The One-Link Lowdown on...Carol A. Spradling

A special start to the week as the Lowdown breaks its Friday habit with my guest Carol A. Spradling. Carol recently took back control of her writing by breaking away from the publishing norm and branching out independently - and she's never looked back. Her historical novels are vivid and compelling, and her latest, Shades of Gray (not to be confused with another work with a similar name!) is pulling in five-star reviews. I'm delighted she's my guest today - not least because she's one of my dearest friends! Welcome, Carol!

If you could retrieve one thing from your childhood, what would it be?

A cement heart. When I was eight years old, my grandfather made a walkway on the side of his house. He formed the leftover cement into a heart shape and gave it to me. It was lost when we moved.

What would be your perfect day?

A perfect writing day is back dropped with a heavy rainstorm, and a Twilight Zone marathon playing on the tv for company. A perfect non-writing day is spending time in the mountains with friends and family.

What’s your favourite sandwich, and where in the world is the best place to eat it?

OMG, Dunn’s Deli in Banner Elk, NC has the best sandwiches. My favourite is called The St. Patrick’s.  It is a grilled corned beef with melted muenster cheese and, here's what makes it special, it has warmed potato salad on the sandwich. It isn't a trip to the mountains without a visit to Dunn's.

That sounds delicious!  It sounds like the USA has perfected the art of sandwich-making, and I wish I could try them out!  Now, I know you're a girl after my own heart, so tell me - which household chore would you happily give up for ever?

If you were to ask my husband, he might tell you to phrase that question in the past tense. I’m not nit picky when it comes to housework. As long as my house gives the resemblance of clean, I’m good. Dusting seems to be my least favorite thing to do.

What talent or skill would you love to have that you don’t have now?

I would love to be able to sing. I can’t carry a tune to save my life.

What drives you seriously nuts?

People who drive under the speed limit and come to a near-dead stop to make a turn.

I know them!  The ones who don't want to use up all their gears at once, as my husband says!  Now - you're given a time travel machine - where would you go, and why?

I would zip to the future and take advantage of modern medicine. Then, shoot to the past when life was enjoyed at a much slower pace.

What's your guilty pleasure?

My husband and I love to eat out, nothing high end, mostly burger places.

Quite right, it's good to treat yourself!  Carol, if you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would want to be more intelligent. It seems to take me forever to catch on to things.

What single invention would change your life for the better?

Traveling at the speed of thought. I could visit friends and family and still be home in time for dinner. 

Carol, it's always a pleasure to talk with you.  Our readers can find out more about Shades of Gray here at your One-Link to its Amazon page.  Thanks for being my guest, and I wish you so much good luck in all you do!