Twenty Questions with... Tiffany Carmouche

I am delighted to welcome Tiffany Carmouche onto my blog today, author of The Imposter and the newly released sequel, Obsession and Sacrifice, book two in The Alaska Trilogy.

I've actually been trying to post this for several days but got caught up with a new release, so here we go at last with another round of twenty questions as we try to get to know Tiffany that little bit better…

ACT ONE – all about you…

1) Have you always been a writer or is it something you fell into?

I have to say, hearing the voices inside my head is... maybe why I had no friends growing up... Now I pretend my insanity is my literary genius at work.

I do think that we are born with a sense of wonder, some of us let it die when we take on responsibility. Others of us vow to embrace the Peter Pan Syndrome and keep our imaginary friends forever! I think I have always been a writer. There was a time I did let that side of me die and it wasn’t until I began writing again did I realize how much of me I had let slip away.

2) Do you have a particular writing style or ritual?

I love to wrap a cover around me and sit on the bed in a quiet house with my laptop. I have no ritual although I think for fun I may have to develop one. When my muse is being sassy though, I do like to listen to music so maybe she will start dancing and loosen up and give me some inspiration.

3) Is there a book or an author that has influenced you in your writing?

It is really bad. I know you are going to hate me. But I don’t read a lot. I know I will be hung by my toe nails and stoned at dawn... I just don’t have time. I homeschooled my kids so when I read it was something educational. As far as inspiration, my father was an author. Growing up I would hear him make popcorn all the time on his typewriter. My mom was an artist. I think they let me realize at a young age that expressing yourself through the arts is important.

4) Is there one piece of writing (or life?) advice that has stuck with you, or that you would like to share?

My dad use to travel the country doing talks to schools and conferences. He made this big sign that said “What if?” How magic are those two words!? Anytime you are stumped ask yourself those two little words...the possibilities are endless. I have heard a lot of other authors using it nowadays, it makes me smile because I doubt they know where it began. The other thing is just do it. Your style is your own. Create. And don’t worry about perfection at first--just get your ideas down. Then go back and polish them once you have it all written.

5) Can you tell us three things about yourself that we probably don’t already know?

I’m a peanut...at least that is what Jenna Pizzi, author of the Destined Series, calls me. I’m 4’11. Yes, I’m a munchskin! Power to the short people!

I cry when I’m happy and sad. I am one of those pathetic people that cry during the Taster Choice coffee commercials.

I dream of going on a worldwide couch surfing tour! I would love to see the world (and our beautiful country for that matter). Do any of your readers have a couch they would like to offer J

6) What five luxury items or gadgets would you hate to be without?

Internet!

Electricity – We so take it for granted!

My computer-my baby!

My phone

My car

ACT TWO – all about your new release…

7) Congratulations on your recent release of Obsession and Sacrifice. I have read online that the character for Nicole was by inspired by your own experiences; what can you tell us about her?

Yes, Nicole’s character is naive, sassy and hard headed and adventurous like me.

8) Did the story (so far!) flow from your finger tips or did some scenes take a bit of cajoling?

I don’t write when I don’t feel an inspiration. There is too many other things that I need to do. I would say that it flowed from my finger tips when the muse struck.

9) How long did it take for the initial spark of the story to make it onto the page?

I began writing during the Nano Challenge. So I wrote the first book in a month-the second in 3 because I was still working through edits of the first. For beta readers and edits it took 13 months for both books in total from inspiration to being published. (There is a lot of down time during Beta readers and edits that you just twiddle your thumbs and wait J )

10) Do you have a favourite paragraph or sentence that you would like to tantalise us with?

Sneak peak Obsession and Sacrifice ©2012 Tiffany Carmouche

“ ...My lips parted, too shy to say how much I wanted it, but hoping he would try again.

The moisture in his eyes glistened with the light of the flame, but he quickly wiped it away.

“You’re alive,” he whispered, almost as if he didn’t believe it. “You’re alive.”

As he gazed at my lips, a tingle entered my stomach, replacing the annoying growl. He leaned in to kiss me, but I had no idea who this sexy stranger was and a kiss could open doors I wasn’t ready to enter, even though his lips looked so appetizing...”

11) Over to you, what can you tell us about The Alaska Trilogy, to make us rush out and buy the first two instalments?

(I have more than twenty 5 star reviews) I thought I would share some instead.

"At first, I wasn't sure if I would like this book (The Impostor) because it's a romance novel, or so I thought. This book is so much more than just a romance novel. It is perfectly written. I was in tears at one point. Throughout the whole story I was on the edge of my seat, yelling (in my head) at the characters. BAMM!! Shit goes down. You’re now at the end of the book left with the biggest cliffhanger ever. Luckily for me, I had book two sitting next in line.”~ Justine Vandale

“The Impostor ...was fast paced and intriguing, sucking me in from the moment that I began reading it. If every author’s debut novel was this amazing, there would be millions of best sellers. That’s how impressed I was with this book. The characters were amazing and fleshed out, avoiding the cliché moments that most characters seem to find themselves in these days. And can I just say, Dylan is WOAH! He’s my new book boyfriend. Don’t get any ideas. There’s suspense, romance, mystery...this book has it all. No matter what genre you normally read, you will definitely enjoy this book. I have been in a book funk lately, unable to really find a book that could make me forget where I am, but this book did that for me.”~ Review done by R&M Fab Book Reviews

“Obsession and Sacrifice was a riveting story that tugged at my heart even more. It simply blew me away. I haven't read any of Tiffany's book until I read this series. Her writing is so beautiful and so read that I can't wait to read her other books now. Obsession and Sacrifice picks up right where The Impostor left off. This story was beautifully crafted and well thought out. I was so enthralled with the story that I had no clue what was going on around me. I was drawn into the story and felt everything the characters felt. It was as if I was right there with them the whole time. I loved that about this book!!!”

“There were so many twists and turns in this book that it left me breathless.” ~Kristina Snyder

“Obsession and Sacrifice is a romantic suspense of epic proportions.” ~Becky Johnson

“…A crazy thrill ride and I never want to get off.” ~Justine Vandale

“Awaiting breathlessly for number three.” Liz DiMaggio

“…Outstanding romance, intrigue, suspense & action.” ~Nicki Wilson

“Intrigue, Deception, Romance and the beauty of the rugged Alaskan landscape…are the settings for Tiffany Carmouche’s masterpiece of writing.” ~ Theresa Stuart

12) What can we expect from you next? Is there something you are working on right now, or is it all about getting the third book of the trilogy written?

I am working on the third book in the trilogy. And I am writing Out of the Shadows. It is about people overcoming abusive situations to give hope to the people who are still trying to break free. (I am accepting submissions from people who have escaped an abusive situation) You can expect some of my poetry out this year and some spin offs of this series. I have a lot of ideas that are ready to be written it is just finding the balance between living life and writing about it. I like to do both. Imagine that J

QUICK FIRE ROUND – it’s pop quiz time…

13) Plotter or pantser?

Both J Sorry it depends on the muse for the day J

14) Secret Seven or Famous Five? (please tell me you know them!?)

I don’t L

15) Digital books or print books?

Print, there is nothing like curling up in bed or in front of a fire with a paperback!

16) Tea or coffee?

Coffee!

17) Cats or dogs?

I have both. Racoons are my favorite and I really would love a horse or a Big cat like a tiger. That would be awesome!

18) Extrovert or introvert?

Both. It really depends where I am, and who I am around.

19) Save or spend?

Ask me that again when I have a fortune lol.

20) Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook, although I want to get the hang of twitter I haven’t yet. I look forward to jumping into that world as well. I hear only good things!

And that’s a wrap!

Thank you so much for taking part, Tiffany, I wish you every success with your series and must say, I’m intrigued, so I will be adding them to my TBR list.

To find out even more about Tiffany, and keep up with her projects, you can visit her at:

Website     Fan Club     Facebook

Buy it now...

Goodreads:
The Imposter, A Love Story

Obsession and Sacrifice 

The Imposter, A Love Story:
Amazon (ebook)
Amazon (paperback)
Barnes & Noble

Obsession and Sacrifice:
Amazon (ebook)