did you come up with the setting?

Vine Beach is an amalgamation of the small Texas beach towns I grew up around. Because I needed to make the location fit the story, I had to create my own city. However, a good part of the inspiration for the town of Vine Beach comes from Crystal Beach, Texas, where I spent many happy hours over the years. I recently returned to Crystal Beach and am thrilled to see how they're bouncing back from the horrific results of 2009's Hurricane Ike.

Will there be other books in this series? If so, what are their titles and when do they release?

Book 2 in the series, a Christmas themed story titled Her Holiday Hero, releases in November.

I know you are a multi-published author. Is this your first book with Love Inspired?

Yes, it is.

What are you working on now, and when will it release?

Right now I am working on edits for the next Love Inspired book. After that, I'll be turning my attention to the next historical in the queue.

What message for the new year would you like to leave with our readers?

I'm continually humbled at the response I get from readers. Thank you so very much!

And thank you, Kathleen, for being out guest on The Borrowed Book today. Kathleen's book Daddy's Little Matchmakers is available in bookstores and online now. If you want a delightful read, check it out.