Guest: Kristy McCaffrey--The Wings of the West Series

Welcome, Kristy, to Sweethearts of the West.

Author Bio

Kristy McCaffrey has been writing since she was very young, but it wasn’t until she was a stay-at-home mom that she considered becoming published. A fascination with science led her to earn two engineering degrees—she did her undergraduate work at Arizona State University and her graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh—but storytelling was always her favorite hobby. Born and raised in Arizona, and recently returned after a 20 year absence in Pittsburgh, she writes Old West romances to capture the landscapes that were such a big part of her childhood. Her first novel The Wren was a CAPA winner for best new author traditional, a Texas Gold finalist, and a HOLT Medallion finalist for best first book. She lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband, four children, and two chocolate labs, Ranger and Lily. Visit her online at www.kristymccaffrey.com.

   I noticed from reading your bio that you have four young children. How do you manage to write with so much work to do?

"Well, my kids are mostly teenagers now so you’d think I’d have more time, but in reality running our lives does keep me busy. I tried for a long time to keep a regular schedule and ended up depressed when I couldn’t stick to it. Now I write whenever I can. Some days I don’t write anything but on others I’ll write for hours. I’ve come to realize it suits the way my creativity works, so I’ve relaxed my idea of a schedule. But the downside is I’m not a fast writer. I’ve had to make peace with that too." J

How did you become interested in writing?

"I’ve always written since I was little. Honestly, I couldn’t stop. But I didn’t become serious about publishing a book until I was in my 30’s. I was home with 4 young kids and writing was something I could do without leaving the house. The internet was such a blessing because I could network and research and submit to publishers without having to run all over the country, which I really couldn’t do anyway."

The titles of your books contain certain kinds of birds--The Wren, The Dove, The Sparrow. Can you explain this to us? Do you especially like birds, or are they an analogy of sorts for your characters?

"Yes, I love birds and yes they’re an analogy in the stories themselves. I didn’t consciously choose to write about birds at first but as the stories fleshed out it seemed to work. In The Wren the bird represents finding a way back home. The Rock Wren does this odd thing in that it lays a path of stones as a marker to its nest. The main character Molly is returning to her Texas home after a childhood spent with the Comanche. She’s trying to find that “path.” In The Dove the main character Claire has grown up in a brothel—The White Dove Saloon—so the obvious connection is with “soiled doves,” but the bird also represents a higher spiritual calling, which Claire pursues with her love of medicine. In The Sparrow the main character Emma undergoes a shamanic transformation while in the Grand Canyon and her spirit animal is a sparrow. The next book is called The Blackbird and since I’m still writing it I’m not sure how the bird mythology will play out.

I like discovering the connections as I go."

Do you have pets for your children? Or for yourself?

"Both. I’ve always had dogs so can’t imagine not having one around. We currently have two chocolate labs, Ranger and Lily. Just love them to pieces. My parents recently rescued two puppies on the Indian Reservation (they run wild up there—it’s heartbreaking) so we’ve all been having a good time getting to know them. They’re a cross between a coyote and a dingo."

What kind of movies do you enjoy? Have you ever cried in a movie?

"I’m a big movie-lover and have been my whole life. I like just about anything, except maybe horror. I really don’t like being scared. Yes, I cry all the time at movies! My kids make fun of me. I love Star Wars, Harry Potter, the Twilight Movies, Tron Legacy, Reign of Fire, Blue Crush, While You Were Sleeping, Practical Magic, Red Planet, Day After Tomorrow, Armageddon, Independence Day, Galaxy Quest. From this list I think I like a lot of sci-fi."  

When you're stressed and have no time to make dinner, what is your emergency meal?

"I always keep a frozen pizza in the freezer; it’s very easy to pop in the oven. But I also have a 17-year-old son who loves to drive anywhere, so I can usually convince him to get take-out."

What stereotype would you label yourself?

"The shy author. I love that people love my books but I’m happy being a hermit."

Tell us about The Wren, The Dove and The Sparrow. Do these books have a common theme? Are they in a series?

"The Wren, The Dove, and The Sparrow are part of my Wings of the West Series, Books 1, 2 and 3, respectively. They’re connected through the characters."

The Wren:  Captured by Comanche as a child, Molly Hart was assumed dead. Ten years later Texas Ranger Matt Ryan finds a woman with the same blue eyes…

The Dove:  Reunited with Logan Ryan on the steps of The White Dove Saloon, Claire Waters hides under the guise of a fancy girl…and lets the ex-deputy believe the worst.

The Sparrow:  Plagued by visions, Emma Hart has come to Grand Canyon in search of answers. Texas Ranger Nathan Blackmore has come in search of Emma. Together they’ll delve into Hopi folklore and face an ancient evil.

Where can readers find your books?

The Dove (Print, HTML, PDF): https://whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=232

The Dove (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/Dove-Wings-West-ebook/dp/B00571ADA4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1314135764&sr=1-1

The Dove (Nook): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-dove-by-kristy-mccaffrey?pst=b7

The Wren/The Dove Megabook (HTML, PDF): http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=934

The Wren/The Dove Megabook (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/Kristy-McCaffrey-Wings-West-ebook/dp/B005SG7HDO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1318096379&sr=1-1

The Sparrow (E-formats): www.whiskeycreekpress.com

The Wren (Print, HTML, PDF): https://whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=62_73&products_id=125&zenid=4abe6215f83c29543e1ce946660c7f57

The Wren (Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004I5C2WC/sr=1-1/qid=1295897392/ref=sr_1_1_oe_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295897392&sr=1-1

The Wren (Nook): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-wren-by-kristy-mccaffrey?pst=b7

Will you give us an excerpt from the newest release, The Sparrow?

"I’m happy to!"

THE SPARROW

A brilliant sunset played across the western sky as Emma followed Masito and Nathan into the small Hopi encampment. After climbing for several hours, they emerged at the top of a flat plateau filled with pine trees. A strong wind greeted them, pressing against Emma, but she felt she could breathe again. She hadn’t realized how confined she’d felt down at the bottom of the canyon for the past few days, and how much hotter it was down low compared to the cooler highlands.

 

Watching Nathan’s broad-shouldered back, Emma felt relieved he had accompanied her. A sudden wave of discomfort passed through her about what was to occur with the boy and the Hopi people.

The boy.

Unease filled her and she wondered if this was some kind of test. She’d heard of such things—people who possessed great gifts of spirit and healing who were put through trials to determine their character and fortitude, their patience and courage.

Was she about to endure such an inquiry? Did she have latent healing abilities? If she did, she was unsure how to bring them forth.

The encampment consisted of several lean-to’s covered with animal skins, the ends flapping in the wind. Emma guessed there must be twenty or thirty Hopi present and not all of them were men. Women and children moved about also. Several fires burned and it appeared the evening meal was being prepared.

As the three of them approached, the people recognized Masito but didn’t come forward. Instead, they all stopped their movements to stare at the two strangers accompanying him.

As Emma got closer, she immediately felt the scorn and the jealousy coming from the women, mostly the younger ones with hair wrapped in extravagant buns on either side of their heads.

“Why do the women dislike me so much?” she asked quietly, stunned by the strength of the emotion permeating from the crowd.

“I’m wondering the same thing,” Nathan replied.

Emma felt relieved. Then it wasn’t in her imagination, or on the tip of her visionary skills.

Masito stopped for a moment and turned to face them. “There was one other thing I did not tell you. Pakwa saw something else. It is why the women in the tribe do not like you.” He looked at her. “You, Bahanas Healer, are also to be my wife.”

“Like hell.” Nathan stepped in front of her.
~*~*~ 

I know the books are published by a publisher we share--Whiskey Creek Press--and that the first two are available as separate books, and now, also in a "Mega Book" that contains both stories. I think this is a wonderful idea.

Where can readers find you?

www.kristymccaffrey.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kristy-McCaffrey/145328892197533?sk=wall

Coffeetime Romance Forum (each month I post historical facts about the Grand Canyon): http://coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=1773

Kristy, thank you for visiting with me today....
"Thanks Celia! It’s been wonderful to stop by the Sweethearts of the West Blog. I feel right at home with all these wonderful western authors.."