Discover more about
Carol Cox
and her historical romance
Truth Be Told
Bethany House
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What was a favourite childhood book of yours?
My mom taught me to read at an early age, so books have always been a huge part of my life. When I was five years old, my dad brought home a book called The Happy Hollisters, the first title in a mystery series for kids. That story drew me in right away, and I didn’t want to put it down. Once I finished, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next title…and the next. I’ve been hooked on mysteries ever since!
Do you remember the title of the first story you ever wrote? What was it about?
I’m not sure it had a title, but I remember the story well. I decided to write my own epic adventure at age four, a fairy story. The fact that I couldn’t write yet posed a problem, but I overcame that by recruiting my grandmother to take down the story while I dictated. All was going well…until I added a sinister character who caught the fairy and pulled off her wings. That was too much for Grammy, who immediately resigned as my secretary and put my writing career on hold for years.
If you weren’t a writer, what career would you/did you/do you have pursued?
At one time, I thought I might follow in the footsteps of my father, a dairy farmer. Like him, I loved the outdoors and working with animals. Instead, I wound up getting a degree in elementary education and becoming a teacher. I only taught in a classroom for two years, but that training has stood me in good stead as a homeschool teacher, as well as in teaching various age groups in church settings over the years.
Why do you write stories?
Weaving stories has become such a part of my life, I can’t imagine not doing it. Characters, situations, and story lines dance around in my head all the time. And just as I take pleasure introducing my friends to real people and places I enjoy, I love introducing readers to the people and places that populate my imagination!
Truth Be Told
Sometimes the truth can be dangerous…
When Amelia Wagner takes over her father’s newspaper in 1893 Granite Springs, Arizona, she vows to carry on the paper’s commitment to reporting only the truth. But Amelia soon learns that even the truth can have serious consequences. Her father’s revealing articles about the Great Western Investment Company have caught the attention of the wrong people, and pressure mounts for Amelia to retract her father’s statements.
Determined to find out the real story, Amelia begins her own investigation. She’s joined by Benjamin Stone, a Great Western employee who’s been assigned to keep tabs on her for the good of the company, a man Amelia finds both perplexing and intriguing.
What they uncover stuns them both–and has far-reaching implications for not only Ben and Amelia but all of Granite Springs. Can they reveal the truth before the enemy finds a way to silence them for good?
Describe your novel in 5 adjectives
Western
Historical
Suspenseful
Humorous
Down-to-earth (the hyphens make that one word instead of three, right?)
Please share a little about one of your main characters
I enjoyed writing about Amelia Wagner, the heroine of Truth Be Told, immensely. She became a very real person in my mind, and watching her growth as the story unfolded was an adventure. Amelia is a young woman who deeply admired her father, shares his passion for truth, and has a burning desire to live up to the trust her father placed in her. That, plus her faith, gives her the courage to press on in her search for the truth, even when the way becomes dangerous.
What spiritual theme or question does your story deal with?
Truth Be Told touches on a number of themes—topics like forgiveness, addiction, believing the best against all appearances, and the costs of fighting for the truth.
Share a recent movie or tv show that you have loved, and why?
The ladies’ group at our church got together and went to see Mom’s Night Out recently. With all the deep issues we deal with on a daily basis, it was so refreshing to sit and laugh…and laugh…and laugh some more with a theater full of women!
Thanks Carol!
Relz Reviewz Extras
Review of Love in Disguise
Interview with Carol
Visit Carol’s website and blog
Buy from Amazon: Truth Be Told or Koorong
July 18, 2014 at 11:57 pm
I’m not sure if this would be considered the Wild West, but I loved Disney’s Little House on the Prairie miniseries that was made several years ago. I also love any book/movie that is set on the Oregon Trail. It fascinates me so much. I never get tired of reading things about it. This fascination definitely started the first time I read “Love’s Long Journey” by Janette Oke. The couple journeys West with a wagon train (probably wasn’t supposed to specifically be the Oregon Trail, but it started my interest).
July 19, 2014 at 12:10 am
I have a lot of favorites, lol, but I think one of my all time favorites would be “Calamity Jane” with Doris Day.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
July 19, 2014 at 12:41 am
After reading Brittany’s comment, all I can think of is Little House on the Prairie. I didn’t ever miss the show if I could help it, and still watch the reruns.
I also saw a wild west movie with Jimmy Stewart one time. I can’t remember the name of it, but it involved trying to get some land from a pretty lady. 😉
July 19, 2014 at 12:47 am
Love comes softly was a good movie though the book was better.
July 19, 2014 at 12:49 am
My favorite western movie would have to be “Lonesome Dove” I have the who series on DVD.
July 19, 2014 at 1:45 am
My favorite childhood story was The Twelve Dancing Princesses. When I got older (teen years)I loved any book about horses and/or dogs. Now historical fiction is my thing. I am so grateful for great authors who love to write and have a talent for it!
July 19, 2014 at 2:05 am
Calamity Jane and The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap…very different but well done!
July 19, 2014 at 3:03 am
Does little House on the Prairie count? I’ve always loved the timeless stories from Little House.
July 19, 2014 at 3:12 am
I liked the movie Far and Away. I also like the show ‘When Calls The Heart.” I have not read these books but they are on my “to read” list.
July 19, 2014 at 3:15 am
Tombstone is my favorite Wild West Movie ever.
July 19, 2014 at 3:49 am
My daddy loved The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, so I saw it several times as a younger person. Though I can’t remember much about it now, I DO recall liking it. If TV shows count, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman would be my favorite, though!
July 19, 2014 at 6:05 am
Straight From the Heart, a TV movie, with Teri Polo and Andrew McCarthy is one of my favorites. I enjoy the interaction between the main characters and love the setting.
July 19, 2014 at 7:43 am
I really like The Lone Ranger and Little House on the Prairie – is that considered wild west? 🙂
July 19, 2014 at 10:15 am
There are a lot of good ones out there, but I have long been fond of McClintock (John Wayne) and Calamity Jane (Doris Day).
July 19, 2014 at 11:46 am
All the movies in the Love Comes Softly series. Also Lonesome Dove. Never get tired of watching them!
July 19, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Very hard to pick. I love so many. Love all of John Wayne’s movies. He is my favorite Actor. Even got to meet him. Also Lonesome Dove. But love all western. Sure would love to win your book Carol. Thank you Relz for the interview with Carol. Maxie Anderson
July 19, 2014 at 1:42 pm
What comes to mind at the moment is more of a modern day Wild West–all the Joe Picket books by CJ Box. Would try and pick one, but love them all.
July 19, 2014 at 8:52 pm
Calamity Jane with Doris Day will always be my favorite!!!!
July 19, 2014 at 10:50 pm
I am a huge John Wayne fan so any of his movies would do. However, my favorite author in Wild West stories is Mary Connealy. She has written many series (Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages,Sophie’s Daughters Trouble in Texas, The Kincaid Brides, Wild at Heart & recently Spitfire Sweetheart in Four Weddings and a Kiss-which is hilarious! She writes about strong yet loving, western women who stand with their man through thick and thin.
July 20, 2014 at 12:39 am
Dr. Quinn was a great TV show set in the west. There was also one about a group of Pony Express riders that came out in the late 80’s or early 90’s I think, can’t recall the name. Not sure as far as movies..
July 20, 2014 at 3:55 am
Well, between Cathy Marie Hake and Mary Connealy books, I picked up a loved for Westerns somewhere along the way. I did not grow up watching them much, rather, I was into other genres. I read a variety of stories when I was young, although, I will say that I was mainly into fairy-tales. However, I also enjoyed reading Western tall tales, speaking of which, Tall Tale is still one of my favorite movies. If you asked which was one I watched the most, I would have to say True Grit(’10).. My family enjoyed watching Dr. Quinn when I was younger. I like John Wayne movies, Roy Rogers, Bonanza, and several others…;)
July 20, 2014 at 4:01 am
Young Guns 1 and 2 are two of my favorite movies.
July 20, 2014 at 6:17 am
The Big Country (1956) had a universe of stars: Chuck Heston, Greg Peck, Jean Simmons and many more. The story shows that the west had its own code of honor that outsiders couldn’t grasp. As feuds and romances change direction across an epic landscape, your one thought should be: even bad Chuck Heston is dreamy!
July 20, 2014 at 7:11 am
I’d have to say that True Grit is my favorite Western movie. (the 1969 version)
July 20, 2014 at 8:01 am
I can’t narrow down my favorite western books to just one. Any of Mary Connealy’s “romantic comedies with cowboys” would fit for this.
July 20, 2014 at 11:53 am
I would have to say that Little house on the prairie or The waltons are my favorites. I also enjoy Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series.
July 20, 2014 at 1:17 pm
I liked the John Wayne movie McLintock!
July 23, 2014 at 11:54 am
I read and re-read the Red River of the North series by Lauraine Snelling. It says north, but I consider that area west.
July 23, 2014 at 7:11 pm
I loved Little House on the Prairie! Not sure if that one counts. Oklahoma is a favourite in our house since the kids did the musical at school.
July 24, 2014 at 3:58 am
Little House on the Prairie!