AMERICAN HISTORICAL NOVELS discussion

For those of you not yet familiar with this week's host, let me introduce Kathleen Shoop.



1. Please tell us about yourself!

Thank you so much for having me! I’ve been writing fiction for nearly 20 years though I published my book, The Last Letter (Book 1 in Letter Series), in 2011. It won a gold IPPY and went on to be an Amazon top 100 bestseller for a long time that summer. It was an amazing start to my fiction career. Since then I’ve published 8 books, including The Kitchen Mistress, (Book 3 in the Letter Series). It’s been a joy to combine my love of history with fiction and I feel very fortunate to have a growing audience of avid readers. I also have a PhD in Reading Education and spent many years in public schools, teaching all things literacy related!


2. Please tell us more about your book.

The Kitchen Mistress is Book 3 in the Letter Series which grew out of my family letters which are between 105 and 130 years old. TKM tells the story of Katherine Arthur and what happened when she returned to Des Moines after her family lost everything and was forced to homestead to stay alive. As was common at the time, Katherine had to be boarded out and that led her to her lowest point but revealed her greatest gift. The Kitchen Mistressthe kitchen mistress follows her as her family comes back together and tries to reinvent themselves after each has evolved into independent beings. The story also shows how women in the 1890’s cobble their lives together and do what it takes to survive. Sometimes that involves finding love, sometimes it means losing it...


3. If you could meet the your protagonist, what would you ask her about your life?

I would tell Katherine that all her struggles to make a life are both reflected in modern times but there’s been an evolution that would probably shock her. I’m so many ways women now can make their way in the world, but they still face lecherous men and have to work twice as hard to be noticed for their talents. So much good and so much bad!

4. Tell us about some of your writing highlights this year!

The Kitchen Mistress won a gold IPPY and I’ve had a new cadre of readers buy and read the whole series and contact me to say they can’t wait for number 4! That’s the biggest thrill. Also I’ve completed the second book in my DONORA STORY series about Lukasz and Mary Musial (Stan Musial’s parents) called The Strongman and the Mermaid. And I’m so excited about that!


5. What are you working on next?

I’m working on The Magician which is about Stan Musial’s childhood up until he gets drafted to play pro baseball. Also, I’m revising The Thief's Heart, Book 4 of the LETTER SERIES.

Please let our readers know how to stay in touch with you!!

Find me on Facebook at Kathleen Shoop, TWITTER: @kathieshoop, Website: http://kshoop.com/

Thank you for the introduction! It's a pleasure to be here with everyone!

Hi Kathleen,
It’s very nice to meet you. I have to admit this is the first I’m hearing about your Letter Series. After reading your introduction I can’t wait to get my hands on all 3 of these books. They sound amazing. I look forward to this week and learning more about you and your books.
Tracey

Thank you, Tracey! I'm excited to talk more! I'm so glad you're stopping by!

Hi Kathleen,
I am looking forward to hearing more about your Letter Series. I have not had the pleasure of reading any of your books, but I definitely added them to my TBR list. I wish I could look back into my family tree and see what my relations went through. I

Kathleen,
I am following you on all media sites and subscribed to your newsletter. I am looking forward to reading your series. Do you have a estimated date when the 4th book in the series will be released? Hearing about history behind these books has gotten me so excited!

Thank you so very much, Angela! The fourth book will be out in late winter/spring. I'll reveal the cover very soon. I can't thank you enough for your interest!!! So excited to talk more with you.Angela wrote: "Kathleen,
I am following you on all media sites and subscribed to your newsletter. I am looking forward to reading your series. Do you have a estimated date when the 4th book in the series will be ..."