Cassidy Carson Inspires Romance Readers With Stories That Blend Adventure, Emotion, And Timeless Love
Exploring Love, Adventure, And Creativity In The Heartfelt Worlds Of Cassidy Carson
Cassidy Carson shares insights into her writing journey, co-authoring with JT Hume, balancing romance and adventure, and crafting heartfelt stories inspired by a rich life of creativity and love.
There are certain authors whose works don’t just tell a story—they create a world, invite you to step inside, and remind you why you fell in love with reading in the first place. Cassidy Carson is undoubtedly among that special group. With her heartfelt romances and adventurous plots, she bridges the gap between escapism and emotional truth, crafting tales that resonate deeply with readers. Her journey as a writer is nothing short of inspiring, from her humble beginnings penning stories on an electric typewriter gifted by her husband to becoming one-half of a powerhouse creative duo with JT Hume, her lifelong partner and collaborator. Their co-authored novel From Tundra to Tiara offers readers a compelling blend of romance and wilderness adventure, while her forthcoming paranormal romance series, Restless Spirits, promises intrigue and unexpected introspection, tapping into themes of aging and rediscovery.
Cassidy’s unique ability to draw from her rich, multi-faceted life experience—whether it’s her love of history, her creative pursuits like painting and acting, or her deep connection to northern Nevada—imbues her characters with authenticity and complexity. Her belief in “love conquering all” radiates through her narratives, reminding us of the beauty in vulnerability and the strength in human connection. Few authors can balance heart-pounding adventure with heartfelt emotion the way Cassidy does, and her dedication to the craft, coupled with her generosity of spirit, shines in every word.
In this interview, Cassidy Carson not only delves into the stories behind her books but also offers insight into her creative process, her partnership with JT, and the life lessons that inspire her themes. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious newcomer, her words will leave you feeling inspired and eager to turn the page. For those who believe that romance is more than just a genre—it’s a celebration of the human spirit—Cassidy Carson is an author you won’t want to miss.
What inspired you to write “From Tundra to Tiara”?
Throughout our marriage, my husband and I have been fans of action-romance movies like Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile because the comedic light-hearted tones of these films speak to our personalities. As we were leaving the theater after seeing The Lost City we decided to try our hand at writing something similar. The main difference between “From Tundra to Tiara” and the movies we enjoy is that none of our main characters are authors; Lexie is a veterinarian technician in training while Travis is an ex-Navy SEAL turned sled-dog racer.
Can you share your experience of co-writing a book with your husband, JT Hume?
The project turned out to be an eye-opening one. JT and I are in synch with each other in almost everything except writing because I’m a plotter and he’s a pantser. In this case, JT and I talked out general story elements without creating a formal structure in advance. I then wrote the first chapter from Lexie’s POV, JT responded with chapter two in Travis’ POV, and we went back and forth until we finished the draft. The story flowed well and I appreciated not dealing with the normal writers block or messy middle frustration. We enjoyed writing together so much that we have at least a couple more collaborations planned.
How does your background in creative pursuits like painting, acting, and dancing influence your writing?
My hobbies feed my creative spirit. Sketching and painting help me to visualize background or character elements, acting gives me the chance to explore emotions, while music and dancing provide me with a sense of rhythm and flow. I feel these pursuits make me a more well-rounded writer and I hope some of my enjoyment of them feeds my characters.
Why did you choose northern Nevada as your home, and does the location influence your stories?
To be honest, I didn’t like Nevada when I first moved here because the surroundings seemed stark compared to my childhood home in the central valley of California. After JT and I married we moved away and lived in Nebraska for seven years and Japan for three. When we returned to Carson City, I came to love the history, individualism, and open vistas of the Silver State. The seasonal moodiness of the vast skies and comforting embrace of the surrounding hills makes a great setting for a wide variety of stories. That’s one reason I chose the nearby community of Virginia City as the location for my upcoming paranormal romance.
What challenges did you face while developing the characters of Travis and Lexie in your latest novel?
Balancing real life and fiction turned out be the hardest part of creating Travis and Lexie. Since JT and I each wrote one character, we needed to step back from them because we wanted to be sure the couple had a life of their own. Our experiences and personalities might help shape them but should not match so much that the book became autobiographical!
How do you balance romance and adventure in your stories?
A true romance focuses on the developing relationship between the main characters while I feel adventure should be like cake frosting: a little can go a long way. The dangers faced in the remote Alaskan wilderness happen in the early chapters of “From Tundra to Tiara” because they helped Travis and Lexie to bond in a way they might not in a more conventional environment. Later in the book, the physical adventures fade and the romantic elements take center stage as the couple try to figure out if their relationship can survive in the real world.
What inspired the plot and themes of “#passionrestored, Restless Spirits Book One”?
Reflecting on my past inspired my upcoming paranormal romance. As we age, most of us realize life doesn’t always turn out as planned and this how the main characters in “#passionrestored” connect. While Angela Moran and Nicholas Samson come from different backgrounds, both feel they’ve wasted the best years of their lives. The situations complicating their growing relationship are based the idea that we can’t always trust our perceptions of the world. Writing about people navigating the aging process is a way for me to try to understand my own thoughts on the subject and I hope this book will be an entertaining way for readers to do the same.
Can you talk about the creative process behind building the Alaskan wilderness setting in “From Tundra to Tiara”?
We chose the remote location as a way of showing that both Travis and Lexie are hiding from life for different reasons. The harsh beauty of Alaska seemed a good backdrop to the differences between the main characters as Travis is comfortable in his environment whereas Lexie is a little out of her element. Alaska is also a direct contrast to the more cosmopolitan European setting described later in the book.
How has your belief in “love conquering all” shaped the stories you write?
True love is kind and selfless so my characters do their best to find a balance between what they want and what’s best for their partner. They need to learn and grow as people in order to face all the challenges they’ll face over the course of the story. If they aren’t able to find a balance, then something’s wrong with the relationship and the reader won’t believe in a happily ever after.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors looking to explore the romance genre?
Read a lot of romances to figure out which sub-genres and tropes you prefer because those will be the ones you find the easiest to write. Don’t worry too much about following current popular trends if you want your stories to be timeless. Most important of all, be sure to have fun with your stories because that will make them more enjoyable for readers.
Editor’s Note
Cassidy Carson’s #passionrestored is a beautifully eerie and emotionally rich paranormal romance set in the atmospheric Virginia City, Nevada. Angela and Nicholas’s unlikely connection, intertwined with lingering spirits and tragic pasts, creates a compelling blend of mystery and heartfelt emotion. Carson masterfully balances supernatural intrigue with a touching exploration of love, second chances, and self-discovery. If you enjoy romance with a spooky twist, this enchanting debut of the Restless Spirits series is a must-read.
