If Not for a Bee by Carol Ross Giveaway & Interview

On tour with Prism Book Tours.

If Not for a Bee

(Seasons of Alaska #3)
by Carol Ross
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 206 Pages

October 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming

You can't always play it safe

With four sons dependent on her, Janie Everett needs to keep her life uncomplicated. Now famous scientist Aidan Hollings is disrupting her orderly world, starting with the rescue of a...bumblebee.

Aidan is only passing through her Alaska wilderness town, and wasn't planning to bond with her two older boys. Or become so attracted to the widowed journalist. His globe-trotting days may be be over if he's able to show Janie that they can share the adventure of a lifetime--together.

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin - Kobo - Google Play

Also in the Series

Mountains Apart

(Seasons of Alaska #1)

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin - Kobo - Google Play

A Case for Forgiveness

(Seasons of Alaska #2)

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin - Kobo - Google Play

Carol Ross lives with her husband and one loveable miscreant of a dachshund in a small town in Washington close to both the ocean and the mountains. She adores the Pacific Northwest because it provides her with endless opportunities for the activities she loves—hiking, running, skiing, and spending time outdoors. Although she enjoys reading in many genres, she writes what she loves the most—romance, especially light-hearted stories about the fun, flirty, and often-tumultuous path toward a happily ever after. For a complete list of her books, social media links, giveaways, and other fun stuff stop by and visit her new website: carolrossauthor.com.

Interview 

1. How long does it take you to write a book?

This is such a good question. And one I wish I knew the answer to myself. I think because of my writing process it takes me longer than it should. I’m not a very good plotter. In fact, I’m jealous of those plotters out there who plan and chart and graph the entire book before they ever write a scene. Okay, I don’t know of anyone who “graphs” specifically, but you get my meaning. I am getting better and the last one took me four months, so maybe there’s hope for me yet.

2. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I’m not very disciplined. I’ve seen author’s post schedules about how they sit at their computers from seven to noon when they break for lunch, and then it’s right back to work from one to four, etc. Others recite these astronomical word count goals (achieved goals) that make me feel like a slacker. Seriously, I don’t like to see them. I’ve tried to set word count goals for myself, but it just makes me feel pressured. I write in fits and starts. Some days I’ll write six-thousand words and others fourteen. After lamenting about this one day, a writer friend reassured me that everyone’s process is different. “Even when you’re not writing,” she told me, “the story is stewing and percolating in there. It’s how you work. It’s okay.” I recite this mantra when I’m short on words and the panic sets in… “percolating, stewing, percolating, stewing…”

3. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Most of my story ideas come from my characters. I know this sounds weird because they’re imaginary people. (Or so my sister/therapist tells me. I don’t see how she could possibly know this, but whatever.) These characters form and shape in my mind and become like real people (friends if you will). I learn their personalities, their struggles, habits, likes and dislikes. Then I put my imaginary friends in sticky, uncomfortable situations and see how they react. I always start with a line or two of dialogue and the story flows (ideally) from there.

4. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

It’s a ton of hard work. (Now you’re thinking thank you, Captain Obvious.) I’ve been writing for years, but before I got my first contract it was something I did when I felt like it. When I was inspired and motivated and happy. Consequently, it usually went well. Most things do when you’re in the right frame of mind, right? Now I don’t have that luxury. I have to write when I’m tired, or not feeling well, or dealing with a tragedy. Fortunately, I’ve learned that writing can also make these “bad” things disappear from my mind, if even for a short while.

5. What do you think makes a good story?

Characters. Not surprisingly, I tend to fall in love with characters (my own and those from my favorite books). My favorite characters are relatable ones, flawed people with good hearts who want to do the right things.

6. What would you like my readers to know?

How honored and appreciative I feel when someone reads a story I’ve written. My heart soars when I hear a particular scene recited back to me, or how much someone loves a character. My favorite is when somebody asks me what happens next or what happens after such and such… Usually I don’t even know myself, so I’m thrilled about how it then sparks my imagination, too.

Thank you, kind readers, and thank you, Deal Sharing Aunt, for having me on your blog today!

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Tour Schedule

10/11: Launch

10/12: Katie's Clean Book Collection & Zerina Blossom's Books

10/13: Thoughts of a Blonde & The Power of Words

10/14: Christy's Cozy Corners, underneath the covers, & Teatime and Books

10/15: Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima & deal sharing aunt

10/16: Singing Librarian Books & Chill Reviews

10/18: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

- Grand Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card & copy of If Not for a Bee (open internationally, print book to US winner, ebook to international winner)

- US Prize Pack: bee coffee mug, bee charm necklace, 17.6 ounce jar of honey, honey dipper, box of organic tea, and signed copy of If Not for a Bee (US only)

- Ends October 23rd

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