Sunday, July 29, 2012

Secrets and love: An interview with historical romance author M.K. McClintock

Today I'm talking again with western historical romance author M.K. McClintock about another book in her Montana Gallagher series, Gallagher's Hope. We discussed the first book in the series, Gallagher's Pride, in March.



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1) Tell us about Gallagher's Hope.


The blurb can do a better job of that than I can.

She sought a new beginning.
He sought what he didn't know was missing.
Together they would discover hope in unlikely places.

Isabelle Rousseau must escape New Orleans and the memory of her family's tragic loss. With her younger brother in tow, she accepts a position as the new schoolteacher in Briarwood, Montana. Desperate to keep what's left of her family together, Isabelle joins her life with a stranger only to discover that trust and hope go hand in hand.

Gabriel Gallagher lived each day as it came believing he had everything he could possibly want . . . until a determined woman and her brother arrive with a little luggage and a lot of secrets. It will take a drastic choice to protect her and give them both hope for the future.

2) Tell us a bit about your heroine.

Apparently I enjoy writing heroines who have to go through a lot of tragedy and turmoil in order to become who I know they can be. Isabelle is no different. In the beginning she’s just a well-bred woman from the city who has to find the strength to care for her brother on her own. Once she arrives in Montana, she goes through a lot and shows us that she is strong, capable, loving, and able to endure whatever is thrown her way. It takes her a little time to reach that point, but she doesn’t disappoint. I’d also say she’s gentler than the other women in the series.

3) Tell us a bit about your hero.

Gabriel Gallagher. I have a soft spot for this one, though that tends to be true of whichever hero I’m writing at the time. Gabriel is similar to his brother Ethan from Gallagher’s Pride—they’re both strong, chivalrous, devoted to family, loyal, hard-working. In the first book, Gabriel was a bit more laid back. In Gallagher’s Hope, you still see that side of him, but he shows us his darker, human side.

4) What themes underlie the plot of this book?

The usual themes found in both romances and westerns. You see a lot more of the typical western-revenge theme in this one. You’ll also see characters facing inner darkness and overcoming that, faith vs. doubt, love and sacrifice—a lot going on here.

5) Is anything in particular you enjoyed in this book vs. Gallagher's Pride? Was it easier or harder to write this second book in the series?


I can’t say I enjoyed anything more about writing this one better than I did writing the first book. I certainly enjoyed returning to the family and seeing characters from the first book get their own story. I have a fondness for Gabriel, so I was thrilled to write his unique story, but I love the Gallagher family, so it’s difficult to like one more than the other.

Both! It was easier because I already knew most of the characters and so writing them came easily. It was more difficult because I was editing the 2nd edition of Gallagher’s Pride while finishing up Gallagher’s Hope.

6) You've previously noted that you've already planned this series out to the fifth book. The changing leads gives you some flexibility with this, but I'm curious if you ended up changing anything in Gallagher's Hope after completing Gallagher's Pride?

And I still have five books planned, though the fifth book is now completely different than what I originally planned. I did change some of Gallagher’s Hope after completing the 2nd edition of Gallagher’s Pride. The story I mapped out is the same, but the character’s journeys have certainly changed. In addition to new characters, I changed, or should I say added, a major scene. I’m thrilled with the changes.

7) Any overlap with the characters of Gallagher's Pride?

Definitely! Almost all of the characters from the first book have carried over into the second with the Gallagher family of course being at the center. I have introduced a few new characters and I’m excited about how they’ve so easily entered the story.

8) When can we expect the third in the series to be published?

I’d like to say exactly six months, but I won’t be rushing the book. I’m taking the month of August off from writing to help balance out my schedule and then I’ll be back full-force in September. Gallagher’s Choice should be released in the first half of 2013.

Trailer:
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M.K. is also doing a giveaway for three signed paperbacks via this link or you can leave a comment here to be entered:  a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thanks, M.K.

If you would like to read more from M.K., please check her out at:


3 comments:

MK McClintock said...

Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog today J.A.! I always enjoy your interviews--the questions make me think more about the book!

J.A. Beard said...

You're welcome. Glad to have you back.

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