Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Review of The Betrayal (Precinct 11 Novel)

The Betrayal by Jerry B. Jenkins is a well-written sequel to The Brotherhood. In my opinion, this book was even more fast-paced than the first.

I'm pretty sure I heard that Jenkins is a "pantser" (as in writing by the seat of your pants) when it comes to plotting. As someone who utilizes outlines, I was impressed by how he tied the various subplots of the two stories together (things were set in motion in the first book that really fit and connected with the second). Jenkins also did a good job of interspersing narrative with dialogue.

Men and women of all ages who enjoy a quick read should like this novel (suspense action, romance--it's all in there). In this book, as well as in most of his other stories, Jenkins provides backstory, so conceivably, each story can stand alone. Still, I'd suggest reading the first book because it gives you greater insight into the main character, Boone Drake.

In this sequel, Boone faces a new set of challenges (as if he hadn't already been through the wringer in the first book). Haeley is in trouble, and there are hints of a dirty cop or two on the force. In a race against time, Boone must collect evidence to find out the truth, even if it hurts.



*The authors of this blog are Amazon.com affiliates. Sometimes, we will include links in our blog posts. When visitors to this site purchase items from Amazon.com using links in our posts, the authors of this blog earn a percentage of the sales.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Review of Deception

A mysterious phone call from a little girl sends Patti Jakowski packing and on a flight out of town. Soon after, with the help of a friendly cop, Patti sets out to find her missing twin sister. A dangerous game of deception ensues. 

a woman's reflection is shown in a mirror. just her redstick red lips and her chin are shown



Deception truly is the perfect title for this fast-paced romantic suspense novel written by Lillian Duncan and published by Harbourlight Books. A quick read, it was hard to put the book down. 


Lillian did a good job of describing the scenes, and there were several settings in this story. Having lived in each of the states mentioned, it made the story all the more interesting. 


This novel should appeal to women of all ages and men who like to read suspense with a touch of romance.  


This book is available from Pelican Book Group on 12/30/2011.  
*Please note that I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own. 


This book is also available on Amazon.




**The authors of this blog are Amazon.com affiliates. Sometimes, we will include links in our blog posts. When visitors to this site purchase items from Amazon.com using links in our posts, the authors of this blog earn a percentage of the sales.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Review of The Joshua Covenant

Are your favorite movies and TV shows military themed, or do you enjoy reading spy novels? If so, then you might enjoy reading The Joshua Covenant, published by Micah House Media and written by David and Diane Munson. David is a former NCIS agent, and Diane is a former Federal Prosecutor.

The Joshua Covenant centers around the life of CIA agent Bo Rider and his quest to stop a dangerous and powerful mole. Not only is Bo’s life at stake, but the lives of those he cares about. As he races to stop the mole, Bo must face a myriad of obstacles, both internal and external, including a secret from his past.

Though the Munsons have written other books about Bo Rider, readers could pick this book up and follow it without having read the others. The authors did a good job of making the story seem believable.

If you’d like to watch the book trailer, please visit http://www.dianeanddavidmunson.com/books/joshua-covenant.shtml

*Please note that I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.




**The authors of this blog are Amazon.com affiliates. Sometimes, we will include links in our blog posts. When visitors to this site purchase items from Amazon.com using links in our posts, the authors of this blog earn a percentage of the sales.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

My Story

Sometimes, we discuss fictional stories.

But if you'd like to read about a true story, that is "my story," as is my personal testimony, please hop over to Anne Baxter's blog, A Pew Perspective.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Interview with Barbara Early

PLEASE TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT YOURSELF

I have a degree in Engineering--which I never really used. After college, I was attracted to Christian service. I worked in a Christian school office for a while. Later, I taught at another fledgling school. At first I taught English because that was what was needed. I was fairly literate, so I figured, “How hard can it be?” Well, the program was pretty advanced and it was a stretch for me. I was learning advanced grammar the night before I had to teach it. (Now I see that God had a plan in that.) But when they needed someone for science, I stepped into that a little more comfortably. Later I homeschooled my daughter through high school. When I'm not writing, I’m on Facebook way too much. I also like to play Scrabble and other games--both online and in person. I enjoy old movie musicals. I enjoy cooking and baking. Cleaning, not so much. But I do it anyway.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER?

I was a late bloomer. I'm awed by writers who say they wanted to be a writer ever since they could read. For me, when my daughter went to college and I was done homeschooling, it left a time void. I began to play with fiction. And I do mean "play." I wrote some fan fiction, and fell in love with writing. From there, I worked on craft, and after a few hundred thousand words of practice fiction, worked on something original. Perhaps because it began with play, it took me such a long time to call myself a writer.

WHAT AUTHORS HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE?

I think any book you read influences your style in some way--which is why it's important to read good books and to read critically. The authors who have probably had the most influence on my style are Donna Andrews, Rhys Bowen, and Anne Perry.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR RECENT RELEASE.

Gold, Frankincense, and Murder is a holiday novella--or novelette, I guess they're calling it. It's a pairing of a cozy mystery and a romance. Donna Russell, the protagonist, is a smart, slightly older heroine. Romance has passed her by as she's pursued her career as geometry teacher. She meets a nice guy volunteering at the local food bank. They become friends, and just when Donna is wondering if they could be more than friends, he disappears. When she starts looking for him, she meets his neighbor, Sam. Sam is a muscle-bound EMT and a friend of the missing man, and he tries to help her look--not that Donna wants his help. At least at first.

a black cat is shown in the foreground, with Christmas lights around its neck and wearing a Santa hat. A Christmas tree is in the background.


AS A CHRISTIAN AUTHOR, HOW DO YOU VIEW WRITING AS A MINISTRY?

I believe all writing is teaching. Whether it's a parable, an allegory, a highly thematic novel, or just pure entertainment, everything we read teaches us something--and stays with us to some degree. That's a huge responsibility for all writers.

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND IN RESEARCH BEFORE YOU WRITE A STORY?

Research for a mystery writer is a little different. While many of my friends who write historical fiction really immerse themselves into their respective time periods, I try to learn as much as possible about police procedure, forensics, and crime. I've been to a writers police academy, toured a morgue and jails, and attended a number of workshops about how detectives really work. And I have a retired police investigator in my critique group. I really think it's good to get those details right, as much as possible. Other than that, I tend to research as I go along. A scene I wrote last week involved a circuit court judge, so my research involved lots of Googling, and then reading transcripts and even streaming some proceedings. With all the tools available to us these days, there's really not much excuse for not doing the research.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING WRITERS?

Study craft, and then get feedback. Join (or start) a critique group. Go to conferences. Enter contests, especially when you get a detailed critique in the process. And when you get the coveted feedback, learn how to evaluate it. Writing is subjective. You will get some advice that just doesn't work for you. And you will get advice that does work, but it may not be what you want to hear. Learn how to accept it all graciously and glean from the criticism of others. It takes humility and wisdom, but yields fantastic results. Oh, and that doesn't stop once you've been published.

WHAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING THING YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR RESEARCH?

How to kill someone with a large, inflatable advertising balloon. Enough said.

HOW CAN READERS CONTACT YOU AND/OR LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WRITING?


Probably the best way is through my web site: www.barbaraearly.com.

Thanks so much for having me!

Barbara's novelette is available from Pelican Book Group on December 1st.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Winner of Thanksgiving Book Giveaway

Congrats to Katie McCurdy. She is the winner of the book giveaway.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! :)

Friday, November 4, 2011

Book Giveaway

The Joshua Covenant...

"This international and political thriller is set partially in Israel as CIA agent Bo Rider takes his wife and family to serve in a diplomatic role at the U.S. Embassy. Biblical prophecy collides with Middle East conflict when Bo battles hidden enemies, challenging his loyalty. Will he survive the greatest threat ever to his family, his career, and his life?"

Would you like a signed paperback copy of The Joshua Covenant?

It's easy.

Between now and November 23rd, post a comment telling us what you're thankful for, for a chance to win this book. You may enter daily. One entry per day.

Random entry drawing to be held on November 23rd.

Open to U.S. residents only.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Review of The Brotherhood--A Precinct 11 Novel

In a fiction writing class, I learned that plot is different from story. Plot is more the physical sequence of events that take place in a novel, while story is more the emotional journey that characters travel. The Brotherhood, published by Tyndale and written by Jerry B. Jenkins, contains a plot that is engaging, but the story is what really hooked me. From the start, I cared about the characters.

If your life is rosy, you may not feel as much for the characters in this story, but for anyone who has ever experienced loss or dealt with grief, this book is for you. The novel follows the life of Chicago police officer Boone Drake--an exciting tale of cops and gangs, of death and love--this story will appeal to men and women alike. To sum it up in two words, this book is “real” and “hopeful.” The main character’s life is messy, not perfect--the kind of people I like to read about.

The cover mentions that this is a Precinct 11 novel. I sure hope that means Jenkins plans to make this a series, because I finished the last page, satisfied with the ending, yet wanting more.

The book is available in paperback, hardcover, audio formats, and Kindle. Hurry, Kindle users, right now, the Kindle version appears to be free on Amazon!  :)



*The authors of this blog are Amazon.com affiliates. Sometimes, we will include links in our blog posts. When visitors to this site purchase items from Amazon.com using links in our posts, the authors of this blog earn a percentage of the sales. 

Monday, October 10, 2011

Interview with Irene Hannon

photo of author Irene Hannon


I recently shared how much I enjoyed reading Deadly Pursuit. Join us today as we talk to Irene Hannon.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hmm…where to begin? I could talk about some of the fun stuff I’ve done—like attending the monkey dance in the moonlit jungle on Bali, or gliding over the Alaskan glaciers in a float plane at sunset, or winging down to the Caribbean for lunch on a cruise ship with the CEO and chairman of the board of a Fortune 500 company—but I’ll stick to the basics! I have a B.A. in psychology and a master’s in journalism. I worked for the aforementioned Fortune 500 company for 20+ years in corporate communications, writing fiction on the side. After rising to the executive ranks…and finding myself on call 24/7…I left the corporate world a few years ago to write full time—and never looked back. I’m also married to my very own romantic hero!

When and why did you begin writing?


I can’t remember ever not being a writer. I really believe people are born writers. It’s a gift, just like any other talent. I did toy with the idea of becoming a psychologist, but in the end, writing won out. However, my psychology degree is a great background for writing about relationships—a key ingredient in romantic fiction! As for when I officially began writing—I was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest conducted by a national children’s magazine at the age of 10, and I’ve always considered that my “professional” debut!

man and woman shown on cover,

Your current series, Guardians of Justice launched in January with Fatal Judgment and you’ve just released Book 2, Deadly Pursuit. Tell us about the series and this book in particular.


Guardians of Justice features three siblings bound by blood and a passion for justice. I’ve loved writing about the two macho, overprotective big brothers and their very independent sister. Zingers fly—yet you’ll never meet a more loyal bunch. Capturing the sassy-but-loving dynamic in the Taylor family has been a blast.

Here’s a quick recap of Deadly Pursuit: Social worker Alison Taylor has a passion for protecting children. But now it seems she needs protecting. When her tormentor’s attentions take a violent turn, she calls in reinforcements—her police-detective brother, Cole, and his new partner, ex-Navy SEAL Mitch Morgan. As her relentless stalker turns up the heat and the danger intensifies, Mitch takes a personal interest in the case. Because protecting Alison has become more than a job; his future depends on keeping her safe.

Reviews have been very flattering, including one from Booklist that said Deadly Pursuit has “compelling characters and an emotionally engaging plot powered by a surfeit of nail-biting suspense.” Can’t do much better than that!

Do readers have to read the first book in the series to follow the story in this one?

Absolutely not. I never carry plot threads from book to book. The stories do occur in chronological order, so it’s fun for readers to follow along, but each book can be read as a stand-alone, single-title novel.

How many books have you written?

Deadly Pursuit is my 5th suspense novel (with five more in the pipeline), but it’s actually my 37th published book. I also write contemporary romance.

Why did you expand into romantic suspense two years ago?


Blame it on Nancy Drew! I fell in love with those books as a young girl. In fact, my very first novel (really more of a novella) was in that genre—but it was terrible, so I consigned it to the deepest, darkest corner of my closet where it shall forever remain. I just didn’t have the law enforcement background to do justice to that kind of story, and twenty-plus years ago there was no internet. I didn’t have any connections to the military or law enforcement, either, which is absolutely essential if you want to write credible suspense involving either.

I take it your suspense books require a lot of research?


Tons. Only a fraction of that research actually makes it into the book, but it forms the foundation for the story and gives it the extra ring of authenticity that readers and reviewers have appreciated. For a suspense book, I generally end up with 75-100 single-spaced pages of research notes and website links. I also rely very, very heavily on authoritative sources—true experts in their fields—to ensure that every situation in my stories reflects real-life protocols. I’ve worked with FBI agents, U.S. marshals, police detectives, private investigators, academics, paramedics, doctors, nurses, police officers…the list goes on. I also enrolled in our local citizens police academy, which was fascinating.

Has branching out into suspense worked out well for you?


It’s been amazing. Every suspense book so far has hit the bestseller list, and the books in my debut Heroes of Quantico series have done very well in the awards department. Against All Odds won a Daphne du Maurier and an RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice award. Book 2, An Eye for An Eye, was a RITA award finalist. And the last book in the series, In Harm’s Way, just won a RITA award last summer. All the suspense novels are also being made into audio books. It’s been a thrilling ride!

So what’s next?

The final book in the Guardians of Justice series, Lethal Legacy, is now in production. That will be released next summer. And I’m hard at work on a new series that features three ex-law enforcement operatives who join forces to form a private investigation firm. Without giving too much away, I can say they handle some very interesting cases that fall between the cracks of official law enforcement.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

I did an article on the road to publication not long ago. Here’s the link to a copy of it on my website: http://www.irenehannon.com/extras.html. But first and foremost--don’t give up your day job until you’re well established and selling consistently!

Your website mentions that you love to perform in community musical theater productions. Do you your experiences in theater have been beneficial to your writing?

I think they’re very complimentary. Stage work has given me a better understanding of the nuances of language, inflection and gestures, which helps me create realistic dialogue. And playing different roles requires me get into the mindset of a variety of characters, which is a plus as I develop my own characters. Theater experience comes into play with pacing, too, because there’s no inner narrative in stage work—everything is communicated by action and dialogue. Seeing how that’s done—and living it—helps me keep the action moving in my stories.

Any final thoughts?

For those who’d like to keep up with my latest news, I invite you to follow me on Twitter. You can sign up at my website, www.irenehannon.com, where I also post news updates as well as info on all my books.

Thanks for joining us today, Irene!

Irene Hannon is the author of more than 35 novels, including the bestselling Heroes of Quantico series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA awards (the “Oscar” of romantic fiction), a HOLT Medallion, a Daphne du Maurier award and two Reviewers’ Choice awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. Her website is www.irenehannon.com.





Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Deadly Pursuit

Deadly Pursuit begins with a phone call from a heavy breather and the suspense climbs from there.

Alison Taylor is a social worker devoted to protecting children. Soon she becomes the one who needs protection as her life becomes endangered.

Her detective brother, Cole Taylor, and his new partner, Mitch Morgan, come to her rescue.

Mitch is an ex-Navy SEAL who has no intention of falling in love, but Alison captures his heart.

As Alison's stalker increases the threats her romance with Mitch grows.

Irene Hannon weaves together a good story of suspense and romance.

I'm sure by the time you finish this book you won't be disappointed.




*The authors of this blog are Amazon.com affiliates. Sometimes, we will include links in our blog posts. When visitors to this site purchase items from Amazon.com using links in our posts, the authors of this blog earn a percentage of the sales.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Board to Death Book Promotion--Authors are Giving Away Eight Copies!

To celebrate the release of Board to Death, a book of mystery novellas written by Amy Barkman, Debbie Roome, and Tracy Ruckman, the authors are giving away eight digital versions of the book. You'll find more information on Tracy's Web site.


portions of what look like a board game, including dice, are shown on the cover, as well as a knife and pool of blood

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Interview with Amy Barkman, Debbie Roome, and Tracy Ruckman

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR LATEST RELEASE?

Board to Death is a trio of mystery novellas centered on a theme of board games. Amy Barkman (AB) wrote Victim, Debbie Roome (DR) wrote Mind Games, and I, Tracy Ruckman (TR), wrote Sentenced. It is Christian fiction, and our stories could be called “cozy mysteries” – clean, wholesome fun. It is published by Write Integrity Press.

DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING IN YOUR RESEARCH THAT SURPRISED YOU?

AB: Yes, something surprised me, not in the research itself but in the writing. For the first time ever I got a hint of how God must feel - I created these characters, and then they surprised me by taking over their own lives and doing things I didn’t plan for them!

DR: I interviewed a policeman and learnt that a body may be left at a crime scene for two days or more while they conduct their investigation.

TR: Ewww, Debbie. I'm going to have to check into that here now, to see if that happens here. I sure hope not! Actually, I learned something specific during my research too, but I can’t share it. It's a spoiler! LOL!

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR TIME WHEN YOU’RE NOT WRITING?

AB: I love to read, travel, and study, but I’m in full time ministry, so there’s not a lot of extra time after ministry work and writing. But since writing is pure joy to me, that’s okay.

DR: I read a lot, travel extensively around New Zealand, and am involved in my church worship team. I play piano mostly but also guitar and bass guitar. I also enjoy riding quad bikes on the beach with my husband and dog.

TR: I’m currently a fulltime student, and publisher of two companies, so there’s not much time when I’m not writing or editing something. But other than school and work, I like to cook, travel. I love exploring new things – in person or online, so I’m always into something. I think I'm going to have to plan a trip to New Zealand pretty soon!

HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?

AB: My mid-grade novel, Which Witch?, releases later this month, and my non-fiction book, Everyday Spiritual Warfare, came out in September. In addition to these, and Victim, I've completed a full-length mystery, a full-length women’s fiction, and a children’s historical fiction (1987). I've also written one musical play, which was produced in 2009, and several short stories. I’m in the process of writing another mid-grade book, another nonfiction, another mystery, and in the planning stages of a second novella (for Hands of Death, the second book in The Dangerous Games Series).

DR: I wrote the history of our church by going through record books dating back to the early 1950s. My novel, Embracing Change, took first place in the Rose & Crown novel writing competition in 2009. Magnitude 7.1 & 6.3, releasing this month, is my story of the Christchurch earthquakes and includes contributions from 40 other writers. I also have stories published in over a dozen anthologies.

TR: I’ve completed two full-length novels, one novella, one full-length script, one short script, and have two novels in progress. One or both of those may also be turned into a script – but we’ll see. One of the novels in progress should be completed by the first of the year, and the next book in the Dangerous Games Series will be released early next summer.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ASPIRING WRITERS?

AB: Don’t give up, even if you have to lay your dreams and your books on the shelf for a while. Keep believing in their message and ability to enrich people’s life, and their time will come.

DR: Writing is a way of life. Everything I see and experience has potential to end up in a story one day. Try carrying a notebook wherever you go and write down flashes of inspiration. Remember also that you can learn to write on demand. You don’t have to wait for an entire story to fall into your mind. It may come bit by bit.

TR: Write every day. Even if it’s only 100-500 words, write something. Make it a routine so that writing becomes a natural habit. Realize and admit that your writing now will not, hopefully, be as good as your writing in five or ten years - you will grow, improve, and discover your voice. Keep writing, keep improving, keep submitting your stories.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO START WRITING?/WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER?

AB: I can’t remember when I didn’t want to be a writer, actually I can’t remember when I wasn’t a writer. I’ve written poetry, booklets, humor columns for a newspaper, won several short fiction contests, devotionals for radio, skits for live performances. I wrote regulations and forms for state government, sermons, radio shows, workshop materials, retreat materials. It seems that no matter what situation I’ve found myself in, writing was part of my lifework.

DR: I wrote my first ‘book’ when I was six. It was about a pixie named Agarel and filled a spiral bound notebook. I sold my first story to the children’s section of a major Johannesburg newspaper when I was eight. At school I won many awards and certificates for poetry and creative writing and went on to do freelance work for newspapers and magazines in Zimbabwe and South Africa. I moved to New Zealand in 2006 and determined to make writing my full time career. I write everyday and have never been more fulfilled.

TR: Back in the 80s, I sent a letter to the editor of a Christian women's magazine. A year later, I got a letter from the editor, apologizing for the delay, and offering me money to publish my words as an article rather than as a letter. That started a lifelong pursuit of publication, even though I was part-time for many years. I wrote fulltime for a few years in-between, and have published hundreds of articles in newspapers, magazines, and online markets. In 2009, one of my stories was published in the Christmas Miracles book. This summer, I started writing fulltime again.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS?

AB: Agatha Christie - all her mysteries and novels, I love cozy mysteries. Kate Kingsbury’s Pennyfoot Hotel series keep me laughing. C.S. Lewis: I’ve read The Chronicles of Narnia at least twelve times each, his space trilogy four or five times each, The Great Divorce, Til We Have Faces, and Mere Christianity at least four times each and all his other books once. Rosamunde Pilcher’s The Shell Seekers and Coming Home, also re-read. Elizabeth Goudge’s The Scent of Water - read at least ten times. Virginia Smith’s Just As I Am and the sequel Sincerely Mayla, The Sister-to Sister trilogy along with all her other books and her new books co-written with Lori Copeland, especially Lost Melody. Ann Gabhart’s Holly Hill and Shaker series, Angel Sister and her other books. Jan Karon’s Mitford series.

DR: I read widely, but current favorites are Richard Paul Evans, John Grisham, and Nicholas Sparks. I like some of Ted Dekker’s books and also enjoy Robin Cook’s medical thrillers.

TR: Both Amy's and Debbie's lists prove my own point - there are just too many good authors, too many good books to name, so I change my mind about favorites frequently! With school, I'm spending most of my reading time in textbooks. My absolute favorite right now is the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, by Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid. Yes, I'm one of those people who love reading dictionaries and encyclopedias - I started that when I was a little girl!

OUR WEB SITES:

http://www.AmyBarkman.com

photo of author Amy Barkman

http://www.DebbieRoome.com
photo of author Debbie Roome

http://www.TracyRuckman.com
photo of author Tracy Ruckman



You can find all of us on Facebook too - we'd love to meet you there.

parts of a board game and dice are on the cover as are a knife and a pool of blood


Baby Boomers Polly Nichols, Lindsay Wilson, and Gretchen Anderson may live worlds apart, but they have one common hobby – a penchant for board games.

Polly’s serene Kentucky campground turns sinister when the manager is a VICTIM of murder.

In New Zealand, Lindsay’s life is turned upside down when MIND GAMES and evidence drag her into a murder case - as a suspect.

At the Kettle’s On Campground in Georgia, Gretchen matches wits with a murderous wordsmith intent on winning the latest game of SENTENCED.

You’ll love the games, the characters, and the stories – and we promise, you won’t be BOARD TO DEATH!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Flash Fiction Contest

HIS Writers is holding a flash fiction writing contest.

First Prize--$50
Second Prize--$25
Third Prize--$10
Fourth and Fifth Prize--Honorable Mention

$10.00 submission fee per entry

The contest closes on October 15th.

For complete information, please visit:

http://hiswriters.acfwcolorado.com/flashfiction.php

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Interview with Rick Acker

HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?

I’ve written seven, five of which eventually got published.

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO START WRITING?

I’ve been writing since high school, but I never really “decided” to write. The stories just started coming, and I had to do something with them.

WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU FACED AND OVERCOME ON YOUR PATH TO BECOMING A WRITER?

Becoming a writer was easy; becoming a published author was hard. I had to develop thick skin to deal with rejection and (often merited) criticism. I also had to learn the self-discipline to write regularly and improve my writing to the point where it interested a publisher.

WHAT DOES YOUR WRITING SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?

I write for about one hour in the morning while I’m taking a commuter train to San Francisco and another hour in the evening on the way home.
cover photo of novel, When the Devil Whistles, written by author Rick Acker. A woman's face is shown with a hand covering her mouth against the silhouette of a tall skyscraper.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR "REAL JOB." HOW DOES IT INFLUENCE YOUR WRITING?

I’m a Deputy Attorney General in the California Department of Justice, and I spend my days (and a fair number of nights and weekends) prosecuting corporate fraud. My work also doubles as research for my legal thrillers. For example, the secret world of free-lance corporate spies I describe in When the Devil Whistles is a slightly fictionalized version of the one I deal with in a lot of my cases.

WHAT IS YOUR LATEST PROJECT?

Unfortunately, that’s also secret right now. Sorry. :-)

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS?

I’m sure I’m forgetting some excellent writers, but here are a few that I have read enough to know that their writing is consistently outstanding (and in genres I enjoy): Isaac Asimov, James Scott Bell, Ray Bradbury, Tom Clancy (his early books), Robert Heinlein, Tracy Higley, Randy Ingermanson, Tosca Lee, John Olson, Jim Rubart, Randy Singer, Kathy Tyers.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ASPIRING WRITERS?

There are lots of things I wish I’d known when I was starting out, but here are a few of the big ones:
• Make writing part of your routine. It should be a habit; something you do daily if you can. You’ll be much more productive.
• Look for ways to get better. Writing is like playing the violin: Almost no one is good when they first start. Seek out learning opportunities and constructive criticism. Without them, you can’t improve.
• Don’t give up. The world will give you lots of reasons to give up—agents who ignore the book you slaved over, editors who reject it, family or work demands that threaten to eat up the time you need to fix the book or write a new one. The writers who succeed are the ones who manage to persevere, get better, and ultimately land their first contract.*

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR TIME WHEN YOU’RE NOT WRITING?

When I’m not writing or lawyering, I spend as much time as possible with my family. We love to go hiking in the hills around town or go to see a good movie or (of course) read a good book together.

*There are a very few authors—less than .01%—who manage to sell their first book without major edits and then see it become a bestseller. These people (a) are celebrities, (b) quickly learn not to tell other writers about their success, or (c) get beat up a lot at writing conferences. Sometimes all three.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Contest Info

ACM's 2012 Christian Novel Contest--Sept. 1st is the deadline.

For more info, please visit the contest Web site: http://www.christianwritingcontest.com/

Friday, August 19, 2011

E-books

If you haven't checked out the Amazon Kindle store lately, you just might want to do so. Many people don't know, but you can download the Kindle for PC program right onto your computer for free (I believe you can do the same with the Nook). Anyway, I found out (from another writer) that the Kindle store is giving away some free books on writing. I suggest you hurry over and see if there's anything you might be interested in reading.

Have a great weekend!

Stick around. We plan to post more interviews and book reviews shortly.

If you haven't voted in the two previous polls, we've extended them (at the bottom of the page, if you scroll down). Also, we've added a third poll regarding e-book reading habits.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Interview with Author John Robinson

photo of author John Robinson

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER?

I’d always liked to write, even from my early teen years, and when I was in college I was student affairs editor for the school paper. Years passed though, and that love seemed to fade. But over a decade ago it came roaring back, and in an unexpected way. It was New Years Day, 1999, and I was watching one of the bowl games on TV, when suddenly I started seeing something different on the screen. Don’t laugh, but it was almost like watching a movie. During that I was unaware of the passing of time. When I roused myself I found only a few minutes had passed, but amazingly I had the entire plot of Heading Home completely lined up in my head; it was then just a matter of writing it down and editing it. That process took about a year. Finding a house that would take such a controversial novel proved to be a challenge, though, and it wasn’t until 2008 that it was sold to Sheaf House Publishers (it's now out). During those intervening years I wrote and sold the Joe Box novels, and began the Mac Ryan series.

I'M A JOE BOX FAN, SO I HAVE TO ASK, WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO INCLUDE A SOCK MONKEY IN YOUR STORIES? DID THAT TOY HAVE A SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE TO YOU?

Actually I did have a sock monkey when I was little, and when our oldest son was born we bought one for him. I guess for Joe, I wanted to give him something sentimental, something that would keep him grounded to his past.

YOUR NOVELS ARE SO VIVID. AFTER READING THEM, I WAS COMPLETELY CONVINCED YOU'D SPENT TIME IN VIETNAM. HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND ON RESEARCH? AT WHAT POINT, DO YOU FEEL AS IF YOU'VE COMPLETED ENOUGH RESEARCH ON A TOPIC?

The research time varies for each story, but I know when it’s done when the story tells me so. In other words, it’s like it taps me on the shoulder and says, “okay, boy, enough digging; it’s time to write me down.”

DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING IN YOUR RESEARCH THAT SURPRISED YOU?

In researching the Vietnam back story for Until the Last Dog Dies, I was surprised at how dispersed our ground troops were over there, and how tenuous the supply lines could be; it made a hard time for them there even harder.

YOU HAVE INTERESTING TITLES. HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THEM? IS THERE A SPECIAL PROCESS?

Thanks, Heidi! The title of the first Joe Box novel, Until the Last Dog Dies, is based on a phrase I heard growing up in the Kentucky hills. It was usually something on the order of, “we’re going to fill-in-the-blank (keep weeding this corn, keep running this trot line, keep knocking men down in this bar) until the last dog dies;” in other words, until there's no more work to do. The second one, When Skylarks Fall, is a takeoff on God knowing when each sparrow falls (the word “skylark” is recurring in the story). And everyone has heard of the phrase, “there’s more than one way to skin a cat;” (hence the title, To Skin a Cat), and since the villain’s nickname is Cat, he gets well and truly skinned! As far as titling my stories go, there really isn’t a process; they tend to grow organically. For instance, my apocalypse-with-a-twist novel is called Heading Home, because that’s exactly what happens twice, first at the end of the war prologue, and then at the end of the novel proper. Relentless, the first of my soldier of fortune Mac Ryan novels, describes Mac in a single word, and The Radiance, my science fiction novel, is the term given to the unseen effect that causes such problems worldwide.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ASPIRING WRITERS?

I’d tell them a story I once heard about Winston Churchill. The time was either the late fifties or early sixties, and by then Churchill was quite elderly when he was asked to give the commencement address for a large university.

The day came, and the auditorium was packed with students and alumni wanting to hear strong words of wisdom from the man who’d basically saved Britain during the darkest days the country had ever known. Slowly Sir Winston took the platform. Standing behind the podium, he gazed out at the sea of faces. And then setting his famous bulldog jaw, he ground out these words: “Never give up. Never, never, never, never give up.” He fixed them with a gaze of iron. “NEVER.”
And then he sat down.
And the place erupted in praise.

That’s what I’d tell people: “never give up.”
Just that.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS?

Oh wow, there are a lot! I’d say, in no particular order, for fiction they’d include Dean Koontz, Charles Dickens, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, Flannery O’Connor, James Lee Burke, Robert Crais, and my buddy James Scott Bell. For nonfiction the list would have to include James Herriot, P.J. O’Rourke, Lawrence Block (his Telling Lies for Fun and Profit is an essential—and hilarious—reference book for any budding novelist), and Tom Wolfe.

HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?

Six: four commercially published, and two in the querying stage.

Friday, August 5, 2011

E-book Giveaway Contest Update--Winner Announced

Congrats to Jeff Reynolds, the winner of an e-book copy of Pursued by Lillian Duncan!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Upcoming Interview

On Monday, August 8th--an interview with one of Heidi's favorite authors, Cincinnati local, John Robinson.

E-book Giveaway Contest Update

E-book Giveaway ends today, so be sure to leave a post!

The winner will be announced on Friday, August 5th!

Interview with Author Donna Fletcher Crow

a photo of author Donna Fletcher Crow researching a story in Wales. She is standing among tombstones.
HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?

Apparently, the one I’m currently writing is number 38. I always just said 30-some when asked that question, but I recently spoke at a library event. The librarian had done her research. “Thirty-six,” she said. That makes it 38 with the one coming out in September: A Darkly Hidden Truth, #2 in The Monastery Murders.

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO START WRITING?

As a lifelong booklover and former English teacher I had always written on the hobby level, especially writing scripts for our church drama group, but I got really serious when, after reading Georgette Heyer’s Venetia the heroine’s younger brother got stuck in my head and wouldn’t leave. I had to tell the rest of his story. Brandley’s Search, which became the third of my six-volume Cambridge Chronicles series, was the result. I really didn’t have any idea how to write a novel but it was like being pregnant—that story had to come out. I probably rewrote it a hundred times before it was published. That was about 35 years ago.

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU DEVOTE TO RESEARCH FOR YOUR NOVELS?

Since my subject is the history of British Christianity and I have written books covering every historical period beginning with the birth of Christ, each book requires an enormous amount of research. It’s impossible to say how long I spend on the background reading—months or years— because it’s a lifetime subject. But once I get a specific story outlined, at least in rough detail, the real fun can begin—the on-site research.

This past April I researched my current project, An Unholy Communion, book 3 in The Monastery Murders, which has the Christian history of Wales as background. I spent a week in Wales with a sister mystery writer from Manchester as escort. Then, since my characters are on a walking pilgrimage, I took part in a youth walk from London to Walsingham in Norfolk (126 miles) to get background for that. I’m no youth, but they welcomed me warmly. It was a wonderful experience. I walked about 100 of the miles and took breaks in the follow van, which I considered research as well.

DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING IN YOUR RESEARCH THAT SURPRISED YOU?

Always. The surprises are the real fun and what brings the story absolutely to life. One thing that surprised me—and almost blew me off the mountain—was the violence of the weather in Wales. The rain came down in absolute sheets, but not on our heads. The wind was so strong the rain came at us sideways. I live in a desert, so this was an amazing experience to me. My hostess from northern England just laughed at me.

IS THERE A MESSAGE IN YOUR LATEST STORY THAT YOU HOPE STICKS WITH YOUR READERS?

Although each book has its own theme I hope that over-all my readers will gain a new appreciation for our Christian heritage. As I tell the stories of saints, martyrs and faithful ministers I want my readers to realize that our faith has come down to us at a great cost to those who have gone before. When A Gentle Calling, first of my Cambridge Chronicles, was published a reader said, “And to think, we sit in our comfortable pews and have no idea of all they went through.”

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS?

Jane Austen and Dorothy L. Sayers are my all-time favorites, although as a nonstop reader I have many favorites. In my current genre of clerical mysteries Kate Charles and Julia Spencer-Fleming are favorites. P. D. James’ Death In Holy Orders is probably the best clerical mystery ever written. But then, having said that, there’s G. K. Chesterton’s Father Brown. Oh, naming favorites is a minefield.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ASPIRING WRITERS?

Write from your passion. And read passionately. Read the classics and everything you can in your genre.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR TIME WHEN YOU’RE NOT WRITING?

Growing David Austin English roses, drinking tea and playing with my grandchildren. And reading, of course.

REVIEW FOR A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE, FIRST IN THE MONASTERY MURDERS:

"With a bludgeoned body in Chapter 1, and a pair of intrepid amateur sleuths, A Very Private Grave qualifies as a traditional mystery. But this is no mere formulaic whodunit: it is a Knickerbocker Glory of a thriller. At its centre is a sweeping, page-turning quest - in the steps of St Cuthbert - through the atmospherically-depicted North of England, served up with dollops of Church history and lhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifashings of romance. In this novel, Donna Fletcher Crow has created her own niche within the genre of clerical mysteries."

--Kate Charles, author of Deep Waters

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Please come on over to www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
to see my book trailer for A Very Private Grave, pictures from some of my research trips, and a visit to my garden.

cover of novel, A Very Private Grave. Inside view of what appears top be a monastery.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Review of Something Stirs

photo of author Thomas Smith standing in a graveyard


Something Stirs by Thomas Smith is a novel that follows fiction writer Ben Chalmers and his family as they move into a new house in the community of Pike’s Crossing. As Ben soon learns, mysterious happenings are afoot. Published by Taberah Press, this book will appeal to anyone interested in reading Christian horror, suspense, or thrillers.

Something Stirs will keep you turning, one page after the next, losing track of time and not caring. Keep in mind that because of the intense nature, you might not want to read this alone on a dark night.

Smith does a good job of developing his theme, and I liked the way how he addresses readers in an afterword. His characters are dynamic, which makes them believable. Also, the plot elements flow naturally.

Some of the characters struggled with the loss of a loved one. As my father is terminally ill, I readily identified with them. If you're looking for a suspenseful, fast-paced read, check out Something Stirs. *

And intense read, I give this book a rating of 5 out of 5. Just keep in mind, that if you don't like to read suspenseful/thrilling/scary stories, this may not be for you.




*Please note that I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review. However, I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Eyewall

H.W."Buzz" Bernard, a retired meterologist from The Weather Channel has writtien a new novel, Eyewall.
 Hurricane Janet is predicted to hit South Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane. One lone meterologist in Atlanta sees something nobody else sees and predicts it will hit closer to St. Simon Island, Georgia. It's interesting to experience how one hurricane can affect so many different people.
Bernard introduces you to the characters one by one. He does an amazing job of weaving their lives together as the desperately fight for survival. People rise up as heroes risking their lives to save strangers. As a reader, I'd like to hope I'd reach out to others like this.
Bernard inreases the tension page after page. Don't plan on sleeping until you reach the last page. If you force yourself to put the book down and sleep, the story will intrude on your dreams.
I will surely view the next hurricane in a different light after reading Eyewall.


cover of novel Eyewall

Monday, July 25, 2011

Contests

HOOK ME
ACFW Ohio is hosting the Hook Me contest

For published and unpublished authors

For more details, please visit http://www.acfwohio.com/hookmerules.htm

Please note that the Risen Contest is now closed.

*Also, later this week, I’ll post a review of Thomas Smith’s novel, Something Stirs. Stay tuned!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Interview with Author Thomas Smith

Heidi recently interviewed author Thomas Smith.

HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?

I've written eight academic study guides, one book in a Women's Bible Study series, a coffee table book on Aiken, SC, and contributed to about 11 others. This is my first published novel. It's actually my sixth novel, but the first five were pretty bad, and I had the good sense not to send them out. I am currently at work on a new novel. The working title is Stranger.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO START WRITING? DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A WRITER?

I think I was first hooked when Mrs. Cox (my third grade teacher) put my Christmas poem on the blackboard. In elementary school, that’s the equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. And from that point on, I wrote everything from homemade comic books to really bad poetry and the five really bad novels we just talked about.

WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU FACED AND OVERCOME ON THE PATH TO BECOMING A WRITER?

The biggest obstacles I have had to deal with were the ones I put in my own way. For example, for about six months early in my career I became dejected because the first seven things I wrote sold almost immediately. Then, I couldn't sell anything. Nothing. What I didn't realize until later was the first seven were a fluke. I just happened to hit the right publisher with the right things at the right time. But I didn't know a thing about market research or writing a good query letter. I just wrote stuff and sent it out. It took a pep talk from a writer friend of mine ("Write or don't write. Just make up your mind what you are going to do. And if you decide you're going to write, let me show you how to find out who is buying what and how to approach them." That was pretty much it.) to put me back on track. I had a lot to learn, and fortunately, I had friends who could teach me.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE ASPIRING WRITERS?

Write on a regular basis, learn about the publishing industry, and don't look for shortcuts. There is always a literary bandwagon out there just waiting for people to jump on it. And it may be fun in the short term, but in the long run, it is good writing, solid market research, and delivering quality work ON DEADLINE that puts you on an editor's good list. Editors are always looking for a good story, or in the case of non-fiction, good writing that is both accurate and entertaining...and delivered on deadline.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS?
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Charles L. Grant, Dean Koontz, Mike Dellosso, Charles Dickens, Bob Simpson, Lester Dent, Bill Myers, Jon Jefferson, and Robert McCammon.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR TIME WHEN YOU’RE NOT WRITING?
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Traveling with my wife, gem mining, playing with the praise team at my church (old guys can still rock!), reading, and helping beginning writers.

Readers can learn more about Thomas and his writing by visiting his Web sites: www.thomassmithonline.com or www.thomassmithonline.com

Interview with Author David Bond

Photo of Losey Point in Pennsylvania, including view of surrounding mountains
Heidi recently interviewed author David Bond.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO START WRITING?

Several factors influenced my decision to take up the craft of writing. Not long after I lost my position in a ministry when the parent decided to eliminate this part of their nationwide ministry, which was in 2000, I more or less fell into writing. I had a short article published after joining an online critique support list, and within a few years, I started to take writing seriously. I don't think I thought of writing as a career back then, since I still hoped to land some other kind of job. But as a blind person, jobs aren't all that abundant. So writing began to occupy more of my thinking about what I could do, and at the same time, what I liked doing.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING WRITERS?

I think good writers are good readers. In 2000, after losing my job, I began reading books on tape, a program made available to blind people. I fell in love with reading, and I think this helped me as a writer.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS?

Well, as I mentioned, I qualified for the audio reading program sponsored by the government. This meant that much of what I read was secular. But there are many fine authors who are not Christians, and I read a lot of historic fiction, and, yes, romance. I found I enjoyed romance novels when they involved 3-dimensional characters and story lines often with adventure or other elements providing plenty of tension and conflict. For example, Wilbur Smith and his "Courtneys of Africa" series, or C.S. Forester and his Horatio Hornblower series. Also, Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin novels, and Winston Graham's, "A Novel of Cornwall" series. I devoured the Christian author Gilbert Morris's early American historic fiction/romances, from the "House of Winslow" series, to his Revolutionary War series, the "Liberty Bell" series. Did I mention Richard S. Wheeler, or Richard Paul Evans? And of course, Louis L'Amour's countless westerns, including the Sackett series. One more, and I'll stop! Francine River's "Mark of the Lion" series. These are books and series etched into my brain because of the impact they had on me.

Lately, I've been intentionally reading more current works, which cover a very wide range, partially because I enjoy reading novels incorporating current improvements in writing style like showing and not telling, as well as a more consistent point of view from the novel's main characters.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR TIME WHEN YOU’RE NOT WRITING?

I spend a lot of time writing! It's a creative outlet for me. It's as much work as it is fun. I don't have too many other activities I spend much time on, other than family matters as my wife and I raise our 15-year old son, and of course, reading.

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING NOVEL?

My debut novel will be released in January, 2012, in e-book format, from Desert Breeze Publishing. I am contracted to write two sequels, so Book 2 is scheduled for an October, 2012 release, and Book 3, a July, 2013 release. The first book, The Attaché, is about a man who loses his sight in Iraq in 2004, not long after we began the so-called "Iraq War." The main character, Zach, comes home and must cope with blindness as well as managing a business he inherited but doesn't want. He used to love to climb his mountain located on the 300-acre property, and Zach decides he'll figure out a way to climb his mountain again. A new employee, Jessie, wants to help Zach cope with his situation, but she isn't really sure what to do. She took the job at Zach's company thinking she'd meet up with Zach's brother, a man she met briefly and believes she could love. But over the months, Zach and Jessie make some interesting discoveries about themselves, and fall in love.

Readers can learn more about David and his writing by visiting his Web site, http://authordavidbond.com/.

Monday, July 18, 2011

E-book Giveaway--Pursued

front cover of Lillian Duncan's suspense novel, Pursued, showing a brunette woman on one side and a man standing in the rain with a gun on the other

You've read the interview. Now how would you like to receive a e-copy of Lillian's book? :)

HOW TO ENTER
Post a comment related to Lillian's interview between now and August 2nd to be entered once daily into a random drawing to receive a free e-book copy of Pursued.*


*Please note slight change in entry rules (i.e., more chances to enter).

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Interview with Author Lillian Duncan

Jackie recently interviewed author Lillian Duncan:

photo of Ohio suspense author Lillian Duncan

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

I'm from a small town in Ohio. We're located half-way between Columbus and Cleveland. When I say small I mean small. There's one traffic light. I love living in a town where I know the names of the people I see on a regular basis, like the store owner, the librarians, and the pharmacist. And in fact it’s one of the themes in Pursued.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING RELEASE.

PURSUED is a story near and dear to my heart. I wanted to write a story that showed some of the differences between "big-city" and "small-town" living, but in the end those differences are only superficial. The important thing is a person’s character not where they live or what they do for a job.

WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START WRITING?

I know this is going to sound a bit strange, but I've always "made up" stories in my head when I was bored. Very detailed stories with characters and problems and happy endings. After two very specific events, it was like a light bulb went off in my head. Oh, these are the stories I should be writing down so I started writing that day and I haven't stopped since.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING AND DID YOU EVER FEEL LIKE GIVING UP?

I started writing 16 years ago when I was 40. Yikes, that makes me so...never mind. And absolutely, I wanted to give up many, many times. And in fact, I did give up many times but I always started up again.

I don't know any writer who hasn't felt that way. The uncertainty of becoming a published writer can be frustrating and overwhelming at times to say the least. But if being a writer is your dream, you have to keep writing and waiting...and waiting...and.....

HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?

PURSUED is my fourth book to be published, but the first with White Rose Publishing. But in many ways, I consider it to be my debut novel since it's my first book with what is considered a "traditional" publisher.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO WRITE A BOOK?

That's a question I get asked quite often and it’s really hard question to answer. First, the story rumbles around in my head for awhile and then I might write a few chapters and stop. If the story goes away, I give up on in for the moment but will go back to it sometime in the future. But if the story stays with me and I can't get it off my mind, then I start writing it more seriously. At that point it may take 2-3 months to get the first draft written and then it can take forever to edit, revise, and polish.

WHAT DOES YOUR WRITING SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?

I try to write every day even if it's only for 30 minutes or so. Most work days during the school year (my day job is a Speech Pathologist in a school) I write for an hour or so. I work part-time so on my non-work days, I will at least write for 3-4 hours at least two of the days I'm off work. In the summer, again, I try to work 3-4 hours most days but so far this summer, I’m working more like 6-8 hours each day.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS AN INTERESTING WRITING QUIRK YOU HAVE?

I think my quirk is the fact I don't have a quirk. I sit down at my computer and I write and write and write. I hear other writers complaining about how difficult the creative process is and I think I must be doing something wrong because I just sit down and the story comes to me one scene at a time.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR TITLE-PURSUED?

The original title was Just An Old Country Boy but that didn't sound very suspenseful so I changed it to Pursued. In the story, Reggie is being pursued by an unknown killer, by the hero, and by God, so it made sense to me as a title.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HERO AND HEROINE?

My hero, Dylan, is a good old boy with a heart of gold who just wants to make life better for everyone around him. He's sweet and kind, but in a very manly way! Reggie can be a little difficult at times, but she has her reasons. You have to admire her for all she's overcome in her life.

IS THERE A MESSAGE IN YOUR NOVEL?

One of the messages I want people to get is to be open to learning from, developing relationships, and loving people who are different from ourselves. God made us different for a reason. And one of the reasons is it makes life a lot more interesting and fun!

I am, of course, a bookworm and my husband is an outdoorsy sort of man who likes to fish and garden and do other things that gets his hands dirty. In many ways, we are very opposite of each other, but together we have a wonderful and fun marriage.

WHAT MAKES THIS BOOK SPECIAL TO YOU?

This book is about friendship. The kind of friendship where you put your life on hold to help someone in trouble. And that's what Jesus was talking about when He told us to love our neighbors--and our enemies. And since this book was about friendships, many of the secondary characters in the book were named after friends who were important to me in one way or another but died much too young.

IS THIS BOOK BASED ON SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW?

Absolutely not. I've never known anyone who was chased by killers.

WHAT BOOKS HAVE MOST INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE?

Dick and Jane, Curious George, Pippi Longstocking, and The Cat In The Hat to name a few. I wish I could give a list of profound literary books but the truth is the first books I ever read changed my life. They opened up a new world to me. They created a lifelong reader who loved books so much that she wanted to create her own.

WHAT MAKES THIS BOOK A MUST READ AND WHY?

If you love suspense or romance, then this is the book for you. The suspense plot will keep you reading past your bedtime and the romance will make you say "aaahhh."

DO YOU HAVE A PERSON YOU CONSIDER A MENTOR?

I don't have one specific person whom I consider a mentor but I do have several critique partners whom I go to for advice and help as well as encouragement and support. By the way I would love to have a mentor so if there are any writers out there wanting to mentor, look me up.

WHAT IS YOUR NEXT PROJECT?

I have another book coming out in the fall, DECEPTION. It's full of intrigue and action. Along with that I'm working on three other manuscripts in varying stages that will hopefully become books in the future including a sequel to PURSUED.

IF YOU COULD WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT PURSUED?

Nothing. I love the characters and the story. So much so that I’m working on a sequel to PURSUED right now.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT WRITING?

I spend time with my wonderful husband and our menagerie of animals. We have two dogs and four parrots so home can be a noisy place at times. In the summer, we like to camp Again, there's that outdoorsy thing I never would have tried without my husband's encouragement. In the winter, I'm on a bowling league--not that I'm any good at it, but it is fun. And last but not least, and I hate to admit it but I like to watch TV--especially the crime shows. Go figure!

WHAT DOES YOUR FAMILY THINK OF YOUR WRITING?

I’ve been blessed with a very encouraging and supportive family. My husband is an enabler (in a good way). He cooks and does most of the household chores so I can find the time to write. He's been such a wonderful gift from God for so many reasons.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU FIND PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING ABOUT WRITING?

I hate thinking up names for my characters. I once wrote a manuscript and as I was editing it, I realized I had used the name of the characters and actors from the old TV series Gunsmoke. I had Miss Kitty, Matt Dillon, Amanda Blake, and James Arness. But no Festus!

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR AND WHAT IS IT ABOUT THEIR WORK THAT REALLY STRIKES YOU?

I love most of the suspense writers but two of my favorites are Terri Blackstock and Brandilynn Collins. I love their books because they are all about the story and the suspense and yet they manage to weave in a spiritual lesson along the way without the reader feeling like they are being preached at.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF WRITING A BOOK?

I love writing and rewriting my book but...after about the eighth or ninth time, it's gets a bit tiring.

DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING FROM WRITING THIS BOOK?

I actually learned a lot from this book. It was the first book I had critiqued with the large critique group from ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Critiquing is a very humbling process. In the beginning of the critiquing process, I thought the others didn't know what they were talking about. By the middle, I thought I should give up writing forever. By the end, I knew I was a much better writer than I'd been at the beginning. And the proof is that this became my debut novel with a traditional publisher.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHERS WHO WANT TO WRITE?
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Read as much as possible. Write as much as possible. Along with that, I’d say find a critique group. It makes all the difference. And never, ever give up your dream to be a writer.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO SAY TO YOUR READERS?

I just want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to entertain them.

HOW CAN READERS CONTACT YOU?

My website is: www.lillianduncan.net

Monday, July 11, 2011

Book Reviews

Welcome,

Jackie and I look forward to reviewing all mystery, suspense, romantic suspense, and thriller novels. Please e-mail us if you're interested in having us review your book or interview you for our blog.

Thanks,
Heidi