Meet author Kaylin McFarren

How did you start your writing career? Actually, I’ve always had an active imagination, probably my Irish roots burrowing into my brain. For most of my life, I was an avid romance reader, longing to slip into Jane Austen’s corset. I tried my hand at poetry and writing short stories…anything to express my love of the written word. In high school and college, a few of my short stories actually ended up in school publications, but for the most part, they were tucked away in various drawers. As time went by, I married and was fortunate enough to travel to exotic places, meeting remarkable people, each with a unique story to tell. And along the way, I found inspiration and plenty of ideas to channel into what I hope will be a long series of entertaining books.

Tell us about your favorite character from your books.
Wanda Fench from Flaherty's Crossing is Kate Flaherty's encrocing neighbor. A former Southern bell, she loves to shop online for outlandish jewelry, wears mismatched clothing, and possesses a strange hair color due to bargain basement dyes. Although, Wanda thrives on sharing all the local gossip and manages to show up at the most ill-timed moments, she truly has a good heart and looks after Kate in her own way.

Tell us about your current/upcoming release.
Flaherty's Crossing will be released February 1st. In one sentence: An estranged father’s dying confession opens a vault of dark family secrets, shocking revelations that threaten all his daughter holds dear.

To expand slightly: Successful yet emotionally stifled artist Kate Flaherty stands at the deathbed of her estranged father, conflicted by his morphine-induced confession exposing his part in her mother's death. While racing home, Kate's car mishap leads her to a soul-searching discussion with a lone diner employee, prompting Kate to confront the true reasons her marriage hangs in the balance. When her night takes an unexpected turn, however, she flees for her life, a life desperate for faith that can only be found through her ability to forgive.

What's also cool about this release is I'm donating 100% of proceeds received from the sale of Flaherty's Crossing to colon cancer research at Providence Medical Foundation in my father's name. :D

Who are your books published with?
Champagne Books

What book are you reading now?
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

What are your favorite TV shows?
Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, The Tudors, Showtime and Hallmark movies

What do you do to unwind and relax?
Travel to Cabo four times a year to read on my Kindle DX by the pool - enjoying great stories, warm rays and cold Strawberry Margaritas. I also love listening to the top forties, drinking nice wine, spending time with my family (two very cute grandsons), moving furniture around (which release my frustrations), and hanging out with all my amazing girlfriends - some of whom are follow authors.

Beatles or Monkees? Why?
Definitely old Paul McCartney albums. I grew up adoring him - thought he was the bomb - and still enjoy going to his concerts when he's in Portland.

Where can readers find you on the web?
Everywhere....are you ready??
http://www.kaylinmcfarren.com
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www.writers.net/writers/70254
digg.com/users/4Kaylin
www.filedby.com/author/kaylin_mcfarren/3580532
www.slideshare.net/Kaylin/flahertys-crossing-chapter-one-1971109
www.flickr.com/photos/got2rite
www.plaxo.com


Sneak peek into Flaherty's Crossing:

Kate closed the window. She turned on the radio and flipped through the channels, all crackling between towers. A political debate. Advice for the lovelorn. The brain-itching chorus of "Gypsy Soul." She clicked it off.

Her wheels screeched as she flew around another curve and onto the connecting highway. She released her foot from the gas pedal but, resisting the instinct to use the brakes, she shoved her foot back down to accelerate. Perhaps her way of defying death, or a desperate search for control.

She lifted her phone and called home again, only to hear the same message on the machine.

Where was he?

Suddenly, Drew's words came back to her: "Maybe we need to take a break."

They'd had plenty of arguments in the past, but never before had he mentioned separating. What if he viewed her unexplained absence tonight as blatant apathy?

Apprehension raised her blood pressure, burned the tips of her ears.

She speed dialed Drew's lifeline: his cell phone. It went straight to voicemail: "You've reached Drew Coleman with Milton, Sidis, and Stricklen. I'll be out of town until Monday. If this is an urgent matter, you can reach my assistant at..."

As Kate anxiously waited for the beep, she noted darkness in Drew's voice, a seriousness that had replaced the fun-loving spirit she'd fallen in love with.

"Drew, I'm on my way home," she said. "I'm heading back from my father's. I'll explain when I see you. Anyway, there was a detour. I just took highway sixteen off one-o-six, so I shouldn't be more than forty minutes away..."

The glow of her headlights bounced off something ahead.

It was an animal. A deer. Standing sideways in her lane.

Kate dropped the phone. "No, no, no!" she yelled, jamming the brake pedal to the floor. She yanked back on the steering wheel as if pulling a B-52 out of a nosedive.

In exaggerated slow motion, the deer turned its head toward her. No fear in its eyes. No attempt to move. Either at peace with its fate or unwavering in its defiance.

The car's beams elongated the creature's shadow across the road, the distance between them vanishing. There wasn't time to stop--they were going to collide.

Kate screamed, swerving into the hole of blackness off the edge of the highway. Every muscle in her body clenched, preparing for impact.

FLAHERTY'S CROSSING By Kayin McFarren

http://www.kayilnmcfarren

http://www.champagnebooks.com