Blog | Carolyn Menke

Cover reveal for Return To Me!

My book has a cover! What do you think? A huge thank you to the talented Kim Mendoza for capturing the essence of my historical war-time romance! I love the layered, romantic feel. The train’s steam shooting into the sky and the bomber planes place us in a World War II setting. Sadie is every bit as lovely and contemplative as I imagined. I have to admit I was nervous about this stage of the process. You pour every bit of yourself into writing a novel only to turn it over and let it go — like sending your baby off to school. But the whole team at the Wild Rose Press was highly collaborative from the start.

How I got my publishing contract

You write the book. Then you rewrite the book. Then you change the ending—I did, twice. You get small wins along the way—enthusiastic agent and editor feedback at conferences and requests for more. A first chapter contest win. An exclusive read. Then everything stalls. The rejections sting. You retreat into a little hole and wallow in the fact that your premise isn’t hooky enough. That you wrote the right book at the wrong time. That your first fifty pages must be flawed. And your inner critic (I’ve named mine Roz), whispers I told you so. For all of that, thank you.

Mom’s dirty little secret: trips with kids

Have child, will travel? Absolutely, for this mom, Dana Faletti, who has embarked upon more trips this year than most of us have in the last two. I decided to pull up a chair and get the skinny on how she does it, and what tips she’s picked up over the years. How old are your kids? I have three daughters. 10, 9, and 5. Where have you taken them on trips? Traveling is our family passion. We have done typical things like Orlando – the Disney and Universal track, but we’ve also taken the kids to Italy and also to New York City several times. We go to Marco Island yearly. When the kids were in preschool or younger, we’d spend up to a month there. My husband could work remotely, and we all got to enjoy the beach. Those were the best days! We’ve taken several trips to the Outer Banks as well, usually with large groups. This is a fun trip but not a relaxing one!

Mom’s dirty little secret: breaking up with plastic

Sorry plastic, I’m with glass. And stainless steel. And metal. Because you generate a ton of waste and leak chemicals. It’s over between us. Today I’m rapping with Stacy Conlin, mom of three, on her decision to go plastic-free. And get this—her family fills the garbage can only once every other month. I had to get the full scoop on this.

Whip up your kid’s cake in 6 steps. Number 5 licks the rest.

When our firstborn was a baby, I barely had time to eat, shower, and sleep. Baking her a cake seemed out of the question. But twelve years, three kids, and 28 birthday parties later, the cake has become a highlight! Not because I’m Cake Boss – I’m a terrible baker, really – but because my kids love it. (They’re easy to impress.) Here’s how we do it:

Mom’s dirty little secret: give me five

He hates apples. She likes hers peeled, cut up, and dipped. But it has to be the right dip. And it has to be room temperature. No wonder mealtime drives us nuts. We want them to eat it and enjoy it. If they’re hungry enough, they will, right? (cue *evil mom laugh*) Today, I’m kicking off my blog series called “Mom’s dirty little secret,” with Priscilla King. This mom of three is dishing on creative ways to serve up healthy foods to kids.

What’s in your kid’s piggy bank?

You’re schlepping through Target, trying to pick up one little thing, and a toy catches the eye of your six year old. She begs, pleads, debates, and wraps her body around your thigh. No way are you caving into this impulse, right? You proudly hold your ground (or not). And you tell her she should bring her own money the next time (like that’s gonna happen). But where is her money? How much does she really have? At home I used to find stray bills tucked here and there. Tooth fairy money had slipped off the nightstands or had been buried in jewelry boxes or desk drawers. Sometimes my kids spent the money the second it hit their hands and later forgot. Try explaining to your six year old, who can’t remember what year it is, that she already bought a Beanie Boo with the five from Grandpa.

Author Spotlight: Janet McClintock, Author of WORST OF ALL EVILS

Tags: Interview|

WORST OF ALL EVILS, the debut thriller by Janet McClintock, explores honor and trust and the blurry line between being good or bad. I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Ms. McClintock, who has raced motorcycles, owned horses, drove a tractor trailer across the country, and has spent thirty years training in martial arts. Action comes easy to her. Tell me, what’s the premise? Joan Bowman joins the Constitution Defense Legion to fight a runaway government in Washington, D.C., but after working her way into a leadership position, she discovers the underground resistance group is as bad as the government it is fighting. Her only way out alive is to become a state’s witness, but betraying the group means betraying her mentor and lover.

A father’s advice to his son on how to be a good soldier

Here’s the advice my grandpa gave my uncle the summer of 1967. Dear Phil, Since we had little time to talk before you embarked for your stint in the army, you missed out on some good advice on how to get along in the army without half trying. Here are a few gems from which you can profit. l. Most soldiers are assigned to KP duty sometime during their khaki career. This isn’t at all necessary. Should some sergeant suggest that you might like to wash a few pans, just ask to be excused. Explain that you never were one to enjoy working around the kitchen and that you see no reason why you should start at your time of life. If he coaxes, be firm. Be polite, but firm. When he realizes you mean business, he’ll go find someone less determined than yourself.

Author interview: Susan Sofayov, Author of DEFECTIVE

Tags: Interview|

Today I’m shining the spotlight on debut novelist Susan Sofayov, author of DEFECTIVE, released in April. (Get your copy here!). Susan Sofayov lives in the scenic, tropical Pittsburgh, PA with her real estate developer husband, a tenth grade son, and the most hated dog in the neighborhood. She is the mother of two college students and lives for the weekends they come home. Tell me – what’s DEFECTIVE about? University of Pittsburgh law student, Maggie Hovis, battles an enemy she cannot escape—her own brain. Where do you write? There is an extra bedroom in our house that I’ve turned into an office/ironing room/junk depository. I have one of those corner desks, facing the wall, which is not a bad thing. The walls aren’t distracting.