Welcome romance author, Clarissa Cartharn...

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1.)            What did you want to be when you grew up?

I remember I’ve always wanted to be a writer. But my mother didn’t think it would be practical. She preferred I get a 9-5 profession which guaranteed a salary. I understand she wanted the best for me. I can only count my good fortune that I was given a chance to write and I grabbed it eagerly with both hands.

2.)            Coffee, tea or hot chocolate?

Depends on the time of day. Morning -tea, evening- hot chocolate.

3.)            What genre do you typically read? Why?

Again, this depends on my mood. Sometimes I find myself reading 2 or 3 different genres at once like a romance at home and a thriller while travelling. The genre never really is a factor for me. If a plot is interesting and the writing appeals to me, I will read it.

4.)            Share a favourite childhood memory.

Spending the days with my mom. I guess when you lose someone precious like your parent, it kind of presides over other memories. Reliving those days, thinking about the time I spent laughing, chatting with her are my best memories.

5.)            Do you have any shameless addictions? ie. Tea, Books, Shoes, Clothes?

Most definitely books. Thank god for ebooks or I would certainly have been a serious hoarder with books stacking the height and breadth of my house!

6.)            What do you think is the biggest challenge of writing a new book?

I have to be consciously aware of the mood of the scenes to suit the overall theme of the book. This has been my greatest challenge. Sometimes I would drift off and that would mean going back, deleting or rewriting entire chunks to tie in with the atmosphere of the book.

7.)            Do you aim for a set amount of words/pages a day?

Most definitely! Due to my pressing family obligations, I don’t have a choice but to set myself a target each day. Without it, I doubt I would ever be able to complete a book.

8.)            What are your thoughts on writing a book series?

I find writing a series a tad more difficult than a stand alone. In a series, I have to ensure that I maintain a similar mood, atmosphere and theme, other than the requirement of providing a smooth flow from its previous books. I resort to a series only if I know I can’t give justice to the story by cramming it into one book. Whilst it is challenging, it does make writing more enjoyable as well because it provides a variance in style.

A Jar of Dreams

by Clarissa Cartham

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

When Eric Tanner, an assassin, is targeted to be murdered by his former employer, he seeks refuge in the house of a blind woman, Anne Mullen.

Eric knows how to live in silence. He’s done it all his life. So when he discovers Anne is blind and living on her own, he thinks this would be his perfect hideout.

But then he makes the mistake of his life. He forms an attachment to her. And for a man in his profession, such attachments are a weakness. Now, he must do everything he can to protect Anne from the world he’s come from.

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EXCERPT

The bus drifted back slowly on its route, leaving an odor of its exhaust fumes behind it.

“Well, I would say I’d see you again, but I can’t.” Anne smiled.

“Excuse me,” he stammered.

“I was teasing,” she explained. “You know, I’m blind if you hadn’t noticed.”

“Right… yeah,” he said awkwardly.

She played with the head of her cane, supposedly feeling just as awkward.

“Well, goodbye then,” she said and turned around to walk away.

He floundered back and forth. Who was he kidding? He wasn’t ready to just let her walk away. It surprised him that even after fifteen years, she continued to make his heart pound like she did the first time he had seen her. He had thought he was well over her. After all, he had indulged in several relationships after her, no longer the shy teen afraid to ask a girl out for a date. He became widely known as a Don Juan, and he savored the popularity and gifts the women showered upon him. That was until someone handed him a gun and challenged him to shoot an empty can placed fifty paces away. It was then that he found a new obsession and every other passion paled before it. At least, he had thought it had. He stared after Anne helplessly.

“Wait,” he called out to her.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Clarissa Cartharn is the author of romance novels such as Captive, Red Collar and the romance thriller/ suspense Jar series.

Once an English teacher, she embarked on a law profession before finally realizing it was writing she really wanted to pursue. After almost eight romance novels, each with eclectic themes ranging from a Cinderella re-telling to the barren war torn lands of Afghanistan, Clarissa is currently on a journey with her next novel titled The Yearning.

Website: http://clarissacartharn.wix.com/clarissacartharn

Blog: http://doodlenook.blogspot.com

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ccartharn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarissaCartharn

Buy links: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YHNOZVQ

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Clarissa will be awarding $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn host.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f1470/