Karen E. Rigley is in the House!!

Karen is the first author from Soul Mate Publishing on my schedule for the week. Her book, That Carrington Magic released yesterday!! Without further ado, here is Karen....

It's great to have you here on my blog! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Incurable romantic who never gives up on the dream of happily ever after. Also an award-winning author/designer/poet. Writing is essential as breathing to me & I’ve been writing since childhood--inspired by my love of reading. I have a big crazy family, so often my stories center on families. I adore mine--especially my daughter & grandkids who are the joy of my life.

What do you consider to be the most romantic thing?
When your special someone does something out of the blue to lift your spirits or ease a burden. That’s true love.

Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
Oh, yes. Often the muse hits when I’m in bed & supposed to be sleeping. Sometimes characters & stories give you no choice but to get back up and write. I also write wearing my grubby gardening clothes or painting clothes. I won’t win any style awards for my, ah, writing attire. Barefoot & wearing worn, faded jeans is most common.

Cats or dogs?
Both. That includes writing or reading about both as well. ;-)

Favorite drinks:
When it’s chilly, I enjoy hot cocoa or tea. When it’s hot-- ice water, raspberry lemonade, Vanilla Coke Zero or Vanilla Diet Pepsi.

Vanilla or chocolate ice cream?
Not so much into ice cream—prefer frozen yogurt or sherbet. Food weakness is I’m a chocoholic. Dark chocolate anything & it’s difficult for me to resist.

What are 4 things you never leave home without? Purse, lip gloss, cellphone & shoes—I often have to remember to put shoes on. . .

Laptop or desktop for writing?
Both. I even email files of work in progress to myself from my laptop to desktop or visa-versa.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
Most anywhere: if at home--living room with the TV on, kitchen with music playing, outside on the glider-swing or even upstairs in my office.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
I’d prefer my family, but for famous people—hmm. That’s hard. Got to think about that one. Maybe Nat King Cole so he can sing to me, Agatha Christie so she can tell me stories & a hunky carpenter like Kurt Russell played in Overboard who can build us a boat.

An actor you have a crush on?
Cary Grant. I know, I know—he’s old & dead. But have you ever watched his old movies???

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
I love the combination of mystery & romance in Castle.

What made you decide to be an author?
A writer is a reader first. My love of reading inspired me to write.

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I write in many, but I weave romance into all of them.

Are you a panster or a plotter and why?
Bit of both.

Is there a particular author who may have influenced you?
So many. Mary Higgins Clark wins for romantic suspense.

What is your all time favorite book?
How can I choose only one? Truly, this is impossible for me to answer.

What is your favorite quote from That Carrington Magic?

A plastic rubber-tipped arrow zinged past Jami’s left ear. She glanced up just as the arrow hit target. It stuck onto the forehead of a very handsome, very startled man, who halted mid-stride with his hand outstretched toward her.
So much for Cupid. Jami cringed. Toby-the-Terror had struck again.


How much trouble did your characters give you while writing your new release?
My characters demanded my attention at the most inconvenient times. Plus they said & did things of their own accord—not in the game plan, but always made for a better story.


Where do you get your ideas from?
Ideas come from everywhere—a fragment of overheard conversation, fragrance drifting on the breeze, a love song, sunset turning the ocean to liquid copper, a gossamer memory, inspiration is endless as the simple phrase “What if?”

How did you choose your title?
THAT CARRINGTON MAGIC was actually title number five—after playing with the others, this one felt right.

How do you cure writer’s block?
Outdoors in nature helps. Or closing my eyes to let my mind drift. Or switching to another project for awhile.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer?
No matter how much talent you possess or how great your story is--often the difference between published & unpublished is persistence.

What sacred advice have you been given by another writer?
A.C. Crispin once said that an author’s willingness to rewrite was worth more than gold.


Tell us about That Carrington Magic:

Single mom Jami Rhodes "wins" a romantic getaway with her ideal match. Only the contest is a publicity sham to launch her friend Sierra's Internet matchmaking service, CupidKey, and the "match" is Sierra's brother-in-law, Grant Carrington. Miffed for being railroaded, Jami drags along her mischievous little boy, Toby. As if Toby isn't enough trouble, Grant gets stuck with the infamous Carrington Cupid charm. A clash of wills ensues, proving love sometimes needs a bit of magic.

That Carrington Magic is the first book in the CupidKey series. Book Two: Wild West Cupid is coming this December, with a new target for Cupid's arrow.
Plus future CupidKey stories are on their way.

Thank you so much Karen for stopping in today.

Be sure to visit Soul Mate Publishing where you can pick up That Carrington Magic here!

Coming November: The Swan Cove Murders Coming December: Secrets of Jenkins Bridge Launch Party October 12th for Soul Mate Publishing. Check out this Sunday's coming blog to sign up!!