As she grew up, Kathleen learned that her love of story could carry her off to places far beyond her small Texas Gulf Coast town. Soon she hit the road for real, earning a degree in Marketing from Texas A&M before setting off to such exotic destinations as Jakarta, Tokyo, Bali, Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Eventually, the road led back to Texas and a career in writing. Within a decade, Kathleen became a best-selling author of more than thirty award-winning novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than 950,000 copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad. Soon Kathleen will be adding nonfiction books to her credits as well.
Kathleen is a member of the Authors Guild, Advance Writers and Speakers Association, American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Words For the Journey Christian Writers Guild, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Texas Bar Association Paralegal Division. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School, as well as a certification in Paralegal Studies. A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has a daughter and three sons.
Dear Reader,
I’ve been a fan of all things western for as long as I can recall. However, my fascination with John Henry “Doc” Holliday began in 2007 when longtime friend and fellow Waterbrook author Tracey Bateman convinced me to slip away from the International Christian Retail Show and take a taxi down to Peachtree Street and the Margaret Mitchell House.
There, in the front parlor of the historic home, I first heard the details of the story behind the story of Gone With the Wind. The tale of Ashley and Melanie becomes all the more poignant when set against the backdrop of the truth of the real-life family members that Margaret Mitchell used as models. The character of Ashley Wilkes was inspired by Doc, her cousin by marriage, while Melanie was based on Margaret’s third cousin (and Doc’s first cousin) Mattie “Sister Melanie” Holliday.
Because the church refused marriage to first cousins, Doc and Mattie’s love was not to be. Doc went out West, some say as much to heal his heart after the loss of Mattie as to heal the lungs that had been scarred by the disease that ravaged them. Word eventually reached Doc that Mattie had joined a convent. Throughout the remainder of Doc’s life, he wrote letters to Mattie. Upon Mattie’s death, those letters were burned by a family member so no record of what Doc and Melanie shared remains.
It is in this void of information that I set Anna’s story. While I made every attempt to check every
detail against the known history of the outlaw dentist, there are also gaps in time where Doc is unaccounted for. In addition, there are instances where only a second (or possibly third) man could have committed the crimes for which Doc Holliday was accused.
I'm excited to tell you that up next in the Women of the West series is the tale of Charlotte Beck. Readers came to know Charlotte as Daniel Beck's darling daughter and Gennie Cooper's worst nightmare in The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper, currently a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA competition. She's tamed her wild ways a bit for her appearance in Anna Finch and the Hired Gun, but can she keep her penchant for petty larceny under control? Here's a teaser for Charlotte's story, title TBA:
From pampered princess to bartered bride, Charlotte Beck’s plan to relieve her best friend Augusta "Gussie" Miller of the duty to wed is a smashing success. Unfortunately, now Lord Evan Hambly, second son of the Earl of Farnsworth and the jilted groom, is insisting Charlotte join him in a mutually beneficial ruse that will allow Charlotte her freedom while bolstering the Viscout Hambly's family fortunes. Their marriage of convenience soon becomes quite inconvenient when the starry-eyed astronomer falls in love with the bride who has stolen not only his heart but his pocket watch.
Did I mention there are connections to the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, a mysterious comet, and Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West Show? So sit back and read Anna Finch and the Hired Gun knowing the adventure will continue next year when Charlotte's tale debuts in June 2011. A bit of insider knowledge: I've been informed by my editor that the phrase Marriage of Inconvenience may be included in the title.
Until then, happy trails, readers! I'll see you out west!
Kathleen Y'Barbo
http://www.kathleenybarbo.com/
http://twitter.com/KathleenYBarbo
IN STORES NOW:
The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper -recipient of 4.5 Stars from Romantic Times Magazine!-2010 RITA FINALIST!
Beloved Counterfeit - -recipient of 4 Stars from Romantic Times Magazine!
Cajun Hearts - August 2009
The House is Quiet - Now What? Surviving the Empty Nest- November 2009
Anna Finch and the Hired Gun - Coming in June 2010-recipient of 4 Stars from Romantic Times Magazine!
Thanks for visiting my blog, Kathleen. I enjoyed your interview.
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