Straight Chatting from the Library: Karla Brandenburg

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READ THE INTERVIEW

What is the favorite book you remember as a child?

I read a lot of books! I’m going to go with Ghost Rock, mostly because I can still remember that one more than most of them, from childhood. It was a mystery about kids camping out near the Canadian border and there was a rock that echoed with galloping horses. Since I’m pretty sure it’s out of print, I think I can give you the spoiler, that it was ne’er do wells crossing the border illegally at night. Bring on the Mounties!

Tell us about your current book in 10 words.

Abused woman, hero waiting for his chance, ghost in the mirror.

E-Reader or print? and why?

I love them both. E-reader gives me a chance to read something I might not be familiar with, and print gives me the chance to cherish a book. I’m more likely to pick print off the shelf for a second read, so I make sure to buy print copies of the books and authors I love.

One book at a time or multiples?

One! Reading multiple books is a little like cheating on your spouse. I like to give a book my complete attention.

When do you do most of your reading?

I commute into the city (by train). Over an hour each way, so uninterrupted reading time, and then, if it’s a book I can’t put down, I keep reading after dinner.

Favorite genre?

I like all kinds, but my go to is probably Regency or Scottish historical. I have some favorite contemporary romance authors. I also enjoy a good mystery or suspense. Not really a fan of sci-fi or fantasy, although I’ve read a couple of those that I’d recommend, as well.

How do you keep your books organized?

By author.

Re-reader or not?

Absolutely. I have a large collection of Victoria Holt’s, my first favorite author, that I re-read regularly.

What would make you not finish a book?

I don’t think there’s any book I haven’t finished, even one I hated. I keep waiting for the silver lining, for the author to redeem themselves. The books I would have liked to not finish are generally books that are poorly written or just plain unbelievable. An example – there was a book I read about a woman going through a divorce and starting over. She moves into her husband’s friend’s house (with her husband). The husband cheats on her, leaves her there to start an affair with the friend. The book is supposed to be about the woman finding her own way, but I found it ridiculous to the extreme. The author pointed out how this almost 50-ish woman wears “age appropriate” clothes which were NOT age appropriate, she detailed the woman’s song list on her iPod (GREAT detail, much more than anyone cares about), and although her lawyer told her to move out to avoid dragging the friend into the divorce and to establish independence, she never did, and then the author TELLS the reader how independent she was. Yep, that was a shouldn’t have finished for me.

READ THE BLURB

When Sandra Meyer's violent ex-boyfriend returns to sleepy Edgarville, Illinois, she turns to the man who stood up to Nick Benedetto back in high school. If brawny Garth Benson will pose as her boyfriend on social media, maybe Nick will leave her alone. Sandra adores Garth, but she doesn't want any more ties to Edgarville. Now finished with a decade of dedicated service as her mother's caregiver, Sandra is planning her exit from this one-stoplight town.

Garth is firmly rooted in Edgarville with the family monument business and a trophy shop that will need a "mom" to his "pop." Garth has wanted Sandra ever since he slugged Nick more than ten years ago. Her secrets run deep, as do the strengths that he admires within her, but whenever he tries to move their casual flirtations from talk to dating, she backs away.

Small town life has strangled Sandra as effectively as Nick tried to when they were in high school. Garth might be the one man who can protect her from Nick, but what he expects in return is too much. On top of that, her deceased father’s unexpected appearance in the mirror of her new home exposes long-held secrets that will change Sandra's view of her family and hometown forever.

When the last tie holding her to Edgarville is cut, Sandra runs as fast as she can, but the world outside her small-town community isn’t all she expects.

READ AN EXCERPT

“Look, I don’t want to tell you what to do,” he started.

She chuckled. “Oh, yes you do.” She crossed her arms and faced him. “Let’s hear it.”

“For starters, you need to file a complaint,” he told her. “Against Nick.”

“And what good would that do, unless Micah or PJ wants to follow me around town all day every day? Nick isn’t the type to be deterred.”

“It makes your case for the next time he comes after you. Or, I could take him hunting,” Garth said, one eyebrow raised, “and arrange for an accident.”

He was probably kidding, but she didn’t like the aggressive male testosterone manifesting itself. Fists or guns, both could be lethal.

Had Nick killed Tammy?

Sandra rose from the bed and stared Garth down. He didn’t move.

“I’m not stupid enough to go to jail for killing him,” he clarified.

“I’ll file the complaint,” she said. “You said for starters. What else? Might as well tell me what else you think I’m too stupid to come up with on my own.”

“I never said you were stupid.”

She knew she sounded unreasonable but she couldn’t help herself. This had been one hell of a day so far. “What else?” she asked.

“Find someone who can translate the journal for you. You could track down an old business teacher at the high school, or someone who could point you the right direction.”

She shook her head. “No can do, big guy. Whatever’s in the journal is private. I don’t want the whole town to know my mother’s business.” Especially if her mother did have an affair, or affairs. “Keep going. You’re on a roll.”

MEET THE AUTHOR

Karla Brandenburg is the author of contemporary romance, including her award-winning paranormal MIST series. Raised on the gothic romances of Victoria Holt and the horror of Stephen King, she is an avid reader and is a member of the Romance Writers of America. Karla is a card-carrying cookie-holic, enjoys baking and travel.

Connect with Karla:

Web page: https://www.KarlaBrandenburg.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKarlaBrandenburg
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AuthorKarlaB

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