KT Bishop Shares his Newest Release- Cotton Patch

Thank you KT for stopping by and answering some questions.  I'm so glad to have you on my blog.  Your latest story looks like a tearjerker. 

Tell us about yourself: I grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, went to college there and earned a journalism degree. I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, surrounded by white sandy beaches and warm weather!


What television sitcom is most like your family? I don't think there's a show to describe my family, but any of the Tyler Perry movies does.


What’s your favorite thing to do to relax? Watch football games and write books.

If you had to be one of your characters, which would you be and why? Probably ML Cotton from the Cotton series because he's got $75 million. 

Do you prefer…
Beer or wine? Wine

Exercise or Watching TV? Watching TV, but I definitely need to exercise.

Coke or Pepsi? A pepsi product, Mountain Dew (ha ha)

Living without car or living without your computer? I need my wheels.

Now about you as an author…
Did you always want to be an author? Not really.  I didn't think I had the patience to do so. Once I got into the groove, I couldn't stop. 

What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? Carly Phillips, Pamela Britton, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Holly Jacobs, Joanne Rock.

Did anyone in your life influence you or encouraged you to be a writer? A former classmate said I should try it. I fought like hell until I gave it a shot!

What is your favorite aspect or writing? Developing the plot-line. Your least favorite? Doing the edits when they come back.

What aspect of writing would you most like to improve on? Continue my development in all aspects: plot-line, showing emotions and making strong characters.

Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing? As long as I have wireless, I can listen to music.

Do you have a common theme or item that appears in each of your books? I write under the Banner Sports Romance.

What have you learned the most from being in the writing business? How to write with emotions and changing scenes.

Tell us about your latest release: Cotton Patch, which comes out today at Red Rose Publishing, chronicles the journey of ML Cotton's dream of becoming a black starting quarterback in the NFL. It's the sequel to Picking Cotton, released in 2009. Set in the 1980's, ML also has to handle playing college football trying
to graduate as well as address his pregnant girlfriend, Jennifer Monet. Guess
you can say ML has a full plate (laughs).

How did you decide on your story plot? From a forgotten time, the 1980's, It was one of those stories that I felt needed to be done. Interracial relationships in the 80's were not accepted like it is today. ML and Jennifer overcame those odds during high school in Picking Cotton. ML's mother, Annie Cotton, still had doubts about Jennifer. 

How did you choose your characters names and location for your story? I wanted my hero to have an important name. M.L. Stands for Martin Louis Cotton, named after Martin Luther King and boxing legend Joe Louis.

Do you have a favorite scene? The scene where Jennifer's water broke in their home and ML flipped out. She took charge of the whole situation in-spite of huge pain. 

Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why? ML Cotton because he had to overcome so much adversity to find success. 
 
Here's a link to Cotton Patch:http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=100&products_id=1018

Excerpt:

ML handed his blushing bride the white cordless phone, urging her to call her mother for a Christmas Eve wedding in New Orleans. “I want my beautiful woman to have the wedding of her dreams.”

She embraced him over the loving gesture. “This means so much to me.”

Full of radiant energy, she called her parents. “Momma, call Father Andrew, we want to get married around Christmas.”

Charlotte, folding up towels on the other end, questioned her motives. “Why do it so soon? Let’s wait until the spring.”

Biting her tongue, Jennifer covered. “We graduate in December, but we want to walk the stage with our classmates next spring. ML can get ready for the pros.”

Before the Monet' matriarch got the ball rolling for an elaborate Catholic-style, Christmas wedding, she handed John the phone. 

“So you two want to get married.”

She released her emotions through the phone. “Yes daddy, I’ve never wanted anything else my whole life.”

Jennifer gave the phone to her secret husband for a man-to-man talk. “ML, is there something you want to say?’’ John asked.

“I’m in love with your daughter and can’t live without her. I want your permission to marry her.”

The young couple shared the phone, gluing their ears to hear John’s verdict. “I really like you and welcome to the family.”

“Thanks daddy,” a glowing Jennifer said.

ML called his parents for the announcement. “Don’t make any plans for Christmas, we’re getting married during that time.”

Annie, walking inside the home from a long hospital shift, was nonchalant.

“I’m not surprised this day came, congratulations.” 

Herman was more upbeat. “We’re happy for you two.”

“Thank you Mr. Cotton; I can’t wait to join the family,” Jennifer gleamed.

With her parents’ approval, Jennifer surprisingly pulled out a thin paperback book from her suitcase and handed it to an unassuming ML.

“Before we get married for real, you need to read this for the next six weeks.”

“Why?”  ML asked.

She placed her hands onto his shoulders and explained. “Since you’re not a Catholic, my religion requires non-Catholics to attend class. The baby will be raised as a Catholic, because I’m his mother. Do you have a problem with that?”

Wearing a befuddled mask, ML rubbed his eyes. “I had no idea, but I can live with that. It’s been wonderful living with one Catholic; it will be twice as wonderful with two Catholics.” She locked their lips together. 

She turned on the radio to unwind before going to bed. Wham’s “Careless Whisper,”their favorite song in high school, was playing during her coronation as Homecoming Queen. He asked for her hand and they swirled around the bedroom to revisit the past. A burning desire filled their bodies during the slow ballad playing on WTOY 96.5 FM. On that muggy, moonlit Friday night in
October, 1985, they officially declared their love for each other.  The fire still burned, resulting in marriage and a child on the way. 

“I love you more now than I did back then,” a smiling Jennifer said.

ML matched her passionate words. “You’re still that beautiful person I fell in love with five years ago.”

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Let our readers know how they can get a hold of you…
www.kenibird.blogspot.com;
www.ktbishop.webs.com;
www.twitter.com_tyroc10

Thanks again for stopping by and sharing your latest story.  Don't forget if you haven't read the first book in the Cotton series, it sets the stage for this book.  You should read them both today!

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