Novel Reaction

Novel Reaction is so excited to be doing its first interview with Love Inspired Historical author Carla Capshaw! First, let’s get to know Carla a little better, Florida native Carla Capshaw always dreamed of being a writer and world traveler, she followed her wanderlust around the globe before beginning work on her first novel. A two-time Rita nominee, she’s found inspirational historical romance is the perfect vehicle to combine lush settings, vivid characters and a Christian worldview. Currently at work on her next novel, she still lives in Florida, but is always planning her next trip…and plotting her next story. Carla loves to hear from readers.  You can learn more at http://www.carlacapshaw.com/.  To contact her, visit her Web site or write: Carla@carlacapshaw.com. __________________ NR: What is your favorite genre to write? Carla: I love writing Inspirational Historical Romances.  I enjoy researching various eras and imagining what life was like for the people of those times. NR: How old were you when you wrote your first book? Carla: Hmm…I don’t remember exactly.  I do remember when I began my first Historical.  I was 31 years old and it was May 1, 2002. NR: Why did you start writing and what inspired you to become a writer? Carla: When I was ten years old, I watched a television mini-series about Marco Polo.  From learning about Marco, I fell in love with the whole idea of traveling the world and writing books along the way.  As I grew up, Historical romances were my favorite reading material.  My favorite subject was History.  I loved learning about other cultures, the past and imaging the lives of the people in different eras.   So, when I decided I really did want to concentrate on writing novels, it just made sense to put all my favorite elements together.  I’m just blessed there are so many other people who seem to love Inspirational Historical Romances as well. NR: What is your favorite genre to read? Carla: Romance, definitely.  I love happy endings and I love the journey the hero and heroine have to take to earn their happiness even more. NR: Who is your favorite author or favorite book to read? Carla: My favorite book is the Bible.  I love its Author, too.  J   Another favorite book is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.  My favorite Romance is Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. NR: This month the theme for NovelReaction.com is American Historical, when you think of American Historical what time period does this bring to mind? What inspired you to write during the American Revolution? Carla: I think the American Historical stretches from Colonial times (1600s) to World War 2.  For me, I immediately think of the Revolutionary War.  I love everything about that time period.  I never get over the magnitude of what forbearers did for us.  The sacrifices they made, the upheaval and loss they suffered to win our freedom is just amazing to me. NR: You have a new novel being released this month, would you like to tell us a little bit about it? Carla: The Protector is set in 81 AD.  It’s a sequel to my first published novel, The Gladiator.  The hero and heroine are Quintus and Adiona.  Quintus is a Christian who was sentenced to death for his beliefs.  While waiting for execution, he was sold to a slave trader, then to a gladiator school.  He’s trying to earn his freedom and return to his hometown to make sure his son, who died just before Quintus’s trial, received a proper burial, since funeral rites were paramount to first century people.  Adiona is a socialite, who hides a lifetime of pain behind a mask of indifference and a lot of attitude.  She has good reasons to hate men and has sworn them off for good.  Unfortunately for her, she can’t shake her attraction to Quintus.  Quintus is hugely attracted to Adiona, but doesn’t want anything to do with her.  His marriage was miserable and Adiona reminds him of his wife, who committed suicide after the death of their son. When someone tries to assassinate Adiona, Quintus is made her bodyguard.  Adiona has to leave Rome and Quintus accompanies her for protection.  Away from the intrigues of Rome and the differences in their social status, they’re finally able to learn the truth about one another and what’s really important to each of them. NR: Anything else you would like to add? Carla: I want to thank you for letting me visit with you today.  I love hearing from readers and if they’d like to contact me, they can at: Carla@carlacapshaw.com.  I can also be found on most of the social networks like Facebook and Goodreads. Finally, as with all author visits, Carla has given us a view of “where the magic happens” for her. Thank you Carla for joining us and we look forward to reading your next novels.