Ciara Knight

[B][URL="http://www.ciaraknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Julia-Rachel-Barrett.jpg"][IMG]http://www.ciaraknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Julia-Rachel-Barrett.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/B]

[B][COLOR=#0000ff][URL="http://juliarachelbarrett.net/"]Julia Barrett[/URL] writes erotic science fiction, paranormal and contemporary romances for Resplendence Publishing, Siren, Logical Lust, Evernight Publishing, and Cobblestone Press. In my other life, I write nonfiction. If you ever find me sitting in one place, it’s because I’m reading or writing.[/COLOR][/B]

[B][B]Welcome, Julia. It's a pleasure to have you here. Could you share what inspired you to write [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Come-Back-to-Me-ebook/dp/B004E10YKW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1297394447&sr=8-6"]COME BACK TO ME[/URL]?[/B][/B]

[B][COLOR=#008000]Cara's story began as an exercise or an exorcism, I'm not quite sure which. It is a story I needed to get out of me and take a look at, for myself. In the beginning, I had no intention of submitting this work for publication. As it progressed and I went through a couple re-writes, I realized there was actually a story there that would resonate with readers and women who've experienced similar abusive situations. Women in abusive relationships don't seek out abusive men, but when abuse is all you know, you repeat a familiar pattern.[/COLOR][/B]

[B][B]How were you able to create such an amazing three-dimensional main character in Cara?[/B][/B]

[B][COLOR=#008000][URL="http://www.amazon.com/Come-Back-to-Me-ebook/dp/B004E10YKW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1297394447&sr=8-6"][IMG]http://www.ciaraknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/come-back-to-me-200x300.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/COLOR][/B]

[B][COLOR=#008000]Cara is me. Cara's experiences are mine. I know some readers think, this isn't possible, so many bad things cannot happen to one person. Well, I'm living proof that bad things can and do happen, but you can still survive intact. Some of the events that occurred were worse than I described, some were different than I described, but I had to make changes to protect innocent people - and of course myself, my son and my mother. My father, by the way, is still alive and kicking (he's a very healthy guy and we now have a wonderful relationship), and he apologized to me ten years ago for knowing about the abuse I suffered as a child and keeping silent. I'm not proud of every decision I made - I messed up so many years of my life. I suppose I had good reasons for doing some of the things I did, but in the end, I knew I had to become the mother I didn't have. It's something I remind myself every single day.[/COLOR][/B]



[B][B]The aftermath of what happens to Cara shows how abuse not only affects the person who suffered the attack, but all of her loved ones. Was there a hero in your own life that inspired the character, James?[/B][/B]



[B][COLOR=#008000]Yes, my husband. He was in James' position. I hurt him terribly and he tried to move on with his life, but he was never far from my thoughts and I was always in his mind. Cara's reunion with James is taken straight out of our unexpected reunion - except my husband and I were reunited in the fall, while James and Cara come back to each other in the winter.[/COLOR][/B]

[B][B]Do you open yourself up for every book you write?[/B][/B]



[B][COLOR=#008000]Oh, pretty much, except for my menage, One Four All, which was written purely for fun. Because of my life experiences, I tend to write heroines who can take care of themselves. I had to learn to stand on my own two feet and how to stop playing the role of victim. Having a baby to protect turned me into, well, frankly, a mama lion protecting her cub. I was not about to let anyone hurt my child. My heroines usually don't take crap from anyone.[/COLOR][/B]



[B][B]How is this book different from others you’ve written?[/B][/B]



[B][COLOR=#008000][URL="http://www.amazon.com/Come-Back-to-Me-ebook/dp/B004E10YKW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1297394447&sr=8-6"]Come Back to Me[/URL] is more in your face than anything I've written. Cara is so terribly vulnerable and she has no one to turn to. She tries to pretend she's strong, that she doesn't need anyone, but inside she's balanced on a tightrope and the least little gust of wind could knock her off. Abuse does that to you.[/COLOR][/B]



[B][B]The raw emotion of Cara drew me in, and I could not put the book down until I knew she was okay. I personally recommend this read to anyone who has a loved one who has suffered from abuse. Also, anyone who just wants to read a passionate tale of loss, hope, and love.[/B][/B]





[B][COLOR=#008000]I think Cara's story works because she has her HEA, as I was fortunate enough to have mine - but it wasn't an easy road. I appreciate the fact that you stuck with the story. I know [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Come-Back-to-Me-ebook/dp/B004E10YKW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1297394447&sr=8-6"]Come Back to Me[/URL] is a difficult read. Everyone has told me they feel Cara's pain right along with her. To me, the story is beautiful. Cara and James are beautiful together. The survival of their love is a beautiful thing.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000] Thanks, Ciara! julia[/COLOR][/B]

[B][COLOR=#008000][B]Thank you so much for stopping by today, Julia. It has been a pleasure. [/B]
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[COLOR=#008000]You can also find Julia on her [URL="http://juliarachelbarrett.net/"]website[/URL], [URL="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000570704914"]Facebook[/URL], and [URL="http://twitter.com/JuliaRBarrett"]Twitter[/URL].[/COLOR]