Friday, January 10, 2014

A Candid Writing Moment With Kathleen Rouser



HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATHLEEN ROUSER


"When Lisa Lickel was looking for turn of the century urban romances, it seemed like a good fit for me. I had been researching that era and Detroit for another story. While people so often have seen pictures of the blighted areas of Detroit on the news or heard about its corruption and bankruptcy, there are still beautiful historical areas and buildings in the city. Detroit was once a thriving, beautiful city full of promise and I wanted to show that in my novella.

I had so many inspirations for writing this. Someone very close to me spent several of their growing up years in an orphanage. While Isabel’s character isn’t based on that person, I still thought that an orphan, struggling to find her identity would make an intriguing heroine. I researched what kind of hero would go well with a caring, maternal woman. One was the quiet, bookish type and Dr. Daniel Harper was born! I had fun building on from the character types I’d chosen and discovering more about them as I wrote their story.

Having sons of my own, I created Cassandra Harper by thinking about what would make the most annoying mother to a young man, a worthy antagonist. I only hope that my sons can’t see too much of me in her!

I like adding humor to my stories and Taffy, the toy poodle, gave me that opportunity. A relative’s dog, afraid of her owner’s son, gave me a nugget of inspiration. I decided to up that a notch. What if the dog didn’t like Daniel, for some unknown reason? It gave me the opportunity to have a little fun with the situation.

Last but not least, once my hero and heroine had met, I needed something that would bring them back together, since they were from different worlds. This is where I came up with the idea of the lost pocket watch. As I considered what the pocket watch could represent, time passing, as the characters were about to enter a new century, I decided to make that a main thread throughout the story, helping to hold the pieces together. This is also why I decided on the title The Pocket Watch.


As I write my stories, I pray for help and wisdom. The Lord is always faithful to supply the creativity and ideas. I really enjoyed writing The Pocket Watch. It’s been a wonderful experience." Kathleen Rouser, Brave New Century

Wish Kathleen Rouser happy birthday and pick up your copy of Brave New Century



Brave New Century [Kindle Edition]

Lisa Lickel Paula Mowery Kathleen RouserTeena Stewart 

Print List Price:$13.99
Kindle Price:$3.94 includes free international wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
You Save:$10.05 (72%)

Four young women each brave challenges at the dawn of the 20th century. Will they overcome their hardships and find love? 

Three Rings for Alice 

Love and respect in 1899 Milwaukee is as close as a phone call. 

Forgiven 

When Henry and Jessie meet, it seems to be love at first sight until a shocking revelation tears them apart. 

The Pocket Watch 

Looking for the past, an orphan and a young doctor find love and hope for the future. 

Flames of Hope 

Love ignites in the midst of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.



5.0 out of 5 stars Never changing November 12, 2013
Format:Paperback
This anthology is a enchanting step back to the early 1900s. The writing is captivating and gives the reader a glimpse of life over one hundred years ago.

While each story is different, the messages of faith, belief and forgiveness never changes through the ages.

From Detroit to San Francisco each couple must deal with their position in life whether it is as an orphan or a wealthy family. Each story has an interesting twist to it which will keep the reader turning the pages.

While some of the situations are dreadful, especially for the heroines, the true message of the stories always rings true. The authors did a delightful job. I'm hoping to hear more from them.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely quartet of four romance novellas November 12, 2013
Format:Paperback
Brave New Century is a lovely quartet of four novellas. Four women in search of their identity in the new century, 1900. The time is filled challenges, triumphs and responsibilities. Four stories. Four lives. Four loves.

In the first story, Three Rings for Alice, Lisa Lickel highlights Alice Smith's struggles to be a modern woman. Orphaned, she has to make her own way in the world and in a time when women are just coming into the workforce, it is fraught with uncertainty. Vowing to never marry, time and a secret love changes her mind with a decision to marry for no less than love. Even if the one she loves is only known as a voice on the telephone.

Paula Mowery's tale, Forgiven, brings us Jessie Lee Capelle who wonders if she will ever have a loving family. When she meets laborer Henry Smith her dreams look like they will come true. When a surprising twist of history is revealed, can their love withstand the truth. Can they forgive?

In The Pocket Watch, Kathleen Rouser weaves a tale of Isabel Jones, an orphan in Detroit Michigan who's only real desire is to know who her parents were. An accident brings her into the world of Dr. Daniel Harper and a pocket watch brings them together even as a special ring, left by Isobel's mother, threatens to reveal terrible truths. Can love withstand these obstacles?

Teena Stewart tells the final story, Flames of Hope. Lily McMinn's Irish family operates a thriving mercantile n San Francisco. She enjoys visits by Gideon Light, a police officer. When a violent earthquake destroys much of the city, countless people die. The crippled fire department is helpless to fight multiple fires raging out of control. Can Lily and her family survive the tragedy with the help of Gideon?

Love, romance, history. Four different stories but with these uniting themes. Step back in time and enjoy the journey these four women make. You'll be glad you did.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Brave New Love November 26, 2013
By Angie
Format:Kindle Edition
Brave New Century is four turn of the century tales that focus on a different couple and how God brings each of them a new partner or mate. This was a surprising read for me because you could see how they were lead the path for their mate not always clearly. I treasured how it all came about. Each author's story was truly beautiful, unique, and heartwarming. Each author was new to me and I would definitely read something by each of them again.
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4.0 out of 5 stars A Brave New Century November 16, 2013
By Jodi
Format:Paperback
This was a great grouping of short stories. I really liked "Brave New Century". A good weekend read, or you can read a story every evening before bed. All the stories are written about the New Century. They all have a romance written in and a smidgen of history. Good for teens and up. I give it 4 stars.





17 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday, Kathy. Loved the book.

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    1. Thank you, Vickie. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book. :)

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  2. Happy Birthday, Kathy! I just started reading "Brave New Century". I love novellas because they fit into my lifestyle - and getting four in one book is a great bonus.

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  3. Happy Birthday, Kathy. Brave New Century is on my TBR list. I look forward to reading it.

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    1. Thanks, Kimberly! I hope you find it a thoroughly enjoyable read. :)

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  4. I never get tired of hearing you share about this book, Kathy! And the happiest of birthdays. Taffy was a little hooty-toot!

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    1. You're so sweet, Lisa! Thank you for the birthday wishes. Taffy was a fun one to write about. :)

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  5. Happy Birthday, Kathy! So enjoyed penning this book with you - I not only gained a co-author but a friend.

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    1. Thanks so much, Paula! I feel the same way. It was great getting to know you through the co-authorship
      process. :)

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  6. Thank you very much, Jacqui, for giving me an opportunity to share today and for your kind birthday wishes!
    It was fun to share about the writing process. :)

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  7. I'm so pleased you were able to stop in and share a Candid Writing Moment on my blog, Kathleen. Hope this was one of your best birthdays yet.

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  8. Happy Birthday, Kathleen! Love your book!

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  9. Great interview. I love hearing about how authors find their inspiration for characters and story.

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