Kathleen M. Rodgers

Through the eyes of pilot and Chief Safety Officer Tuck Westerfield, we see military life. We see the sacrifices he makes, the politicking of the brass, the sacrifices his family makes, how the loss of friends and fellow pilots affects him and his family, how he copes (or doesn't cope as the case may be). Tuck survives to "retire" from the Air Force and move on to flying for an airline. He later gets to meet the son of one of his protégés and pass on the man's first set of wings and a coin that flew with Tuck on each of his flights throughout his life.… (mais)

Johnnie Kitchen is a 43-year old woman with three wonderful children, a handsome, hard-working husband who adores her, a grandmother who also cares for her in her own way, and lots of secrets—some of which are hers and some of which are others but impact on her. This is Johnnie’s story, a story rich with love and understanding as well as questions and doubts. The latter are very important to Johnnie. She has managed to overcome so much: a potentially life-threatening eating disorder, an unwed and strangely distant mother who literally abandoned her, grandparents who lovingly raised her but harbored important secrets about Johnnie and their own lives, a dead father (killed in the war) she never knew and whom no one ever mentioned. The author has crafted a superbly interesting story of Johnnie and her life and how everything and everyone around her impacts on Johnnie. The characters are real and well-developed. This story captures you from the get-go. However, there were times when the book did drag bit for me, and I desperately wanted the author to get on with Johnnie’s story. Still, this did not bother me all that much, mostly because I could understand, see and appreciate Johnnie’s story, and knew I needed to go through it all completely to fully understand Johnnie and to appreciate the rich story of her life. I have not read anything else by the author, but, after this, will look for other works by her. Kathleen Rogers is an author who writes superbly and has now become one of my must-read authors.… (mais)

Kathleen M. Rodgers captures several life-changing events in Johnnie Come Lately with empathy, seriousness and humor. Her characters are well-defined; her plot is very credible and her use of schemes to further her story all combine to make this a completely entertaining read.
I was captivated by Johnnie, Dale, Granny Opal (Johnnie’s grandmother), D.J., Cade, Callie Ann, and even Mr. Marvel. Brother Dog, the Kitchen’s faithful dog is interspersed within the story as a memorial to Kathleen Rodger’s Chocolate Lab, Bubba Dog.
Then we are introduced to the furtive character of Johnnie’s mother, Victoria. This shadowy figure is very intriguing – what made her leave home? In her story lies the answers to so many of the other characters life choices. Compassion for the failings of the characters; alcoholism, bulimia, promiscuousness and several more are threaded throughout the story. The events and choices are enriched by Johnnie when she writes to the characters in her journal. This journal is Johnnie’s way of coping with her own deficiencies.
To be able to treat such unpleasant situations with the understanding they deserve and then add believable humor to some of them takes a very talented writer and Kathleen is one of the small group of authors who can do it. As an example, the mental picture of an elderly man digging a hole in his yard for no apparent reason and then throwing a shovel in front of a fast moving vehicle for another “no apparent reason” is oddly humorous.
This is definitely a book you want to read!
Kathleen M. Rodgers’ first novel, The Final Salute, has been featured in USA-Today, The Associated Press, Military Times and many other publications. The novel soared to #1 on Amazon's Top Rated War Fiction in 2012, and the original paperback edition hit #2 on Amazon's Bestselling Military Aviation list in 2010. Deer Hawk Publications will reissue The Final Salute in both e-book and paperback in 2014.
She is a recipient of a Distinguished Alumna Award from Tarrant County College/NE Campus 2014.
Kathleen lives in Colleyville with her husband, Tom, a retired fighter pilot/ airline pilot and Denton, their shelter dog who adopted them after they lost Bubba Dog. She is the mother of two grown sons, one an award winning artist and the other a First Lieutenant in the US Army.… (mais)