Lead The Way by Brittany Carter
Published by: Swoon Romance
Publication date: April 22nd, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Fresh off the high of college graduation, Melody James is back in her Podunk town. She needs a job, but first, she’ll spend a lazy summer with no agenda at all.
But life’s got other plans for Melody, ones she’d sooner ignore. When the next-door neighbor passes away, his son returns home to take care of his affairs. Thane Cohen hasn’t been home in ten years. The last time he was, someone accused him of murdering Melody’s parents. Now, after major efforts to recover his self-worth and start a construction company, Thane wonders if enough time has passed for him to clear his once good name.
At the time of the murders, Melody was the only person who didn’t believe Thane was responsible. But how could she even suggest otherwise when just about everyone in town was convinced of Thane’s guilt? Her brothers would never allow it. With nothing to lose before, Thane packed up and left, leaving the town and Melody behind. Now that he’s back, rekindling an old flame in Melody and proving his innocence are critical.
When several car windshields get broken and fires start unexpectedly, the world inside their little town is tossed upside down. With Melody’s brother against her, and Thane fighting every attempt she makes at breaking down his walls, Melody’s push for answers leads her to a frightening conclusion. Thane may actually know more about her parents’ death than she was lead to believe. Can she trust him, or has everyone else been right about him all along? Only time will tell if she can let love lead the way.
—
*Author previously wrote under the name, Alla Kar.
~AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Brittany Carter~
1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?
I’m a sucker for a bad
boy that’s a good man. Give him a slow drawl and I swoon. So, I wanted all of
that and also to write something that had a bit of forbidden love in it. I love
to write chemistry that has to be kept a secret because the romance grows fonder
for me when the characters have to fight for it. I wanted to write something
other than what I see a lot like billionaire romances, step-brother romance and
reverse harem. I wanted to see a romance that blossoms and keeps you turning
the pages. I hadn’t, personally, came across a romance where her love interest
is her parents’ potential killer. (Not saying that it hasn’t been done, but
it’s not done a lot.)
In other words, the
inspiration came from wanting something different and forbidden.
2) Are there any hidden themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?
Not really. My main
goal was to portray a love that felt true, and I hope my readers see that kind
of romance in LEAD THE WAY.
3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?
Mrs. Arlene is based on
quite a few older women that live around the area where I grew up. That feisty,
do it myself attitude but put you in your place is common in an old southern
woman. Ha! I won’t name any names but the sheriff is definitely some people I
know also.
4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?
Nicholas Sparks has
inspired me that I can write a romance without sex scenes on every page.
Nothing against that, I love a good roll in the hay book, but it seems that’s
all I see when I go look at the best-seller’s list. I like to read romances
that bloom and come from a true place. Nicholas Sparks really proves to me that
you can be successful this way.
5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game
night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?
You really pulled out
the big guns with this one. One of my all-time favourite heroes is Shane Collins from The Morganville
Vampires because of obvious reasons. Next, I’d like to meet John Coffey from The Green Mile because
I just fell in love with his tragic story even though it is heartbreaking.
Last, I would love to meet Holden
Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye because I became fascinated on how
the author made the story likeable even though the main character is a
pathological liar. That’s talent.
I think we’d have
meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peach cobbler, corn bread and okra. That was John
Coffey’s last meal before the electric chair. And, hey, I’m a southern girl
myself, that sounds like a good ole’ meal to me.
I think we’d play B.S
because I’d love to see Holden Caulfield in action.
6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?
Definitely not. Reading helps the
imagination grow. My husband wouldn’t agree but who asked him?
Author Bio:
Brittany Booker Carter previously writing as Alla Kar. I'm a Christian, lover or romance, a wife and mother to a wild-child!
Thanks for being on the tour! :)
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