Casual Conversation #7

Chatting with Lorraine Carey

Today I have my friend the lovely Lorraine Kolmacic-Carey here to chat. Lorraine, please start us off by giving us a little introduction.

Thank you for this opportunity, Cindy Smith. I have moved across quite a few states during the last thirty years as my husband had several job transfers. Being a teacher I had to get certified in each state to enable me to teach. I was getting used to being the “new kid on the block”, so to speak.

I have two married daughters and three lovely grandchildren—all boys

I have moved around a lot in my adult years also. It can be challenging being the "new kid". With all the moving, when did you find the time to begin writing?

The last nine years my husband and I lived on the island of Grand Cayman. He was working and I was . . . well, playing tourist you could say. It was exciting, nonetheless. This had given me the springboard to start my writing career. The island lifestyle did provide much inspiration for writing. I started off with a memoir and went on to write a Young Adult novel about a shipwreck that actually happened on the island some two hundred years ago. I added a paranormal theme to it and a Canadian publisher picked it up back in 2012. It won the Silver Award from Readers Favorite and was a finalist in the Wind Dancer Film Contest.

Since then I had self-published three more paranormal novels for young adults, one educational, two erotica books, and two paranormal books for adult readers in a trilogy. I am currently working on that last book in my trilogy.

Once you started writing you really took off!  Jonathan's Locket was the first of your books I read, it was very interesting. I loved how you shared the origins of the curse.  To be honest I have not read your erotica books.  That is just not my cup of tea anymore.

You have such amazing accomplishments and such a wide assortment of genres. Having read a lot of your books,  paranormal seems to be something you go back to a lot. Is there a reason for that?

 I have a passion for the paranormal with having so many paranormal experiences throughout my lifetime—ones I still can’t explain. I have been on several ghost tours and have witnessed strange occurrences. Most of my books are based on a real urban legend or an experience from my own life.

As of current, I have moved back to the states and living in St. Petersburg, Florida with my husband. Moving took quite a toll on my writing time. It was only in the last couple of months that I have been working with full force to finish my works in progress. And as far as the paranormal occurrences—they seem to have followed me to Florida as well.

I am patiently awaiting the final book in your Women of The Willow Wood series. The first two were awesome. 

Besides writing, how else have you been spending your time?






I found that I needed some breaks from sitting at the computer everyday, so I have begun to substitute teach here in St. Petersburg. This has proven to be quite interesting and may lead to a new book within itself.
 
My favorite hobbies are reading, shopping, working out at the gym, and long walks.
 
And don’t let me forget to tell you that turquoise is my favorite color. Cindy wanted me to make that known. I think that stems from the five years I lived in New Mexico.

I lived in St. Pete off and on for 20 years, met both my ex and present husband there.  Strange how many of my friends are moving there when I am no longer able to meet them.

Your teaching has led you to offer some interesting assistance to other authors. One that I noticed recently is your idea to help readers get more out of what they are reading. What helped you come up with a way to make reading a book more interactive? And why do you think it is important? 


Being a Reading Specialist I am aware of the comprehension gaps with literacy in the primary grades through high school. I’ve designed programs to address this, provided instruction as well as staff development sessions.

So with that, I have a service where I create a custom-made literacy packet for children’s authors, which is a great bonus to them. It makes their book more attractive to educators. The literacy kit is designed to include concepts that are on standardized tests. Now with that I do know other authors of adult books will feature a set of questions at the end of the book for book club purposes.

One of the books with her literacy kit

It amazes me how illiteracy is becoming more prevalent.  People are too willing to get up in arms about story lines, like the Harry Potter books, and forget about the importance of reading and imagination.

I, for one, appreciate your willingness to share your experience with the rest of the writing world.

In your own books, your beautiful imagery makes everything so vivid in my mind.  I was especially taken with your books, Beloved Sacrifice and The Last Vestal Virgin. Both deal with ancient curses and a religious cults.  Your descriptions of the landscape and town had me thinking I was actually there.  Have you actually visited Italy?  

 I had visited Italy about five years ago. I went to Pacentro, which was a small village about 110 miles east of Rome. It is where my mother’s family came from. It is also touted as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. My husband and I had both encountered a few paranormal experiences there. Like he said, “I guess your relatives don’t want you to leave this place.” We are planning a trip back soon.

So wonderful to be able to travel like that, my traveling is done by others, I just talk them into not exchanging all their foreign money so I can buy it from them and fantasize.

Your husband sounds very supportive of you.  What a blessing that you both experienced paranormal events and were able to share them.

Is there any place in the world you would really like to see but have never been? Maybe some fodder for a new series?

Yes! Ireland and Scotland are on my list. I’d love to take the castle tour. My daughter and her husband spent the night in what was supposedly a haunted room at one of the old castles. I’m sure I’d find something there to stir the imagination—I always do.

Lorraine's Erotica Book

 Some of your books are Erotica and others Young Adult.  Your attention to detail in both is wonderful.  Do you intend to continue writing in both genres?  planning to try a new one?

Lorraine's Erotica Book

 I am planning on mostly sticking to Paranormal thrillers or thrillers in general. I’ve been told Young Adult is a dying genre, and it’s too bad because I initially set out to reach those readers in general. I do have a new thriller in the hopper to start after I complete Last Rites, which is the last book to my Women of the Willow Wood Trilogy.

I love that series, as you well know!  The first two books are amazing I am certain the final book will be fantastic! I understand the covers are revamped for the first two as well.  Can we see them, and maybe get a little teaser?

 Sure.  Erika Szabo of Golden Box Books Publishing created the new covers.

Brandt is being tricked into joining Heaven’s Gate, which is an evil and powerful underground cult.  ***There is some adult language.***

Chapter 27

Brandt~
I tried to focus my eyes. Everything was gray—blurry. What the fuck? A shadowy figure was coming closer. I sat up as my eyes cleared, realizing this figure was Gorman. “Did you have a nice nap, Meade?” Gorman stood over me.

“What the hell happened last night? Who—”

“Did you really think for one minute you could outsmart a Grand Master, let alone one of our high priests and master alchemist?”

“I was drugged! Damn you! What did you give me?”

“Just a yummy cocktail of Midazolam and a few other natural herbs.

Your little scheme was thwarted as soon as it became a thought. And to think we owe if all to Drake Larson. You recognize the name, don’t you?”

I was still woozy from the drug but hearing his name had me snapping back to reality. Drake? Drake Larson? What the fuck? How did I let myself be deceived?

“Let me help you over to the chair. You need to hydrate too.” Gorman lent me his hand.

I pushed his hand away. “I need to get as far away from here as possible!”

I tried to stand but was still a bit dizzy. I had to sit—to think.

I made it over to the chair by Gorman’s desk. He handed me a glass of water. My throat was parched. I knew it was one of the effects of the drug.  I downed the water, my eyes scanning the room. No sign of Cox or Fuller. I inhaled a deep breath. Gorman was sitting back in his chair, his hands folded in his lap.

I had questions—lots of them. “So, where’s my black bag?”

“It’s in the storage room in the basement along with my other toys.”

“And the tablet. You have—”

“Yes, it’s in safe keeping. Don’t you worry your pretty little head over it.”

“And Drake? Tell me. Why is he involved in this?” I set my glass down.

“Larson is the head priest for Heaven’s Gate. He’s been flying under the radar for some time. He was lured in years ago with the promise of early retirement, power and wealth beyond his means.”

So now everything was coming into view. It made sense now; the house in Florida, his interest in Dani and his eagerness to set me up in his cottage. Fuck. Me. Now.

I had to get a grip—had to have a new plan. Things were changing fast. I tried to stand and was still a bit wobbly on my feet.

“Sit down Meade.” Gorman poured me another glass of water. Mario had come in with a plate of sandwiches. Gorman reached for one, took a bite and set it down. “Listen Meade, the final days are upon us. I’m sure you’ve heard that the Antichrist is here and there are many who have already appeared. From this we know that the last hours are coming.”

“1John 2:18 NLT. You are quoting scripture, I see.” My tongue was burning. He may just be one of the antichrists. “Just how does this affect me?”

“You have a chance for salvation—redemption. I’m giving you this chance. Heaven’s Gate is the only way—and for all of us.”

Was he kidding? I had to think about this one. Shades of the days I worked for Frank Darello ran through my mind. All those people who had believed Jim Jones back in 1978 never found redemption. I’m sure Gorman had already been serving up his own Kool-Aid. I was in too deep to run. With Drake now in the equation I had to plan this one out. All I could see was Dani’s face. I had to save her, no matter what.

Gorman pushed the plate closer to me. “Have some nourishment, Meade. You’re gonna need it.”

My stomach rumbled. I took a few bites and waited for Gorman to speak. The bread went down like hard lumps of clay.

“We know about Dani. We know she’s with you. We are offering you a position as a Grand Master. You and Dani will be safe with us. You’ll never have to worry about money again.”

My eyes bore into his. “I’m in shock. I can’t—”

“I think you can, Meade. If you decide not to cooperate, we will be forced to kill Dani. You will accompany us to Cayman Brac next week where you will be inducted into the ministry for Heaven’s Gate. It is an honor.”

I had to ask, “Will Drake be there?”

“Of course. He’ll be leading the ritual.”

It was far too much to take in. I had to get home—to think. This was truly a game changer for me and for Dani.

Gorman stood up. “Go home Meade. Make love to your woman. Prepare to leave next Friday for the Caymans.”

My balance had steadied as I walked toward the door. I turned to reply to Gorman but somehow I had no words. A storm was coming. The only thing on my mind was to get home and make plans to weather this one out. We had to get out of that cottage. I had to face Dani and tell her the truth—or maybe she already knew.


Those covers are gorgeous!  The teaser, wow, now my patience is really being stretched! 

I found all your paranormal thrillers are exciting.  Will you be keeping with your themes of curses and fulfilling destiny?  or will you change and incorporate more ghostly characters?


I will be focusing more on possession especially dealing with a Succubus. I have a romantic ghost story on the hopper as well.
It may be co-authored with another author who specializes in westerns. Don’t want to give away too many spoilers here

Succubus sounds like a great topic!  These sound like they will be amazing.  I want to thank you for being so open with me here.  It has been fun.  Please share some links where everyone can find you. 


Thank you!!!

Find Lorraine at:

 www.lorrainecarey.com
Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/StorySpirit4U/
Amazon Page  https://www.amazon.com/Lorraine-Carey/e/B00ELQBUHQ
Twitter @StorySpirit4U