Author interview with Rhonda Carver
I am excited to have Rhonda Lee Carver with me to day! Thanks so much for coming.
Is Dreaming Ivy a single title, or part of a series?
Dreaming Ivy is a single title.
What were your inspirations for the story?
I love stories of haunting and ghostly sightings. I watched The Messengers. The haunted, dilapidated house was my inspiration for Dreaming Ivy. Although the stories are nothing alike, the house gave me tons of creativity.
Please share your setting for Dreaming Ivy. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?
Morgan Sites is a fictional place in Ohio. Most of my stories have fake settings. I like creating my own place for the characters. One reason is, if I’ve never visited a place, it’d be hard to recreate the setting. I’d rather conjure up one and make it seem real. A few years back I visited Texas and it has been the inspiration for many of my settings. Double Dare and Second Chance Cowboy are set in Texas. Roark’s Dark Request and Second Ride Cowboy (still in the works) are also based in San Antonio. If I’m writing a story with a down-home flavor, more than likely I’ll use my own neck of the woods. I like to bring readers a taste of what I see day in and out.
When did the writing bug first bite?
I was 13 years old when I knew I wanted to write. I read my first romance novel and I was certain that I wanted to write my own fantasies. I don’t remember the name, but it was a Harlequin.
What is your most favorite childhood memory?
When the snow would fall and we’d be stuck indoors. It was a peaceful feeling to be with the family and having together time. When the snow got deep enough (and believe me, it had to be clean), my mom would go out and gather a bowl of snow and make us snow cones or ice cream. It was a treat.
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with my kids. I’m a soccer fan. I love good movies. I love to bake.
Boxers, brief or commando?
Commando—easier access
Favorite eye color?
I don’t have one. As long as there’s a twinkle, that’s all that matters.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve heard or seen?
“I’ll never be published.” And that came from my mouth. One should never say never.
Dreaming Ivy
by Rhonda Lee Carver
Can a past love become their future?
The Thorntons’ mansion is full of timeless secrets waiting to be unraveled. When small-town journalist Ivy and ghost hunter Max are stuck in the forgotten, dilapidated house, they find more than just a haunting. Ivy finds herself dreaming of the former owners, Marcus Thornton and his lovely wife, Elizabeth. Their profound love was once the talk of the town, and the cause their mysterious, untimely deaths never found. When Ivy’s dreams begin to become reality, the mystery starts to unravel and sheds truth on more than just the past.
WARNING: Graphic language, naughty ghosts, a non-committal male, and a love that endures beyond time and death.
A Lyrical Press Paranormal Romance
Excerpt:
Ivy stepped into the corridor. She stopped and listened. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a shadow sweep across the wall. She turned as it disappeared. “Hello?” No answer. She stomped down the hall and burst into the room. “Hello–”
The room was empty.
Ivy swallowed the taste of fright. A shiver raced across her skin. She had seen someone, or had she? She rubbed her eyes. Maybe the shadows were playing tricks on her.
A loud crack in the floor behind her sent Ivy twisting. The sun from the window blinded her. She acted on impulse. She drew her fist back and punched–landing on something solid. The force behind her connection with skin and bone sent her off balance, flailing backward. A hand on her wrist pulled her hard against a steely frame.
She met a dark stare, just as she felt wobbling. The impact of her body had sent him a step back. He lost his balance. Together they fell. The air whooshed from his chest as Ivy landed on top of the stranger.
She closed her eyes and remained still. She wanted nothing more than for the floor to swallow her. Several long seconds floated by. Neither of them said a word. She finally opened her eyes.
Embarrassed and confused, Ivy laid her palms against his shoulders, pushing herself up. She looked directly into his not-so-pleased expression and gulped. Enchanting green eyes, prominent cheekbones, midnight hair…and a pissed-off set to his jaw. She’d made a mistake–a huge one. “Max Shepard.” It wasn’t a question.
He narrowed his eyes. “Ivy Kennedy, journalist and amateur boxer?”
The deep, rich tone of his voice did funny things to the pit of her stomach. His voice wasn’t the only toned part of him. Pressed together gave her an up close and personal testimonial of his physical assets. Broad chest, tight abs to long legs, she could feel tight muscles and a curious bulge. She scooted her hip around the swelling in his jeans. Heat and realization spread through her body.
One corner of his mouth lifted. “It’s my cell.” Could he see straight through her?
“Cell?”
He reached into his pocket and held up his phone. Ivy was certain her skin changed into the perfect color of mortification. She wondered just how bad this could get. Pasting a smile on her face, she said, “Nice to meet you.” The temperature rose between them into the triple digits. Their bodies seemed to melt together. He didn’t look like the pictures she’d seen on the internet. He looked more distinguished in person. “You’re older than I thought,” she blurted.
“Older?”
“Older, in a good way.” She licked her bottom lip and nervously pushed her hair behind her ear. “My mother said I have a bad habit of saying the most awkward things and rambling–” She swallowed. “–like I am now.” She moved slightly.
His zipper started to swell again. Was that another cell phone in his pocket, or… Before her mind could complete the thought, he wrapped his large hands around her waist and lifted her off him. He set her on her feet as he came to stand in front of her. “That’s better,” he said as he backed up. “Damn.” He kicked rug that must have been the reason behind their fall.
He stood there, silent. This was a complete disaster. She’d managed to give him a black eye to match the dark scowl on his face. She needed to start searching for a new job. Marshall would have her head for this.
About Rhonda:
Suffering from years of hopeless romantic notions with sexy, sassy heroines and bad-ass heroes taking residence in her mind, Rhonda decided to write, bringing the stories alive. With baby on hip and laptop on the other, and a couple of years later, Rhonda has published six eBooks with a handful of spicy love stories waiting for the final touches.
When Rhonda isn’t crafting edge-of-your-seat, sizzling novels, you will find her with her children, watching soccer, watching a breathtaking movie, traveling to exotic places, doing (or trying) yoga, and finding new ways to keep her smile bright.
Rhonda thrives on making her readers happy. She believes life can be a challenge, but reading is a place where one goes to get away. Everyone deserves romance—one page at a time…
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rhondalee.carver
Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhonda-...
Website: www.rhondaleecarver.com
Blogger: http://rhondaleecarver-author.blogspot.com
Buy link: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_31&products_id=521
