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An excerpt from By God's Design
About Kelly McDonough After spending years as a corporate marketing/promotions assistant for nine radio stations and eleven newspapers across the country and working nearly thirteen years as an on-air announcer for classic rock radio stations, Kelly McDonough’s dream is to bring more fairy-tale endings to the world. Though she realizes it’s not a perfect world which means she hopes to bring happiness and hope to those who read these stories.
Back list
CRAZY FOR KATE
CHRISTMAS WISHES AND HOLIDAY KISSES
MAKE-BELIEVE BRIDE
HER MAGICAL MARRIAGE Soon to be released
BY GOD’S DESIGN
"It" GIRL
An Interview with Kelly McDonough
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Kelly, thank you for talking with us at TRS. Please tell us about your featured book, By God's Design. KM: This is a story of a man who chose to be a priest. A man who was given incredible good-looks so that he may be tempted time and time again by the many women who try to seduce him into their beds. However, Father Michael Kerrigan has never been tempted until he meets Kathleen Davis. She’s a mother of two young children and in the process of going through a difficult divorce because her husband of twelve years had been abusive. Michael takes her under his wing, gives her job with the church, and together they work and play and fall in love. The big question is will Michael leave his vocation for a woman? And how can Kathleen love any other man?
HH: Where did you get the idea for this wonderful tale of a man facing a choice between his vocation and love? KM: Strange, but true. I had once seen a priest so magnificent looking that it actually startled me. I didn’t know him, didn’t try to get to know him. Instead, I let my imagination soar twenty-six years after the sighting. He truly looked like he belonged in an ad posing as The Marlboro Man. So, I let my imagination go free and wondered What If? That was the basis for my story. The story itself just poured out of me without my not really having to think much about it. As I always say, "The angels were beneath my fingertips."
HH: What do you like best about Michael? KM: That even if he weren’t physically perfect, he would be a hero any woman could love. He’s everything a woman needs in a good man.
HH: What do you like best about Kathleen and how do you identify with her? KM: Kathleen is a survivor. The only level I really identify with Kathleen on is her wanting to save her children from the horrors of an abusive man and destructive divorce. Despite her situation, she is emotionally strong and proves that she is Michael’s equal and is able to open her heart to true love.
HH: What else do you have in store for lucky readers? KM: Well, right before By God’s Design came out, Her Magical Marriage hit. It’s the complete opposite in its type of storytelling. It’s a romantic comedy/paranormal/contemporary romance. It’s a whole lot of fun writing something that makes you laugh and not cry. My next book coming out before summer is "It" Girl. That’s the story of a woman who’s beautiful inside and out and who is "discovered" by the publisher of an international men’s classy magazine. He convinces her to be his August "It" Girl and from there the story takes hold. It includes celebrity style stuff, close quirky friendships, a heroine with strong moral values and one in an unhappy engagement and falling for the man who discovered her.
HH: We're seeing more inspirational romances in the market these days. What do you see for this genre's future? KM: I really think you’re going to see a throw back to the type of stories that brought Carey Grant and Jimmy Stewart to the silver screen. There is just something so interesting about old-fashioned romance existing in this day and age.
HH: What do you enjoy about writing inspirational romance? KM: That I can let my eleven-year-old daughter or my fifteen-year-old son read my stories and not worry about it. Actually, I encourage them hoping they’ll get the right idea about how good relationships work.
HH: What would you most like to accomplish this year? KM: To start writing a mainstream psychological thriller. It’s been something in the back of my mind for many years now, and I just don’t seem to know how to go about telling the story rolling around in my head. My goal is to get it started.
HH: What are you reading these days? KM: Research for that book. I’m reading about conspiracy theories, biological weapons, and medical books. I’m also watching "Alias" which I find to be an incredible source of inspiration.
HH: Any exciting plans for the summer? KM: Heading to Boston. We’ll have to make a side trip to see the New England Patriots train and get an autograph or two. Then, we’re just going to explore. It’s a total deviation from our usual "shore" or Disney trip. And it should prove to be a lot of fun! Thanks for the interview!
HH: Thank you!
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