Monday, September 14, 2015

Interview: Allyson Carter, author of Hearts Undone

Welcome Allyson Carter to the blog today! She writes romantic suspense for the Christian book market. Today is your time to learn all about her new novel Hearts Undone

I hope you will enjoy this interview with Allyson. If you'd like to buy her book, there are purchase links at the end of this blog post. Enjoy! 

*Words from Alexis in bold, words from Allyson not in bold...

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Alexis: Congrats on your latest novel, Hearts Undone! Now that it’s published and available for purchase, how do you feel? 


Allyson: That’s a loaded question. I feel excited and nervous, and I’m sure a million other emotions!

Why did you write Hearts Undone?


It was one of those books that came to me and I had to write it down. It wouldn’t let go of me. I rewrote this book a total of six times before it was right.

What message are you sending to your readers in this book?

How life is messy. I aim for showing imperfection in my books and how God fixes that. How we need Him to come in and fix us, because no one else can. I also tackle how believers can stumble and how God is waiting there with open arms. I hope they take away of how great God is, and that His hand is in every situation.

What or who was the inspiration for your main characters?

The singer JoJo was my inspiration for Shelby and Chris Young for Mark.

What was the most challenging aspect of crafting the storyline for this book?

The learning to add faith into my writing and making sure it flowed just right. This was my first book written, well, I should say rewritten as a Christian book. I came over from a different genre.

Tell us about your heroine Shelby. Why did you choose her name? What makes Shelby happy? What brings the most pain? Share the deepest desire of Shelby’s heart.


She came to me with that name. I didn’t have a chance to choose a name for her. God, her best friend and her family make Shelby happy. What brings Shelby the most pain are her past mistakes and the way she let God down. God is Shelby’s heart’s desire, along with her family. She also loves to help out the teens in her community.

What does Shelby think of the hero when she first meets him and is her first impression the lasting impression?

She thought he was a softie. He comes off edgier than he really is. Yes, she was pretty right about him even way back.

Tell us about your hero Mark. Describe his looks, his heart’s desire and why he’s introduced into Shelby’s life.

Mark is six-foot-three with denim-blue eyes and broad shoulders. His black hair trimmed in a crew cut. His heart’s desire is to help others, that’s why he went into the military.

How long have Mark and Shelby know each other? How does he help her?

Mark and Shelby have known each other since they were little. He was introduced to her when she was born. Mark helps Shelby because he’s there when danger comes. He doesn’t hesitate to keep Shelby and her daughter safe. He protects them.

How does Mark help Shelby heal from the pain of her past?


He doesn’t realize it at first but God is using him. He reminds her of the woman she used to be. He shows her that with God’s help she can trust again.

Mark is determined to protect and perhaps even fight for Shelby and her daughter Hannah, even to “his last breath” as it states in your book summary. Why does Mark feel so fiercely protective of these two females?

Deep down he’s always felt protective of Shelby. He doesn’t want someone to hurt her. She’s innocent. When he finds out it is someone from his past. He feels he must protect them. It is who he is deep to his core.

What role does faith in God play in Hearts Undone?

It is a big part. Both of them are believers. Mark has taken a step back and Shelby knows she’s nothing without God.

How does your Christian worldview as an author affect your fictional story world and the lives of your characters in Hearts Undone?

It plays a big part. They have to rely on God in some dangerous situations. He’s the only way they’d make it out alive. I try and weave that into both of their lives, even if they’re fighting against God to come back.

What did you love the most about writing Hearts Undone?

I loved that it was a fresh start for me. It was like new life was being put into me, as I was able to write and not hide who I am as a believer anymore.

What’s your elevator pitch for Hearts Undone?

Shelby may lose more than her heart. Hearts Undone is "Criminal Minds" meets Sweet Home Alabama.

Complete this sentence: You should read Hearts Undone because
_____________________________________________.

You should read Hearts Undone because it is a story that shows how powerful our God is, even when we fall down and make mistakes, he can use them for His glory.

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Author bio: 
Allyson writes Edgy Christian romance and suspense novels. In her books, readers will find emotionally stirring story lines, as well a compelling mixture of suspense and faith. She resides in Missouri with her loving husband and four wonderful children, and three cats. When not spending time with her family, you can find her knitting, and watching perhaps a few way too many suspense and reality television shows.


Blurb for Hearts Undone:
After a bitter divorce, Shelby Johnson is looking to rebuild a life for herself and her daughter, Hannah, while avoiding the thing she mistrusts most: men. Her resolve is tested, however, when her brother’s best friend, Mark, moves in across the street and her long-buried feelings for him rise to the surface. Can she open up her heart again? When someone threatens her life, she realizes that her heart isn’t the only thing on the line. She turns to the only man she feels she can trust.

Mark Daniels returns to his hometown to solve a crime committed in the military. When he gets caught up in Shelby's troubles, he knows she needs someone to protect her, but can he be that man? Being around her again is forcing him to face the way he feels—something he’d rather not do. When his past comes to haunt him, he vows to protect Shelby and her daughter until his last breath.

Through God's love, Shelby and Hannah find their way into Mark's heart. Will there be room for God too?

Buy Allyson's book:

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