Author Interview: Find out if author Kara Kendrick likes garden gnomes!

1. How'd you get into writing? 
I double-majored in English and Psychology in college and always loved to read. During the chick lit boom of the nineties, I knew I wanted to write fiction. But it wasn't until years later that I sat down and wrote my first full-length novel (which sits in a drawer, never to see the light of day). 

After that, I wrote another light women's fiction novel and then turned to romance during NaNoWriMo in 2016. That manuscript became RUSHING INTO LOVE, the first book in my Peachtree Grove series and I've been writing small-town romance ever since!

2. What do you like to read and why?
I read a variety of genres, but my first love is still chick lit-type books. I like lighter women's fiction, small-town romance, mysteries, and psychological thrillers. I love mainstream commercial fiction (don't tell my English lit teachers) and I always like a good beach read

3. Three things about you no one knows.
I doubt there's anything someone out there doesn't know about me, lol. I have three sisters and between them, I am sure at least one of them knows something! But little known facts about me are I was a Junior Naturalist through the National Parks program, I love libraries and low-key wanted to be a librarian, and I actually really love working out.

4. Where do you see your writing in ten years?
Hopefully at the top of the charts, haha! Seriously, I will keep writing as long as people read my stories. Nothing makes me happier than hearing how much someone loved my books. And I love a good book boyfriend!

5. If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room, what would it be?
There are so many good songs out there--I have no idea. I think it is mood-dependent, but probably something by Taylor Swift

6. What's your go-to drink? Coffee? Tea? The hard stuff?
 Iced coffee, water, and wine!

7. What about writing do you find the hardest and how do you overcome the obstacle?
Writing a snappy first line is one of the hardest parts for me. To overcome this obstacle, I usually plot the first third of the book so I have some idea of where I'm going and then try not to agonize on the opening line until revision. 

8. Other than My Charming Holidate, which of your books or series do you love the most and why?
I love my full-length Peachtree Grove series and my favorite book in that series is TURNING UP THE HEAT (shh, don't tell the others!) The hero is the grumpy older brother and he's broody and complicated, which was so fun to write. The heroine is a sassy, sunshiney baker and the two of them have insane chemistry. Plus, it's a brother's best friend romance, which was super fun to write and takes place at Christmas, so it has major Hallmark movie vibes as well. 

9. Would you encourage others to get into writing? 
If you have a burning desire to tell stories and / or the characters won't stop talking to you, then absolutely! It's a lot of time and effort, but connecting with readers makes it all worth it! 

10. What do you think of garden gnomes?
Haha, love 'em! Super cute.

Thanks for joining us Kara! Make sure to check out her Snowflakes & Holidates story-- My Charming Holidate today.