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Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Interview with Carrie Stuart Parks

Today Suspense Sisters welcomes Carrie Stuart Parks who recently released another best-selling mystery, Portrait of Vengeance. Be sure to leave a comment for Carrie to be entered in a drawing for a signed print copy of Portrait of Vengeance. Sorry...US readers only.

Here's a short summary of her book: An unsolved case. A tempest of memories. The future’s at stake—and time is running out. Gwen Marcey has done a good job keeping the pain of her past boxed up. But as she investigates the case of a missing child in Lapwai, Idaho, details keep surfacing that are eerily similar to her childhood traumas. She doesn’t believe in coincidences. So what’s going on here? No one knows more about the impact of the past than the Nez Perce people of Lapwai. Gwen finds herself an unwelcome visitor to some, making her investigation even more difficult. The questions keep piling up, but answers are slow in coming—and the clock is ticking for a missing little girl. Meanwhile, Gwen’s ex-husband is threatening to take sole custody of their daughter.

As Gwen’s past and present collide, she’s in a desperate race for the truth. Because only truth will ensure she still has a future.

Let's find out more about Carrie:
ME: If you had to describe yourself in one sentence, what would you say? 
CSP: She has a talent to create and a heart to teach.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?
-I raise and show Great Pyrenees  dogs (I’m an AKC judge.) Everything else has to do with my work: art, teaching, speaking, writing.

What was your favorite book as a teen or child?
-The Wizard of Oz.

Tell us three things about yourself that might surprise your readers.
-When I was 19, I was on World Campus Afloat—a college abroad an ocean liner—and went around the world.
-I took an incredibly slow stroll to finally get my Bachelors’ Degree—22 years, 5 colleges, and two husbands. I did finally graduate with honors and a double major. LOTS of credits…
-For a time I was a thespian, acting in such roles as Laura in The Glass Menagerie, the Mute in The Fantasticks, and Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest. I also directed such plays as The Fantasticks and Little Shop of Horror.

What genre did you start out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?
Non-fiction how-to drawing and watercolor books. I didn’t think I was creative enough to write fiction. Yes, I changed course!

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
When I first started, back in 2004, an editor I submitted to simply referred me to a book on editing. Ouch. The best compliment? That after all my efforts to write better, two big-five publishing houses went to auction over my debut novel.

Any other genres you’d like to try? If yes, what and why?
I’ll let you know.  :)

If you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your career, what would it be?
Trust God more with my life.

What is the most important piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?
Be flexible.

Okay, readers, leave Carrie a comment for a chance to win a signed print copy of Portrait of Vengeance. US readers only.

Thanks, Carrie, for visiting us at Suspense Sisters.  ~ Mary Ellis 

46 comments:

  1. I enjoyed the interview. The book sounds great!
    Susan. se.simpson@yahoo.com

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  2. What fun to learn more about you! I agree with needing to trust God more with our lives. It sounds like you did a fantastic job of following your dream!

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    1. I always seem to underestimate God, and when I trust Him, I'm always amazed!

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  3. I loved the interview. I loved the Wizard of Oz also. I still watch it every time it comes on TV. It's one of those classic movies you never get tired of. Your book sounds great and I want to thank you for the chance to get a copy of it.
    jhdwayne@peoplepc.com

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    1. I have almost all (something like 12-13) of the Oz books. Thank you for dropping by!

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  4. Thank you for the giveaway and interview. forgiven4gotten at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Ann!

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  5. I love Carrie's books and have read all of them except this one. That will be remedied. :-) Enjoyed getting to know more about her.

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  6. I love all your books. This one looks great also. Would love to win.
    Thereadmaster@me.com

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  7. I was hooked as soon as I read your first book. I actually just finished this one but would love to win a copy to give as a gift. (So Good!!!)
    lhanberry1@gmail.com

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  8. Reading about Gwen in your first book helped me understand more of what my mom was going through as she battled breast cancer a few months later

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    1. As a breast cancer survivor myself, I wanted a character that pushed on through it all and still had a sense of humor. God bless your mom.

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  9. Wow, a "floating college"! Now if I was 40 or so years younger that would be the way to go. I didn't even know such things existed.
    Thank you for the giveaway.
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It was called World Campus Afloat when I went on board. Before that it was the University of the Seven Seas. Now it's called Semester at Sea. A fantastic experience!

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  10. The floating college option sounds very interesting!

    Love your books and didn't know you had a new one out! Can't wait to read it.

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    1. All colleges should be on an ocean liner for at least a semester!
      :)

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  11. Wow--you are very well-rounded and I found the interview quite interesting. I agree that is is so important for us to remember to trust God! Thanks for the chance to win the book.

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    1. Never a dull moment around here.... And yes, trusting God is my daily challenge.

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  12. How amazing that you went to college on an ocean liner and went around the world. Liked the description of the book, sounds like a great read.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. How amazing that you went to college on an ocean liner and went around the world. Liked the description of the book, sounds like a great read.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I was going to put my cabbage won first prize at the county fair, but my college experience seemed a bit more exciting....

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  14. Great advice Carrie, I'm glad I'm not the only one who took awhile to finish college :). Your books are amazing!

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    1. Thank you, Sharee! Maybe we just wanted to savor college....... or not..... Mostly it was because I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up!

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  15. Thanks for the interview ladies ! I don't read a lot of suspense fiction but my husband and I both love a good crime drama on TV so I think I might like this book.

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    1. Ohhh yeah--these stories are loosely based on my own cases. :)

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  16. This sounds like a real page turner I would enjoy reading. I love that Carrie also raises and shows her dogs and is an AKC judge. I am glued to the tv for the Westminster Dog Show.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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    1. Hi Mary Ann, You are our lucky winner of Carrie's latest book. Congratulations. I will contact you for your mailing address. Thanks for leaving a comment for Carrie!!

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  17. Great interview! Can't wait ot read this book! I loved the other onew.

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  19. Loved the interview. The book sounds fascinating.
    betsylu2@msn.com

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    1. Thank you, Beth. You'll enjoy the Beth in the book.

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  20. Great interview! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. I am intrigued! mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  21. Hi Carrie. Portrait of Vengeance sounds great and I enjoyed reading your thoughts in this interview. Thanks for giving one of us a chance to win.
    Blessings!!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. Portrait of Vengeance sounds intriguing. Thank you for sharing!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the giveaway.

    mo1202007ATyahooDOTcom

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  24. Great interview, thanks. I've read the others and will look forward to your newest book.

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  25. Great interview. I love suspense! Thanks for the chance to win! paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  26. Thanks to everyone who left Carrie Stuart Parks a comment! Our winner of Portrait of Justice has been selected, and she's being notified by email. Interesting to note, Carrie Stuart Parks has just been nominated for Christy Award for an earlier book, When Death Draws Near. If you haven't read that one yet, you're in for a treat!!

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