Charater Interview Blog Hop - Heroines - Kate Henderson

Hi, and welcome to my character interview! I hope you had time last week to meet Elizabeth's heroine, Rebecca Simmons from When Cupid Came to Town. If you haven't, you're missing out! Go there now. I'll wait :) And while you're at it, here's some info about Elizabeth:

Elizabeth D. Spencer lives on Long Island, New York with her husband, three children, and two energetic Sheltie puppies, Brinkley and Carson. (Named for the dog from You’ve Got Mail and Downton Abbey’s very own Carson, the butler.) She shares a love of history with her family and a love of books.  Her days and nights are spent writing. When she is not writing Appellate briefs for the day job, she is busy writing historical romance novels. The greatest challenge has been learning to balance it all.  Coffee has been a tremendous help!

Okay, back to me :)
I was really looking forward to interviewing Kate Henderson, the forty-year-old widow and mother of two teenage sons from Crazy Little Thing Called Matchmaking- Book One in the Love and Laugh in Seashore Cove series. From what I've heard, she's a lot of fun, but a tad stressed these days.

Inspiration for Kate's home in Seashore Cove

It took me over an hour to drive out east to this interview. Seashore Cove is a small hamlet nestled amongst the many Hampton towns on Eastern Long Island. The drive, although long, was pleasant enough. Who wouldn't want to be surrounded by beaches on this warm summer day?

I quickly discover, however, that Kate's home is not on the beach like I'd hoped, but it's still very impressive. That's it there...well, not the exact one. But pretty close.

A young man of about thirteen greeted me at the door. "Well, hello, madam." He bowed rather gracefully for a gangly teenager.  You're here to interview my mom, aren't you? You're early."

Before I could answer, another young man entered the room. "Dude, you did not just say that."

"What? She's like twenty minutes early. Mom is busy."

I check the time on my cell. He's right, I am much too early. "I'm sorry. Should I come back a little later?"

"Hang on a sec." The 'dude' turns away (thank God) and screams, "Mom! The interview lady is here. Can she come in or should I send her away ?"

"Holy sh--" The older boy glanced at me. "Err, crap, man, Mom's right in the kitchen, not up the friggin block!"

"I know that, Alex, but before, I asked if I could borrow the car and she just nodded, so she's clearly not paying attention."

Despite the ringing in my ears, I heard a much softer, yet clearly agitated, voice answer. "Drew, for goodness sakes, let her in."

With a smile as loud as his voice, the boy I now know as Drew stepped aside. "M'lady," he said and with a sweeping gesture, pointed me in the direction of the kitchen.

The older boy just shook his head. I entered the huge center hall, amazed at its high ceilings and majestic oak staircase. "Sorry if my brother ruined your hearing. This way."

I followed Alex into an enormous kitchen that would bring any good chef to his knees and focused

on the blonde woman sitting at a small kitchenette. Paper and mail were spread out in front of her, a half-filled coffee mug by her side. She held what looked like a bill in one hand while she pecked at a calculator.

"If this is a bad time, I can come back."

Inspiration for Kate

Kate shook her head and pushed the papers aside. "I can take a few minutes. These bills aren't going anywhere." Her smile was genuine, but the bags under her eyes made her look older than she was.

After my eager acceptance for a cup of coffee, Kate sat down. "Let's get to it then." I pulled out my writing pad:

What is your greatest fear?

Instantly, her eyes glazed over, but she forced a smile. "Wow, you really do jump right in, don't you? I've already lived my greatest fear. Losing the love of my life, and then having to tell his children their father was gone."

I'm so sorry. Let's move on to something more upbeat then. Aside from your children, tell me one person who's made a positive difference in your life.

Inspiration for Dr. Jake Harris

Kate glanced down at the slew of bills covering the table, a slow blush rising up into her cheeks. Hmm, looks like I hit a nerve. "Jake. My boss. He's a lot younger than me, but he's helped me
become a stronger person. And, if you listen to my friend, Gladys, a happier person."

Where do you go when you need time to yourself?

"My bathroom." At my perplexed look she laughed and went on. "My husband, William, designed this house. He took pride in everything he did, but the master bathroom was his best work. It has a wonderful Jacuzzi tub that I soak in. It always helps me forget my problems...at least, for a little while."

Do you have a secret? And, if so, why do you feel the need to keep that secret?

Kate stared into her cup of coffee, gripping it as if doing so would keep a grip on her emotions. "Chances are I'll have to give up this house. I'm not looking forward to the day I have to tell my sons that we have to leave the only home they've ever know. Their father built this home, but he wasn't very cautious with money. William handled all the bills and I was happy to let him be in control of it, never questioning anything." She gripped the mug tighter. "He left us with practically nothing and I am so angry at him for that." She let out a humorless laugh. "I guess that's two secrets."

What one action from your past are you most ashamed of? 

"Allowing myself to be put in the position I am in now. I never questioned where our money was going. I always trusted that William had everything under control. Never. Again."

I closed my pad and pasted a smile on my face as I stood. This poor women. "I think I've tortured you enough. Thank you so much for agreeing to this."

Kate stood also and held out her hand. "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

As I waved goodbye, I offered a small prayer that Kate would find a way to keep her home. I also prayed she'd allow herself to fall in love again.

Next week’s Character Interview will feature Elizabeth D. Spencer’s heroine, Rebecca Simmons from her Historical Romance, WHEN CUPID CAME TO TOWN. You’ll find that interview on Elizabeth’s blog – HERE - See more at: http://www.deboradale.com/character-interview-blog-hop-heroines-eden-widow/#comment-13144

Next week's character interview will feature Gwen Petrarch's heroine, Sirah from her Romantic Paranormal Erotic suspense, Masquerade. You'll find that interview here

Gwen began writing in the womb, much to her mother's chagrin (doctors thought it was gas).  The epiphany that Gwen should spend the rest of her life telling sexy, romantic, thrilling stories came a number of years ago.  She woke, set her intention and then six days and six hundred pages later 'House Husband (soon to be released) was born.  And she hasn't looked back since.  Call her a late bloomer... (she's no longer in the womb and has had a couple of kids of her own) or just a girl amassing a lifetime's worth of fodder to draw her stories from.  Whichever.  It's all about the love of the craft, just like everything else, do a thing because it fills you with joy and hope that you can share and fills your soul with every good thing.

Next week’s Character Interview will feature Elizabeth D. Spencer’s heroine, Rebecca Simmons from her Historical Romance, WHEN CUPID CAME TO TOWN. You’ll find that interview on Elizabeth’s blog – HERE - See more at: http://www.deboradale.com/character-interview-blog-hop-heroines-eden-widow/#comment-13144

Until next time, eat healthy and happy writing!

~Maggie 

Elizabeth D. Spencer lives on Long Island, New York with her husband, three children, and two energetic Sheltie puppies, Brinkley and Carson. (Named for the dog from You’ve Got Mail and Downton Abbey’s very own Carson, the butler.) She shares a love of history with her family and a love of books. Her days and nights are spent writing. When she is not writing Appellate briefs for the day job, she is busy writing historical romance novels. The greatest challenge has been learning to balance it all. Coffee has been a tremendous help! - See more at: http://www.deboradale.com/character-interview-blog-hop-heroines-eden-widow/#comment-13144

Elizabeth D. Spencer lives on Long Island, New York with her husband, three children, and two energetic Sheltie puppies, Brinkley and Carson. (Named for the dog from You’ve Got Mail and Downton Abbey’s very own Carson, the butler.) She shares a love of history with her family and a love of books. Her days and nights are spent writing. When she is not writing Appellate briefs for the day job, she is busy writing historical romance novels. The greatest challenge has been learning to balance it all. Coffee has been a tremendous help! - See more at: http://www.deboradale.com/character-interview-blog-hop-heroines-eden-widow/#comment-13144