Wild Women Authors continue its Books In A Series feature with Kara O’Neal’s The Rain Lily, Book 2 of the Texas Wildflower Stories. Up first is electrical engineer Keaton Hayes.

Good morning, Keaton. Let’s begin with where you are from. Houston, Texas.

Tell us a bit about The Rain Lily. This story is about me hiring the woman I love to take care of my nephews. Adeline needed a job, and when she applies to be the nanny for Lorne and Tate, I couldn’t not hire her. Especially after she’s able to make Lorne talk and Tate ride in a carriage. My sister and her husband died in a carriage accident. Needless to say, it was hard on us, but even harder on the boys. I needed someone. I never expected it to also be the woman I love.

What did you think the first time you saw Adeline? I thought she was a shining ray of light. We mix with the wealthy, and many of them can treat life as if it’s one big bore. Not Adeline. She’s refreshingly happy and isn’t afraid to have fun.

What was your second thought? That I needed to turn her head as quickly as possible.

Was it love at first sight? For me? Yes. I’m not a man who shies away from commitment. I go after what I want.

What do you like most about Adeline? She’s unafraid to show joy, to have a good time. She’s not a cynic in any way.

How would you describe her? Adeline has to come work for me, because she was disowned by her family. Before that happened, she was filled with optimism and cheer. After the scandal, she tries to change and tries to hide in the shadows. I couldn’t let her do that. I told her that she’s like the Rain Lily. It’s a white flower that blooms after a really bad storm. It’s God showing us that blessings always come in times of trial. And that’s what Adeline is for my family. My sister and her husband died, leaving my nephews without parents. It was horrible. But then a blessing arrived, and it was Adeline.

How would she describe you? She would describe me as steady, calm, accomplished, and loyal.

What made you choose electrical engineering for a career? It’s 1905 in Houston, Texas and we’re on the cusp of amazing things. Times are changing, and I want to be a part of that. Electricity is the future. It’s going to help a lot of people.

What is your biggest fear? Losing Adeline and our nephews.

How do you relax? I spend time with my wife and nephews. Lorne is brilliant. Tate is a whirlwind of movement. It’s not quiet in our house, but I don’t want it to be.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Sir Percy Blakeney from The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Hmm. We weren’t expecting that response, so what is the best piece of advice you ever received? My sister wrote me a letter not too long before she died. She was speaking about her sons, but she said that everyone has strengths to be discovered, and the duty of a parent was too put children in situations that allow them to use those strengths. Her point was that if we try to make others just like us, we’ll end up with chaos. Once I became the guardian of her children, that statement in her last letter came to mind. It hasn’t left since.

To paraphrase a modern day philosopher, ‘You’re killing us, Keaton’, and we thank you for your time and energy. Now we’d like to chat with Kara.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? Probably the most influential is Anne of Green Gables. So many characters to love in those books. And I enjoyed discovering how they changed over time.

Is there an event in your private life that you were able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? When I was young, I can’t tell you how much I loved going outside after a big storm. The air is different after a storm, and the world feels different. But, also, the Rain Lily would always appear. Like magic. Or…like a blessing. So, I wanted to use that impression and experience I had in a book at some point, and I was able to do so in The Rain Lily.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I am self-published now. I’d been with three other publishing companies, and I prefer self-publishing because I have so much freedom to do what I wish with my characters and my books.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? All God’s Dangers: The Life of Nate Shaw; Freely Given by Jan Scarbrough; Happy Nerd Year by Nancy Fraser

Last, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? Book 4 in my Wildflower series is next. At the moment, it’s called SUNFLOWERS FOR JOHN. We’ll see if it lasts. It’s about a man with a very broken heart who carries a secret torch for Millie, a kind-hearted, red-head who’s a little wary of his handsomeness and quiet reserve.

To purchase The Rain Lily, go to: https://books2read.com/u/mdA0aO

To learn more about Kara O’Neal and the stories she creates, go to:

Website – www.karaoneal.com

Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kara-o-neal

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Kara-ONeal/e/B00FL19TH8/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1465007993&sr=8-1

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/KaraONeal84/

X – https://twitter.com/KaraONealAuthor

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/karaoneal7/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7278350.Kara_O_Neal

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/loveandletters7/