As a criminologist, I’ve always been fascinated by the psychology of crime. My favorite type of crime novels are literary novels with a crime in it. Julian Barnes A Sense of an Ending or Albert Camus The Stranger. I am very much attracted to domestic crime novels such as Gone Girl, The Girl on The Train and Little Big Lies to name just a very few. I also like to read domestic noir literature which you can read about on the femme fatale category on my blog.
My crime novel Warning Signs tells the story of Eugene’s research into his criminal mind and how to prevent his horrific crimes. Angie, a young woman starving for passion sees Eugene as her savior from a lonely life of caring for her heroin addicted mother. How far is she willing to go in order to save her relationship with Eugene and his promise for a future together?
Detective Van Ray is out on a vindictive mission as he attempts to solve the murders of young girls in Youth Protection.
Their lives collide in a mixture of mistrust, obsession and ignoring the warning signs. A psychological thriller about human frailty and loneliness.
My second crime novel Just Before Sunset is A coming-of-age story with a domestic noir twist.
Nadine, tired of running her call-girl agency has upgraded to gold digger as she finds the perfect rich widower to marry. Discovering that her wealthy widower is an abuser she seduces his stepson, Charlie, to plot her husband’s murder.
But things don’t go as planned and soon she is turning to her experience hiring young call-girls to find the perfect girl to save her from going to prison…
Homeless Maya is drifting on the streets, grieving the recent loss of her mother.
When she is offered the opportunity to prepare a lake-side house to be used as a half-way home for delinquent girls, she doesn’t think twice.
She soon falls for Charlie, the attractive boy next door, who has a seriously dark side. She is drawn into his murderous schemes, doing anything he asks her to, risking her own safety for the promise of a future with him. When she finds herself party to murder, and she realises he is more concerned with his older female accomplice than with her, she must learn to trust her instincts and use all of her courage to get out of their trap alive.
As a subplot there is the rocky romantic relationship between an older woman and a younger man who become involved in investigating the murder for which young Maya is accused of committing.
Just Before Sunrise is a story about loss and survival. About loneliness, betrayals and deadly desires.
Carol Balawyder 
I just had to reply to this because I love writing and reading about solving crimes. As a criminologist you have first hand experience, and that is really cool! I’d love if you could come and check out some of my writing on my blog. Thanks so much for sharing your writing!
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I will check out your writing. Glad you found my blog.
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This is really good. Me too loves crimes, fascinated by James Patterson.
I write stories that merge action and character plots into one….
and I love series.
I will check out your books.
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I have 2 crime novels in the works right now. One is a who-done-it style just for the challenge. But it’s not my favorite kind of crime writing.
The other novel (A Simple Act of Love) which I will rename The Protector. David Morrell and Dee Henderson also have books with that title. But my novel is nothing like theirs.
I am aiming more for a crime novel like The Silent Wife, Russell Banks’ amazing Lost Memory of Skin and the classics such as The Postman Always Rings Twice.
I also like your writing style. I haven’t had a chance to cruise around your site but there seems to be a lot if interesting writing so I’ll be back soon.
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Thanks for your comment.
I looked at what you write, it’s really wonderful. I have also read P.D. James and Quigley, you strike me as one of them.
Nice work, though
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I wish you the best with all of your stories Carol.
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That’s so sweet of you to say. Thank you so much. 🙂
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Loving your blog! I changed majors in college a number of times, and focused on Criminal Justice and Psychology for a few years until finally settling on English Literature with a Psych minor (a combination of my two favorite subjects). I have such a fascination with the psychology behind crimes and have only recently started exploring that in my writing. It certainly is darker writing, but it is a very exciting area to explore!
I look forward to following you and reading more! 🙂
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Thank you… and welcome to my humble blog.
It’s so wonderful to hear that people like it and it’s for people like you that I keep writing. 🙂
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The sense of community is one of the things I love most about blogging! 🙂
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Me too. As writers, not only are we isolated but often find it difficult to communicate with our friends and family members about our passion. Blogging allows me, at least, to communicate with people who have similar interests as I do.
Have a wonderful weekend, Christina 🙂
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Pingback: Getting to Carol Balawyder–the September Author Interview | shehanne moore
I enjoy your blog very much! I could not have expressed the benefits of blogging better. I recently received a comment that blogging is just a way to “exhibit” our work, that is partially so, but as you say, many of us don’t have friend or family members who can relate to a writer’s need to write, this is a great way to stay motivated and connected to other writers. I look forward to reading your work.
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As writers, not only are we isolated but often find it difficult to communicate with our friends and family members about our passion. Blogging allows me, at least, to communicate with people who have similar interests as I do. You have express so eloquently the benefit of blogging. A lot of folks don’t get it. Thank you.
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Thanks for stopping by and your generous comment. I am grateful to have you in my blogging community. 🙂
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Wonderful, interesting and enjoyable reading your blog and the comments you generate. Good luck with everything.
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Thank you, Jane. I really appreciate your presence here. 🙂
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I always love my visits to your fab blog. 🙂
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That’s so sweet of you to say. 🙂
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It is true 🙂
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As a former prosecutor, I love visiting your blog! I have also written a couple of books, but
haven’t gotten published, yet! I wish you all the best!
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Oh, thank you for your kind words. Why haven’t you published yet? Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤
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Wonderful when you can blend a career passion with a writing passion, it must allow you greater insights into the minds and motives of criminals and bring a strong sense of authenticity to your work. I’ll have to read your books!
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Thanks for your response. You are so creative with your Barbie furniture! Such talent and especially, patience! 🙂
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Thanks Carol!
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Lovely blog
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Thank you. It’s kind of you to say. ❤
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