Tell us a little about yourself.
Carol Henry is a #1 best-selling author who writes award-winning, 5-STAR reviewed Contemporary Romance, as well as American historical, holiday, and Romantic Suspense Adventure. A world traveler, Carol has written travel features for several major cruise lines’ deluxe in-cabin books, and Porthole Cruise Magazine, but also takes great pleasure in weaving her own travel adventures with her ‘characters’ in her novels. As a NYS Historian, she has published several history books on her hometown, and even wrote an historic novel based on historic facts in her Ribbons of Steel family saga.
Carol teaches creative writing workshops, has been a speaker at various venues, is a member of Romance Writers of America®, and is a member of Published Authors Network. She is also a member and past president of RWA’s chapter STAR—Southern Tier Authors of Romance (NY), a member of Sisters in Crime, and is the president of her local Write Now Writers’ Group. Visit Carol’s website at www.carolhenry.org.
What do like the most and the least about writing?
I’m a huge plotter, and like figuring out my characters’ story line, but what I really enjoy the most is editing. This is where I can go in and work with something that is already written—the creative process is on paper (computer).This is when I can change what my characters say to each other, what they’re really thinking, feeling, and how they need to respond accordingly, depending on their situation. I love searching for what I call ‘word choices’. As I’m writing, or re-reading (several times) I highlight words that need to be clearer, need to say what I really meant to say (or, my characters meant to say), and look for words that help with the pacing. I’m old school, so I prefer to print out my work, and with pencil in hand, sit down to enjoy the rewriting process. What I like least about writing is coming up with a blurb, writing the synopsis, and making sure the names fit who my characters need to be in the story.
Give us a peek into your latest published work?
CPA Nora Spears vows never to let another man take advantage of her, but she needs a job. Working for marine biologist Gavin Redmond seems like the perfect opportunity, except she's uncomfortably attracted to her new boss. After the death of his wife, Gavin has sworn off relationships. But when Nora applies for his office's receptionist/accountant position, he's drawn to her. He hires her on the spot—and then finds it hard to concentrate on work. Will their past hurtful relationships and an unexpected turn of events drive a wedge between them, or will they find the love they deserve in each other's arms?
What’s next on the writing horizon for you?
Just submitted my novella to The Wild Rose Press for their Deerbourne Inn Series entitled Ciara’s Homecoming Christmas. I love writing Christmas stories, and this is the third one I’ve published. But I have a couple more Connection Novels waiting to be written. Right now the hard part is trying to figure out which country I want to use for my setting, although my final Connection book will be in France.
Is there anything you want to tell readers?
I couldn’t leave Nora hanging after writing Juelle’s Legacy—the first Lobster Cove book in my series, as well as the initial book in the Wild Rose Press’s Lobster Cseries. Despite Nora being the ‘other woman’ and having a major melt-down and causing a scene at Sebastian’s funeral, Nora was also a victim of Sebastian’s duplicity. Her story had to be told—she was in need of redemption, and a love of her own. Also, I love the cover of this book. On closer inspection, I realized that I once had an identical pair of black, cat-eared glasses back in the day, just like Nora’s, and wore them with pride. I smile every time I look at the cover.
Excerpt:
He wished he had more time. But damn, he was desperate. He had an important call coming in and he needed phone coverage this morning.
“Look, my current hire won’t be in until eleven, if then, and I’m expecting an important call from the Society of Marine Consultants. I need to meet a client and will be out on the ocean this morning.”
“Wait a minute. Are you asking me to stay and babysit the phone for a few hours? Or are you offering me the job?”
“How about you sit and mind the office, become familiar with your surroundings, and we’ll discuss a full-time position when I get back at noon? We’ll go to lunch and work out the details.”
“Are you serious?”
“What do you have to lose?”
“Aren’t you worried I’ll walk off with everything, screw things up, or damage your reputation with a few phone calls?”
“If I was worried, I would have shown you the door the minute you walked in. So are you game? I need to leave. I don’t want to, literally, miss the boat.”
“Is there a coffee machine with cream and sugar available somewhere in the building?”
“Yes. And fresh donuts from the bakery around the corner. Help yourself.”
“Thanks. My name is Nora Spears, by the way. I’m assuming you are Gavin Redmond? The owner and my morning employer?”
“So much for my own communication skills. Sorry, Ms. Spears. I do appreciate your help this morning. If you decide to bail on me, make sure you lock the door on the way out.”
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