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?
Women's Fiction / Mystery / Romance
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.
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, Sidney Sheldon, Danielle Steel, and Iris Johansen, you’d come close.
Then again, 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 Tina Wainscott/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 novel with its waterfalls, mountains, deep gorges, and
spectacular sunsets over the Great Smoky Mountains.
Although 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 is now available.
See my interview of the Kayak Guide Hottie here!
See my interview of the Kayak Guide Hottie here!
Or, just download the book to meet my characters.
According to readers, Land of the Noonday Sun has… "Passionate characters, beautiful settings, true love, and a bang-up mystery"
According to readers, Land of the Noonday Sun has… "Passionate characters, beautiful settings, true love, and a bang-up mystery"
Find both books at all Major eBook Retailers!
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.