Prickly Poppy by Kara O'Neal

 Wild Women Authors, as part of the ongoing Books In A Series, feature author Kara O’Neal and Prickly Poppy, book 3 in the Wildflowers of Texas series. With Kara today is Kit Kirby, saloon owner, hell raiser and all-around swoon-worthy male. He’ll go first. 

Good morning, Kit, thank you for taking time out of your swoon-worthy schedule to speak with us. Let’s start with where you are from. Galveston, Texas.

Tell us a bit about Prickly Poppy. It’s about me falling head over boots for the prickliest woman in town. She doesn’t think too much of me, ‘cause I own a saloon and enjoy a drink every once in a while. But I sure think a lot of her. I think so much of her, that I go ahead and agree to escort her to Brownwood and protect her from her former fiancé.

What did you think the first time you saw Hazel Rutherford, your prickly poppy? I thought she was hands-down beautiful. And then she called me a conceited hell-trap, and she set my blood racing. Sharpest tongue I’ve ever encountered on a woman.

And your second thought? That I’d best keep out of her way if I had any sense.

Wise idea. Was it love at first sight? For me? Yes. I tried to pretend it hadn’t been, though.

What do you like most about Hazel? She sticks to her guns. Doesn’t let anyone change her. She speaks her mind, says what she means. And she’s brave.

How would you describe her? Well, that’s easy. Just use the flower. Prickly poppy. Pretty and prickly. That’s my Hazel.

How would she describe you? Before she fell in love with me, she’d describe me as reckless, careless, and the one that grabbed my heart, a conceited hell-trap. Now that she’s realized the error of her ways and is devoted to me, I’m her knight in shining armor.

Smart woman. What made you choose owning a saloon for a career? I like giving people a place to unwind, and I especially love good drink. There’s nothing better than fine whiskey.

What is your biggest fear? Losing Hazel.

Kit, how do you relax? I watch the sun set, open a good bottle of whiskey, and put my wife on my knee.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Huck Finn.

Why are we not surprised? What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Came from Hazel’s uncle, the judge. Anything worth doing is worth admitting to.

Thank you for this, Kit. We appreciate it very much. You’re a fun guy. 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? Not an event, no. But when I created Kit Kirby, I was thinking of all the smart-talking men I’ve been around all my life. Texas has many. They’re quick. They’re witty. They’re honest. Come prepared.

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

Last, what's up for you 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, redhead who’s a little wary of his handsomeness and quiet reserve.

 To purchase Prickly Poppy, go to: https://books2read.com/u/47qyEN

 To learn more about Kara O’Neal, go to:

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/