An Interview with Carol Preflatish

Please join me in welcoming Carol Preflatish as she shares with us a little information about her writing as well as a peek at her latest release, Saved by the Sheriff.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

Website

Blog

Books:

Love, Lies & Deceit from Red Rose Publishing

Saved by the Sheriff from Secret Cravings Publishing

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

I started writing seriously in 2000. My interest in writing started way back in high school composition classes. Then, the 1980's I started writing fan fiction. I enjoyed writing it so much, I decided to give writing regular fiction a shot. 

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

My first book was "Love, Lies & Deceit" released in 2009 from Red Rose Publishing. I believe I'm a better writer now than I was then and I'm sure there would be lots I would change if I edited it now.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

I think my creativity influences my writing the most. I love to think up new things for my characters to do.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

No place in particular. My current book is very loosely based on a real mystery that happened about 50-60 years ago near where I live.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

My worse hindrance is my day job. I'm so tired when I get home, I don't want to write. The other distraction I have is photography. I recently got interested in it again and am participating in the 365project.org where you take and post a photo every day.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?

I'm currently published in romantic suspense, but I really want to write a contemporary mystery and have started writing a mystery series, when I can find the time to work on it.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

I do a little of both, but lean more toward a by-the-seat-of your-pants writer.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

Of my published books, my current one, "Saved by the Sheriff" is my favorite, but the mystery that I am working on is my passion right now.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

I do like to incorporate some of my likes and dislikes into the characters, such as music, movies, and food.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

I don't think anyone is perfect. They have to have flaws to make them realistic.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

My latest book is Saved by the Sheriff and can be purchased from Secret Cravings Publishing with several formats to choose from, for Kindle and for Nook .

Blurb:

New York City writer, Jaime Wilson wants the Assistant Editor job at Real Mystery Magazine. In order to get it, she has to write a kick-ass story, and what could be better than a 30-year old unsolved murder in a small town.

When Jaime visits Royal, Indiana to investigate, she soon finds that someone in the town doesn't want the mystery solved and she becomes a target. After an arrest for trespassing and an attempt on her life, Sheriff Ben Hunter lets her stay at his place where he can keep an eye on her while she continues to work on her story.

She didn't count on falling in love with the sheriff and he didn't think he would have to work so hard to keep her safe. Finally, when she finishes her story, she has to make her choice whether to stay with Ben or go back to New York.

Excerpt:
Jaime carefully walked up to the old house that stood near a newer home with a barn between the two. She took a few pictures through the windows. The inside of the house looked like no one had been there in years. Perhaps left just the way it was when the Murdock's had last been there. She stood at the front door and couldn't resist trying the knob. The door opened.

"I don't think that's a good idea," he warned.

"I'll just take one picture of the inside and then we'll go." She took one step into the house.

"I don't think that's a good idea," he related again.

"You should listen to the boy," a deep voice echoed from behind them.
She knew that voice.

"Come on out."

Jaime turned to see Ben standing at the corner of the old house, handcuffing Bobby behind his back. "What are you doing?" she asked, walking over to them.

"Arresting him for trespassing. You're next."

"What!"  

"Didn't you see the No Trespassing sign?" Ben asked.

"Yes, but..."

"Then you should have turned back. Now, turn around."

Jaime put her camera on the porch and turned around for Ben to handcuff her. "This isn't exactly what I had in mind when I thought of you handcuffing me," she mumbled to him.

He didn't answer, but instead picked up her camera and led them through the trees to his police car that was parked in front of the other house. She assumed it belonged to the Cook family. A woman in a housedress stood on the front porch.

"They won't be back out here again, Mrs. Cook," Ben called to the lady.
"Thanks, Sheriff."

He opened the back door of his car and Bobby got in. Before Jaime got in, she looked up at Ben. "I'm sorry."

He didn't answer, but put his hand on top of her head so she wouldn't bump it as he guided her into the car.

13) What do you have in the works?

I'm currently working on a story about a millionaire who meets and hires a personal chef to cook for his dinner parties. Things start heating up in the kitchen when these two start cooking.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?

My advice would be to not give up, always work on your writing skills, and at the same time learn about the business of writing.

An Interview with Cara Marsi

Please join me in welcoming Cara Marsi as she shares with us a little information about her writing journey, her writing inspirations and distractions, and what she’s got in the works.

Be sure to check out her excerpt for Murder, Mi Amore, after the interview.

1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

Website

Buy links plus excerpts for all my books, except my short story anthology, are on my website.

Short story anthology, A Cat’s Tale & Other Love Stories

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

I’ve been writing seriously since 1992. A friend and I were trading Harlequin romances, looked at each other one day and said, “We can write these.” It took 10 long years before I sold my first book. Writing is hard work.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

My first published book was a traditional romance, A Catered Affair, from Avalon Books. I originally wrote it as sensual but had to take out the sex, alcohol and cursing for Avalon. I have the digital rights to it and will soon publish it electronically but with a new title and cover. I added back the alcohol (wine drinking), some curse words and a love scene. One thing I learned from this book is that when I had to take out the love scenes the book was stronger because I had to focus on the relationship between the characters and not depend on the love scenes.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

I’ve loved to read from the minute I learned how. Elizabeth Howard, who wrote a series of YA romances that I read as a young teen, probably influenced me more than anyone. I loved her books and wanted to be a writer like her. Also I used to read Robert Ludlum. When I heard he had a house in the Caribbean and wrote from a terrace overlooking the ocean, I thought all writers made that kind of money. Was I ever wrong.

5) Where do you get your ideas?

From instances in my own life, like in A Catered Affair. From TV shows and movies, from news items. From everyday things all around me.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

My husband and my cat hinder my writing. My husband keeps coming into my office to talk and my cat comes in and cries until I leave my desk and walk her to her food bowl to watch her eat.

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore?

I’m most comfortable with contemporary romance and romantic suspense. I have one paranormal romance out now, Cursed Mates, from Noble Romance Publishing. I’d like to write more paranormal.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

I have to have an outline. I’ve tried writing seat-of-my pants and it didn’t work. I like to be organized.

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

That’s a tough question. I love them all. A Catered Affair has a special place because it’s my first. Logan’s Redemption, a romantic suspense, holds a special place too because it’s a story that had jumbled around in my head for years. Murder, Mi Amore, a 2012 EPPIE finalist for best romantic suspense, is dear to me because it’s set in Italy, a country I love. I could go on. I love them all for different reasons.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

Yes, all the time. I think every author puts a little of herself into everything she writes, like that famous chef who said every cook should put a little of herself into everything she cooks. I love cats, and most of my stories have a cat character. I have always fought to be independent and my heroines fight for their independence. Personality? I’m shy so my heroines are usually on the shy side.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

A woman who has flaws and knows it. A woman who knows what she wants and fights for it.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

Other than my anthology of short, sweet romance stories, I have a new novella, a contemporary romance called Loving Or Nothing.

Here’s the blurb:

No stranger to loss, Tami Morrelle is holding on with one satiny thread to the only thing she has left that ties her to her loved ones - the family bridal shop.

Local bad boy Daniel Ramsey is back in town and on a mission - to turn Tami's world upside down - any way he can.

Daniel needs Tami's beachfront home and business to complete his crowning achievement as a successful developer. His latest proposal hinges on buying former high school classmate Tami's land to make it happen. More importantly, it will show those in Loving who were convinced he'd amount to less than nothing they were dead wrong about him.

For Daniel, it's Loving or nothing. For Tami, selling out to Daniel will leave her with nothing. But when the ruthless developer and sentimental bridal shop owner clash, sparks fly.

A secret crush. Two wounded hearts. Will Daniel and Tami be willing to give up what they think they need and open their hearts to what really matters in Loving?

(Includes bonus short story, "Accidental Love.")

Available now exclusively on Amazon Kindle, also available in print.

13) What do you have in the works?

As I mentioned, I’m revising A Catered Affair, now titled, A Catered Romance. I hope to have that available by Valentine’s Day. And I have a very steamy novella called Storm of Desire, which will be out in a few months.

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?

Read the kind of books you want to write, attend workshops and conferences, learn the business side of writing and never give up. Writers who give up never publish. Write what you love.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) What is the sexiest or most erotic thing someone has said to you?

When I first started dating my husband he told me I was a hell of a woman. I thought that was really sexy. He also said he found my slightly rounded belly sexy.
2) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?

A cat, what else?

3) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?

I’d be like Samantha in the old “Bewitched” TV series. I’d twitch my nose and my house would be cleaned.

4) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?

A witch. See above.

5) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?

Cats would be idolized because they are the best creatures in the world; we’d stop killing wolves because they are magnificent, much-maligned creatures; and it would rain every night while we slept so that every day would be sunny. Of course I’d want world peace. That goes without saying.

6) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?

I’ve always wanted to see Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone. I’ve seen most of the major national parks but those two. I’ve always wanted to see the Alamo and will see that in March when I attend EPICon.

8) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?

I don’t like clutter. I clean out my closets and drawers twice a year.

9) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?

Not anymore.

Author Name: CARA MARSI

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Book Title: MURDER, MI AMORE

Genre: ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Publisher: THE WILD ROSE PRESS

Purchase: AMAZON

Format: EBOOK

BLURB:
Lexie Cortese is in Rome to forget. The last thing she expects is to meet a sexy Interpol agent who suspects her of being part of a terrorist plot involving a stolen diamond. Suddenly thrust into a world of murders, muggings, and kidnappings, Lexie doesn’t know what to think—or who to believe.

Dominic Brioni’s assignment is simple. Befriend the American and bring her to justice. Only Lexie seems the most unlikely terrorist Dominic has ever met. Sweet, determined, and direct, she faces life with courage and fire, a fire that sparks his protective instincts and a longing for something more—something he allowed himself to hope for only once before.
But that woman betrayed him, and his boss isn’t about to let him forget it. With his career on the line and Lexie in danger, will Dominic learn to trust his heart before they both get killed?

EXCERPT: PG

Lexie had started to run to him when someone grabbed her arm, pulling her around. A man, his face hidden by a ski mask, held tightly to her. Her shock ratcheted to fear. “Let go,” she yelled, trying to jerk her arm away from him, but his grip tightened. The dim light from the balcony above illuminated his flat black eyes. She had seen those eyes before. Holy shit. She was in trouble.

The masked man grabbed for her purse. She screamed, and with strength she didn’t know she possessed, whammed him on the head with her purse. He staggered back, swearing, and slipped and fell. Lights and freedom beckoned from the nearby Via Corsi, but all Lexie could think about was Dominic. Turning on her heels, she ran to him, slipping on the ancient stones herself as Dominic struggled to stand. But before she could reach him, the mugger caught up with her and grabbed her shoulder, twisting her around. Dominic sprang up and flew at the mugger, knocking him to the ground. The two men grappled, rolling together on the cobbled street. Lexie, her heart thumping wildly, looked for an opening to bean the mugger again, to give Dominic a better chance at overcoming him.

“Stop it! Stop it! Leave him alone!” The mugger ended up on top, and she whaled away with her bag, getting in any shot she could.

Shouts and the slap of running feet vibrated through the alley. The mugger swore, jumped up, and raced away, a few men giving chase. Several others helped Dominic to stand, yelling in excited voices, and gesturing toward where their attacker had disappeared.

Dominic winced in pain. Lexie looked down at his ripped, blood-soaked pant leg. “Dominic, you’ve got to get to the hospital. You’re bleeding.”

“I’m okay,” he said. “It is nothing.” Brushing dirt off his jacket, he turned to the men and said something in rapid Italian. With nods, they strode away.

Breathing heavily, Lexie disagreed. “You’re not okay. We’ll get a cab and take you to the hospital.”

He cupped her shoulders. “I’ve been through worse. I’m fine. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

“No. I’m…” The full impact of what had happened hit her. The adrenaline that had given her strength suddenly dissipated and she began to tremble. “I’m not okay.”

“Lexie.” Dominic moved forward to take her into his arms. She held on for dear life, needing his strength. He rubbed his hand along her back. “It’s okay, Lexie. We’re both okay. You’re safe with me.”

She clung to him. It wasn’t her imagination. Strange things were happening. She had nothing anyone could want. She didn’t know who to trust. Dominic said she was safe with him. But was she really?