Books: Interview with Houston writer Carrie Pulkinen

Just in time for Halloween, we have the pleasure of interviewing the wonderful Carrie Pulkinen, who writes paranormal romance (not the scary Halloween horror but the hot, sexy, alpha werewolves!) - so keep reading to find out more about her and her books!

Where are you from and what's your background?

I live in Houston, Texas, with my husband, two kids, and two dogs. Professionally, I started out as a marketing coordinator for a computer company before quitting my desk job to become a high school teacher. I taught high school journalism/photojournalism for eleven years, and then I became a full-time writer.

That's fantastic! When did you realize you wanted to write and when did you start writing?

I was in eighth grade the first time I realized I was good at writing. I was selected to write a short, weekly column about my school in the local newspaper, but I didn't start writing fiction until I was much older. I was at a Twilight convention with some friends (diehard Twilight fan here) and, like all conventions, we spent A LOT of time waiting in lines. To pass the time, I made up stories and told them to my friends. They were impressed with my ability to make things up on the spot (I thought everyone told themselves stories in their heads to pass the time!) and they told me I should write a book. I thought there was no way I'd be able to do it, but I sat at my computer when I got home and tried. Six weeks later, I had my first first draft of a novel!

What a fun way to start your writing career! What genre do you write and what's your target audience?

I write paranormal romance. While I do have one young adult novel published, my primary target audience is women who like a little magic with their romance.

Sounds great. How did you come up with the idea for your newest release? Tell us about it!

My idea for Werewolves Only, and the Crescent City Wolf Pack Series, came to me when I was at a

bar in New Orleans. They had a cardboard sign on the door that led to the kitchen, and it read "Employees and Werewolves Only" written in black marker. I asked the bartender what was up with the sign, and he said an employee made it as a joke because customers said that the bar owner looked like a werewolf. As soon as he told me that, the gears started turning, and the ideas began to flow. I borrowed a pen and scribbled out my plans for the story on a napkin for the next half hour, while my dear husband sat patiently, waiting for me to stop playing with the people in my head.

That's what I'd call getting your creative juices totally flowing! What is your favorite quote and who wrote it?

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”  ~Paulo Coelho

He's one of my favorite Brazilian writers. Do you have a favorite author? Who? Has this author or his book(s) influenced your writing in any way?

I have several favorite authors, and I think they've all influenced my writing in one way or another: Dean Koontz, Heather Graham, Charlaine Harris, and Lara Adrian are just a few.

Wonderful influences. If you could be a character from any book, who would you like to be and why?

I wouldn't mind being the heroine of any romance novel, because I'd be guaranteed a happily ever after! I've always wanted to go to Oz, so I wouldn't mind being Dorothy either!

I hadn't thought about that, and I love your thinking! Happily ever after. What are you working on now?

I am doing the final edits on Bound by Blood, book 3 of the Crescent City Wolf Pack series, and then I'll be starting on book 4!

 

How exciting! Where can we find out more about you and your writing?

All of my books are listed on my website. To get to know me and be the first to hear about my new releases and promotions, you can sign up for my VIP Reader Group (you'll also get a FREE short story as a thank you!)

You can also find me in the following places:

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Bookbub

Amazon

Book and Main Bites

 

Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

I love connecting with readers, so please don't be afraid to say hello!

Thank you so much for your time telling us a little more about you and your books. Wishing you great success in your writing career and your next release! 

 

Food: Cafe du Monde in New Orleans

Delicious beignets - only in New Orleans!

It would seem that Cafe du Monde, the 1862 original French coffee stand from New Orleans, is in no need of a new review. The historic location, on Decatur Street, is constantly bustling with new and old customers who line up in the cold December weather outside the cafe, waiting for a table to savor the delicious beignets. However, I can't resist adding a little sugar to it. Being my first time in colorful and exciting New Orleans, I just loved the warm, sweet, deliciously fresh beignets with cafe au lait for breakfast every morning during my visit.

Original location on Decatur Street opened in 1862

It's a really busy place, open 24 hours a day. The lines in the morning are amazing and even so, it doesn't take long for you to get a table and be served. The place is busy any time of the day as well... The busy waiting staff is quick to clean the tables and take your orders (they don't write anywhere, I was impressed how they just memorize it and bring the right order to your table), and voila! Pay cash only, which makes it go faster too. There is no variety on the menu, basically you are there to eat beignet. They are served in orders of three: square pieces of dough, fried and covered with powdered sugar. To drink, choose between cafe, chocolate, milk or fresh squeezed orange juice. That's it. Glasses of water come with every order. It's interesting to note the tradition here: this water is not to drink, but instead, to help you clean your sugared fingers after feasting on the beignets!

Cafe au lait, fresh squeezed orange juice and beignets for breakfast!

There's a store inside where you can buy souvenirs to go and that includes the dough for the delicacies and coffee. Yes, it's fattening. Yes, it's an indulgence. But it's worth trying at least once the famous New Orleans Cafe du Monde beignet with cafe au lait. Yummy!


http://www.cafedumonde.com/

Long lines during the weekends are worth the wait!