Readers asked...so here are the answers. Have more after reading...ask away! And, as you'll read at the bottom of the post, I do listen to readers. J
Land of the
Noonday Sun
It’s a weird story actually and most people—unless you are a
writer—may not get it, but here goes.
I don’t sketch out my ideas or plot out my books. A line or a
prompt will come to me via a song, a line I hear someone say, or simply walking
across the floor of an outdoor center in high heels.
Okay, sounds crazy but that’s exactly what happened. While
shopping for a gift for my husband, wearing business attire and high heels,
which were clicking along the hardwood floors in my favorite outdoor store in
Charlotte, I thought to myself, “Who would believe I’m an avid hiker or
whitewater kayaker?”
That was all it took. I opened up my notes in my iPhone and
started jotting down thoughts. My question: how does a city girl end up owning
an outdoor store in the middle of nowhere?
From there, I just start typing. Sometimes I even start in the
middle of the story and then go back and fill in the blanks.
What genre
would your book fall under?
Romantic / Mystery
Which actors
would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Without a doubt, now that he’s old enough, Zac Efron would play
the lead male role.
I don’t know her personality, but Mila Kunis is
almost exactly how I pictured Cassandra. (I couldn’t find an image that I could
use, so please click link to see.)
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
When two strangers have nothing left but their dreams, they must
forge a relationship in Nantahala, North Carolina, a small town known as Land
of the Noonday Sun.
Is your book published or represented?
How long did
it take you to write it?
It takes me about two months to write a book, but I spend about
eighteen months polishing it to where I want it.
What other
books in your genre would you compare it to?
I don’t know that I could really pinpoint books that are similar
to mine because I have tried to break out into a new style of writing. But…
I’ve been told if you mix Nicholas Sparks with Iris Johansen, you’d come close.
One reader said my first book, She Belongs to Me, reminded her of
Twilight meets Pretty Woman—without vampires and streetwalkers of course. I
don’t know that I see that, but it certainly didn’t offend me.
Which authors
inspired you to write this book?
Hmm…again. No specific author inspired me to write this novel or
any novel; I’ve been writing stories as long as I’ve been able to hold a pen. I
will say that my first favorite
writer was Sidney Sheldon, and if you look at my Goodreads profile, you’ll see
I’ve read almost everything from Ted Dekker and Jaime Rush.
Tell us
anything else that might pique our interest in your book.
Land of the Noonday Sun
was inspired by the beautiful town of Nantahala, where my husband and I have
spent countless hours kayaking and hiking. The area is a stunning backdrop for
a romantic-suspense with its waterfalls, mountains, deep gorges, and
spectacular sunsets over the Great Smoky Mountains.
Though I often start with tragic events that influence my
characters’ lives, I make sure I introduce you to my protagonists so that you
will have an intimate relationship, hopefully making you feel their
pleasure—and their pain.
Now if this post interested you at all, you may want to get your copy now, because per readers' request, I wrote a spin-off When Noonday Ends, which will be available by Christmas 2012.
According to readers, Land of the Noonday Sun is about… "Passionate
characters, beautiful setting, true love, & a bang-up mystery"
Download in Print or eBook:
I love talking about all
things books, so please connect with me via one of the links below.
Thanks, Carmen, I will certainly play along. I love any chance to talk about myself ... I mean, my work. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAlso, thanks for helping me to spread the word on my launch day for ALL FOR LOVE.