MBS Blogoversary SPOTLIGHT #9: Author CAROL NORTH

SPOTLIGHT: AUTHOR CAROL NORTH

Carol and I became friends as moderators at the SweettoSensual Romance Group.  I am happy to have been able to print one of her books, Gifts For the Goddess, at eTreasures Publishing. Carol writes romance. I reviewed several books including Love's Reflection, and Savannah Heat (formerly titled Miss Bisque and the Colonel).


Savannah Heat       Eternally His

Yin and Yang Fit: The Zen of Relationships             

Savannah Writes 

Carol also has a group of short stories you can check out on her site and she hosts a monthly giveaway of a tote bag (I love mine!) or an apron.
I asked each author to answer two questions for their spotlight.
The first I asked and the second they provided.

Question #1:  Why do you write/what do you hope your readers get from your books?

A:  From early childhood, books enchanted me. I recall being about five and declaring, "I'm gonna be a writer when I grow up." That strong desire was manifested in 1983 when I began my career as a professional technical and business writer. Later I wrote short stories that were published both in print and in online publications. Today, I have three novels and a novella published and am working on a fourth novel. For me, the answer to why I write is "I need to write as much as I need to breathe."

I hope I can take the reader on an emotional journey when she or he reads one of my books. I believe fiction is emotion. If you're reading a book that isn't emotionally engaging you might as well be reading the phone book. For example, in Gifts for the Goddess, published by eTreasures Publishing, the heroine is searching for that elusive relationship with a soul mate. The story touches emotions because her search is universal--we all want to find lasting, undying love.

Love's Reflection, the book I'm offering as a giveaway for this event, is a romantic comedy with a big "what if?" It's meant to brighten your day.

Question #2:  I'd like to tell you about my next novel. My work-in-progress, "Little Dove," is a historical. It's slower going because of the amount of research required. For instance, if I write "the doorbell rang," I need to know how doorbells looked in 1900. Were they electric? Did they have chimes? How did people make them ring? By pushing a button? Pulling a cord? What sound did they make? A clang? A ring?

I'm having a lot of fun writing my first historical, and have another planned.

Thank you, Martha, for giving me this opportunity to be a part of the Second Year Blogaversary.

Please visit Carol at her link below.
For extra credit you can email her to say "Hi" and "Thank you" for the support and giveaway at MBS Blogoversary.
Website

Giveaway donated by Carol:
eBook Copy of Love's Reflection.

OPEN WORLDWIDE.
PLEASE ENTER WITH THIS FORM: 
If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHIxYWpJbk1YYS1TZEZaMUQ4NC1nREE6MA

Part Four - Interview Conclusion with Author Carol North

PART FOUR – A FEW PERSONAL QUESTIONS!

M:  When you are reading for pleasure, what is the one thing that will make you put down the book and quit reading?

Carol: Not hunger, not thirst, not a ringing phone. I will only put down the book if one of my dogs is whining to go outside.

M:  HA!  I like the audio feature on Kindle2 as I can listen while I am in the kitchen scrounging a drink or snack!  For outside with the dogs I use my MP3 with Audible books!

What is the most unique thing about you?

Carol:  That which makes us all unique--being the sum-total of my experiences. I have a need to write about these experiences even if I was only observing the main action.  

For years, I was a single mother and family breadwinner. This experience drove me into male-dominated fields--working in and writing about trucking, construction, and information technology--so I could earn enough to support my kids. I learned a lot about the male animal and like to write from the man’s point-of-view, as I did for Love’s Reflection.

I love to read about experiences I haven’t had and places I haven’t seen.

M:  Wonderful.  Your readers are richer for your sharing your experiences through your books!

Tell us a little about your next book or WIP please!

Carol: I’m writing an early 20th century historical. It’s to honor two women I know of who barely survived WW I, and to give them the happy endings they never had.

M:  Oh – that sounds very interesting!! How lovely to write it to honor some friends! I’ll look forward to reading that book too!

Carol:  Thank you--Martha, Crystal, and Sumana--for conducting this virtual book tour. I greatly appreciate it. Hope everyone who has visited has left a comment and is entered in the drawings. I’m eager to send out those totes.



THANK YOU Carol for joining Crystal, Sumana and me on this interview series!
Thanks too for offering TWO TOTES as giveaways!  Best wishes for success on your new release, Miss Bisque and the Colonel, and on the re-release of Love’s Reflection!

Thank you readers/followers for following the interview series and don't forget to enter the Giveaway, check the rules and comment on the other reviews and interviews for extra entries:

11/3 -  Martha's review of Love's Reflection and Interview Part 1 - The Writing Process!

11/4 - at My Reading Room: Crystal's review of Love's Reflection and Interview Part 2 - The Book - Love's Reflection!

11/5 - at I Read: Sumana's review of Miss Bisque and the Colonel.

11/6 - at I Read: Interview Part 3 - The Book - Miss Bisque and the Colonel!

11/10 -  Martha's review of Miss Bisque and the Colonel.

11/12 -  Interview Part 4 - Some Personal Questions!
11/13 - End of the Giveaway at midnight CST; Winners announced on Saturday November 14th!

REVIEW - Miss Bisque and the Colonel by Carol North

Title:  Miss Bisque and the Colonel
Author:  Carol North
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Red Rose Publishing 
Buy Link
ISBN: 978-1-60435-463-8
Word Count 65,130
Rating:  4.5 of 5.0
Heat Rating: Sensual
Author Website



Blurb:  Miss Bisque is living a hand-to-mouth existence because her deceased husband set up his estate to hide his “secrets.” Colonel Parker Hill helps Miss Bisque become financially independent. When accused of murder, she may need more help than even the colonel can provide.

Review:   This is a very well written, emotionally charged and engaging contemporary romance!  There is surprising authenticity in the main character of Miss Bisque.

Miss Bisque is not a young girl but a mature woman who fulfilled her parent’s plans for her to be the perfect Southern socialite and corporate wife.   Unfortunately, her beloved husband, Johnny Bob, has died suddenly leaving assets tied up in Trust with only enough of a monthly stipend to pay the basics of her household expenses.  In order to have freedom without having to rely on asking the Trustees for money, Miss Bisque must earn her own money.

Her best friend suggests that Bisque sell some of her paintings.  Bisque realizes that she hasn’t painted since shortly before her marriage as her mother and her domineering husband discouraged such “unladylike” activity.  Now she decides that she must start to paint again not only to express her high emotions but also to earn money.  She determinedly sets out to find the right gallery that will suit her and her art.  This is where she meets the charming Colonel who owns a gallery and is immediately struck by Bisque’s work and by her as a beautiful woman.

The Colonel is rumored to be a ladies man who associates with the young women who work in his gallery.  But he is nothing but sensitive and gentle once he sets out to help Miss Bisque and he pursues her with great tenderness.  All her life Bisque has been placed behind fences, literally and figuratively. Only the Colonel is willing to encourage her to be independent, accomplish goals for herself and to be an equal in a world beyond the roles of a dutiful daughter, wife and mother.

I was impressed how the author describes the artistic process as though it is second nature to her.  The descriptions flow in almost a lyric fashion so suitable to the topic.  The story may start out a bit slowly as it sets the repressed character of Miss Bisque.  However, as soon as she begins to blossom you become caught up with her growing persona and are anxious to see her succeed.

Ms. North makes the setting and characters natural, down to earth and as real as your own friends.  She mentions books, movies and music that fit into everyday life.  But the most striking thing about the story was the emotional response that it evoked!  I was shocked by the pain of discovering the husband’s greatest secret and frightened by the sexual assault on Bisque.  I was hurt by the demeaning attitude of her family, and my heart pounded at the cutting betrayal by her friend.  Best of all I was warmly touched by the Colonel’s persistent tenderness and Bisque’s ultimate acceptance of her own worth.   If you like a mature romance packed with emotion, you will really want to read this book!

THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE TWO TOTES! AND COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW AND THE OTHER EVENTS AT THIS BLOG AND AT I READ AND MY READING ROOM FOR EXTRA ENTRIES! 

Interview Chat with Author Carol North - PART ONE- The Writing Process!

Please help me welcome Carol North for this interview series.

PART ONE - QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR WRITING PROCESS:

Martha: Carol, you now have three books out. Of course the first question is: What made you want to write in the first place?

Carol: One of my earliest memories is declaring, "I'm going to be a writer when I grow up."

It might sound corny but I believe it's my "soul bent." By that I mean being born with an inclination toward becoming a writer, if only because my fingers fit the computer keys and I have a run-away imagination. Or maybe it's genetic. Writers, artists, readers, and warriors abound on both sides of my family. The warrior part is needed to tough it out until publication. For whatever reasons, writing comes easy to me.

I believe. however, anyone devoted to the idea can be published. For some it may take longer or require more effort. If being a writer is your dream, you can make it come true.

M: I think a run-away imagination sure helps. I love the warrior part though to tough it out.

Would you say you write from experiences or imagination?

Carol: My experiences, the experiences of others, and images fire my imagination. For instance, Eternally His was inspired by working as a bridal consultant. I wanted to share the beauty of the bridal salon environment. The model for the Victorian bride ghost was a doll in a Franklin Mint advertisement.

M: That is very cool. Since my daughter recently got married I can agree that there is beauty in the salon environment. But you took it the extra step to create your ghostly bride.

Did you need any help staying motivated or getting any element of your stories to cooperate?

Carol: I probably do, but don't notice because of my training. I'm fortunate to have more than 20 years experience as a business and technical writer from which to draw. Early on, I realized a client won't pay you while you're having writer's block or waiting for the muse to sit on your shoulder, so I trained myself to spend every minute of my writing time being productive. 

If I'm stuck in one area, I move to another. For example, from writing to research. Webbing and mind or idea mapping are techniques I successfully use to get back on track. The techniques are especially useful when plotting stories.

M: I’ve never heard of the term “webbing.” What is that?

Carol: It's a brainstorming technique basically the same as mind or idea mapping; it just goes be a different name. You start by drawing a circle in the middle of the paper. Write a name or term in the circle. Draw another circle and connect the two with a line. Write the first thing that comes to mind in the second circle. Keep doing that until you run out of ideas for the new circles. When done, you'll see your subconscious mind has given you a lot of ideas for continuing your story or writing a new one.

M: That sounds like an awesome tool.

Your three novels are all contemporaries but in different genres: paranormal, sci fi and straight contemporary. Do you have plans to write in any other genres?

Carol: Yes, 20th century historical. My next book begins in 1910 and covers three decades of the heroine's life. I have an urban fantasy novella, "Gifts for the Goddess," under contract. For me, the story idea comes first, rather than genre preference.

M: Wow – you are across the board. That is wonderful.

Do you enjoy promoting your book and do you do anything special to promote?

Carol: After spending many months writing a book, the characters become like family. Yes, I enjoy promoting because it's an opportunity to talk about my "family."

I have fun making promotional graphics, like excerpt booklets, bookmarks, and bookplates. My most successful promotions are contests for tees and tote bags decorated with covers from my books. I've been told people are trying to win the entire set.

M: Ha! Promoting the “family” eh?? Yes I’ve heard the totes are popular and we are pleased that you are offering two as Giveaways during this interview series. Thank you.

Did you have any input in getting the covers of your books?

Carol: Publishers provide to their authors "cover information" forms. The forms include questions about the location and time period of the story; and physical attributes of the main characters, such as hair color, build, typical attire (formal or informal). The rest of the questions are more conceptual: genre, tone of the story, symbolical objects in the story, and so on. 

An author friend said to me, "The cover gods have smiled on you." I agree and am happy with all my covers. They tell the stories as much as the computer files and the pages between the covers do.

M: Yes I think the cover gods have smiled on you. I like each one.

CONTINUE THE INTERVIEW TOMORROW NOVEMBER 4, 2009 with Crystal at My Reading Room!

REMEMBER TO ENTER THE TOTE GIVEAWAY AT THIS LINK.  Comment on this interview for extra entry. And check out the Review post and comment there for another extra entry!

Review of Love's Reflection by Carol North

Title: Love’s Reflection

Author: Carol North
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Publisher: Class Act Books
BUY LINK
ISBN:  978-1-935048-61-9
           1-935048-61-9
Price: ebook $3.99
          Print $12.49

Rating: 4.75 of 5.0
Heat Rating: Sultry (Sexual references and a few explicit scenes.)

Author Website:  Escape Into A Story

Blurb: Alpha is every man's fantasy woman: pure and untouched, low-maintenance, obedient, beautiful, anatomically perfect. She's a robot, created by Dr. Cort Hirsch in the image of his unrequited love interest Zoe Parker, film superstar.

When his robot refuses to clean the bathroom until he provides waterproof gloves to protect her hands, the hunky scientist realizes there may be some flaws in her design.

Alpha, Zoe, and Cort are thrown together when Zoe receives death threats and Alpha is used as the bait to catch the stalker.

Cort's passion is consummated, but by which female?

REVIEW:
I applaud Ms. North for another well written, engaging and fun romance. I have been consistently impressed with Ms. North’s versatility.

Although Alpha is a created robot, she “evolves” or trains herself to become almost human! She is able to see the positive and negative characteristics of others, especially Zoe, for whom she is a double. I hesitate to say too much about the characteristics that Alpha adopts as I don’t want to spoil the story!

Cort is almost a “scientist geek” except he is really a hunk who happens to be a genius in his field. Others do not readily see his sexy potential because he is so absorbed with his research project. His other obsession is the gorgeous superstar Zoe Parker.

Zoe is a very self absorbed actress on the verge of alcoholism. She may be a beauty but in her case it is only skin deep!

When Cort agrees to allow Alpha to move in public as Zoe’s double the interaction among the three of them becomes particularly interesting!! This story had me chuckling at guessing what was going to happen, particularly as Alpha “matures” in her socialization!

This story has a bit more sexual heat and raw language than Ms. North’s other books. However, I did not find it offensive in the overall picture as it fit well with the plot and characters!

I have read three different novels by Ms. North: Eternally His, a contemporary paranormal, Miss Bisque and the Colonel, a contemporary women’s novel and Love’s Reflection, this fun sci-fi contemporary. There is a very clean and flowing style to Ms. North’s writing. Each book has a unique plot and Ms. North’s is able to capture or portray the "feel" of each story. Eternally His had an ethereal sense to it; Miss Bisque has a lyrical artsy feel; and Love's Reflection has a crisp humorous bent. I think that is pretty remarkable. The fine quality of writing comes through with an individual essence fitting each story!

It appears to me that you can’t miss reading enjoyment if you pick up any of Ms. North’s novels!! Better yet, get them all as they each have a unique, well written story to offer!


REMEMBER to ENTER THE TOTE GIVEAWAY AT THIS LINK.  Comment on the review for extra entry.

Read the next post - Part One Interview - and comment there for an extra entry too!

GIVEAWAY - TWO TOTES From Author Carol North

As I announced Saturday, this Giveaway is part of the Carol North - Reviews and Interview Schedule!

We are helping Carol North celebrate her two upcoming releases!

Ms. North is donating two very striking and handy book totes with the book covers for the November re-release of LOVE'S REFLECTION

and the November new release of MISS BISQUE AND THE COLONEL

TO ENTER:  The main Giveaway post is THIS ONE!! So you must ENTER HERE and leave your e-mail address to be entered!  There will be two winners drawn - the first gets to pick which tote they want and the second winner will get the remaining tote.

Extra Entries:  You will get an extra entry for each comment made at any of the review and interview posts. That is a possible 8 additional entries!

We will start the numbering count with my posts and then continue them as Crystal and Sumana post their reviews and interview portions.  We will merge our lists to keep them chronological and when all is done we will submit to random generator!

For easier entry I am including the events schedule here again with the links to the other team  sites! 

11/2 - here: Main Giveaway Post

11/3 - here: Martha's review of Love's Reflection and Interview Part 1 - The Writing Process!

11/4 - at My Reading Room: Crystal's review of Love's Reflection and Interview Part 2 - The Book - Love's Reflection!

11/5 - at I Read: Sumana's review of Miss Bisque and the Colonel.

11/6 - at I Read: Interview Part 3 - The Book - Miss Bisque and the Colonel!

11/10 - here: Martha's review of Miss Bisque and the Colonel.

11/12 - here: Interview Part 4 - Some Personal Questions!

11/13 - End of the Giveaway at midnight CST; Winners announced on Saturday November 14th!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

Feel free to tweet and blog about the events and come along on this mini tour and have fun!

Coming up - Reviews, Interviews and Giveaway with Author CAROL NORTH!

I am very excited to be hosting a mini interview tour series this next two weeks spotlighting Author Carol North  and her two new releases!

I previously posted my NEED to Read review of Carol's paranormal suspense story Eternally His here at You Gotta Read Reviews. 

Now Carol has a fun Science Fiction being released in November:

Love's Reflection 

and

a Contemporary Woman's Romance

Miss Bisque and the Colonel

There will be a GIVEAWAY for two of Carol's wonderful totes!  (Check the pics to be posted Monday!)

The Interviews, reviews and Giveaway will be shared with Crystal at her blog, My Reading Room and with Sumana at her blog, I Read!

Here is the schedule for this event!

11/2 - Giveaway Posted here at Martha's Bookshelf.

11/3 - here: Martha's review of Love's Reflection and Interview Part 1 - The Writing Process!

11/4 - at My Reading Room: Crystal's review of Love's Reflection and Interview Part 2 - The Book - Love's Reflection!

11/5 - at I Read: Sumana's review of Miss Bisque and the Colonel.

11/6 - at I Read:  Interview Part 3 - The Book - Miss Bisque and the Colonel!

11/10 - here: Martha's review of Miss Bisque and the Colonel.

11/12 - here: Interview Part 4 - Some Personal Questions!

11/13 - End of the Giveaway; Winners announced!

A big THANK YOU to Crystal and Sumana for teaming with me to host this lovely author!  I hope you will join us as we share our opinions about her books and Carol share's some insight into her writing process and these books in particular!