Today we have author Beth D. Carter visiting. Welcome!

What would you like to tell readers about yourself?

* I like writing about the very ordinary girl thrust into extraordinary circumstances, so my heroines will probably never be lawyers, doctors or corporate high-rollers. I try to write characters who aren’t cookie cutters and push myself to write complicated situations that I have no idea how to resolve, forcing me to think outside the box. I love writing characters who are real, complex and full of flaws, heroes and heroines who find redemption through love.

Find Beth D. Carter here…
Amazon Author Page | Blog/Website | Facebook | Twitter

A look into…

~ Lawless Hearts Q & A ~

Q) How did you dream up the dynamics of your characters?
* This story was first written back in 2009 and published through another house. However, I had always been a little dissatisfied not only with the way the story got away from me, but with the cover. Eight years later, with a lot of experience under my belt, I asked for the rights back to redo the story closer to the vision I had in my head way back then. I think historical ménages are interesting because living polyamorously could be classified as taboo and scandalous back then.
Q) Is this book part of a series? If so, can you tell us about it?
* No, this is a stand-alone. But I am interested in exploring the historic ménages more, so maybe in the future I will write more.
Q) Can you give a fun or interesting fact about your book?
* I had originally put a tornado siren in this book, but had to take it out after doing a little research. Church bells were originally used until the siren was invented, but the National Weather Bureau decided to ban sirens in 1887, even going so far as to ban the word “tornado”, saying it would cause more panic and chaos than it would help. It wasn’t until 1948, when a tornado ripped through Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, killing many people and causing millions in damages, that the decision was reversed. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that sirens were officially used for tornadoes.
* Coming from Missouri, I can’t imagine NOT having those sirens!
Q) What gave you the inspiration for your book?
* Most of the stories I write come from a desire to push my creativity. And to write what I’m interested in reading.
Q) Do you have any habits that get you in the writing frame of mind?
* I love going to Starbucks to write. I grab a venti tea, maybe a bagel with cream cheese, pop in my earbuds and put on some inspirational music to get in the right frame of mind.
Q) Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?
* Mostly, no. But that has gotten me into some trouble with some of my stories, including this one. I get so far and I know where I want the character to go, but I lose the storyline. I try very hard now not to let that happen, so I try to plan a little better, but it still happens sometimes. Being a writer is a very organic craft, and you have to change and adapt as you learn your own style. I’m a “pantser”, meaning I write by the seat of my pants, but yes, it’s not the most disciplined way to write.
Q) How much real life do you put into or influences your books?
* There’s a little bit of my own experiences in all my books, but I’m not one to kiss and tell! 🙂
Q) What are your upcoming projects?
* I’m working on the 4th book in my Forgotten Rebels MC. After that, I have a few more re-releases to work on since one of my publishing houses closed its door and I got the rights back. I have a few stand-alones to work on which should take me through the rest of the year.

~ Blurb ~

* Scharlie Thorn is very aware the townsfolk of Rock Ridge, Missouri regards her with pity. When she was fourteen, her stepfather attacked her, scarring her face. Her brother, Harlow, killed him in her defense, forcing him to run from the law.
* Ten years later, Cassidy Brooks and Garrett Webb come to tell her that Harlow has been murdered by a man who may have settled his sight on her. As the two men try to keep Scharlie safe, she learns that they are outlaws. And worse, Harlow was an outlaw, too.
* Scharlie has decisions to make. Does she trust Cassidy and Garrett when they tell her they want her? Or will she hand them over to the law? More than her life is at stake. Her heart is on the line, too.

~ Excerpt ~

* Then she turned away and headed back inside, leaving the door open. As she set the table, the men ambled in and Scharlie noted with a great degree of relief that they had put their shirts back on.
* “You didn’t have to cook for us,” Garrett said. “But we appreciate it.”
* Scharlie shrugged. “The least I could do. You tracked me down to tell me about Harlow when you could have easily sent a telegram or letter. Or worse, not told me at all.”
* “He was a good friend,” Cassidy replied softly. “Like a brother. He would have wanted us to take care of you.”
* Tears sprung unexpectedly to her eyes, so Scharlie hurried and sat to hide from having to look at the two men. As Cassidy and Garrett seated themselves, she cleared her throat.
* “He talked about me?”
* “Yes,” Cassidy said.
* “All the time,” Garrett added.
* “Did he…did he ever talk harshly about me?”
* “What do you mean?” Cassidy asked.
* Scharlie looked at him. Deliberately, she ran a finger down the scar on her face. “I was the one that forced him to leave Missouri. Because of me, he had to leave his home and I’ve wondered for so long if he hated me for what happened.”
* Garrett immediately shook his head. “Absolutely not!”
* Cassidy gently took hold of her hand, moving it away from her face. His thumb rubbed soothingly over her skin. “Garrett’s right, Scharlie. Harlow only talked lovingly about you.”
* The sincerity shining in their eyes was honest, and the tension riding through her shoulders relaxed. The weight she hadn’t thought she carried eased from her chest, and for the first time in years, her scarred face didn’t hurt so much.
* When Cassidy didn’t let go of her hand right away, she looked questioningly at him. His gaze met hers and the moment abruptly changed from loving and warm to magnetic and electric. Tingles shot up her arm that caused her heart to thump heavily as an odd awareness came over her, like how the atmosphere felt after a tornado had touched down, surreal and charged at the same time. Both men watched her closely, and though she wasn’t quite sure how to interpret the looks they were giving her, she was wise enough to know these men were out of her league.
* Scharlie cleared her throat and pulled her hand from Cassidy’s. Immediately she felt bereft without the warmth of his touch and strived to find her footing again.

Buy Lawless Hearts here…
Amazon | Evernight Publishing | Smashwords

Thank you for joining us here today, Beth D. Carter! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your story.