1-How
long have you been writing?
I
started writing in October 0f 2010. I wrote my first novel in two months and
was so excited that I sent it out to friends and critique partners to find out
that I had no idea how to write.
I
was told I had a great plot and some great characters but the mechanics of my
story was wrong. I took some tough advice and took workshops and online courses
on POV, grammar and punctuation. After my classes were complete I went back and
completely re-worked my novel. I went
from 156000 down to 84000 words during this process, but my story ended up
being stronger because of it.
I
have since written, and published a short story in the Anthology, Wild At Heart
I, Turpentine Creek. This is an Anthology of animal rescue stories were all the
benefits go towards funding animal habitats at the refuge in Eureka Springs
Arkansas.
Once
I figured out the process of writing I knew this is what I wanted to do in my
spare time. What a great hobby to take up when your children grow up and move
out.
2-
What is your favorite genre to write?
My favorite genre is Romantic Suspense, that’s why I decided to write
Rescued from the Dark. It’s the first book in my Guardian’s of Hope
series. Guardian’s of Hope is a group
made up of Navy Seals, Special ops, and FBI agents who are sanctioned by the
government to do rescues that are deemed impossible. There are going to be
eight books in this series but each one can be read as a stand alone.
3-What
are you working on now?
I
am finishing up the second book in the series. It’s called Last Chance to Run.
I am hoping to have it to the publisher by May and out by the end of this year.
I
am also working in a contemporary story called Saving JT.
Its
about a single Mother‘s fight to save her three year old who is losing his
battle with leukemia.
4-When
you begin a story do you start with character or plot?
I
start out with characters and once I have them they seem to tell their own
story. I just sit behind my computer and do the typing. Many times I work for
them. Great job, just doesn’t pay well.
: )
5-Tell
us about your latest/upcoming release. What inspired it?
Rescued from the Dark is a story about an FBI agent,
Jason Michaels who goes undercover with the Irish Mob to get information on
their gun smuggling ring. While on assignment he realizes they have joined
forces with a known terrorist group manufacturing drugs. He searches for
information to tie the two together when he finds out they have kidnapped a
fellow agent and the only girl he has ever loved. Jason soon realizes their
using Mercy to perfect their dosage and that his cover has been blown. He knows
he has to save her so takes off a
journey that will take him up against his enemies, peers and the Agency
that he loves, but willing to give up to bring Mercy back to him.
My
inspiration was a dream. I know it’s a cliché, but I had the most vivid dream
about a girl on the beach struggling with a decision. It was so involved that
when I woke up I wrote it down. I continued to have dreams with the same
characters and after awhile I had a notebook of small stories. I decided, after
prodding from friends, to put them together into a story. That’s how Rescued
from the Dark started. When I have a
hard time with a scene I put it off and sleep on it. My characters tend to work
out their scenes in my sleep. I always wake up with my problem solved, but a
little weary from all the action in my dreams.
Rescued from the Dark
Published through Black Opal Books
Released February 16, 2013
BUY LINKS:
This is a story about an FBI agent, Jason Michaels who
goes undercover with the Irish Mob to get information on their gun smuggling
ring. While on assignment he realizes they have joined forces with a known
terrorist group manufacturing drugs. He searches for information to tie the two
together when he finds out they have kidnapped a fellow agent and the only girl
he has ever loved. Jason soon realizes their using Mercy to perfect their
dosage and that his cover has been blown. He knows he has to save her so takes
off a journey that will take him up
against his enemies, peers and the Agency that he loves, but willing to give up
to bring Mercy back to him.
Blurb:
She has no memory of their love...
Kidnapped by terrorists and sent into a drug-induced coma, FBI
intern Mercedes Kingsley awakes with no memory of her ordeal—or the intimate
interlude that left her pregnant. Convinced her child was fathered by her
ex-fiancé, she walks away from the only man she has ever loved, determined to
make things work with her ex, a man the FBI suspects is implicated in her
abduction.
He knows the truth, but no
one will listen...
FBI undercover agent Jason Michaels remembers what Mercy can’t
and those memories are breaking his heart. Forced to keep his distance from his
lover and their unborn child, Jason risks his life to protect Mercy from a cell
of international terrorists who have vowed to get the secrets locked in her
memory, no matter the cost. Can Jason convince Mercy to trust him until she
remembers their past, or will he lose her to a man who will trap her in a
nightmare world of darkness from which there is no escape?
EXCERPT:
|
A
|
n
explosion ricocheted behind Jason Michael’s eyes as the pressure mounted in his
head. The rush of panic consumed him. He struggled to move, tried to swallow,
but nothing. His throat burned as the flames engulfed his lungs. He needed to
breathe but couldn’t. Shit. He
strained to make out the muffled voice, but the pounding in his ears erased all
hope. His head started to spin and he succumbed to the realization, this was it, the end. He won. The flames
dampened and his heartbeat slowed as the drums subsided, then the voice became
clear.
“Give
it to him now you son of a bitch. What were you thinking? We still need him.”
In a
split second, Jason sucked in a breath, causing stabbing pains to shoot through
his chest. Every muscle fiber burned as the cold blast of air shot through his
lungs releasing the oxygen his body craved. He arched his back, raising his
chest up to pull in more air when his head snapped to the side and the crack
from his neck echoed in his ears. The pain ripped through his jaw, racing across
his cheekbone. Before he could gather his senses, intense burning set his face
on fire. What the hell?
The
slap against his cheek stung, and his eyes snapped open. He wrenched upright,
hitting his head on the roof of the SUV. His gaze darted back and forth looking
for something familiar until he locked onto the ice-cold stare of the devil
himself, Shaun Flanagan.
Damn, that was close. Jason could not blow his cover, even if it meant he
would die as David Logan and not Jason Michaels.
“You’re
finally awake, my boy. We almost lost you,” Shaun cold, emotionless laugh
caused Jason’s blood to boil. “You stopped breathing, I think. It’s hard to
tell with this new stuff. I hope you’re not too injured. We’ve got work to do.”
Jason’s
vision blurred, but his other senses were sharp. Shaun had known exactly what
the drug would do and the burn in Jason’s throat was a harsh reminder. Shaun’s
sarcastic tone spoke volumes to him. He was evil and did not play by anyone’s
rules but his own. Jason had spent the last two months undercover, playing
their games and doing their dirty work to buddy up tight to this family. He’d
earned his spot with Thomas Flanagan, but his son Shaun had issues trusting
anyone, even his own father.
Jason’s
anger burned inside of him, but he couldn’t afford to make mistakes, not now.
He was too close. It’s time to step it up, but first the drugs had to stop. He
rubbed his aching jaw with one hand, clenching his other into a fist to hide
his visible shaking. He had to get control of this game before he lost
everything.
Well I’m an avid reader of romantic suspense and started
writing about a year ago after a vivid dream. I know, sounds cliché, but that’s
how it started. I work full time at a Cardiology clinic, then at night
you will find me in front of my computer writing. I grew up in Pennsylvania,
but now live in Arkansas, surrounded by the Ozark Mountains where I get to
enjoy the four seasons without a long, cold winter. Other than spending time
with my wonderful family, my favorite things to do are writing, reading and
listening to music, but my most favorite is going to the beach. Surf, sand and
a good book, my stress relief.
Twitter-
lynda_kaye
Thank you Linda for hosting me on your site today. I am so excited to be able to share this big event with so many friends like you.
ReplyDeleteThanks again
Lynda
Hi Lynda,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your depute book, and short story.
Your next story about a child with leukemia touched my heart. You see, both my brother and sister got leukemia several years ago (ten years a part). It was a tough fight but they're both in remission now.
Good luck with your release. I wish you many sales.
Janice~
Thank you for stopping by Janice and I am so happy that your brother and sister are both in remission. I had a cousin that fought it and put up a good fight for 15 years. She is now at peace and out of pain. I am so very happy for your family. Thanks for helping me celebrate my big day. You're great.
DeleteLynda