Friday, January 10, 2020

Carrie Stuart Parks #Interview by Nicole Cook! Fragments of Fear


Author Carrie Stuart Parks

Nicole: I am delighted to have author Carrie Stuart Parks join us today at Inkwell Inspirations to discuss her latest suspense novel, Fragments of Fear, which was chosen as the December book club selection for the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook Group. Carrie Stuart Parks recently led a live Facebook chat in the Avid Readers Group to discuss her book with the members of the group. Carrie, thank you so much for joining us today!

Carrie: Thank you so very much for inviting me!


Nicole: I love reading suspense novels, and the back cover blurb of Fragments of Fear captured my attention immediately. I had heard so many great things about your books, so I was thrilled to finally get the opportunity to read one of them. For readers who have never read your books before, is there a certain book of yours that you recommend reading first?



Carrie: The first four, the Gwen Marcey series, could be read in order, but they are designed to stand alone as well. In order they would be:

-A Cry From the Dust
-The Bones Will Speak
-When Death Draws Near
-Portrait of Vengeance

The rest of the books are stand-alones.


Nicole: Fragments of Fear is an intriguing story filled with mystery, lots of action, and realistically flawed characters. What message or inspiration do you hope that people will get from reading Fragments of Fear?

Carrie: The main character—Tavish—grasps at any belief system (crystals, horoscope, meditation) and is a total neurotic mess. Through the story, with the help of a Bible verse on her Grandmother’s grave and a plucky dog, she learns where she should put her faith.

Nicole: I love being a member of the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook group and participating in so many wonderful discussions within the group. As a reader, I get to share my love of Christian fiction with the other members in the group, and I have discovered so many new-to-me authors who have become must-read authors. From an author’s perspective, what do you like best about participating in the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook Group, and what has been your favorite part of having Fragments of Fear as the book club selection this month?

Carrie: I'm fascinated by the discussions of my fellow writer's books--and thrilled that folks are reading and enjoying them. I told my publisher about this Facebook page and said how word-of-mouth talking about books helps readers to find just the right story they're looking for. I mean, where can you have someone ask for a recommendation for a book featuring Santa-turned-Amish ballet-dancer with a fatal disease that falls in love with a career female army pilot while flying to Texas? Boom, three people will mention just such books. I was over-the-moon thrilled when Fragments of Fear was selected and for a chance to talk about my faith, writing, career, and life. Love and blessings to all who participated!


Nicole: Can you share any information about your future releases and/or your current work in progress?

Carrie: Sneak peek back cover copy from Relative Silence:

There are dark closets in every powerful family’s mansion.

Fifteen years ago Piper Boone’s only child died in a boating accident, and Piper’s nearly perfect life came to an end too. After living through a divorce and losing her job, she retreats to Curlew Island and her childhood home—a secluded mansion for the politically powerful Boone family, who are practically American royalty.

But Piper’s desire to become a recluse is shattered when a mass shooter opens fire and kills three women at a cafĂ© where Piper is having lunch. The crisis puts her family in the spotlight by dredging up rumors of the so-called Curlew Island Curse, which whispers say has taken the lives of several members of the Boone family, including Piper’s father and sister.

Forensic artist Tucker Landry also survives the shooting and is tasked with the job of sketching a portrait of the shooter with Piper. They forge a bond over their shared love of movies and tragic pasts. But when police discover a connection between the shooting and two more murders on Curlew Island, they face a more terrible lineup of suspects than they could have imagined: Piper’s family.
Unraveling the family’s true history will be the key to Piper’s survival—or her certain death.

Nicole: Wow, Relative Silence sounds like a fascinating novel. I love the sneak peek! I will definitely be adding it to my list of books to read in 2020. 

It seems hard to believe that we are starting a new decade already. Do you plan to make any New Year’s resolutions for 2020?

Carrie: I don’t know that I’d call what I do resolutions. More like goals. I’ll be finishing up my bucket list of becoming an AKC Great Pyrenees judge in January and finishing off the year by judging the Canadian National. Of course, I’ll have the next novel due in August, and Relative Silence will be released in July. Our schedule for forensic classes are up and I’ll be working on fine art and writing classes. My class reunion will be mid-summer. I’ll be speaking to a Sisters in Crime group in April as well as attending the National Great Pyrenees dog show — both in Virginia. It’s shaping up to be a busy year.

Nicole: Carrie, thank you again for joining us today! This has been a pleasure to chat with you!

Back Cover Blub of Fragments of Fear:
FBI-certified forensic artist Carrie Stuart Parks infuses her real-life expertise into her award-winning suspense novels.

Evelyn McTavish’s world came crashing down with the suicide of her fiancĂ©. As she struggles to put her life back together and make a living from her art, she receives a call that her dog is about to be destroyed at the pound. Except she doesn’t own a dog. The shelter is adamant that the microchip embedded in the canine with her name and address makes it hers.

Evelyn recognizes the dog as one owned by archaeologist John Coyote because she was commissioned to draw the two of them. The simple solution is to return the dog to his owner—but she arrives only to discover John’s murdered body.

As Evelyn herself becomes a target, she crosses paths with undercover FBI agent Sawyer Price. The more he gets to know her, the more personally invested he becomes in keeping her safe. Together, they’re desperate to find the links between so many disparate pieces.

Stolen art. A New Mexico archaeological dig. An abandoned dog. And a secret that’s worth killing for. And the clock is ticking.


Author Bio:
Carrie Stuart Parks is a Christy winner as well as a multiple Carol and Inspy Award–winning author. She has won numerous awards for her fine art as well. An internationally known forensic artist, she travels with her husband, Rick, across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law-enforcement professionals. The author/illustrator of numerous books on drawing and painting, Carrie continues to create dramatic watercolors from her studio in the mountains of Idaho.

Author links:
http://www.carriestuartparks.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CarrieStuartParksAuthor/
https://twitter.com/carrieparks
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carrie-stuart-parks




The Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook Group is a wonderful discussion group for book enthusiasts to talk about what Christian fiction books they are reading. Participation in the group is the perfect way to discover many new Christian fiction authors and books. The group is comprised of numerous Christian fiction authors and readers and is very well moderated. Any readers or authors interested in joining the group can click on the following link and answer a few questions to be added. The questions are easy and are meant to keep out spammers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/AvidChristFicReaders/
The January book club selection for the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction is Above the Fold by Rachel Scott McDaniel.

1 comment:

  1. This was an especially fun interview for me as I just finished listening to the audiobook of Fragments of Fear! I loved Carrie's style, and I'm eager for the next story!
    Thanks Nicole and Carrie!

    ReplyDelete

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