A VISIT WITH CARRIE STUART PARKS

 

Join us today for a great interview with Carrie Stuart Parks. I met Carrie many years ago at an American Christian Fiction Writers conference, and we just hit it off. She is a fascinating writer with a great "Day Job" as a forensic artist. Check her website out for more details. She also raises Great Pyrenees! 

Now for our interview. We'll be talking about her book, Survival in the Mountains. Carrie is giving away a print copy so be sure to leave a comment.

Patricia: What sparked the first seed of this story—an image, a question, a character, or a “what if” moment?

Carrie: I think two things came together in my mind—one was the tricky sales claims of various products: “bestselling suntan oil” doesn’t mean it works, “Doctor recommended” could be a doctor of literature, “Over one million bottles sold” could mean there are a million chumps. There are a lot of ‘miracle’ products advertised that claim to cure anything from hangnails to cancer. What if someone wanted to exploit that? Add to that, when I was going through chemo for breast cancer, one of the chemo drugs came from the lowly yew tree. Soooooo, what if a couple of like-minded bad guys decided to exploit a common berry that could, supposedly, keep you looking young?

Patricia: Oh, wow! I love the way your mind works. What’s your favorite scene? And why. 

Carrie: Any scene with Izzy, the Bull Terrier.

Patricia: I can see that. :-) What keeps you at the keyboard, especially on days you would rather do something else?

Carrie: Deadlines.

Patricia: I'm with you there. Is there a part of the book that comes from your own life?

Carrie: I mentioned the chemo drug. Izzy—we’ve had bullies for 37 years. Idaho. Horseback riding. 

Patricia: How long does it usually take you to write a book from thought to finish?

Carrie: It used to take a year. Now more like 4 months.

Patricia: Deadlines usually make us write faster...or at least make writing a priority. What’s your favorite beverage? Coffee, tea or something else?

Carrie: Coffee and wine. 

Patricia: Ah, a girl after my own heart! What are you working on now?

Carrie: Edits for two books—Dead File Whispers and Tracked in the Wilderness

Patricia: Oh, wow, you are busy! Thanks for taking time to visit The Suspense Sisters Blog!

Be sure to check out Carrie's website and social media. She's giving away a copy of Survival in the Mountains to someone who leaves a comment on the blog. (US addresses only) You can ask Carrie a question or comment whether you've read any of Carrie's books. I've read Survival in the Mountains, and it is awesome!

You can connect with Carrie here:

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WHAT'S HOT IN INSPIRATIONAL SUSPENSE

 BY PATRICIA BRADLEY

Wondering what's HOT in Inspirational Suspense this week? DANGEROUS TEXAS HIDEOUT (A Cowboy Protectors novel #3) by Virginia Vaughn was just released last week!

Seeking refuge from danger…with threats at every turn

When her daughter is the only witness able to identify a group of bank robbers, single mom Penny Jackson knows their lives are in danger. These men will do anything to keep Missy quiet—permanently. Escaping to a small Texas town was supposed to be safe, but when the criminals track them down, police chief Caleb Harmon becomes their only hope for survival…

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith. Cowboy Protectors.

You can find buy links here. Or purchase at ChristianBooks.com

We love books!

 

COME MEET LORETTA EIDSON

by Patricia Bradley

Hi everyone! I'd like to introduce a writer friend of mine...Loretta Eidson who writes for Love Inspired Suspense. She's an award-winning author who loves writing romantic suspense. She believes in the power of prayer and enjoys putting her characters in realistic situations where they must trust God to pull them through. 

AND, last but not least, Loretta loves chocolate, caramel, iced tea, and coffee.  (She's also giving away a copy of her first book, Pursued in the Wilderness!)

Patricia: Welcome, Loretta! Tell me, what has being published taught you? 

Loretta: Being published has taught me that even though I write the story, it takes a team to reach publication and we must all work together to make it happen. I’ve also learned that I now have a standard to uphold for my readers.

Patricia: I really does take a team to get a book to the shelves! What is your favorite part about writing. 

Loretta: My favorite part about writing is allowing my imagination to soar into the what-if’s. I love creating a suspenseful, action-packed story. 

Patricia: Least favorite? 

Loretta: Writing the synopsis for the proposal.

Patricia: Oh, I feel your pain when it comes to writing a synopsis! And Love Inspired Suspense wants a very detailed synopsis! Tell me, do you consider yourself a Panster or Plotter? 

Loretta: I call myself a panster, but writing that long synopsis almost feels like I’m a plotter. 

Patricia: I'm trying to write a proposal for LIS and I SO agree! What do you do when you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies? 

Loretta: When I’m not writing, I’m either reading, cleaning house, watching murder mysteries on television, or spending time with my family. 

Hobby? I love collecting fun coffee mugs with cute sayings or with scripture on them. 

Patricia: I like collecting coffee mugs, too! Does writing energize or exhaust you? 

Loretta: Oh, writing is invigorating for me. I love the challenge.

Patricia: It is quite the challenge, for sure. You do a lot of research. Where is your favorite place to research. 

Loretta: Since my books this far have been in the mountains, I’ve enjoyed vacationing surrounded by them.

Patricia: I love the mountains, too! What would you like readers to know about your story/characters? 

Loretta: It is my desire to present a storyline where my characters must trust God to get them through their difficult situations and learn that God will make a way where there appears to be no way. I want my characters to find love, forgiveness, and peace in their journeys.

Patricia: You do that very well in your stories! What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors? 

Loretta: Be yourself. Don’t try to mirror another author. Don’t give up despite the rejections. Persistence pays off.

Patricia: Absolutely! What’s next from you? 

After Blue Ridge Mountain Escape releases on June 27, 2023, my next novel, Deadly Marine Reunion, releases on December 26, 2023. 

Patricia: Oh, wow! That's great. I won't have to wait so long for another Loretta Eidson book!

Readers: Here's the cover and back copy for Blue Ridge Mountain Escape:

The firefighter rescued her once…

But can they outrun the dangers?

A peaceful vacation is what Haley Gordon needs to put her troubles behind her. Instead, she finds herself fighting for her life against a raging forest fire. Forest Service firefighter Kendall Simpson vows to protect Haley—although he has questions about her story. But with the firestorm out of control and news of escaped convicts on the mountain, can Haley and Kendall trust each other enough to survive?

You can find buy links for Blue Ridge Mountain Escape here! You can also purchase a print copy at your local big box store!

Loretta is giving away a print copy of her first book, Pursued in the Wilderness! Just leave a comment and I'll enter you in a drawing...winner announced here next Wednesday!