Welcome Carole Browne

Today I’d like to welcome Carole Brown. It’s great to have you here, Carole. I understand that you have a new book coming out. Congratulations! This is your first venture in writing a historical romance set in the Wild West.

How much time do you spend researching before you write?

I love research and many times get lost in it, so it’s definitely not a chore for me. I do quite a bit, depending on the book I’m writing. For Caleb’s Destiny, the setting and time period was different than any of my other books, so I tried to be careful to keep everything correct. That meant researching almost everything. Colors, food, guns, clothing, stagecoaches, speech, quilts, etc. 

My next book is the third book in my WWII series, so I can use much of the research I’ve already gathered for it. Of course, there are always a few things that still need to be looked into. This time around I checked again for the right songs I needed, the timing of the year I was using, a little more about military ranks, etc. 

I think readers will really enjoy this story. Can you share a short excerpt?

Caleb’s Destiny

Short Excerpt from Chapter One

Every bone in her body was broken.

Or at least, she was pretty sure they were, because that’s the way her body felt.

Destiny Rose McCulloch clenched her fingers together, swayed with the motion of the stagecoach, and ignored the leering stare of the man seated across from her.

She would have liked to give the man a piece of her mind, but that action would defy every etiquette lesson instilled within her at Miss Harriet’s School for the Genteel Lady. Besides, Reverend Richard Burke back in Boston would definitely not approve, and she wanted his approval very much. To be honest, she was trying her best to behave in a Christ-like manner. In spite of her tendency to speak her thoughts. In spite of the hot temper that refused to be dampened.

Destiny sighed. In spite of the twinge of temptation to stick out her tongue, she’d restrain herself and keep ignoring the rude gentleman—er—creature.

What a fun start! Tell your readers about a typical day in your life.

I’ve been using a List that I call “Carole’s Chore & Word Crawl.” Every morning (or sometimes the night before) I start by making a list of almost everything I’ll do the next day. For example, I might list something along these lines:

Rise, shower, dress, 40 mins: 

Devotions, 40 mins: 

Breakfast, 30 mins: 

Open email, delete:

Open Ms, 5 mins: 

Write 100 words: 

Etc. I vary the amount of words throughout my list, going w/100, 150, 200, etc. Usually I do way more than that each time, but it helps me to stay focused. By the end of the day, I’ve accomplished several chores and written several hundred (and more) words for the day. It’s really good inspiration for me to carry on and keep writing. I would encourage everyone who has problems staying on track to use something like this.

I like that. 🙂 How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing?

I’m not a knock-you-on-the-head with the gospel type of writer, but in most of mine, I try to lean that direction. In other words, I will gently hint at spiritual things. I want my novels to be read, not only by Christians but also those who do not profess. I’ve found that those people will accept my writing and praise it for not being too pushy with religion.

I agree. Do you have a favorite scene in your newest release?

Caleb’s Destiny

Book Excerpt from Chapter Six

After he settled into a seat across from her, he picked up his fork and looked at her. “Dig in.”

She hated it, but her cheeks were heating up again. “Do you mind…?”

“Mind?” His first bite headed toward his mouth. “If you eat?”

Why hadn’t she just said a silent, quick prayer? “Uh, I’d like to say a prayer. I’ve grown used to doing it at sch—uh, home.” And Richard had always insisted on it.

He dropped his fork. “Of course. Go ahead.”

Closing her eyes, she pressed her hands together. “Heavenly Father, we ask for your beautiful—I mean, bountiful blessings on our snack—breakfast, uh, tonight.” Destiny wanted to sink through the floor. She, who was the epitome of gracefulness at school; she who wanted to impress this confident man, was stumbling like a drunken cowboy. Whispering a “Father, forgive me” for butchering what should have been a simple prayer, she hastened to finish it. “Thank you for Mr. Michael’s hospitality, and help us to further our friendship.”

Ugh. He’d think she wanted something more than friendship. Destiny cringed and refused to glance at him. “Amen.”

Had that been a snicker? Surely not. She picked up her fork and shoved a tiny bite of egg in her dry mouth. She chewed and swallowed, but the former delicious-looking omelet refused to go down. She reached for her coffee and felt the food slide down with the coffee.

Ah, reprieved.

“Tell me, Miss McCulloch—it is Miss?”

He was laughing. She could hear it in his voice without even seeing his face. Her appetite vanished just as her temper kicked in. “It is Miss McCulloch to you, Mr. Michael, and I’ll thank you not to laugh at me.”

 “I wouldn’t dream of it.” And this time his voice was serious.

That’s a cute scene. What is one thing you hope readers will take away from your story?

Forgiveness is a big thing in Caleb’s Destiny. If forgiveness had happened in the past, there wouldn’t be so much trouble in the present time of the story.

 Great theme. What’s the official blurb?

Mr. Michael, Destiny Rose McCulloch, and Hunter have a mysterious history. Why were three fathers, all business partners, murdered under suspicious circumstances while on their quest to find gold? Hunter, who is Mr. Michael’s ranch manager, is determined to find the answers and protect the precocious young lady who he suspects holds a key answer to his questions. Mr. Michael wants only to be left alone to attend to his property, but what can he do when Destiny refuses to leave and captures the heart of everyone of his employees? Destiny almost forgets her quest when she falls in love with Mr. Michael’s ranch and all the people there. And then Mr. Michael is much too alluring to ignore. The preacher man back east where she took her schooling tried to claim her heart, but the longer she stays the less she can remember him. She only came west to find a little boy she knew years ago. A little boy all grown up by now…unless, of course, he’s dead.

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3egdd2q

Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/calebs-destiny-carole-brown/1137072312?ean=9781941622636

I’m sure readers would like to know a little more about you and where they can find you online.

Bio:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

FB Fan Page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/183457429657732/

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carole-brown

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/browncarole212/?hl=en

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a/