Pamela S Thibodeaux ~ "Inspirational with an Edge!"

Good Morning Friends,

Today is a special spotlight with friend and fellow author, Carol Ann Erhardt with her latest book, Trapped.

Inspirational romantic suspense writer, Carol Ann Erhardt, touches the hearts and emotions of her readers. Fans categorize her books as emotional, suspenseful and inspirational. Carol Ann spent her early writing years working at a corporate job and writing late at night. Her first novels, contemporary romantic suspense, sold well, but she didn’t feel fulfilled—in fact, felt as if she’d compromised on what her heart wanted to write. She began praying for God’s guidance in her writing. In the quiet solitude of prayer, God showed her the path He wanted her to take. Her third novel was an inspirational romantic suspense. Now she writes each and every day hoping to bring messages of hope, happiness, and inspiration to those who read her novels. She gives all the glory to God. Find out more about Carol Ann by visiting her website.

She’s a woman who doesn’t trust cops. He’s a cop. She’s determined to keep her past a secret. He’s determined to find out what she’s hiding.

High school bus driver, Summer Grant, flees from death threats and winds up trapped in Havens Creek, a small town not far enough away from danger. With a broken leg and no transportation, she is forced to accept the hospitality of strangers. Staying with the police chief’s sister and five-year-old daughter in an isolated mountain home might be the ideal place for her to hide until she can get back on her feet, but if the man she’s hiding from learns her whereabouts, no one will be safe.

Havens Creek Police Chief, Jake Taylor, always protects his own. He feels duty-bound to help Summer when she ends up in his small town claiming she has no family. He has a soft spot for strays, but this two-legged one is hiding something, and he’s determined to solve the mystery. An unwanted attraction draws them together. Evil threatens to rip them apart.

Trapped, Book One in Havens Creek Series can be purchased at Amazon.com.

Now....a word from Carol Ann.....


I’m often asked where I get ideas for my books or characters. Every author’s process is different. Some are great plotters who spend months outlining and character sketching prior to beginning the actual writing process.


There are places you can learn about various plotting and organizing tactics, programs which will do this for you as you fill in the basics…none of these work for me.


When writing TRAPPED, my first vision was of a woman who loved animals and spent her days caring for the ones others had abandoned. Slowly this idea turned into a man with these characters, a man who had another profession which required him to be strong and protective. Thus, Jake Taylor was born. Jake is the Chief of Police in Havens Creek, a small mountain community in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. He was once married and his wife died in a car accident after they had a bitter argument. Now he carries the burden of guilt even though he couldn’t have prevented what happened.


He has a sister and niece he loves and feels extremely protective of…sometimes too much. And he is a man who rescues abandoned animals and cares for them.


So I had a main character and some secondary characters. Now I needed a good plot and a heroine. In reading a newspaper article about a tragic school bus accident, the plot for TRAPPED was born. Summer Grant, a lonely woman with a lot of baggage, became the school bus driver. The accident was not her fault…the death of the high school football star was not her fault…but the angry father of the boy needed someone to blame.


Thus began the intricate weaving of plot to bring Summer and Jake together. Jake’s sister, Becca, was a big part of this story and as TRAPPED drew to a end, I knew I had to write another book and feature Becca to give her a happily ever after as well.


The second book in the Havens Creek series will be published in June 2012 and the third book in December 2012.


God has also laid on my heart to write a very difficult series on forgiveness around a tragedy that would destroy a “forever” kind of friendship. This three book series hopefully will be out in 2013. There is no great blessing than being an author who is employed by God!

Hope you enjoyed this spotlight!

Until later...take care & God Bless.
PamT