I’m thrilled to have Catherine Castle, Author of The Nun and the Narc, in the Blue Rose Writing Room today.
I’ve had the privilege of reading this captivating book. My review is posted on Amazon. Catherine, do you use a pen name?
Catherine Castle is my pen name. I thought it would be good to use a different name for each aspect of my writing, and because I also like the way the pen name sounds.
A little alliteration always works well. What’s the funniest thing anyone has ever said to you about your writing? Or the unkindest? Or the oddest?
I had a rejection letter once that said they were returning my manuscript WITHOUT thanks. Obviously a big typo—at least I hope it was a typo. After reading that I was glad they rejected me.
I’m chuckling. Ouch. That had to be a typo! Why did you choose to write in this genre? Have you ever written any other genre? Do you plan on doing so in the future?
I write romance because I believe in true love and think the world needs more of it. It doesn’t hurt that I’m living my own love story with my high school sweetheart husband of 43 years. I have written non-fiction for newspapers, magazines and children that span the gamut from human interest stories to news stories to fashion and even Sunday School curriculum. I’ve also written a gardener’s devotional book and coauthored some things with my husband. To say I’ll only write romance now that I’ve been published in it would be too limiting, in my opinion.
Ah, your high school sweetheart. Sigh. Tell us one unusual, weird, or curious fact you discovered while researching this book.
I discovered there are Mexican drug dealers whose religious faith (which seems a bit oxymoronical to me considering their line of work) involves the adoration of Jesus Malverde, a 19th-century bandit regarded by many as the special patron saint of drug dealers. Who knew drug dealers had a patron saint?
I certainly didn’t. What are you most proud of about your writing?
The words, “THE END.” Every time I type those words I have a sense of pride about what I’ve managed to accomplish.
Every author knows that feeling. It is pretty marvelous, isn’t it? How do you respond to negative reviews?
I hope I will respond graciously, realizing we are all individuals with our own opinions. I don’t like everything I read, so I certainly expect there may be readers who won’t like my book either. I just hope there aren’t too many. J
What is something you are determined to do?
Sell book number two.
I’m betting on it! What are you most afraid of?
Rats. I can’t look at movie sewer scenes involving rats. I have to cover my eyes and raise my feet off the floor.
Grinning here because I just put my hero in a dungeon with rats. Ugh! So, tell us, Catherine, do you have a favorite quote?
A man may work from sun-to-sun, but a woman’s work is never done. I’m always telling this to my husband.
Amen! Tell us something unusual, quirky, or odd about yourself?
I can read upside-not hanging upside down (although I could probably do that too until I passed out, if my knees would hold up), but looking at the words upside down.
I can too. I learned to do it while working with special education children .
Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!
Favorite Disney Character? Tinkerbell
Favorite Fruit? Watermelon
Favorite Hero? Indiana Jones
Favorite Eye color? Blue
Best Vacation destination? Disney World
Food you can’t stand? Cooked spinach
What annoys you? Garden weeds
Coffee, tea, or something else? Coffee and tea
Nightgown or Jammies? Nightgown
Prefer dogs or cats? Neither
Here’s a little something about Catherine
To see pictures of her garden, read her poems and blogs, connect with her, and follow her stop by her blog at http://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com or her author page on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/author/catherinecastle. She’d love to see you there.
Here’s a snippet about The Nun and the Narc
Nuns shouldn’t look, talk, act, or kiss like Sister Margaret Mary O’Connor—at least that’s what Jed Bond thinks. She hampers his escape plans with her compulsiveness and compassion and in the process makes Jed question his own beliefs. After years of walling up his emotions in an attempt to become the best agent possible, Sister Margaret is crumbling Jed’s defenses and opening his heart. To lure her away from the church would be unforgivable—to lose her unbearable.
Enjoy an excerpt from The Nun and The Narc
Margaret inched forward, hoping to hear what they were saying. A mariachi band nearby blared out a tune, the polka-like melody destroying any hope of eavesdropping. The shriek of off-key brass sent chills up her spine. She covered her ears and moved closer to Rafael and the stranger.
After a couple of minutes of conversation, the man removed an envelope from his jacket and pulled out a handful of bills. He folded them in half and then slipped them into Rafael’s extended hand. With a furtive glance around, Rafael moved closer to the man, blocking Margaret’s direct view, and handed something to the stranger.
A wave of apprehension swept over Margaret. The chapulinesshe’d snacked on earlier that morning threatened to see the light of day.
A drug deal! Of all the things Rafael could do, this was the worst.
Esperanza had fought so hard to keep her son away from bad influences. Now he appeared to be involved in the very thing she’d hated most. Margaret imagined Esperanza banging on the gates of purgatory, trying to get out and rescue her son.
She hesitated for a moment, hearing Mother Superior’s admonishment. Stay out of trouble while you are in Mexico, Sister.
Silencing the nagging voice in her head, Margaret charged forward, protective instincts in full swing.
Stopping Rafael and talking to him about the dangers of drugs surely wouldn’t qualify as trouble. Bluntness, maybe, but not trouble. It was more like saving. Yes, that’s it. I’m saving him.
Margaret grabbed Rafael by the shirt. “I’ve been searching for you, young man.” She faced the stranger, giving him her best withering stare. “You should be ashamed of yourself.”
The man stuffed the plastic bag into his jacket pocket. “Who is this?”
“Some crazy gringa.” Rafael shrugged, hard, trying to escape her grasp.
The plastic bag contained something white. Heroin? Cocaine? Margaret tightened her hold and drew Rafael closer. She would save him whether he wanted to be saved or not.
“Get out of here,” Rafael snarled.
“What would your mother say if she saw this?”
Rafael’s expression darkened. “Leave my mother out of this!” He wrenched out of Margaret’s grip and spun around to face her. His expression morphed from anger to fear. “¡Madre de Dios!”
The man’s head jerked around. “Get down!” he shouted.
Rafael took off running down the street as the top row of pottery in the stand exploded like popcorn.
Margaret jumped at the loud noise and whirled around searching for the source. The man removed a gun from his jacket, swung around, and scanned the area.
Margaret’s knees buckled at the sight of the handgun. Her body tensed, her gaze frozen on his weapon. He fired off a couple of shots. Heart thumping like a jackhammer, she ran for cover behind the open car door. The window glass shattered as bullets whizzed over her head. She scrambled into the car and crouched on the floorboard. Another row of pottery shattered, sending fragments into the car like tiny projectile rockets. Sending up a quick prayer, she covered her head.
Slamming the door shut as he passed, the man leapt over the trunk. He jerked open the driver’s door then jumped behind the wheel. Jamming the car into gear, he roared out into the market street. Shoppers and vendors screamed, leaping out of the car’s path.
Margaret scrambled into the passenger seat. “Stop this car immediately!”
“Keep down,” he ordered, “unless you want to get shot.”
The rear window glass erupted into the car’s interior, punctuating his words. The man fired at the attackers through the shattered back window.
“Shot?” Her voice rose an octave. “Oh, dear Lord in Heaven, what have I gotten into?”
“Trouble, Lady.” He fired off another round. “Big trouble.
Contact Catherine:
Buy Link: http://amzn.com/B00CHU9DH2
Catherine’s website: http://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com
Catherine’s blog: http://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com/blog/
Catherine’s Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/author/catherinecastle
Catherine’s Goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7085414.Catherine_Castle
Thanks again, Catherine, for visiting today.
