Meet Chandler County Author Traci Wooden-Carlisle

I’m so excited to introduce you all to Traci Wooden-Carlisle, who's here today to tell you about her new Chandler County series book Missing Us. It’s been a joy for me to get to know Traci as part of the Chandler County authors group. Each week since the end of October, a brand new story in the CC series has been released—and they’re all delightful. Traci’s book Missing Us (the sixth of eight) is no exception. You can see a list of the others below.

Traci Wooden-Carlisle began writing poetry and short stories as soon as she was able to form words on paper. She used that as a way to creating worlds, as well as, to communicate with God. A native of Los Angeles, California, she grew up attending United Methodist Church under the leadership of a pastor whose heart was for youth. Once she finished college at she found herself at a loss. She felt caught in the transition between childhood and adulthood. She surrounded herself with saints and volunteered her services as a graphic artist. Through the early-morning prayer, all night Friday prayer and 3-day shut-ins she started on her journey toward her most desired gift, an intimate relationship with God. 
Today, Mrs. Wooden-Carlisle lives in San Diego with her husband, David Carlisle. When she isn’t writing she teaches fitness classes and runs a jewelry and craft business.

HERE’S A LITTLE ABOUT MISSING US

Dr. Atherton Nathan, Terry, never imagined that the pact he made four decades ago would cost him what he treasured most – his family. Though he survived the slow disintegration of his marriage, he held fast to the hope that he could win back the only woman he ever loved.

His youngest daughter now has a life and love he has always wanted for her and their relationship has healed enough for her to allow him to give her away during her wedding.  He hopes the weeks he will spend in Chandler County to ensure her transition from her life and career in Chicago to Chandlerville before the nuptials will be enough to convince his wife…ex-wife of his love for her and hers for him.

Reina Fellows Nathan can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Her youngest daughter’s life is out of danger and Shauna is carving out her own path towards happiness. All Reina has to do is get through the weeks it will take to help her daughter plan her wedding and avoid her ex-husband. He nearly destroyed her once and despite some of the changes he’s recently made she dare not trust her heart to him.

Each day brings new challenges that work against her resolve to remain unaffected by her ex- husband’s attempts to court her again, but secrets, lies and a long-held pact that comes to light may make it impossible for a true reconciliation.

EXCERPT

Reina was pulled from her thoughts by the ringing of the phone. She let it ring, slightly shaken by her thoughts. She was sure one of the others would get it. She was straightening her paperwork when Meredith’s voice came over the conference line.

“Reina, you have a call on line 2. It’s your husband?” Meredith’s voice rose at the end making what could have been a statement, a question. Terry had a way of doing that to people.

“Thank you, Meredith.” She responded before pressing the button that would open the line to her ex-husband.

“Reina.” His mellow voice reached through the line and caressed her senses.

“Terry.” She said trying to infuse as much coolness as possible into her tone.

“I need to see you.” No greeting. No small talk, no beating around the bush.

“No.” She hung up the phone.

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TRACI'S SUPER-FUN Q&A

LIZ: What was your favorite book as a child?

TRACI: Island of the Blue Dolphins. It was otherworldly to me. The imagery and detail truly allowed me to feel like I was there, and my second-grade teacher was a great reader.

LIZ: How did you come up with the idea for Missing Us? 

TRACI: I thought about the story for this book near the beginning of my first book in the Chandler County Series MissingDestiny. Dr. Atherton ‘Terry’ Nathan is the father of Dr. Shauna Nathan, the main character of Missing Destiny.  I knew he was a piece of work, but I needed to see if he was redeemable.

LIZ: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

TRACI: Creating jewelry is very therapeutic so I’ve made it a business. I am a freelance graphic artist and do personal fitness training.

LIZ: If you described your book in three words, which would you choose?

TRACI: Emotional, Inspiring, romantic

LIZ: If you could have dinner with any three book characters, who would you choose and why?

TRACI: Boy, that would be a dinner to remember. Sometimes it’s like they are with me because they whisper in my ear if it takes me too long to get back to them. Does that happen to you?

In my book ‘My Beauty for Your Ashes’ there is Dominy, a gentleman who is kind of like the comic relief, but he really just tells it like it is in an obvious and slightly sarcastic way. I would normally want to dine with Paige, the main female character of that series, but she is going through some things right now and wouldn’t be much fun. Then there is Maddison from both Missing Destiny and Missing Us. She is Shauna’s co-worker and best friend, who is a fashionable, lively, unapologetic piece of work. I would probably pick her brain on fashion because I don’t have much when it comes to clothing and sit back to watch her interact with Dominy.

The third would be Ryan Grambling who is referred to in Missing Destiny and makes an appearance in Missing Us. He is dreamy, you know, the strong silent type. I would sit back and watch him for a moment and see how he got along with Maddison (who he may have a thing for) and Dominy. Then I would play 20-Questions with him because I really want to get to know him better.

LIZ: I just want to add that this was the best answer ever to this question! I do have my characters start bugging me if I don’t pay attention to them—but I love how there are exact questions you have in mind for your characters!

LIZ: If your house was on fire and you only had time to save three objects, what would you save?

TRACI: My bible, my laptop, and purse with my phone in it.

LIZ: You’ve been granted one superpower for one week. Which power would you choose, and what would you do with it?

TRACI: If it is for one week, I would like to be able to see in the future one month ahead and hope that I’m not going die in that time. I would like to have fun giving and making things easier for those I love through this power. I don’t want to see my death.

LIZ: Couldn’t agree more. The idea of seeing my own death gives me the shivers.

LIZ: Write us a haiku about your book or one of your characters!

TRACI: 

He wants his wife back.

She’s content where she is now. 

Who will win this time?

LIZ: Time for a mini blitz!

a) Favorite color? Song? Movie?

b) Summer or winter?

c) Morning or night?

d) Rain or shine?

e) Sweet or salty?

TRACI: a) In winter, blue. In summer, green. Today, James Taylor’s version of ‘Up On the Roof’. 2009 version of Pride and Prejudice

b) winter

c) Night

d) Shine

e) Salty

LIZ: Do you have any favorite authors? How did they influence your writing?

TRACI: Dee Henderson is one of my favorite authors because she delivers the message of God in her books in a subtle yet poignant way.

   

LIZ: Where is your favorite place to write?

TRACI: Bedroom

LIZ: What’s on your bucket list for this year?

TRACI: Taking my parents on a train ride up to Vancouver, BC and a cruise back from Vancouver to Los Angeles

LIZ HAS GOTTA ASK: What’s the most personal thing you’ve ever put in one of your books?

TRACI: Though ‘My Beauty for Your Ashes’ was fiction the main character and I shared some very tumultuous moments in our lives. We also share the fact that our relationship with Jesus has helped us let go of the anger and unforgiveness so we could be healthier in mind, body and spirit.

TRACI’S QUESTION FOR YOU: 

How many books in a series is a good number for you?

I am offering the e-copy of both Missing Destiny and Missing Us to one commenter. (It’s more entertaining to read Missing Us after you’ve read Missing Destiny.)

CONTACT TRACI:

E-mail:   authortraci@gmail.com

Website:   www.tawcarlisle.com

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/traciwoodencarlisle

Twitter:  www.twitter.com/traciwcarlisle

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Author_TraciWCarlisle

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/tawcarlisle

Blogs: www.tawcarlisle.com/blog

WHAT’S COMING NEXT ?

My next release will be early 2018. It is a First Street Church KW book titled Loves Bittersweet Beginning. I will also be releasing My Garment of Praise for Your Spirit of Heaviness, the third book in my Promise to Zion Series.

CHECK OUT SOME OF TRACI'S PREVIOUS RELEASES:

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Amazon

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Amazon