"Trust My Heart" by Carol J. Post ... and a GIVEAWAY!

In celebration of  this release, Carol has graciously offered to give away a hard copy (US) or ebook (outside US) of the book! To enter, see the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends November 11, 2016.) If you are the the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!

Q & A with Carol...

Q:  What would you be doing if you were not an author?

A:  I would still be writing in some fashion or another, because I can’t imagine NOT writing. Although my first novel was published fairly recently (just under four years ago), I’ve been writing for most of my life. I was one of those weird kids that actually enjoyed doing book reports and research papers. As a child and teenager, I wrote poetry. That evolved into writing articles that found their way into some Christian and children’s publications. My husband and I worked with Marriage Encounter for a short time, which involved writing talks that we presented as part of the program. I even did a short stint writing commercials and skits for a radio station.

Q:  Totally not weird! I loved book reports, research papers, and writing poetry too :) That's very interesting that you wrote commercials and radio station skits! How did you start writing?

A:  Although I’ve always enjoyed writing, I didn’t consider trying to write for publication until around 1990. My husband and I were working with Marriage Encounter at the time, and the leader would edit the talks we wrote. After submitting two or three of them, I received a note back that in twenty-five years of leading Marriage Encounter weekends, that was the first talk she’d received that didn’t require edits. That got me thinking that maybe I had a natural “bent” toward writing and should try to write for publication. The thought had never entered my mind previously.

Q:  What do you consider the hardest part about being a writer?

A:  Juggling all the different aspects of the career. I enjoy speaking, doing book signings, blogging, and interacting with my readers on Facebook and Twitter, but all those activities take time away from writing the next book. Sometimes finding that perfect balance is difficult.

Q:  Yes, those things do take a lot of time, but I'm sure your readers are glad to have the opportunity to interact with you! What are your thoughts on the publishing industry in general? In relation to self-publishing?

A:  I’m not someone who keeps a finger on the pulse of the publishing industry, but I can say that I’m glad, for me personally, that self-publishing wasn’t an option when I wrote my first novel. I was so convinced that the plot was riveting, the characters compelling, and the writing just overall amazing, that after those first few rejections, I might have run out and self-published it instead of buckling down and really learning the craft. That said, though, I’m so glad the option is there. I know a lot of incredibly good writers whose books don’t fit neatly into any of the traditional publishing slots, and I think it’s great that they can get their stories out there and into the hands of readers.

Q:  What advice do you have for new authors?

A:  That one’s easy—join a writer’s group. I started my novel writing career back in the mid- to late- 1990s but got discouraged and quit three different times. If I hadn’t found my way to Romance Writers of America and my local chapter, Tampa Area Romance Authors, in 2010, I would probably still be unpublished. Not only have I gained invaluable information from all the workshops I’ve attended, but the encouragement and support I’ve received from the authors in the group have made all the difference for me.

Q:  What is your favorite writing-related book?

A:  Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder. It’s actually a book on screenwriting, but it has a lot of really great information for novelists and is written in an easy-to-read, engaging manner.

Q:  What can you tell me about your next project?

A:  My next book is titled Buried Memories and will release in January. It’s being published by Love Inspired Suspense and is the fourth in my Cedar Key series. Tyler Brant is an ex-soldier who is struggling with PTSD and survivor’s guilt. Nicki Jackson experienced a traumatic childhood but is now under attack and has no idea why. She wonders if the answers lie in her recurring nightmares, terrifying visions that may actually be suppressed memories.

Q:  How did you decide to write in multiple genres? What are the challenges of doing both? Which genre is your favorite?

A:  My first seven published books are in the inspirational romantic suspense genre, but many years ago when my daughter was a teenager, we decided it would be fun to write a novel together. It was an inspirational romance, and I think we made it through about three chapters before we ran out of steam. I always loved the story and some time back, I decided to pick it up and dust it off. I changed the setting from a fictional town in the mountains to Murphy, North Carolina, and started rewriting. Not much of the original draft remains, but Jami and Grant are easily recognizable in those early pages, as are a few of the plot elements.

Besides being my first non-suspense, Trust My Heart is my first “single title” length. (With the exception of one novella that I self-published, all of my suspense books are published through Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, which is “category” length.) I honestly can’t say I have a favorite. My inspirational romantic suspense stories are fun to write because they’re tense and fast-paced and often a bit eerie. My inspirational romance stories are much more lighthearted, with humor sprinkled in, which makes them fun to write also.

Q:  Who are some of your favorite authors?

A:  I have so many I like that it’s hard to narrow it down to a few favorites. I’m currently reading Another Day Another Dali, Sandra Orchard’s second Serena Jones mystery. I loved A Fool and His Monet, the first book in the series. It was fast-paced, full of quirky characters, and laugh-out-loud funny. This one promises to be as good as the first.

Q:  I agree that Sandra's books are quite good. I haven't read her latest book, but I've read a number of her books. What's something that would surprise your readers?

A:  I once chased a car thief across the church parking lot in a dress and high heels. Many years ago, my husband and I arrived at church a little late on a Wednesday night to find a man stretched across my mom’s front seat working on hot wiring her car. He took off, and I lost him when he jumped the fence at the back of the property. As I’ve gotten older, I’m not nearly as impulsive as I used to be. Now I leave the chases to my law enforcement heroes and heroines!

Oh, my goodness! That was certainly a brave thing to do! I certainly didn't expect that surprising info :) You're very welcome, Carol. Thanks so much for being here. I'm sure my readers enjoyed getting to know you a bit better!

Thank you for having me on your blog, Leslie. I enjoyed the visit!

My review...

Grant McAlilister is in Murphy, NC to sell property inherited from his grandmother. He plans to return to the big city and his job as a lawyer as soon as possible. He is totally perplexed as to why the property was left to him, as his grandmother never wanted anything to do with him while she was alive. He meets Jami Carlisle when she tries to interview him. She is looking to make her big break with her latest assignment, which is an article on the McAllister family and their estate. She hopes Grant can help her with that. However, he never really knew his family, and he is not interested in learning about them now. Neither one is looking for a relationship, though Jami’s boss is trying to play the part of matchmaker. Jami uncovers secrets which may cause Grant to look at his family in a different light. Will he also reevaluate his plans as a result?

This is the first in a new series for Post. While there are times when Jami seems a bit too perfect, this is an enjoyable book which is likely to leave the reader both laughing and crying. The characters and storyline are well-developed, and themes of forgiveness, trust, and love are woven throughout. One of my favorite takeaway reminders from the book is: “Bitterness can ruin your life if you let it.”

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the book. I was not required to leave a review. Opinions expressed are my own.

Amazon link for purchase...

http://amzn.to/2f0CYoG

About Carol...

Carol J. Post lives in sunshiny Central Florida and writes fun and fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense. Her books have been nominated for a RITA® award and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. Besides writing, she works alongside her music minister husband singing and playing the piano. She also enjoys sailing, hiking, camping—almost anything outdoors. Her two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all that nurturing into taking care of a fat and sassy black cat and a highly spoiled dachshund.

Social media links:

Website – www.caroljpost.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/caroljpost.author

Twitter – www.twitter.com/caroljpost

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Carol-J.-Post/e/B00A1EJMN6/

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