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Woman Versus Herself
Katya follows an artist living an unfulfilled life who gets a chance to experience what an alternate life path could have been and find a way to true happiness. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This plot came to me as a ‘What if?’ and from there I kept adding on to the intriguing concept by adding characters, settings, and secondary plots. At some point the story takes on a life of its own. This is honestly how all my plots have come to me. A ‘What if?’ enters my head and I nurture it until one day it is a full-blown plot that I simply cannot restrain myself from writing.
Katya experiences an eye-open period of self-discovery in the dream world. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Katya needed to change her passive-aggressive behavior. She needed to want something badly enough to fight for it, to envision the possibilities she had convinced herself no longer existed. She needed to conceptualize what might have been, and what might still be, so that she could find the courage to fight her complacency.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The most basic theme of this novel is woman versus herself, which includes self-examination and believing one can accomplish whatever one sets one’s mind to, not settling for mediocrity but instead choosing to change one’s life path when it goes sideways. We can all be inspired by those who have altered their fate through determination and courageous (albeit risky) decision making.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Finley’s Song is the title of my next novel. It is about a woman who must find a way out of her grief and guilt caused by the unfortunate and untimely demise of her husband. It will take place in Vail, Colorado and Paris, France. I write about places I have lived or traveled, and I enjoy creating characters that invoke my own sympathies. For example, one of the two main voices in the book will be her adolescent son who will suffer greatly from his mother’s psychological and emotional unraveling. It is my hope this novel would be completed and available by fall of 2024.
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Katya
Katya by Kathryn Mattingly centers around the life of an artist who appears to have an idyllic life on a small vineyard and farm, though there are layers of unhappiness and regret. The story follows Katya, the people in and around her life, and how she navigates through heartbreak and disappointment. As she strives to find joy, unexpected circumstances send her into a number of challenges. During this experience, she encounters another world, where she’s faced with what her life could’ve become. In this alternate dream world, Katya discovers what she could have had but must also face the realities of her existence and whether she can resolve them or return to another timeline of her life.
The author grabbed my attention from the beginning with an well-paced story, engaging narration and intriguing characters. Each chapter delves into different perspectives, situations, and scenarios that readers will find relatable as they are thoughtful explorations of the human experience. This is a thought-provoking book with great plot twists and unexpected events that keep readers turning from one page to the next. I enjoyed the interesting and sharp descriptions of the characters, their personalities, and their dilemmas.
If you are looking for a book that weaves elements of fantasy into a dramatic romance, you will enjoy this incredible romantic thriller. It’s a provocative tale about how we must face the consequences of our life decisions and what could have resulted if another path or journey was taken. I really found Katya’s journey enjoyable as she tries to find another way to consolidate what she truly wants with her dreams.
Katya is a gripping novel that follows an artist’s delicate but intriguing life and her quest to find true love and happiness. It’s an excellent read that readers will have a hard time putting down, and I strongly recommend it.
Pages: 325 | ASIN: B0BMZF5HBH
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