Monday, October 01, 2007
The Broken Path by Cami Checketts
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of three wild boys. Sometimes
between being a human
horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Curious George, she gets the chance to write fiction.
For more info, visit her
website at
www.camichecketts.com
INTERVIEW:
Why did you become a writer? Was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in your life?
I've always loved to read and think up stories, but I never thought of being a writer. After my second baby, I suffered from postpartum depression. Nothing severe, but I slept a lot! My mom suggested I write a novel. I started that day and have rarely taken a nap since.
What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
I love getting all the stories out of my head and onto the computer. It's always amazing to me the things my characters do and so fun to get to know them. Dislikes? I like to be organized, which doesn't really happen for me since I started writing. I can never catch up. Maybe when the kids are raised. LOL
How do you balance your personal and writing time?
I write from 1-3 p.m. and then after the boys are in bed. The rest of the time I'm with my boys - we clean, play, read stories and do service. I have to schedule writing time or I'd sneak into my office every spare moment. My boys are great and it's far too easy to let them play and write. If I keep on the schedule, they get the attention they need and keep being good kids.
How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?
I have vivid nightmares. My plots come from them and usually I see some of the characters as well.
What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
I write inspirational romantic suspense. My faith is such a part of me, even though I've tried to not write inspirational at times, my books always get classified as such. I have to have the suspense to keep me interested and keep my brothers and dad happy! The romance is the icing on the cake for me.
Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
Most of my characters are based on someone I know and love - the good guys anyway!
Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
Alexis Osborne, the protagonist in The Fourth of July is my favorite. She was inspired by my best friend - she's spunky and fun, yet nicer than anyone you've ever met.
What would you want readers to take away from your books?
A good friend of mine said after reading my books she finds herself praying more often and not taking her family for granted. That was the greatest compliment she could give me. I hope others learn to cherish the good times, because trials are inevitable, so we need to enjoy it when it's good.
Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
Find a good critique partner, read a lot, write even more, join an organization like RWA and never give up!
What are you reading right now?
Shadow Song by Dorothy Keddington. It's an older romantic suspense that I read in high school. I had to read it again to see if it was as good as I remembered. It is.
If you could be anyone or anything that you wanted, who or what would you be?
ABOUT THE BOOK:
BLURB:
Involved in a debilitating accident at age six, Ethan Searle believes women eye him with a mixture of pity and disdain. He's tried love before. He won't again.
Autumn Reader escaped her abusive marriage with her daughter, a stack of debt, and fear. Autumn's precocious two-year old becomes enraptured by Ethan. Autumn is on the path to following her daughter's example when her ex-husband reappears.
EXCERPT:
Autumn teetered on Ethan's porch, unsure what she was doing here. She smoothed her tan shorts. They were too short for a mom, leftovers from her single college days, but her mother had insisted. What kind of mother asked her daughter to wear short shorts?
The door swung open. Her heart's palpitations ceased. Ethan's attire was simple,
Levis and a white V-necked shirt. He'd never looked better.“Autumn,” his deep voice caressed her. “You look beautiful.”
She tugged at the hem of her shorts, glad her long legs were tan from playing outside with Brittan.
“You...you...” Autumn stuttered, trying to find the right words to express how he looked. “...look beautiful, too,” she said. She barely caught her hand from smacking her head. What kind of an idiot tells a man he looks beautiful?
He chuckled.
Heat crept up her face. “I mean, thank you, um, you look nice, too.”
He opened the door wider, a grin splitting his face. “Thanks. Why don't you come through this way to the garage?”
“Sure.”
They made their way through the large great room toward the garage entry, his braces rhythmically slapping the wood floor.
“I thought we'd drive to Pocatello,” Ethan said. “Is that all right with you?”
“It's great.” Anything's all right, as long as you keep smiling like that.
“I told Nancy I'd come pick you up,” Ethan said, “but she insisted you'd come here.”
“It wasn't a problem to come here.” Autumn looked up at his profile. It wasn't a problem at all. She'd go anywhere just to look at him.
REVIEW:
"I absolutely adored The Broken Path. I was obsessed with finishing it from the moment I read the first chapter. I was instantly hooked! The characters were extremely well-drawn and I was able to connect with both of them almost instantaneously. And Ethan’s character, oh man. I’ve always had a soft spot for the underdog, but even though Ethan was the underdog, so to speak, with his handicap, Ms. Checketts still managed to make him sexy as hell. Where can I get me one of him? Autumn’s daughter is absolutely adorable and her character completely rounds out the story, as well as the secondary story of Autumn’s mother and her romantic interests. This is without a doubt a Recommended Read!"
-- Hunter, Joyfully Reviewed
The Broken Path by Cami Checketts
ISBN: 1-60154-071-X
Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance
$5.00 (ebook) from The Wild Rose Press
$11.99 (print) from Amazon.com
Purchase The Broken Path by Cami Checketts HERE!!
posted by Rachelle
at 1:40 PM
at 1:40 PM