| From childhood up, Claire Anne Rayner has despised the man who’s like a brother and son to the rest of the Rayner House residents. But when she puts her musical training on hold and begins singing to the troops as a means of helping support and encourage them, she is pulled into a mysterious spy’s efforts to destroy a certain high-ranking man. Wills Mason is loved by everyone but Claire who cannot forgive him for his and her sister’s unmerciful, youthful teasing. But now, grown up and serving as a civilian spy, Wills must prove that Claire is not willingly relaying messages to the enemy, as his colonel believes, even when all evidence points that way. And can he prove he’s changed and can be trusted to cherish her heart as she deserves to be loved? Genre: Historical romantic suspense Release Date: October 15, 2020 Click here to get your copy! |  |
Interview with Carole
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
An older man we knew years ago who was thought to be a secret, U.S. civilian spy during WWII gave me the idea. That man never confessed whether he indeed was a spy, but the idea bloomed and became a three book series: The Spies of WWII.
An older man we knew years ago who was thought to be a secret, U.S. civilian spy during WWII gave me the idea. That man never confessed whether he indeed was a spy, but the idea bloomed and became a three book series: The Spies of WWII.
- Book One (With Music in Their Hearts) introduced the first spy and oldest red-haired daughter.
- Book Two (A Flute in the Willows) introduces red-headed sister two and her husband spy who serves both in Germany and then at home. Last...
- Book Three (Sing Until You Die) concludes this series with the youngest red-headed sister and the spy she both despises and loves.
 | #2. What drew you to write in this particular genre? I've loved mysteries and suspenseful books since a child. I grew up reading so many of the popular mystery books and bought them for my boys (who read before they went to school). As I grew older, I figured I'd be a detective, but I soon learned writing the mysteries and suspense was even better. Throwing in touches of romance sealed the deal. I'd found my true calling: writing. |
#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Forgiveness. The female protagonist, Claire Anne Rayner, just can not forgive the man who was like a brother and son to everyone in her family...except her. His teasing, along with her middle sister's, was the bane of her life. It was only when they were entangled in the spy search that things change, and Claire realizes that people aren't always who we thought they were. Hearts change. And forgiveness is the only way for self happiness.
Forgiveness. The female protagonist, Claire Anne Rayner, just can not forgive the man who was like a brother and son to everyone in her family...except her. His teasing, along with her middle sister's, was the bane of her life. It was only when they were entangled in the spy search that things change, and Claire realizes that people aren't always who we thought they were. Hearts change. And forgiveness is the only way for self happiness.
| #4. How did you name your characters? Lol. You'll be the first to read this confession. I've always loved England's Prince William's nickname that his mother called him: Wills. That was a given for my male protagonist, and I knew it from the first book on. Claire Anne's name just seemed to click. I loved the name Claire, and Anne spelled with an E fit the first name just fine. I imagined a young girl who was spoiled, talented and who knew her own mind. One who had something to learn, who yearned to matter and make a difference. |  |
#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
Psalm 91 is one of my favorites. I love how God will shelter us and protect us from the fiery darts of our enemy. I love that he is our protection, that he guides us and will always show us the way to go, the path to choose, and has the answers to our problems and questions.
He is our best friend, one who understands far better than anyone when we our troubled, concerned or anxious. He corrects us when we need it (because we are his children!) and lovingly forgives when we err. We can trust him because he does what he says, we can lean on Him because no one is mightier than he, we can believe Him because his word is true and he never lies.
Psalm 91 is one of my favorites. I love how God will shelter us and protect us from the fiery darts of our enemy. I love that he is our protection, that he guides us and will always show us the way to go, the path to choose, and has the answers to our problems and questions.
He is our best friend, one who understands far better than anyone when we our troubled, concerned or anxious. He corrects us when we need it (because we are his children!) and lovingly forgives when we err. We can trust him because he does what he says, we can lean on Him because no one is mightier than he, we can believe Him because his word is true and he never lies.
More from Carole
A Grip on the Story by Carole Brown
Unlike books one and two of The Spies of WWII series (With Music in Their Hearts and A Flute in the Willows), I couldn’t get a handle on where to go with Claire Anne Rayner and Wills Mason’s story in Sing Until You Die. I knew their names, knew their careers, but the plot evaded me until it was time to write the novel. And then…
Slowly the plot opened up:
- How Claire was using her career
- What was being asked of Wills by his colonel
- The conflict between the two main protagonists
- The protagonists’ personalities
- Who the spy was
- Why revenge was being sought by the foreign spy
The more I wrote, the more I loved these two faulty, but loveable characters. Were they perfect? No. Were they determined to do what they felt was their duty, what they knew was their calling? Yes and yes.
Claire, as a child and teenager, faced thoughtless and sometimes cruel teasings because of over zealousness from certain family and friends. In her youthful mind, she felt loathing for those hurting her and knew she’d never forgive those involved.
Wills, on the other hand, as a youth, was bound to prove he was one better than his best friend. Nothing was too dangerous or too extreme for him to try. No matter how others might feel…
Yet, through loving family and friends, these two grew into adulthood as caring, serious, and individuals determined to succeed in their separate pursuits. The only thing they needed to do was ask for forgiveness and forgive. Could they lay aside their accusations for each other and do it? Would they realize that past feelings and thoughts about the other might just be wrong?
I worked hard at showing the slow and sometimes painful process of their achieving that. But tying in the insidious spy, thrust these two adorable, but different, characters into each others’ lives. That brings about the question:
Claire, as a child and teenager, faced thoughtless and sometimes cruel teasings because of over zealousness from certain family and friends. In her youthful mind, she felt loathing for those hurting her and knew she’d never forgive those involved.
Wills, on the other hand, as a youth, was bound to prove he was one better than his best friend. Nothing was too dangerous or too extreme for him to try. No matter how others might feel…
Yet, through loving family and friends, these two grew into adulthood as caring, serious, and individuals determined to succeed in their separate pursuits. The only thing they needed to do was ask for forgiveness and forgive. Could they lay aside their accusations for each other and do it? Would they realize that past feelings and thoughts about the other might just be wrong?
I worked hard at showing the slow and sometimes painful process of their achieving that. But tying in the insidious spy, thrust these two adorable, but different, characters into each others’ lives. That brings about the question:
Will the web of deceit the mysterious German spy is weaving destroy their one chance of happiness
with each other, or can they both let go of the past and work together to bring the spy to justice?
with each other, or can they both let go of the past and work together to bring the spy to justice?
 Carole Brown | Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Carole is giving away the grand prize package of
a music-themed tote bag a 4-piece set of bird/flower coasters,
a $25 Amazon gift card, and a signed copy of Sing Until You Die!!
a music-themed tote bag a 4-piece set of bird/flower coasters,
a $25 Amazon gift card, and a signed copy of Sing Until You Die!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
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deb’s Book Review, January 6
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Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 13 (Author Interview)
Sara Jane Jacobs, January 13
Artistic Nobody, January 14 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 15
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 16
Pause for Tales, January 17
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 5 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 5
deb’s Book Review, January 6
Inklings and notions, January 7
Betti Mace, January 8
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 9
Texas Book-aholic, January 10
For Him and My Family, January 11
Connie’s History Classroom, January 12
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 13 (Author Interview)
Sara Jane Jacobs, January 13
Artistic Nobody, January 14 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 15
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 16
Pause for Tales, January 17
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