Celebrating Indiana Romance Authors: Lisa Caviness
Wow, this whole Celebrating Indiana Romance Authors has already been such a charge for me! Today, I’m excited to welcome Lisa Caviness, a charming writer, whom I got to know a little better when we both spent a few days on retreat with some other writers at Turkey Run State Park a couple of years ago.
As a lifelong reader of an eclectic pool of books from mystery/thrillers, science fiction, contemporary romance, and the classics, Lisa has never been without a book on her nightstand. Like many writers, she started crafting stories as a child. She and her sister shared a room as kids and many nights before they fell asleep, Lisa would make up stories. She never wrote them down but after awhile they had their favorite characters and adventures. That began her love of story making. As an adult, life took a front seat to writing, as she happily gained a husband, kids and a career, but the urge to write never wavered. In 2013, she advanced from dabbling to making a go of becoming a serious, published author. She joined Romance Writers of America, took classes, and met some wonderful friends who shared a common goal. Through it all, she’s learned that writing is truly a journey and that path is sprinkled with knowledge, light bulb moments, tears, triumphs, and great friends who tell her when she’s been brilliant and when she needs to go back and try again. Lisa lives in central Indiana with my husband and three children.
NAN: Lisa, so happy to have you here today.
LISA: Thank you for the opportunity to appear on your blog. I’m so excited to be here!
NAN: Tell us what you are currently working on or promoting.
LISA: I am currently working on Book Three of my Order Series, entitled Order of Rage. In this book, Sloane, the granddaughter of the founder of The Order, has escaped her family and started a new life with a new identity. The story begins when her carefully constructed life is compromised at the same time she meets a handsome FBI agent.
NAN: What genre(s) do you write in?
LISA: I write romantic suspense and romantic thrillers.
NAN: What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
LISA: Don’t stop writing, even when you think everything you’re writing is pure crap. Also, take advantage of every learning opportunity available. Always remain open to learning new things.
NAN: What are your three favorite books?
LISA: It’s hard to narrow the list to three but here are a few of my favorites: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
NAN: If you could have a conversation with one person living or dead who would it be?
LISA: I’d love to meet and have a conversation with my maternal grandfather. Because he died when my mother was only three, she doesn’t have many memories of him. When my grandmother was still alive she didn’t like to talk about him and I believe it was because she was so heartbroken. I have pictures of my grandfather, but who he was is a mystery.
NAN: What are you currently reading?
LISA: I just started reading The Secret Keeper, by Kate Morton. I was sucked in from the start and have especially enjoyed the author’s ability to paint a picture. The underlying mystery is like bait and I can’t wait to see how the book ends.
NAN: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
LISA: I’d tell myself not to be afraid to go for it. Failing and learning are all pieces of the process.
NAN: Is there a theme/message underlying your book(s) that you hope comes across?
LISA: I love writing about people who overcome impossible obstacles. Something about watching a person go through their darkest times and emerge stronger and better, gives me hope. My goal is to take a hero/heroine and bend them until they almost break then move the characters through sort of a metamorphosis from which they will burst through at the end a better version of themselves. I use the vehicle of the romantic suspense genre to hopefully illustrate this theme.
NAN: What obstacles, if any, have you encountered in being a writer?
LISA: I consider myself newbie writer and on a daily basis I battle confidence issues. I try not to measure myself against other writers but I’ll admit to succumbing on occasion. In an industry of constant measuring and critiquing, it’s easy to get bogged down in negativity. I tend to allow the positive comments (although I’m immensely grateful for them) to be overshadowed.
Time management and productivity are also obstacles I struggle with. Balancing my author life and my personal life is a huge issue. I’m in a continuous search for the right mix.
NAN: What show have you recently binge-watched?
LISA: I recently binge-watched Stranger Things. What a great series!
You can find Lisa on social media:
Website: http://www.lisacavinessauthor.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaCaviness1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisaCavinessWriter
Amazon Author page: http://hyperurl.co/lqr3zk
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14668568.Lisa_Caviness
The Order Series
Order of Fear, Book One
Marissa Nash, ballet dancer turned accountant, has decided to call off her wedding after discovering her fiancé’s philandering ways. Dr. Justin Tanner is the best man and suffers from PTSD after his medical unit in Iraq is attacked. Justin also has feelings for Marissa but has buried them since she is involved with his best friend. The action starts when Marissa returns from a business trip to find her fiancé, David, dead. After Marissa survives several attacks, she and Justin begin to unravel David’s selfish deeds, placing them on a collision course with The Order, an evil organization led by a wicked, vengeful woman. Marissa and Justin must grapple with their growing feelings as time ticks down to a fiery climax.
Excerpt (Chapter 1)
By the end of this day I will no longer be a bride about to marry.
Marveling at the majestic mountain scenery, Marissa climbed aboard the hotel’s airport shuttle and sank into the only vacant seat. She glanced out at Salt Lake City’s early morning crisp blue sky, gripped the straps of her purse, and inhaled. Despite the reputation of smelly air from the bacteria decay in the Great Salt Lake, Marissa’s lungs escaped putrid intrusion. The kinetic scene–vibrant and hopeful–stood in total contrast to her mood.
My day begins surrounded by the beauty of the Wasatch Mountains and will end in the
demise of a four-year relationship.
Calling off her wedding triggered a lengthy list of decisions and activities. Three items competed for the top spot on Marissa’s unavoidable to do list: grieving the death of her relationship, chiding her stupidity in falling for David in the first place, and finding a new place to live. Her heart rattled in response to the immense change. Home would no longer be her “can’t wait to get to” place.
Find Order of Fear at these retailers:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2sXKYBK
Kobo: https://www.smarturl.it/OrderofFearKobo
Barnes and Noble: https://www.smarturl.it/OrderofFearBN
iTunes: https://www.smarturl.it/OrderofFeariBooks
Smashwords: https://www.smarturl.it/OrderofFearSmash
Order of Malice, Book Two
Armed with a new identity, Reid Patterson plans to join the FBI hoping to right the wrongs of The Order, a sinister faction controlled by his murderous, biological family. Foster care psychologist Holly Babson, dreams of a life where her escaped convict father and the memories of her sister’s horrific death are both locked away. Reid and Holly’s worlds collide with the diabolical force of The Order, and a cold-blooded plot orchestrated by an unknown foe. Together, they must fight for their lives while learning to trust their hearts.
Excerpt (Chapter 1)
The jagged three-inch scar on Holly’s neck itched.
A sure sign of—something. A chill snaked through her spine, landing on a familiar sensation.
Must be more tired than I thought.
She fought against removing her hands from the wheel and grinding them into her fatigued eyes, but she dared not for fear she’d dislodge her drying contacts. As snowflake bullets attacked the car, she squinted through the overworked windshield wipers, swishing back and forth in rapid succession. The time was 8:15 and the dark sky further limited her vision.
“Right here, Dr. Babson,” her sullen passenger said.
Holly nodded and pulled the car to the curb. The aging neighborhood with ranch style houses, reminded her of Hill Valley from the Back to the Future movie. Early December meant lots of gaudy cheer with most of the houses adorned with illuminated Santas, reindeer yard figurines, and hundreds of blinking lights. Holly’s gaze swept to their destination, Ken and Cindy Reingold’s house, which stood in darkness like the missing tooth among a row of shiny, white ones.
Find Order of Malice at these retailers:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2rWDS0t
iTunes: http://smarturl.it/OrderofMalice.iTunes
Smashwords: http://smarturl.it/OrderofMalice.Smash
Kobo: http://smarturl.it/OrderofMalice.Kobo
Barnes and Noble: http://smarturl.it/OrderofMalice.BN
Lisa also has a short story included in the Lake House Anthology.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0768F8N15/
iTUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/…/book/the-lake-house/id1225033012…
5 Comments
Liz Flaherty
Wonderful excerpts!
Lisa Caviness
Thanks, Ava!
Lisa Caviness
Thanks, Cheryl!
Cheryl Brooks
Great excerpts! Rebecca is one of my favorites too!
Ava Cuvay
Lisa is an on-the-edge-of-your-seat writer!