An Eye for an Eye by Irene Hannon

I'm always on the look out for a new author to read. Because I write Cozy Mysteries that is what I tend to read. I'm so glad that a friend told me about Irene Hannon who writes Romantic Suspense. I started with "An Eye for an Eye" which is the second book in the Heroes of Quantico Series.

The main character, Mark Sanders, runs into former girlfriend, Emily Lawson. Literally minutes after the reunion Emily is shot. The questions is was she the target or FBI agent Mark Sanders? Either way Mark isn't about to leave Emily's side until the shooter is found. Keeping a close watch on Emily has stirred feelings he was unaware he still harbored for Emily.

You must read the book to find out if Mark can keep Emily safe and if they can rekindle a relationship that has been dormant for years. "An Eye for an Eye" will literally keep you turning the pages to find the answers. The first book in the series is "Against All Odds," starring Evan Cooper and the third book in the series, "In Harms Way," focusing on Mitch Bradley.  by Deborah Malone

 

 

 

Back Cover: After an accidental shooting during a tense standoff, FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Nick Sanders is sent to St. Louis to work as a field agent and get his bearings while the bad press settles. Just weeks away from returning to Quantico, Mark has a chance encounter with his first love Emily Lawson. But their reunion is cut short by a sniper. Now Mark must find the shooter before he strikes again. But what is his motive - and who was the intended target? Can Mark put the pieces together, keep Emily safe and rekindle a relationship at the same time?

 

 

 

 

Irene Hannon is the author of more than thirty novels, including the bestselling "Against All Odds." Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, and the Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times Bookreviews Magazine. Irene and her husband make their home in Missouri. You can learn more about Irene at her website www.irenehannon.com. 



Interview With Author Amryn Cross

Interview With Author Amryn Cross

Please welcome Amryn Cross, author of the US Marshal's series of books. She has graciously agreed to answer a few questions about her debut novel, LEARNING TO DIE, and some personal questions about her as an author. 

In addition, she's giving away a copy of the ebook. All you have to do is comment, and leave your email address. You can spell it out if you prefer. For example: jane(underscore)doe(at)gmail(dot)com

Amryn,

Thank you so much for agreeing to join us on Sleuths and Suspects.

Where are you from?

I’ve lived in the Knoxville, TN area my entire life, and I wouldn't trade being a southern girl for anything. There’s something in the air around here, especially this time of year, that speaks to me. It’s where I learned, from an early age, to love God, SEC football, and sweet tea.

I hope to visit Tennessee someday. As a Texas girl, I understand the love of the south. Can you tell us your latest news?

I just released my debut novel, Learning to Die, from Desert Breeze Publishing. This book is near and dear to my heart because I’d never had a character speak to me quite as loudly as Kate James did in this book. It’s definitely a suspense novel, but it’s also Kate’s story, and I’m so excited to be able to share it.

Since I've had the privilege of being your critique partner, I love Kate, too. As soon as the book was released, I bought it and plan to start on it very soon. I'm so excited to read it. 

When did you first consider yourself a writer? 

This is a tough one to answer. Probably after I finished a draft of my first novel. Looking back on it now, I see all the problems with it, but it was the first thing I’d written with completely original characters that was of any substantial length. I tend to get bored with things easily, so when I disciplined myself enough to write a 100,000+ word manuscript, I knew I could do this. That’s when the hard work really began—learning the craft, researching new characters and locations, building a support community—but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I have to say, I love your writing style. Do you have a job other than writing? 

Very few people are fortunate enough to land their one dream job, while I’m blessed to have two. Writing has always been a dream for me—one I didn't take serious until the last five years—but I always planned on having a career outside of it. My day job is as a forensic scientist for a crime lab, and it really is just as cool as it sounds. Thank God he knew exactly what he was doing when he put me there.

Being a forensic scientist must help your writing, in addition to being an awesome job. Who do you credit with supporting you the most in your writing journey? 

There are so many people who've had a hand in this process that I couldn't list them all. However, my family has supported me since day one and made me laugh when I sorely needed it (when you come home from your job working criminal cases and write about murders and suspense, things can get a little dark). My mom and my sister have read everything I’ve written and provided valuable feedback and encouragement. I sat down with the two of them when I began to write Learning to Die, and we plotted out the whole thing at my parent’s kitchen table. They were tossing out ideas faster than I could write them down! And my dad, who really doesn't like to read, believed in me just as much. As far as I know, he’s never read my stories, but his support is just as precious because he believes in me anyway.

Sometimes, those non-readers can be our biggest cheerleaders. Any words of advice for novice writers? 

Keep writing. Seriously, it sounds obvious, but it really wasn't to me. I was so proud for having finished my first novel, I threw all my energy into editing, pitching, and querying that novel. Unfortunately, that didn't leave me much time for writing something new. When I gave myself permission to move on from that story, amazing things started to happen. The only way you’re going to grow and improve as a writer is to write. Learning to Die was the second novel I wrote, and the difference between it and the first is amazing. And when I read the two manuscripts I finished since then, I see even more improvement. Just know that you’re never going to be perfect, but always push to be a little better.

Great advice. The more we write, the better we become. Tell us a little bit about your debut novel. 

Learning to Die picks up with Miami criminalist Kate James who’s hiding a big secret from everyone around her, and it’s slowly killing her spirit. She’s been through something traumatic and never really dealt with it because she had no one to turn to. Instead of processing and grieving, she’s made some bad choices and has reached the point where she’s sure that even God couldn't love this person she’s become.

Back Cover Copy:

Graham Shepherd is a US Marshal who is keeping a secret or tow of his own--at least one of which involves Kate. He's on a mission to save her in every way possible, and she resents it more than a little. Not a great combination since Graham is the marshal in charge of escorting Kate back to her home town to testify in a high profile trial.

Kate and Graham have two separate missions, which don't exactly mesh. Graham just wants to her alive, but Kate will stop at nothing to get justice for her brother. They have to learn to trust each other while staying one step ahead of a man who may be closer than either of them realize.

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Desert Breeze Publishing

Interview and Giveaway with Nike Chillemi

Please welcome Nike Chillemi to Sleuths and Suspects. In fact, while you're here, why don't you wish her a happy birthday and come up with a unique comment to be entered for a chance to win a Kindle copy of Harmful Intent.

Nike, your newest novels, The Veronica (Ronnie) Ingles and Dawson Hughes Series, is a departure from your historical suspense novels. How hard was it to transition from Sanctuary Point to modern-day Texas and New York?

HARMFUL INTENT is set in both Texas and New York, but the remaining novels in the series will be set in many different locations. It wasn't hard at all to transition from writing historical novels. In fact, I didn't even know I was writing a contemporary novel. It started with a writing prompt which was supposed to grow into a short story. Then the characters went rogue on me and it morphed into a novella, then a full-fledged novel. The thing that took the most time was research. Then again, I always do lots of research and actually like researching. I had to research west Texas customs, culture, and topography for HARMFUL INTENT. I didn't think of that as difficult, simply as part of writing a novel.

Don't you just love it when characters develop minds of their own? Ronnie and Dawson are fairly young. How did you research the younger generation, and how did you handle this in your books?


I haven't given them specific ages, but to have achieved a certain level in their careers, I imagined Ronnie in her mid-to-late twenties, and Dawson Hughes in his early-to-mid thirties. Neither of them follow the crowd, so I didn't have to immerse myself in the culture of that generation, but I did have to figure out what music they listen to, and so forth. Dawson likes country music, and Ronnie has no taste for that, to put it mildly. Ronnie listens to soft jazz. My birthday is the first week in July, and I'm not in my late-twenties. There were times I caught myself having Ronnie or Dawson use an expression too old for them and I had to change to something more contemporary. Since I'm going to be thirty-nine, yet again, for my birthday, I'm going to give away a Kindle copy of HARMFUL INTENT to the person with the most interesting and exuberant comment.
Ahem…as to the birthday giveaway, since I can't (won't) tell you how many times I've been thirty-nine, we can also include inventive in the criteria.

Ahh, the 39th birthday...those are fun no matter how many times we have one! I can't wait to read some of the great comments. How do you juggle the promotional aspect of writing with the actual task of writing? 

I become frantic and lose my mind. ~ Seriously, it can be daunting, as you well know. The most difficult thing is knowing what is effective. I've heard that rolling postings to Facebook groups is effective. Then I hear that's considered spam. So, there's a lot of conflicting advice out there. There are many groups that specify you can post one promo per day. So, on those groups, that's not spam. I have to use my best judgment, and I've made mistakes. Certain marketing strategies can be evaluated. I can look at my blog's stats and can see where traffic is coming from. I think it would be safe to say book sales are probably coming from the same source(s). HARMFUL INTENT rose into the top 100 sellers in Amazon's mystery > private investigator category. I was pleased because this is a pretty big category with authors such as Lee Child, James Patterson, and Stuart Woods.

Wow! Congratulations on now being one of Amazon's Best Selling Authors.  Any words of advice for novice writers?

Take advantage of online writing courses. Get into a serious critique group with authors who are already published or working toward that end. And most important of all, read the top authors in your genre. Don't copy them, rather study them.

Excellent advice. Do you set a writing schedule for yourself? What challenges do you face in keeping to a writing schedule?

Actually, I don't have a writing schedule. I do push myself to write but I'm seat of the pants in that area. I find that family and life events get in the way of my writing. If I've skipped a few days, I'll make myself sit down, and I'll get into a writing marathon. On the other hand, if I'm writing at a goodly, but sane pace, I won't try to fix what ain't broken.

Thank you so much for sharing a little about your writing processes with us on Sleuths and Suspects. Where can readers buy Harmful Intent?

Author Bio:
Nike Chillemi has been called a crime fictionista due to her passion for crime fiction. She is a member of Christian Indie Novelists (CHIN),American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers.She is the founding board member of the Grace Awards, a reader's choice awards for excellence in Christian fiction.
She was an Inspy Awards 2010 judge in the Suspense/Thriller/Mystery category and a judge in the 2011, 2012, 2013 Carol Awards in the suspense, mystery, and romantic suspense categories. She writes monthly book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine.
Her recent contemporary detective story HARMFUL INTENT has garnered acclaim and has been called: sassy, witty, gritty, charming, and yummy.
Her historical suspense Sanctuary Point series brought on a crime wave that swept the south shore of Long Island during the 1940s (BURNING HEARTS, GOODBYE NOEL, PERILOUS SHADOWS, DARKEST HOUR) won acclaim and awards.

Nike may be found at her website: http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/, on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nike-Chillemi/e/B0050ZD44O#; on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/109581882468482/?ref=br_tf

Purchase Harmful Intent on Amazon

To be entered into the drawing for a Kindle copy of Harmful Intent:

1. Leave a comment
2. Leave your email address - you may spell it out, if you'd like.

The winner will be announced on July 12th. Good Luck!

Interview and Giveaway with Fay Lamb

CONGRATULATIONS

PAT - WINNER OF

"STALKING WILLOW"

I'd like to welcome Fay Lamb to Sleuths and Suspects. I believe this is her first time to visit and I hope it will be many more. I first met Fay at the Catch the Wave Writer's Conference in Atlanta, GA last year. She is an excellent teacher and she is one of the friendliest and helpful editors I've met. I'm looking forward to seeing her again this year. I'm thrilled for her success with her debut books. She is gracious to offer a copy of her book "Stalking Willow" for a giveaway. Just leave a comment and your email address and be a follower of Sleuths and Suspects to be entered in the giveaway. Believe me you don't want to miss this book! Now on to the interview.

1.       Tell us a little about yourself.

I live in a small Florida town called Titusville. Most times when I mention the name of the city, I have to add that it is where Kennedy Space Center is located. My family, and my husband’s family have lived here for generations. Both of our grandmothers were born in Titusville. Besides writing, I am also an acquisition editor for Pelican Book Group—a job I love. I am a past-secretary for ACFW, and I moderated the ACFW Scribes’ Critique Group for four years.

 

2.       Tell us about your most recent book/or the book we are focusing on.

Stalking Willow is the first novel in my romantic suspense series entitled Amazing Grace. This story was released by Write Integrity Press in May.

 

Bitterness, a stalker, and a neighbor to die for. What's a girl to do? Trailed by a stalker in New York City, Willow Thomas, a young ad executive, scurries back to her small North Carolina hometown and the lake house where ten years earlier a scandal revealed her entire life had been a lie, and a seed of bitterness took root in her soul. The cocoon of safety Willow feels upon her arrival home soon unravels when she meets opposition from her and the stalker reveals he is close on her heels.

Can Willow learn to trust God to tear out her roots of resentment, reunite her family, ferret out a deadly stalker, and to rekindle the love she left behind?

 

3.       Why did you choose this particular genre?

I’m not sure that I choose the genre as much as it chose me. I’m usually the first one to put my hands over my eyes when something tense or suspenseful comes on the television. I also keep asking, “Tell me what happened? Did he kill her yet? How’d he do it?” However, when writing suspense, I know what’s going to happen, and I take a lot of joy in hopefully making the reader’s shoulders climb while they’re waiting to see if the hero or heroine will save the day, get out of the situation, and live to tell about it.



 

4.       What was your journey to publication like?

I have a number of adjectives to describe that journey: long, arduous, surprising, fulfilling, and incredible. I have always been a writer. Before I could write, I was a storyteller. Words are magically to me. As a kid who sat in a car while her mother worked or remained home behind closed doors as a latchkey child, storytelling was my preservation. When I finally realized how God wanted me to use the talent He’s given me, I had to learn how to craft my storytelling. That took a few years. Well, it actually took more than a few, but who’s counting?

 

Currently, and for what I think will be a very long while, I’m working with a tremendous editor, and those times in the past when I would have used the unhappy sounding adjectives were well worth it because now, I’m enjoying myself tremendously.

 

5.       What is a couple of your favorite books and what are you reading now?

Bliss by Jeness Walker and Tracy Bowman is at the top of my list of all-time favorite reads. The story is laugh-out-loud funny from the start to the very last line. I hesitate to call it chick-lit or women’s fiction. Let’s call it humorous contemporary fiction.

 

Failstate by John Otte and A Fistful of God by Therese Travis are two of my favorite published young adult novels. I’m partial to Therese’s story because I acquired and edited it for Pelican, but both of these stories transcend their genre, and I highly recommend them.

 

Currently, I’m reading non-fiction. The book is The Prophecies Fulfilled in the Birth of Jesus Christ. An excellent read and study by Dianne E. Butts, a fellow writer at Pix-N-Pens.

 

6.       What are you working on now and can you give us a little peek inside it?

Right now, until September 1, I purposely took a writing hiatus because I had a packed August filled with workshops. However, I’m looking forward to delving into the writing of four books that are currently on deadline. I’m happy to give you a little peek inside Better than Revenge, the next book in my Amazing Grace series.

 

Issie pushed on the gas pedal. The Jeep shot from the bridge and onto the road, skidding against slick mud.

Using both hands, she battled for control of the vehicle, but gravity pulled against her body as the car spun in circles. With a cry, she let go of the wheel and grabbed Cole, pulling him close.

“Not the water, Lord. Don’t let us drown. Please, don’t let us drown,” she pleaded.

With a deafening crash and bone-jarring impact the vehicle came to a sudden stop. Issie held onto Cole, too afraid to move. After a long moment, he wiggled in her arms. She had pulled him to her despite his latched seatbelt. “Are you okay?” She inspected him from head to chest.

He nodded.

“Thank you, Lord.” Thunder boomed, drowning out her words of gratitude.

Looking out her open window through the pouring rain, Issie stared in amazement at the ruts gouged deep in the mire where they’d spun in circles. Their path had taken them away from the creek and across the road to slam up against one of the hundred year old elms. A miracle for sure. Her airbags hadn’t even deployed. Deep, shuddering breaths shook her body. She collapsed over the steering wheel again and sobbed.

Cole touched her. “Mommy, we’re safe. We can walk from here.”

So calm. Where did he get that part of his nature?

Yes, they were safe for the moment, but she’d feel even safer at home with Cole in his pajamas after a warm shower.

Issie groped around in the back of the Jeep, feeling for the blanket she always kept there. Rough wool grazed her fingertips. She pushed open the door, stepped out of the vehicle, and tugged the blanket over her head. Cole climbed across the seat and out to stand under the blanket she’d spread over her. The makeshift shelter did little to protect them against the driving rain.

Cole’s hand gripped her shirt. Water dripped from his bangs onto his straight little nose. His drenched clothing stuck to his body. His teeth chattered, and he let out a broken “Brrr” under his breath. She kept the woolen cover over them and started down the road toward home.

She looked down at him. “What do you say to a warm shower, a grilled cheese sandwich, some warm cookies, and a glass of milk?”

He smiled up at her. “Yeah.”

“Are you okay?” The voice emanated from outside their cloth protection.

Someone was on her property. She was alone and vulnerable. Issie screamed and pushed her son behind her.

 

7.       What advice would you give authors who are on their own journey to publication?

This is always one of my favorite questions because I love to encourage writers. Recently, I ran across an anonymous quote that said: “It may be true that the real writer writes, but most people believe that a real writers is one who is published.” My advice is to never let anyone tell you that if you are unpublished, you are not an author. Real writers write. Period. I wrote for years. Publication did not make me an author. The process of writing made me an author. And I was an author before I was published. So, I encourage writers to write. Write more than one book. While you’re seeking publication write more books. In that way, when the doors open, you have more to offer than one story. And publishers love to know that an author has more to offer.

 

8.       Do you have any books or websites that have helped you with your writing that you could share with us?

 

I recommend every book on crafting stories written by James Scott Bell: Plot and Structure, Revision and Self-Editing, and Conflict and Suspense. Mr. Bell has an easy style of teaching, and his examples are excellent. He doesn’t talk over our heads and provide strategies that would bore most writers. They are instructional and fun to read. For encouragement in your writer’s journey, I highly recommend his The Art of War for Writers.

 

9.       Is there anything you’d like to tell us we haven’t covered?

This has been a whirlwind summer for me. I’m so blessed and thankful to have three releases. Stalking Willow was released in May. Charisse, the first book in my contemporary romance series, The Ties that Bind, released in July, and Better than Revenge, the second novel in the Amazing Grace series releases and the story whose excerpt is shared in this interview will release in September.

 

10.   Please let us know where we can find you on the web.

My website is www.faylamb.com. There I have a blog entitled Inner Source where guest authors are interviewed and share about the issues contained in their stories—those issues their charactesr overcome by God’s amazing grace or even issues that God might have brought to their attention during the writing of their work.

 

I also love meeting new friends on FB (www.facebook.com/fay.lamb) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/FayLamb). Oh, and I’m also The Tactical Editor, providing editing and writer helps Monday through Friday at www.facebook.com/TacticalEd.

Deborah Malone’s first novel Death in Dahlonega, finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Category Five writing contest! Deborah was also nominated for 2012 Georgia Author of the Year in First Novel category. She has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, for the historic magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published, and her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails,” edited by Olin Jackson. She is a member of the Georgia Writer’s Association. As a current member of the American Christian Fiction Writer she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction.  

Interview and Giveaway with D.A. Featherling

CONGRAULATIONS

GAIL PALLOTTA

WINNER!

 

I'm happy to welcome Dorothy Featherling to Sleuths and Suspects this week. Dorothy writes cozy mysteries and has graciously offered one of her books as a giveaway. Just leave a comment and your email address and be a follower to enter for a chance to win. Here we go!!

1.           Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a native Texan and have primarily lived in Central Texas. I’ve been writing for 10-12 years; took time out to open and run a home staging business for the past four years (it’s still active, BTW), but have decided to devote myself to writing now as my principal occupation. Since I’m retired, I can do that. I have one son and a most precious grandson. I started writing my first book on my lunch hour while working at the University of Texas and that began my writing journey. I enjoy reading (actually, I’m an avid reader and sometimes average one book a day), crafts, shopping, and of course, spending time with my family.

2.           Tell us about your most recent book/or the book we are focusing on.

My first book is what we’re discussing today. It’s a mystery, book 1 in a series entitled “It’s Murder at the Office”. The book is “It Adds Up to Murder.” The back cover copy reads:

“Abigail Newhouse is forced to work temporary jobs to make ends meet. She discovers that while the jobs can be murderous, there aren’t usually dead bodies involved. Abby isn’t expecting crime at her first long term assignment, but when it occurs, she wants to help. Will Homicide Lieutenant Nick Vaughn believe that – or is she his main suspect? Abby soon finds sleuthing has placed her in deadly peril when she finally confronts a merciless killer face-to-face.”

3.           Why did you choose this particular genre?

My favorite reads are mysteries and suspense, so it seemed natural for me to write in the genre. Of course, that didn’t occur until I’d written 6 other novels. I actually write in multiple genres. Besides mysteries, I write romantic comedy, futuristic suspense, and romance. I love the humor and there’s a tinge of that in everything I write.

4.           What was your journey to publication like?

When I began writing some years back, I went through all the steps most beginning authors do…attending seminars and conferences, reading books on writing, pursuing traditional publishers and acquiring an agent. Being the impatient type, after a few years of that, and then developing some health issues, the writing slacked off until, as I said, I began my own home staging business four years ago. I didn’t do any writing during that time, I was too busy. But now I’m back and have decided to pursue self-publishing since I have such a great backlog of previously written novels and I’m continuing to write new ones, of course.

5.           What is a couple of your favorite books and what are you reading now?

Don’t know that I would name specific books…more like authors. I love Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series…one of the best ever. I like Terri Blackstock’s books, Ronie Kendig’s military thrillers, Stephen Bly’s comical westerns…I could go on and on. At the moment, I just started re-reading Donn Taylor’s “Rhapsody in Red,” a unique mystery. I do keep and re-read books I really like.

6.           What are you working on now and can you give us a little peek inside it?

I’ll be publishing a second romantic comedy soon entitled “Kissing Frogs”…one woman’s tale of her adventures on the internet matchmaking highway. I’m currently writing the first book in a new mystery series called “Staged for Murder.” It’s about a home stager who keeps running afoul of crimes. Book 1 is entitled “Murder Outside the Box.” I’m about 2/3 of the way done and hope to publish it this fall. A little blurb about it is:

“Ari Ames is a home stager par excellence. She’s equally good at getting involved with murder. When Ari discovers a dead body in the bushes at a vacant home she’s to stage, it starts her on a pathway of murder, mayhem, and not-so-sweet revenge. Can her faith in God see her through to a perfectly staged outcome – or will her reliance on her own resources put her in more danger than she ever imagined?”

7.           What advice would you give authors who are on their own journey to publication?

You know, there are so many options open to writers today that weren’t present ten years ago such as indie publishing, e-books, etc. But my advice would be…learn the basics of good writing. You can find lots of books by multi-published authors telling you how to write. Go to seminars or conferences as you have opportunity. The more you know, the better your choices will be about how you want to handle publication. And most of all…READ.  Read in your genre and outside it as well. You’ll always learn something, even if it’s what NOT to do.

8.           Do you have any books or websites that have helped you with your writing that you could share with us?

Again, there are so many out there. I’m a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and they are a great organization with chapters all over the country. Their website features information about writing and offers connections with some of the best authors today, courses and critiques…a multitude of advantages for all stages of writers. James Scott Bell’s books on writing are excellent, as well.

9.           Is there anything you’d like to tell us we haven’t covered?
Maybe just a word of encouragement to never give up your dream. Even if you take a ‘sabbatical’ of some years, if it’s the dream in your heart, then get back to it when you can. God wouldn’t put it on your mind and in your heart if you weren’t supposed to do something with it.

10.       Please let us know where we can find you on the web.
My author website is: www.dafeatherling.com  I invite folks to visit it and keep up with me. I also have an author page on Facebook where they can follow me as well.

  

 

Deborah has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, since 2001, for the historical magazine “Georgia Backroads.” She has had many articles and photographs published during this time. Her writing is featured in “Tales of the Rails” edited by Olin Jackson. She has also had a showing of her photographs at Floyd Medical Center Art Gallery as well as winning several awards.  Her debut cozy mystery, “Death in Dahlonega" is now available.

She is a current member of the Georgia Writers Association, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She has an established blog, Butterfly Journey, where she reviews Christian Fiction.