Book Club Talk with Jamie Carie

About the Author 

JAMIE CARIE'S BIO:Jamie writes novels about fierce, passionate women; their dreams; their  fears; their triumphs. Her deepest desire is to see her readers find that same  passion as they follow their destiny and discover deeper intimacy with  Jesus.

She lives in Indianapolis with her husband and three sons.

What have been the benefits to you in having relationships with reading groups?

Reading groups are awesome because I can get feedback (very honest feedback :o) ) on the story which helps me grow as an author. I love hearing what parts of the book people were touched by or if something confused or annoyed them. And the best part is when they gush about one of the characters. That’s fun!

Where would you like to see your relationship with reading groups grow? How do you think your goals can be met?

I would like to participate in more of them. There are so many great books to choose from out there that it is a challenge to get chosen. I need to be more proactive in contacting reading groups and asking that they consider my books.

Do you have a set size a reading group has to be before you'll talk to them on the phone or in person? What do you feel most comfortable doing?

No size limit! I’ll talk to one person and have if they are interested. I love visiting personally but that isn’t always possible so phone calls are fine too. I’m very flexible.

Which type of book club meeting do you prefer? Why?

I love the ones where the members have known each other for a while and are friends. It really feels like a privilege to be included in those tightknit groups.

What have you learned about your book and yourself from book club meetings?

I guess the most important lesson is the vast differences in perspective that people bring to a book. What one person “gets” and loves another wasn’t impacted at all or saw something entirely different. That’s where being led by the Holy Spirit comes in for me as an author. I pray God will speak through the story to each reader exactly where she is at.

Did you learn more about your characters than what you had originally intended? If so what?

Since this was my first continuous series I was able to explore my characters at greater depth (over three books instead of one). I feel like I really know Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton. His struggles came from a place deep within me and I hope ring true and inspiring.

Have you been surprised by readers’ reactions to one of your books? One of your characters? If so, which ones or what surprised you?

I have been blown away many times when receiving an email or letter telling me how my characters have made a difference in a reader’s life. Elizabeth from Snow Angel really connected with many readers. She had so many obstacles to overcome before she could love and accept love. A lot of women wrote me about her and how they could relate. (God gets all the glory for that!)

Has your book club experience - getting feed back from reading groups - helped you in writing future books? If so, how has it helped you?

I think it has helped me keep the reader in mind more while I’m writing. I appreciate all the different perspectives and try to craft a story that has themes most people can relate to.

What would you like to experience in reading groups that you haven’t experienced so far?

Just do more of them! :o)

What was your most memorable reading group experience? What made it so special?

Attending a library group meeting where the ladies were so kind and fun, smart and curious about what being an author was like. The food was great too!

Can you give us a sneak peek at what you are working on now? Do tell!!

I am currently working on my memoirs (it’s a slow process) and beginning some research on another three book series. It will be historical but with a fairytale feel. Three sisters who each has a special gift. I’m excited to get started on it!

FUN QUESTIONS I JUST HAD TO ASK . . . 

Name three books you adored as a child?

Heidi, Little House on the Prairie and Jane Eyre.

A movie that most affected you when you were young. If you didn't watch movies what book affected you most in your youth?

The Star Wars movies! My dad, brother and I were crazy about them and saw them at the theatre three times each.

A friend of yours has a time travel machine and will let you have it for a couple of days. What would you do with it? Any events you’d like to experience? If so which ones?

I would love to see many of the Biblical events in person! Can you imagine seeing David slay Goliath? Or Jesus’ birth? It would be difficult to narrow down the choices.

You find yourself shipwrecked on an uninhabited tropical island with a group of Christians - all friends and relatives of yours. You all have to work as a team to survive. Many roles have to be filled. Which role do you think you'd play?

 (Examples: Care for those with physical pain, comfort the frightened, start developing a plan to get off the island, lead the group in song, Organize the group to make best use of resources, Praise God for the beauty of the surroundings, Pray diligently for rescue, Stand guard, watch for a plan or boat - or a role I haven't mentioned) Do Tell!! Grin!

I’m an organizer and encourager. I’m also the eldest of five kids so I’m good at being bossy! :o)

I would be appointing tasks to the appropriate people, helping plan the rescue attempts and best use of the resources – hopefully without stepping on too many toes.
Jamie

Thanks for stopping by Jamie and talking to us about book clubs. It was exciting to work with you at The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org 


















I love the two questions you've picked for readers to answer. We are going to have fun!! I'm also looking forward to talking to you at our book club meeting.

Blessings to you and on your writing! Love the cover for the next book in your new series! If you are an author with book club experience and would like to be featured here please contact me norafindinghope@yahoo.com

Nora :o)
The Book Club Network
www.bookfun.org

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BOOK CLUB TALK WITH ROBIN CAROLL

ABOUT AUTHOR: Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin Caroll is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin’s mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage—two aspects Robin weaves into each of her books. When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty-plus years, her three beautiful daughters, two precious grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home—in the South, where else? She gives back to the writing community by serving as Conference Director for ACFW. 

Her books have finaled/placed in such contests as RT Reviewer's Choice, Bookseller's Best, Holt Medallion, Carol Awards, and Book of the Year. An avid reader herself, Robin loves hearing from and chatting with other readers. Although her favorite genre to read is mystery/suspense, of course, she’ll read just about any good story. Except historicals!

Book#2 JUSTICE SERIES Sept 2012

What have been the benefits to you in having relationships with reading groups?

 I LOVE connecting with other readers. For me, the biggest benefit is hearing how readers connected with my characters and the story. Sometimes, their perceptions surprise and truly move me.

Where would you like to see your relationship with reading groups grow? How do you think your goals can be met? 

I would like to encourage groups to understand how accessible I want to be to them. I call in to book clubs, will Skype with them, try to visit them when possible. If I can't, I try to send some bookmarks and items beforehand.

Do you have a set size a reading group has to be before you'll talk to them on the phone or in person? What do you feel most comfortable doing?

I don't have a set size because I like to chat with reader’s period. Sometimes because of my location or schedule, visiting in person is impossible, but I've called in, Skyped, even online chatted.

Which type of book club meeting do you prefer? Why? 

The book club I most enjoy meeting are ones who truly enjoy reading inspirational fiction, although, I've had several fun connections from groups where I was their first inspirational selection.

What have you learned about your book and yourself from book club meetings? If so, what?

I've learned to be more relaxed with book club members as a whole. I much prefer the casual setting where we are literally visiting than a "classroom" style bookclub.

Did you learn more about your characters than what you had originally intended? If so what? 

My characters are constantly surprising me. I do very in-depth interviews prior to writing, but even then, I've been surprised.

Have you been surprised by readers’ reactions to one of your books? Characters? If so, which ones?

 I've actually had a reader tell me that one of my characters who became saved despite the past I'd created, helped her accept God's forgiveness. THAT's the best part of writing to me.

Has your book club experience - getting feed back from reading groups - helped you in writing future books? If so, how has it helped you? 

I've had a lot of suggestions of what they'd like to see in a "sequel" come up. LOL

Nora: It was a blast talking to you at Finding Hope Book Club. You spoke to both groups separately – what different conversations we had about your book Deliver Us From Evil. Grin! I know that a few of the Monday night book club had plans for a whole series you could write! Grin!

It was also great fun learning about your and how you know so much about guns and things. Seems a few ladies in my group like to go shooting with their husbands too! As a book club member having the author speak to the group brings richness to the story and a depth to the writing that always pleasantly surprises me! Grin! Thanks for doing what you do!! 

 What would you like to see in reading groups that you haven’t experienced yet?    

One thing I'm working on implementing in the future are video discussions of my books available for download off my website. We're working to get that in place before the end of 2012.

Nora: Oh, Robin let us know when that is available. I’d love for you to post a few of those at The Book Club Network so the books club members and leaders could tape into how much fun you are at book club and how suspenseful and fun your books are.TBCN www.bookfun.org  Grin!

What was your most memorable reading group experience? What made it so fun?

 One group planned a "theme" meeting for the night I was scheduled. They had finger foods and decorations and all sorts of really cool things of Louisiana, where my story was set. We had a blast!

Why write Christian Fiction? What is the draw for you?

ALL the books in this series were suspenseful

 The hope. I want to write stories that fill people with hope again. Hope that comes with eternal salvation that only comes through Jesus Christ.

Nora: I have enjoyed reading your books for many reasons but one of the main reasons is how you naturally weave a spiritual thread into the stories. It’s not preachy but very natural. I Like that so did the ladies in my book club. We also liked your well timed humor in the middle of suspenseful situations.

What do you hope readers take away from your new book?

 

 I hope they realize that everyone is human and sinners, even the ones we hold in higher esteem.

Can you give us a peek at what you are working on now? When will it be out? 

I just turned in the last book in the Justice Seekers series. It's about Maddie Baxter...and Nick Hagar. The second book in the series, TO WRITE A WRONG, releases in September and STRAND OF DECEPTION releases in February 2013.


Robin

Nora: Oh, Robin. I really enjoyed  INJUSTICE FOR ALL.. It’s suspenseful, fun, I care about your charters from the first paragraph and I like your writing style. It’s not like your others but I like it. I can’t wait until the rest of the books come out in this series. They sound just as good as this one.

THANKS ROBIN for stopping by and letting us know about your new series JUSTICE SEEKERS and about your book club experience!! Thanks for writing Christian Fiction have enjoyed your writing journey! Hope you can stop by again soon!!

This is the FIRST book in this series. Wow, what a start!! I highly recommend Injustice for All!  I do like suspense and Robin keeps you on the edge of your seat and up late reading! Grin!

Until later

Nora St.Laurent

The Book Club Network

http://www.bookfun.org/

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BOOK CLUB TALK WITH BRANDILYN COLLINS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Brandilyn Collins is known for her Seatbelt Suspense®--fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith. www.brandilyncollins.com

What have been the benefits to you in having relationships with reading groups?

 I love talking to readers about my books and hearing how they related to the characters and story. Each reader reacts to a story depending on his or her past experiences. So you’ll get a wide range of reactions. Also I enjoy being able to tell readers some of the background that went into writing the story, e.g., how the story came to be in the first place, and why I wrote it the way I did.

Where would you like to see your relationship with reading groups grow? How do you think your goals can be met?

 I’d love to see more reading groups take a chance on reading one of my suspense novels. The problem is, there are folks out there who just won’t read a suspense, saying they’ll be too scared, have nightmares, whatever. It seems there’s one in every reading group, so that keeps the group from venturing into suspense. Of course I’m biased, but I tend to think they don’t know what they’re missing!

Do you have a set size a reading group has to be before you'll talk to them on the phone or in person? What do you feel most comfortable doing?

 Me and the real Cherrie Mae.

Not really. Phoning is easy. I can’t do a personal appearance unless the group is very local to me. That is fun, and I enjoy it.

Which type of book club meeting do you prefer? Why?

No set format for me. In general I enjoy a meeting in which people are honest and open about their reactions to the book, and are also willing to hear and absorb my reasons for writing the story the way I did. Also—for any book clubs reading my latest release, Gone to Ground: I’d love to tell the full story of my researching the book, and how I met a wonderful woman named Cherrie Mae, whose name was perfect for my character. The real Cherrie Mae gave me permission to use her name, and later played the part of my character Cherrie Mae in the book trailer. (Have you seen that trailer? It’s great! See it here http://brandilyncollins.com/books/gtg.html )

What have you learned about your book and yourself from book club meetings? If so, what?

Just how vastly different readers’ reactions are! Again, the reason for that lies in personal experience, so there’s nothing I can do about that. No matter my story, even if almost everyone loves it, someone won’t. That’s life.

Did you learn more about your characters than what you had originally intended? If so what?

Terri Blackstock & Bradilyn passing time @book signing - Fun

Sometimes I do—not necessarily just from book club meetings, but from all the emails I receive. Sometimes—again due to personal experience—a reader might read something into a character that I didn’t consciously consider when writing the book. That’s always very enlightening.

Have you been surprised by readers’ reactions to one of your books? Characters? If so, which ones?

I can’t say reactions to any one book have greatly surprised me. In my latest release, Gone to Ground, which features three protagonists each telling her story in first person, overwhelmingly readers choose Cherrie Mae as their favorite character. I’m no longer surprised by that. And really, I can see why. She’s a great gal.

Has your book club experience - getting feed back from reading groups - helped you in writing future books? If so, how has it helped you?

Only in the sense that feedback from readers in general keep me keepin’ on—writing my Seatbelt Suspense®. That trademark carries a four-point brand promise: fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith. Every novel I write must live up to that four-point promise, because readers are expecting that from me.

Why write Christian Fiction? What is the draw for you?

There’s the whole ministry side of it, but I’ll focus on just the writing side here. I find my suspense is far deeper, the characters more three-dimensional, when I can interweave a Christian-themed thread into the story. In suspense characters are pushed to the utmost in conflict—typically a protagonist’s very life is at stake. You’ve heard that saying, “There are no atheists in foxholes.” We understand that. When people are pushed into high trauma, even those who haven’t thought much about God in the past end up praying. End up realizing there may be more to life than just what’s in front of their face. In Christian fiction, I can show that. The human condition is three-fold: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Secular suspense deals with only the first two. But that’s only two layers of our humanity. When all three levels are portrayed, the characterization deepens.

What do you hope readers take away from your new book? Gone to Ground is a Southern mystery-suspense.

If someone has been afraid to read one of my suspense novels, this would be the one to try. It’s very character-driven and not scary. The story in a nutshell: In small-town Mississippi, six murders have occurred. Now to their horror, three women of three different generations realize they know who the killer is—someone dear to them. Independently, not talking to anyone, each woman must make the terrifying decision to bring the man down. But each woman suspects a different man. That’s the story on the surface. The (subtle) interwoven thread of faith has to do with hypocrisy, and how it can creep into anyone’s life. I’d love for some book clubs to read Gone to Ground and discuss how this element of the story affects each character. Other things to discuss in Gone to Ground: (1) The use of dialect for characterization. Did it work for the reader? Most readers say yes. To those who say no—how would the characterization have been affected if it hadn’t been used? (2) Cherrie Mae tends to quote classical literature, using a quote that speaks to the issue at hand. What is each reader’s favorite classical quote? In the back of Gone to Ground is a list of many other discussion questions that probe the story, characters, writing technique, and faith element.

Can you give us a peek at what you are working on now? When will it be out?

Double Blind, another stand-alone suspense, releases October 15. Story in a nutshell: When severely depressed Lisa Newberry hears of a medical trial for a tiny brain chip that can heal her, she knows it’s her last hope. But what if she receives only the placebo? What if something far worse goes wrong …?



 FUN QUESTIONS I JUST HAD TO ASK!! 

What are three things you wouldn’t want to live without? – (Besides family and your Bible that’s a given)

My morning latte, made my moi on my handy-dandy espresso machine,Jogging,My Select Comfort bed

Your friend has a time machine and their going to let you use it for a while. Where would you go and what would you do?

To the future in the year 3000 to see what the world and technology looks like. (If it’s still here.)

What are two places you’d like to visit if you had a chance? Why?

I’ve been to quite a few countries, but not to Australia. That’s the first. Second, I’d like to go back to Fiji. Both beautiful, tropical places.

What three movies could you watch over and over again?

The Blues Brothers. (Makes me laugh.) Scent of a Woman. (Wonderful movie, wonderful acting.) Witness. (Superb screenwriting. Almost every major turning point in the movie has no dialogue. Just brilliant.)

Name three favorite books you read as a child?

I read the Hardy Boys series. And the Bobbsy Twins books. Can’t remember any titles today, but there were plenty of books in both series to keep me busy for awhile.

~ Brandilyn

www.facebook.com/brandilyncollinsseatbeltsuspense

 Nora: Loved all your pictures Brandilyn. Looks like you and Terri Blackstock had way too much fun (or time on your hands) in Jackson, MS book signing!! Wish I could have been there. Grin! This book and your next one really look good.

I'm Thrilled to announce 
B & H is sponsoring a GIVEAWAY contest for FIVE copies of Gone to Ground.


 Contest starts MAY 19th - 21st @ The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org


MARK YOUR CALENDARS 
See you there! 

Nora :o)
The Book Club Network CEO
www.bookfun.org

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