#TNTConfidential Author Spotlight on Beth D. Carter & Petty Thief of Hearts

*dances* I've got a visitor! I've got a visitor! And an interview to boot! Please give Beth D. Carter and her suspense novel Petty Thief of Hearts, a warm welcome in today's #TNTConfidential!

Jessie Ciottie has been in protective custody for almost a year. She’s due to give testimony in a few days but suddenly, her location is found. She goes on the run, determined to testify but when men come hunting for her at the train station, it’s a petty thief that hides her.

The electricity is instant between Jessie and Ethan, and he promises to get her to the courthouse on time. But the path between her and safety is dangerous, and Ethan is the only thing that stands between her and a bullet.

Amazon || Evernight

Welcome to In A Dream Beyond, Beth! I believe this is your first visit, so I must ask:

When did you start writing and why?

Hi!  Thank you so much for letting me visit with you today!  The easy answer to this quesion is because I’ve been creating stories in my head since I was a child.  I wrote my first book, written out in long hand, when I was about twelve.  There was never a time in my life when I didn’t want to be an author.  I tried to follow a different path because I never had confidence in myself, but with the emergence of ereaders, it’s opened up an avenue for many people to find their dreams.  Like me.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m mostly a pantser, but I usually have a vision of where the story is heading and I tend to outline a little per chapter just to help me keep track of the plotting. 

You’re a full time writer and a stay at home mom. What’s your work schedule usually like?

I drop my son off to school at 8:15am and then I come home and work until I pick him up at 2:30pm.  In the evening it’s harder to write because my son tells stories too, and he’s always coming to me to tell me his latest one.  I’m a proud mama.

Your latest novel is Petty Thief of Hearts, a suspense novel. Have you always liked the suspense genre?

No, not really.  Suspense is hard to write, especially if there is some kind of murder to solve.  I like writing about the human aspect of what’s going on, whether it’s about zombies, or ghosts, or just a plain old fashioned love story. 

Where did the inspiration for Petty Thief of Hearts come from?

I actually wrote it for an anthology call but then decided not to send it in.  I dreamed of the first chapter, and then developed the story as it went along.  It sat in my computer files for a long time before I decided to try Evernight’s Romance on the Go line.  Not only did they accept it, but it became an Editor’s Pick!  I was thrilled.

Tell us something about the novel that doesn’t appear on the blurb or the excerpt.

Ethan, the hero, is a sad case of a boy who ran away from home at age 16 because no one believed him about drugs found in his possession.  Not even his parents.  He was devastated.  But now, six years later, all he wants is to go home.  I think there are a lot of kids like him and I liked finding his voice.

Finally, I read that for you each story has its own signature song. What’s Petty Thief of Heart’s song?

“Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica.  Just look at the lyrics…they’re so perfect for both Jessie & Ethan’s situations.

So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters

Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters

**April Showers bring…**

What do April Showers bring? (be as creative as you like ;-) 

Allergies.  Boring, huh?

A book to read this month—

Transcendence by Shay Savage.  Best book I’ve read in a long time.

Raincoat or umbrella?

I live in Southern California.  When it does rain, which we’ve already had our two days for the year, I use an umbrella.

Do you like your handwriting?

I like how I sign my name.  Does that sound silly? 

What are you listening to right now?

Human by Christina Perri.

Have you ever played an April Fool’s joke on anyone? What was it?

Yes.  My best one was that I used to work with this woman who parked illegally one day, and she was freaking out the whole day that she was going to get a ticket.  So I cut a piece of paper that looked like a ticket and wrote “April Fools!” on it and stuck it under her windshield wiper.  She almost had a heart attack at the end of the day when she saw it but thought it was hilarious.  Of course, she had to get me back for it but that’s a whole different story!   

More About Beth:

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 live in Los Angeles, surrounded by friends and family.  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: 

https://twitter.com/BethDCarter
https://www.facebook.com/bethdcarterauthor

www.bethdcarter.com

http://bethdcarter.blogspot.com/

Amazon author page:

http://www.amazon.com/BethD.Carter/e/B00EOTD1T0/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1385417145&sr=8-1

I know and you know you want to read an excerpt...

A man fell into the seat next to her, reeking of alcohol and mumbling under his breath as he bumped into her. 

Jessie pushed him away from her hard, trying to not gag on the stench, and she felt a slight pressure on her lap before the man stumbled away and in that instant she knew he’d just pilfered the last of her cash. 

            “Hey!” she yelled and gave chase. 

            The man suddenly straightened and the stinky jacket he’d been wearing fell away and she was no longer looking at a decrepit drunk.  She was staring at young man, probably around her age, staring at her with piercing dark blue eyes and a face that artists would kill to sculpt.  Jessie’s breath hitched in her throat as she looked at what possibly was the most handsome man she’d ever seen.  He was tall, streamlined, with a mop of black hair and dark brows.  Something happened to her, probably the last of her brain cells popping from stupidity, but her body flushed hot as a heaviness invaded her limbs.  Her nipples pebbled and she saw his gaze glance down at them before lifting to give her a sardonic half grin, revealing a charming dimple.

            And then he turned and ran, leaving with her money. 

            No fucking way!

            Jessie shook off the strange erotic lethargy that had gripped her and dashed into hot pursuit.  Without that money she couldn’t get to Philadelphia.  She wouldn’t be able to testify and the monster might walk.  She couldn’t let that happen!  She wanted her life back!

Available at: Amazon || Evernight