Caroline Warfield on Waiting and Writing

As I write this, the country is waiting. Several states are still counting votes, others have recount requests already being made, and people are demanding that we stop counting votes now that election day is over. Uh, no. We won’t do that.   We never have before. While all this gets sorted out, and sane voices call to count every vote, we wait. I plan to avoid getting agitated until every state has counted and every governor issues her state’s “Certificate of Ascertainment” formally announcing their electors. The Electoral College votes December 14. It will be a bit of a wait.

I’m not fond of waiting, so I’m coping by writing. When it goes well, and lately it is, I’m taken away to a world of action and emotion. I’m working on two different series, one of them for Soul Mate Publishing, and I have plenty of other projects. In short. I’m busy.

On the downside, I somehow worked my way into a big lull in actual publication. My last series ended in 2018, I published a stand-alone novel set in World War I in 2019. Music on the Waters, more of a novella is my sole output in 2020.  Neither of my new series will launch until mid-2021. What does that mean? I wait. Impatiently. Did I mention that I’m not fond of waiting? 

About the Books

In 2019 I published Christmas Hope, my very first independently published work. I didn’t enjoy the process. While reviews were outstanding—“The best book I read all year” for example—it didn’t get enough attention. Part of it was the cover I chose, one of the pitfalls of indie publishing. It has a new one now, and I love it. What do you think?

Some wars must be fought; some stories must be told. This is one, an epic love story. After two years at war Harry ran out of metaphors for death, synonyms for brown, and images of darkness. When he encounters the floating islands of Amiens and life in the form a widow and her little son, hope ensnares him. Love gives them the hope they need to survive the dark times, but will it still be enough when the war is over?

You can buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VXXRXTR

Music on the Waters popped up as a surprise this year. I wrote it three years ago while on a long flight to New Zealand. It incorporates sights and sounds from a visit to Orkney the year before. A digital publisher had requested it, but after I sent it off, I didn’t hear much and forgot about it. Since I don’t wait well, I just went on to other things. Imagine my delight when this little gem about a lonely merchant, a gifted musician, and Regency life in Orkney came to life.

Sir Alexander Bradshaw, merchant of Orkney, Scotland, needs a wife to manage his unruly sons, cope with his sullen daughter, and warm his bed. But he hopes for so much more. The Kirkwall organist, Ann Dunwood, has passion that enthralls him when she is lost in her music, but she folds into a demure little mouse when others are around. He is determined to reignite that passion and fill his home—and his heart—with her music. 

You can buy it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086SGRWSG/

Who am I?

I’m an award-winning author of family centered romance set in the Regency and Victorian eras, but I’ve been many things (even a nun). Someone who begins life as an army brat develops a wide view of life, and a love for travel. Now settled in the urban wilds of eastern Pennsylvania, I believe I’m on my third act or so, waiting impatiently until I can travel again, but happily writing stories brimming with emotion, adventure, and always a happy ending.

Website http://www.carolinewarfield.com/

Amazon Author http://www.amazon.com/Caroline-Warfield/e/B00N9PZZZS/

Good Reads http://bit.ly/1C5blTm 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/WarfieldFellowTravelers 

Twitter https://twitter.com/CaroWarfield

Email warfieldcaro@gmail.com

Newsletter:   http://www.carolinewarfield.com/newsletter/

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/caroline-warfield

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCycyfKdNnZlueqo8MlgWyWQ

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Meet Caroline Warfield. Her Regency series made it into Victoria's Time. #Giveaway

Carol Roddy writes Historical Romance as Caroline Warfield. 

Her Children of Empire series began in the Regency era, but, what with children growing up and demanding their own books, she’s now up to 1839. The Unexpectied Wife comes out tomorrow, July 25th. Carol is offering a giveaway of  the first book in the series, The Renegade Wife. An eBook and a paperback. (paperback is US only. Rafflecopter at end of interview.) 

Carol, please tell us a little more about yourself.

In previous lives I have been many things: stay at home mom, technology director, librarian, army brat, nun…Nun! Seriously? I must know more. But now I live in the Philadelphia suburbs up to my elbows in history, and sit at a desk surrounded by windows that overlook bird feeders so I can watch the foxes chase squirrels up trees and birds compete for space on the suet and seed feeders. I tell stories. That’s what I do now.

I’ve been married since the dinosaurs roamed so you might guess I’m a big believer in happily ever after. Beloved and I look after one another, enjoy our nearby grandson, attend Bible study, and love to travel. I like gardens, but hate gardening. I’m fascinated by birds, especially owls, I can’t pass a historical marker, and I never visited a boring place. Me neither! I love traveling.

I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when a publisher told you they wanted to publish your book.

It came in email. After many years of rejections (and yes, self-publishing was not for me), I had about given up on my romance books and begin to write middle grade historical novels. I happened to notice that Soul Mate Publishing was accepting submissions. I sent Dangerous Works off with a shrug and low expectations.

The response came in email, and I stared at it with open mouth for a considerable period before leaping to my feet to tell Beloved and immediately informing my writers’ group friends.  I have been grateful to Debby Gilbert ever since. Soul Mate has been very good to me.

If it isn’t too nosy. How about the first time you kissed your true love?

Hmm. The lake, the blanket in the grass, the fireflies, the stars…maybe I’ll keep it to myself.

Other than your own, who are your favorite (heroes/heroines/writers) in your genre?

Heroes? I adore Sebastian St. Cyr in CS Harris’s series with his name. Ok, those are mysteries, but she brings the Regency to life, and he is just yummy. 

My favorite romance writers are Carla Kelly, Grace Burrowes, Jude Knight, and Mary Balogh, all Regency authors.

What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?

In the past year I’ve been to Orkney, the Highlands, Singapore, Malacca, and New Zealand. I’m not sure whether Hobbiton counts as an additional country. Travel is our big luxury, and I’m already looking at 2019 and 2020 for plans. I love your travel choices. I want to do Wales next. Then back to Scotland, and Ireland and London.

Any advice for new writers just starting out?

The best advice anyone ever gave me is, “If you want to be a writer, you have to write.”  Just do it. Sit down and write the book. Get feedback and don’t run from criticism. Keep writing.

Tell us about The Unexpectied Wife

The Unexpected Wife is Book 3 in my Children of Empire series. The hero almost took over Book 1 in the series (The Renegade Wife) and wrapped readers around his fingers in Book 2 (The Reluctant Wife). 

Charles Wheatly, Duke of Murnane, doesn’t expect to find his great love when he accepts an unofficial fact-finding mission to Canton on behalf of the queen. He certainly doesn’t expect to confront his wreck of a marriage in such an exotic locale. Zambak Hayden follows her brother to China to escape pressure to make a suitable marriage. She finds the brother drawn into the world of greed, smuggling, drug, and corruption; she resolves to both sort out the truth and protect her brother from becoming prey to all of it—if only she could stop yearning for the one man she can’t have.

Here’s the trailer:

https://www.facebook.com/carolinewarfield7/videos/924791187669849/

The prequel to The Unexpected Wife, in which Charles and his cousins appear as boys, A Dangerous Nativity, is always free at various retailers.

https://www.carolinewarfield.com/bookshelf/a-dangerous-nativity-1815/https://www.carolinewarfield.com/bookshelf/a-dangerous-nativity-1815/

To binge read the series, start with Books 1 and 2. They are free with Kindle Unlimited or can be purchased at:

https://www.amazon.com/Caroline-Warfield/e/B00N9PZZZS/

What’s your current WIP?

The Bluestocking Belles publish a box set of novellas once a year. My story last year’s box set, Never Too Late, “Roses in Picardy,” was set in 1916 and ended with happy-for-now as they faced two more years of war. I’m currently working on the sequel for this year’s set. It is 1919 and they are dealing with the Spanish Flu and the chaos that follows war.  Harry’s interfering father is not helping. I have to get this to the team by June 1. The book comes out in November.

I also recently handed in a novella for the Marriage Maker series from Scarsdale Press.

 And finally, where can we find you?

     Website

Amazon Page

Good Reads

Facebook

Twitter

Newsletter

BookBub

Thank you for being here, Carol/Caroline. 

Here's the Giveway Rafflecopter for  The Renegade Wife.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here are some reviews:

Crowned Heart for Excellence, InD'Tale Magazine ...the characters leap off the page and into the reader's heart...Warfield weaves a delightful tale that leaves one sitting on the edge of their seat during most of the novel.
Five Stars Top Pick The Romance Reviews...Her attention to detail is stunning and her passion for literature is apparent on every page. Ms. Warfield immerses the reader in a landscape of vivid, sometimes gritty, details through which the plight of her richly-developed characters is made harrowingly real.

Night Owl Review Top Pick  Caroline Warfield is the ultimate storyteller that makes the reader feel immersed in the life of the characters and the surroundings...will stay with my heart for a while

I think I'll enter myself  Happy Reading, to all of you.

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