LAST PAGE: Kelly Bargabos, 58
She published her first novel, ‘Loving Lavender Finch,’ in June; she is already working on a sequel
By Mary Beth Roach
Q: Can you give our readers a summary of your first novel?
A: “Loving Lavender Finch” is about secrets, shame and the life-changing power of love. Lavender is just a girl on the edge of the rest of her life when trauma shows up, but instead of telling people what happened, Lavender keeps her trauma a secret, which leads to more lies and bad decisions until she finds herself locked in a lonely place surrounded by shame, until she finally figures out that trusting people with her truth is the one thing that will make room for the love that changes everything. Also, it’s an unexpected love story. Lavender meets a boy from Cuba through a class project and they eventually fall in love despite the long distance. Closer to home, Lavender gets a second chance at a relationship with her grandmother and these two women form a beautiful and poignant bond.
Q: What is your background?
A: I’ve spent the last 30 years working in the corporate world in various leadership and C-suite roles, most recently as chief financial officer / chief operations officer of San Diego Theatres, Inc. About 20 years ago, I also got serious about my writing. I began to study my craft at the Downtown Writers Center in Syracuse and graduated from their creative nonfiction program. I wrote a memoir, “Chasing the Merry-Go-Round: Holding Onto Hope & Home When the World Moves Too Fast,” which won a Nautilus Book Award. I’ve also been a lifelong student of leadership and wrote another nonfiction book, “Here to Lead: Mastering the Art of Leadership to Execute Strategy, Advance Change and Drive Results.” “Loving Lavender Finch” is my first novel.
Q: What prompted you to write this novel?
A: I woke up out of a sound sleep one morning with three words: “Loving Lavender Finch.” I knew right away that this was the title of a story. Later that morning, I got this full paragraph: Loving Lavender Finch was easy. Or so it seemed. At least for the people around her who threw the phrase, “love you,” around like a simple game of catch. For Lavender, it was more like monkey in the middle. They said “I love you,” but the ball was always just out of reach. She never quite believed them. It was too easy. It seemed effortless for them to blurt the words out on a regular basis. She knew loving her wasn’t that easy. Or at least it shouldn’t be.
Q: The book was published in June. How have sales been going?
A: Sales have been going really well. I’ve had some really great support and response from the local chains, like Barnes and Noble and also some independent bookstores. I also have some book clubs. I think it’s a great option for a book club because there’s so much to relate to Lavender and to really talk about. I’m really excited about that.
Q: Do you set up all these book signings yourself?
A: I could hire someone to do it. I think this is where my business background really comes in handy because I do have that side of my brain that understands business and what you need to do to sell a product. I’m doing it all myself. It’s a lot of work, but I’m enjoying it.
Q: Are you planning a second novel?
A: I am writing the sequel to this story because there’s more that needs to happen. For a lot of people who’ve read it so far, their No. 1 question is, ‘What happens to Lavender? I need to know more. I need to know what happens next with her and her boyfriend, Martin.’ I’m working on book two right now.
Q: Is there a working title for this book yet and when do you think readers can expect it to come out?
A: The working title of the sequel is “Finding Lavender Finch,” expected to be released in the fall of 2026.