Fallen Angel Reviews would like to welcome author, Kelly McDonough. Kelly’s latest book, Make-Believe Bride, is now available from Publish America.


Welcome to FAR, Kelly. Please tell us a little about yourself.

Hmmm. A LITTLE about myself? If I told you some of the strange things that have happened in my life, you’d be able to write a book! Anyway, I’m turning forty-one on Friday. My goal was always to be published by forty. I succeeded with that (actually a few years earlier), so now I’m working on goal #2: to be a millionaire by forty-five!!! One can dream…

How did you get started in the romance business? What finally inspired you to sit down and write your first book?

One day, while working in a corporate marketing department for radio stations and newspapers across the country, I came across an article in People magazine about Romance Writers of America. I never knew there was such a thing like that out there. Since I’ve been reading romances since age eleven (I used to sneak them out of my mom’s room into mine), I decided to check it out. Soon, I decided I HAD to write a romance novel. Unfortunately, the timing wasn’t right. My son was born, and I just didn’t have time to do anything but jot down paragraphs here and there or plot ideas. I now have a HUGE plastic container filled with pieces of stories and songs and – well, you name it, and it’s in there. Two years ago, I took out Crazy for Kate and typed what there was of it into the computer and finished it up. Now that both my kids are older (6 & 10), I find more time to write. It was just too hard to be a nursing mother and writer. I’m glad I waited though to finish my books. It gave me time to really think about what I wanted to say.

Please tell us about your latest book(s).

My latest book is Make-Believe Bride. It’s total fantasy. If you’re looking for realism, you’re not going to find it here. It’s a marriage of convenience story. The hero is hot looking and extremely wealthy. Why would any sane woman turn down his offer of an unlimited amount of credit, debts paid off and money, money and more money? Just for pretending to be married for six months? Doesn’t seem believable. But, that’s the fun in writing things that feed the imagination and make you sigh and wonder why it couldn’t happen to you.

What can reader expect to see from you in the future?

The story I’m just finishing up is about an angel sent to earth to help a gorgeous (what else but?) man and his six-year-old daughter and his mother who has cancer. She’s supposed to be the bridge between life and death and find a new wife for the hero. The one thing The Big Guy Upstairs says is that she can’t get romantically involved. So, what’s an angel falling in love supposed to do? It’s a story that can be categorized as sweet or inspirational depending on your viewpoint. It’s both actually. Now I have to find a publisher… a writer’s work is never done.

For a first time reader of your books what book would you recommend they start with and why?

I’d have to say my first book, Crazy for Kate. It’s short, sweet and simple. And as one reviewer noted it didn’t have to be flashy to be a good, solid story. Simple works in this case.

What would we find on your bookshelf?

Anything to do with psychics, medicine and tons of romances from all sorts of authors.

Do you listen to music while you write? Is there a certain type? Does it vary from book to book?

My music is my kids playing downstairs. My computer is upstairs. I can hear them quite clearly as I write. Interestingly enough, I need this to write. I was a stay at home mom until my youngest entered full day kindergarten. My husband thought it was great that I’d have all day to write. But, I couldn’t do it without all the noise. I needed something to fill my “empty nest.” So, I got a part-time job at a local university (3 ½ hours a day) and it works perfectly with my kids’ school schedule. When I get home I write and exercise or exercise and then write.

What do you do to relax?

Write. Play with the kids. Watch movies. Read. Shop.

Just because inquiring minds want to know…If you were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing you would take with you?

I know this sounds kind of cliché, but I’d take a computer so I could write.

What makes a great romance book to you?

An incredible hero that makes you want him as badly as the heroine does. A heroine that is strong yet vulnerable. And deep emotional conflict.

Can you give us a sneak peak into any upcoming books?

I’m thinking about writing outside of the box for my next book, meaning it might be a single title as opposed to category romance.

If you could go anywhere, be anyone, do anything for 24 hours, what would it be?

I’d love to go to Australia, Hawaii and Ireland. Those are my dream destinations.

Do you have any indulgent behaviors one might find surprising? What’s your favorite comfort food?

If you call getting up in the middle of every night and eating snacks indulgent, well I guess you’ve got me there. My family doesn’t understand my sleepwalking/eating patterns. My favorite comfort food is … I don’t have one! I eat to survive. I’m not one of these people who live to eat, and I think that’s very interesting considering I used to do restaurant reviews for a local newspaper. In three and a half years, I covered one hundred and eighty five restaurants. I appreciate good food. But, I could live on grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches.

Is there anything you would like to add to this interview or is there a question you would love to answer that I didn't ask?

The only thing I’d like to add is a thanks to all those readers who support me by reading my books. Without them, I’m nothing!

Thank you Kelly, for being here with us today.

Thank YOU, for having me!

Be sure to check out Kelly’s website for all the latest information on this talented author.


Interviewed by: Jaymi