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.