About the Book

Book: A Christmas at Hotel del Coronado

Author: Kathleen Denly

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: October 8, 2024

When death visits Coronado, will secrets of the past keep them from uncovering the truth?

Her entire life, Eleanore Wainright has been molded to fit the ideal society wife in the glittering world of New York’s elite. Her father’s aspirations for her are clear: marry a man of wealth and status, and secure their family’s future. But when she arrives at the Hotel del Coronado with intentions to do just that, Eleanore’s carefully laid plans are thrown into disarray when she comes face to face with Thomas Harding, the man who shattered her heart and disappeared without a trace.

Working as a bellboy at California’s newest and most prestigious resort, Thomas never imagined crossing paths with Eleanore again, let alone amidst the backdrop of a suspicious death.

As the investigation continues and tensions rise, Eleanore and Thomas are forced to confront not only the ghosts of their past but also the secrets that threaten to destroy their future and the futures of those they hold dear. With the eyes of New York’s elite upon them, they must choose between the responsibilities they’re expected to fulfill and the love they’ve always yearned for, risking everything in the process.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny California with her loving husband, four young children, two dogs, and ten cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

More from Kathleen

A Christmas at Hotel del Coronado was inspired first by the true events surrounding the tragic death of a mysterious woman that occurred at Coronado’s world famous hotel in November of 1892, and second by the fun antics of Miss Scarlet in the Masterpiece television show, Miss Scarlet and the Duke.

Although Miss Scarlet is a professional sleuth, I chose to make my heroine, Eleanore Wainright, an amateur sleuth who typically puts her keen observation skills to use when secretly writing her own mystery novels. That is, until an unexpected death compels her to use those skills to uncover the truth. Of course my hero, Thomas Harding, gets wrapped into helping her despite the tension of past heartbreak lying between them.

One of the most fun parts of writing this story was seeing Eleanore’s spunky Aunt Gladys support and encourage her niece. Aunt Gladys has an energy and sassiness that belies her years. And today, her curiosity has got the better of her. You see, Eleanore is being stubborn and won’t reveal the title of her current work in progress, so Aunt Glady is snooping through her niece’s room for clues.

To learn more about the true history behind this story, look for the author’s note at the back of the book!

Interview with Kathleen

How long does it take you to write a book?

This depends on the book. Some books come faster than others, but with each book it is the brainstorming, researching, and plotting that takes the longest. (Emphasis on the research!) Altogether, it usually takes me seven to ten months to go from premise to a completed second draft. At that point I submit the manuscript to my publisher and editing takes a few more months. Which is why I typically release one book per year, although I was able to also squeeze in a novella in 2020, 2022, and this year. 

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

When I was fourteen, I woke up in the wee hours of the morning with an idea for a novel. I had never considered writing a book before, but the very next day I started writing. I started on my old, hand-me-down computer. Then my family went on a road trip and I transitioned to writing with pencil on a yellow legal pad. I probably wrote ten thousand words that way. Off and on over the years I continued adding to that story until I went to college and finally realized that a general market contemporary romance wasn’t what I wanted to write. So I deleted it. And I threw away every printed copy I had. Many people gasp when they hear this (especially writers) but I have no regrets. Two years later, I began writing my first Christian historical romance novel. That one needs massive rewrites and honestly a completely new story structure because I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I call that one my “practice novel.” It was the story I wrote after I thought that one was finished that finally became my debut novel, Waltz in the Wilderness.

How do you create your main characters?

My characters usually come to me as a spark of an idea and then they mature as I do the research (historical and Biblical) for the book. That spark can come from anywhere. It can come from listening to a sermon, from reading something interesting in my historical research, or from a conversation I have with a friend. All it takes is for my brain to go, “Wouldn’t it be interesting if _____ type of character were faced with _______ problem?” or “Oh, I wonder how someone would respond to that interesting  situation?” And then my imagination takes off.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Kathleen’s Readers’ Club is my newsletter where I share not only updates on my own writing journey, but also historical tidbits, deals on books, monthly scripture, and more. I would also love to connect with readers on Instagram @KathleenDenly and in my Facebook Group the Armchair Adventure Krew.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I am currently working on the last book in my Chaparral Hearts series and I know we’re not supposed to have favorites, but this one might be it for me. I have put this poor heroine through so much (mentioned in previous two novels and touched on here as well)! Getting to finally write her story of healing and happily-ever-after is such a pleasure. Plus, there are things I have hinted at in the previous two books which are finally fully revealed in this book and I feel like readers are going to get so much satisfaction from finally having their questions about this heroine answered. Also, she spends most of the novel running around with this posse of men (which readers of the previous books will know is a real stretch for her!). And each of these men have their unique voice and perspective. It is so much fun getting to write their little additions to this story. They really crack me up at times. I honestly can’t wait for this novel to be in readers hands! It is currently on preorder and will release June 3, 2025.

Blog Stops

Holly’s Book Corner, October 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 29

Texas Book-aholic, October 30

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 2

Devoted To Hope, November 3

Pause for Tales, November 3

Connie’s History Classroom, November 4

She Lives To Read, November 5

Simple Harvest Reads, November 6 (Guest Review from Donna)

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 7

Stories By Gina, November 8 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 8

Hannahbandanarama, November 9

Cover Lover Book Review, November 10

Blossoms and Blessings, November 11

Bizwings Book Blog, November 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize of an enamel mug, scented candle, A6 journal notebook, ballpoint pen with black ink, and a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5481