Interview with Author Katie O’Connor By Susan Hanniford Crowley

Katie, welcome, and please, tell us a bit about yourself. 

I am a Canadian author. I’ve been writing my whole life but was only published for the first time in 2011. I have over 30 romances now. I’m a mom, a gramma, a wife. I love reading, eating, coffee, wine, and camping. All that is in no particular order. I am a member of two writing groups, one of which I founded, and I am a writing mentor. My grandkids and my writing are my life.

What’s your favorite color? Blue no green.

What’s your favorite dessert? All of them. Okay if I had to choose one, cheesecake or black cherry ice cream.

What inspired you to become a writer?  Did you always think you would be a writer?

I’ve dabbled in writing since I was a kid. First, it was bad stories, then angsty poetry. Once I moved away from home, I wrote dozens of romances. none were good enough for publication though I did submit them. I tried and tried. (I have a binder full of rejection letters.)  I got discouraged and quit. I tried again. And quit. One day in 2011, I was surfing the internet for something, I don’t remember what, and I stumbled upon a call for submissions. They were asking for erotic romance novellas of about 20,000 words. I thought, “I can do that.” I wrote it in four days and submitted it. Four days later I had a contract in my inbox. I was stunned. I thought, “Either I’m good, or they’re desperate.” The rest, as they say, is history. I’ve been writing daily ever since.

Which authors were your early influences? I don’t know that any specific ones were. I devour romance. Particularly small town. I adore romantic movies. I think they all blended into influencing me.

Where can we find your stories? I am available on all digital platforms.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.ca/Katie-OConnor/e/B007GZT1IO/

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/ap/xLQaKR/Katie-OConnor 

Please, tell our readers about your most recent book and how you developed the storyline. My most recent release (though not the latest one I’ve finished) is Matchmaker Christmas. I love books with children and I love Christmas. Matchmaker stories always make me smile. So, I blended them together for that perfect holiday matchmaker book. It’s a well-known secret that many of the characters in this book are named to honor my uber-fan Suzette and her family. I like naming characters after fans and using fan suggestions. (With their permission, of course.)

What did you enjoy most about writing the book? Truthfully, I enjoy the entire writing process, but this book was just such fun. The little girl was adorable and the adults stubborn. The story came together very quickly with no hard days which is always a bonus.

Now that you have everyone’s attention, please, tell us about Matchmaker Christmas.

Can Santa’s Christmas magic help a single mom with a matchmaking daughter find love with a jaded billionaire?

Darcy:

Getting over my ex’s betrayal has been tough and having a five-year-old daughter makes it easier and worse. Thankfully, I have a job, a home, and a mother to help us out. When my daughter enters us into The Amazing Santa Race, the last person I want to team up with is Kurt Stanwyck, my high school crush. Especially since my daughter thinks he’s the dad she asked Santa for.

Kurt might just be the perfect Christmas gift. But do I want to risk getting closer and having him break my daughter’s heart?

Kurt:

I’ve got more money than I’ll ever use, but I’m bored, lonely, and there’s this weird thing happening with my heart. Taking a medical sabbatical in my hometown of Salvation might just be my salvation. I’m debating leaving it all behind to work at my parent’s garden center where I know I’ll find the human contact I’m missing.

My folks have organized a Christmas challenge to raise money for the local hospital and they expect me to pair up with Darcy Sharp the pest who followed me around through high school. I’m not finding it as onerous as I thought I would. Darcy might just be the angel of my dreams.

How can I convince her that my money isn’t an obstacle to being together and that her heart is safe with me?

Please, share an excerpt with us. 

Here is a scene from the perspective of our young matchmaker:

Abby

I might be only five, but I’m smart. I know this isn’t the real Santa, but he looks pretty good. I think his beard is real. Adrianna and Desiree, they’re my best friends, told me that the mall Santa is a real Santa’s helper. If I give this one my list, he’ll take it to real Santa.

I worked hard on my list. I changed it lots. Now, it was perfect.

“Hi, Santa,” I said and climbed up on his lap. I wasn’t afraid of him anymore. He was a stranger, but like the people who work in stores, he was a good stranger. That’s what Mom says. She worries too much. Like about the phone. I want a phone, but I know I won’t get one. It isn’t fair.

“Have you been a good girl this year, Abigail?”

“How did you know my name?”

“I know everyone’s names. Now, tell me what you want for Christmas this year because I know you’ve been good and you’ve been working on that list all year long.”

How did he know?

I gave him my paper. I tried not to cry because it was damp and wrinkled. It was beautiful before those stupid boys bumped Mom’s coffee on me.

“You’ve put a lot of work into this. Your coloring has improved a lot.”

He got a funny look on his face when he read my list.

“That’s a big list,” he said.

“Only four things. I want a daddy, a big house, a puppy, and a huge family,” I tell him. “I don’t even care if I don’t get anything else. ‘Specially if I get a new Dad. I want someone handsome for Mama and I. And he needs to have a good job so we’re not poor anymore.” I leaned close and whispered my terrible secret. “I don’t like wearing not new stuff. I want to shop at new stores, not used ones.” I hide my face cause I’m ‘barrased.

“Well, Abby, life gives us things we don’t always like. Being a good girl means being happy with what we have. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes!” I almost jump up because I’m so excited. Good girls get their Christmas wishes.

“Now, I can’t promise anything, but Christmas is magic and I’ll think very seriously about your list.”

He looked at Mama and she looked upset. Santa frowned a little. I patted his cheek. “Thank you, Santa. I’ll be good and I’ll be happy with what you bring me.”

I hop off his lap, I’m so excited I want to shout and yell. I feel like a gazillion butterflies are dancing in my tummy. The good way, not like when I need to barf.

Where can our readers buy your books?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Matchmaker-Christmas-Katie-OConnor-ebook/dp/B0CHL1NNCR/

UBL: https://books2read.com/u/3nBGo6

Apple: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/matchmaker-christmas/id6464736852

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/matchmaker-christmas 

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1447321?ref= 

Do you have any upcoming books you’d like to tell us about?

My next release will be the first in my Cherry Lake Fire Fighters series. Sugar Cookie Kisses releases in early February with the second book in the series, Cappuccino Mugs and Fire Fighter Hugs releasing later in the month.

Thank you, Katie.

Thank you, Susan, for having me on Nights of Passion.

For more information about Katie O’Connor, see:

Her website: https://katieohwrites.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/katieohwrites

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katieohwrites/

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/katieohwrites

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/345891595596122

Truly,

Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley
https://susanhannifordcrowley.com
https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Hanniford-Crowley/e/B004YXOGXG

David & Laura: A Vampire Christmas Story: An Arnhem Knights Special Edition is available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback (novella)
EverNight for ages 13-113 is now available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback.
EverWarm for ages 13-113 is now available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback.
Lady Fallon’s Dragons for ages 13-113 is now available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, BAM online bookstore sells the paperback, Scribd, and in paperback in the UK at Waterstones, also on Amazon around the world.
The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 is available in Amazon Print and Kindle, Nook, Kobo,  Apple, Walmart ebooks & Smashwords.
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print! Walmart Bookstore Online
Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available on Kindle.
Poseidon’s Catch(mythology romance) is available on Kindle.
Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) is available on Kindle.
A Vampire for Christmas, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available on Kindle.
The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print
When Love Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 is available on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, and iBooks (on Apple devices).

Now we wait
for the return of the princess.