Welcome back, Carol. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?
Because it’s what I’m good at. I know that seems kind of
simplistic, but I’ve tried writing romantic suspense (we don’t talk about that
one) and historicals
(it’s decent but I don’t want to write them full time!) so I write contemporary
romantic dramedy - they have definite comedic moments, but they have their
serious side as well.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Oh goodness. That’s a tough one. Can I pick five? For
different reasons. Wedding day - because I get to spend the rest of my life
with the love of my life (it’ll be 20 years in just a few weeks!) and the days
each of my children were born. Some of those days were tougher than others, but
I absolutely adore my kids and wouldn’t trade any of them for anything!
How has being
published changed your life?
Being published, indie published in particular, has allowed
me to write full time. I did teach part time at a community college, but last
spring was my last semester. There were a number of other factors that led to
the decision but the reason we were able to make that choice is the income from
my books. I’ve also learned SO MUCH about the whole process! I’m far more
capable than I would have thought (though paperbacks continue to be taxing - in
fact I’m a couple behind there :p)
and I really enjoy writing what I want to write without the restrictions an
outsider can impose (they know their readers so I know it works for them; I
know mine though ;)). I enjoy my own schedule, too. In just under 2.5 years, my
20th book is about to release, and I fully expect to hit 25 before three years
is up.
What are you reading
right now?
Right this minute, nothing, but I’m looking forward to an
advance copy of Mikal Dawn’s Count Me
In this weekend or next week. I’ve also got Laura Frantz’s On A Moonbow Night waiting on me. I’ve heard it’s FANTASTIC!
What is your current
work in progress?
I am “this close” to done with Reclaiming Hearts, the third book in the Serenity Landing Second
Chances series. The hero is Prince William, so it also wraps up the next
generation of royals from the three countries in Belles Montagnes, but it
introduces us to the royal family of Eyjania - their stories will start later
this year. I’m also working on the first book in the series that will likely
have both the Eyjanian family and the San Majorian family in it. It’s called Heart of a Prince and should release this
summer. Reclaiming Hearts is available for
preorder and likely releases 4/21 (though Amazon currently says 4/30).
What would be your
dream vacation?
We just took it! My husband and I took our whole family on a
Caribbean cruise for spring break. Eight days
and seven nights on board Liberty
of the Seas. We did excursions in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica . We
loved all of them for different reasons. Most of my family loved all there was
to see and do on board the ship. I loved finding a quiet spot to read and
relax. I would do it again in a heartbeat (though I think I’d get three rooms
instead of two - the kids were a little crowded and getting on each other’s
nerves by the end of it).
James and I have been
on a cruise to those three places, too. We loved it. How do you choose your
settings for each book?
Hmm. I don’t really know. Sometimes it just comes to me.
More often, it depends on where the character is from geographically. Since Glimpsing
Hope is about Christopher Bayfield who lives in Serenity Landing,
that’s where it takes place. Reclaiming
Hearts is about William, Crown Prince of Mevendia, so a chunk of it takes
place there, though it also goes to Serenity Landing and Eyjania.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Queen Elizabeth. She fascinates me! The history she’s seen
and been a part of. The changing royal family and how they’re perceived by the
public, changing customs (how different was Prince Charles’s marriage from
Prince William’s), and so on. Plus hanging out at Buckingham Palace
would be fascinating! And surely Prince Philip would stop by to say hello!
There’s another fascinating character!
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I’m a band mom :D.
That takes up A LOT of my time! Otherwise, I watch a lot of television. I’m
currently working my way through Star Trek: Deep Space 9.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
This is probably a weird one, but I write best late at night
in a very daytime world. At 9 or 10 pm, I can write as much in an hour as it
would take me all day to write. My optimal time, is 9 or 10 until about 1 or 2
in the morning. That’s not easy when you have to be up in the morning :/. Since
writing full time though, I’m able to work late. I get up about 6:30 to take
the freshman to school (her tenor saxophone is rather unwieldy on the bus),
come home, and two mornings a week I get my son ready for school as my
husband’s already gone. Once those things are done, I go back to bed and sleep
until late morning. In the afternoons, I don’t usually write, but often do
other writing related stuff, like graphic design, then go back to work writing
as the kids go to bed.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Write. Write. Write some more. And read just as much. A lot.
Good books. Okay books. Even bad books. In your genre and others. Good writing
is good writing no matter what the genre. Join a group like ACFW and learn
everything you can. Finish one book. Make it as good as you can on your own. Send
it out to the world either by querying or rounds of edits with others to indie
publish (tip: your first book probably isn’t nearly as ready as you think it
is; get professionals or at least other writers who’ve been at this a lot
longer to help you get it ready). Then start another one.
Tell us about the
featured book.
They say writers are weird… and they’re not wrong. About two
weeks before I started writing Glimpsing Hope, this little girl
showed up in my head and said, “What about me?”
Me: Who are you?
Her: I’m his daughter.
Me: I didn’t know he had a daughter.
Her: Neither does he.
And there she was. I know how strange it sounds, but that
conversation actually happened in my head! So, Glimpsing Hope gained a
little girl - named for a friend of mine’s daughter who went to be with the
Lord far, far too young.
Glimpsing Hope
Christopher Bayfield enjoys his single life. Unencumbered by
relationships, he works and travels whenever he wants. He can even drop
everything to do something he's been dreaming of for a while - return to acting
in a Happily Ever After TV Network movie. But before he can leave a knock on
the door changes his life.
Julia Quisenberry never planned to have one child out of wedlock, much less be pregnant with number two, but this was what her life had become. Unemployed and barely making ends meet with her knitting patterns and teaching, she's almost desperate enough to take a handout from her best friend.
A phone call from Christopher changes Julia's plans. He offers her a job and a lifeline, in more ways than one. So when the paparazzi threaten all he holds dear, she'll do anything to help him out - even marry him. Can they overcome the obstacles in their path to find a glimpse of hope for their own happily ever after?
Author’s note: The first chapter of Glimpsing Hope picks up at the end of Winning the Queen's Heart and before the events of Protecting the Prince. The second chapter begins in the universe’s “present day” - after the events of Discovering Home.
Please give us the first
page of the book.
May 2017
“I’ll pay for them to fly commercial.” Christopher Bayfield
crossed his arms over his chest and stared down the duke. He could do that
because the duke was also his twin brother. No one else would understand why he
wanted to avoid this flight.
Alexander tugged on the bottom of his tuxedo jacket and
frowned into the mirror. “Someday I’ll figure out how to make this look right
with the sash on the first try.”
“It’s your own fault for marrying a queen, Ander, but don’t
think you’re getting out of this. I’ll pay for them to fly back, first class.”
Alexander turned away from the mirror to face Christopher.
“Christiana, your pregnant sister-in-law, asked you to fly them back on the
family plane. You’re really going to turn her down?”
“If you won’t let me pay for them to go back first class,
I’ll rent a plane for them.”
“You get to tell the queen you don’t want to do the one
thing she asked you to do for the woman who saved her life, and the life of
your niece or nephew.”
Christopher hated it when his brother was right. “Then they
can take the plane home, and I’ll rent one of my own. Or buy my own first class
ticket.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Topher.” Alexander limped to the door
of Christopher’s room, his leg still recovering from the recent shoot out with
the man who tried to kill his wife. Alexander had come to Christopher’s room to
guilt trip him into doing this. Help fixing his tie was just an excuse. “Just
ride home in the plane with them. Sit at the table and work the whole time or take
the couch and sleep. I’m not saying you have to become bosom buddies with the
gal, just make sure she and her son don’t die in a horrid plane crash on the
way back. Once you land, put them in the car Jonathan will provide and go on
your merry way.”
I’m eager to read
this one. You know how much I love your books. How can readers find you on the
Internet?
They can follow me on Facebook (use the Follow button) at www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolMoncado
- that’s the best place to find me!
I have a Twitter but don’t use it often - www.twitter.com/CarolMoncado
I blog monthly at InspyRomance www.inspyromance.com
My website is www.carolmoncado.com
Thank you, Carol, for sharing this new book with us. I really look forward to reading it, and the next ones that come out, too.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you
order, you help support this blog.
Glimpsing Hope: Contemporary Christian Romance (Serenity Landing Second Chances Book 2)
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.
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14 comments:
Hi Lena!!! Thank you for having me!!! I'll be back off and on, but hubby took today off without telling me and we're building a (glorified chicken wire) fence this afternoon so our (little) dogs have a place to run around outside ;).
This sounds like a book I would truly enjoy. I also love the cover. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana
Sounds like a good read. north platte nebraska.
I did not know about this author. After reading the interview, I know I would enjoy her books. Thanks, Judy Cooper, Southwest Louisiana.
Thanks, Lena and Carol, for the interesting interview and glimpse into Carol's book. It sounds so good.
Winnie T from Utah
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Hi Cindy! I'm glad you like it!! That's my son, niece, and nephew in law :). (And a random little girl ;)). I kind of love it!
Hi Kim! Thanks for stopping by!!!
Hi Judy! I hope you do!
I have family in Louisiana! In the New Orleans area and Baton Rouge (though a couple of them have moved to Texas after being flooded out last summer :/).
Hi Winnie!!!! Good to see you!
Thanks for stopping by Sharon!
I love how the story on how the little girl became part of the book! Looks like a great book!
Beth from IA
Thanks, Beth! It really did happen like that! I have a t-shirt that says "I became a writer to give the voices in my head something productive to do" - this time it's really true ;).
Hi Carol! I recently read your "Hand-Me-Down Princess" and loved it but then, I'm a sucker for a good hidden princess story. I have Glimpsing Hope on my Kindle but would love a physical copy that I can share in my church library so I would love to win this!
Pam in OH
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