Sit Down Saturday with Carol Ross

Today we’re celebrating the release of Mountains Apart, and here's what Carol had to say about getting ideas for this novel.

"I wrote the first few chapters of Mountains Apart in a rented condo overlooking the mountains and forests of beautiful British Columbia, Canada. My husband and I were on vacation there and it was bitterly cold but breathtakingly beautiful. I liked the idea of someone who wasn’t used to the cold being suddenly plunged into it--kind of like those brave polar bear club people--but reluctantly and for longer…"

  In looking at the cover, if you could add a caption or captions, what would they say?

“Sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants.”

 How long did it take you to write?

That’s a good question, and the honest answer is…I’m not sure. As it is my first published novel, it was written in bits and pieces--with lots of starts and stops, deletes and revisions.

What is your favorite scene?

I think I would have to pick the scene where Bering is feeling smug because he believes he has bested Emily at the winter festival, only to realize that he’s underestimated her--again. He finally begins to grasp just how strong an adversary she is--and how much he admires her for it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Emily’s transition throughout the story, but I would have to say Bering is my favorite character. He’s strong and confident, yet doesn’t take himself too seriously. He knows what he wants and as Emily says, “...he’s so passionate about what he believes in, and I like that.” I like that, too.

If you could pick fictional characters to play the hero and heroine, who would they be?

I can imagine the actor Gerard Butler playing Bering and actress Diane Kruger as Emily.

Tell us one thing you learned during research.

I learned so many cool things during my research about Alaska, so it’s difficult to choose just one… It’s such a fascinating place, but I think I’ll go with birch syrup. I didn’t even know this existed. Birch syrup is harvested in Alaska much like maple syrup is here in the lower forty-eight, but not in as great a quantity and with its own unique delicious flavor. It’s just a mention in the story, but I had to include it because I was so intrigued by it.

What music would match the mood of this novel?

Something fun and upbeat--I like country music so I’ll go with some Billy Currington or Zac Brown Band.

This is your first book. Exactly what does that mean to you?

Everything--dreams can come true, good things come to those who wait, hard work really does pay off--pick a cliche--I’m sure I’ve thought of it at some point in this journey...lol. It’s also been an invaluable education. I feel so lucky to be working with the editors at Harlequin. I can’t overstate how much I’ve learned.

 What do you plan to work on next?

I am currently working on another proposal for the Heartwarming series.

What are you reading for pleasure right now?

For the last couple months I’ve been trying to read at least one book from every Heartwarming author so I can recommend them to everyone I know! But right now I am taking a short break to read Colleen Hoover’s new release, Maybe Someday.

Thanks for sharing!