Today, I’ve got another one of my new Wild Rose Press sistahs, Denise Carbo, visiting me. She’s got quite the tale to tell. If you’re a lover of paranormal stories, witches, and fantasy, this is one interview and book excerpt you don’t want to miss!
Sit back and let’s learn a little more about this versatile writer.
Denise, The Writer
What drives you to write?
I’ve made up stories in my head for as long as I can remember. It’s a part of me, simply who I am and what I do. And it’s fun!
What genre(s) of Romance do your write, and why?
The supernatural and anything out of the ordinary has always fascinated me, thereby leading me to write Paranormal. Suspense because I love solving mysteries and figuring out the details and motivations behind them. I write Contemporary for the emotional journey.
What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why?
All of them! It depends on my current mood.
What’s your writing schedule? Do you write everyday?
I write every weekday my kids are in school. Their schedule runs the household.
Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table?
I am fortunate enough to have a dedicated office, so I can close the door and immerse myself in whatever manuscript I’m working on. Of course the kids, the dog, and cat all like to follow me in there.
Are you the kind of writer who needs total quiet to compose, or are you able to filter out the typical sounds of the day and use your tunnel-vision?
Typically, I prefer the quiet but if the muse is in a demanding mood I’m capable of ignoring everyone and everything.
Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not?
No, I love music, but I get distracted by stories forming in my head to coincide with the lyrics rather than my current WIP.
. How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP?
I’ve always been interested in witches and what it would be like to have magical abilities. What would happen if a seemingly normal woman suddenly discovered she was a witch and magic was real? How would she learn to control her powers? How would it affect the people around her and her relationships with them? What other witches existed? Are they good or evil?
Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why?
Plot. An idea/sentence/line of dialogue pops into my head and then I start weaving the story from there. The characters naturally develop after the initial idea.
What 3 words describe you, the writer? Plotter, introvert, dreamer ( Peggy here: Love that!!!)
Denise, the Gal
Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing! Okay, I turn bright red if I eat anything with vinegar in it. Amuses my kids because I simply have to have ketchup with my fries which of course my face will match the color of.
Who was your first love and what age were you? My husband. We’ve been together since I was 16.
If you could relive one day, which one would it be? Think GROUNDHOG DAY, the movie for this one – you’ll have to live it over and over and…. One particular day sticks out in my mind here, Christmas Eve 2011 because the point of the movie is to change it, right? My Dad was in a car accident that day which he was never able to recover from and passed away six months later. I would make sure he never got in the car.
Do you like a guy in boxers, briefs, or commando? Boxer briefs
If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be? Frizz Ease hair serum. Humidity is not my friend. (Peggy here: I Hear ya, sistah! Curly, kinky hair here, too!)
What three words describe you, the person? Mother, Wife, Writer
If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? Oh Lord, I cannot hold a tune, but if I could “Unstoppable” by Sia.
If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any time line, who would it by, why, and what would you do together? Ooh, interesting, just one? Let’s see, Acheron from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s dark hunter series because he’s a god and can do pretty much anything. I would see all the exotic places I dream of visiting.
Bonus round
I love the Actor’s Studio show on Bravo, so this is my version of it:
Favorite sound My child’s laughter
Least favorite sound Nails on a chalkboard
Best song every written Because you loved me by Celine Dion
Favorite actor and actress Meryl Streep and Hugh Jackman because they possess that rare ability to portray the character rather than just a version of themselves in a role.
Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? ( It can be anyone living or dead) The Queen of England because who wouldn’t want to be Queen for a day?
What turns you on? sense of humor
What turns you off? arrogance
Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date ( here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) “I don’t dislike you.”
What’s your version of a perfect day? A sunny Spring day with a gentle breeze and flowers blooming. My husband’s and sons’ laughter filling the air as we spend a happy, fun filled day together.
Here’s Denise’s new book for a little look-see
Legacy of Magic
Divorced, jobless, and homeless, Cory Bishop moves to Connecticut to begin anew. She gets lost along the way and causes a car accident which does not bode well for the next chapter in her life. The reconnection with her great aunt provides her with direction and purpose. While solving a mysterious family secret, she is pursued by a charming lawyer and her exasperating neighbor who thinks arguing is a form of foreplay. But those circumstances are the least of her problem
Cory soon discovers she is a witch and must learn to control her new-found powers. An ally, a confidant, and a surprise supporter guide her, but she is almost out of time. An immortal evil wants her powers for his own and will stop at nothing to obtain them. When the battle lines are drawn, Cory must choose who is friend and who is enemy. Will love save her or endanger her even more?
Excerpt
His normal blue jeans were replaced with black. The customarily tight T-shirt was now a blue, button down shirt opened at the throat. Damn, it matched his eyes.
Eyes that were making a very slow, thorough, perusal of her before meeting her gaze. “Must admit, I thought you might stand me up.”
Now why hadn’t that occurred to her?
“The thought never crossed my mind. I follow through when I say I’m going to do something. Although, technically I don’t think I actually accepted your invitation.”
“Sure, you did. You said 6:15. That implied acceptance.”
Cory rolled her eyes. “We both know if Aunt Addy hadn’t been there, I would’ve said no very clearly.”
“Maybe, but then we’d both be left wondering what the two of us together might be like. Personally, I prefer a more direct approach.”
Her foot began to tap. “Oh really? Maneuvering me into a date is direct? And for the record, I wouldn’t be wondering about anything. You and I are not going to get together.” Her hand waved back and forth between them. “We can’t even be in the same room for a few minutes without arguing.”
Finn laughed. “This isn’t arguing.”
“Oh really, what would you call it?”
He leaned toward her and whispered, “Foreplay.”
Buy Links
Amazon // B&N // iBooks // Wild Rose Press
A little more about Denise
Denise Carbo writes Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Contemporary Romance. She is a voracious reader, loves to travel, is fascinated by the supernatural, and enjoys figuring out the culprit of books and movies before the ending is revealed.
She lives in a small, picturesque New England town with her high school sweetheart and their three amazing sons.
You can connect with Denise here:
Website // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest // Instagram // Bookbub // Amazon // Goodreads
Peggy Jaeger, Author 