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1 July 2010

Getting to Know you Thursday with Carla Capshaw

Today I have the pleasure of having Carla Capshaw on my blog. We got to know each other a couple of years ago when Carla wrote her first guest blog entry and I was her first responder. We have become friends since. I have loved her books and love learning more of early times in Rome.







1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?


Hi Jenny. First, let me thank you for inviting me here today. I really
appreciate you and your readers. About me, I'm a Florida native, the
youngest of three kids. My father is a retired minister, so I grew up in
church. I came to the Lord as a child and went to college at the
University of South Florida where I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in
International Studies. I also have a Masters degree in Theology from
International Theological Seminary. I love to travel and read. I'm
trying to learn to love exercising, but I'd much rather watch the History
channel. ;-) My only son is a senior at Florida State University, so I'm
suffering a bit of empty nest syndrome. My two cats, Oli and Onyx, both
of whom were feral cats who have learned to be spoiled house cats are
enjoying the fact that their big brother is away and they now have their
own room. :-)


2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?


***I loved so many books, but I especially remember Shel Silverstein's,
Where The Sidewalk Ends. As a teenager, my favorites were The Count of
Monte Cristo, The Scarlet Letter and too many Romances to name. :-)


3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and write?


***My favorite genre is Historical Romance. I really enjoy learning about
history and I do my best to bring the past to life through my characters
and settings.


4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?


***My favorite book of all time is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.
Favored Romance authors during my teenage years were Janet Oke, Kathleen
Woodwiss and Johanna Lindsay.


5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?


*** When I was ten years old, I watched a television mini-series about
Marco Polo. From learning about Marco, I fell in love with the whole idea
of traveling the world and writing books along the way. As I grew up,
Historical romances were my favorite reading material. My favorite
subject was History. I loved learning about other cultures, the past and
imaging the lives of people in different eras. So, when I decided I
really did want to concentrate on writing novels, it just made sense to
put all my favorite elements together. I'm just blessed there are so many
other people who seem to love Inspirational Historical Romances as well.




6. How did you go about becoming an author?


***I started writing my first Historical romance in 2002. I didn't know
anything about the business of writing; I just knew I wanted to write a
book. I hoped it might get published, but I didn't really think that far
ahead, to tell you the truth. I titled the story The Fox. I used my
favorite time period -- the American Revolution, my favorite city --
Charleston, SC, and one of my favorite subjects -- espionage, as a main
part of the plot. It took me about a year and a half to finish. Along
the way, I learned to be very disciplined. I wrote from 10pm to 2am six
days a week. I found wonderful critique partners who enjoyed my voice and
*got* my work. I entered loads of contests and developed what I call
rhino skin thanks to some of the judges comments. After The Fox did
pretty well on the contest circuit, I entered it in the 2004 Romance
Writers of America's Golden Heart contest. The Fox won for Best Short
Historical at the RWA conference held in Dallas that year. At the same
conference, I made an agent appointment with Michelle Grajkowski of Three
Seas Literary and two weeks later she signed me. I wrote another novel,
The Gladiator and in November of 2007, I finally sold my first book. The
Fox was later published as my second novel, The Duke's Redemption.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?


***I'd want to be a host for a show on the Travel Channel, definitely.


8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?


***I like to spend time with my family and friends. I'm always planning a
trip somewhere. I also love to cook and decorate my house for the seasons
and/or holidays.


9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?


***I've been so blessed to travel all over the world, but there are
several spots still on my "to visit" list. Right now, I'm planning trips
to Peru, Spain and Morocco.


10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and
why?


***No one famous. I just love visiting with my friends and family. How
about you, Jenny. Want to catch a meal together? :-)


Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will
be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.


***My current book is a sequel to The Gladiator. It comes out this month
and features Quintus and Adiona who were friends of my main couple, Caros
and Pelonia in The Gladiator. I'm currently writing a third book in my
Roman series and another American-set story that will hopefully be
released next year. I love to hear from readers, so please visit me at my
website, http://www.carlacapshaw.com/.


It's been such a joy to be here with you today, Jenny. Thanks again for
having me! :-)
I have included Carla's first 2 books which are still available from amazon and other online bookshops. They are both good reads.

 
The Duke's Redemption

Danger and intrigue follow Elise Cooper wherever she goes. Surviving on her wits and her faith, Elise, code named the Fox, is the most elusive patriot spy in South Carolina. When a double agent threatens to turn Elise over to the British, she fights for her life and makes a narrow escape...


But when Drake Amberly, fifth duke of Hawk Haven, learns of his brother's death and the failed investigation to find the spy who shot him, he heads for America determined to see the murderous brigand brought to justice. Once in Charles Town, he follows the Fox's trail to Brixton Hall Plantation where he meets Elise Cooper. As Drake tracks the Fox, he and Elise fall deeply in love. Once they wed, everything seems idyllic, until a trap he sets for the Fox exposes his beloved as his sworn enemy, forcing him to choose between his quest for vengeance or the traitorous wife whose love and faith may prove to be his downfall or The Duke's Redemption.

The Gladiator


Set in ancient Rome, Caros Viriathos is an ex-gladiator who has everything except inner peace. When he buys Christian slave girl, Pelonia, on a whim, he never expects her or her faith to turn his life upside down and win his heart.

7 comments:

Karen Lange said...

Good interview! Your interviews are always good:) Thanks to both of you for sharing this.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Karen :)

Janet Tronstad said...

Carla and Jenny -- Great interview. If you have that dinner together, invite me (I'd love to meet you both). And, of course, if Carla did have dinner with you Ausjenny, she would have to go to Australia to do so (not bad for planning :))

Ausjenny said...

Oh I may come to america for the meal then we could all meet together and add Jillian and hopefully Cheryl Wyatt.

Carla Capshaw said...

I think all of us getting together for one big dinner is the best idea. In fact, maybe we can make it one of those traveling suppers where one hostess does salads, the next does the entree, then dessert, etc. That way we can all travel around, visit Jenny in Oz, me in Flordia, Janet in California... That'd be fun, don't you think? :-)

Thanks Jenny for hosting me today. I love your blog and I'm so glad we've gotten the chance to know each other over the years.

Hugs!!

Unknown said...

You can come to Texas and visit me! Love Shel Silverstein. Actually had to read some of his stuff in my Children's lit class this summer! :D Scarlett Letter is my favorite!

Julie Lessman said...

Carla!!! Just had to drop in to say that I love, love, LOVED The Gladiator, girl!! Just finished it last week and have been telling people about it left and right. Can't wait to read Quintus's story!!

Jenny, thanks for this great interview and I hope your Mum is doing well.

Hugs,
Julie

Carla Capshaw said...

Texas it is, Jennifer. Can we add bar-b-que and/or fajitas to the menu? I always loved TSL, too. One of my favorites!

Julie! I'm so happy to dropped by. I'm so glad you enjoyed The Gladiator. Thanks for telling people about it. :-) I loved A Passion Most Pure. I totally get why it won the ACFW award. It's fantastic. Can't wait to read the rest of your Boston series.

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