Through a crazy
twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not
born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about
handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office
her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas
cowboy country where they ride herd on their two rescued indoor cats and dog as
well as providing nourishment outdoors for squirrels, birds, and other
critters.
The
books she creates in her pink cave have made her a bestselling author and won
awards. She writes sweet to sensual romances about the West, both historical
and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. Her series include the
Kincaids, McClintocks, Stone Mountain Texas, Bride Brigade, Texas Time Travel,
Texas Caprock Tales, Pearson Grove, and Loving A Rancher as well as numerous
single titles and contributions to multi-author sets. When she’s not writing,
she loves spending time with her family, reading her friends’ books, lunching
with friends, browsing antique malls, checking Facebook, and taking the
occasional nap.
Beverley:
Which genre or genres do you
write or prefer to write? And why?
Caroline: So
far, I’ve written western historical romance, contemporary romance, time travel
romance, and mystery. My favorite is western historical romance, but they
usually have a mystery/adventure in them. I credit my dad and my freshman
history professor for my love of western romance. My mother-in-law suggested I
write romance and at the same time brought me a grocery bag of Harlequin
romances to read.
Beverley: Who influenced you
the most in deciding to become a writer?
Caroline: My
dad and a journalism teacher names Mary Stewart (not the famous one).
Then, when I began trying to get published, writer
friends in an RWA group shared their editor’s name and that she was looking for
short romances for the ill-fated Precious Gems line at Kensington. But, I sold
my book and became a published author and that opened a lot of doors.
Beverley: What gets your creative juices flowing?
Caroline: An
article I read or a conversation I hear, or a television news story can spark
an idea. Getting a book plotted out gets me enthused, too, and I can hardly
wait to start writing.
Beverley: Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Why?
Caroline: Bugs
Bunny is my favorite because of the association I have of my dad teaching me to
read when I was small. Every day when he came in from work, I’d be waiting to
ask him to read the Bugs Bunny comic strip in the evening paper. I know he
valued education, but I have said he taught me to read so he could look at his
paper in peace.
Beverley: Who would you love most to meet 'in person' and why?
Caroline: That’s
a difficult question! I’d better not mention an American political figure, so
I’ll say Queen Elizabeth II. I admire her and I love visiting Britain. Also, a
few years ago she looked just like my late eldest sister who lived in
California.
Beverley: If you had an unexpected free day what would you do with it?
Caroline: Read!
Writers never get enough time to read because we’re always writing. At least,
it seems I am. When I get a chance to read, I take it. I take my Kindle in my
purse and read anytime I have a few minutes to spare. I admit I never begrudge
delay in a waiting room because I get to read.
Beverley: What are you working on now?
Caroline: I’ve just finished POLKA
WITH PAULINE, The Matchmaker’s Ball, book 8 and it will be released March 28.
Now I’ll be working on MAIL-ORDER VICTORIA, Widows,
Brides, and Secret Babies Series, book 7, which releases
on April. I love mail-order bride stories—to write and to read.
Blurb about STUART, Bachelors & Babies Series
book 10
He
is building for the future . . .
She is escaping
the past . . .
Trouble could
destroy their family
Stuart McGee
needs the bounty from capturing the two men he’s trailing. That reward will
allow him to buy the ranch of his dreams. When he encounters the men, he is
forced to kill them or be killed. He learns they’ve killed a young couple. The
big surprise is there’s a baby in their cabin. What is Stuart supposed to do
with a baby girl?
Georgina Potter
has to get away from home. Her family treats her as a screw-up. She is
determined to prove them wrong. Starting over as a mail-order bride might not
be the best way but it’s the only way she can get away from her family. When
she arrives, she learns her groom has married someone else. What is she going
to do with no money, no groom, and nowhere to stay?
When Georgina and
Stuart marry, neither is convinced it’s the right choice. Baby Adeline captures
the affection of both. Can working together as parents ignite romance for
Georgina and Stuart? When trouble comes, will their fledgling relationship
disintegrate or become stronger?
An Excerpt from STUART, Bachelors &
Babies Series book 10
“Okay,
there was a rug on the floor of the cabin. I don’t know if it was for her or
the dog.”
He
pressed a hand to his forehead. “No, I’m sure the dog’s blanket was the one I
used to wrap the bodies for burial. I just laid the dog on top of them in one
communal grave.” He scrubbed a hand across his face.
How
horrible for him. She couldn’t imagine the scene he’d faced with two dead
criminals, the dead young couple, and their dog. And to have to dig a grave
large enough for the couple and their dog must have been exhausting physically
and mentally.
“What
a hard week you’ve had. Mine hasn’t been fun, either.” She turned to the child.
“Addie, would you like to bring your baby to the kitchen?” She scooped up the
little girl and her doll.
He
smiled. “Yeah, we should call her Addie. That’s what her father called her. He
said ‘see about Addie’ with his last breath. When she’s old enough to
understand, I’ll tell her that.”
He
wrapped an arm around Georgina’s shoulders. “No, don’t go sad again. We’re
lucky to have this ranch paid for and have enough money to buy furniture and
stock up on food.”
“Stuart,
you risked your life for that cash. I’m lucky that awful Brick Larson jilted
me.”
He
chuckled. “We’ll see if you still feel that way after you taste what I rustle
up for our supper.”
Buy Link for STUART, Bachelors & Babies
Series book 10
Join
her and other readers at Caroline’s
Cuties, a Facebook readers group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/277082053015947/ for special excerpts, exchanging ideas,
contests, giveaways, recipes, and talking to like-minded people about books and
other fun things.
To
stay up-to-date with her releases and contests, subscribe to Caroline’s
newsletter here and receive a FREE novella of HAPPY IS
THE BRIDE, a humorous historical wedding disaster that ends happily—but you
knew it would, didn’t you?
Beverley, thank you for sharing your blog with me today!
ReplyDeleteLovely interview, Caroline. Looking forward to reading Stuart.
ReplyDeleteLove your books Caroline. Can't wait for the next one.
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies! Love your books Caroline Clemmons. Also, in this interview I have been introduced to a new author.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, I enjoyed this interview with Beverly. I'm glad to hear you made it to Texas. Since I visited a few times, in the first decade of this century, I've said, "If I didn't live in Tennessee, I'd want to live in Texas."
ReplyDeleteYour story sounds intriguing. Nothing better than reading about a hunky cowboy and the woman he falls for. Add a baby, and the story has all kinds of possibilities. God bless you as you use the talent He gave you.
Thank you, Laurean. My mom was from Tennessee.
DeleteLoved reading this. Thanks, Caroline!
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting, Alice.
DeleteI always love learning more about you and of course the excerpt is superb! Best of luck with your new release.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jacquie.
DeleteBarbara, thanks for this post, which I thoroughly enjoyed! Love the excerpt and learning about you, Caroline! I enjoy your Facebook group! Blessings to both of you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting. I'm so glad you're in the Facebook group! Blessings to you.
ReplyDelete