First Timers Presents: Caroline Clemmons

We are delighted to have Wild Rose Press author Caroline Clemmons with us today to help kick off our new blog spot titled, First Timers Presents, as she presents her first novel, Home, Sweet Texas Home, a contemporary romance set in Texas.

Before we chat with Courtney Madison, the heroine of this fun story, let's see the blurb--which looks like a honey!
Two million dollars? What a fortune to inherit! Courtney Madison has battled poverty her entire twenty-five years but is determined to make a safe and happy home for her teenaged brother after the recent death of their mom. She thinks her inheritance in West Texas is the answer to her prayers--but Courtney's problems are definitely not over yet.
Derek Corrigan suspects the worst of his new neighbor and vows to fight his attraction for her. He knows what women do to him--they always leave and take chunks of his heart with them. He's been there, done that, had the vaccination and is cured. Isn't he? s County until my legacy changed my life forever. There were hardships, yes, but I finally succeeded, and in a really good way!

What is Home, Sweet Texas Home about, Courtney? About me, of course, and finding my hero. My mom had died after a lingering illness and left me with a mountain of debt it would take a lifetime to pay. My sweet younger brother, Jimmy, aged fifteen, had turned sullen and started hanging out with a group of unsavory teens that made me shudder. Jimmy’s grades dropped and he started skipping class. A huge new chain bookstore had opened only a block from Bakers Books, the store I managed in Dallas. To hold on as long as he could to his investment, Mr. Baker came out of retirement and laid off the assistant manager and me. I understood, but I was broke, scared witless, and hanging on to my sanity by a thread.

Then, when I learned I’d inherited property and cash worth two million dollars in West Texas, I knew all my problems were over. I was wrong, of course. Money can’t really buy happiness. Oh, it solved all the problems of the moment, but soon an entirely new set of problems popped up. And one problem was a doozy, but you’ll find out about that in the book.

What did you think the first time you saw Derek Corrigan, the hero? That finally a gorgeous specimen of manhood crossed my path and I almost mowed him down. I was hurrying back to work from a talk with Jimmy’s school counselor about him skipping class, I was freezing from my walk from the bus stop, and I rushed down the aisle toward my office. Derek innocently stepped into the aisle, and I almost knocked him off his feet.

What was your second thought? That Derek Corrigan was the most handsome man I’d ever met. I’m still convinced of that, too. this man is gorgeous.

Did you think it was love at first sight? Hmm, he was definitely gorgeous, but I’d that for me say it was more attraction at first sight. He certainly didn’t seem drawn to me, but I’d never in my life seen such a good looking man. Still haven’t, by the way.

What do you like most about Derek? He looked as if he stepped from a western version of GQ magazine. Everything about him, from his grey Stetson to his polished boots, was perfect. I couldn’t help staring at him. I guess I was mesmerized instantly. Later I learned his stand-offish attitude hides a heart that has been hurt deeply, but his is a heart of gold.

How would you describe him? Sigh. Mmmm. Oh, yes, you want me to answer the question instead of daydreaming about him. Tall, he’s maybe three or four inches over six feet. Cobalt blue eyes that pulled me toward them and almost hypnotize me. Thick dark hair that always looks perfect and tempts me to muss it and run my fingers through it. Mmm, nice build that lets me know he doesn’t just sit behind a desk. A bearing that lets people know he’s used to getting his way. I learned that in spite of his money, he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. He also helps a lot of people, but I didn’t know that about him until later.

How would he describe you? Probably as a nut. Honestly, I am always very professional and used to working with all kinds of people. But around Derek I seem to do clutzy, dingy things that always embarrass me. He tries not to laugh openly, but I’m sure that privately he’s thinking he’s never seen anyone who gets herself into so many, um, shall we say “unusual” situations. Some of them I will never live down--Derek and Jimmy will make sure of it.

What made you choose selling books as a career? Actually, I drifted into it from working part time in high school to full time after a truly unfortunate experience in another job. I love reading, so working in a bookstore was good for me. I love people, so I could work with crabby customers or pleasant ones. I’m a hard worker, so Mr. Baker was very pleased with me and promoted me to manager when he retired.

What is your biggest fear? Failure. If I’m not successful enough to care for Jimmy, I might lose guardianship and he’d end up in foster care. I can’t bear to think of letting myself or Jimmy down--or anyone else who depends on me. I am not afraid of hard work, but I am afraid of failure. I almost let a lot of people down, but in the end everything worked out.

How do you relax? You ask that of someone who worked in a bookstore? I read. Curling up with a good book is great. Lately, I’ve had fun getting together for lunch or shopping with my new friend, Elaine McCullough. Her brother, Rusty, is Derek’s best friend.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Taylor Stapleton from Julie Garwood’s Prince Charming. She was willing to sacrifice anything to save her sister’s children, and she succeeded in gaining all she’d ever dreamed of having.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?Of course it wasn’t to me personally, but Winston Churchill’s quote, “Never, never, never give up” has meant a lot to me. There were times when I thought life was hopeless and there was no way out, but I kept trying instead of giving up. Thank heavens I did! Now, I have everything I’d ever dreamed I wanted. Jimmy is happy, too. I am so blessed!

To Caroline: What movies or books have had an impact on your writing? Not really any movies unless you count the Roy Rogers movies of my childhood. Many authors have influenced me: Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood, Agatha Christie, Louis L’Amour, and too many others to mention have inspired me. Every book I read impacts my writing in the way that I analyze the book to search for the craft reasons that book appealed to me or did not. If I really love a book, usually I reread it to study it.

To learn more about Caroline Clemmons and the stories she creates go to: http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com or www.carolineclemmons.com

Caroline is also on Facebook as Caroline Clemmons author,on Twitter as CarolinClemmons (no E in Caroline), Goodreads, and LinkedIn.

She posts monthly on http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com on the 26th, on http://seducedbyhistory.blogspot.com on the 6th, and on http://slipintosomethingvictorian.wordpress.com on the 20th.

To purchase Home, Sweet Texas Home, go to:

www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-68.html

Thanks so much for spending time with us, Caroline. We wish you much luck in sales and in your next creation!

Kat