Interview with Carolyn Brown

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Carolyn Brown. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

Thank you for letting me stop here at Much Cheaper Than Therapy and catch my breath before taking off tomorrow morning to Oklahoma City to the Full Circle Book Store to sign books all afternoon. The lounge chair is comfortable and the chocolate wonderful. Y'all are a great bunch of gals! (Have a safe trip!)


I understand you have a new release out called Hell, Yeah. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Hell, Yeah is the spicy second book of hot new The Honky Tonk series. Cathy O’Dell and Travis Henry cause the sparks to fly and the fire to burn hotter’n than a hooker on the front seat of a holiness tent revival in Hell, Yeah.

It all starts on New Year’s Eve when the count down begins in the Honky Tonk. Gretchen Wilson is singing “Redneck Woman,” and every lusty woman in the beer joint is yelling, “Hell yeah!” with each number as they count down the last ten seconds to the New Year.

Gretchen Wilson asked the redneck girls to give her a big hell yeah and everyone got in on the fun even Cathy O’Dell, owner and bartender. That is until she looked up to see a man making a bee line for her. At first she thought he was an old flame from high school but the closer he got and the smaller the numbers got, the more she realized he was a hell of a lot sexier than that man had ever been. His blue eyes locked with hers and when everyone yelled “Happy New Year’s” he stopped. His toes were touching hers and the heat from his cowboy boots was enough to burn though the leather to her feet. The kiss came close to setting the Honky Tonk on fire, but even blue blazes weren’t as hot as Cathy’s lips were when it ended.

Travis Henry is a petroleum engineer from western Arkansas ─ a hunky, sexy cowboy without an impulsive bone in his body. But he didn’t have anyone to kiss on New Year’s and neither did the tall blond looking wistful in the middle of the dance floor. He’d always been drawn to tall blond women and she was a damn fine specimen so he kissed her. It was supposed to be one kiss not the beginning of a hot relationship with more ups and downs than a roller coaster.

Cathy had come out of a bad relationship a few months before inheriting the beer joint and she didn’t trust men in general. But most of all she didn’t trust herself to choose a decent man, not after her failure with Brad Alton. That, plus she’s put down deep unshakable roots deep in the Honky Tonk.

Travis is a wanderer with his next flight already in sight. When he finishes the Mingus oil job, he’s off to his dream job in Alaska. Wings like his and roots like Cathy’s did not mix, even if their hearts tried to shake the roots and clip the wings. Or do they?

Hell, Yeah is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Actually, it was a joint effort between me and my editor, Deb Werksman. I had something different in mind for book two and she came up with Hell, Yeah and I absolutely loved it. It was so much better than what I'd come up with. So much better in fact that I've forgotten what I did have in mind!

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I love cowboys! Love western movies. Love western books. They are so down to earth and real.

Are you a plotter or a pantser and how did it affect the writing of this book?

I'm a bit of both. I plot and plot! Go to sleep at night with the plot in my head and wake up in the morning with it. Then the characters take over and boom! The plot goes out the window and they tell me what happened and insist on the story line being one hundred percent guaran-damn-teed right and I become a panster!

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

The internet is a vast source of research but I like to visit the places I'm writing about and get a feel for the place and people. For this series I was in Mingus several times and down at Morgan Mill to the feed store/restaurant/gas station a couple of times. Folks down in that part of Texas are right friendly. Stop in and have a cup of coffee with them. They'll tell you great stories.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

Well, Cathy was at the Honky Tonk already when I Love This Bar ended. It seemed only right that she pick up the reins, put on her cowboy hat and boots and run the place. Travis was on his way to the area but no one knew it just yet so they were bound to clash when he got there. And boy did they ever!

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

There are so many quirky characters in the Honky Tonk Series, it would be difficult to choose just one. I love Tinker, the bouncer, and Merle, the seventy plus year old pool shark, and of course Cathy with all her complexities and Travis with his determination. And Jezzy with her free thinking, flower child attitude. They all have their own personalities and quirks and make me laugh.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

I'm not so sure I develop characters. I think basically I get to know them in depth as I write the story. It's usually on a need-to-know basis. They sit on my shoulder or on the futon behind my computers and tell me what I need to know to write that day. Then the next day I get more of what I need to know to get through the next scene.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

How many pages to do you have for this interview!? So many authors have inspired me. Leon Uris, LaVyrle Spencer, Harry Kemelman, Nora Roberts, Mario Puzo, Sue Grafton, Margaret Mitchell and the eclectic list could go on for several pages. I've always loved reading! It's the most wonderful escape in the whole world.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Blogs are very good promotion. Word of mouth is wonderful. If someone reads my book and tells a neighbor and the neighbor tells two people, pretty soon the word gets around. I always give a copy of my book to the local library and to the one in the town where I grew up and graduated from high school. The later might be an ego trip to show those who voted for me as the girl most likely NOT to succeed! LOL

What do we have to look forward next?

Two more in the Honky Tonk series. My Give A Damn's Busted will be out in October and Honky Tonk Christmas in November. So hang on to your hat. Keep your boots on and the beer cold!

I'm working on another series for Sourcebooks which will be published in 2011. Cowboys again! So get ready to ride again in May of 2011.

Thanks, Carolyn!

Thank y'all. It's been delightful to sit a spell and visit about Hell, Yeah. Here's hoping you can't put it down once you start reading it and want to come back for another dose of Honky Tonk good times in October with My Give A Damn's Busted.

To celebrate her book release, Hell, Yeah, Carolyn is offering a signed copy of Hell, Yeah to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Carolyn Brown lives in southern Oklahoma with her retired English teacher husband, Charles. They have three grown children and enough grandchildren to keep them young forever. An award winning author, she has sold 55 books. They have been published in nine foreign languages, large print and in the near future two of them will appear in Japanese Manga. They have been reviewed in multiple publications including Romantic Times, Romance Review Today, Library Journal, Affaire de Coeur and Booklist. I Love This Bar and Hell, Yeah are also featured in the August edition of County Music People magazine.

Check out author’s website at http://www.carolynlbrown.com/

Read an excerpt and buy at AMAZON.

Interview with Carolyn Brown

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Carolyn Brown. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.


I understand you have a new release out called I Love This Bar. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?


Yes, ma'am, but first thank you so much for letting me make a stop today on my blog tour. I'm excited to be here at Much Cheaper Than Therapy to talk about I Love This Bar. It's the first book in the Honky Tonk Series, each featuring the name of a hot country western song and set in the Honky Tonk, a beer joint in Mingus, Texas. The Honky Tonk is the center of night life and the gathering place for every thirsty rancher and lusty lady in the area looking for a good time. Daisy O'Dell is the bartender and owner of the Honky Tonk in I Love This Bar. She's vowed the only way she'll leave the beer joint is feet first with her cold dead fingers wrapped around a bottle of Coors. Jarod McElroy came into the Honky Tonk looking for a cold beer and a little peace from his meddling great-uncle. He got the beer but there was no peace. From the first time he met Daisy with her hot looks and smart mouth his life was in a turmoil and his heart on an emotional roller coaster.

I Love This Bar is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

My editor, Deb Werksman, wanted the books to have hot country songs for titles and I agreed. I Love This Bar is a Toby Keith country western song that fit the book very well. Also it describes the conflict between Daisy and Jarod. She loves the beer joint and has no intentions of leaving it with it's bikers, hookers, preppies and cowboys. Jarod has quite a job convincing her to come out from behind that bar and come home with him.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

Writing about cowboys and ranching is my niche. I really think that cowboys isn't just a reading trend but they are here to stay. What true blooded woman couldn't look at Jarod on the cover of I Love This Bar and not want to find a pair of cowboy boots and go two-stepping?

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

From an old beer joint in Ratliff City, Oklahoma called Ma Honey's. It's long since gone and I never got around to visiting it. But my husband's friend, Drig, lived with us during our ultra poor college days and he used to go there on the weekends and entertain me for hours with the stories.

What are your favorite research books and why?

I love the computer for research, whether for historical or contemporary. I do have a few books lying about that I rely on but most of it comes from either visiting the place, talking to real people or the computer. In I Love This Bar Daisy is also a vet tech and does some vet work on the side so I had to do some research to find out how to treat bloated goats ... silly things ate too much!

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Oh, my! That's too tough a question to answer with one name. Let me introduce you to a few: Merle, the seventy year old pool shark with ratted sky high dyed black hair. Chigger, the tall blonde who can't be a hooker because she says sex is too much fun to charge for it. Amos, the older oil baron who wears black leather and rides with a Harley motorcycle gang. The red haired Walker triplets: Jim Bob, Joe Bob and Billy Bob. Then there's Uncle Emmett who uses his Alzhiemer's and makes Jarod and Daisy pretend they are married just to keep him happy. They were all hoots to write about and each played a part in getting Jarod and Daisy over the obstacles keeping them apart.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

I'm not sure I develop characters. They take up abode in my office and tell me what to write. They are voices in my head and if I don't get it right they plague me until I do. They come to me with all their baggage and background and I just have to figure out a way to get it on paper.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

How much room do you have for this interview? It might take a while to list all the authors who have inspired me. I've been reading since I figured out that books were so much fun. So I'll only mention a few: Margaret Mitchell, LaVyrle Spencer, Carl Hiaason, Randy Wayne White, Leon Uris, Nora Roberts and well, the list goes on and on and is very eclectic since I read a broad range of genres.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Blog tours create a lot of excitement. I also do press releases for newspapers, both local and those where my stories are set. This past week I sent out free bookmarks to libraries in the towns where the books were set. And I keep current pictures and reviews on my website!

What do we have to look forward next?

Well, if you loved I Love This Bar and hated to see it end, remember there are three more! Hell, Yeah (August), My Give A Damn's Busted (October) and Honky Tonk Christmas (November). Plus I'm working on a new series which will debut in the spring of 2011 called the Spikes & Spurs series.

Thanks, Carolyn!

And thanks to you folks here at Much Cheaper Than Therapy ... it's been fun stopping by and resting in a lounge chair with a nice big cup of coffee and some chocolate! After looking at the front cover of I Love This Bar, tell me, what would make you come out from behind that bar and go home with Jarod McElroy? (in a heartbeat! KW)

To celebrate her book release, Carolyn Brown is offering a free signed copy of I Love This Bar to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio.
Carolyn Brown, an award-winning author who has more than 40 romance novels both historical and contemporary, credits her eclectic family for her humor and writing ideas. She was born in Texas but grew up in southern Oklahoma where she and her husband, Charles, a retired English teacher, now make their home in the town of Davis, Oklahoma. They have three grown children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.

Check out author’s website at http://carolynlbrown.com/

Interview with Amber Leigh Williams

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Amber Leigh Williams.

It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

Kicking off my boots, Kim! Thank you very much for letting me share with your readers today!

I understand you have a new release out called Bluest Heart. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Bluest Heart is the second novella in my western romance trilogy. Blackest Heart, the first, placed 1^st in the 2009 More Than Magic Contest. It is part of The Wild Rose Press’s Wayback, TX series:

The Wayback bachelor is a dying breed, but that doesn't stop Casey Ridge from wanting to settle down. For this cowboy anyone but Josie Brusky would be an easy wrangle. Unfortunately for him, the Blue Bug singer and owner of Josie's Treasures doesn't believe in commitment much less marriage.

Years ago, Josie lost her heart to Casey's charm and

dimpled smile. Since then she has done everything she knows to forget him. After all, she's known as the local harlot and the daughter of the town's biggest bigot. Casey could have any girl he wanted. Why would he saddle himself with her? In the wake of a shattering past, she refuses to give up her independence.

Casey digs down deep to win her over, but does he have what it takes to win Wayback's bluest heart?

Bluest Heart is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

My CP came up with Blackest Heart, playing on the surname of my silent cowboy hero, Judd Black. I wanted to continue the Heart theme, of course. I originally liked “Heart of Stone” but there was already a book by that name published by TWRP. I asked some writing friends to help me brainstorm and we came up with "A Heart So Blue."

My editor came back with Bluest Heart. Though “Heart of Stone” seemed appropriate for the heroine, Josie, I realized Bluest Heart suited her much more because under the hard walls she’s built around herself over her difficult lifetime there is a woman who needs to be cared for and loved. And no one believes that more than the hero, Casey. It sets up, too, the last book in the saga, tentatively titled Bet It On My Heart.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

The idea of doing a western romance came to me a couple of years ago. Before I started my day job, I used to read fashion magazines like Vogue and Instyle cover to cover. One month, one of my favorite actresses was featured in a ranch spread and the article was primarily about how she wanted to go back to her country roots. From there, Stella Ridge, the heroine of Blackest Heart, was born.

Are you a plotter or a pantser and how did it affect the writing of this book?

I’m a plotter, mostly, though I like to mix in the occasional pantsing technique to keep the writing fresh. Blackest Heart was experimental because I’d never written a western romance and I didn’t really read the genre. By the time Bluest Heart began, I’d already grasped the tone of contemporary western romance and started to hone my voice. That’s why I think Bluest Heart was the most enjoyable story to write to date.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

There are several writers at TWRP who live in Texas and know all about ranching, cowboys, and rodeos (which is what Wayback is all about). I spent days picking their brains. One interesting thing I learned is that most ranchers these days won’t survive on the price of beef unless they have a large spread and cattle to fill it. 50,000 acres or more is ideal. If the ranchers don’t have that much land, they usually turn their homes into dude ranches. The Ridge family, which the trilogy focuses on, has 55,000 acres, one of the largest ranches in Wayback. Also before I began work on these books, I didn’t know anything about rodeos. The heroes of the trilogy compete in bull-riding, calf-roping, and bronc-busting. Josie does some barrel racing. The rodeo circuit is a whole other world, and I think the most interesting thing I learned while researching it is that the rodeo clowns are just as tough as the competitors.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I’d already heard of TWRP’s new western series and how well it was doing. I liked the idea of the pre-determined settings and secondary characters. My CP went a long way to encouraging me and I wrote the first draft of Blackest Heart in a couple of weeks. She then convinced me to write at least one of Stella’s brothers’ stories, Casey. I not only completed that within a month, I also got a good head-start on the other brother, Keefe’s, story. The western genre was so much fun, it gave me complete literary abandon. I can’t wait to go back and do it again with another trilogy!

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Josie was interesting, because at first glance she’s the typical “bad girl” and I’d never written anyone like her. I worried that the reader wouldn’t sympathize as much with her. But then I delved into her past and what had made her so tough. Quickly I came to the conclusion that she wasn’t the person everyone in Wayback believes she is, and Casey Ridge is the only one who sees that. The interesting thing about Casey’s pursuit of Josie is trying to convince her that she does deserve happiness. The result was, surprisingly, the same healing arc that radiates from Blackest Heart—learning to accept one’s past and moving on in a healthy way with someone who loves you for who you are.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

My research is mostly about setting and nitpicky details about occupations, etc. I like my characters to be completely organic. Although Stella’s character came to me from that magazine article, she became her own person as soon as I put her on the page. The most exciting thing, for me, about characterization is seeing the characters grow deeper than what I initially intended. Josie was probably the most surprising. Even after the manuscript was done and I turned it over to my CP and editor, I worried readers still wouldn’t think her heroine material. Their reaction was such a relief! There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing readers connect with characters like Josie.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

My first romance novel was Nora Roberts. You never forget your first and to this day I’m still a major Nora fan. I also like her J.D. Robb titles. I’m a fan of J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Her writing process just fascinates me. I also like Larissa Ione’s Demonica books. She really knows how to dip into dark waters and still bring the romance to the forefront in a wonderful way. I never thought I’d try sci-fi, but recently I picked up Ann Aquirre’s Sirantha Jax books. I love them and can’t wait for more! Among other authors I can’t wait to read more of are Jessica Andersen, Kris Kennedy, and Diane Gaston. I highly recommend any of the Wayback books, particularly Rita Thedford’s Hot Night at the Blue Bug Saloon, Sylvie Kaye’s Wrong Side of Love, Lynda Coker’s Payback in Wayback, and Cindy Spencer Pape’s All the Way Back, all available in ebook and paperback anthologies.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

The Wayback series sells well, I think, because they are novellas and at least half the price of any paperback. They’re quick, very enjoyable, hot reads. I target mostly ebook readers virtually. When The Way Back Home anthology was published—featuring Blackest Heart and two other Wayback stories by other authors, I reached out more to those who buy paperbacks. I certainly can’t resist three sexy cowboys in one! That, I daresay, is better than chocolate!

What do we have to look forward to next?

The third book in the Ridge trilogy will be published this year. I can’t wait to round it out. There will definitely be a party in my corner of the web! And I’ll be signing copies of The Way Back Home among other titles at the Silken Sands Conference on the Beach in March, if anyone here is planning to attend http://www.gccrwa.com/silkensands!

Thanks, Amber!

To celebrate her book release, Amber is offering a free copy of the 2009 More Than Magic Contest’s 1^st Place Novella, Blackest Heart, to one lucky commenter on today's blog. All entrants have to do is tell me what you look for in a cowboy hero. (please check the blog Monday night to see who won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Amber Leigh Williams is a multi-published romance author, PRO Liaison and former Secretary of the Gulf Coast Chapter of Romance Writers of America, and monthly contributor to Romance Writers’ United’s “Write Right” newsletter. Her historical romance, Forever Amore, received top-rating as a “Best Book” at Long & Short Reviews. She lives on the Gulf Coast of Alabama with her husband and three labs. Visit her on the web at http://www.amberleighwilliams.com.

Purchase Bluest Heart, Blackest Heart, or The Way Bach Home anthology at The Wild Rose Press today: http://www.thewildrosespress.com!