Tell us about: Heart of Vengeance
WARNING ~ book contains graphic violence towards women A serial killer plagues the gay community and leaves a trail of dead bodies across state lines. Agent Danni Pacelli and Agent Parker Stevens rush against time to catch their killer and stop the body count from increasing. Agent Parker Stevens life was perfect when transferred to a new city and new location which offered her solitude from the grief of losing her partner and children to a predator. But, while hunting down her suspect, she meets Samantha Petrino who takes the once closed off Stevens and opens a world to new love. The charming advertising agent breaks down her defenses, and no matter how hard she fights to protect her heart, she finds herself falling for the beautiful and intelligent woman. New to the FBI, Agent Danni Pacelli’s struggles to balance her personal life along with the job, to save her relationship, she convinces her new partner to bring in Annabel and utilize the young detective’s skills to track down their killer or risk losing Annabel all together. The heroic efforts of two agents who hunt down a serial killer, but find more than they bargained for.
What sets your most recent releases, Heart of Fire and The Crossroads, from other books of the same genre? Each book was set as a standalone book building up the characters for Heart of Vengeance. Therefore, by the time Heart of Vengeance was released, you either loved or hated the characters, which may or may not change in the latest book.
How is the book doing so far? The book is doing wonderful – The feedback received thus far only enforces my belief that I accomplished what I set out to do, and that was put out a realistic crime novel – when reading it, keeps the readers turning the pages.
Any future releases reader should be aware of? Out of the mist “The secret” and I have several others partially in the works.
Are you reading anything right now, or have you read anything recently that is worth mentioning? I have various writers whom I enjoy. My most recent reads were by Alli Vali The Cain Casey Soga and K’Anne Meinel. “Timed Romance” I have several others which will find their way into my lap and keep my focus very soon.
Does music inspire or motivate you to write? If so, what kind of music? I love country, and I always have it on in the background when I am writing.
Who are some of your favorite authors? I hate to choose one over the other, as each have aspects of their writing that I have fallen in love with. Alli Vali, I love her style because it is so much like my own, however, I enjoy authors who style is different, so I am always looking for future favorites.
Are you one of those people who don’t own a TV? Do you have any favorite TV Shows? I own a TV. I love crime shows in both fiction and true crime.
At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to be a writer? I was in third-grade when I first wrote my first poem and when my English teacher read it aloud to the class and my peers liked it. That was my boost of encouragement to write more. At that point, I wanted to become an investigative reporter, which I did, but, my love was writing stories which I had been doing since my youth.
Tell us about your writing process.
I do not have a set process to writing. I get an idea, I write it down, and then I play with the idea. If I fall in love with the idea, I make an outline. The story however, is never written the way I outline it. Example: I will be writing, and stop and think. Oh wait, then I am in a totally different direction. That is where my twists and turns come in and my readers love it.
Are the names of the characters in your novels important? The names are always the hardest, I don’t want to use common names, however, I don’t want to use names that my readers have to stop and try to pronounce it. So, yes, the names are very important.
How do you define success as a writer? I could say the sales, but if the book sold a thousand books within a month and my readers did not like it, then I failed. So, I define success as I read reviews or messages I receive on Facebook on how much they enjoyed it. Have you been successful? I believe I have, but I am my own worst critique and always feel I can do better.
Do you have words of wisdom about writing that you want to pass on to novelists and writers out there who are starting out? Yes. Everyone has a story, but they do not always make a good book. So, to ensure you are successful, you have to think about your readers when you are writing the story. As a reader as well, the first chapter is the most important. If I am bored within the first six pages or my interest was not sparked, I will not continue reading. Also, remembering we are not error free, even the best of writers make mistakes, therefore, it is always good to have several people read over your manuscript before you submit it to your publisher. However, if you self publish, then you need to consider a good proof reader as well.
What should readers walk away from your books knowing? The smell, the taste, the feel and the emotion set behind the story. How should they feel? The reader should feel satisfied. IE: Not cheated. They should feel as if they lived within the moment as the story progressed.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? Yes, I would like to thank each of my readers, old and new how much I appreciate you. The feedback you give me and the little words of encouragement has kept me going and moving forth. I may write a story that you find enjoy full, but when I read your reviews you have left me. That means the world to me. So, with that said. Thank you for having faith in me and my craft and giving me a chance to give something to you.
Bio: My name is Dawn Carter. I was born in London, and moved to the U.S as a child and grew up in Chicago, but now live in Texas. I have amazing children and a loving partner.
Links:
The Crossroads – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/386779
Heart of Fire – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/395330
Heart of Vengeance – http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/447772
(website) www.dawncarterbooks.com
(Amazon) www.amazon.com
(fan page) https://www.facebook.com/DawnCartertAuthor?ref_type=bookmark
(Blog) http://carteredawn.wordpress.com
Barns and Nobles – http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Shadoe Publishing 