
Welcome to the blog.
Hi, my name is Carol Ann Ross, and I am an author.
I live on beautiful Topsail Island on the North Carolina Coast. Life is good when you get to do what you love, and I love writing about the people who surround me and this island where I spend most of my time.
Through my writing, you will have the opportunity to explore some of the magic of this amazing place--and it is amazing. As a child it was my "never, never land"--as an adult it still is.
Here on the blog, you will find a variety of topics from beach posts, to writing tips and everything in between. I invite you to follow along on this fascinating journey of a self-published author
Time..keeps flowing like a river (APP)
Love clouds, love the ocean, love the song “Time” by the Alan Parsons Project. SNEAKY FREAKY kinda reminds me of that song. There’s a scene in the book where clouds have a definite role. (Anyone who has read the book, give a shout out if you know what I’m talking about) It’s kinda freaky, but if you were around in the 60s, lots of people were doing freaky stuff-not that it was good, it was just the times. I try to imagine how the kids of today look at those times, the 1960s, Some with whom I’ve spoken, say those…
Read MoreCh-ch-changes
Change is good-well, not always. But in this case, I’d say yes-and necessary. I’ve always loved this cover, the girl on the front is perfect as she is posed in front of a 1965 photo of Barnacle Bills Fishing Pier. However, I needed that little strip on the top to tell the sequence of the books from the Blue House Series. Made a few changes to the back as well, but it’s the little things that mean a lot. Now there will be no guessing as to which book is first or second or —YES! I’ve started the third book…
Read MoreAlmost!
I’m still debating which photo to use and also what the backdrop will be. Tooling around Sneads Ferry for that and have just about made my decision. The more I search, the more I fall in love with the Sneaky Freaky. The book is now at the editor’s and I am looking for a 2 week window for completion. I’ll let everyone know when it’s out. Always love the new babies! I hope my readers do too. Here is a sneak pre-view, a little excerpt: “Thanks for driving all the way out here to pick me up, Mim.” “We are…
Read MoreBARNES AND NOBLE signing
I’ll be having a book signing at Barnes and Noble tomorrow from 1PM to around 4. So very excited to have this opportunity and am grateful to the managers there for displaying my books. Hope to see y’all at the bookstore at Mayfair in Wilmington,
Read MoreA PEEK AT THE SNEAKY FREAKY
This is one of the pictures I’m thinking about using for the cover of THE SNEAKY FREAKY. There are lots of poses to choose from so I may be putting others out there. Hope my readers can help me choose. Also, much of the story takes place in Sneads Ferry so I’m wondering if I should use a background shot of shrimp boats or a neat Sneads Ferry landmark or go back to Barnacle Bills or the old swing bridge, or an ocean shot- so many decisions to make. I really do appreciate any suggestions-love to please my readers. Thank…
Read MoreJust a little sneaky and freaky
This latest series, The Blue House Series, is nearly another book longer. THE SNEAKY FREAKY, is being wound up and I’m nearing the end of this 2nd in the series novel. This book takes place mostly in Sneads Ferry, but everybody knows that Topsail and the Ferry are kind of like kinfolk. The first book in the series, TOPSAIL ISLAND TANGO, is out and available on Amazon. A few other stores on the island carry Tango, but it seems they are going faster than I can deliver them. Still I’m expecting deliveries soon. I’m really enjoying working on the Sneaky…
Read Morebubbles
Our old bridge brings back memories to lots of folks. It reminds those of us who have enjoyed Topsail Island for generations of a different time-a less hectic one for sure. My latest book TOPSAIL ISLAND TANGO, is set during that time, the 1960s, when despite all the chaos going on in the world at that time, Topsail existed in a kind of bubble, safe from all the hatred filled vitriol of that day. Here’s a little excerpt from the book: It had been two weeks since the wedding, just long enough for Mim to say goodbye to her friends…
Read MoreThe 1960s were a blast
I’m sure this was 1967 when short shorts were the thing and daughters loved their daddy’s. I sure loved mine. All kinds of things were happening then, riots, the Vietnam War, bra burning, assassinations-lots of hate going around then. But I think that here on the island, we lived in a protective bubble away from all the harshness that was happening in the 60s. Our lives were much simpler. In the first book in the Blue House Series, Topsail Island Tango, I try to bring back those days, but try as I might I I realized that perhaps things were…
Read Moreaudio
Geez, didn’t we look like a couple of ragamuffins back then. This is around 1957 or ’58. The little camera my older sister is holding is a Brownie. She took care of it and used it for years and years. She may still have it. The building we are standing in front of was our home. It was originally an old WWII barracks that Daddy made into apartments. I remember riding my tricycle down the long hall before the apartments were completed. Oh, there are so many stories. But I digress, this post is about audio books, something that no…
Read More