THE EMBERS SERIES - Carrie Daws - One Free Book

Welcome, Carrie. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

A piece of me can be seen in every book, even though I work to create characters who are different from each other. If a character needs a favorite food or color, I tend to pick something I’d like, or if a character has a bad habit or struggle, I also tend to pick things from my own life or those close to me.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

One time, I kidnapped a friend and her two young children. It sounds fun and we laugh about it now, but at the time it was an intervention of sorts. She desperately needed to talk to our pastor’s wife but was hesitant to go, so I pre-arranged both childcare and the meeting, then showed up at her house unannounced and ordered them all into my car.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I can be very slow to realize truth, and I think part of my difficulty with assuming the title of writer was because I didn’t want the burden of responsibility that comes with readers ready to hear more. Readers ready for my next story. So it’s only been within the last two years that I accepted my calling as writer and storyteller—five long years after my first book hit the store shelves.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I read all kinds of books! My favorite is probably historical romantic comedy, but I also enjoy historical fiction and fiction based on Bible stories or Bible times. I read some action and adventure, mystery, and young adult, and I aim for one or two classics per year. Additionally, I read a bunch of nonfiction, mostly Christian living and books on writing/publishing, but also some history, biography, and health books.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I’ve worked hard the past three or four years to build solid, healthy boundaries and to say, “No,” or “Let me check my schedule,” before agreeing to anything. I actively protect my calendar, make things I love a priority (from family to reading to doing puzzles), and schedule in adequate time for sleep and exercise.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I always start with a birthdate then I’ll search online for popular baby names from that birth year. I’ll scroll through, rarely picking any in the top ten, and trying to pick names different from any I’ve used in my other books. I also keep a list of names I’ve used in each book, purposely trying to pick names that start with different letters of the alphabet, which regularly forces me out of my favorites. For last names, I use a similar process except I start with the character’s family heritage or surnames common to the area where they are born.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Learning perseverance. The publishing world is tough, and authors have a constantly changing barrage of information to learn and adapt to. Besides getting better at writing, we must learn marketing, social media, websites, and publishing, consider speaking, book clubs, and book signings, and don’t even get me started on how the grammar rules change! It all can be very overwhelming. God gently led me into these waters, and He’s gradually increased His expectations over time, always providing exactly what I needed to prod me another step deeper. I’m most proud and thankful that I’ve persisted in spite of the difficulties, obstacles, and uncertainties.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I’m horrible at these questions! But, I can tell you that I’d love to be my Chihuahua. The spoiled pup spends her time sleeping on pillows underneath blankets or in laps getting regular back rubs. The most stressful part of her day is waiting until dinner is served.

What is your favorite food?

Oh, hands down, pizza. Deep dish and thin crust. New York style and Chicago. Restaurant bought and homemade with my fresh milled flour. I love it all! Just go easy on the sauce, add some pepperoni and mozzarella, and I’m in a happy place.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

My greatest roadblock to writing is fear: fear that no one would want to read my stories and fear that my stories truly were not worth reading. This fear kept me from asking for reviews, or even letting people know that I had books for sale! I still fight this tendency, but enough readers have left encouragement through emails or reviews that I’m more likely to reach out and try.

Tell us about the featured book.

The Embers Series is currently my favorite fiction book I’ve written so far. The stories are full of intrigue, provide a look inside a fire marshal’s life, and add a touch of both romance and fun. The two main characters are modeled after friends, both of whom knew and approved of what I was writing. And the stories tackle fear head on: Does God know when danger lurks around us? Is He in the business of actively protecting His children? And can we grow in our trust in Him when circumstances threaten to overwhelm us?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Friday, October 9th

White billows replaced the dark, ominous clouds that still drifted over the tops of the loblolly pine trees along the North Carolina roadside. Inspector Cassandra McCarthy released her breath, knowing the color change meant the firefighters had water on the blaze. Those who were returning to nearby homes at the end of the workday should be safe.

Her phone on the console beside her buzzed with an incoming text message. “On the scene yet?”

Showing her identification card from the Silver Heights Fire Marshal’s office, Cassandra pulled her white Chevy Tahoe around the sheriff’s barricade shutting down the country road to all nonemergency traffic. Stopping in the grass near the last tanker truck, she grabbed her phone and responded to the text. “Just arrived. Beaver Creek and Black Branch Fire Departments both on scene. Flames still visible.”

She knew her boss wouldn’t be satisfied with that answer, but before she could give him more details, she had to get her mind on her job. Her heart ached with memories of today, of the anniversary she should be celebrating. Releasing her seat belt, she grabbed the camera from the passenger seat. She could at least start taking pictures for the report she’d have to file later. Her phone buzzed again.

“Contained? Any woods burning?”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

The best place to find me is at CarrieDaws.com. However, I also like to hang out at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarrieDaws/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarrieDaws

Thank you, Carrie, for sharing this book with me and my readers.

Readers, here are links to the book.

The Embers Series - Paperback
Embers series - Kindle

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