Contemporary Romance Author Darcy McKenna Chat about Fated Love

What a great month this is going to be! Once again, The Book Connection has a lineup of talented authors stopping by to share stories about their books. Today, I am pleased to introduce, Darcy McKenna. Darcy’s debut novel, Fated Love came out as in eBook this summer from The Wild Rose Press, and the paperback version was released in October. We’ll be talking about this novel and what else Darcy has up her sleeve.

Welcome to The Book Connection, Darcy. It’s wonderful to have you here!

Thanks Cheryl. I’m very excited to be here!

Before we chat about Fated Love, can you take a few moments to tell the readers about yourself? How long have you been writing? What genres are you drawn to? What types of books do you enjoy reading?

I’ve been writing off and on since I was in sixth grade. Mostly short stories and poetry. I finally wrote my first novel about nine years ago. It’s a historical fiction titled “Kate’s Pride” and is based very loosely on the life of one of my great great grandmother’s in the years following the end of the Civil War. It came out earlier this year under the pen name Renee Russell. I’ve been a big fan of all kinds of fiction for as long as I can remember. Some of my favorites are Phyllis Whitney, Nora Lofts, Sharyn McCrumb, J.D. Robb, Jodi Picoult, Stephen King, JA Konrath, Allison Brennan, Tasha Alexander, Stephen R. Donaldson, Anne McCaffrey, etc. As you can see, I’m drawn to a lot of different genres. Fated Love is my debut romantic suspense.

The name Darcy McKenna is actually a pseudonym. Why did you choose to go with a pen name for this novel? Were you ever concerned that readers would not accept a romantic suspense novel from Reneé Russell (also a pen name)?

I decided to use a different name because the two books are so very different. I think most readers are like me and when they pick up a book by a particular author, they’re expecting a particular type of story. I hope readers will love both books. I just didn’t want any confusion about the type of story.

Let’s move on to Fated Love. What is this novel about?

Fated Love is a story about soul mates. I believe everyone has that one perfect person they’re meant to be with. But with Fated Love I decided to twist that just a little bit and write a story about what can happen if there’s a triangle involved in the soul mate equation. It’s a contemporary romantic suspense that takes place in Memphis, TN and incorporates some of the more well known places in Memphis into the story.




What can you tell us about Sarah Cameron? What will readers like about Sarah? Is there anything about her that readers might not like?

Sarah is an artist who is also a partner in an art gallery in the trendy South Main Art District in Memphis. She’s young, she’s lost all of her immediate family, but she’s managed to rebuild her life to an extent. She’s a strong young woman. On the down side, she tends to be a little naïve in that she refuses to believe anyone close to her could be involved in the fire that destroyed her gallery or in the stalking incidents that start after the fire.

Your website says that this story is a romantic suspense novel with a little paranormal twist. How so?

The paranormal twist involves the soul mate triangle. Sarah has met her soul mate in two previous lives but they were prevented from being together both times.

In Chapter One readers meet Neil and Evie. What can you tell us about them?

Neil is Sarah’s family accountant and she’s known him since she was a teenager. He’s been there for her in the aftermath of the accident that claimed the lives of her immediate family a year previous to the story in Fated Love. He tends to be a little uptight and tries to run her life more than she likes. Evie has been Sarah’s best friend since they were in diapers. They’re very different personalities, but Evie has always been there for Sarah. Their friendship is one of those rare ones we all are lucky to find.

Neil and Evie have a tense relationship. Does Sarah often find herself in the middle of these two?

Sarah is constantly playing referee with these two. Both of them mean a lot to her and yet they can’t stand each other. Neil disapproves intensely of Evie and feels that’s she’s not a suitable friend for Sarah. Evie dislikes Neil because she thinks he’s trying to control Sarah, but is willing to put up with him most of the time because Sarah cares for him.

So, tell us, where can readers purchase a copy of Fated Love?

Fated Love is available at Amazon or at the publishers website http://www.thewildrosepress.com.

What’s up next for you? Are there future projects you would like to talk about with our readers?

I’m currently plotting out new stories for each name. For Renee it’s a story about a brutal, but little known officer in the Civil War. For Darcy it’s another contemporary romantic suspense involving an investigative reporter who’s drawn into a cold case involving a murder in the town where her former fiance’ is the sheriff.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I’d just like to say thank you for having me here. I truly enjoyed the questions and look forward to continuing to read interviews on your website.

Thanks for joining us today Darcy. I look forward to reading and reviewing Fated Love. Best of luck in all your endeavors.


Look for my review of Fated Love...coming soon!