Okay, darlings, sit back, relax, put your hands together and welcome Carol Kilgore, here to tell us about her brand spankin’ new book, SECRETS OF HONOR. Many of you already know Carol and have kicked off your sandals and enjoyed an umbrella drink at Carol’s own blog, Under the Tiki Hut. Today, Carol has agreed to answer my questions and share a few secrets of her own about her latest release and about about herself.
So, what’s better than secrets?
Secrets PLUS a contest! Carol will be giving away an Amazon Gift Card to one lucky commenter. Details are at the end of this post, read on. We’ve got a lot to accomplish today, so let’s get the party started.
THE BOOK: SECRETS OF HONOR
By the end of a long evening working as a special set of eyes for the presidential security detail, all Kat Marengo wants is to kick off her shoes and stash two not-really-stolen rings in a secure spot. Plus, maybe sleep with Dave Krizak. No, make that definitely sleep with Dave Krizak. The next morning, she wishes her new top priorities were so simple.
As an operative for a covert agency buried in the depths of the Department of Homeland Security, Kat is asked to participate in a matter of life or death—locate a kidnapped girl believed to be held in Corpus Christi, Texas. Since the person doing the asking is the wife of the president and the girl is the daughter of her dearest friend, it’s hard to say no.
Kat and Dave quickly learn the real stakes are higher than they or the first lady believed and will require more than any of them bargained for.
The kicker? They have twenty-four hours to find the girl—or the matter of life or death will become more than a possibility.
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• Carol, what inspired you to write SECRETS OF HONOR?
I wish I knew. Unfortunately, I rarely know the exact thing that inspires a story. My inspiration is usually a compilation of different things that at some point gels into something large enough for me to notice. Even then, the initial thought is rarely fully formed. Things that go into most of my inspirations are often fleeting, such as the way the light plays on something at a certain time of day, a line from a movie, something I see while driving, a piece of art, a stranger I see, an overheard conversation, things like that. With SECRETS OF HONOR, it was just that one day I knew that I wanted to write something spy-like, but I had no idea where that thought came from. I didn’t want my story to be like a Cold War spy tale, but something more current. And I wanted the story to be about a female jewel thief. I had no other concept of story, much less plot. It was a long haul between the inspiration, the first version of the story that spread all over the map, and the final book. In between, I ripped out a complete subplot that added nothing to what the story turned out to be, deleted one character’s viewpoint and gave a point of view to someone else, altered the motivation of almost every character, and came up with a story I liked.
• Describe SECRETS OF HONOR’s main character, Kat. Give us some insight into how her mind works.
Katia Marengo is a forward solutions specialist for a covert unit buried in the policy section of the Department of Homeland Security. Her boss thinks she’s a little monster, Dave Krizak still remembers how she looked like cotton candy the first time he saw her eight years earlier, and Kat herself feels way older than her thirty years. She’s a visual person and a team player. Sometimes she’s too impulsive. Kat isn’t much of a navel gazer, but here are a group of disconnected sentences from a fairly early chapter that offer a peek at who she is:“Kat could use a little beach time herself. Now wouldn’t be soon enough to suit her. But the job came first.”“…she was so happy she’d gone to college instead of following her rock-band boyfriend to wherever he’d ended up.”
“If it was necessary for her to abort the mission and she couldn’t just bail, she had a plan. It was a lousy plan, and Remy wouldn’t be happy, but it was a plan.”
• What do you want the reader to take away from SECRETS OF HONOR?
That things are not always what they seem. Always look beyond the surface for the real truth.
THE AUTHOR: CAROL KILGORE
Now some random quick questions so we can learn more about you and about your process. Ready, set, go!
• Pantser or plotter?
Plotser. I always know the major characters, the beginning, the ending, and two-five plot points before I begin. Often I know the ending before I know the beginning. And I nearly always have a timeline. Are the characters always up front with me? I wish. Do the few things I know change as I write? Sometimes, especially the beginning of the story, but my initial concept of the ending nearly always remains the same.• Book or e-reader/Kindle?
Print for reference; Kindle for pleasure reading. I still adore paper books, but the Kindle is so much easier on my eyes. That’s why I love it so much.
• What actress would you hire to play Kat?
Not a clue. Possibly Jennifer Lawrence.
• Mac or PC?
PC – I’ve never used a Mac. However, I have an iPhone, and I love it. If Macs are as user-friendly as my phone, I may jump aboard the next time I need a computer.
• First Person or third Person?
I write close third. As a reader, it doesn’t matter. Right now I’m reading a book written in first person present tense. It’s quite exciting and immediate.
• Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot?
Everyone’s favorite feisty old lady!
• Adventure or love story?
Both! That’s why I write Crime Fiction with a Kiss J
• You’re hosting a dinner, which four writers would you invite (living or dead)?
Louisa May Alcott, Helen MacInnes, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Stephen King
• Salty or sweet?
Salty!
• More time or more money?
Time – as long as I have enough money for my needs.
• Zombie apocalypse or WWIII
Neither
• Which would you give up first: cell phone or the internet?
Cell phone
THE CONTEST
Monday through Friday this week, Carol will be visiting five different blogs to promote SECRETS OF HONOR. On each blog, she will give away a $5 Amazon Gift Card. So while everyone who comments on this post will be entered into a drawing for a $5 Amazon Gift Card, there will be five blogs and five separate contests, and it’s possible to win all five. So get on out there!
Winners will be announced next Monday at Under the Tiki Hut.
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MORE ABOUT CAROL
Although Carol has deep Texas roots, she’s lived up and down the eastern seaboard and in other locations across the U.S. as a Coast Guard wife. She sees mystery and subterfuge everywhere. And she’s a sucker for a good love story—especially those with humor and mystery. Crime Fiction with a Kiss gives her the latitude to mix and match throughout the broad mystery and romance genres. Having flexibility makes her heart happy.
You can connect with Carol and her books here:
Under the Tiki Hut blog: http://www.underthetikihut.blogspot.com
Website with Monthly Contest: http://www.carolkilgore.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carol.kilgore1
Twitter: http://twitter.com/carol_kilgore
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094110.Carol_Kilgore
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Carol-Kilgore/e/B008FRCXQY
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Carol, it’s no secret that having you here was an honor.
Thank you so much.
Wishing you boundless success with
SECRETS OF HONOR!
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rxena77 said:
With the government and crime (sometimes the two are hard to tell apart!) things are never what they seem. Your new book, Carol, sounds really interesting. I intend to check it out!! 🙂
Carol Kilgore said:
Cool. Great to meet you.
Denise Covey (@DeniseCCovey) said:
Thanks for hosting Carol, VR. I must get the new book. I like the …with a kiss part. 🙂
Carol Kilgore said:
Kat and Dave liked the with a kiss part, too!
Mason Canyon said:
VR, thanks for hosting Carol.
Carol, it’s interesting to learn a little more insight into Kat and an intriguing dinner party of writers. Wishing you much success.
Carol Kilgore said:
I like to mix things up, Mason.
Alex J. Cavanaugh (@AlexJCavanaugh) said:
Can’t give up the Internet!
She looked like cotton candy? Quite the visual.
Congratulations, Carol!
Carol Kilgore said:
Thanks, Alex. There’s a whole story behind the cotton candy comment. Of course, you’ll have to read the book to find out what it is!
Pat Hatt said:
I’d go with internet over cellphone. And yeah, nukes or zombies hmmm wouldn’t want to pick that either. Congrats!
Carol Kilgore said:
Thank you, Pat. Good option!
Carol Kilgore said:
Thank you for hosting me, VR. It’s great to be here. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.
VR Barkowski said:
It’s a pleasure. Thank you for being, Carol!
Liz A. said:
Sounds like a great book.
Carol Kilgore said:
I hope the readers think so, Liz!
Jemi Fraser said:
Great interview!! Carol’s visiting me on Wednesday – can’t wait to read the book! 🙂
Carol Kilgore said:
Looking forward to the visit, Jemi 🙂
Theresa Milstein said:
I’m with Carol about Miss Marple! Her new cover raises a lot of questions. Good enticing for the mystery!
Carol Kilgore said:
Team Marple! Glad you like the cover 🙂
Helena Soister said:
I’m kinda glad you don’t know how you came up with your book idea, Carol, ’cause I’m the same way. Yet Secrets of Honor sounds so solidly plotted! Obviously you’re a superb rewriter.
Carol Kilgore said:
I rewrite much better than I draft. And I rewrite a lot.
susan swiderski said:
Terrific interview, ladies! I’m so glad Carol’s new book has finally been launched into the world. I’m really looking forward to reading it ,and will, just as soon as I finish reading and reviewing several others,as promised.
Carol Kilgore said:
My Kindle is loaded with books, and my pleasure reading time is not too many minutes every day. I continue to try to build in more. Some days I’m more successful than others.
Bish Denham said:
Great interview. What an interesting collection of writers to have for luncyh! I’m with you, Carol, when it comes to neither on the zombie apocalyptic or WWIII.
Carol Kilgore said:
I think I could learn a lot at that lunch 🙂
Michelle Wallace said:
Great interview!
Thank you for that peek into your writerly brain, Carol!
… and yes, Dr.Seuss is a MUST at that dinner table… 🙂
Carol Kilgore said:
Thanks, Michelle – you’re invited to join us!
Southpaw said:
Great interview. Carol if not the Zombie Apocalypse or WWIII, then what will it be?
Carol Kilgore said:
Hmmm…marshmallows? spitwads?
Southpaw said:
ewwww spitwads! That would do it!