Her latest book has me creeping around corners in my own house -- in broad daylight! But there's romance, too. I love it! Welcome, Christine! Congratulations on Forging Forgiveness. We're eager to learn more about it, but first let's talk about you. Thank you for inviting me. I’m thrilled to be here. 1) What sort of books did you enjoy as a child? Did you have a favorite book series? I’ve always loved reading mysteries. Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and Hardy Boys were some of my favorites. I read every Nancy Drew mystery book I could get my hands on. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? I have an eclectic taste in reading, and I’ll read pretty much anything…thrillers, mysteries, romantic suspense, paranormal…I like them all. 3) Around what age did you realize that you like to write? And when did you know you wanted to write books? When I was a pre-teen and all through my teens, I wrote my most intimate thoughts in a diary. I also enjoyed writing long letters to friends, but it wasn’t until I had a year off work for a medical reason that I attempted to write an entire book. It took me ten months to finish three hundred-and-thirty pages, but I was on the top of the world at the accomplishment. That first manuscript has never been submitted for publishing and rests amidst the dust bunnies under my bed, but since then, I’ve written and published eight romantic suspense novels. To my way of thinking, ten months to write three hundred thirty pages isn't so long. But the important thing is that the experience paved the way for future, award-winning books. 4) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I find ideas for my stories in many different places…the Classified section of newspapers, overheard conversations, on-line community buy and sell sites…snippets that make you wonder what if? Recently, I found a beautiful sterling silver opal ring in a campfire pit amidst the blackened coals. Now there’s an intriguing situation. 5) What’s your writing space like? I have an office with a view of the forest behind my house. The walls are covered with dozens of sticky notes where I’ve scrawled plot points, story ideas, and character notes. Old-time country and western music plays in the background, and my dog lays on her bed beside me. There’s something about the twang of a guitar and a song of lost love that sets my creative juices bubbling. 6) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in the writing mindset? My brain is more open to creativity first thing in the morning. Add a cup of strong tea and I’m all set. 7) Time to talk about Forging Forgiveness (rubbing hands together). But first, how did you come up with the idea for the book? Are there any interesting tidbits you’d care to share with us? I was hiking in the forest in late November, and I came across a set of bare human footprints impressed in the frozen mud. The tracks, in such an isolated spot at a cold time of year, got me thinking and led to the premise behind Forging Forgiveness. I just got chills. 8) Now let’s hear about Forging Forgiveness. Here’s the Blurb: When small-town college instructor, Candace Cooper discovers bloody, bare footprints in the snow while running in a state park deep in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, it brings back the nightmare of her sister’s long unsolved kidnapping. After a botched investigation forced Detective Aiden Farrell to quit his job and move to Colorado, he’s determined to redeem himself, even if that means ignoring his growing feelings for the beautiful professor. His fear that the footprints are connected to a recent spate of missing teens, is confirmed when Candace is assaulted on campus, and the perpetrator reveals a secret only her long-lost sister knew. Aiden and Candace join forces, but the closer they come to unraveling the truth, the closer they get to each other, and to a killer who’ll stop at nothing to achieve his nefarious goal. Caught between duty and love, Aiden fights in a race against time to save the woman he loves. So good! Talk about suspense! 9) I comprehend that you’ve just recently published a book. I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask…do you have anything waiting in the wings? I’m working on another romantic suspense that involves intrigue and adventure with an archaeologist at a remote Indigenous site in northern British Columbia. That sounds fabulous and delicious! Why do I have the feeling that you've been there personally -- or someplace like it? Christine, thank you for sharing your time and talent with us today. You're a scary-good storyteller! Congratulations again on your latest book. Looking forward to the next! Time for Forging Forgiveness. When small-town college instructor, Candace Cooper discovers bloody, bare footprints in the snow while running in a state park deep in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, it brings back the nightmare of her sister’s long unsolved kidnapping. After a botched investigation forced Detective Aiden Farrell to quit his job and move to Colorado, he’s determined to redeem himself, even if that means ignoring his growing feelings for the beautiful professor. His fear that the footprints are connected to a recent spate of missing teens, is confirmed when Candace is assaulted on campus, and the perpetrator reveals a secret only her long-lost sister knew. Aiden and Candace join forces, but the closer they come to unraveling the truth, the closer they get to each other, and to a killer who’ll stop at nothing to achieve his nefarious goal. Caught between duty and love, Aiden fights in a race against time to save the woman he loves. Excerpt from Forging Forgiveness Candace Cooper’s breath fogged out in plumes in the frosty, late afternoon air as she pumped her arms and loped along the narrow trail. Yesterday’s rain had turned to sleet, and overnight, two inches of fresh snow blanketed the path and weighed down the limbs of the tall pine trees. Hey, what was that? She slowed to a stop, turned around, and walked back three yards. What the heck? Indentations—a heel, the pad of a big toe, and the four, smaller indents of the other toes—were clearly formed in the smooth dusting of snow. The set of small, narrow footprints tracked along the snowy trail, veering into the deeper shadows of the forest. Someone had walked in his or her bare feet down the cold, snow- covered path. The wind gusted against her damp face, and she shivered. Late November was too cold for anyone in their right mind to be out in the mountainous backcountry of northeast Colorado walking around without proper footgear, let alone barefoot. She squatted for a closer look. A smear of dark red, stark against the white snow, marked the heel depression of each left footprint. She touched the red splotch with the tip of her gloved finger. A rust-colored smudge stained the light blue cotton. Her heart rate kicked up. Blood! Sinking back on her heels, she peered into the forest’s deepening shadows and shuddered. Only four o’clock in the afternoon, and the sun was already disappearing behind the mountains. Nothing stirred. Even the squirrels were quiet, as if the silent forest watched and waited. She knew this area of the park, ran the trails in the summer and snowshoed over the flatlands in the winter. Nothing manmade existed out there—no houses, no cottages, nothing but trees and wild animals. Most visitors to Creighton Springs State Park stayed on the well-groomed gravel walkways and didn’t venture far from the parking lot. She never saw anyone on the hilly trail, not in winter. Yet, as recently as this morning, or early afternoon, someone had gone this way—and in bare feet. They’d left a blood trail. If that person was injured, maybe they needed help. She slipped off her gloves and traced her finger along the impression. Too small to be an adult male or female’s footprint. Her gut clenched. A child? God, no! Please don’t let it be a child. The unspeakable horror of the past reared over her like an attacking beast, and she sagged onto her knees, her heart pounding as if threatening to burst from her chest. A piteous moan escaped her lips. Not again. Dear Lord, please, not again. Hot tears burned her eyes. A loud crack reverberated throughout the silent forest. She bit back a scream and surged to her feet. Gunshot? An instant later, another sharp boom filled the air. The piercing sounds of distant rifle fire were unmistakable. But no way would anyone be shooting. It was illegal to hunt in the park. Besides, it was too dark for a hunter to see his target. Her heart thundered, her breath frozen in her chest. Seconds passed, turning into minutes. Her back tingled with the certainty she was being watched, but she couldn’t move, could only stand there and listen, waiting for the next shot. The forest remained hushed. The sun dipped behind the mountains, and the valley filled with dark shadows as night settled in. A snap of a branch breaking shook her out of her paralysis. The breath she’d been holding whooshed out, and she fumbled in her backpack and drew out her headlamp. Slipping the elastic strap over her forehead, she switched on the light. Following the thin beam of light cast by her headlamp, she jogged down the trail. Her legs wobbled, and she stumbled over slippery roots and rocks, staggering, almost falling, but she dug deep and kept running. The parking lot where she’d left her car was an hour’s walk, but if she ran, she could make it in half that time. Heart thumping, her lungs burning, she raced around a bend in the trail but lurched to a stop at a flicker of movement in the trees on her right. A large shadow separated from the trunk of a fir tree and formed into the shape of a man. She shone her headlamp into the forest. The beam of light revealed a tall man with broad shoulders wearing a camouflage-patterned coat and baggy, green cargo pants. A gray woolen toque hung low over his forehead, and a thick black beard covered the lower half of his face. A rifle was strapped over one shoulder. “He...hello?” Her voice was thin and reedy. He wasn’t a park ranger. Not in that getup, but he had to be the person shooting, considering the enormous rifle slung over his shoulder. Not one part of his body moved. He didn’t even blink. Hands shaking, she peeled off her gloves, letting them fall to the ground, and yanked out the can of pepper spray she carried in a canvas holster strapped around her waist. Sliding off the safety guard, she held the can up, the nozzle pointed at the unsettling stranger. “Who are you? What do you want?” The man remained still and unspeaking. Her heart thundered in her ears. “Hey, I asked you a question. What do you want?” Behind the beard, he smiled, his lips stretching wide, his teeth gleaming in the headlamp’s beam. In the encroaching darkness, his muscular frame appeared larger, his demeanor even more threatening. Fear clawed her throat, and her primal instincts kicked in. Run! The urgent command roared through her, but her knees locked and refused to obey. Her breath puffed in and out in frantic huffs. Don’t come any closer.” Gripping the can of pepper spray so tight her hand ached, she shifted her finger on the trigger. About the Author Forging Forgiveness is award-winning author, C.B. Clark’s eighth novel published by The Wild Rose Press. When she’s not busy traveling around the globe or hiking and camping in the wilderness near her home in northern British Columbia, she can be found in front of her laptop plotting her next story. Blog Goodreads Amazon Author Page BookBub
24 Comments
3/23/2023 07:46:13
Sounds intriguing.hope your sales go well. I'm always fascinated by things that trigger creativity. The opal ring sounds like the start of another book. Love it!
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CB Clark
3/23/2023 09:19:33
Thanks so much for stopping by.
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Anastasia
3/23/2023 20:54:33
Hi, Kim! You mystery writers -- so cool! I would not have seen a potential story in the opal ring. I'm not imaginative in that way. I would simply think it too bad that someone lost her ring.
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3/23/2023 07:55:49
Another great interview! I also loved reading those mysteries when I was younger...and sometimes, as an adult! Christine, how wonderful to have your own office, and a view of the forest. Wishing you all the best with FORGING FORGIVENESS.
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cb Clark
3/23/2023 09:21:14
Thank you, Judith! Thanks for visiting. I do enjoy my view out my office window.
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Anastasia
3/23/2023 20:55:40
Hi, Judy! I love the view, too. Thank you for sharing your time with us. :)
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CB Clark
3/23/2023 09:24:17
Thanks so much for hosting me on your site today, Anastasia! I'm so happy to be here. Looking forward to chatting with everyone who stops by.
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Anastasia
3/23/2023 20:56:47
You're a wonderful guest, Christine! I'm so glad we were able to do this! Wishing you all the best!
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Mary Morgan
3/23/2023 10:27:47
I believe we need to start a reading book club based on the books of Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and the Hardy Boys, Christine! There are many fans out there. :) Enjoyed getting to know you more. Wishing you continued success!
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CB Clark
3/23/2023 12:35:52
Nancy Drew Mysteries were the best stories! The old ones are a bit dated now, but the story is so intriguing, it keeps kids reading. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
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Anastasia
3/23/2023 20:57:58
Hi, Mary! That book club -- I have some catching up to do! I've only read Nancy Drew!
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Barbara Bettis
3/23/2023 10:31:00
How startling to find those frozen footprints! Eerie. No wonder it encouraged you to develop a story. Wishing you continued best of luck.
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Anastasia
3/23/2023 20:59:16
Barb, it's SO CREEPY in the story! Suspense to the max! Eeee!
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3/23/2023 10:48:22
Wow. The excerpt certainly has my interest. I'm gonna head over and get my copy!
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Anastasia
3/23/2023 20:59:49
It's a great story, Lynn. Thanks so much for stopping by! :)
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3/23/2023 10:57:39
Sounds like a fantastic thriller! Congratulations!
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cb clark
3/23/2023 12:37:02
Thanks for your kind words!
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Anastasia
3/23/2023 21:00:14
It really is! Thanks so much for stopping by, Ivy! :)
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CB Clark
3/23/2023 12:37:50
Awww! Thank you so much, Lin!
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Anastasia
3/23/2023 21:01:05
I agree 100%! Thank you so much for stopping by. :)
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3/23/2023 11:47:27
Sounds like a great book. Love the cover. Congratulations.
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CB Clark
3/23/2023 12:38:43
Thanks for visiting! RJ did the cover. She'd great,
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Anastasia
3/23/2023 21:02:16
Absolutely a page-turner! Thanks so much for stopping by, Marilyn! :)
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