Kara Braden makes her debut in modern romance with a story of love in isolation. She believes that engaging, romantic fantasy can be found everywhere in the world, even in the most unlikely places. With the support of her wonderful husband, cats, and dogs, she writes from her home office outside Phoenix, Arizona, where she spends her time hiding from the sunlight and heat.
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Twitter @KaraBraden
I’m also excited to announce that I’m co-writing m/m romance under the name Jordan S. Brock with my writing partner, Ray Van Fox. Our first free story, Science and Fiction, is already available as part of the M/M Romance Group’s Love’s Landscapes event (link), and we hope to have our first full-length book out before the end of the year.
Goodreads link
Kim: Tell us about Arizona - what is your favorite sight, smell, and sound?
Kara: I love those clear desert nights when the full moon turns the world into an alien landscape of silver. The moon is so bright in the desert that you hardly need a flashlight, and all the shades of brown and tan are bleached out, making you feel like you’re on another world. It’s quiet and peaceful, and if you’re far enough from civilization, the stars overhead are a wonder to see.
Kim: Thank you for your family's service! I know first hand the entire family serves when one is a veteran. What have you learned as an Air Force spouse that you can apply to your writing career?
Kara: Thank you for your service, too! I’ve learned that I love a military hero! My husband served for twenty-one years before retiring, and he went right back into working with the Air Force as an employee of Lockheed Martin. He brings the most unbelievable work ethic to anything he does. Failure or quitting isn’t an option, whether it’s troubleshooting our home network, fixing our sprinkler system, or putting in weekend overtime to make sure his job gets done.
Kim: Who or what helped you along the path to publishing?
Kara: I’ve been writing all my life, though it took forty-plus years for me to get published. Thankfully, I’ve had all that time to hone my craft, and it’s all because of my wonderful readers. My readers have given me feedback, encouragement, and critiques that have helped make every story I write better than the last one.
Most of all, though, the credit goes to the two most important men in my life, my father and my husband. My dad used to read to me every night, no matter how late he worked, until we reversed our roles and I’d read to him. When I got older, he bought me a computer so I could write more efficiently, and he’s supported me at every step of the way. And my husband has given me the incredible opportunity to work on writing full-time, encouraging me to keep writing, all while helping troubleshoot my website and funding my trips to conventions.
Kim: Tell us about THE DEEPEST NIGHT - what inspired it?
Kara: Richard Armitage.
No, really. Have you seen him? He’s the inspiration for my hero, Ray Powell, from the icy blue eyes and dark hair to the sexy British accent and gorgeous body.
Since I knew I wanted a British hero, I went looking for exotic British settings. I wanted to avoid the three most typical ones — London, a cottage in a little village, or a rainy castle — so I did some digging. That’s how I found the Isles of Scilly. As soon as I started browsing pictures, I fell in love. The islands are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, full of flowers fields, dolphins and seals, and even adorable puffins.
From there, everything else fell into place. A closed bed and breakfast provided the “cabin” in this cabin romance, and the island’s starry skies and fields of flowers were the perfect backdrop for Ray and Michelle to fall in love, one step at a time.
Kim: What's next for Kara Braden?
Kara: I have many more stories to tell in this world, especially Preston’s. He’s the brother of the hero from book 1 and Ray’s business partner at their military contracting company, Samaritan International Security. I’ll also be writing Marguerite’s story and hopefully answering some questions about her mysterious past and what brought her to Pinelake.
In May, I’ll be at the 2015 RT Booklovers Convention in Dallas. If you’re going to be there, please stop by to see me!
Kim: Tell us about Arizona - what is your favorite sight, smell, and sound?
Kara: I love those clear desert nights when the full moon turns the world into an alien landscape of silver. The moon is so bright in the desert that you hardly need a flashlight, and all the shades of brown and tan are bleached out, making you feel like you’re on another world. It’s quiet and peaceful, and if you’re far enough from civilization, the stars overhead are a wonder to see.
Kim: Thank you for your family's service! I know first hand the entire family serves when one is a veteran. What have you learned as an Air Force spouse that you can apply to your writing career?
Kara: Thank you for your service, too! I’ve learned that I love a military hero! My husband served for twenty-one years before retiring, and he went right back into working with the Air Force as an employee of Lockheed Martin. He brings the most unbelievable work ethic to anything he does. Failure or quitting isn’t an option, whether it’s troubleshooting our home network, fixing our sprinkler system, or putting in weekend overtime to make sure his job gets done.
Kim: Who or what helped you along the path to publishing?
Kara: I’ve been writing all my life, though it took forty-plus years for me to get published. Thankfully, I’ve had all that time to hone my craft, and it’s all because of my wonderful readers. My readers have given me feedback, encouragement, and critiques that have helped make every story I write better than the last one.
Most of all, though, the credit goes to the two most important men in my life, my father and my husband. My dad used to read to me every night, no matter how late he worked, until we reversed our roles and I’d read to him. When I got older, he bought me a computer so I could write more efficiently, and he’s supported me at every step of the way. And my husband has given me the incredible opportunity to work on writing full-time, encouraging me to keep writing, all while helping troubleshoot my website and funding my trips to conventions.
Kim: Tell us about THE DEEPEST NIGHT - what inspired it?
Kara: Richard Armitage.
No, really. Have you seen him? He’s the inspiration for my hero, Ray Powell, from the icy blue eyes and dark hair to the sexy British accent and gorgeous body.
Since I knew I wanted a British hero, I went looking for exotic British settings. I wanted to avoid the three most typical ones — London, a cottage in a little village, or a rainy castle — so I did some digging. That’s how I found the Isles of Scilly. As soon as I started browsing pictures, I fell in love. The islands are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, full of flowers fields, dolphins and seals, and even adorable puffins.
From there, everything else fell into place. A closed bed and breakfast provided the “cabin” in this cabin romance, and the island’s starry skies and fields of flowers were the perfect backdrop for Ray and Michelle to fall in love, one step at a time.
Kim: What's next for Kara Braden?
Kara: I have many more stories to tell in this world, especially Preston’s. He’s the brother of the hero from book 1 and Ray’s business partner at their military contracting company, Samaritan International Security. I’ll also be writing Marguerite’s story and hopefully answering some questions about her mysterious past and what brought her to Pinelake.
In May, I’ll be at the 2015 RT Booklovers Convention in Dallas. If you’re going to be there, please stop by to see me!
I’m also excited to announce that I’m co-writing m/m romance under the name Jordan S. Brock with my writing partner, Ray Van Fox. Our first free story, Science and Fiction, is already available as part of the M/M Romance Group’s Love’s Landscapes event (link), and we hope to have our first full-length book out before the end of the year.
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| Vintage image of Tresco Abbey, Isles of Scilly Public Domain (link) |
Mahalo, Kara! I'll see you in Dallas! Kara is celebrating the release of THE DEEPEST NIGHT:
When everything you love is on the line…
The Isles of Scilly off the coast of England are remote, windswept and wild. They’re the perfect place for Ray Powell to recuperate after the toughest Afghanistan mission the military contractor has ever run. Except instead of the peace and quiet he so desperately needs, he’s faced with a beautiful American woman who instantly challenges his iron control.
It’s best to proceed with caution…
Seeking her own safe haven, Michelle Cole is intrigued and flustered by the intensely compelling and irresistible man.
As their cautious friendship slowly builds into simmering attraction, their hearts and souls are about to be broken open...if they’ll allow it.
The Isles of Scilly off the coast of England are remote, windswept and wild. They’re the perfect place for Ray Powell to recuperate after the toughest Afghanistan mission the military contractor has ever run. Except instead of the peace and quiet he so desperately needs, he’s faced with a beautiful American woman who instantly challenges his iron control.
It’s best to proceed with caution…
Seeking her own safe haven, Michelle Cole is intrigued and flustered by the intensely compelling and irresistible man.
As their cautious friendship slowly builds into simmering attraction, their hearts and souls are about to be broken open...if they’ll allow it.
Somehow, I think I would want to have a B&B in Hawaii! Congrats on the release and thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book and the giveaway. I would go visit family in Florida!
ReplyDeleteI would go to New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to go to Oregon, perhaps a B&B on the coast?
ReplyDeleteHmmm probably Vermont :)
ReplyDelete