Carolyn Wren came knocking on my country manor door!

(It’s a fun weekend at the manor with all three of my The Romantic Muse Blog buddies popping in.)

Today, I'm giving a big 'come on in' hug to Carolyn Wren, creator of romantic suspense with the ability to make us want more, more and  more of her charming, cultured (and sometimes cheeky), charismatic heroes. There are three heroes up for grabs in Carolyn’s The Protectors series so far and four more to come. (Swoon … so many heroes, which one to choose?)

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Take it away, Carolyn:

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Are there cowboys or country manors in any of your stories?

No cowboys but lots of country manors.  I counted them up the other day and I think I have 6 within various books.  Apparently I have a soft spot for a stately home.

Seven books and six manors?  I like your style. 

Will you tell us about yourself and what genre(s) you love writing?

This question is interesting, (oh, good!) because although my published work is Romantic Suspense, I appear to have a problem choosing a genre.  My desktop contains stories regarding Vampires, Regency Period Romance, Ghosts, Witches, Crime, Murder Mysteries, and even a naughty tale or two.  Perhaps I am going with the scatter gun approach to storytelling.  If an idea comes into my head, I just start writing. 

Don’t stop. Just write! I’m loving The Protectors series. (Can anyone see you at your desk, with all that work surrounding you?)

 

Book Three, latest release. Here's the blurb:

The technical wizard of The Protectors agency…

 Bryce Black can invent, build, or hack anything.  Preferring to leave the danger to his fellow operatives, Bryce is happiest at home designing gadgets, and pursuing his hobby of creating replica diamonds.  When offered an assignment to protect a fortune in real gems featured in a high rating television show, he accepts. Only to find himself falling for the beautiful lead actress.  

Katrina Abbott is walking away from her acting career without regret.  The loss of privacy and invasion of her personal life have become overwhelming.  The handsome security advisor with his fascinating amber colored eyes has her contemplating a new life, far from the glaring spotlight. But first she needs to film the finale of her wildly popular drama series. 

One female fan does not want the show to end, and has a very different view of what Katrina’s future should be.

I love a story about an actress, having been one! Unfortunaely I didn't get to wear real diamonds,  and fortunately I didn't have any 'strange' fans, but I was once saved by a fireman. That was pretty thrilling ☺

What writing project did you put aside to answer these questions?

I am polishing book 5 of The Protectors, called The Widowers Child.  Although the entire series is already contracted for publication this year, I wrote them back in 2009 and it seems every time one book gets edited, I learn so much more information regarding technical skills to transfer to the next book in the series.  It’s a wonderful eye opening experience.  

Are you fun to go on holiday with?

Tremendous fun. (Believe me, readers - she speaks the truth.) I love to shop. (And always gets a bargain.) I love to try new things. (And does!)  I do have a habit of injuring myself on holidays, always accidently (oops).  It’s become a bit of a family joke.  But it makes for interesting stories when I return.

And more fodder for your stories, I bet.

Do you see writing as a career?

I didn’t, when I first started.  It began as fun, and quickly turned into a need, an obsession.  I felt something was missing if I didn’t write every day, and I still feel that way.  Now I am contracted for publication, I treat it with the same respect and commitment I used in my previous working life.  Whether or not it will be a profitable career…that’s remains to be seen!

What kind of research do you do for your stories?
 
In my Romantic Suspense genre it appears to be mostly regarding weapons and gadgets.  The books are about covert operatives so it seemed important to get the facts right.  I do wonder what someone would think if they saw my Google history for a day.  Researching how many bullets a Glock 9mm pistol holds.  What sort of gun a woman with small hands might use.  How easy is it to purchase a hand held Taser in the UK and how much it would cost. 

Book Two

Book One

If someone knocks on my door one day with a warrant to search my house - which I also researched - I guess I’ll know why!

Love it, Carolyn!  Perhaps the police ought to have a special ‘list’ for whacky , weird writers? (Hang on, they might already have one...)

 

What’s next in The Protectors series?  Here’s a list, so you can keep up to date:

Book 1  Diplomat’s Daughter  Out now
Book 2  The Scientist  Out now
Book 3  The Actress  Out now - latest release
Book 4 The Hostage (This story made Carolyn Wren an Award Winning author!) Out June 2013
Book 5  The Widower’s Child  Out August 2013
Book 6  The Undercover Agent  Out October 2013
Book 7  The Secret Family  Out December 2013

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Thank you, Carolyn, for knocking on my country manor door!  You’ve got a hectic editing schedule this year and yet you still manage to knock out a few other stories “in your spare time”! That’s what I call impressive.

Here is where you can find and follow Carolyn Wren after I wave her off at my blue door:

Carolyn Wren webpage
Carolyn Wren Facebook author page
Carolyn Wren Blog
Carolyn Wren on Twitter
Carolyn Wren on Goodreads
The Romantic Muse blog

Here is where you buy Carolyn's books:

The Actress (Book 3, recent release)
Buy from Secret Cravings Publishing
Buy from Amazon

The Scientist (Book 2)
Buy from Secret Cravings Publishing
Buy from Amazon

Diplomat's Daughter (Book 1)
Buy from Secret Cravings Publishing
Buy from Amazon

As always, Jennie recommends readers purchase (or pre-order) the titles of their dreams and support the writers who have taken the time to answer these questions. Writing is hard work and not for the faint-hearted - but so joyful for the reader.  What would we do without books (and writers)?

Feel free to leave a pleasant  comment, we’d love to hear from you!

Jennie & Carolyn

PS The manor will be humming all weekend - one more writing buddy popping in tomorrow … must get the vacuum out!