Author Spotlight: The Fabulous KLE (Katherine L Evans)
Katherine L Evans has got to be one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. And by met, I mean on-line, because although we’ve never actually met in person, we have definitely become good friends. KLE is another author I found through my friend Rhon. I was instantly drawn to Katherine’s Romance in New Orleans (RNOLA) series because, well, it’s set in New Orleans. And I went to college in New Orleans. And I love everything I can get my hands on that resembles New Orleans. So I dove right in with My Favorite Mistake. Epic. Book. Hangover!
Here’s the thing- KLE knows drama, angst, intensity, and how to tell a freaking story! Her books have incredible depth- emotionally and developmentally. The RNOLA series is not a quick weekend binge. These are books you promise your heart and soul to. And they will pull you in, ring every emotion from you, then put you back together, and send you on your way with a solid, “Whoa! I was not ready… but I wanna do it again!” RNOLA books are the rollercoasters of the romance world. KLE’s topics are impassioned and soul-stirring, and she brings all the emotions. You will cry, but you’ll also laugh and scream at the characters, sometimes at the same time. And be ready to binge RNOLA in order. One of the things I truly love about this series, and KLE, is that she is creating a full world experience through the books. Yes, every book has an HEA, but each book and character is woven into the tapestry of an overarching story.
KLE has a Facebook group that has gone through a few iterations since I’ve joined. But what I love most about it is that it’s not just a place to chat about Katherine’s books. In fact, most of the chatter is not about her books. It’s about connections. KLE is one of the most raw, honest, insightful people I’ve met in a long time. She does not hold back in her thoughts or shy away from the difficult discussions. Much like the qualities she gives her characters, she is an emotionally intense person. And like all of us, she’s gone through some health issues the last couple of years. Reading about her experiences, and her feelings surrounding them, has helped a whole lot of us feel seen, acknowledged, and valued. Plus she shares feel-good stories, and some of the best eyecandy ever! Her group is a solid place of safety and joy. On many levels. Pretty cool.
Katherine is one of those authors I admire for way more than her writing. She takes chances. In fact, since I’ve known her she’s taken two major leaps in her career that just reinforce my feelings about her being a writer’s writer. I found KLE’s RNOLA series right after she pulled the already completed series from all platforms and rewrote book 1 (My Favorite Mistake). Yep, she had a fully written, completely published series. And she yanked them all because the self discovery she’d gone through in her career helped her understand that they weren’t what she wanted them to be. And she needed them to be what she wanted them to be. And the only way they could and would be what she wanted them to be was to give them all the time and love they deserved. So as of the publication of this article, she has rewritten and republished books one through three. And that’s how I read them. And fell in love with them.
And now she’s taking it another step further. She’s giving them new life in first person POV. The original and republished versions were all third person. Katherine and I spoke a few times about the different POV options, and she knew doing a third rewrite of books one through three would cut into her time for rewriting books four through seven. But she knows her books, style, and characters. And if she were to take that risk, better to do it now when she can still rewrite book four in the new POV and save her mind and heart the chaos of second guessing later. I’m personally extremely excited to dive into book one in first person! As well as books two and three for rereads and four through seven with new eyes. I love her RNOLA characters. Spending more time with them is going to be pretty damn amazing.
Beyond her writing, Katherine shares her experiences and joy of dance with her friends and readers. I love seeing the pictures of her at performances and classes. She shares the beautiful and the real pieces of that part of her life too. And I love how it gives her friends and readers insight into her life beyond her books. It’s a very special reminder that authors are so much more beyond their careers. I love seeing the people behind the pages. Somehow it makes even their characters more real for me.
Katherine has written twenty novels to date and although I’ve only read three of them so far, y’all can bet your butts I will read them all. And I will savor each and every one.
Just the facts:
First book I read by KLE: My Favorite Mistake
What I love most about her books: swoony heroes, strong heroines, deeply emotional plot lines, humor, found family.
Fave book by KLE: Back to You
Fave character: Luke (Yes, I licked him. He’s mine)
Fave cover: Luck of the Draw (because, Daniel R)
You can get several of her books on Amazon
You can find KLE on social media here:
