This time, we have author Carole Brown with us, chatting about her book, The Redemption of Caralynn Hayman. Please join me in welcoming her.
Welcome, Carole! I’m honored to be hosting you on my website.
To start, I read on your blog that you love research and editing. Will you expand on that, telling us what you like about it?
I find so many things interesting, it’s hard not to get absorbed. One thing always leads to another, and if I’m not careful I will forget what I originally started out to find! ☺
The tattoos The Children of Righteous Cain use took me forever to decide about. I researched many places trying to find the “right” one, and the right one means, one that worked with what I wanted and resonated with me. Couldn’t be too big or too little. I planned at first to have a prologue about the origin of The Children of Righteous Cain, but decided against that. I mention briefly in the third chapter a little about the history of the cult and hint at the tattoo throughout the book and figured it was enough--for now.
I plan to bring out around the same time, a small, inexpensive book with various items in it about West Virginia, Caralynne, Dayne, her girls and friends, recipes Cara could have used (she loves to cook), quotes, and perhaps I’ll even include a brief bit more of the history of The Children of Righteous Cain! That would be fun.
I could go on and on, but from fear of boring everyone, I’ll stop!
You also say you like “words of wisdom from the ancients.” Any favorites, and by whom?
Oh, my, I collect quotes and have notebooks full (written by hand). One of the ones that’s always been a favorite (from childhood) is: I always shoot for the stars; I may not reach them, but if I hit the moon, I’m farther than I would have been. And, no, I don’t remember/know who wrote it.
Usually I read or hear a quote and grab something to pen it down. I have quotes from poets and writers, stars and political figures, ordinary and important people, silly, fun quotes and serious ones.
And I love many of the promises of the Bible. One of my favorites is in I Corinthians 10:13, speaking about temptations, that God will not suffer (love that!) us to be tempted above (Smile) what we are able to bear. Wow. He loves us so much he’ll make a way to escape. Nice and fits right in for the suspenseful writer.
You have a page on your blog called “Carole’s Champions,” which is a very unique promotional strategy, in my opinion. You offer a personal gift basket to anyone who joins you in marketing and promoting your book. How did you come up with this idea?
I wanted a group of people who are interested in my book and love me who would help me whenever I needed something extra special done. I have several people who’ve signed up to do this. I’m building a basket for each one with cute and fun items in it. I want to hold a special contest just for them to win a nice big item (perhaps a gift card).
I also wanted to give them a unique, catchy name, so pulled out my trusty dictionary and thumbed through it under the “Cs” for a word that would fit. Champions was the term I chose.
I believe in thanking those who are helpful!
How is it working out for you?
So far, they’re eager and excited for the release of my novel. We haven’t done a lot yet, but beginning the first of September I’ll have a list of things I need from them. Some things they will do on their own. Others, I’ll encourage and keep in contact to see if they need help, etc. They encourage me. lol
Carole, please share with us about The Redemption of Caralynn Hayman.
Here’s a bit about the book:
How far would YOU go to avenge the murder of a daughter?
Caralynne Hayman is angry and bitter over the abuse and death of her eleven-year- old daughter from the hands of her religious group, The Children of Righteous Cain. When her husband suffers a sudden heart attack, she does nothing to help him. In her eyes someone needs to pay, and if that means all of the men in the group, then so be it.
Dayne MacFarland is sent away to college by the senior elder of the group to learn ministry. When he returns after finding salvation, determined to bring the truth to the people he’s known all his life, he rediscovers Cara and realizes the love he once felt for her is still deeply embedded within his heart.
Dayne faces men unwilling to turn their backs on the cult training he despises. Cara faces men who follow their leader in abuse toward their wives and the young girls of the group. Cara is considered rebellious and inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of Elder Simmons’ eye—until he takes a stand against their teachings.
Can Cara overcome the feelings that have governed her most of her life? Can she learn to trust Dayne, and most of all a God whom she sees as uncaring—if he’s really there at all? Only Dayne’s prayers and love can reach Cara and show her the way to redemption, and Cara must recognize and accept God’s love and forgiveness before she goes too far.
Why did you choose to write about the subject of a religious cult?
I’m an advocate for the prevention of abuse. My husband and I have traveled a lot through the years, ministering and counseling. We’ve dealt with many people who’ve struggled with abuse.
Dan and I enjoy keeping up on different topics around the world. The cult news in Texas awhile back really caught our attention. After a session of what-if’s, he and I came up with a cult group and a woman who rebels against them, who fights back.
Bringing abuse, a very touchy and relevant topic in today’s world, into the story gave it the touch the novel needed to bring it to life. What true parent can’t relate to a hurting, grieving mother who loses a child?
Do you know anyone personally who belongs to one?
Yes. I won’t mention names or states, but I do know some. I will say many people don’t realize (or refuse to believe) how controlling these groups are. Many times total subjection is required. Unusual rules are demanded. Weird things are used.
Cults are real.
Please tell us where you can be found online.
My personal blog: Sunnybank Secrets: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown
Other blogs I participate at:
The Barn Door Book Loft: http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/
Geezers Guys and Gals blog: http://geezerguysandgals.blogspot.com/
Stitches in Time: http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/
What can we expect from you next?
I should have a cozy fun mystery out soon called Hog Insane. It’s a lighter book but still has enough suspense in it I won’t be cast out into the non-writing world because I abandoned my genre. lol
My agent is also shopping other titles I have, and I’m so looking forward to seeing those published too. All my books have suspense/mystery in them, some more than others. Some are deeper than others. Some bring in God more than others.
One last question, Carole: Going by your blog profile, you like “real cheesecake.” What is your definition of that? I’m asking because I love cheesecake myself, and I wondered if I have been eating fake cheesecake all this time. LOL!
I can handle just about any kind (the boxed kind is all I had growing up, and I consider it fake, although technically, it probably isn’t), but I positively love homemade baked cheesecake (can’t bake them too long) and special cheesecakes offered by some of the nicer restaurants. The flavors tempt my taste buds for one more bite, then another. There are so many varieties I don’t have a favorite until I’m eating my next one, then that’s my favorite! I’m kind of a picky cheesecake eater.
I’m pretty positive God will serve cheesecake in heaven. ☺
Thank you so much, Carole, for allowing me to host you on my site. I wish you all the best with this, and future books.
Thank you, Deborah, for allowing me to visit. Your questions were so much fun! I loved answering them. Bless you in a special way.
--------------- Author Bio --------------
Carole Brown’s debut novel is entitled The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman. Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, she enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?
She’d love to connect with you at
Blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212
