K.M. Daughters is the penname for team writers and sisters, Pat Casiello and Kathie Clare nee Lynch. The author name is dedicated to the memory of their parents, Katherine and Michael, the “K” and “M” in K.M. Daughters. Inspired by their father who wrote children’s books for them when they were small and their mother’s love of romance novels, K.M. Daughters was “born” in 2004 at a Romance Writers of America national conference where the sisters plotted their first manuscript, now published in E-book by Sapphire Blue Publishing: Past, Present and Forever.
Since that conference, K.M. Daughters have written five additional award-winning novels, all contracted to the Wild Rose Press and its new subsidiary, White Rose Publishing. Most recently the first book in the Sullivan Boys Romantic Suspense series was distinguished in the Lories published contest; Past, Present and Forever received the Coffee Time Romance and More Reviewer’s award and their upcoming release, Beyond the Code of Conduct was rated four-stars, compelling, page turner, in the June 2009 issue of Romantic Times Book Review.
K.M. Daughters will be on virtual book tour in June ’09 to promote their latest romantic suspense novel, Beyond the Code of Conduct. We interviewed them to find out more about their exciting new book.
Q: Thank you for this interview, K.M. Daughters. Can we begin by having you tell us why you chose romantic suspense to write?
A: Thank you so much for having us. Our first manuscript was actually a contemporary romance and a lot of fun to write. But as we began tossing around story ideas and plotting our second book, our intention to produce fast paced, character-driven action evolved into suspense. Plus Kathie seems to have a talent for the criminal mind.
Q: Did you outline before you wrote your book or did you just go with the flow?
A: As a team, we do produce an outline. We divide the chapters evenly and take turns in the writing sequence. As the characters take over the action, it’s interesting to see how they steer us away from the original outline.
Q: Who was your favorite character in Beyond the Code of Conduct and why?
A: Our heroine, Bobbie Leighton. She’s strong, capable, accomplished, and very vulnerable at the same time. She’s learned to be macho in her competitive career but realizes that a feminine woman at the height of her power can compete effectively with any male.
Q: Who was your least favorite character?
A: The manipulative, murderous Bradley Sterling Esquire.
Q: Can you tell us about the setting and why you chose it?
A: The Sullivan family resides in the Chicago area. Bobbie returns there briefly for a family funeral as Beyond the Code of Conduct opens. She’s working in New York City, her original hometown now, and the book is set primarily in NYC. New York City and Chicago are our two favorite cities. We were brought up in North Jersey and Pat lives in Chicago. We spend a lot of time in both cities and still haven’t finished exploring them.
Q: What was the hardest part to write?
A: Intimate scenes are always challenging to write. Our editor tells us she considers one such scene in Beyond particularly successful in the “steamy” category, thank goodness.
Q: What was the inspiration behind the story? Where were you when you came up with the idea?
A: Somehow our collective imaginations spin out story ideas. We honestly don’t know where they come from. But geographically we were walking together on the Illinois Prairie Path when we came up with the central story idea. Many walks later we had a scene outline.
Q: Do you plan on writing more romantic suspense novels?
A: Yes, we have concrete plans for three more novels in The Sullivan Boys romantic suspense series. Book three, Capturing Karma, is just about contracted to the Wild Rose Press and our WIP is book four.
Q. Thank you for this interview, K.M. Can you tell us where we can find out more about you and your wonderful new book?
You’re so welcome. We invite you to visit our Web site, kmdaughters.com, for news updates, Twitter feed, family photos, recipes and excerpts with buy links for all our books. Again, thank you for having us!