I am happy to spotlight Soul Mate author Kerri Carpenter and her new release, The Best Kind of Love. Sit back and enjoy Kerri’s entertaining take on her writing journey.

Here’s Kerri!

It feels like I’ve been writing my entire life. Even before I put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, I was creating worlds. My Barbies didn’t just prance around the Barbie townhouse. They had jobs and friends and, of course, romance. Oh that Ken!

Besides writing I was also an avid reader. I loved getting lost in books and all the possibilities they represented. Writing, reading, they were both outlets for me, but I hadn’t quite found my way yet.

Then everything came together one summer when my mom handed me a book called Sea Swept, written by Nora Roberts. One chapter in and I was hooked. By the end I knew I had to read more – as in, Nora Roberts’ entire collection. Somewhere in the middle of the Calhoun sisters, the MacGregors, or maybe even the Gallaghers in Ireland, it dawned on me. I was meant to write romance novels.

So I started doing some research. The only rule about writing romance was that it had to have a happy ending.

Writing a story that ended happily and made people feel good? Sign me up.

Almost immediately, I had a story form in my mind and I started writing. At the same time, I was still learning what I could about the publishing industry because I was ready to be the next bestselling author.

Then one day I read an article that stated it was very rare for someone to get their first manuscript published. Usually it took years, if not decades.

I scoffed at this. Clearly, I would be the exception to the rule because I had read every single Nora Roberts book. And I was twenty-two. Obviously I knew everything.

Only, I kinda didn’t.

I did finish that first manuscript and I even submitted it. And then I received the first of what became many, many, many rejection letters. WHAT?!?!

After I swallowed my pride and got my considerable ego in check, I began studying the industry in earnest. I joined writing groups, I went to meetings and conferences, I read articles, and most importantly, I kept writing. About seven unpublished manuscripts of more writing. And of course, I kept reading. Especially Nora Roberts.

Skip ahead over a decade, and I finally got “the call,” that magical day you find out that someone wants to pluck your creative baby out of the slush pile. For me, that story is The Best Kind of Love and it came out today.

I won’t lie and say all those years weren’t hard. But looking back at it, I wouldn’t have done it differently. Because all those rejections and all those hours of research led me to today. I may not be Nora Roberts…yet. But I’m pretty happy with where I am.

Blurb

After twelve years away, organized consultant, Penelope Walker, doesn’t expect to return to Blue Lake, Virginia. But when her parents unexpectedly die, she returns to her hometown and finds out that general contractor and former love of her life, Ethan Callahan, is back too. Their relationship transcended the typical high school romance and his mere presence is enough to have all those feelings of passion return full force. Only she can’t forget that Ethan didn’t show up for their secret elopement and left her brokenhearted.

It doesn’t take long for Ethan to realize he wants Penelope back, but he knows she won’t let go of the past that easily. When she finds out what her parents asked him to do all those years ago, she’ll never let him back into her life. Even though he did all of it for her.

Penelope’s determined to unravel the mystery of their shared pasts, while Ethan wants nothing more than to move on to their future. If these two former lovers can learn to forgive and forget, will they be able to remember that they had the best kind of love?

Bio

Kerri Carpenter began writing in her grandmother’s kitchen at the age of seven in a small town outside of Pittsburgh, PA. A life-long fan of reading, she got lost in the worlds of The Baby-sitters Club and Sweet Valley High. She also assumed that everyone had characters and plots forming in their heads at all times.

Once she turned to romance novels, she couldn’t get enough of books with happy endings, so she started writing her own. Now, Kerri writes contemporary romances, usually set in small towns. She enjoys reading, cooking, watching movies, taking Zumba classes, rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams, and anything sparkly. Kerri lives in Northern Virginia with her adorable (and mischievous) poodle mix, Harry.

Where to find Kerri…

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!