Today we are getting to know award-winning author Carmen Peone. In today’s author interview, we will learn a bit about Carmen Peone’s writing process, how she weaves in the American West, and her cultural knowledge to her main character! After reading the first book in her Seven Tine Ranch series (read my book review of Captured Secrets) I was well and truly hooked on her attention to detail and her use of horses to craft a clean romance novel; I am looking forward to reading Broken Bondage (book 2) and book three Renewed Hope (book 3 which releases in February 2024).
A little about Carmen Peone
Carmen Peone is an award-winning author of Young Adult and Inspirational Contemporary Western Romantic. She worked with a Tribal Elder, Marguerite Ensminger, for three years learning the Arrow Lakes Language and various cultural traditions, which led to her writing career. 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. With the love of history and the Western woman’s lifestyle, she weaves threads of healing, hope, and horses into her stories that lead to happily ever after. She lives with her husband in northeast Washington and on the Colville Confederated Indian Reservation.
Connect with Carmen by visiting carmenpeone.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Let’s dive into getting to know this Pacific Northwest author
Which of your Published or Unpublished books is your favorite, and why?
My favorite book that I’ve written will released on February 6, 2024. It’s my best writing to date, and I love the characters and setting. The story begins in Polson, Montana— a beautiful region. The book is also partially set on the Colville Reservation in Washington State, where I live.
How do you pick your character’s personalities or looks?
My character’s personalities have to ring true to the cowboy and Indigenous way of life. They have to be strong yet tender, and skilled. If they own stock, they need to have cattle and horse sense. If they are not Western, I try to match their personalities to their profession. I enjoy tough characters, but I also enjoy humor, wit, and characters who are gentle when they need to be.
What is your favorite genre to read? What is your favorite genre to write? And why are they your favorites?
I love to read and write romance. I especially enjoy Westerns, both historical and contemporary, because it’s in part the life I live. I have horses and though I don’t have cattle, my neighbors do and one of my sons did. I have helped herd cattle, which is truly an experience worth living. Moving a herd of mommas, calves, and a bull or two is exciting and peaceful. Peaceful because it’s a slow pace. It’s also beautiful when in the mountains and near streams, wildflowers, and wildlife.
What inspires you the most?
Nature inspires me the most. Though I was raised near a city, I dreamed of living in the country. When I married, we moved to my husband’s reservation. It’s like camping every day! It’s quiet, and our nearest neighbor is just over half a mile away. Riding horses in the woods or mountains jumpstart my creative juices. Especially in the spring when wildflowers are in full bloom and the air is clean, cool, and fresh.
Once an idea takes root, how long does it take you to write it down? Do you use outlines?
Not long at all! I have pages of book ideas. When I’m ready to start a new book or series, I nail down my character’s fear, lie they believe, goal, dream, dark moment story, wound, and what they are good at, which helps them save the day. Then I outline a timeline before starting to write. Doing all the prep work first allows for faster writing.
Do you have a favorite author? Or someone whom you would say has influenced your writing style?
I have three favorite authors: Mary Connealy, Colleen Coble (I got to meet these remarkable ladies this year at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference!), and Susan May Warren (who is one of my mentors). They have all influenced my writing and my voice in one way or another.
What are your hobbies other than writing?
As you know, I love horses. I also enjoy reading, nature photography (I create and sell photo cards), and my twelve grandkids, who I absolutely adore.
Do you have a genre that you would never write?
I will never write horror. I can’t stand to watch those types of movies. I don’t like creepy or scary things. At all!
What is one thing you would say has had the biggest impact on your writing?
Giving my work to the Lord has had the greatest impact on my writing. Every book is His. I pray before I write, no matter what it is, and ask God to bless my writing and everyone who reads my books.
Lastly, what was your favorite book growing up?
My favorite book growing up was…Black Beauty! Are you surprised?
One other favorite thing is to meet new readers. They can sign up for my newsletter and Connect with Carmen. When they do, they will receive my novella, Gentling the Cowboy as a thank-you gift.
Thank you so much for coming to my blog today Carmen Peone! I enjoyed getting to know you better.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Broken Bondage by Carmen Peone, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Title: Broken Bondage
Series: Seven Tine Ranch #2
Author: Carmen Peone
Publisher: Iron Stream Fiction
Release Date: October 3, 2023
Genre: Inspirational Western Romantic Suspense
A Road Trip to Redemption
Rita Runninghorse is about to marry the wrong guy. She has to get away from him. Now. She flees to a guest ranch in Eastern Washington State that offers a safe haven for women in need only to find the owner on a month-long speaking tour.
Robert Elliot has one thing on his mind: bronc riding. The Indian National Finals Rodeo is within reach, and he’s not about to let anything ruin his chances of going pro. Not even the woman he finds asleep in the stall of their rankest horse.
When Rita’s fiancé discovers where she’s hiding out, she takes Robert’s offer to go with him on the road and prays her fiancé gives up the hunt. Saddled together, Rita and Robert must rely on each other as they go on the road to keep her alive.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub
More in This Series
After her parents die in a horrific car accident, Sydney Moomaw is thrust into running their guest ranch in eastern Washington. She soon discovers that her parents were keeping secrets. Why is the ranch in serious debt? Why did her parents allow the insurance to lapse? Why didn’t they tell her about it? And where are their wills? Sydney needs to figure out a way to save the ranch she loves before her sister sells it.
Photographer Trey Hardy arrives at the ranch the same day Sydney’s parents are killed. His working-vacation plans change when he decides to help Sydney save her ranch. But, his offers to help are met with resistance. Her stubbornness and independence are both maddening and alluring.
Amid the tangle of finances, tensions with her sister, and her own grief and anger, Sydney begins receiving threatening notes. They must be from her abusive ex-husband, but he’s in jail. Isn’t he? When a teenager appears at the ranch insisting she is Sydney’s daughter, Sydney finally realizes she’s going to have to start trusting people to help her. Will Trey’s plan work? Can they save her beloved ranch? Can she really have the life she’s dreamed of?
Giveaway!
(2) winners will win a signed copy of Broken Bondage, an $25 Amazon gift card, and photo cards that pertain to the series!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 10, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 17, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for prize as described. Winners outside of the US will receive an ebook of Broken Bondage only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
This sounds like something I’d love to read!
I enjoyed the interview.
Thank you for sharing