How Our First Reader Graced Us

Our new cover from gifted cover artist, Nicola Martinez.

Isn't it stunning?

Last summer we anticipated the release of our first White Rose book - our first published book ever.  Imagine our excitement, joy and, yes, anxiety about the next step after publishing.  Will we reach Readers?  If they take the chance on unknown authors will they enjoy our voice, be touched by our faith inspired messages and happily travel our story's journey?

A few days after the magical release date of JEWEL OF THE ADRIATIC, my (Pat) husband, Nick, borrowed by car to drive to weekday Mass. [Important note: my license plate reads: KM DAUTR - the vanity plate a gift from Nick after we completed our first manuscript.]  After Mass a woman approached Nick and questioned him, reportedly incredulous, "Are you K.M. Daughters?"

Nick explained that his wife and sister-in-law (Kathie) write under the penname and the woman further inquired how she might purchase our new book.  Turns out the lady, Rosemary Kaenel, is a Wild Rose Press author (Last Rose of Summer, Rosette, It's Called Love) and her interest struck me as heaven sent.

Our book features Marian apparitions and the rose is associated with visions of the mother of God, her favorite flower - a pivotal reason why we submitted to The Wild ROSE Press after we completed the manuscript.  A woman named "Rose" "Mary" wanted to buy this book?  I couldn't deliver it to her fast enough.

An instant connection occurred with Rosemary.  She's a lovely person - interesting, interested, engaging, gracious, funny, quietly - deeply religious.  Amazing, she has sung the Lord's praises in our church choir for seventy years!  I produced the autographed book for her, our first sale, our first official Reader!  When she had finished reading it she took the time to send an email to tell us she loved it and why.  Such a precious gift.

But there's more!  A few months later I received another email from her advising me to call a local bookstore right away.  She had just visited the store and convinced the owner to host a signing for K.M. Daughters.  We made the arrangements and on a bitter cold January day (in the Chicago environs cold is bitter cold) we sold enough copies that the store wants us back to sign ROSE OF THE ADRIATIC! 

Rosemary attended the signing affording us the chance to hug her for her lovely good deed.  Our fellow White Roses are attuned to the angels among us.  How nice to have the chance to single one out and share her with you.

I did seize the opportunity to return the small favor of purchasing her Rosette and sent her an email to tell her why I loved it.  She told me she's eagerly awaiting the July 31, 2009 release of our sequel (ROSE OF THE ADRIATIC). We found a Reader, or should I say, she found us - and we gained a dear friend.

Visit us at:  http://www.kmdaughters.com

Interview with Writer Rhonda Clark

Allow me to introduce my friend Rhonda Clark. She is a freelance writer, blogger and novelist. She lives in Memphis, Tennessee with her husband and two children, where she is a stay-at-home mom. Her hobbies include spending time with her children, reading and volunteering at her church. Please sit back and enjoy getting to know Rhonda with me. (You know you wanted that second cup of coffee anyway.)

Q: Rhonda, you have an impressive bibliography of published articles. Can you tell us a little about your work?

A: Thanks, I’ve never thought of it as “impressive.” It’s just what God wants me to do. He has blessed me with a quirky way of seeing things. I can find Him and His teachings in places most others never would. I’m excited to be able to reach others with Christ’s message through my work.


Q: What other roles do you fill in life besides "writer?" How do you maintain the balance between them?

A: I’m a wife, and stay-at-home-mom of two. The three of them keep me busy with soccer, football, basketball, softball, and whatever else is going on in their lives. Around here, each day is a new adventure. Finding balance is sometimes tough, and I couldn’t do it without God’s blessings. He keeps me on track.



Q: What do you find rewarding about writing?

A: It’s a release for me, a cleansing process for my mind and emotions. I’m one of these people who has a mind that seldom stops, it’s always running. Writing allows me to exhaust my thoughts and my brain to the point of relaxation. What’s so very cool is I get to share God’s message of love and redemption while doing something for myself.



Q: Tell us about the podcast you've recently started with The Christian Pulse.

A: At The Christian Pulse we call it a pulsecast, and this is my newest adventure. The Inkwell debuted in March, and is a show dedicated to interviewing writers about their books. It airs the second week of every month with a contest that runs from the air date to the end of the month. We give away a copy of the book we’re discussing.I have some fantastic guest lined up, they include, Michelle Sutton, Rita Gerlach, Lena Nelson Dooley, and the wonderful Kara Lynn Russell. The next air date will be April 12 and I’ll be interviewing Marty Norman about her book, “Generation G.” This is a wonderful book about grandparenting in the 21st century. I’m nowhere close to being a grandmother, and I learned a few things. This also makes a great Mother’s Day gift.



Q: Are you working on any other projects right now that you'd like to share?

Beach Reads, where I review books, and talk writing. Each month I have a featured author. April will be Laura Lee Heinsohn. There will be a new post about her every week, with an opportunity to enter a chance to win her book, “Cracking the Parenting Code.” I’ll post a review later in the month. My newest blog is Within Your Skin. I’m on a journey to get healthy and thought others might like to join me. I’m going to look at eating plans, exercise plans, and healthy products. You’ll get to learn from my pitfalls and what I learn from the Scriptures. This blog is only a couple of weeks old, but it’s going to be a great encouragement for me and hopefully others.

My big project is my novel, “The Road To Bliss.” That’s the first time I’ve revealed the title to the public, so you’ve got a scoop. J It’s currently in rewrites, but I took some of the cut passages and turned them into short stories. I’m going to enter it in the Faithwriters.com Page Turner Contest. It’s currently in rewrites. I’ve turned a couple of the cut pieces into short stories, and plan to do this with other parts. You’ll get to know some of the characters and a little of their background before the book is published. The Tennessee Writer’s Alliance has published the first two in their online magazine Maypop. I’ll most likely being publishing all of the short stories through them. The Demon Road and The Runaway Road are available now.