Monday, January 14, 2013

Interview with Romance Author Caroline Clemmons


Caroline writes full time from her home in rural North Central Texas where she lives with her Hero husband and their menagerie of rescued pets. After publishing twelve novels and three novellas, Caroline has plans for many more books in the future. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys family time, traveling with her Hero, genealogy and family history, and browsing antique malls and estate sales. 


Caroline Clemmons writes Romance, Mystery, and Adventure!

Welcome back to my blog, Caroline. Please tell us about your book, Bluebonnet Bride.

BLUEBONNET BRIDE is the third in the Men of Stone Mountain series, set in North Central Texas on the Brazos River. This is near the current site of Possum Kingdom Lake in the Palo Pinto Mountains. Most people would call them hills, but they are genuine mountains due to the formation. Comanche named them Palo Pinto because of the scrub oaks changing fall colors. Sheriff Joel Stone is the eldest of the Stone brothers, and the most serious in demeanor. In this book we learn that, while he appears businesslike, he has humorous internal dialogue. Rosalyn Vandagraff is posing as Rosalyn Dumas (her mother’s maiden name) and was wrongly accused of poisoning her husband and sentenced to hang. She lives in fear she will be discovered and sent back to the gallows.

Where did you get your inspiration for this novel?

I had the little movie in my head of Rosalyn some time back, but hadn’t slotted her into a book until I discovered Joel. They fit together so well because she is fearful of the law and he’s the sheriff. She is different from any heroine I’ve written before, which is always a good thing. 

I had the inspiration for the Men of Stone Mountain and the Stone brothers several years ago when I visited the historic Belding-Gibson Ranch. It’s a beautiful ranch, still large even after years of being divided among heirs. The original cabin remains and has been incorporated into the ranch house to preserve it. The Gibsons have done a beautiful job of respecting their heritage. Barbara Belding Gibson wrote an interesting book about the ranch, PAINTED POLE, which I have used for additional research.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

Even though I write this time period frequently, there is still a good bit of research involved with each new story. For this one, for instance, I was happy to learn that home sewing machines were adequate for Rosalyn’s use as a dressmaker. I’ve researched a lot of poisons for this series, as I wanted poisons that were easily available naturally.

Of course, we also have the Internet. I’d hate to be without Google, wouldn’t you? But Internet information must be double-checked to be certain it is correct. Only my characters and the town are fictional, I intend my books to be as factual as possible. That’s why I research every aspect of the story.

That’s wonderful. I love learning what an author researches for stories. You love to write western “sweet” or mildly sensual romances with adventure, murder, and mayhem. What intrigues you most about writing love stories with adventure?

A ticking clock or a threat adds to my enjoyment in reading a book, and that’s what I want my readers to experience. My goal is for readers to have an escalating ride that leaves them unable to stop reading until the end, but happy with the way the book turns out. I write the kind of book I enjoy reading, and I hope my readers are satisfied and want to read my next book.

I, also, love to read stories that have adventure with a bit of romance. The adventure puts me on the edge of my sit at times and it’s hard to put down. Thank you, Caroline, for this wonderful interview. Every week I have a new book giveaway so stop by often.

54 comments:

Caroline Clemmons said...

Linda, thank you so much for hosting me today.

Debbie Curto said...

Would love to win and read this book

Meghan said...

Love a good romance! And, I love that cover!

Thanks!

mestith@gmail.com

spangldlady said...

Really would love to win this book. I love this genre and I know it must be a good one. Please enter my name. Blessings! Darlene
spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

The cover is very inviting and I'd pick this book up to read the back immediately. The story seems fascinating. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to win a great read.

In Christian Joy,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Sarah Hayes said...

This looks like a good book! Id love to win it. Thanks for the giveaway skhayes15 at yahoo dot com

Mary Preston said...

As a reader I always appreciate all the research. It must be a lot of hard work & I dare say fun.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

chellessavings@gmail.com

Gail Pallotta said...

This sounds like a good mystery set in an intriguing background.
Congratulations! I can't help but be curious as to whether or not she poisoned her husband. She's in a bad spot, for sure.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good book!
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

Faithful Acres Books ~ Linda Marie Finn said...

What a wonderful giveaway ! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of your book.
faithfulacres7@gmail.com

laurie said...

This looks like a good book! Id love to win it. Thanks for the giveaway

parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Good interview! Thank you for sharing! Sacha Schroeder sschroeder@windstream.net

Lu Vargas said...

Good interview C: !
Thanks, lovin’ this hop.
livingworldblog(at)gmail(dot)com

Susan @ The Book Bag said...

Great giveaway! I love this hop!Thanks!
suzebomb@gmail.com

Jenny said...

Thanks for doing all that research! Its nice to read a book and relate to real life. Also thanks for the giveaway!

Jenny Newton

fizees@jenblogs.com

SueFitz said...

great prize

suefitz1 AT gmail DOT com

Jeanne M said...

Great Giveaway! Click - Post - Thank You - Where's the catch? - There isn't one! DONE!!!

jeannemiro(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Leslie Galloway (LesGalloway //at// hotmail //dot// com)

Unknown said...

I love romance books! Thanks for the giveaway!
denamcmurdiestudios(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great book..Thanks for the giveaway!!!

josiehink122026(at)gmail(dot)com

Cassandra said...

Sounds interesting :)
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

Carra Copelin said...

Linda and Caroline, Great interview. I love all your stories, Caroline. Your research is evident through out. I'm eagerly awaiting, Bluebonnet Bride!

rubynreba said...

Bluebonnet Bride looks like a very good book.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Unknown said...

cathy henatyszen ddreemz @ yahoo.com

Barbara's Beat said...

Barbara Platt
blp@charter.net

Farhana Reads said...

Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
keizoku_luffy at yahoo dot com

Vicky CK said...

They say the poison is the favored weapon of "not in the moment" women murders. I have no clue if that is true? But as an avid read of historical fiction (both reg & romances) I often wonder about the men who use to investigate these situations & how they felt/dealt with the women suspects. The different attitudes even 50 years ago made it hard to question women, much less 1900's.

P.S. Thanks for the giveaway.
vickykerr(at)sbcglobal.net

Tania said...

Love Romance!! Cover looks cool!!
Thanks for having this giveaway
tania_kwong at msn dot com

Caroline Clemmons said...

Ladies, thank you for your lovely comments. I appreciate each one.

tina reynolds said...

thanks for the chance
eaglesforjack@gmail.com

Karen said...

Thanks!

kpuleski at gmail dot com

vicjbr said...

mrsbrinius@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

I have read two of the Men of Stone Mountain series, Brazos River Bride and High Stakes Bride. I loved both books and can hardly wait for this one to become available.
Mary
cowgirl1lady2@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway!! I kinda miss answering a question! LOL
grapeapril75(AT)gmail.com

Unknown said...

thanks for the hop
kaholgate at ymail dot com

Sindy said...

Thanks for the giveaway
sweetsindy93 at gmail dot com

bashashhazbaz said...

my wife would love this book. good luck on the giveaway!

Unknown said...

romance.... *put smile on face*

crescent.ivy@gmail.com

LAWonder said...

I love clean romances and mysteries! Thank you so much for the giveaways. We really love the fun opportunities to win so many wonderful books by wonderful authors.
I would love to win this book. I really prefer hard copies to kindles.
worley.la@gmail.com

bn100 said...

Nice inspiration.

bn100candg(at)Hotmail(dot)com

camp3369 said...

I would love to read it!! Hope I win!
annette3369@yahoo.com

Brooke Showalter said...

Thanks for a great interview and giveaway.

brookeb811 at gmail dot com

Darlene said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com

Editor said...

Would love to read this book,sounds like joy reading!

solarride.rivernik [at] gmail.com

tracey said...

thanks
traceyj40@sbcglobal.net

Betty C said...

I love this kind of story. I sure hope I win it.

willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

Michelle S. said...

I thought it was interesting about doing research for the book.

Unknown said...

michelle dement sewmanyideas00@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Thank you!
lisa.blogs2 at gmail dot com

Gwen LTP said...

Thanks! ghtough (at) gmail (dot) com

Ruth said...

Sounds good!
ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

beemama said...

This is a wonderful interview. The book sounds like an interesting read.
Shirley
beekeeper5(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Thanks, everyone, for participating in this book giveaway. The author has selected ten winners. They are:
Ashtrie Kurana Putrie
Vicky Kerr
Jennie Newton
Mary Preston
Barb Shelton
Gail Pallotta
Darlene
Debbie Curto
Dena McMurdie
Tania Kwong
Congratulations!