Sunday Morning Mystery...Author

This most excellent disguise masks the face of today's guest author. She is the author of two beautiful books, (THE SECRET KEEPER and THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS) and has several more ready for publication.

And she, very sweetly, agreed to join the celebration for MY new book A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW by chatting with me today.



First, of course -- the great unmasking!






Darby Christopher: Here she is -- Kate Coombs! Thanks so much for coming today, Kate. Now, my story, A WALK THROUGH A WINDOW, is all about how different people came to live in Canada. You are American, I believe. Where were you born?

Kate Coombs: I was born in Spokane, Washington. My ancestors came to the United States from England, Scotland and Wales.

Darby: Where do you live now?

Kate: Burbank, California, but not everyone knows where that is, so I usually tell them Los Angeles.

Darby: Do you remember any special stories about your family that you heard when you were a kid?

Kate: Most people think it's pretty interesting that my six brothers and sisters and I are all adopted, and we're of different ethnicities. I have two Korean sisters, two part-Filipino sisters and a Samoan brother. My other brother and I are Caucasian. I remember one weekend when I was ten, my parents left us with a baby sitter and went on a trip. when they came back, they brought a ten-month baby boy -- our new little brother. We were so surprised! (The other times we knew in advance.)

Still, when I'm asked if it was different growing up in my family, I say "no"; we were just a bunch of kids. It didn't seem particularly unique to us.

Darby: That is so cool. So with all those brothers and sisters, you must have learned how to ride a skateboard, right?

Kate: Not in the least!

Darby: Okay, then, besides writing books, do you have a secret skill or talent you’d like to share?

Kate: I'm a world-class doodler. If the meeting I'm in is long and boring enough, I'll cover half a page or so with elaborate, interlocking designs.

Darby: I've done that myself, usually in Math class. But I'm bored, I get hungry. I’m personally pretty fond of red licorice. What’s your favourite treat?

Kate: Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! I'm especially fond of peanut M&Ms and those Ferraro Roche Hazelnut thingies.

Darby: Hmmm. I'm beginning to detect a bit of a chocolate theme here, with all these writers I've been talking to. Now, Kate, in my story I have a special way to find a route into history. If you had a chance to walk through a window into the past, where would you go?

Kate: Most eras of the past were pretty unpleasant for women, but if I could just visit one, I guess I'd like to go to Shakespearian England.

Darby: That's a cool choice! Anyone special you’d like to meet?

Kate: As my answer indicates, I'd like to meet Shakespeare. He created so much amazing work that I'd love to talk to him about his writing -- his inpirations, his ideas, things like that.

Darby: No question he wrote a LOT of stories. What about you, Kate? Can you tell me a bit about your latest project?

Kate: I have four books in teh pipeline right now -- the next one to come out will be THE RUNAWAY DRAGON in September. That's the sequel to THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS. But the book I'm working on these days is about a high school girl witha unique power, and what happens when her ability gets her into a war with another girl who is a witch.

Darby: Oooo. I can't wait to read that! If I want to learn more about you or your books on-line, where can I go check you out?

Kate: Check out WWW.KATECOOMBS.COM Thanks, Darby!

Darby: Thank YOU, Kate! It's been great to chat with you today.

Now, if you'd like to win a signed copy of Kate Coombs' latest book THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS, put your name in the comments -- and you'll be entered to win! The draw takes place this Friday, March 13th -- so make it your lucky day and enter to win.

I'll be back tomorrow with another writer to share a chat with...and more chances to win books!

~Darby