Welcome to Uncaged! Your newest release, Bride Swap is a romantic comedy that released in September and is part of a new series. Can you tell readers more about this book? What is the approximate release date of book two that you are aiming for?
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.
You have two unique abilities when writing. A real knack for writing about strong women friendships and very witty dialog. Where do you get your sense of humor?
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
Formerly a bank VP and hospital marketer, Beth Carter reinvented herself at mid-life to pen novels and children’s picture books. She doesn’t miss the 8 o’clock meetings whatsoever and much prefers yoga pants to corporate suits. Carter is a multi-award-winning author of the popular six-book Coconuts series, as well as standalone novels: BRIDE SWAP, SLEEPING WITH ELVIS and MIRACLE ON AISLE TWO. She also penned THE QUARANTINE COOKBOOK (a pandemic project for charity), four children’s picture books, and a nonfiction book on writing, publishing, and marketing: I WROTE A BOOK. NOW WHAT?
The author splits her time between Missouri and Florida. Fueled by coffee, nature, stories from being a single mom, plus her wild imagination, Carter pens hilarious, heartwarming novels. She loves board games, reading, boating, dancing, shopping, chardonnay, and the beach. Connect with Beth Carter on social media or via her website at www.bethcarter.com. Join the author’s fun readers’ group, Beth’s Book Babes, for cover reveals, contests, giveaways, and all things books and reading!
bethcarter.com
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
After closing out the evening news, Paige smiled into the camera. “Thanks for allowing us into your homes, everyone. See you tomorrow night. Right here at the news desk.” After the camera operator held up three fingers, then two, then one, Paige pushed away from the anchor desk and headed to her cubicle. She had already decided to stop and buy veggie egg rolls for a late-night snack with a much-needed glass of chardonnay. As she reached for her purse, a yellow sticky note caught her eye. It was stuck in the middle of her computer screen, making it impossible to miss.
Paige furrowed her brows as she deciphered the obviously hastily written note:
Please come to my office at 8 o’clock sharp tomorrow morning. ~Mr. Hales
After a fitful night’s sleep, Paige arrived at Appledale TV by seven-thirty in the morning, a real sacrifice since she was a night owl. She decided to grab a cup of dreadful station coffee before facing her boss about this—whatever it was—mystery meeting, making sure to use one of the station’s mugs with the ATV 10 logo inside a red apple to show her team spirt. The morning show anchors were already on the set. She passed the meteorologist in the hallway, said a quick hello, and kept moving. As always, the station was frigid. Paige shivered—from both the chilly temperature and nerves—and stepped toward her boss’s office.
Before she could knock, Mr. Hales, the station manager, opened his door. “Morning, Paige. Have a seat.” He gestured toward one of two striped chairs across from his desk. Station colors: red, white, and gray, naturally.
Paige chose the chair closest to his desk—and to the door, just in case she was getting canned. Her boss hadn’t been acting like himself lately. She couldn’t put her finger on it but knew something was up. She knew ratings were holding in the evening time slot, fans adored her, and she got along with her colleagues. Continuing her internal peptalk, she knew she didn’t stumble while reading the news and always checked and doublechecked her sources. So, what is this about? Paige shifted uncomfortably in the chair, crossed her legs, careful not to spill her coffee.
“I should have brought paper and a pen. Is that necessary, Mr. Hales? If so, I’ll be right back—”
Mr. Hales waved his hand dismissively.
“No need for that, Paige. Besides, I have paper and pens galore.” He forced a laugh which made her even more nervous.
Read the rest of this excerpt in the issue below
