Carmen Peone’s Write of Honor
Multi-published author Carmen Peone recently stopped by to share about her writing life.
Why did you start writing romantic suspense novels?
I wrote the Seven Tine Ranch Romance series to honor my niece, who was a victim of domestic violence and abuse, and was a victim of murdered and missing indigenous women. We lost her in 2009 at the age of 23. After years of grief, I had to write about it in some way to honor her and all the women who are victims of abuse and DV. My goal is to bring awareness and help women seek safety. For anyone who needs assistance, there is a resource page on my website.
What’s the hardest part of writing romantic suspense?
For this series, I had to relive the court proceedings over and over. I cried a lot, but that helped with the healing process. My grief and sorrow for her mother drove me to do what I can to help other women. People need to know that abuse of any kind is not love.
How do you research ways to kill someone for your books?
For this series, my research came from real life. Though for Renewed Hope, I had my neighbor, a former Colville Tribal Police Officer, help me with police and task force procedures to assist my heroine’s efforts to find her young kidnapped son.
How do you come up with titles for your books?
For this series, my titles are not of the normal romance genre. I based them on the stages of abuse and healing, especially through Christ. I have an in-depth explanation on my blog.
How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic suspense novels?
Since the tragedy occurred on the Colville Reservation, I set the Seven Tine Ranch on this rez. The ranch connects the series as it becomes a safe place for women in need. I included three different women from three different reservations, two in which we have family, and one because it’s the home of the Pendleton Round-Up, a special place for First Americans.
What has been most rewarding about writing romantic suspense?
The idea of bringing hope in Jesus is the most rewarding about writing the Seven Tine Ranch Romance series. In fiction, DM and abuse is not a popular read, especially in the Christian community, but the days of talking about hard topics are over. Love is bringing awareness, help, healing, and hope to those in hard situations. There is forgiveness, grace, and mercy in Jesus. We all need those three attributes. We all need His love, help, and healing.
What’s your go-to when you need a pick-me-up to keep writing?
Easy. I saddle up and hit the trail. Or the water as I live a few miles from Lake Roosevelt. In the winter, I exercise or go for a walk. Or better, trek down to the barn and love on my horses. I also enjoy spending time with my grandkids.
About Carmen
Award-winning author Carmen Peone lives with her tribal husband, Joe, on the Colville Confederated Indian Reservation in Northeast Washington. She gathered cultural knowledge from family and elders and studied the language and various cultural traditions and legends under the late Marguerite Ensminger. She is a horse and photography enthusiast. With a degree in abnormal psychology, the thought of writing never entered her mind, until she married her husband and they moved to the reservation after college. She came to love the people and their heritage and desires to create a legacy for her family and loves to write inspirational stories of hope, healing, & horses that lead to happily ever after.
Connect w/Carmen
Website: http://carmenpeone.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarmenEPeone/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/carmenpeone
Instgram: https://www.instagram.com/jcpeone/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/carmenpeone/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carmen-peone
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4862063.Carmen_Peone
Can they find her son in time?
Sophie Cayes is on the road to success as an artist. Until her ex-husband threatens to sue for full custody of their son. Upon learning of a guest ranch in Eastern Washington that keeps a room open for women in need, she grabs her son and bolts.
Although Chad Davis loves starting colts on the Seven Tine Guest Ranch, his goal is to have his own spread. Everything’s on course until a woman and her preschool son show up. He’s not thrilled about helping out. Until the boy comes up missing. On his watch.
Along with a tribal cop, they head back to Montana in search of the boy, knowing his dad was the one who kidnapped him. Sophie prays they find him before her ex-husband and his new wife go on the run. Taking her son with them.
