Hi Kathryn! And welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! Thank you for taking time out of your workday to answer some questions. The readers are anxious to learn something about Kathryn L. Nelson.

Kathryn, it is so great to have you with us this morning. We are anxious to hear about Pemberley Manor. I understand you dove into the characters to make this an excellent read. You even have some Jane Austen links on your website. Why not tell the readers about Pemberley Manor, Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice continued?

Thanks for inviting me to talk with you and your readers at Fallen Angel Reviews, Linda. It's always fun for me to reminisce about the Pemberley Manor escapade. (New title from Sourcebooks, by the way, is Pemberley Manor…Darcy and Elizabeth, for better or for worse, which I think really sums up the story.) My fascination with the Darcys sprang from the question of what their first year of marriage would bring. Both characters are intelligent, passionate, and strong-minded. In my experience, that can lead to a bumpy and exciting start to a marriage.

The second part of my quest was to invent a back-story for Darcy that would explain his brooding temperament. I invented a family that could supply the history of Darcy's parents, as well as a young man who knew Darcy as a boy. The other characters come from Jane Austen - who could resist playing a little with the maddening Caroline Bingley, now that she holds no power for harm - or does she?

The book is a mystery of sorts, unwrapping the past one layer at a time, with Darcy resisting and Elizabeth encouraging. Although it has its dark moments, I hope you'll find it humorous, as that is the characteristic I most admire in Austen's writing and most wish to imitate.

After living in Kuwait for three years, was there anything in particular that you thought was a learning experience that you wanted to share with others?

Well, that's another book yet to be written. It was and still is for me a learning experience. One thing I found particularly interesting was observing the way expatriate wives - mainly American and British - used different approaches to create a new life in a very different setting from their homes. I think the ones who found contentment were those who suspended judgments and plunged in with both feet, learning the language and embracing the adventure. I am so profoundly changed by opening my heart and mind to the novelty of life in Kuwait.

I read your story about Nayef and was deeply touched. I believe you even started a school in Kuwait thanks to Nayef. Would you tell us if that was a hard accomplishment?

With the possible exception of writing Pemberley Manor, nothing captured my imagination like that school did. It began with a search for a good school for my son, a three-year-old with Down syndrome, and led me to other families whose children were excluded from the educational system at that time because of a lack of knowledge and resources. Most had autism or cerebral palsy; they were Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis, united by the vision that their children deserved an education. We began with the borrowed mantra, "First do no harm," and we learned by gathering teachers, therapists, books and dedicated, caring volunteers. It was a magical time, as one piece after another fell into place - definitely an idea whose time had come. Today in Kuwait there are dozens of options for these families.

If someone were writing a story about Kathryn, what type of character would describe you?

Curious should be my middle name, although my grandfather dubbed me "Laffy Kaffy" when I was little. I adore novelty; I thrive on the edges of society where people are a little unpredictable.

Is your work area neat or cluttered?

I work in clutter, but as I grow older I find I'm craving order, so that may be changing. I enjoy moving from one project to the next, so I have a desk made from a very large door and it's generally sporting several "in process" piles.

Do you get much contact from your readers?

As this is my first book, I don't have a following. I've just spent a month learning about the amazing world of blogging and I'm finding it delightful to get feedback from readers and other writers. I'm looking forward to doing some library and bookstore appearances in the future.

What book have you read that left a strong impression you will never forget?

In a negative way, it would be Lord of the Flies - I still give myself a little twist in the stomach when I think about that story of humanity gone wrong. For the sheer musicality of words, I would choose John Gardner's Jason and Medeia.

This question always leaves me in torment, by the way - I can never narrow it down to just one, as so many writers have influenced me at different periods of my life.

If you could meet any famous person in the world who would it be and why?

Oh, it would be so lovely to spend an afternoon with Nelson Mandela or Desmond Tutu. What they've managed to introduce to our world by way of compassion, courage and humor is such a gift. I'm sure they would be delightful company.

You just won a day of pampering, anything you desire to eat, any place to visit, or whatever your heart desires. What would your day consist of?

The day would consist of a private writing class with John Gardner in the morning and a swim with a dolphin in the afternoon. The evening would consist of dinner at a French restaurant, a stroll through an old village in the Alps, and a bottle of Argentine Malbec on the patio of a chalet.

If you were to ask you to write a story on an outdoorswoman, and you had to live in a tent for thirty days to begin the story, what picturesque area would you choose as your setting and why?

I would choose a place along the coast of Newfoundland. Windy and rocky and austere, preferably in the summer. The noise of wind and surf would be a great backdrop for writing. There would be no internet distractions, no news or cell phones. I rarely have a chance to be totally alone and disconnected.

A genie just gave you three wise wishes, what are your wishes?

One of my son's favorite movies is "Miss Congeniality," and in the words of all of the contestants in the beauty contest she spoofs, "World peace" would be a great joy for me. I have been wishing that we all take a very long slow breath and give President Obama some space to repair the rift of anger and disillusionment that has grown in the past years toward the United States. I think he has a good chance of doing it. I would ask the genie to gently move the Palestinians and Israelis down the road toward a solution to their conflict. And I would ask for a balm to be poured over fanatics of every religion on earth to calm and enlighten them. Is that a bit too much to ask?

If you could be a character in any movie, which movie would you choose?

Definitely an elderly neighbor and confidante of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.

What one word describes your family?

Extraordinary.

Can you share your website with us, myspace or any other links?

I'm pretty pleased to have finally created a website, klnelson.net, but I haven't ventured deeper into the amazing world of internet presences. I do enjoy the guest blogging enormously, though.

Kathryn, you are a beautiful lady with all you do, and I am so glad to have been able to interview you. I am sure with all the history in your family, you could compose many books. Thanks for sharing the link to the Minnesota Memories, too, and may all your dreams come true.

Thanks so much, Linda. I'm living a truly wonderful life, full of adventure, surprises and good company. The icing on the cake is having an opportunity to share stories with other readers and writers. Thanks for opening the door to the Fallen Angels.

Interviewed by: Linda L.