An Interview with Carey Baldwin

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An Interview with Carey Baldwin

CareyBaldwin_headshot_color_webThe Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Carey Baldwin as our guest today. Before we meet Carey, let’s find out more about her.

Carey Baldwin is a mild-mannered physician (still practicing full time ) who happens to write edgy romantic thrillers. What’s a nice girl like Carey doing writing scare-you-silly thrillers? When you’re a former clinical psychologist, writing about psychopaths comes naturally, and when you’re a hopeless romantic…, well, you do the math!

Now let us begin our Interview with Carey.

TRC: Hi Carey.  Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today.We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.We will start will some background information.

TRC:Will you please tell us about yourself?

Carey: First of all, I’d like to thank you, Barb, and everyone at The Reading Café for having me today. I’m excited to be here and to meet your readers. As for my background, like a lot  of women today, I like to keep growing and learning. Besides being a wife and a mother of three, I’m a practicing physician. But prior to that I was a clinical psychologist and a professor of psychology.

TRC: When and how did you become interested in writing?  Have you always liked to          write?

Carey: I’ve always been a voracious reader, and my first memory of wanting “to be something”, was of wanting to be a writer. But I come from a humble background (i.e. financially challenged), and I wanted a profession that would provide security for myself and my family. So I squashed that urge to become a writer and channeled my writing energy into nonfiction, like scientific journal articles and such. As you can see though, my love of writing and books eventually caught up with me. Sooner or later, if you are a writer, you are going to write, regardless of your circumstances.

TRC: You are still an active physician, how do you find time to write your stories?

Carey: That’s a tough thing. I write mostly in the wee hours and also on weekends.

First do no evilTRC: First Do No Evil is your debut novel, how did you come up with the idea for this        story?  Can you please tell us about the premise of the First Do No Evil? 

LINK TO OUR REVIEW: First Do No Evil

Carey: As we’ve already mentioned, I’m still a full-time physician. I remember distinctly the first time a pharmaceutical representative came into my office and "detailed" me on a vaccine that prevents cervical cancer. I was thrilled to learn about this "miracle drug".  A vaccine that could actually prevent cancer! I could hardly contain my excitement.

In the months and years that followed, however, I observed the controversy that arose as this new, unfamiliar type of vaccination was implemented, and it got me wondering, "What's coming next? Will we be able to prevent other types of cancer, like breast cancer, through vaccines in the near future? How will those vaccines be received?"

These were the questions that set me to work on my romantic thriller, FIRST DO NO EVIL.

In FIRST DO NO EVIL, Dr. Skylar Novak and detective Daniel Benson find themselves at the center of a violent storm swirling around a controversial new vaccine that prevents breast cancer.  Specifically, it prevents breast cancers caused by the BRCA gene (which is real) by repairing the faulty gene with special RNA.  Sadly, the vaccine is fictional, but many researchers are hard at work to develop a real one. It's my hope and my expectation that a true breast cancer vaccine will be available in the near future.

I call FIRST DO NO EVIL a romantic thriller because that's exactly what it is. It's absolutely a romance, but at the same time it's a full-blown thriller. If, like me, you love both, this story just might be for you.

Links to order First Do No Evil: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

TRC:Your website notes that you have a second book in this series.  How many
books are you planning for this series?

Carey: I am working on a second book that features Danny’s sister-in-law, Faith.  She’s a wet-behind-the-ears psychiatrist, and her very first patient confesses he’s a serial killer. Poor Aunt Faith!

I also have another spin-off series about one of Faith’s friends, a forensic psychiatrist, brewing in my brain as well.

TRC: What are you working on now?  You write romance suspense, is there any other      genre that interests you to write in the future?

Carey: I’m currently working on book two in the Blood Secret Series. I also have a novella I’m polishing (romantic suspense). I’ve even pulled out my first manuscript, a contemporary romantic romp about old flames reunited by reality television, and I am revising that. And…I’ve got this scathingly brilliant idea for a historical romance series. I’m saving that historical series until I get Faith’s book and the suspense novella out, though.

TRC: What is your writing process?  Is there a special time you like to write, or favorite      place?

Carey: I love to write at home in my jammies. And since I’m usually writing at 3am, that’s a good thing. I have a habit of waking up in the middle of the night with dialogue going full speed in my head. I like to get up and start working when that happens. Those are inevitably the best scenes.

TRC: Whom do you credit as influencing you the most in your career, and why?

Carey: There’s a long list of authors who’ve influenced my writing (see the list of my favorite authors below) but I’d have to say that my friends, Tessa Dare, Leigh LaValle, and Courtney Milan – all historical romance authors- have had the most influence. Even though we write different genres, these are the individuals who are always there to read, brainstorm, critique, cheer, cry and just plain support the devil out of me.

TRC:Would you like to add anything else?

Carey: Only that the romance community, readers and fellow authors alike, is the absolute best. I feel blessed to be a part of it.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Lobster – I like to think of myself as down-to-earth, but never low maintenance.

Favorite Dessert: Heavenly Fudge made from the Kraft Marshmallow recipe…you asked!

Favorite Author: Sheesh. I don’t want to pick one…Harlan Coben, Karen Rose, Cindy Gerard, Brenda Novak, Allison Brennan, Greg Isles, Lisa Jackson, Lisa Gardner, Tess Gerritsen, Harper Lee. I’ll stop there but I’m sure I’ll smack my forehead in a moment and realize I’ve left out someone very special.

Favorite TV Show: Dexter

Last Movie that you saw: Lincoln

Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird

Who is your favorite fictional character (not your own): Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird . I have a thing for single-dad heroes who know how to get even the toughest job done right.

TRC: Thank you, Carey for answering our questions. The Reading Café wishes you the best of luck with First Do No Evil.  Keep us informed about your upcoming releases.

Carey: Thanks so much for having me, Barb! It was lots of fun!

If you want to learn more about Carey, you can find her at the following links:
Website:
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

BLUEANDYELLOWGIVEAWAY

Carey has graciously offered to give a member of The Reading Café a chance to win a copy of her new release, First Do No Evil”.

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Giveaway open to U.S.& Canada only

4.  Contest runs from January 11th – January 13th..


 

 

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39 thoughts on “An Interview with Carey Baldwin”

    • Gwen, Thanks so much for stopping by! Danny’s daughter, Katie, is one of my favorite characters, and given everything she’s been through she will make an excellent heroine someday…when she grows up! So I don’t see her in book 3, but somewhere down the line I do see her in her own story. I don’t have the heart to put her through anything else this year 🙂 !

  2. Great interview, love the lightning round! Thrilled to hear there’s a follow up to FDNE, Carey. The novel was chilling! Do you insert aspects of your real life into your stories? (i.e., pet’s names, villian is the boy who knocked you off the swing in 2nd grade…?)
    Have a great Friday!

    • Hi Sarah! Thanks for stopping by! Weeeel yes and no. In the first manuscript I turned a guy who was kind of a jerk into the hero. I always thought he had hero potential. Too bad I couldn’t mold him into my perfect man in life. The good news there is I now have my own real life hero who doesn’t need to be “molded” at all. Of course, that doesn’t stop me from trying!

  3. Wow, Carey. What dedication to write at 3 am. I can’t imagine doing that, but I’m glad you do because I loved your first book. I also read your novella that was part of an anthology and enjoyed that too, especially the cute librarian humor. Looking forward to your next book

    • Lena, thanks so much! As you know, I adore your books and I’m super excited for your upcoming release with Harlequin intrigue. You guys don’t want to miss, Lena’s next one, THE MARSHAL’S WITNESS coming out in February!

      • THE MARSHAL’S WITNESS is FABULOUS!! I got it in the mail yesterday (advance copy, sorry girls!) and am halfway thru. Plan to finish tonight. Obviously haven’t gotten much else done today…

    • Hi Mari!
      Lol. It’s funny, I don’t think they meant to train me to be a writer in medical school and residency, but by forcing me to stay awake and complete complex tasks (like taking care of sick hospital patients) at 3am, I suppose they did train me to be a writer. I can function on very little sleep….though I don’t want to!
      Thanks for your comment!
      Carey

  5. Amazing interview. Thank you Carey for taking the time to answer our questions.

    Such an amazing person-physician, psychologist, professor, mother, wife and author. I am tired just thinking about it.

    And of course…DEXTER…as a psychologist and physician….Dexter is the ‘perfect patient’. 😉

    • Hi Sandy,
      Thanks to you and everyone here at the Reading Cafe for having me! I really enjoy these interviews because I sometimes learn things about myself while trying to give an honest answer.

      Dexter would be a perfect patient….if you wanted to end up wrapped in plastic 🙂 He is getting sooo scary and dark. I love it!

      Thanks again for having me!
      Carey

  6. Great interview, Carey and Barb. I agree with everyone above, you are an amazing person to be able to write, and continue to be a physician, mother and wife.
    I love Lobster and fudge.

  7. Fun interview! 🙂 I, too, am amazed at you being able to write at 3 am and then having to get up and go to work! 😀 Did you like Lincoln? I saw that on Thanksgiving and really loved it despite being ambivalent about seeing it in the first place. Thanks for the giveaway!

    • Hi Readsalot8!
      I loved Lincoln (the movie) too. I’m curious as to why you were ambivalent about going. I thought the beginning was slow, but eventually I was riveted to my seat. And I loved the way, once I adapted to things, Lincoln’s own words were used to tell his story. I felt like I was right there in history. A movie well worth seeing in my opinion.
      Thanks so much for your comment!
      Carey

  9. GREAT interview, ladies!!! I was the lucky reviewer of your fabulous book and I love learning more about you. Ms. Baldwin…you rock!!! I am thrilled for Faith’s book, but I am looking forward to your “restructured” original manuscript!!! Remember I emailed you about it? Love lost…pining after the one that got away…swooooooon!!!

    I hope you come back to The Reading Cafe for all of your future work!!!

    • Carmen,
      It’s been a pleasure getting to meet you, Barb, and everyone at The Reading Cafe! I can’t thank you enough for reading my book with an open mind and open heart! You are so generous and gracious in your review. I will make sure you get a sneak peek at my next book!
      Carey

  14. Great interview Barb and Carey. I love the shows like Bones and CSI. Being in the medical field I would imagine would make the book very realistic. Lobster is my favorite food too. Dexter is something else. LOL I have read the books very good.

    • Hi Fran!
      By all means, believe what your read! I did try to make the book realistic, and even being a physician, I had other doctors check my most detailed scenes- an ER doc and an Anesthesiologist. It ruins a book for me if many errors are made that should’ve been avoided.

      I love the Bones and CSI shows too. Temperance Brennan is one of my all time favorite characters. Thanks for your comments!

  16. Hi Carey and welcome to TRC, it’s always nice to learn about the person behind the books. Wow you are definitely a busy gal and very talented. After reading Carmen’s review I’m definitely adding you to my tbr list. Have to agree with you on the dessert, I’ve tried that Heavenly Fudge from Kraft and it’s to die for. Now you’ve got me wanting to make up a batch. 😉

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