I’ve been tagged in The Next Big Thing by Sci Fi writer Greta Van Der Rol. I met Greta through an on line workshop and being fond of good space opera was an immediate fan. Plus she lives in Australia, a place I really want to return to one day. I’m instructed to tell you all about my next book by answering these questions and then to tag five other authors about their Next Big Thing. So here I go!
What is the working title of your next book? A Question of Honor. WORKING title, I know it’s been used a lot!
Where did the idea come from for the book? I was lucky enough to be a member of OCC when Ann Maxwell was still in Southern California. She was incredibly generous with her time and did several talks along with signings. I pulled together my courage and asked her when she was going to write Utah’s story. She gave me a charming three cornered smile and said she probably wouldn’t “Why don’t you write it?” Well, I drove home thinking how I wouldn’t actually write Utah’s story but I would write… And out come Devin and Sydney.
What genre does your book fall under? Romantic Suspense
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? This is always my most difficult question since I don’t go to movies much any more, and my favorite actors just don’t work for Devin. He’s a not handsome sort of guy like Ty Randolph. So, maybe Russell Crowe? For Sydney, that’s a rough one. There was a reporter for the Orlando Sentinel who looked exactly like Sydney, which doesn’t much help does it? Maybe Gillian Anderson.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? The daughter of a mercenary risks her security, her life and her heart to rectify her sister’s dishonor. Now for the series, the synopsis would be Warriors wounded in body and spirit find hope for their future at a New Mexico ranch.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I have a request from a digital publisher
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? Around three months…I was a lot younger then!
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I’m sure there must be some but I’m drawing a blank. Sydney isn’t a gorgeous tall bosomy bombshell with legs that go on forever.
Who or What inspired you to write this book? Certainly Ann Maxwell/Elizabeth Lowell gave me that final nudge to get serious about writing this series of my heart.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? There are depths to the people around us we never discover unless we stop to get to know them. I try to show this with Devin and Sydney
Here are some exciting authors I’ve tagged to tell you about their Next Big Thing!
Lex Valentine who did my wonderful trailers
Zrinka Jelic also published by Black Opal Books
Cassandra Shaw another fabulous Australian writer
Paula Millhouse who galvanized a bunch of writers into this promotion
Hope you enjoy their next big things…and keep an eye out on the bookshelves for these great stories.
Mona Karel Author 