Congrats! Kelly Ann Riley

2011 RITA Finalists for Inspirational Romance
Look! Look! Look!

There’s a Love Inspired Suspense in the running, not in the inspy category, but in the Best First Book.
Firestorm by Kelly Ann Riley (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense; Tina James, editor)

Congrats Kelly, you do the Craftie Ladies proud!

Over on the Craftie Ladies of Romance, our own Linda Goodnight is a finalist with not one BUT TWO books.
Finding Her Way Home by Linda Goodnight (Steeple Hill Love Inspired; Allison Lyons, editor)
The Wedding Garden by Linda Goodnight (Steeple Hill Love Inspired; Allison Lyons, editor)

To make sure that every Love Inspired series is covered, we also have a historical.
A Convenient Wife by Anna Schmidt (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical; Tina James, editor)

Our competition is steep. Here are the rest of the inspy finalists.
Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy (Barbour Publishing; Rebecca Germany, editor)
In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon (Revell; Jennifer Leep, editor)
Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist (Bethany House Publishers; David Long and Julie Klassen, editors)
Shades of Morning by Marlo M. Schalesky (WaterBrook Multnomah; Shannon Marchese, editor)

Whisper on the Wind by Maureen Lang (Tyndale House Publishers; Stephanie Broene, editor)
Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers; Karen Schurrer and Charlene Patterson, editors)

Good luck all!

Firestorm Interview

Today we're welcoming Kitty McGuire, the heroine of Firestorm by Kelly Ann Riley, released in July 2010 Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.


1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I'm a Los Angeles firefighter who grew up in the little town of Pine Lake in the California Sierra Mountains. I loved my job and my fast-paced life in L.A.

A few months ago, a firestorm destroyed the new ski resort and hotel in Pine Lake and almost burned down the town. Several people died, and my father, the fire Chief, was also killed. It was heartbreaking for me because we hadn't parted on the best of terms.

Then a few weeks ago, I got an anonymous phone call that the sheriff and new fire chief were trying to blame the fire on my father. Can you believe it? I had to go back to Pine Lake to prove my father innocent of arson and murder.


2. So, during the book you met Luke Tanner. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

My first impression was that he was dolt who'd erroneously concluded my dad was a criminal. Of course, I hadn't met him at the point. When we did meet, his strength impressed me most—especially since he'd tackled me to the ground. But once we'd had a chance to talk, I realized there was intelligence in his eyes and some of what he said made sense—even if he was totally wrong.

Subtle doesn't always work on me, so I think the first hint I was in love came with an explosion - a building explosion, that is. I'm used to the dangers of the job and know the risks, but when I thought I'd lost Luke in that fire, the intensity of my feelings for him shook me.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

I give 100% to my job. I love what I do. I also have some training in arson investigation and would like to go into that as a career. I'm also fairly stubborn - I don't give up. I see that as a strength ... but not everyone else does.


I can be impatient. I tend to jump into situations, trusting my intuition, without analyzing first. This has gotten me into trouble numerous times. Just ask Luke.


4. What scares you?

Spiders! I can run into a burning building, but have a spider fall in my hair, I freak.

Also needing people scares me. My mother walked out on me when I was young, and my father raised me to be strong and independent. It's easier having a dangerous job without having personal strings attached, but it can also be lonely.


5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My hair—it tends to get out control and make me look like a kid. Oh…seriously? To be more trusting and open to relationships.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

I believe in God, but I don't think He's involved in our everyday lives. I also don't see the importance of church. I'd had a few bad experiences with so-called Christians when I was a kid.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

I learned I can let God into my everyday life and He'll always be there to pick up the pieces, even during the difficult times. I also learned how wonderful having a church family can be, particularly if you don't have a family of your own.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
Sometimes our faith has to be tested —-like fire tests and purifies gold—before we can reap the rewards.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

A huge hunk of coconut layer cake -- flaky on the outside, but solid and substantial all the same.

Wow, this sounds great! Thank you Kelly Ann for sharing Kitty with us today.