AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Beth D. Carter & EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT from 'Between You and I'
Today at the Banter we welcome M/F, M/F/M and M/M author Beth D. Carter as she releases her newest novella Between You and I.
Welcome Beth! That is quite the list. Should definitely give our readers a great selection to choose from.
“Thank you for having me Kimmers. I certainly hope so.”
I’m not sure if you’re familiar with my interview style, Beth, but I like to ease you in with a few fun questions first. Are you up for that?
As Beth gets settled she says “Sure, let’s do it!”
Okay what would your idea of a good evening look like?
With a look of thoughtfulness “A perfect evening for me would be curling up with my boyfriend, Mike, and watching something on Netflix…drinking some wine, eating some popcorn, sneaking in a few kisses.”
Ahhhhh….I remember those days, I say with a little chuckle. Let’s switch it up from good to a little bad. How about, what chore do you absolutely hate to do?
She jumps in immediately “Although I don’t hate my job, I do hate that it takes me away from being able to write. So I’ll have to say going to my day job.”
On some level I think we can all relate to our day job taking us away from what we really like to do. Like reading, I add with a grin. Let me ask you, is there anything you can’t live without on a daily basis?
Carter beams with a spark in her eyes as she states “My son, my boyfriend, a pen and paper; if I couldn’t have my laptop. I need something to write with.”
Of course you do! Okay last easy one. What is the number one most played song on your playlist?
“Oh, that depends on which story I’m working on. Each book has a signature song, so I’ll exhaust listening to the song I’ve picked for that particular piece.”
That is actually a good lead in to one of the questions I had on my list for you. I saw on your author page that music inspires you. This intrigues me as listening to music plays an integral part in my reading. Sometimes I can hear a song weeks or months later and remember a specific book. So what song inspired Between You and I?
“Believe it or not One Direction’s song You & I, and not just because of the title. I really connected the story to the lyrics:
I figured it out Saw the mistakes of up and down Meet in the middle There's always room for common ground
I took that as Madeline needing to let go of the past and to meet Hunter in the middle.”
Well I must say you have definitely peaked my interest. I'm unashamed to admit I am a huge boy band geek, I add shyly! So tell our readers a little bit about Between You and I; and Madeline and Hunter.
“In Between You and I, the heroine, Madeline, is scared about feeling again after the man she loves walks away from her. She hides behind a plethora of interesting friends, keeping herself busy so she’s not lonely. Or at least, she tries to convince herself she isn’t lonely. When she meets Hunter, who is a little younger than her, she suddenly is confronted by the prospect of the numbness she’s wound herself in melting away.”
That sounds lovely! Learning to open your heart and your soul again. Was there any particular inspiration for this story?
“This book was inspired by my own battle with endometriosis. For a few years I’d been toying with the idea of a book about a heroine who had it, but it was the moment right after my hysterectomy surgery, that Madeline became a real person to me. The hero, Hunter, had to be a right balance of understanding, hunky, and confused, otherwise, he’d be too one-dimensional. I think I hit that balance, and I consider this book one of my best.”
Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t know first-hand but I have a few friends with endometriosis and I hear it can be rather painful. No doubt lending personal experience to your book made it a special piece of work for you.
Beth sweetly smiles, “Absolutely and thank you.”
Well, I am sure many of our M/F readers who enjoy motorcycle club stories, and of course me too as a Harley rider, would be interested in your Red Wolves Motorcycle Club series. It seems to be a little edgy and may even appeal to some of our taboo readers.
“Wow, I hope so. Every one of them is some type of interracial ménage, and each book builds upon the last. There is a mystery running through them, although they are each a stand-alone romance. There are four books in the series but I wrote two follow up books, Mad Delights and Madness Ends. When I write ménage I try to be as authentic as possible on how two men would share one woman in a long term relationship, and sometimes it’s not all that pretty. But I enjoy the challenge.”
I can only imagine that kind of dynamic in practice. Since we brought up ménage let’s switch gears. I see that you mostly write M/F or M/F/M relationships but I noticed you have penned a couple of M/M relationships. What do you find appealing or different when writing each type?
“M/F/M presents a challenge, because I believe it’s not that easy for two alpha type men to be in a long term ménage relationship. It has to be an evolution as the emotions grow. As for M/M, my favorite story I wrote was A Wanted Man, which was set among a zombie apocalypse. Again, it’s a challenge to write two hunky men and keep the emotions running high.”
Emotion is so important. Especially in reflecting the guys/guy vibe. How about one more tough one and we can end with a few easy ones? With a big smile she chimes in “Sounds great.”
You’ve indicated that you like writing characters who are put in complicated situations which force you to think outside the box. What has been the most complex situation you have had character endure?
“The hardest book I’ve ever written, and consequentially the hardest character, was Kaiya Hanazawa in Madness Ends. She was deaf, dealing with two men who loved her, and trying to find a bag of missing money. It was extremely tough figuring out how she could communicate since she didn’t talk. And I’d written this complicated treasure hunt I had no idea how to end. I went two months over deadline, but in the end I think it was worth it because Kaiya is a soft yet tough cookie.”
That sounds fascinating and I know it will appeal to some of our readers who enjoy the intrigue of a disability that creates a little added challenge for a main character. It appears that you have really reached out on your books and where they take your readers. That is always wonderful to see.
Rather shyly Carter interjects “I certainly hope so.”
Now some easy ones to finish with. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
“I can watch television and have a conversation while typing and plotting.”
Wow, you’re an awesome multi-tasker, I laugh. I have to wear headphones just to read. Of course only to drown out the hubs and his TV. So would you mind sharing something about yourself that our readers may not know? “Of course not. I’m a huge sci-fi nerd! So much that I used to work for a company that put on Sci-fi conventions. I got to explore the Star Trek Voyager set at Paramount Studios and I’ve sat on David Prowse’s lap.” She adds “High five if you know what famous Sci-fi character he played!”
Uhm, yeah, admittedly I’m gonna have to look that one up, I grin. And I know sci-fi fans are gonna kill me. But that does sound rather fun. Okay, last one. Can you divulge to us any projects you are currently working on?
“Just today I outlined the first five chapters on my next Motorcycle Club book. It’s part of a series called the Forgotten Rebels, MC and is published through Evernight as well.”
Well Beth I have to say having you here today was a lot of fun and I hope our readers will take a peek at the excerpt for Between You and I that you left us, as well as all of the other wonderful selection of material you have to offer. It was wonderful learning about you and your work.
“Thank you again for having me it was a pleasure.”
EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT:
“Where do you live?” she asked once they reached her sedan.
“Off Silverado,” he said. “The Mustang Apartments.”
Madeline nodded and a few minutes later she was driving out of the parking garage, easing into traffic to head toward his home. The entire time she was acutely aware of his presence in her car, the warmth that his body generated inside the small confines. Or maybe she was simply hot and bothered.
All too soon she pulled in front of the gate that sealed off his apartment complex, and then slipped into an empty slot designated for future residents. She put the car in park and turned off the engine. For a moment neither one moved. She simply sat there, with her hands on the steering wheel, her heart pounding, and every nerve ending standing at attention. Waiting. Anticipating. He shifted and she felt his gaze on her, so slowly she turned. The overhead parking lights illuminated his face through the front window, highlighting his chiseled good looks. Suddenly the small confines of her car seemed hot. A bit overwhelming.
“I had a great time,” Hunter murmured.
Madeline wet her dry lips with her tongue. His head moved fractionally closer.
“Me…” She had to clear her throat from the huskiness coming through. “Me too.”
He smiled and their gazes met. Locked. She had this sense of free falling, just plunging head first into an unknown abyss. Had she ever felt like this with Kevin? With him everything had been easy. Simplistic. Nothing like what she was feeling now, with Hunter. He brought his hand up to cup her cheek, and she leaned into it, absorbing his heat. His eyelids narrowed a bit and his attention shifted to her mouth. All sorts of delicious tingles spread through her body because she knew he was going to kiss her. God! She wanted to kiss him back so much it was an ache deep in her gut. His head descended and her eyes fluttered shut just as the first touch of his mouth on hers brushed her lips. So gentle, like the dewy wisp of butterfly wings, and she wondered if he had kissed her at all.
Title: Between You and I
Author: Beth D. Carter
Published: August 10, 2016
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer/Covers by Design
Genre: Erotic Romance; Contemporary Romance
Length: 91 Pages
Tags: Hetero; M/F; Novella
BLURB:
A broken engagement left Madeline Shawl feeling like a shattered woman. When she meets Hunter Calegari, he seems to be the perfect man for some friends-with-benefits action. But when the easy affair turns into something more, it threatens her comfortable grief.
The passion of the younger man nearly infects her until Hunter tries to articulate it with the three words she refuses to hear. When she pushes him away, wounding his heart, she finds her own broken all over again.
Still, Madeline struggles to leave the past and accept that when Hunter said, "I love you," he wasn't just speaking for himself.
I like writing about the very ordinary girl thrust into extraordinary circumstances, so my heroines will probably never be lawyers, doctors or corporate highrollers. 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.
I’ve been pretty fortunate in life to experience some amazing things. I’ve lived in France, traveled throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand. I am a mom to an amazing little boy. I’ve walked a red carpet event and visited the USS Voyager. I hate washing dishes but I love cooking. I hate washing clothes but I love wearing them. Writing my bio is difficult because I never know what to say so I hope you like this one. My favorite color is red but I look best in black (it’s slimming). I hate people who don't pick up their dog's crap in public places, people who don’t use turn signals, and I really hate people who are rude and condescending. I especially hate discrimination in all and every form. And although I love holding a book in my hand, I absolutely adore my ereader, whom I’ve named Ruby. I love to hear from readers so I’ve made it really easy to find me on the web.
