Is there a story behind your books?
Yes indeed. Agnes Hopper began as a short story—a writing assignment from a creative writing class. The story ended when Agnes walked away from a retirement home where the administrator ran a tight ship for sinister reasons. When I began asking
“What if Agnes stayed to help her friends?”
the story evolved into a book, and then a series. It’s been an adventure.
What started you on your writing journey?
I began writing in my fifties when I purchased a book on “free writing.” Completing those exercises took my breath away. I was hooked.
What kind of books do you enjoy reading?
Mostly historical fiction
- The Cigar Factory by Michele Moore,
- The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd, and
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Which character in your newest release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
Nellie, a recent resident of the retirement home, who claims to be Minnie Pearl’s cousin twice removed. She looks like the little old woman who lived in a shoe. She is a kleptomaniac, a quirky character who lends a sense of humor to the story.
Why do you write in the genre you do?
I love the people and their lives in small southern towns where a mystery thrives in the hot, humid air.
What is a favorite memory from your childhood?
Summer evenings spent listening to my coal miner daddy and uncle tell stories on our front porch while lightening bugs danced along the wood’s edge.
Share a verse or Scripture passage with us that is special to
you. (and why it's special)
2nd Samuel 22:17 NIV
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters."
I was in my early thirties at the time when the Lord spoke to me through this verse. I was drowning in deep waters of bitterness yet He rescued me with His steadfast love. He has remained faithful and true.
Buy her books here:
About Carol:
Carol Heilman, a coal miner's daughter, married her high school sweetheart, a farmer's son. She began writing family stories, especially about her dad's Appalachian humor, for newspapers and magazines. One day her mother said, "We don't have any secrets any more!"
Carol's book series, Agnes Hopper Shakes Up Sweetbriar and Agnes Hopper Bets on Murder, was inspired by her mother's spunky spirit and her dad's humor.
She has relocated, along with her husband of fifty-plus years, from the mountains of NC to Charleston, SC. The low country is now their home. They love to play cards, go antiquing, hike, and visit grandsons on the east and west coasts.
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Love Historical Romantic Suspense? Check out the first book of my WWII Spies series!
Book One:
Angry at being rejected for military service, Minister Tyrell Walker accepts the call to serve as a civilian spy within his own country. Across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, a spy working for a foreign country is stealing secret plans for newly developed ammunition to be used in the war. According to his FBI cousin, this spy favors pink stationery giving strong indications that a woman is involved.
He’s instructed to obtain a room in the Rayner Boarding House run by the lovely, spunky red-haired Emma Jaine Rayner. Sparks of jealousy and love fly between them immediately even as they battle suspicions that one or the other is not on the up and up.
While Tyrell searches for the murdering spy who reaches even into the boarding home, Emma Jaine struggles with an annoying renter, a worried father (who could be involved in this spy thing), and two younger sisters who are very different but just as strong willed as she is.
As Tyrell works to keep his double life a secret and locate the traitor, he refuses to believe that Emma Jaine could be involved even when he sees a red-haired woman in the arms of another man. Could the handsome and svelte banker who’s also determined to win Emma Jaine’s hand for marriage, be the dangerous man he’s looking for? Is the trouble-making renter who hassles Emma Jaine serving as a flunky? Worse, is Papa Rayner so worried about his finances and keeping his girls in the style they’re used to, that he’ll stoop to espionage?
Will their love survive the danger and personal issues that arise to hinder the path of true love?
Buy the book here:
About Carole:
Besides being an active participant in many writing groups, Carole is an award-winning author and enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense, tough topics, romance, and whimsy into her books and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?
Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/browncarole212
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/
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