1--What is the title of your latest release?
THE TAKEDOWN
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
An undercover CIA agent is sent home to investigate her sister's criminal fiancé but the last thing she expects is to fall in love with his bodyguard along the way!
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I spent some of my middle school and high school years in a small, coastal Maine town. I always thought it would be the perfect holiday setting. When I started writing THE TAKEDOWN Maine was a no-brainer. The snow, the sea, what’s not to love?
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely! She has lots of stories to tell.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Hard-shelled, capable, funny. (I know, that’s four words!)
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
The types of crimes that mob families usually commit—and the locations of the best Christmas tree farms in Maine!
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit constantly while drafting. It makes for a slower process, but I love a good, clean first draft.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
There is nothing better than baked camembert with cranberry and walnuts.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I write by a window, overlooking my side garden, with my American dingo snoozing at my feet. My office is filled with Berkley Romance novels, colorfully shelved.
10--Who is an author you admire?
Louise Penny. We write quite different things. However, I used to work as a bookseller at an indie store in North Carolina, and Louise is an author I’ll always remember for her graciousness, genuineness, and joy. She may never know it, but one conversation with her had a profound impact on my life. She made me believe in a better, brighter future.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
So many! But Where the Red Fern Grows is the first book that gave me a visceral, gut-wrenching reaction. Up until that point, I didn’t know that books could make you cry. A revelation!
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
A lot of the process happened in stages, over email—but I remember speaking on the phone with my US agent, Pete Knapp, during the eight-way US auction for The Takedown. Each update, I was in my back garden, sitting in the sun on an Adirondack chair, stunned. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
It depends on what mood or season of life I’m in. Right now, I’m almost eight months’ pregnant—so it’s very specifically books on babies, childbirth, and parenting. Earlier this year, I went through a heavy adult non-fiction phase. I loved Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest. Did you know that trees have families, like humans?
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Good Will Hunting
15--What is your favorite season?
Autumn! Bring on the cooler weather and the pumpkin-spice everything. Also, being pregnant in the summer in Georgia is no joke. I have never, in my life, been more excited that fall is on the horizon.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Quietly. Parties . . . I don’t like them! There’s a restaurant called Table & Main near my town; for the last three years, that’s where I’ve celebrated—with my husband, my parents, and a big plate of mac and cheese. It’s the simple things!
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I’m reading With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson right now, and it has one of the best settings in any rom-com ever.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I’m going to say Japanese food, because I can’t have raw fish right now, due to pregnancy. I dream about sushi. Crunchy tuna rolls. Sashimi. I’m going to stop writing about it now before I have a cravings breakdown.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I love CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting. Any free time I have is spent with my dog or at the gym.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
Italy! Assassins! Summer love! And that’s probably all I’m allowed to say.
An undercover CIA agent is sent home to investigate her sister's criminal fiancé but the last thing she expects is to fall in love with his bodyguard along the way in this sexy romantic comedy.
It’s been a long time since Sydney Swift has gone home. An unrelentingly successful CIA field officer, she has spent the last three years pretending to be someone — anyone — other than herself.
But this year, the festive season is coming with some added surprises. Sydney’s beloved little sister has just announced that she’s engaged to Johnny Jones, the heir of an organized crime dynasty. With her built-in cover and her best-in-class reputation, Sydney is approached by the FBI as their way to infiltrate the Jones family at last.
Sydney has until Christmas to gather enough evidence on Johnny to take him down before he pulls off his most dangerous heist yet, all without losing her sister forever. But she hasn’t counted on the challenge of pulling this off right under her family’s nose or the complications of a romantic entanglement with Johnny’s handsome friend and bodyguard, Nick. Sydney always gets her man — but this time love is a target she can’t afford to miss.
Romance [Penguin, On Sale: October 3, 2023, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593640395 / eISBN: 9780593640401]
Carlie is a big fan of rescue dogs, 90’s rom-coms, and books with happy endings. She lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia. The Takedown is her first novel for adults.
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