Please grab a cup of your favorite beverage and join me as we have a visit with the fabulous Kathleen J. Robison

Kathleen J. Robison is an Okinawan-American. Born in Okinawa and raised in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Singapore. Her travels are the inspirational settings for her stories. She and her Pastor husband have eight adult children. Seven are married, blessing them with fourteen grandchildren and counting. The diversity of their 32 family members inspires more lively characters than can be imagined. Her husband grew up in the streets of Los Angeles and was raised by a single working mom, and that life provides fodder for many of the conflicts of her characters.

Tackling difficult life’s trials with God’s strength is the central theme of Kathleen’s stories. She hopes to inspire her readers to trust God and, with His strength, weather through and rise above trials and tragedies. If you like suspenseful stories with a thread of romance, check out Kathleen’s Bay Town.

Sadly, I have not yet read one of her stories, but after this interview, I hope you will join me in doing just that. Keep in mind as you read that there will be a little something for you to do at the end of the interview. 

So, pull up a seat and settle in. 

Kathleen, I want to thank you for taking the time out of your day to spend time with the readers and me. Reading books is nice, but getting to know the heart behind the story is just as enjoyable.

Today, you are sharing with us your new release Restored Grace, which happens to be released today. 

So what inspired you to write Restored Grace?

K: It is  Book Two of my Bay Town Series. They are romantic suspense novels set in a charming town in Mississippi on the Gulf Coast. In Book One, the minor character, Carol Scape was so well-loved by my critique group, that I just had to bring her back. As well, years ago at the airport,  I saw an older, attractive hippie woman, and I wondered what her story was! She became Carol in my book.  

I love it when our curiosity produces characters. 

How many books will be in the series?

K: I have signed a seven-book series contract with a book releasing every June. 

Oh, that will keep you busy. 

What kind of research did you have to do to prepare for Restored Grace?

K: I lived in the real-life town where my inspiration for Bay Town originated, and I’m always revisiting it on the internet. For the human trafficking element, I have a good friend who fought this vice on the streets, and she was a wealth of knowledge. Also, I’m fortunate to have a large family that includes a Deputy Sherrif, a Firefighter, and a daughter with medical background.  

Those are deep and challenging topics to tackle but are necessary for today’s society, but having loved ones share their experiences with you is a gift.

So, what kind of life experience helped further influence this book? 

K: As a Pastor’s wife, I’ve had relationships with a variety of broken women, and I’ve lived heartache with them. Actually, we’re all broken, aren’t we? Yet God redeems, and it’s the common thread in my series.

Amen and halleluiah to that. If not for His grace, we would be in a deeper pit than we are now. 

So let’s talk writing…

How old were you when you knew you wanted to write?

K: This is embarrassing. I was sixty! But I loved creating stories in my head. It started when I was young and still continues today. I also always loved writing letters, journaling, and Christmas letters. 

DO NOT be embraced, I was in a very similar boat. 

What is your favorite part about the writing process?

K: I love creating my characters. I gather snippets of personalities and quirks from people I’ve met, celebrities, or friends and families, and craft someone new that I love.

I am of the opinion that a character is what drives the story. If you don’t have a good character, you have a very boring story.

What is one piece of advice you would give writers who dream of publishing one day?

K: Seek the Lord every step of the way and trust him for direction and guidance in your writing journey. He’s never failed to show me the way.

AMEN

What Author in the Christian fiction industry would you like to meet?

K: Cathy Gohlke – To me, she has that gentle and quiet spirit, so precious in God’s sight and it comes through in all her stories.

I have in fact met her and she is exactly how you perceive her to be. She has a very tender heart.

Okay, let’s have a little fun. Time for some short answer questions..

Drink of choice – Coffee, Tea, or Soda

K: Coffee

Your go-to snack – Something salty or something sweet

K: Both

Favorite Season – Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

K: Spring

What is your writing Style – Plotter, Panster, or Plotster?

K: Panster

My dear Kathleen, I believe you and I are more alike than I thought. This has been a very enlightening and enjoyable chat. Thank you for taking the time to allow readers and myself to have a peek in the window of your life.

About Restored Grace

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense Romance

Click here to Purchase

They promised Jesus would be with her through everything, but is that enough?

Free-spirited vintage thrift shop owner, Carol Scape, wallowed in grief after her boyfriend’s murder. However, with newfound faith, she’s finding out what it means to die-to-self and put others first. Even if it could cost her life.

Carol is on a mission to save a runaway teen and an at-risk girl from Will Boudreaux, the man just released from jail for running a prostitution ring. The same man who previously terrorized Bay Town residents. Can’t the town get a break? Can’t she?

She’s up for the challenge, but when sparks ignite between her and the town mayor, it muddles things. Having sworn off men, he’s getting in the way of what she feels she must do. Or is he?

Restored Grace is the second book of the Bay Town Series, continuing one year after Shattered Guilt. It’s a stand-alone, amped-up, romantic suspense. Buckle your seat belt. You’re in for a ride.

Giveaway

Kathleen is offering A print copy of Revived Hope and a $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky reader. To make yourself eligible, we ask you to answer one question…

What has been restored to you in your walk with Christ?

Please comment below and we will choose one reader on May 28th, 2022