Have you ever looked at someones reading list and thought, “We could be friends”? That’s how I felt interviewing Kathleen Neely. We have so much in common that I feel like I know her already! I hope you’ll feel the same way after taking a peek at her favorite books.

Thanks for being here today! What was your favorite picture book as a child?

The Little Engine That Could was and still is one of my favorite picture books. I love the messages it holds. Regardless of what others do, help someone in need. Put forth your best effort. Maintain a positive attitude. It’s timeless. I read it to my sons and still love reading it to my grandsons. “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.”

I loved that book! What was the last book you read that you couldn’t put down?

I loved Francine Rivers’ book The Masterpiece. I’ve read others that I enjoyed as much and more but this was the last one that kept me turning pages. It was unpredictable with unique characters. Her Mark of the Lion trilogy remains among my top favorites.

Have you ever had a book recommended to you that you didn’t like? No names, but what didn’t you like about it?

A friend recommended a book, saying she loved it. I checked reviews and the book had many positive reviews. I anxiously began reading. I made it through about a third of the book. I really wanted to like it, but it never happened. I made myself pick it up to read and finally realized a few things. First, I didn’t like any of the primary characters. Not one was endearing. The other realization is that if I never finished, I wouldn’t wonder what happened. It didn’t garner enough interest. I rarely give up on a book because I know that the second half is typically where the story ramps up. I simply didn’t care enough to find out where this one was going.

That happens! Just goes to show how subject reading is.

If you could visit any fictional place, where would you go?

I would visit Jan Karon’s town of Mitford. There are so many people I’d love to meet. Father Tim, Cynthia, Miss Rose, Hoppy, and Dooley. I’d stroll up and down the delightful streets of Mitford looking in shops. Then I’d stop in the bakery and buy one of Esther Bolick’s famous orange marmalade cakes. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Blowing Rock, NC, the alleged inspiration for Mitford.

If you could turn any of your books into a movie, which would you pick? Who would cast as the main characters?

It would be a delight to see any of my novels on film, but the one that comes to mind is The Street Singer. I’ve had numerous people tell me that it should be a movie. Who would I cast? That’s a tough question. Possibly Erin Krakow cast as Trisha (since I love When Calls the Heart), and the talented Viola Davis as Adda Marsh. I’m not sure about her vocal ability, but she sang for one piece in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

What book are you most looking forward to reading next? Why?

I want to read The Book of Lost Names by Kristen Harmel. I heard that it’s wonderfully researched and reviews are good. I’ve enjoyed other WWII novels so I think I’ll like it.

Share five books from your TBR (to be read) pile.

The Orchard House by Heidi Chiavaroli
The Socialite by J’Nell Ciesielski (a new author to me) (I had the pleasure of editing her first two published novels—I hope you enjoy this one!)
Defending David by Barbara M. Britton (still on presale but I’ve enjoyed her other Tribes of Israel series
The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin (among my favorite authors)
The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

She lost her son twelve years ago. Now that she’s part of his life, will history repeat itself?

Heartbroken, Mallory Carter leaves home at graduation. She decides to never burden her family with her choices again. Twelve long years of loneliness are comforted only by the homemade telescope she uses to stargaze. Then she receives a call that her sister has died, leaving behind a son, the son Mallory gave up at the tender age of seventeen. When her family pressures her to raise Samuel, she agrees, despite the fact that he’s unaware of their true relationship.

Samuel’s uncle, handsome architect Brady Donaldson, welcomes Mallory to the family, but she doesn’t know how much she can trust him. Brady has a bond with Samuel that Mallory has only been able to dream of for the last twelve years. But Mallory holds secrets that could ruin her new life. As threats surface from Mallory’s past, the relationship she is building with her son is endangered. Will she lose Samuel a second time? She realizes she desperately needs someone to trust, and Brady seems determined to fight for Mallory and Samuel. Searching for true north has never felt so hard. Will Brady Donaldson be the one to guide Mallory home, and to the God she abandoned long ago?

Available at https://www.amazon.com/Search-True-North

Kathleen Neely is a retired elementary principal, and enjoys time with family, visiting her two grandsons, traveling, and reading.

She is the author of The Street Singer, Beauty for Ashes, The Least of These, and In Search of True North. Kathleen won second place in a short story contest through ACFW-VA for her short story “The Missing Piece” and an honorable mention for her story “The Dance”. Both were published in a Christmas anthology. Her novel, The Least of These, was awarded first place in the 2015 Fresh Voices contest through Almost an Author. She has numerous devotions published through Christian Devotions.

Kathleen continues to speak to students about writing and publication processes. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Website – www.KathleenNeely.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com/kathy.neely.98
Twitter – https://twitter.com/NeelyKneely3628
Instagram – www.Instagram.com/KathleenNeelyAuthor