Who Will Be My Valentine? After Lots Of Hard Work, Author Takes The ‘Prize’

Mary Pat Kanaley didn’t set out to write a romance novel.

She didn’t know any romance writers. And beyond her introduction to “Jane Eyre” and “Wuthering Heights” in sixth grade, the freelance illustrator hadn’t read many romances.

Her sister, an inner-city Chicago teacher, started things rolling when she asked Kanaley for help researching pre-slavery black heritage.

While exploring library material, Kanaley hit upon the idea of writing a children’s story about Zulu tribal life. “I’ve always loved history,” she explains.

Her research took Kanaley three years, including 2 a.m. telephone conversations with experts in South Africa.

And by the time she finished it, Kanaley’s book had evolved into a romance.

At a friend’s urging, Kanaley sent sample chapters off to 10 publishers. To her amazement, three wrote back asking to see the whole book. “Warrior’s Prize” arrived in stores last August under Kanaley’s maiden name, Patricia Williams.

Despite encouraging reaction to her book, including a $4,000 publisher’s advance and favorable reviews, the 34-year-old wife and mother of two still juggles writing with her art career.

Kanaley’s next-generation sequel to “Warrior’s Prize,” due out in May, is a historical romance called “Freedom’s Song,” set on the Oregon Trail. And one of her short stories soon will appear in Good Housekeeping magazine.

She also wrote the second chapter of “Who Will Be My Valentine?” in today’s Spokesman-Review.

Kanaley, who has degrees in biology and chemistry, admits some initial reluctance to introducing herself as a romance writer.

“But after meeting other authors, I’ve changed my attitude,” she says. “These women are extremely literate and knowledgeable - they’re not frustrated housewives.”