Alright, Lefty, and you, Scarface and Fingers, put the Tommy guns down and have a seat. I ain't got no beef with you's. What I gots is some nice work by an amazing author, bada-bing. You better be checking it out real quick-like.
And that's all the mafia speak I've got, lol. And really, I had to do a lot of googling to put together that little paragraph. But you know what? Carrie Cotton has a whole book of Mafia Romance! Mafia. And Romance. Who knew those two concepts even fit together in a Christian book? Ah, but it does, my friends and you, also, Lefty. Her new book Made Like the Moon is ready for preorder right now and could be your first riveting, high-stakes novel of your fall TBR pile! Why am I still yakking? IDK, lets get to Carrie!
PT: Hello, Carrie! So good to have you here at The Diamond Mine. The readers are on the edge of their seats to find out more about you. What region of the country do you hail from and did you grow up in this same place?
CC: I live in Western North Carolina but I’m originally from
Louisiana. I’ve also lived in Texas and Alaska!
PT: What genre you write in?
CC: I’m a multi-genre author but all my books are Christian
fiction. I have a speculative series, a medieval series, and my newest series
is mafia romance.
PT: So, which is more enjoyable for you: hymns or contemporary music?
Favorite current song?
CC: I love both and have favorites of each. I really adore
anything Phil Wickham puts out and my favorite hymns are "Be Thou My Vision" and "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing."
PT: I LOVE both of those songs! Dop you have a daily chore you dread the most? What makes it more
bearable?
CC: I really dislike doing the dishes. But it’s a chore assigned
to my kids, so I rarely have to do them. However, half my kids are now off to
college, so I’m having to take more turns with the dishes.
PT: Ah, yes. The haunt of dirty dishes. Let's get away from that. What Bible character speak to you most and why?
CC: David. Just because he wasn’t anywhere near perfect, but
David had a repentant heart and a heart tuned toward the love of God. That
encourages me in my constant failings.
PT: I agree. I love to study David. Is there a genre you prefer to read in, and what book are you
currently reading?
CC: I like all genres really. Currently, I’m reading the second
book in Amanda Wright’s Darkfell series and It’s Always been You by Rachel
Chamberlayne.
PT: What drew you to writing? Was a writing career something you
planned or just came along?
CC: I’ve always been a writer, always making up stories. I
didn’t write much after I got married and had small kids because I just didn’t
have time, but my stories always came back to me and when my kids were older, I
was able to pick it up again.
PT: Now, lets get into the juicy stuff. Made Like the Moon. Here's the Cover...like wow!
PT: Blue, blue and more blue. How could a reader not adore this cover? So, Carrie, where did the concept of your new book Made Like the Moon
get started?
CC: From my own life mainly. I have been on a lot of mission
trips and made amazing relationships and started thinking if I ever needed
somewhere to go, these people would be here for me. So, the idea of a
missionary on the run came from that.
PT: Describe the setting of Made Like the Moon. Are the
characters like any live person or totally fictional?
CC: The setting is really all over the place because the female
main character goes to a lot of different countries. Almost all the characters
are based on real people except the bad guys, ha ha. But the people that Grace
runs to for help are all based on real and amazing people.
PT: Tell us which scene of Made Like the Moon was most inspiring
to write?
CC: I think the scenes where Rafe is experiencing the gospel for
the first time were very memorable and also challenging as I wanted to make
sure to handle those scenes with the upmost of care.
PT: Uh-huh, that's the money. Which Biblical concept did you explore in Made Like the Moon?
CC: Redemption was a big one. For someone to have lived a life
like Rafe, so dark, and so hopeless and then to be exposed to light and
salvation. I also explored the concept of a peace that passes understanding, of
joy, faith, and endurance. All things Grace had to lean into on her journey.
PT: Did you have to visit certain places that the characters
visit in Made Like the Moon?
CC: I’ve actually visited all the places from Made Like the Moon except Italy. But all the places Grace has been to, I have visited
and/or been to mission trips to.
PT: Tell 5 things about Carrie Cotten that have nothing to do
with writing.
CC: 1. I love chocolate
2. Fall
is my favorite season
3. I’m
completely obsessed with my husband; I love him so much and just always want to
be where he is.
4. I
was a barrel racer as a kid, my horse was named Freckles, and he was a fat
Appaloosa. We didn’t win much.
5. I’m
an introvert who only extroverts when forced.
PT: Share the next stop on your writing journey. Writing?
Editing? Publishing?
CC: I’m working on more in the Redemption and Ruin series as
well as the next book in The Huntress series which will hopefully come out next
year.
PT: And. . . there you have it! Don't you just want to read this book because of the intriguing title? And you can. Just follow the links above. It'll take you straight to Carrie's book. Or . . . you could enter the book giveaway by leaving a comment and your email, or giving us your info on the contact form.
But why wait? Don't just wanna know the scoop right now, Lefty? Forget about it! Pre-order now!
PT: Thanks for being with us today, Carrie!