Uncaged Feature Author – Beth Carter

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Thank you for interviewing me. I’m honored.

BRIDE SWAP is the first book I’ve written since completing my six-book Coconuts series, so I was both excited and nervous about delving into a new world with entirely different characters. I enjoy writing about the unbreakable bonds of friendship with a side of romance and humor, so I always incorporate all three in my writing. In my newest release, there are two unlikely best friends, Paige and Emma, who set out to plan Paige’s secret wedding to a rival TV anchor. Paige is a popular television anchor who is assigned to cover sports, a daunting task that she knows nothing about. She’s far too busy learning about all-things sports (gag, according to her!) and planning a wedding would push her right over the edge. She enlists her best friend, Emma, to help but Emma is an overworked single mom who has a thriving Etsy business and an adorable five-year-old daughter, Lucy. However, Lucy’s hot kindergarten teacher makes Emma forget all about planning Paige’s wedding (Paige who?) A British bridal store owner comes to her rescue, but after chaos ensues, the two best friends aren’t sure if the right bride is getting married. One is falling out of love while the other is likely falling in love.
I’d love to release the sequel by July or August 2024. I have notes all over the kitchen table (sorry to my husband!) and have many ideas for mayhem in my not-yet-named novel.

Wow. Thank you. That’s a tough question to answer! I’ve never been asked this before. At first, I thought, I’m not funny. But I thought about it and realized my husband tells me nearly every morning that I am, as do many friends. I’m not stand-up comedienne funny, but I do love telling party jokes. I actually think I’m funnier on paper. I really didn’t realize I was that funny until readers kept saying my books were hilarious, which was a delightful surprise.

I enjoy putting my characters in almost-impossible, prickly situations—sort of akin to painting yourself in a corner. Therefore, they have to either laugh or cry to prevail. Of course, sometimes tears are an important part of the process, but I much prefer writing humor. Life is challenging and stressful enough. I fully believe we need to laugh more often.

As far as writing strong female friendships, I realized in my mid-twenties that relationships often come and go, but true friendship(s) last forever. I value the friends I’ve had throughout school and still have close friends from elementary school through college. I think it’s important to maintain friendships to be a well-rounded person. I plan to include best friends in my writing often, especially if they’re opposites.

Read the rest of the interview below in the issue of Uncaged Book Reviews

Enjoy an excerpt from Bride Swap

Bride Swap
Beth Carter
Contemporary Romance/Humor

Paige, a popular hard-charging television anchor, is handed a dismal new assignment to improve the station’s ratings. Her new job involves, of all things, sports. Gag. She hates sports, plus being on the road may put her career and her secret engagement to a rival news anchor in peril. Never mind that her fiancé constantly flirts with his so-called fans or the fact that her new male coworker may be after her job. What about the wedding? Hello? How can Paige possibly plan nuptials while constantly traveling to, ugh, games?

Emma, an overwhelmed single mother, is asked by her best friend to plan her wedding. Problem is, Emma has a thriving Etsy business making promotional items for authors, plus her energetic five-year-old daughter is beginning kindergarten. And little Lucy happens to have the hottest teacher on the planet. With a teenage-like crush, Emma can’t stop volunteering for every school activity imaginable. Always loyal, Emma agrees to help her BFF. Except her crazy schedule causes memory issues. Big ones.
Will Emma realize her mammoth blunder and race against time to create an unforgettable wedding for Paige, or is it too late? What if the wrong bride is getting married? Should they swap or forget the whole thing? Guilt is a powerful drug.

Excerpt

Read the rest of this excerpt in the issue below