Author interviews are a lot of fun for me to share my writing life. Today’s interview was posted by BlogEspresso. We had a chance to talk about what motivates me as an author and looked behind the scenes of my selecting titles and book covers for specific novels. Please note the take-away from the last question. Hint: Yes, there is more to the story! Thank you!
Fall is in the air and expectations for the new season are something to talk about.
Do you love the change of seasons? The crisp morning air reminds us we have ventured into fall. A perfect time to relax with an exciting novel while enjoying your favorite beverage.
Exciting News.
Today’s feature is The Long Road Home! Download your eBook today FREE during this limited offer (October 5-9). Prefer reading a paperback or hardback? Place your order and enjoy sleuthing to determine Kate’s next move.
The Long Road Home.
The Long Road Home, a romantic murder mystery is available in digital, paperback, and hardcover at Amazon and your favorite bookstores.
Book Description
Kate’s life was in turmoil after the death of her parents. She’d been always protected and sheltered by them. Suddenly she finds herself with a conniving fiancé living under her roof, a powerful businessman with terrorist ties from across the ocean trying to kill her and more family secrets than most American politicians. She was also unaware that a half-brother she knew nothing of was about to enter her life. Her situation was getting precarious right at the moment she was least able to cope with it.
September 2020 – Featured Novel – Giveaway
The Sydney Jones Series, book 1, Primed for Revenge is available FREE from these booksellers through September 18th. Limited offer – Tap the link to read this gripping mystery today. https://books2read.com/u/bQKnMw
Book Blurb
Her success should be the pinnacle of her career. She never expected it to threaten her life…
Practicing law in a large partnership, Sydney Jones was primed for making partner. Then her life turned upside down after a disagreement with her boss at Birdman & Birdman.
Leaving the office, she was swiftly kidnapped and taken to her assailants’ hideaway, beaten, and raped. With no memory of whom she was has put her at a disadvantage with her captors. Through gritted teeth, she promised a day of repercussions for their actions while mentally visualizing her revenge.
Warned by her assailants to keep her mouth shut or else, she was delivered to her home. Not recognizing her former living quarters, she was careful in exploring her options for regaining her memory.
Piecing together the reasons for her kidnapping brought her into contact with people, some she could trust and others risky. The problem was the amnesia prevented her from recognizing the difference.
Tapped for a crime once nudged her toward caution for something afoul was going on at Birdman & Birdman. She prepared for a fight. With a vision of fury, she made a chilling decision — never to be a victim again.
Buy Primed for Revenge to start the electrifying whodunnit today!
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Exciting News!
The book trailer for Primed for Revenge, book 1 in the Sydney Jones is ready to be viewed. A special thank you to Morgan Wright and his team for their collaboration on making a stellar video.
The Sydney Jones Series (trilogy) is complete. You can read from book 1 through 3 without waiting for the next release. I hope you enjoy this mystery series. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
There’s always a fresh story brewing and you can be the first to review it and give feedback. If you’d like to become a beta reader for future books, please leave your contact information below. Thank you! Carolyn Bowen
The featured setting in my latest release ONE, Sydney Jones Series, book 3 is Barbados. Ah, and what a beautiful scenic destination with beautiful people dedicated to keeping their culture alive.
In all my novels, food is important to the family and cultural exploration of the scenic vistas. The recipe below is one of Sydney’s son, David’s favorite dishes. He believes no one can cook it like a native, and he’s right!
Macaroni Pie – Bajan Recipe (Barbados.org)
Bring salted water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Break the macaroni tubes into thirds and add to the boiling water. Cook uncovered until macaroni is tender but still firm.
Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
Drain the macaroni and return to the saucepan.
Add the onion, cheese, milk, ketchup, mustard, and egg. Add salt and pepper to taste. Herbs such as marjoram and thyme can also be added.
Pour into a greased dish and top with more grated cheese. Fine breadcrumbs can also be added as a topping.
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Macaroni pie can be served as a side with fish, chicken, pork, stew… whatever you wish really.
Do you want to explore touristy destinations with mystery and political suspense hidden behind every dune, then the Sydney Jones Series (Trilogy) is your next read! The complete series is now available at Amazon in the box set. I can’t wait for your ah-ha moment!
Follow on Pinterest for my attempt on the dish’s native to the regions in the Sydney Jones Series! Warning, David, Sydney’s son has it right the natives serve it up best! Join the fun and post to my novel fan pages with cultural and/or scenic images that remind you of the book. Thanks, Carolyn Bowen
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Mystery Book-Lovers!
Exciting news! Today, the paperback version of ONE, Sydney Jones Series Book 3, is available at Amazon. The eBook is FREE for download with Unlimited. Read today and travel without moving your feet to a tropical paradise – Barbados. Scroll to the end of the post for the book trailer.
Tap the link below to order the paperback!
ONE – Sydney Jones Series Book 3 – Paperback
A Taste of Bajan Culture
As mentioned in a previous post, I enjoy learning about cultures especially in the regions that become settings in my novels. I found that food plays an important role in the world. As family and friends gather to celebrate important occasions, the local delicacies are abundant for the guests.
In all my novels, food preparation and dining have been important elements for developing scenes and showcasing the setting, while character building. A fun and courageous feat for me!
Many of the scenes in my latest novel, ONE, are set in Barbados. So, of course, Bajan cooking found its way onto the pages. Here’s one of my favorite dessert dishes — Bajan Pineapple Pie.
Bajan Pineapple Pie Recipe
Ingredients
1 – 14 ½ oz can of chunky pineapples
1 – 8 oz Cream Cheese
1 – Envelope Unflavored Gelatin
1 – 8-inch Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Directions
A new book trailer for ONE is now ready to view. I hope you enjoy it!
I’m excited to announce the release today of my latest mystery-thriller, ONE, Sydney Jones Series, Book 3. Tap the link below to download and read FREE with Kindle Unlimited.
Reviews for ONE from Advance Readers
ONE ~ 5 Stars
“All the action and surprising twists and turns this story takes kept me turning the pages quickly hungering for more.” Chick Lit Café
ONE ~ 5 Stars
“This fast-moving thriller will hold your attention, as no one is really safe.” Theodocia McLean (Book Marketing Global Network)
ONE ~ 5 Stars
“This psychological thriller is an outstanding addition to the Sydney Jones Series and is sure to gratify any mystery lover’s thirst for a great read.” Amazon Reviewer
Here’s a little background info about my quirky writing life during the research and writing of this novel.
I began writing ONE immediately following the release of Chance, Book 2, in the Sydney Jones Series. I’d already begun plotting the new story and named it before beginning the manuscript. This is a mysterious phenomenon for me and hopefully, it will continue for future books. This knowing adds to the excitement of writing for I’m trying to understand why I chose the name while the story unfolds. If you’re an author, I’d like to know your decision-making process for naming your novel.
Getting in the mood…
Mentally I prepare to write by listening to the music from the settings in the novel before beginning my day. I research the favorite foods of the locale and prepare them to add flavor to my writing. I take on the persona of someone living the story sometimes including clothing and accessories, a fun activity for me.
You’ll find from reading my novels, I enjoy adventure and scenic locations. I hope that I’m able to give you a taste of the land in my writing and you’ll embrace the culture.
Travel is an important part of my writing process. At times, I sense a story is waiting at my destination. This is a great experience and I attempt to take in the sight, sounds, smell, and feel of cities and towns in my stories.
I hope you enjoy reading ONE and look forward to your comments and reviews. The Sydney Jones Series, book 1: Primed for Revenge, book 2: Chance, and book 3: ONE.
Stay safe and believe we’ll travel again! Carolyn Bowen
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Today is the 4th of July and many will be celebrating at home this year due to the COVID-19 virus. If you do go outside for fireworks displays or picnics in the park, please remember safe distancing and to wear your mask. Wishing you a fun and relaxing holiday weekend.
This has been a strange year and the unbelievable happenings continue postulating into our once predictable and steady lifestyles. These times will likely produce new horror fiction by creative authors from around the world.
Look to the sky for a holiday treat
A full moon referred to as a ‘Buck Moon’ occurs tonight after 11 p.m. EST along with a combo of a lunar eclipse. The night of the 4th and the morning of the 5th will make sky gazers happy.
Today’s Featured Mystery Read
The Long Road Home
Low country suspense about family and secrets. You can download and read FREE today from Amazon. Happy 4th of July! Carolyn
Quote of the Day: “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”
Paulo Coelho
Exciting news! The latest Sydney Jones Mystery, ONE, eBook is now available for preorder at Amazon. ONE will be available for download on 7/28/2020. The paperback will be released on August 4th, 2020.
Ace attorney Sydney returns in this gripping thriller that sends her into a chilling tailspin when enemies attack with vengeance. Will her desire for answers about her ex-military former lover be her undoing or will the hand of fate set her free to live and love again?
Book Description.
Sydney’s daredevil attitude for taking on legal cases most would run from catches her in a snare. Will she use common sense and leave the past behind or is it too late?
Walker the father of her son is dead. She had suspicions about his abandonment after the Rockstar Roxanne’s murder investigation was announced a suicide. Could his death be related to what she believed to be the CIA’s intervention?
A summer vacation with her son in Barbados was warranted. Enemies from her past were already scouting out the island for their next move. Was there no place she could have peace?
She makes new friends on the island. Godwin appears in Sydney’s life after booking a charter for her son’s first salt-water fishing trip. She has no idea how deep the friendship goes between the two, but her son appeared happier since arriving.
Reality sets in upon returning home to Atlanta. She’d made many enemies from her personal injury and human trafficking cases. Would her first day back at work be the day the assassin’s bullet hit its mark?
Her friend and confidant, Director Thomason of the GBI insisted she has a worst-case scenario plan for her son’s care. Would the plan be carried out in her absence? And, would her son inherit a perpetual target on his back? There were no options for protecting David, except the truth which could be as catastrophic as the world news.
This spellbinding new novel by the imaginative Carolyn Bowen will hold you in suspense until you turn the final page. Tap the link to “buy now” and dive deep into the electrifying action of this novel.
ATTN: Book bloggers, Amazon & Goodreads Reviewers
If you’re interested in reviewing ONE, Sydney Jones Series #3, please fill in the contact form here. An ARC will be emailed to you for your reading pleasure. Thank you! Carolyn Bowen
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Quote of the Day: “Every moment is a fresh beginning.” T.S. Eliot
These are some exciting times as we push forward into the summer months. And, like you, I’m dealing with the never-ceasing catastrophic events happening around and to us. I hope as a collective body we can successfully overcome the obstacles in our paths to excellence and move into a new normal with peace and joy.
Cross-Ties: Historical Romance
Today I want to talk about Cross-Ties, a historical romance about the immigration of the Landry family to the Americas. As in most all my novels, there’s a water theme, in this case, an ocean to cross albeit with pirates. This is a coming of age story that depicts the cultural separation of people. The rebel, lead character Leah, has her own mindset about who she chooses to love and embrace. Follow her journey, fraught with danger at every turn.
Follow Leah’s journey …
Order your book today! From ebook, paperback, hardcover, to now audible, your selection has been increased for your enjoyment. You can read FREE w/Unlimited and/or listen FREE w/ a trial subscription to Audible. http://mybook.to/crossties
Audible Giveaway
Follow my blog and be entered for a chance to WIN an audible from Audible.com. There are twenty (20) gifts available: Ten (10) EACH for the US and the UK. Subscribe now to learn more exciting news coming soon!
Thank you for following my blog posts. Stay safe and enjoy a relaxing weekend. Carolyn
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Carolyn M. Bowen, Author 