Christine: Thank you so much Cate for having me here today!
I grew up in a small beach town in New Jersey, and I spent most of my time reading on my beach towel or on our family’s boat while my brothers were fishing! This is where I knew I wanted to create my own stories. As I earned a degree in Literature/Language and developed a career as a technical writer to support myself while I pursued my dream, I kept writing and learning the craft of putting together a good story. About seven years ago, I started submitting for publication and never looked back! Cate: Oh, you're a Jersey girl like me-though I'm from the Delaware River side, another inspiring area.
Tell us about A Daughter's Promise and where it's available.
Christine: My first novel, A Daughter’s Promise came out from The Wild Rose Press. It’s available at The Wild Rose Rose website, Amazon and most bookstores. It’s also available in ebook or paperback.
Cate: And it's garnered a great review recently - congrats on that! Long and Short Romance Reviews gave A Daughter's Promise 5 books.
At what age did you discover writing and when were you first published? Tell us your call story.
Christine: I discovered writing very early on. I had so many stories floating around in my head and I started getting them down on paper. When I got the call that the Wild Rose Press wanted to publish my story, my neighborhood heard the shouts! I ran to the bus stop with my contract flying in the air. At that moment, I felt like I had won an Olympic medal.
Cate: Are there any other writers, published or not, in your family?
Christine: I’m the only writer, but we do have a lot of creativity, such as music and art.
Cate: Describe your writing in three words.
Christine: Emotional. Intriguing. Inspired.
Cate: Do you have a writing routine?
Christine: I juggle my writing time around work. So a typical day is writing early in the morning and then again at night. Mornings seem to be the time when I get the bulk of “new” writing done. There is nothing on earth like writing a really great scene with a good cup of coffee on the side!
Cate: How do you pick your character’s names?
Christine: I usually let the character idea roll around in my head for a while, then I’ll look at baby name books. Since I have an idea of what kind of character he/she will be, I look through the names until one seems to fit.
Cate: What do you find the most challenging aspect of writing? Easiest?
Christine: The most challenging aspect of writing for me is toning down the plot points. As a pantser (writing with minimal outline), sometimes I get carried away and try to include too many plot lines. I usually don’t see it until I step back from the manuscript and look at the plot as a whole.
Cate: What’s the most rewarding aspect?
Christine: One of my favorite aspects of writing is putting the five senses into the story. When the reader can feel, hear, smell, touch and see the same things as the characters, it becomes easy to connect with the story.
Cate: Do you feel as if the characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?
Christine: Yes! I feel as if I grow as a writer as my characters grow. I become absorbed into their lives until the story ends.
Cate: What’s the most interesting comment you have received about your books?
Christine: My brother asked, “Does this come in cliff notes?” LOL! You can always count on your family to keep you grounded! But seriously, I’ve received so many generous comments. I received an email from someone in my neighborhood that said she was proud to know me and proud of what I had accomplished. That was very touching for me.
Cate: What a nice thing for your neighbor to say!
Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Christine: Right now, on my nightstand is M. Flagg’s Retribution and Nicholas Sparks’ The Lucky One. I would have to say my favorite author of all time is LaVryle Spencer. Each one of her books swept me away!
Cate: As an author published with an epress, what impact do you see electronic readers creating on the bottom line for authors? Or in people/the environment in general?
Christine: I feel that electronic readers are leading the direction of the publishing industry, and they provide another avenue for readers to gain access to their favorite authors.
Cate: What's next for you?
Christine: Currently, I’m marketing a contemporary suspense set in the Florida Everglades, along with a contemporary romance set in New Jersey. Stay tuned!
Cate: Yay for New Jersey!
Where can readers find you on the web?
Christine: Please visit me at www.christineclemetson.com or http://www.christineclemetson.blogspot.com/.
Cate: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers, Christine?
Christine: I love to hear back from readers! You can email me at chris@christineclemetson.com.
Here's an excerpt from A Daughter's Promise - enjoy!
They both knew Serene’s turn had come. She took in a deep breath and touched his arms in a stiff embrace. She hugged him the way she had rehearsed in her head over and over, the way a mother would hug her son going off to war.
“I don’t care who sees,” he said gruffly, pulling her closer. He pushed her chin up with his
fingertips, and bent his head to kiss her.
She took his lips, his body, all of him, into her heart for the last time. Feeling the rapid beating in his chest, she fought the urge to mold her most intimate part against his.
When their lips parted, his warm breath on her neck made her body shiver. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she buried her face into his jacket. “I’m not ashamed about
what I said to you last night or what happened between us.” Her voice cracked. “It’s a sin, I know, but it was the most beautiful—”
“Ashamed? I don’t think I’ll ever have that kind of love again.”
Trembling, she stood back a little, clinging to her emotions with the delicacy of a spider web. “But you were right. We made the most logical decision.”“Jesus, Serry. I want to tell you so bad that I—”
“You’re all set, then?” Sam said, coming back into the house.
Serene let go of Miles, letting her one finger intertwine with one of his pinky fingers. She couldn’t let him go.
Slowly, he released her and went to the door, putting one foot on the outside pavement before hesitating and turning back. His eyes were red, and she clutched the stair banister to keep from running to him. How much she loved him would be a secret
she’d take to the grave.
Carrying a bottle of whiskey, Marcus passed him at the door and gave him a friendly slap on the back. “I came to give you a goodbye, Coulson.”
Serene stood up straight and froze.
Miles jerked himself away. “Change of heart about me?”
His answer was Marcus’ deep kiss on Serene’s cheek and an arm around her waist. “I realized, Coulson, that I’m proud of her for taking the responsibility for you. I thought it was about time that I offered my apologies for the undiplomatic way I acted. We’re all in this for a cause, no? Why don’t we share a bottle to celebrate?”
“No, your change of heart doesn’t rub me the right way.” Miles offered an apologetic glance to Serene and then shifted his gaze back to Marcus. “You hurt her, and I’ll hurt you. You understand me?”
“Have a safe trip,” Marcus drawled.
Serene watched the driver help him in and her knees weakened. As the truck’s engine started, she braced herself against the wall.
“Don’t worry. Serene. Just think of this as a wedding present from me. No more worries about your American. He is well now and gone for good. Your only thanks is to marry me.”
She couldn’t hear him. Her throat ached and she made no effort to wipe the tears spilling freely from her eyes. She started for the door, but he grabbed her by the shoulders.
