Author Interview: Carie Lawson

Would you please tell us a little about yourself?
Sure. I'm the crazy homeschool mom who writes books:) We stay really busy with school, church and sports. I try hard to schedule in time to write every week--preferably every day, but that's just not always possible.

You have a new release. Can you tell us a little about it?
Beyond Summer is the second book in the Twisted Roots series. Zane McCord has good reason to mistrust a pretty face, so when former beauty queen Carly Peterson shows up on his ranch with her two daughters to work for him for the summer, Zane dislikes her on sight. But every good deed she does changes his opinion, until he finds out the ugly truth about her. Can he put aside what life taught him to give Carly a second chance?

You've got me intrigued! Can you give us a little history on the characters, including how you developed them , and what endears them to you?
Zane appeared in the end of the first book, Beyond Africa. He had a giant chip on his shoulder toward Case's love interest, Lilly. I had to know what made him so tough. I also had to know what he was going to do once he put Lilly up on that pedestal.

What do we have to look forward to with the Twisted Roots series?
Each book is about a different McCord sibling. Case, Zane, Haven and Jude. I enjoyed the fact that the books are all "tangled" together. We meet the characters through the different books, but don't get to hear their "story" until their book comes along.

Haven and Brody's story comes next. Brody was Zane's best friend, until Brody broke the code and fell for Zane's little sister. Married too young, Haven and Brody haven't had an easy relationship. Their only hope comes from the truce they agree to before going on a mission trip to Africa.

Very interesting! What inspired this series?
Maybe the idea of how families "should" be. I love the idea that the McCords are supportive, unafraid to speak their minds and individuals.

How do you balance writing and motherhood?
Schedules help. Ha. I have to be the mom first because I know these days of having young ones in the house are fleeting. There will be those times that mom is too uncool to have around. I imagine there will be more time for writing then. I guess right now I see writing as my "me" time. I don't do a lot of other things, I'm not big into TV, movies, hobbies. This is my thing.

Makes sense. My kids say, "Mom, you need to take a break. But writing is my break time. Let's talk about trends in publishing. What do you see as the major advantages/disadvantages of ebooks? And what do you like most?
The major advantage of ebook readers is the convenience factor. I bought your book, Shawna, without ever stepping foot into a store. Using my Kindle makes me feel like a Genie. If I just wiggle my nose (or push a few buttons on the keyboard) my new book is right in front of me. I LOVE it. I also love that if I'm carrying my Kindle, I'm never without a book. I can even read a few pages before I commit. AND Amazon gives books away. It's almost too goo to be true.
The only disadvantage is really the start up cost, particularly in this economy.

Fortunately competition is driving prices down pretty fast. I'm anxious to see the $99 mark. Do you think marketing an ebook is a different process?
I think so. Mostly because not everyone has an ebook reader and a lot of people aren't willing to sit at their computer and read. I've thought about having some cards made up so that any time I see a person with their ereader, I can hand them one. Maybe they'd pick up a copy just to see.

What's your favorite book, movie, and food.
Book-Where the Red Fern Grows (this week). My two older boys read it this summer. It was fun to share that with them.
Movie-You've Got Mail. I also loved Sleepless in Seattle. But was not so much a fan of Joe Versus the Volcano.
Food-We just had a chance to share this, didn't we;) Chocolate covered strawberries. I'm going to have to make some soon. I can hear them calling my name.
Most embarrassing or memorable experience?
A few days ago at the soccer field, these kids were yelling and pointing. I turned around to see what the commotion was and, lo and behold, there was my four-year-old about fifteen feet up a light pole. He'd shimmied his way up like he was after coconuts in South America. All these mom's were quickly approaching the pole. After he was safely down, I had to look around for my big L badge to put on as the loser mom at the soccer field not paying attention to her child! That's certainly not my most embarrassing moment, but it was up there. And memorable too:)

Your ideal vacation
I'm so easy. If it involves not cooking, extra sleep and at least some laying around with a book in hand time, I'm thrilled.

A cause you have deep passion about.
I love Vacation Bible School. It's a great opportunity to introduce children to Jesus in a fun environment. That almost sounds too simplistic, but it's really a passion in my heart.

Other than your book, which I'm certainly looking forward to reading, do you have any recommendations you'd like to pass along?
I recently read Kaye Dacus's new release, Love Remains. It was a great read and I'm looking forward to the rest of the Matchmaker series.

Carie, thanks so much for stopping in. Best wishes to you and your family, and this wonderful series.

Purchase:

Beyond Africa - Twisted Roots Book #1

Amazon

Desert Breeze

Beyond Summer - Twisted Roots Book #2

Amazon - on sale for $4.79

Desert Breeze

For more about Carie Lawson visit carielawsonbooks.com