Hello, Karen Cote

Thank you so much for being here, Karen.  You do so much for Muse. I’m happy to finally return the favor.

1: Okay, first up is the obligatory question. When did you first begin writing?

Thank you Ro. I am absolutely thrilled to be here with you and I don’t feel I do any more for Muse than anyone else. Especially you. You are amazing.

When did I first start writing? In Junior High with poetry and then my freshman year in High School where I read an article I found fascinating and proceeded to write my own style of it. What I found most intriguing about the story dealt mostly with the person’s gender concealment until the end. The author manipulated the reader into believing the hero was a hero when in actual fact, he was a she. I found it extremely clever and challenging and after writing a similar story, I let some of the girls in my class read it. They called me gay lol. I suppose I knew then what a lonely road being a writer would turn out to be.

2: We are loners, aren’t we? So tell us, what inspired you to write?

Inner need to define who I am as well as reading and wanting more from some of the books I read.

3: I understand that. A question that’s recently  come to mind, what do you like the most and least about writing?

What I love most is when my muse keeps me up way into the morning hours on a scene as it unfolds before me. There really can’t be a “least”. I’ve worked in a corporate world for a big part of my life as well as a real estate agent for Southern California. I had significant successes with both but even the biggest highlights there cannot touch the “least” moments as a writer. I suppose I’m just grateful.

4: I love when the muse reacts that way. I know you’re extremely busy with your TV interviews and everything else you’re involved with, I wonder how you find time to even write. Surely you must have time for yourself. What do you do for fun and relaxation?

Walk. My husband and I are blessed enough to live in a small village near the ocean. There are some tourist shops and of course, tons of restaurants and our pharmacy and grocery store and mega outdoor mall called Fashion Island. It is all within walking distance. Spending hours walking our village and ocean is a quality of life I never want to take for granted.

5: That sounds heavenly. You are fortunate. Everyone always wants to know, which authors do you like to read?

Linda Howard. Rachel Gibson. Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Karen Rose. Judith McNaught. Depends on my mood.

6: You’ve mentioned a few I enjoy also. Tell us what’s the one thing you’d most like people to know about you?

That I value true friendship. It’s a rare commodity.

7: That it is, my friend. So tell us about your current novel and where can we find it and your website/blog?

Despite the title of my novel, Erotic Deception, it really is a light Romantic Suspense and not erotica. There are steamy scenes, of course, as I don’t close the bedroom door but if someone is looking to read an erotica book, I don’t think this would be their pick. I think dialogue is important and I’d tried to include as much as possible with sarcasm and other emotions. I suppose, Murder, Love and Misunderstandings could sum it up fairly nicely. My website gives more info at www.karencote.tv

8: Definitely one I want to read. You’re a fairly new published author. Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

There are people who will want to help you along with your publication journey. Embrace them in gratitude but don’t let anyone steal your style or voice. Many people can write...but not like you.

9: That’s great advice. Here’s a question I’m frequently asked. Do you base your characters on real-life people?

Funny, I was just asked that the other day. LOL. I’ll answer the same way. No, not really but the hero of any character I write will always carry elements of my real life hero…my husband.

10: Lucky man. Another question everyone always wants to know. Where do you get your ideas and what inspired you to write this book?

On my first book, the story just lived in me and the characters developed themselves and believe me, they had a lot to say in the beginning. Erotic Deception had an initial title of A Psycho’s Drama and was captured between 424 pages. I had to scale it back some LOL. The novel I’m currently working on was inspired by an FBI tweet (yes…I follow those guys) about a case they busted involving a webcam.

11: Oh that sounds like something else I’m going to like. 

 Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

I have a dark thriller piece coming out in an Anthology in November titled, Seven Deadly Sins. I know. It doesn’t sound like me. Frankly, I didn’t know I could write something like that but the publisher assures me I have a future in it. Hubby became wary at some of the research questions I’d ask him while writing it…


You can find Karen in her bungalow or read her blog at: http://www.karencote.tv .

EXCERPT:

Lily clenched her teeth in irritation. She was tired, irritable and in an overall bad mood. They didn’t scare her, but their snickers revealed their ignorance of a woman capable of defending herself these days. Puberty had marked her first self-defense course. She was on the verge of delivering a blistering lecture about manners and insecure men when a painfully familiar voice spoke.

“I think it’s a good idea if you boys grab what you came for, pay for it, and leave.”

They all looked at the man leaning a casual shoulder against one of the floor to ceiling beams. His right arm hung loose at his side, while the thumb of his bandaged hand was looped in his belt. For a moment, the two men hesitated as if making a calculation of the man’s injuries. The man named Skeet was the first to respond.

“Now, Sheriff, you don’t need to get involved in this. This little girl here was asking for some help. We were simply trying to accommodate her.”

“That’s a lie!” Lily couldn’t believe the audacity of the man.

“I think she can manage by herself.” The sheriff spoke calmly, belying the gleam in his gaze.

Skeet looked as if he was going to argue, but evidently whatever high he’d been on, dissipated as the posing threat became clear. His friend was slower to catch on.

“You don’t look like you’re on your full game here, Sheriff, with those injuries and all. Now we’d hate to have to take advantage of your disability,” the other man sneered.

A feral grin creased the hard tanned face and he threw down a wink. ‘Try me.”

Even Lily shivered at the perilous tone, as did Skeet. He intervened by jerking on his friend’s arm to pull him away. His nervous laugh alerted the caution to back down.

“We’re only joking with you, Sheriff. We don’t want any trouble with the law here.” He shot his buddy a hard smile filled with warning. “Come on, we need to get the beer and head back before the girls get restless.” His cordial smile was pathetic. “You don’t mind if we get what we came in for do you, Sheriff?”

“On the contrary, gentlemen, we appreciate your patronage,” he responded, inclining his head. He watched the two men while they hurriedly grabbed a case of beer, paid for it and left.

Lily sighed in relief. Even though she could’ve handled the situation, she was relieved at his intervention and the confrontation it avoided.

“Thank you,” she said, but inwardly recoiled when a glacier blue gaze narrowed in on her.

“Here’s one of the first rules of staying here. During the summertime, we get many visitors renting homes along the lakes. For the most part, they’re out to have a good time and are relatively harmless. As evening progresses, moods change. I don’t know why you’re out so late, but the next time someone approaches you like that, walk away.”

Then without giving her an opportunity to respond he picked up the item he’d placed on a shelf and went to the register to pay for it. He was opening the door to get into his truck when Lily threw open the door of the convenience store.

“What do you have against me?” she demanded striding toward him.

He shot her a telling glance, not stating the obvious, which infuriated her more.

“This isn’t all to do with what happened today, Sheriff,” she said through clenched teeth. “Your rudeness is inexcusable. Aren’t you supposed to be a little more professional, being an officer of the law and all?”

“Professional?” He glared at her. “I just saved your ass for the second time in one day and you accuse me of not being professional?”

She ignored his question and demanded, “What is it you don’t like about me, Sheriff? Do I remind you of someone? An ex-girlfriend, perhaps?”

It was then that Lily realized how close she was to him. When his gaze skimmed down and touched her mouth, a feathery pulse tickled through her chest. He looked at her through smoldering eyes and allowed a gradual smile to appear, but its mockery contained no trace of humor.

“What’s the matter, Dr. Delaney? Bored already? Looking for a distraction? Maybe I interrupted something in there you didn’t want me to. If that’s the case then let me be the first to apologize. However, if it’s a diversion you’re looking for, I’d happily take you up on that, but unfortunately, I’m a little tired tonight.”

 He tossed the grocery bag into the truck before climbing in. He faced her once more, nodding his head toward her car.

“Driving with only one headlight is against the law in Windom Hills, ma’am, but I’ll let you go this time.” He cocked a brow. “How’s that for professionalism?”

Lily was still searching for a stinging reply as he drove away.

What just happened? How dare he? She stomped a sandal against the paved parking lot. Damn it! Of all the frustrating, egotistical, infuriating men, why did she always end up feeling like a brainless tart around him?

It would serve him right if she didn’t show up tomorrow. The consequences would almost be worth shattering his inflated, puffed-up self-confidence.

Then her bravado popped and the weight of the world slid around her neck, pulling her head down.

He was the only light in her future at this point. Why wasn’t she trying to butter him up or at least attempting to get on his good side? She hadn’t even asked about his injuries. With a frustrated growl, she stormed over to her car and almost forgot why she’d driven to the store in the first place.

She gritted her teeth and headed back toward the door.

Murder, mysterious sign-postings, maniacal threats and, albeit justified, a very mad man in a uniform.

My life sucks!