Hey! Wait! Where do you think you're going? Come back here... you can buy it after you read what Carol has to say to us. Sheesh.
Okay, Carol? Stop sniffing those flowers now. You're up...
First, I want to thank Susan for hosting me. And for holding two dates open for a few weeks. SECRETS OF HONOR had a bumpy ride clearing the birth canal with a few problems beyond my control.
And if you
didn’t know, my usual M.O. is to think I can control any situation only to find
out I have absolutely no control over anything whatsoever. You’d think I’d know
this by now. I guess I do, but I continue to believe and hope otherwise.
So I’ll
just move on and tell you my top ten favorite things about the writing of SECRETS
OF HONOR.
10. It’s
finished!
See above.
After one thing and another and another and so on, I was beginning to wonder if
it would ever really be a book!
9. The characters are still talking to me.
Which is
surprising. Usually one or two may whimper or whisper something unintelligible
every once in a while. Not these. They’re still popping up and telling me
things. I need to take notes.
8. But they want a vacation.
Yes, they
do. And that’s a good thing because I’m working on a different project now with
different characters.
7. Visiting the Texas coast.
This book
is set in Corpus Christi, about two and a half hours away from where I live. I
needed to visit a lot to confirm things about the setting. It was so hard visiting the coast and going to
the beach and the harbor and other places, but somebody had to do it. Who
better than the author J
6. Getting
to create gadgets.
Super fun,
and something I don’t always get to do!
5. Listening to the characters talk and
watching them interact.
Always
fun. My favorite thing about writing.
4. Getting the story out of my head.
Even
though the characters are still talking to me, this particular story is no
longer rumbling around saying What If….
3. Finishing the final edit.
No
explanation necessary – LOL!
2. Seeing
the cover.
Linda Kage
at Kage Covers is genius! This is my favorite cover of this three-book
collection of coastal stories. Linda is also doing the covers for my next
project, which will be set in San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country.
1.Holding
the book in my hands.
So far
it’s only the proof. But it’s my
proof – LOL! More books are ordered and shipped, but I think they’re coming via
donkey cart. Now, if I could just figure out how to hold the Kindle version in
my hands without the actual Kindle . . . but of course, I’d want the Kindle
back for reading.
CONTEST
INFO
Monday
through Friday this week, I’m visiting five different blogs to promote my
just-released novel, SECRETS OF HONOR. You can visit my blog, http://www.underthetikihut.blogspot.com, to see where I am each
day. On each blog, I’ll give away a $5 Amazon Gift Card. Everyone who
comments on my posts will be entered into a drawing for a $5 Amazon Gift Card
for that blog. So there will be five separate contests, and it will be possible
to win all five, for a total of $25. Although what are the odds of that? Don’t
ask me – math isn’t my BFF!
Winners
will be announced next Monday on my blog, and I’ll make an effort to contact
the winners over the weekend prior to the announcement.
SECRETS OF
HONOR
By the end of a long evening working as a
special set of eyes for the presidential security detail, all Kat Marengo wants
is to kick off her shoes and stash two not-really-stolen rings in a secure
spot. Plus, maybe sleep with Dave Krizak. No, make that definitely sleep with
Dave Krizak. The next morning, she wishes her new top priorities were so
simple.
As an operative for a covert
agency buried in the depths of the Department of
Homeland Security, Kat is asked to participate
in a matter of life or death—locate a kidnapped girl believed to be held in
Corpus Christi, Texas. Since the person doing the asking is the wife of the
president and the girl is the daughter of her dearest friend, it’s hard to say
no.
Kat and Dave quickly learn the real stakes are higher than they or the first lady
believed and will require more than any of them bargained for.
The kicker? They have twenty-four hours to find
the girl—or the matter of life or death will become more than a possibility.
AUTHOR BIO
Although
Carol has deep Texas roots, she’s lived up and down the eastern seaboard and in
other locations across the U.S. as a Coast Guard wife. She sees mystery and
subterfuge everywhere. And she’s a sucker for a good love story—especially one
with humor and mystery. Crime Fiction with a Kiss
gives her the latitude to mix and match throughout the broad mystery and
romance genres. Having flexibility makes her heart happy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks, Carol. We appreciate you stepping away from your famous Tiki Hut long enough to visit with us here today. And we all wish you much success with your newest book.
Okay, y'all, you can go buy her book at Amazon now. Wait, wait, wait! AFTER you leave a comment. (Sheesh.)
By the way, sincere thanks to all of you who've already bought a copy of Old Broads Waxing Poetic. We're most appreciative. (So is CARE International, since all proceeds are going to them.) From September 22 until October 6, Goodreads will be hosting a giveaway for Old Broads, as well as for my equally fun novel Hot Flashes and Cold Lemonade. Why not enter? Somebody's gotta win... why not YOU? (But to be safe... you might as well buy 'em. HA!)
Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.
Congratulations Carol. I love that your characters talk to you, and am pleased that they are no longer nagging.
ReplyDeleteYes, the nagging. They had mastered that skill :)
DeleteDelightful and energetic promotion, Susan. I am in awe of people who can write stories. The ten "favorite things about the writing" Carol Kilgore lists reflect both joy and determination, and are quite instructive. My compliments to her and to you.
ReplyDeleteStories and people are always in my head. Writing them frees them to leave. Usually they do.
DeleteThanks, dude. YOU are quite the story-teller, too, ya know. (And no, I'm not calling you a fibber... you're highly imaginative.)
DeleteIt was so hard visiting the coast and going to the beach and the harbor and other places, but somebody had to do it.
ReplyDeleteI tell my wfe the same thing but she doesn't believe it.
Smart woman :)
DeleteI feel your pain, BB. We just got home from an awesome visit to Myrtle Beach. (sigh) None of the others cared about going to the beach, but they indulged me so I could walk on the sand and get my feet wet, anyway. It was wonderful!
DeleteHi Susan and Carol .. as Beach Bum says .. it's so hard visiting the seaside! But must have made a good change after completing and finishing your Secrets of Honour ... good luck with all things .. sales, new project, following along with your characters ..
ReplyDeleteCheers to you both - Hilary
Thanks for the good luck wishes! I'm looking forward to another visit to the coast in a month or so.
DeleteKind soul that I am, I'd be willing to sacrifice by going to the shore any old day...
DeleteCheers to you, too!
Added to my list.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Thank you.
DeleteHaha... Susan, you make me laugh... I love that why wait to see if you win the book... be safe and just buy it... :)
ReplyDeleteI hope the book sales go well, it does sound like a really great book :)
Happy you like the sound of the book. Kat Marengo and Dave Krizak hope sales go well, too.
DeleteThanks, Launna. Always glad to make ya laugh.
DeleteHappy weekend, kiddo.
Congrats indeed. Getting the story out of one's head and the final edit are sure great parts in the process.
ReplyDeleteEach, at its own time, seems like the most important part of all.
DeleteYeah, it's hard to sleep with all those stories itching to get out of your head and down on paper. (or computer)
DeleteCongratulations, Carol. It sounds like an interesting and good read. I wish you the best of luck with this book.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Good wishes much appreciated.
DeleteCongrats on the new book Carol....I'm sure the 'pain' was worth it.
ReplyDeleteEspecially the pain of visiting the coast. So, so difficult :)
DeleteOkay, if you're next book is going to be set in the Hill Country and you need to do research which entails driving ALL the way up here :) do let me know. I might be able to show you some interesting places, views etc.
ReplyDeleteI'll let you know when it gets to be that time. My sister lives there, too. Maybe we could have a girls day out!
DeleteYour book sounds great, and I enjoyed reading this post very much. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
Thanks for your support!
DeleteYea, Carol! I love that your characters are still talking to you!
ReplyDeleteA couple of them are downright chatty.
ReplyDeleteI love authors who have characters who talk back to them! :-) Where some people might think schizophrenia, I think creativity. You go, Carol! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this beautiful post.
Greetings from London.
Greetings from Texas! I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
DeleteCongrats on your novel,Carol! Very exciting!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope readers find it exciting :)
DeleteCongratulation !
ReplyDeleteNow that this book is set, you can take a breath till the next set of people start nagging you to get their story out !
cheers, parsnip
The next group is already talking. Mostly they're still talking among themselves, but a few are beginning to reach out to make sure I'm paying attention.
DeleteSusan
ReplyDeleteThanks for reviewing Carol's latest book. I love her mysteries and have read many of her short story mysteries. She is "quite the Scorpio."
Carol,
You always come up with such a neat twist to your stories. You've got that deep-thinking Scorpio mind. I remember when we used to quip back and forth about the astrology signs. Congratulations on another book.
It was my pleasure to help promote Carol's new book. Not really a review, though, because I haven't read it yet. (I hope to remedy that soon!)
DeleteIt's always good to see you. I've been so busy the past year or so with writing and family and all that goes with both of those that I've lost track of some friends. I need to remedy that soon. I'm making myself a note to stop by your blog as soon as I have time to breathe again.
DeleteOK, it's Friday. My to-do list is short:
ReplyDelete1. Leave a comment on your blog
2. Visit Amazon for Carol's book
3. Scoop the ice cream into the bowl
See, one thing's already done. I feel very accomplished! :-)
Sounds like a pretty darned good list to me! Except you left out the glass of wine.Oh well.Gotta save something for tomorrow, right!
DeleteHave a super weekend.
Awesome to-do list! Plus Susan's addition, of course :)
DeleteCongratulations and thank you Carol! The characters have been talking and I've been telling them they're wrong! Back to work! TY!!
ReplyDeleteCharacters are like people - they don't always tell the truth. But you never know what yours are saying unless you listen. Have fun!
DeleteThat's the real difference between writing and reading a good book, you know. When you're reading, and you reach the end, it's a let down. When you're writing and you reach the end, you crack open the tequila, champagne, or beer. Or in my case all three. :)
ReplyDeleteVR Barkowski
HA! Good observation.
DeleteYes! I totally get all three of those :)
DeleteI love that characters talk to you, not just because it's the sign of a great story, but it also reinforces that I'm not insane for hearing imaginary people converse with me!
ReplyDeleteIt's also entirely possible that all writers are a teensy bit "off". No, make that "special." That's it. We're all special.
DeleteLOL! The sign of a true writer, right?
DeleteHi Susan! Hello Carol!
ReplyDeleteWooHoo! Congrats Carol! Sounds another winner!
Hi, Nas!
DeleteIt sure does! I'm really looking forward to reading it.
Thanks, Nas! I hope so :)
DeleteCongratulations to Carol on her book! That's a big deal. How exciting!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is!
DeleteThanks! It's fun :)
DeleteI love the flowery author pic.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to be able to hold your book in your hand. Congrats on the release.
Yeah, that's a really good shot of Carol, isn't it?
DeleteThanks, Medeia. I've had that pic going on two years now. I need to think about an update. As soon as I can think again, LOL!
DeleteIf the characters are still talking, maybe a sequel is in our future. I am a particular fan of series stories. I guess I never want it to end....
ReplyDeleteI figure if you don't want a story to end, it must be a doggone good story!
DeleteI think there could be. Depends on how much more they have to say. I'm listening :)
DeleteI hope you do take notes, those characters may want a sequel! Congrats on the book release!!
ReplyDelete(and Hi to you too, Susan!). :)
(Hi-ya, Rosey!)
DeleteThanks! I have begun to pay more attention. So far the notes are in my head. I hope to start getting them down in a few days.
DeleteI'm definitely looking forward to reading Carol's latest.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you here, Linda! Enjoy :)
ReplyDelete