Monday, May 25, 2015

Interview with Romantic Suspense Author Carole Brown


Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. 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, and the simple life. And her grandsons! Did she mention their grandsons?!

“With Music In Their Hearts is a mystery romance. This is the most adorable mystery ever! Emma Jaine is a strong character and I really like her. Not only does she run a boarding house, but she also takes care of her father and two younger sisters. She’s a spunky and pretty woman, and a few men at the boarding house are attracted to her.

“Tyrell is a good-looking man and absolutely adorable when he teases and flirts with Emma Jaine. He is a reverend, a minster of a nearby church, but at the same time he’s an undercover agent for the government. His flirtations with Emma are appropriate for a minister and you can see the attraction between the two. I love the mystery that goes along with the romance. Romance and mystery make a book so much fun to read.” –Review by Author Linda Weaver Clarke

Welcome to my blog, Carole. This book is a World War II Spy Trilogy. Please tell us about it: With Music in Their Hearts.

Angry at being rejected for military service, Minister Tyrell Walker accepts the call to serve as a civilian spy within his own country. Across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, a spy working for a foreign country is stealing secret plans for newly developed ammunition to be used in the war. According to his FBI cousin, this spy favors pink stationery giving strong indications that a woman is involved.

He’s instructed to obtain a room in the Rayner Boarding House run by the lovely, spunky red-haired Emma Jaine Rayner. Sparks of jealousy and love fly between them immediately even as they battle suspicions that one or the other is not on the up and up.

While Tyrell searches for the murdering spy who reaches even into the boarding home, Emma Jaine struggles with an annoying renter, a worried father (who could be involved in this spy thing), and two younger sisters who are very different but just as strong willed as she is.

As Tyrell works to keep his double life a secret and locate the traitor, he refuses to believe that Emma Jaine could be involved even when he sees a red-haired woman in the arms of another man. Could the handsome and svelte banker who’s also determined to win Emma Jaine’s hand for marriage, be the dangerous man he’s looking for? Is the trouble-making renter who hassles Emma Jaine serving as a flunky? Worse, is Papa Rayner so worried about his finances and keeping his girls in the style they’re used to, that he’ll stoop to espionage?

Will their love survive the danger and personal issues that arise to hinder the path of true love?

Where can my readers find your books?


What kind of research did you have to do?

Lots of it, and since I love research, it wasn’t a hardship. I researched:

Phrases and words common to the 1940s.
Fashion, including men’s hats and suits, women’s hats and clothing, and styles
Music: songs especially
A bit about the area, although I have lived for awhile in the Cincinnati area, so knew some.
Some about ammunition

Please tell us about the main character in this story and what you love about him or her.

I have two main characters: Emma Jaine Rayner and Tyrell Walker, but I will focus on Emma Jaine for this question.

She’s the oldest red-headed daughter of Papa (Ossie) Rayner. Since her mother died ten years before, she’s taken over the care of her two younger sisters, and her father. The responsibility has given her a rather over-bearing attitude in some ways, and only when Tyrell Walker shows up with his teasing, does she come to life and realize she wants what all the young women her age--and younger--are wanting: a MAN! 

I love how Tyrell teases Emma Jaine. He is so adorable. Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I love life--not the hardships and trials. Lol. But the privilege of having another day to enjoy. I love elephants and many other animals. I like learning about new things (research). I love real cheesecake and Christmas and well, most holidays or any chance to be with family and friends. I enjoy collecting rocks and music boxes. I love traveling and we have visited ¾ of the United States. I love cities at night and the country anytime. Love misty valleys and rolling streams, crashing ocean waves and waterfalls. I love photography, scrap booking, good food and the simple life. Most of all I adore my three grand boys--God sent! And God himself.

Now that’s quite a handful of things you just named, Carole. Thank you for this fun interview. It was enjoyable getting to know you.

11 comments:

Library Lady said...

Our Church Library readers love books about WW II and so do I.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to win this book.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

Robin in NC said...

Clean romantic suspense is my favorite genre & WITH MUSIC IN THEIR HEARTS sounds like it fits the bill perfectly! Thanks for sharing with us Linda & Carole!
rw620ATaolDOTcom

Unknown said...

This sounds like such a fun book. I love suspense mixed with characters where you know their is attraction by the small things they do and say. Congrats on your book Carole! I would love to read it and tell my friends about it.
grandmabkr at yahoo dot com

Shirley said...

Thank you both for the interview and giveaway. This sounds like a great read. Linda you always bring us the most interesting books and authors.

Shirley said...

Forgot to leave my email.
straitfromthehive (at) gmail (dot) com

Caroline said...

What nice comments from all of you. Now you've got me wishing everyone of you could win. But if you check out my FB timeline you'll see other places now and then I visit so those who don't win this time might have another chance.

I'm so grateful for Linda's kind review of my book and her invitation to visit with her readers. Lots of fun answering her interview questions.

Best wishes! and hope you all will decide to follow me on my blog or fb.

Blessings!

Sonja said...

Always nice to read your interviews and meet new writers!

Sonja said...

Always nice to read your interviews and meet new writers!

Caroline said...

So glad you stopped by, Sonja! Love meeting new readers and friends. Best wishes!

Melanie Backus said...

Thank you for the wonderful interview and giveaway. Keeping my fingers crossed!

mauback55 at gmail dot com

LouisePledge said...

The word "Music" in the title is what caught my attention, as I am a professional musician. I would read the book, just for that. :) However, reading about it makes me like it even more!

LouisePledge at yahoo