Kathleen lives in a suburb in North Texas and is represented by Jeanie Loiacano of Loiacano Literary Agency. Since her novel’s release in February, she has been holding numerous author events/signings in Texas and New Mexico as well as speaking and reading excerpts on Public Radio. She has led a workshop at the Houston Writers Guild’s pre-conference, published an article in Southern Writers Magazine, and was featured in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Stars & Stripes. Kathleen has a particular connection with the military; her husband is a retired fighter pilot/commercial airline pilot and her youngest son is a former Army officer who deployed to Afghanistan in 2014. Her first novel, The Final Salute, takes place on an air force base.

“Kathleen M. Rodgers masterfully unfolds the faded, damaged petals of her flawed characters to reveal their glorious essence in this gripping story about the soul’s risk and its inevitable redemption,” wrote Parris Afton Bonds, New York Times bestselling author

The cover was a collaboration between the designer, Sabrina Sun, and the book’s editors. Says Publisher Catherine Treadgold, “With our covers, we try to convey the tone and texture of the story. There is a climactic scene that takes place by a lake, and the dock symbolizes Johnnie's dilemma of how to go forward. The dog and the bird on the back are also key elements in the plot.”

To Kathleen, the dock represents a path or a road that beckons the reader to step forward and explore. She was especially pleased by the positive review from one important critic: “My eldest son is a working artist,” says Kathleen. “He holds a BFA in Studio Printmaking and it was important to me that he like the cover. After Camel Press sent me the first mockup, I immediately sent the image to my son. Seconds later he texted me back and said, “Mom, it has shelf-appeal!” Overjoyed, I then sent the image to my younger son, who’d just deployed to Afghanistan. Having a beautiful cover for my latest book baby gave me hope.”

Johnnie Come Lately tells the story of Johnnie Kitchen, a wife and mother living in Northern Texas. Despite her outwardly happy existence, she yearns for a way to fulfill her dreams and end her nightmares. Her beautiful but flighty mother abandoned her, and a dark secret hangs over the family concerning the death of her uncle—Johnnie’s namesake. Johnnie was raised by loving grandparents, but until recently, she struggled with an eating disorder. Now, as she deals with turmoil in her marriage and problems with her children, she longs to go back to school and become a writer.

Kathleen M. Rodgers’ stories and essays have appeared in many magazines and anthologies. For more information, go to www.kathleenmrodgers.com.

Johnnie Come Lately is available in eBook and 5x8 trade paperback formats online at BN.com, Amazon.com, the European Amazons and Amazon Japan. Bookstores and libraries can order through Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Partners West, or by contacting info@camelpress.com or Brodart. Other eBook formats are for sale on Smashwords.

ABOUT Camel Press—Based in Seattle Washington, Camel Press is the genre imprint of Coffeetown Enterprises, Inc.