Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Take Five with Author C.K. Alber



Welcome to An Indie Adventure, C.K.  Tell us, what inspired you to write your book Broken Promises?

Good day everyone.  I’m C.K. Alber and it's great to be here. Thanks L.A. for having me.  My inspiration for finalizing my story came from my three grown daughters.  My computer case was filled with notes taken over the years and the story was a permanent fixation in my head. I just needed to put the notes together and to begin typing. My oldest daughter, a teacher, reminded me that assignments should be completed and she would be pleased to read and edit my finished work. My middle daughter, recovering from a difficult surgery is a day-to-day person and suggested that I commit to a couple hours of writing every day. My youngest daughter, living in Norway at the time, gave me the goal of finishing and submitting before she and her husband returned to the US.  And I followed their direction.
  
What were your experiences as a child that contributed to you becoming a writer?

My father used to tell me, with humor, I could tell so many believable lies. Today I will swear that it was story-telling, and not lies that I fabricated as a youngster. 
   
Do day-to-day life experiences influence your stories?

I’m in another world while driving alone and for long distances. I’ve gotten some of my best plot ideas in my car. I’m also a people watcher. So airports, offices, or just long lines give me the opportunity to examine personalities and possible characters for my next story. 
       
What is the first thing you do when you begin a new book?

I buy a thick new notebook and write the descriptions for each character, their personalities, backgrounds, likes and dislikes, and I include their birthdays. I cut out eye colors from magazines, paste them on the first page and give them a character’s name. 
        
If you were a TV, film or book character, apart from one you've created, who would you be?  And why?

Katharine Hepburn because of her fierce independent style and her spirited personality.  The kind of character I like to create.

Give us a brief summary of Broken Promises.
Cassandra Algani’s life is shattered when she learns the secret about the newborn son she buried six years ago. Deceit and underhanded lying by someone she loves. Lawyer Michael Jensen intensifies his search for the truth to clear his name in the suspicious death of his fiancĂ©e. 

A witness, a gun, deceptions, and a bold encounter surface at the grimmest moment.  Secrets from the past for both Michael and Cassie intertwine into a tangled relationship of sizzling passion. Distrust swells as danger lurks around every corner, keeping them apart, yet with guarded defenses that very danger brings them together.  
  
Buy Links: Amazon


Bio: C.K. Alber, author of Broken Promises, was born inIndiana and raised and educated in both Indiana and Illinois. An extended move to Europe brought about the desire to write.  She had gone from the maze of cornfields and town life to historical buildings, famous paintings, the city, and the seaside. As a “people watcher” her stories and characters began to develop, her imagination went wild regarding the settings and dialogues in her head, thus, Romantic Suspense became her preferred genre.

Now she lives in Colorado with her dog Luna, but is still a stateside and worldwide traveler when visiting family or when the occasion arises.

Find C.K.: 





29 comments:

  1. Great story! Don't know how you managed to write it but sounds like it's come out of lots of life experience and maybe that's what makes it so interesting. Thanks!!!

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    2. Thank you for taking the time to reply about Broken Promises. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. I think some writers do take some parts of their stories from past experiences. Have a great day. Kay

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  2. I'm an italian reader and it was great reading your book! I could feel the emotions and feelings of the characters and I couldn't stop my reading cause I would know more and more about story! I wish to meet you to talking about this fantastic book!

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    1. Thank you Veronica for your reply and I'm glad you enjoyed Broken Promises.

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  3. Broken Promises can also be purchased at www.lafeltrinelli.it

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  4. Driving in a car definitely can get your creative mind going, especially if your jamming out to Def Leppard!

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    1. People honk from behind, surely thinking I'm on my cell phone. No --- just plotting. :-)

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  5. I loved hearing your story of how pencil to paper turned into a published book. That is an amazing lifetime accomplishment. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the book. That kept me reading, and I'm sure there Will be many other followers once they open the first few pages of the book. Can't wait for the next book.

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  6. I'm so glad you enjoyed "Broken Promises" and thank you for replying.

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  7. Bravo to your daughters! We all need a little prodding now and then.

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    1. You're right Meg. My daughters are not only great mothers, they are also my supporters. I often run things by them before I print it out.
      Have a great Wednesday.
      Kay

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  8. Hello! I absolutely loved the first book of this series! Can't wait for the next book to come out! How did you decide where to set your story?

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    1. I have lived in DC and I now I live in Colorado and even though I did research, I was surprised at how little I actually knew about both places. Thanks for your note about Broken Promises and I'm so glad you enjoyed the story.
      Have a wonderful Wednesday. Kay

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  9. I have to say, the character and plot development were so well done. It was a page turner through and through. I'm dying to get my hands on the next book. When is it due to come out?

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    1. I'm so happy you loved Broken Promises. "A Promise of Revenge" is due to be released the latter part of this month. That story,with its riveting plot set in the 70s, is all about a dangerous chase, an unleashed fury, and a twisted capture.
      Have a happy Wednesday, where ever you are. Kay

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  10. giovanna mastrobuonoSeptember 2, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    Very nice and sensitive story. Very well understandable description. Good job

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    1. Thank you, Giovanna. I hope you have read and enjoyed Broken Promises. Please follow me on Facebook and let me know how you liked the characters.
      Have a smiley day. Kay

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  11. Wow, I'm late to the party! C.K. it's a pleasure having you here with me today. Looks like you've been busy with comments. I'm so pleased.
    Hugs
    LA

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    1. I have enjoyed this blog immensely. I've been on Twitter & Facebook with fans all day. So much fun and thank you for this oppurtunity. Have a great evening.

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  12. Knowing how much you support your daughters, it's nice to hear how they motivate you. It was fun to learn your dad said you were a believable liar. I would never have believed it, you're too sweet. Looking forward to reading Broken Promises.

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    1. Sandra, I must have been seven or eight when my dad uttered those words and with four brothers, I had to lie to get what I wanted. :-)
      I love having my daughters' feedback and they'll tell me where to put some more action. I was a bit embarrased about the steamy parts until I noticed they don't flinch. Thank you for your support. Hugs, Kay

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  13. You are quite an author. I'm impressed and after all these years I've found your newest story will certainly blow you away. It took years but you have a twin that you didn't know about even though you went to the same school. The first lead in is that you find that the twin has the same birthday and year. December -- becomes the lead that brings you to question because the twin has identical features that just can't be possible. That sets you on your way of finding out that you have known that twin all your life but didn't know beyond friendship. You can do it, I think you can write the story. Why did you wait so long to write? We all know life puts projects first before passion of what you love most. Writing!

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    1. Thank you Art for your kind words. I truly believe the teaching I did for twenty-four years in Europe prepared me for the writing I now do. In the past, I always wrote poems with stories behind them, like a song writer does. But they were always sad and didn't fulfill that hidden part of being able to make up my own characters and having a "happy ever after" ending. That's the part I love most about writing. Giving my characters a personality and choosing their destiny. Thank you again. Kay

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  14. Just two words: Grat Book. Well done from London.
    You are a great writer and I can't wait to read the next book.

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    1. I'm so happy you're writing me from London and especially excited you loved Broken Promises. Hugs from abroad. Kay

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    2. www.amazon.co.uk/ would be the correct address to order Broken Promises from England.

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