Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Cynthia Racette to the blog today. We are looking forward to learning more about her and her new book Windswept.
Can you please share with us a little about yourself?
I’m kind of a Renaissance woman. Another way of saying I didn’t know what I wanted to do. J My degree is in chemistry and I worked in that field for quite a while, then got a job as a newspaper reporter because I missed writing, then worked as a chemist again and started writing more then. I’m a professional photographer, water color artist, scrapbooker and now, an author.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Not always, but from my mid-20’s on, yes. My college roommate was the acclaimed science fiction writer Nancy Kress and that was my turning point, I think. Now, I am a writer, and my daughter is also the multi-published erotic romance writer, Cassandra Carr.
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I like quiet and hate having music on when I’m writing, but don’t mind background noise at all. My daughter and I write at a café in our area food market and the whole town could wander by and I wouldn’t know it.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
My new release is called Windswept. It’s about a family that is torn apart when the husband is unfaithful. The wife, Caroline, must learn to cope on her own after David moves out. Her friendly neighbor tries to take advantage of the couple’s split to make a move for Caroline. She wants to reconcile with her husband but David is guilt-ridden and not sure they should get together. It all revolves around Windswept, the family’s beloved sailboat.
How did you come with the idea for this story?
My hubby and I are both sailors and had a sailboat for years that we adored. I wanted to write something about sailing but also show that in a broken relationship, both parties are hurting.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I am doing my final editing before submission on a book where the husband is suddenly killed in an accident, leaving the wife alone with huge debts and no experience running a household alone. Both of her children grieve in different ways with her older daughter getting into trouble with the police. The detective that arrests her daughter finds himself drawn into the family and particularly to wife Anna.
Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
Jo Rowling—I think she’s an amazing writer and I read her Harry Potter books over and over just to enjoy her writing.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Read, read, read and then write, write, write. Include in the reading some books on the craft of writing.
Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
Take my husband to Rome. I went there with my daughter ten years ago and I want him to experience it. St. Peters and the Sistine Chapel are incredible. Also would like to spend winters in the South.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I’m anxious to read 50 Shades of Gray just to see what the furor is about, although I’ve heard it’s not well written. I want to read all the books written by our RWA members and some of ones my publisher has released.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I love writing and the whole publishing scene. There’s a camaraderie among authors and editors and agents, etc. that it’s nice to be a part of.
Beautiful cover. Very brave of you to take on a cheating spouse/reconciliation storyline. While I don't care for that type of story, you have me intrigued to see if Caroline takes him back.
Thank you! I get a lot of positive comments on my cover. I love it. You ought to try some women's fiction. It's romance plus drama and families. All the best parts of romance plus. For instance, in the climax of my book, Caroline and David are caught in the sailboat in a horrific storm.
I'm so happy to be here and show off Windswept!
Cynthia
Omg, how awesome that your daughter writes as well 🙂
Do you two plot together?
Thanks for the interview, I enjoyed reading it. And congrats on your new release! How fun to share your writing with your daughter.
I think it's awesome too, that she's an author as well. Since I write women's fiction and she writes erotic romance, there isn't much opportunity to plot together, although we do get together once a week at a cafe and write. I often read something of hers that she's having trouble with and she does the same for me. And, when we get together at family gatherings, we chat about our writing and promos etc while the rest of the room just shakes their heads. LOL
Love the cover! Fidelity is a tough subject to write about because romance readers usually hate when the husband/boyfriend/lover is a cheater….Kudos to yo for being willing to tackle the subject in your romance….and how fun that Cassandra Carr is your daughter (love her books!) Adding "Windswept" to my reading list.
I had no idea I was being talked about! I'm really proud of my mom for what she's accomplished, and you never know – maybe someday you'll see a joint effort from us. I *can* write with a lower heat level, I just don't like it as much. 😛
Oh man….I must check this book out! I absolutely LOVE cheating heroes in my books!
The book cover is stunning. 🙂
Thanks so much for this post, Kelly.