Sunday, December 7, 2014

Kathleen Ann Gallagher's come over the river and through the woods to join the party!


Cate: Yay, Kathleen Ann Gallagher is here to spread some holiday cheer! Kathleen, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Kathleen: Hi Cate! It’s great to be here. Thank you for putting together this fun holiday party. I write paranormal and contemporary romance. My husband and I live in New Jersey with our two furry babies, Chaz and Luc. I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. I grew up in a family where we were encouraged to use our imagination. Since my father was a professional magician, he encouraged me to be creative.

Cate: Always happy to welcome another Jersey girl here. :) What do you love most about Christmas?
Kathleen: I love the sense of wonder during the holidays. Christmas brings out the kid inside of all of us. There’s something magical about the season of giving.

Cate: So true. Do you have a favorite memory of a Christmas past?
Kathleen: Some of my favorite memories of Christmas are the times I tagged along with my dad to his holiday shows. I was thrilled when I got picked to be Santa’s helper and hand out the presents to the children.

Cate: Very cool! What was the best gift you’ve ever received? What made it so special?
Kathleen: The best gift I ever received was my puppy, Luc. He’s a white Coton de Tulear, and he is the most lovable, playful, and sweetest boy. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood with Luc around. He’ll give you a million kisses and all he wants is love…and a treat.

Cate: He is adorable! Love when you share his pics on Facebook. Any favorite Christmas recipes you’d care to share?
Kathleen: This is a favorite recipe of mine. It’s easy to make and it makes a hit whenever I serve it. 

Cream Cheese Pie
2- 8 oz. packages cream cheese
2/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
½ teaspoon almond extract

Beat above ingredients until creamy. Pour into greased 9 inch pan. Bake 350 for 25 minutes.

Topping
½ pint sour cream
3 tablespoons sugar’
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix and pour onto top of pie. Return to oven and bake at 350 for ten more minutes.
Sometimes I add canned cherries around the top. You can use blueberries if you prefer.

Cate: Yum! Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online.
Kathleen: Savannah’s Journey, book 1 in the City Lights Series is a contemporary romance. It’s available here. http://amzn.to/1mHtNXz

Cate: Care to share a blurb or excerpt?
Kathleen:  I’d love to share a teaser.

*Blurb**                      
Savannah Mason, a career minded journalist, spends long hours at work, hoping to take the spot as anchor. She continues to fight for independence and refuses to allow her demanding father to take control of her life, despite his wish for her to take over his surgical practice. On her darkest day twelve years prior, she agreed to give her baby up for adoption. Now, on her daughter’s birthday, a chance encounter gives Savannah an opportunity to explore a corner of her heart she thought was lost forever.
Rob Sinclair a renowned surgeon and NY Times best-selling author has a new release and needs a promo spot on the television show, The News Stop. When Savannah gets to conduct the interview, a door opens to her future. But can she walk through that door? The last thing she wants is a relationship, especially one with a divorced doctor who happens to have two small children.
This man who seems all wrong for her slowly weaves his way into her heart. But before she is free to accept this love, she must face the unsettled issues in her life.
Rob’s commitment to climbing the ladder of success and providing a good life for his children, keeps him on the road for days at a time. When he meets the assertive newswoman, desire and passion awaken his broken spirit.
Savannah and Rob’s strong attraction is undeniable as they journey to a place where honesty and the power of forgiveness can guide them both home. Will it be enough to heal the scars of the past and allow them another chance at love?

****Excerpt****

She got up and slowly moved toward him. Her chest tightened with each step. As she approached him and admired his broad shoulders, it dawned on her he could be a candidate for People’s sexiest man alive. Control yourself.
“I’m happy here,” she admitted. “I love it when the morning light shines on the water and it mimics fine pieces of crystal.”
Rob slowly approached her. His gaze fixed on her, sent shivers from head to toe. Afraid of what might happen next, she turned away. They were too close for comfort. An electric energy surged between them. Before she could stop him, Rob reached for her and pulled her up against his chest. “You’re an amazing woman, Savannah.” His lips met hers and he cradled her head in his hands as if she was a precious jewel. It all happened so quickly, she didn’t have time to react. The warmth of his touch sent waves of heat down her stomach and in between her legs as the world stood still. When Rob’s hands moved slowly across her back, it took her to a level of arousal she never expected. She found herself spellbound by the feel of his rock hard body pressed up against her chest. All of the emotions she’d kept inside emerged when Rob held her tight. When they finally parted, she stood frozen in shock with her heart pounding and her ears ringing.
His expression made him look as if he broke the law with his eyes practically popping out of his head. He quickly took a step back. “I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry for my rude behavior.”
“You weren’t rude. I didn’t stop you.”

Cate: Anything else you’d like to share?
Kathleen: Book 2 in the City Lights Series, Perfect For Her is coming soon. Here’s the blurb.

Perfect for her
The energetic and motivated Angela Carne landed her dream job in NYC, as an editor for a news show. Her career is thriving, but her dating life leaves something to be desired. After a break-up with Mr. Wrong she’s determined to leave the past behind. Angela has high hopes when she meets Dr. Eric Bradley while preparing for her best friend’s wedding. He’s got a body to die for, a dynamite personality, and he’s recently partnered with a medical team. What not to want?
Eric Bradley is determined to have it all. He graduated from medical school top of his class, bought and renovated a house, landed a spot in an established family practice, and now it’s time he caught up in the dating world, that is, if the woman he wants understands his situation at home.  
Angela and Eric discover the passion between at the rehearsal dinner, but after the reception everything changes. Three weeks fly by without a word, and Angela loses hope of a real relationship, until he shows up at her job.  Love blossoms, and then… If only Eric was able to spend more time with her. Instead, he has to juggle time between his career and caring for his eighty-year old grandfather. Devotion and family honor comes first to the up and coming new doctor.
Family ties and her own regrets get in the way, but Angela can’t resist Eric’s passionate embrace and she can’t keep her hands off him. Is she wrong to want more? She’s frustrated and ambivalent. Will she be able to stand aside while Eric honors his grandfather, or will the lonely nights and broken promises force Angela to leave behind the man she knows is perfect for her? 

I love hearing from my readers and making new friends. Here’s some of my hangouts.






Cate: Congrats! And do I hear the jingle of bells? Yes, and Kathleen's driving the sleigh, ready to toss out a gift to you lucky people.
Kathleen: I’m giving away a print copy of Savannah’s Journey. Comment to be entered in the random drawing. Join me on Twitter, Facebook, and at my blog for more chances. Don’t forget to leave me your email address.

An evening curled up on the sofa watching Christmas movies is part of the tradition at my house. What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

Cate: Thanks so much for being part of the 12 Days of Christmas! Hope you have a jolly holly holiday!
Kathleen: Thank you again! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!