Hello Readers! Please help me welcome Carole Brown, author of Hog Insane. And…for a chance to win a Kindle version of her book, simply comment below.
Greetings, Carole. You have definitely captured my attention and I absolutely love the attraction of your book’s title – Hog Insane. Where did you get the idea, as well as continued inspiration, for your novel?
It started out as a short story to use in contests, with an entirely different “aim” or spiritual application, but later, after I decided to develop it into novel, though it carries a spiritual worldview, I wanted a subplot that would be beneficial to readers and went with the relationship angle.
Since mysteries are of my favorite genres, I wanted to try my hand at it. Mine is totally different than what I usually write, in that this series is fun, lighthearted, and simple. There’s nothing too complex about it, but if you want a quick read, then you’ll, hopefully, enjoy the first book.
Well, you’ve certainly captured my attention. Who does your intended audience include? Believers and nonbelievers? In what ways do you believe your story reaches each?
Some of my books are definitely heavier inspirational, but this cozy mystery series is more of a world view. They may say a quick prayer, raise eyes to heaven in thankfulness, etc., but it’s more in how they act and respond and the goals each book is headed toward, letting it, I think, have an audience of both believers and unbelievers. Don’t both have relationship issues?
How long did it take you to write this book?
I usually take around a year to write a book, whether short or long, but you must understand, too, I continually have more than one book on the burner “brewing” and developing. Right now, besides trying to get Bat Crazy finished and to my editor, I’ve just finished editing the audio version of The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, editing another contemporary suspense for my agent to submit, editing still another historical romantic suspense, and have several others on a back burner working on them as possible.
I critique, and now that I’m multipublished, I can add marketing to my writing duties. I also try to review a few books a year for others, blog on several different spots and encourage other writers by hosting and attending writing meetings in my area.
Okay, my head is spinning. I thought I was busy. Wow! I especially love how you seem to make an effort to help fellow writers. Now, please describe your story’s setting.
Hog Insane is set near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on an RV Campground called the Mountain Mist Campground. The grounds also host rental cabins, a lake and picnic area, and a restaurant. It gives the story that homey feeling cozy mysteries are known for. Each book in this series will be complete in itself as far as different settings go. The next one is set near a cavern area.
What spiritual themes have you aimed to emphasize in Hog Insane?
In this series, there will always be some type of relationship problem between a couple, a parent and child, perhaps between siblings, etc. Life in the United States is so fast and driven with the necessity of “getting there yesterday” and “getting a project done before another one starts” that relationships between people melt down quickly and sometimes without care to mending. I want to encourage readers to work toward maintaining strong bonds with family and friends and work partners. To do that, I believe, first of all, a strong relationship with God is the best foundation. If I can subtly convey that, then I will have accomplished my goal.
What do you consider the most impactful: the beginning or end of your book? Why?
I would have to say the ending. As one reviewer commented: I took the simple little mystery a step farther in that I brought into the last chapter the relationship between this married couple and deepened it and made it one of respect and honor. Being the subplot (marital relationship), it’s always satisfying to see a marriage go through a hard spot and come out on top stronger than ever.
Are you planning a sequel? Please tell me a bit about it.
Hog Insane is book one of a series. The second book is called Bat Crazy and, if all goes well, is scheduled for release later this year. Overhearing a conversation, Alex and Denton’s curiosity is piqued when there’s a hint that vampire bats are on the loose at a newly found and open cavern. Will they find the secret inside the cave before they’re both driven totally batty?
Clearly I need to read Hog Insane, and then I can venture into the vampire bat-filled caves with Alex and Denton!
A dead body, a missing motorcycle, a strange key, and dope are at the bottom of the trouble Denton and Alex Davies, and Taffy, their Jack Russell Terrier, run into when they head for their first stop in the Smoky Mountains immediately after early retirement.
All Denton wants is to fish and recapture his wife’s love. Instead, they find the body of Anthony Risler with a bullet hole in his head. None of the campground people, or even the sheriff, pretend to like Denton and his snoopy questions, and everyone seems to be lying.
Denton figures Risler’s missing bike has to hide some kind of evidence that incriminates the murderer. Archie McGhee, the campground manager is self-centered and greedy enough to hide the motorcycle for the murderer, so why doesn’t he know where the bike is now? The Stillwells, although good-looking and popular, brag way too much to suit the Davies. The expensive S-shaped, ruby watch they foist onto Alex ought to play into the mystery, yet Denton can find no evidence of it. The drug-using, gun-toting man who chases Taffy knows more than he’s telling and raises questions in Denton’s mind even when forced to partner with the man.
Why is the sheriff ignoring obvious clues, and why would he leave a bribery note lying around where Denton’s suspicious eyes can see it? When Denton finds the keys with the strange looking C charm Alex and Denton realize only their pastor’s wife, back in Ohio, and the small, cherry-wood box Risler gave her, can provide the final clue they need to reveal the killer.
Denton wrestles with his personal demons of self-blame over his nephew’s death while riding a bike. Alex resents Denton’s riding roughshod over her feelings. When he thinks her love is fading, he’s determined to woo her back. But if he doesn’t find the young man’s murderer, their love may stretch to the breaking point.
To get to know Carole’s characters better, check out Hog Insane, released November 2013, and available for purchase in various forms at…
Amazon print: http://bit.ly/1fd3cCQ
Amazon kindle: http://amzn.to/1eDC39t
Books a Million: http://bit.ly/1fd3cCQ
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1dvNA6z
Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown 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?
Follow Carole…
On her personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212
On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/
On Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown
At Stitches in Time: http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/
And at Barn Door Book Loft: http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/.
Venturing to Other Worlds 