Reader's Freebies 2 - TIES THAT BIND by Carolyn Arnold
Welcome! To follow on with our Readers’ Freebies series, today I’ll introduce you to an author who writes in different genres from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries and thrillers, to action adventures, Carolyn Arnold. She’s an international bestselling and award-winning author, with almost thirty published novels.
I recently had the pleasure to read one of her novels, Ties That Bind, the first in the Detective Madison Knight series. Before I get into my review, I can honestly say I’ll be back for more. In fact, although not freebies like Ties That Bind, I’ve purchased Justified and Sacrifice. Her novels are available through numerous outlets, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Carolyn’s work is just perfect for me since I follow many of the genres she likes. I’m always looking for a good story and Carolyn has joined my list of favorite authors.
So here are my thoughts regarding Ties That Bind.
Detective Madison Knight and her able-bodied partner, Terry, are handed what appears to be an isolated incident. A woman is found strangled but then another body surfaces, both killed by the same brand of necktie. Their sergeant hounds them to close the case, even if they don’t have the perpetrator. Meanwhile, Terry’s mind is on his rocky marriage. Will they be able to stop a possible serial killer before another body is found?
Without a personal life, Madison works all hours to identify the killer. Her well-honed investigative skills are put to the test, while Terry keeps skipping out to deal with his personal crisis. Ties That Bind is full of suspense from the beginning to the end, when the case appears to be solved. With a very smooth pace, it was very difficult to put down, as I wanted to keep reading and find out if they caught the culprit. An excellent storyline, filled with realistic police procedures centered on their current assignment, while at the same time we find the detectives exhibit a variety of traits, likes, and dislikes. When I finished reading, I immediately purchased Justified, the next novel in the series.
I also had the opportunity to liaise with Carolyn regarding her writing career.
What did you do before you became a bestselling author?
For a living, I worked in accounts receivable for a few different companies collecting from businesses. Yet, despite working full time, in 2006 I was reunited with writing. I wrote every chance I got—before work, on lunch breaks, after work, on the weekends. I became so focused on writing and the publishing world that hardly a day went by without them being a part of my life, and since the summer of 2014, I’ve been a full-time author.
When did you know that you had hit the big time with your books?
When I got to say good-bye to my day job! Even before I fully resigned, I had cut back a five-day a week job to four days, then to three. It got to the point, though, that I loathed going in for that many days, and I knew it was time to make the move and become a full-time author. That was in the summer of 2014. Since then, I incorporated my own publishing company in the summer of 2015, and, at the start of 2016, my husband joined me there full time.
When you first begin writing a new book, is your main focus on the characters or the plot?
I’d have to say it’s really a blend of both. I approach writing a book without an outline and with merely an idea of the storyline. Oftentimes, I don’t even know the identity of the killer until my characters work through the investigation. Both the characters and the plot are strengthened through the editing process.
Why do you write within your chosen genre?
I love the logical progression and intrigue that goes with the mystery genre. The fact that I love to read mysteries and watch crime dramas has also made writing in the genre only a matter of time.
How much research goes into your fiction writing? What is your approach?
As an author of police and FBI procedurals, a lot of research goes into each of my books. I need to know how real life police or FBI would handle situations, have an understanding of forensics and weapons, as well as a grasp of the human aspect—the interaction between departments of law enforcement and within a department.
I’m grateful to have contacts from law enforcement who are generous in sharing their wisdom and experience with me.
Is there a time of day or night when you're most creative?
It used to always be the morning, but that’s not always the case anymore.
Describe your writing environment. (Do you prefer noise or silence? Is your work area messy or neat? What do you see when you look around you?)
Oh, I love working in my office for the most part, but sometimes during the summer, I’ll take my laptop outside and write on my patio.
I prefer just above tomb silent and my work area is somewhat messy with papers everywhere… (bows head in embarrassment).
What do members of law enforcement say about your books?
Many testimonials attest that I am pleasing readers in law enforcement. They love that my mysteries are accurate in that regard, and they view that alone as a sign of my respect for them.
If you enjoy mysteries and thrillers, also be sure to check out Alice Hill's short story, "Wings of Justice" in the latest issue of the Reader's Abode. You can sign up to our mailing list to receive the full collection for free, which also includes fiction and poetry by Barbara Russell, Eddie Cantrell, Alison McBain and Carly Marino.
Please join us in two weeks' time for a continuation of the Reader's Freebies series with Eddie Cantrell’s review of Heroic Fantasy Quarterly. Eddie will be sharing his thoughts on the magical land of fantasy fiction.
Hope you’ll join us again!
