In the Past…
Reviews:
Welcome, today we are talking with Karen Michelle Nutt! I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy writing schedule to answer a few questions.
First, I think it’s important for readers to get a little insight on an author that they don’t necessarily get from your professional bio. You’d be surprised at what readers connect to, and sometimes the simplest ‘I can relate to that’ grabs their interest where nothing else can. Don’t answer anything you feel uncomfortable with.
What is your favorite:
Animal- My favorite animal is a cheetah. I’ve loved the beautiful sleek animal since I was a kid. When I blew out my candles on my birthday cake, I would wish for a cheetah for a pet. lol It wasn’t easy to find cheetah items back then but my grandmother painted a ceramic cheetah for me. The greenware was really a leopard but she painted it with the colors and markings of a cheetah. I still have the ceramic cheetah that she made for me with love.
Food- Peanut Butter is my favorite. I have at least one teaspoon of peanut butter a day. I used to carry a jar of Skippy’s Chunky Peanut Butter in my car when I was in college. Now I carry a jar with me to work.
Movie- I have so many movies that I love but I’ll share one I recently watched. It’s called Only Lovers Left Alive. This is a vampire movie, but none like any I’ve seen before. Wickedly smart and beautiful. There isn’t any gore or horror. The story explores the every day life of intelligent and ancient beings that have seen it all. And though the story is not fast-paced, I was mesmerized by the tale. It stars Tilda Swinton as Eve and Tom Hiddleston as Adam.
TV show- Depending on my mood, it could be anything from The Walking Dead to Shameless. Modern Family and Schitt’s Creek are two other series I enjoy. They just make me chuckle.
Actor- Since I was a teen, Richard Gere has been my all time favorite actor. Loved him in Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman and Sommersby, among other movies. Tom Hiddleston is one of my new favorite actors. Loved his acting in Thor, Crimson Peak and Only Lovers Left Alive, just to name a few.
Singer- Michael Hutchence is my all time favorite. Even though he’s gone, I still go back to listen to his music over and over again. Though there are other singers that I enjoy their music too, Hutchence remains at the top of the list.
Author- There are so many that the list could go on and on, but if I must choose, I’ll go with Diana Gabaldon. I’ve read her books and reread them again and then listened to them on audible too. I rarely reread anything. I met Ms. Gabaldon once at a Scottish Festival in California. She was signing her 4th book in the series. This was way before all the hype about her books had really taken off. To think I only ordered her first three books in the series because I needed to fulfill my Doubleday Book Club obligation.
What are your pet peeves? California is known for its crazy-fast highways. It really irks me when a driver cuts me off then slows down so they can make a right turn. I’ve had drivers make a right turn from the left lane. You can imagine my frustration. lol
Who is your hero? I’m not really sure I have one hero. I think of character traits that I admire in people rather than think of any one person as my hero.
Give us one thing on your bucket list. I’d like to one day explore Scotland and its beauty and see firsthand where some of the myths and legends first originated. Of course, I’ll have to visit Loch Ness and see if I can spot the Loch Ness Monster.
What would readers find surprising about you? Even though I love ghost stories and I could tell you a few of my own, I’m the biggest skeptic there is. I first believe there are natural explanations for the ghost sightings and even if it seems there are no logical explanations, I believe sometimes there just aren’t enough details to completely explain them away. However, I truly want to believe and one day I’m hoping there is enough evidence to disprove all debunkers.
If you could go to heaven, who would you visit? Besides visiting my dad, I’d like to have a long chat with Michael Hutchence about music and whatever else comes to mind. 🙂
Any bad habits? I drink way too much coffee. I’m drinking a cup as I’m writing this. I love a cup of the brew in the morning, at lunch, then another cup at dinner…. Who am I kidding? I love it any ‘ol time.
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you? Like most writers, I have a day job too. Mine happens to be at a dental office. A few years back, one of the girls told me a patient was interested in taking a ghost tour that I had taken in the past and wanted some details about it. I went into the room where the patient was seated and waiting to see his hygienist. I proceeded to tell him about the ghost tour, all the details and how fun it was. I kept thinking why was he staring at me as if I’d lost my mind, but then he thanked me and took the brochure I handed him. It wasn’t until I went up front and told the girls what had happened that they informed me I had gone into the wrong room. It was another patient who had the same first name that was interested in the ghost tour. I went back and explained to the patient what had happened and we both had a good laugh over it. He said he didn’t want to be impolite and tell me he had no idea why I was informing him about ghost tours when all he wanted was his teeth cleaned. However, he did say the information I gave him made him curious enough to check it out.
Now that our readers know a little bit more about Karen Michelle Nutt, let’s get down to the business of your new Oct 22 release, End of the Road. How long did it take you from beginning to end before your novel was completely finished, and how did you decide on the topic and title?
It took me nine month from start to finish.
I’ve always loved ghost stories and wanted to tell one of my own. Since music and summer concerts are a passion of mine, I also wanted to stay with the rock and roll theme like in my story Two Worlds Collided. My ghost became Lars Gunner, lead singer to the popular band, Silent Plaids. Since the tale is a rock star themed story, the title is a song title and all the chapter titles are from my playlist for End of the Road.
Please tell us a little bit about End of the Road.
Lars Gunner, the frontman for Silent Plaids, died 23 years ago and his death was ruled an unfortunate accident. Despite the fact he can’t recall what happened to him in his last moments of life, he is convinced he was murdered. He has been trapped in limbo until his daughter, Cecilia, unearths his journal and is able to see him. She seeks help from Kaleb, a psychic, but as they resurrect the past, the secrets and lies surrounding Lars’ rock and roll life just may be the death of them too.
What was your hardest challenge writing this book?
The hardest challenge was just finding the time to sit down and write. I have a family, pets and a day job that keep me hopping.
End of the Road is a rock star romance, and I noticed that your Two Worlds Collided is also a rock star romance. Are they connected in any way?
They are both standalone titles, but Bellamy Lovel, one of the lead characters in Two Worlds Collided, makes a guest appearance in End of the Road.
Two Worlds Collided is a RONE AWARD finalist for the best time travel; you must be so thrilled over that! I am delighted. It is a great honor to be nominated for a RONE AWARD. I’m still happy dancing.
Can you tell us a little bit about the book? Though Two Worlds Collided is a contemporary time travel romance with plenty of humor and steamy romantic moments, my fictional character, Bellamy struggles with addiction, depression, and suicide. They are all serious emotions that should never be overlooked. First and foremost, I hope the story comes across as heartwarming, fun and simply entertaining.
Evie Reid on a whim agrees to travel back in time to 1997 to change bad boy/rock star Bellamy Lovel’s path. She’s smart with a college degree, but she is still fan-girl crazy for the rock band, Civilized Heathens. Evie knows despite all Bellamy’s smiles and enthusiasm on the stage, he’s destined to end it all on one lonely night in a hotel room unless she can change his path.
Bellamy isn’t keen on having Evie as his personal assistant, hired by his bandmates to watch over him, and keep him on schedule. However, there is something about the woman that sparks his interest, despite his best to ignore her. When darkness threatens to consume him, he realizes she may be the only light that will chase the shadows away.
Any other works in progress? I’m working on another rock and roll themed tale. This is in the very early stages. It is about a woman who believes she is the reincarnation of a 80s rock star. There of course will be a mystery, a passionate romance and plenty of steamy kisses.
Any advice for aspiring authors? Be true to yourself. Write everyday even if you don’t feel inspired. Sometimes your quick thoughts can blossom into something more.
Final words? Thank you, Tory and Coffee Time Romance for letting me chat about my work. I love connecting with new readers and also letting my current readers know more about what’s new.
Thanks so much for hosting me. Much appreciated!