Author Interview - Introducing R E Sheahan

R.E. Sheahan

       With boots crunching in the snow, the sweet scent of pine lingers among the trees...Deanna stops, shades her eyes and looks around. "I love the smell of pine trees! Louise, I think this is the spot where we meet R E Sheahan but I'm not sure."

     Louise shivers and zips her quilted, flannel jacket up to the collar. "Dang, it's cold out here." 

     A twig snaps behind them. Louise and Deanna turn to see R E walking easily through the snow towards them. "Hello Louise and Deanna! Thank you for taking the time for an interview with me. This is so much fun!"

    Deanna opens her backpack, pulls out a thermos and then three large mugs. "I have hot cocoa and baileys, ladies, to warm us up! Hey, look! All the readers found us and want to meet you, too!" 

      "Readers, come join us as we welcome R E Sheahan to our blog this week. And there's a giveaway at the end! Check the details below. Come on, there's a covered shelter with blazing fire over there for us."

Reader's Haven: Hi R E! Before we start the interview, we wanted to let everyone know R E Sheahan's book is featured on our main site! Now R E tell us a bit about yourself that our readers might not know.

 
R E: I love to dance! I started Zumba about year and a half ago and loved it. About five months ago, I started Line Dancing. Great fun!

      Three weeks ago, I joined a Flash Mob dance group.

    I will participate in my first Flash Mob on Valentine’s Day, in front of the Courthouse, with a crowd of people, and cameras. Eek!

Reader's Haven: Sounds exciting and fun. What made you want to become a writer?

R E: I’ve always liked to write. To use words to convey emotion, to right a wrong or stand up for a worthy cause.

     I also have a wildly inventive imagination.

    A few years ago, the two ganged up on me. Out of necessity to keep my sanity, I wrote about characters, worlds, and the issues facing those places. I got their story down on paper, so to speak, and found I truly enjoyed the entire process. That creative release is very satisfying.

Reader's Haven: Please share a bit about your new release, Storm of Arranon-Fire and Ice, without giving away any spoilers.

R E: Fire and Ice is the continuing story of Erynn Yager. In this second book of the series, Erynn learns more about the mystical world of Arranon, above and below the surface, while continuing to understand her growing abilities.

      Things aren’t always as they seem.

     She finds this is true with love, also, as Jaer has some past secrets of his own that return to haunt them both.

     Speaking of haunting, there are ghosts, and some of these spirits are out to stop Erynn from completing her mission.

     Erynn’s biggest lesson in this book is that she doesn’t have to carry out these tasks on her own.

     Or does she?

Reader's Haven: Do you write under a pen name?

R E: No. R E Sheahan is what I write under, R E being Robynn Elisabeth. I chose my initials because I felt shorter was better and both Robynn and Elisabeth are uncommon spellings.

Reader's Haven: What types of hero or heroine do you like best?

R E: Hmmm. Okay. I recently read a Dean Koontz book, (an author I love), but was disappointed with his female protagonist in this story. She was whiney, weak, and came across less intelligent than she actually was. The worse part, she really didn’t change much by the end of the book.

     So, I guess I like stronger heroes and heroines. Not arrogant or perfect, but I want them to stand up for themselves and others. When they make mistakes, I want to see them take responsibility and do the right thing even if it’s difficult.

Reader's Haven: Tell us about a typical day in your life as a writer.

R E: First, I check e-mails, FB, Twitter, and Goodreads. You know, get caught up on what’s happening!

      Lately, it’s been on to editing and formatting.

      I try to read everyday and do reviews of books I’ve finished.

     In the next day or two, I’ll be back to writing the third book in my Storm of Arranon series. Well, I did a very rough draft in NaNoWriMo, but it needs filling in and expanding!

Reader's Haven: Do your books have a common theme or are they all different?

R E: Since the Storm of Arranon books are a series, yes, they are the same.

     I do have more ideas for books, waiting their turn, that will be different in they will be more contemporary, but still have that paranormal or fantasy edge.

Reader's Haven: How long does it take you to write and then edit a story?

R E: I wrote books two, three, and four during NaNoWriMo the last three years. Fifty thousand words in thirty days. So I guess I can write the first draft in a month.

     I then spend about two to three months expanding, describing, and making the story presentable to my beta readers.

     When the manuscript is back from the beta readers, I edit. This whole process can take a month or more.

      Next, the book goes to my editor. This process takes the longest, another month or two. My editor is tough, but she gets the best story out of me!

      The book now goes to the proofreader and when it has been returned,

I read and edit once more.

     Adding up the time, I would say it takes about seven months to have a finished book.

Reader's Haven: Do you have to be alone to write?

R E: I can write either way. I finished book one while Parker, six years old at the time, watched Disney Channel in the family room where I was writing. I like that low level background noise.

Reader's Haven: How do you go about naming characters?

R E: Sometimes names come in dreams, or they’ve just been in my head for a while from who knows where! (There’s that imagination again!) I also use a Gaelic dictionary, or a Gaelic names guide to fashion a name for a character.

Reader's Haven: Is it easier to write about the characters if you find pictures of them before you write, or do you write then find character pictures?

R E: Good question! I don’t have a visual image of my characters in mind as I begin to develop them. As we get to know each other better, and I learn more about who they are, and why they are, they take on their own characteristics. Then I see them in my mind as I write. The best way I can describe this is—It’s like a movie in my mind. I can slow it down, speed it up, rewind, and change dialog or action until I’m satisfied with a particular scene and the characters. At this point, I may insert an actor I have seen and like for one of my characters. It just helps me visualize.

Reader's Haven: How do you pick locations for your stories?

R E: I grew up around forests, lakes, streams, and mountains. As a kid, my friends and I played in the woods all day. We rode our horses through meadows and along mountain trails and played imaginary games as we went. I became familiar with the forest, the land, and the animals. So anything to do with forests, I feel comfortable writing about.

Reader's Haven: What are you working on now and what should readers be looking forward to from you in the future?

R E: Yipee! I hope to have book three, tentatively titled Storm of Arranon-Allies and Enemies, ready to publish by late this summer! Book four, no title yet, is in rough draft, (NaNoWriMo), format and I will be shooting for a release date about this time next year. Book five is rattling around in my head, waiting for NaNo this year.

       I had planned at first to have only four books in the series. Hmmm. Now there are five.

    Several readers who enjoyed the first book have questioned about a certain character possibly having his own book(s).

      Intriguing!

Reader's Haven: Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

R E: Readers can find me and my books on the following sites:

Web site

Rule of Three Press

Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter @RESheahan

Amazon - Storm of Arranon

Amazon - Storm of Arranon Fire And Ice

Amazon Author page

Barnes & Noble - Storm of Arranon Fire And Ice

Smashwords

Createspace

***CONTEST***

      One Ecopy and one print copy of each book, Storm of Arranon and Storm of Arranon-Fire and Ice to one lucky commenter! Enter the drawing by leaving a comment. Let R E know you stopped by and remember to include your email address so we can easily contact the winner. Thanks!

        Please note Storm of Arranon is in print and Fire and Ice is eBook.

Excerpt from Fire and Ice

Chapter 1...

     A HIGH PIERCING SCREAM RIPPED through icy air and echoed along the dark intersecting tunnels. The shrieking faded and died.

     Possession was a painful adjustment.

     For the one being possessed.

     Dhoran smiled. He felt the corners of the host’s lips jerk in a reluctant response.

     Resistance is useless.

   The cowering consciousness slid into a dark recess of their now shared mind, making room for the new, dominant one.

      Destiny was on Dhoran’s side. This healthy athletic body suited him. It hadn’t been necessary to go through numerous candidates before finding an appropriate match, raising suspicion. The Shifter sent to lure an inhabitable being to where Dhoran’s spirit-self waited had done well. He’d found the perfect vessel on his first attempt.

      I will reward him. Allow him to . . . play with these surface dwellers.

      The host’s memories swirled, mingling with Dhoran’s. A short life so far, but full. Intelligence, pride, and a fierce drive to be of service propelled an unselfish soul. His knowledge remained for Dhoran to draw on, providing necessary information on these foreign surroundings.

      Dhoran stared down at his new body. Sensations dead for nearly two decades rushed through him. A strong, regular heartbeat pounded in his chest, radiating warmth to his extremities. Beads of sweat tickled his smooth skin. Cool air moved in and out of his lungs. He trembled at the simple yet intricate workings of life he’d taken for granted, and inhaled deeply. The familiar scent of damp, musty soil permeated his nostrils. A light sweetness lingered in his mouth, and he licked full lips, finding more of this spicy syrupiness. His tongue darted across even teeth blunted with flat surfaces for grinding. He frowned.

      There will be no rip and tear to this bite.

      Dhoran raised his hands and glared down at the shape and size of them. Static popped. Blue currents snapped and wound around his fingers. His abilities seemed to be intact. But he missed the thick claws and taut muscles that had rippled under the glossy red-gold scales of his body. He recalled how his naked skin had glowed and shimmered in the firelight. With an unsteady reach, Dhoran touched the back of his neck. Long hair clasped in a metal clip replaced the heavy mane that had grown on his head and along his spine. He closed his eyes and growled, angered at the loss.

     Dhoran’s true form had been exotically handsome to females from the surface and his underworld. His body had exuded a singular power and grace, evident in the reverence and fear of those subservient to him. His large gold-green eyes had missed nothing, and his notched ears had discerned even the slightest resonance. When he smiled, thin lips slid over sharp teeth.

      I would have won the girl over in my previous form.

      An icy wind whistled through the warrens.

       I must be near an access to the outside world.

    Dhoran shivered. He’d forgotten how bitterly frigid the surface of Arranon could get. He preferred the comfort of his underground kingdom. He sighed and nodded, the motion stiff and halting. The temporary sacrifice of warmth would be worth the results.

      When Zander Tourani’s daughter joins me, enhancing my power, I will inspire fear throughout the galaxy. No one will dare attack Arranon again. With help from the daughter of my only equal and one true enemy, Arranon will be mine. Forever.

      Tourani’s daughter was young, little more than a child. Her inexperience would make her pliable to Dhoran’s will and unwise to the wiles he possessed. He would convince her of the importance of forming a . . . merger with him. For the good of Arranon, she would agree to a union. The recent invasion of a marauding alien society would add credence to his proposal. He offered the means to keep her home world safe.

      First, he had to find her.

      A similar ploy to join forces for the safety of Arranon had nearly worked on her father.

     Or had Tourani’s compliant manner been a ruse within a trap? Yes. Tourani would consider self-sacrifice a noble end.

     Tourani’s deception had triggered his own death, as well as Dhoran’s.

    Foolish. Tourani knew I would return. My spirit remains strong. My power will never die. Will there still be those eager to do my bidding awaiting my . . . re-birth?

     Black, oily shadow shapes slithered toward him, silent in their fluid advance. Shifters hissed and bowed their submissiveness. These creatures would obey him without question.

      Dhoran tried his voice. “Camorra nah.” The timbre pleased him. He held up his hand, the movement uneven. He growled deep in his throat at the host’s continued resistance. “I will use the predominate language of the surface.” He had no difficulty controlling speech. The tone coming from him was deep and soft, appealing to his ear.

      The assembled Shifters deepened their bows and trembled at the sound of their master’s voice.

       Good.

    “Return to our underworld. Advise your brothers to find the girl.” Dhoran’s command demanded fulfillment. “The one who does so will gain my approval and an ample reward.” He chuckled, the rumbling more growl than mirth.

      Without a scuff or scrape of flesh on stone, the Shifters disappeared, blending into yawning shadows and leaving the faint stench of putrefying flesh hanging in the chilled air.

      Dhoran took a step forward, the action unyielding. He fought for control of this body, arching his back and rolling his head. His arms flexed and extended in a convulsive twitch. A low snarl issued from deep in his chest. “Obey me. You have no choice.” He bit down, slicing the tip of his tongue. The salty, metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. His muscles burned with resistance. He increased the pressure, an internal struggle against the possessed being’s last push of opposition. “I will command this body. When I have accomplished my goal, I may return it to you. If you behave.” A final snap of determination resonated, vibrating through his core.

       The fight was over.

      Dhoran walked with long easy strides through dim corridors, warrens chiseled by time, elements, and natural cataclysm in the primeval granite. His shadow glided from behind to ahead in the spaced lighting centered at the tunnel’s apex. The click of his boots against stone was music. Icy air caressed his cheeks. The unfamiliar but recognizable scent of trees, spicy and sharp, assaulted his senses. His heart rate increased, nerves tingled. He slowed and stopped.

     I am close to the surface. How long has it been since I set foot in that hostile environment?

      Dhoran’s musings took him to the moments before his premature end. He had steadily rebuilt the forces needed to begin a final battle and seize what he believed was rightfully his.

      Arranon.

      Years of careful preparation had his armies in place, ready to attack the world above. Then Tourani interfered, overthrowing Dhoran and ruining his strategy for domination.

    Dhoran’s breath hitched in with the comprehension of precious time wasted, passed in a temporary death. Anger flared. Lights above him popped, extinguishing in a crackle and whiff of scorched wiring. Electric tendrils snapped and pulsed outward, wrapping Dhoran in a deep- purple glow that reflected off uneven stone walls. He closed his eyes and pulled in the throbbing current. The cavern went black, but the quiet buzz of static remained.

     Calm. Breathe. Calm.

     The snapping hum quieted, and a preternatural stillness filled the dark. Dhoran’s eyes opened and he smiled. With planning and patience, a most gratifying revenge would be his.

     He continued to an alcove with tunnels leading off in several directions. His murk-accustomed eyes detected a faint natural light seeping in from an opening to the cold, sun-bright realm. The soft glow chased away thick slices of darkness. The way to proceed from this intersection was clear to him.

      Go to the left.

      This was the direction of the possessed one’s work and he was due there soon. The route led him to a daylight-filled bay. Dhoran squinted, turned his gaze away from the cursed brightness, and grimaced when his vision cleared.

      Snow. Cold. Wet.

    He didn’t know which was worse, blinding white snow or brilliant sunlight. Warm firelight suited him. The way a fire’s warmth encircled him and muted flames danced against the dark.

      Large flakes swirled in three massive openings behind . . .

      Interceptors. Fighters.

     This information took a moment to filter through a shared mind, a side effect of the recent possession that would soon pass.

    Dhoran nodded. The knowledge that these sleek, white forms were warring aircraft, accompanied by a feeling of awe and respect, came from the buried psyche locked away in a prison of flesh. He stopped and stared at the cold deadly force before him. His thoughts turned to Tourani’s daughter. He was anxious to find the girl and begin his conquest of her and Arranon.

     From around the closest fighter, a petite female in a heavy white jacket, pants, and boots emerged. Long, curly red hair surrounded her face and draped her shoulders. Dhoran tipped his head and studied her.

     Odd, she doesn’t wear her hair in the traditional style of Arranon, clasped at the back of her neck. The color. The curls. This too is unusual.

     Recognition of the female caused a flow of admiration and gratitude from the host’s mind.

      Ah, she is not Arranon. She is from Korin. Erynn Yager. She is important to Arranon, though. A pilot?

    “She’s only a child. And an outsider,” Dhoran scoffed in a low, menacing voice. He remained unimpressed as he studied her.

     How could one so young be this accomplished, this distinguished? Why is she here?

     Turned in profile to Dhoran, Erynn gazed up from the green glow of the device she held. Ice-blue eyes brightened under long lashes. She smiled at a dark, powerful young man approaching her from the far side of the hangar.

     More information surged from a collective base of knowledge.

     Jaer. An Anbas Warrior. One of Arranon’s elite.

     Dhoran’s attention returned to Erynn.

     There is something familiar—

     He spun toward the exit.

     I must find out more about her.

     For now, he was due at his duty station.

     Being late may bring up difficult questions, and that is no way to start my first day as a human surface dweller.

About the Author:

     When R E Sheahan was a kid, she often imagined 'what if' on how the TV shows and book plots could be rewritten and the whole story could be changed.  

    Once upon a time, during adulthood, R E was a paramedic/firefighter. Still pondering this ordeal, during down time on her job, she daydreamed and started writing down her ideas. 

     That was three years ago. 

   Now R E has two published books and many more in notes waiting to come alive.

     R E Sheahan lives in Northern Oregon among the breathtaking Cascade Mountains.  

Interview with Emily Tippetts, Chick Lit and YA Author

This week we join Emily Tippetts on Pelican Bluff off the coast of California. The weather is awesome with a cool breeze and degrees in the mid 70s. We've set up several huge umbrellas for shade, and blankets and lounge chairs to relax on. There are coolers filled with cold beverages; bottled water, soft drinks and juice. So help yourself.

Emily is giving away an eBook or a paperback of either her new release Castles in the Sand or a back list book (winner's choice). Details below!

If you've noticed the police gathered a few hundred yards away, don't worry, they're just arresting Alex. Guess Alex was in a really bad mood since he bashed a police car several times with a large rock. 

The winner could find out what happens to Alex!

Reader’s Haven: Hi Emily, thank you for chatting with us this week. The cool breeze across the ocean is very welcomed! Tell us a bit about yourself  that our readers might not know.

Emily:  I started out as a science fiction writer and attended Clarion West Writers Workshop for Science Fiction and Fantasy in 2001. I’ve sold several short stories to magazines, but decided to write a chick lit book in order to get published in the Utah/LDS market and gain some experience taking a book from manuscript to final. It’s very strange to me that I now make most of my money from chick lit novels, as that wasn’t my original goal. Not that I’m complaining!

Reader’s Haven: What made you want to become a writer?

Emily: It’s something I’ve wanted for so long; I can’t really say what started it. Ever since I knew where books came from, I’ve wanted to write them.

Reader’s Haven: Please share a bit about your new release Castles in the Sand without giving away any spoilers.

Emily: The official launch day for this novel is Monday, August 20th. It will show up on Amazon a few days before, and may pop up on Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and iBookstore a little earlier as well. I hope to have the eBook in stock everywhere by the end of the day on Monday.

Madison Lukas lives in the fictitious town of Pelican Bluffs, which is on the coast of northern California, with her mother, who prefers to throw pots than to spend time with her daughter. When a Mormon missionary comes to town and reveals he is Madison’s brother, she’s shocked. She never knew her mother was even religious. Stranger still, this missionary remembers Madison as this beautiful, amazing girl, while Madison thinks of herself as plain and boring. Her brother’s not going to let her keep thinking that, though.

Reader’s Haven: Do you write under a pen name?

Emily:  Not really. I use two different variations of my name for my two types of writing. For chick lit and YA, I’m E.M. Tippetts. For science fiction and fantasy, I’m Emily Mah. My real name, as you can probably guess, is Emily Mah Tippetts.

Reader’s Haven: What types of hero or heroine do you like best?

Emily:  The ones who fight battles most of us don’t even notice. Without giving too much away, there are several in Castles on the Sand, including people who care for disabled relatives, immigrants who’ve crossed oceans to give their children a better life, and a big brother willing to stick his neck out to remind his little sister that she can demand more from life.

Reader’s Haven: Strong family ties and personalities make the characters realistic. Readers like that. Tell us about a typical day in your life as a writer.

Emily:  If only I had one! Every day when my husband gets home from work, I sit down and write while he cooks dinner and puts the kids to bed. Sometimes during the day I write too, but that depends on what else is going on and whether my kids will let me.

Reader’s Haven: Do your books have a common theme or are they all different?

Emily:  They all have a romance plotline, but I’m trying to do as many different variations on that as possible. Castles has a love triangle and I try to keep the reader guessing who Madison will end up with.

Reader’s Haven: How long does it take you to write and then edit a story?

Emily:  A novel takes at least six months, often longer. The thing about writing is that you can do a lot of it in your head. Writers who sit down and “just write” have actually done all the plot-breaking and scene visualizations already. Writers who write a ton of drafts are doing the same process, just in a different way. I do a lot of both. Some novels I’ve had on the back burner for so long they seem to write themselves - my last novel, Someone Else’s Fairytale, was that way. Others I have to do draft after draft of. That’s how it was for Castles on the Sand.

Reader’s Haven: Do you have to be alone to write?

Emily:  No. I’m a firm believer in learning to write anywhere, under any conditions, or else I’d never write.

Reader’s Haven: How do you go about naming characters?

Emily: I try to have each character’s name begin with a different letter - this helps readers who are very visual to distinguish them. I also aim to have a lot of ethnic diversity appropriate to the setting. Since Castles is in California, its characters are from everywhere imaginable. When I’m working with an ethnicity I don’t know very well, I use baby name websites. Having said that, I went to the United World College of the Atlantic for high school (“college” is the British term for high school and these schools started in the UK), so my Facebook profile has friend links to a lot of really great, diverse names.

Reader’s Haven: Another resource for names, thank you. Of course we would have to get their permission. Is it easier to write about the characters if you find pictures of them before you write or do you write then find character pictures?

Emily: I don’t care too much about the details of what a character looks like, so a lot of that I add in towards the end of the editing process. Their minds interest me a lot more than their bodies, I guess! For Castles, I decided to make a book trailer, so I dug around on Shutterstock for images and that’s why these characters look exactly how they do. Jean-Pierre, for example, was an image before I came up with a name and backstory.

Reader’s Haven: How do you pick locations for your stories?

Emily:  With the exception of Castles, they’ve all been places I’ve lived. I went to law school in LA, where Time and Eternity is set, and even went to church in the same chapel as the characters. I did my undergraduate degree at Oxford, where Paint Me True is set. Albuquerque, where Someone Else’s Fairytale is set, is where I started my law career, so I used my favorite courthouse building, favorite restaurant, etc.

Reader’s Haven: What are you working on now and what should readers be looking forward to from you in the future?

Emily: Someone Else’s Fairytale has garnered such a wonderfully positive response from readers; I’m going to write a sequel. I’ve mulled over the plot long enough that I think I’ve got one that my readers will like, but they’ll have to take a little leap of faith, going from Fairytale, which is chick lit, to the sequel, which will be more of a police procedural. I expect a lot of my readers to see that and raise an eyebrow, but I hope to win them over in the end.

Reader’s Haven: Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Emily: My website is www.emtippetts.com, and if you sign up for updates, you can rest assured that you will only get them when I’m releasing a new book, or for other major news, like one of my books being nominated for an award. I don’t update that site often, because I really don’t think people want to know all the nitty gritty details of what I eat for breakfast and who I vote for. I do more updates on www.emilymah.com, and some of those are more personal. My Amazon Author page has links to all my books, as do my websites and my Goodreads page. People can reach me anytime through the email links on my sites or by tweeting at me

@emtippetts.

UK Amazon Author page

My books on US Amazon:

Someone Else's Fairytale | Paint Me True | Time & Eternity

My books on B&N    
Smashwords

Readers, enter to win through the Rafflecopter below. Each entry is a greater chance to win! Winner's choice of eBook or paperback of one book. Good luck.

Read a review of Someone Else’s Fairytale by Haven’s reviewer Lynn Reynolds.

Bio

My full name is Emily Mah Tippetts, and I write chick lit as E.M. Tippetts and science fiction as Emily Mah. I got my start in writing at the Clarion West Writer's Workshop for Science Fiction and Fantasy. Obviously, I wrote before I attended, but that's the first real credential I earned. From there I joined the Critical Mass writers group, an invitation only group that I had the privilege of working with for ten years. My first sales were to science fiction and fantasy anthologies and magazines, including Black Gate and Analog Science Fiction and Fact. I've gotten a few honorable mentions in the Year's Best anthologies for both fantasy and science fiction.

As for my chick lit writing, my first novel in that genre, Time and Eternity, came out in 2008 from Covenant Communications, a small press that caters to the LDS market. My second and third novels, Paint Me True and Someone Else's Fairytale, were first published in ebook format, with print versions to follow.

I'm originally from New Mexico, have a bachelors in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford University, and a juris doctorate in business law from UCLA. I also design jewelry (and no, that doesn't fit in with any of the other stuff I've listed here.) Currently, I live in London while my husband does his PhD.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An Interview with Cindy Huefner Cromer, Suspense & Mystery Author

This week Deanna and Louise welcome Cindy Huefner Cromer to Reader's Haven. Cindy is chatting with us via St. Kitts Island in the Carribean Sea; the setting for her debut novel Desperate Measures. Cindy describes the area and scenery a lot better than we ever could. Guess that's because we've never been there. We can only imagine!

Cindy is featuring a giveaway! The details are below.

As I write this, my feet dangle over a cliff. Forty feet below me the turquoise blue sea roars. Each wave crashes into the large black rocks, spraying seawater into the air. I breathe in the scent and it rejuvenates me. I look below at the jagged rocks and formations; some rising twenty feet in the air. The monumental structures were formed from the lava of the once active volcano on Mount Liamuiga in St.Kitts. These same structures are on the cover of my book, Desperate Measures. From my tranquil view there is no blood dripping down the cliff or the rocks. I reflect on the fiction I created and the secrets that were revealed in the climax of the book.

I glance at my watch, almost 2:00 p.m. I need to hustle to make my flight and reach my next destination; New York City, the location in which my second book, Desperate Deceptions takes place. I hit send to transmit this interview and shout to the wind blowing off of the sea, “I never say good-bye but see you later. I will be back to St. Kitts soon.” As I stand and turn, the lush green rainforest looms before me. Ah, the scene and pivotal role those mountains played in the plot in Desperate Measures. Enough melancholy, I race to the cab that is waiting for me. Some secrets were revealed here but not all of them….  I have big plans for Caitlin and have to get a move on. 

Reader’s Haven: Hi Cindy! We're so glad you could join us for a chat. Tell us a bit about yourself  that our readers might not know.

Cindy:   I am originally from Freehold Township, New Jersey and currently reside in Stuart, Florida with my husband, son, and daughter. I am a scientist and executive, formally the president of a laboratory network. In this role I have written numerous laboratory procedures and research documents.

Now for what readers might not know about me, I’ll have to take you back to my teenage years.  When I was in eighth grade, I wrote a descriptive essay.  On my way to basketball practice one day, I saw my father come out of the Principal’s office.  I immediately became nervous and thought I had gotten into trouble, for what I had no idea.  My father informed me that my essay was written so well, that I’d been placed in the honors English and Literature classes. You may ask if this bit of my history has anything to do with where I am today.  The answer is yes and no.  At the time, I had plans of grandeur and envisioned myself as a bestselling author but I focused on my favorite subject in school, science, and earned my degree in chemistry in college.  Through the many technical papers, contracts, and invaluable experience in my career, I’ve come full circle, realized my dream, and have begun my writing career.

 
Reader’s Haven: What made you want to become a writer?

Cindy: Ever since I was little, I’ve been an avid reader. I always said one day I’d write a book, if I ever had the time.  My family teased me mercilessly about reading and encouraged me to write a book, since I had read so many.  Also, my friends, colleagues, and employees have continually told me I am a great story teller.

Reader’s Haven: Please share a bit about your new release without giving away any spoilers.

Cindy: This is the back cover blurb and below is the first chapter of Desperate Measures.

The secret is out AGAIN…! This time lives are in jeopardy.

What should have been the perfect vacation soon became a nightmare. Caitlin Martel made a stop before meeting her family at Miami International Airport. A cryptic message waited for her. She dismissed the threat and assumed it was directed toward the brilliant scientist that she recently hired. Caitlin has no idea that a forgotten secret was about to explode and put her life in jeopardy.

When Caitlin and her family arrive on the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts, they find their dream home vandalized. In the kitchen, another message has been left. In blood, leaving no doubt that Caitlin personally is the target.

In a flashback Caitlin recalls the secret that her father, Jack Spencer, revealed to her sixteen years ago. He didn’t tell her everything. Will Jack be able to confront the truth and reconstruct the past in time to save his daughter?

Caitlin’s husband Scott, FBI Assistant Director, also believes the threats are related to Caitlin’s professional life. Once Caitlin points out the significance of what was left in their home, Scott unofficially brings his top FBI agent, Tomas Medina, to St. Kitts.

When Tomas arrives, his status is quickly upgraded and the investigation becomes official. The third threat creates a direct link to multi-billionaire Lukas Bucklin. The suspense escalates through twists, turns, and family secrets yet to be revealed. A powerful climax unveils an unlikely alliance between two deadly and dangerous enemies.

The first five chapters are available at Smashwords

 

Reader’s Haven: Do you write under a pen name?

Cindy:  My maiden name is Huefner and for my debut novel I published under Cindy Huefner Cromer.

Reader’s Haven: What types of hero or heroine do you like best?

Cindy: I like strong independent heroines who shirk off help and are determined to solve their own problems. Hint # 1: This is how Caitlin gets herself into trouble in Desperate Measures and Desperate Deceptions. I love a hero that takes matters into his own hands. He’s usually on the up and up but verges on breaking the law if it is in the best interest of his family. Hint # 2: Lukas Bucklin has his share of secrets. When they explode and are revealed, some lives are shattered but he’s confident he did the right thing.

I don’t like the typical storyline of a heroine and hero thrust together who are at odds with each other and in the end fall in love and live happily ever after. Now to give you a sneak preview of my second book, Desperate Deceptions, when it is finalized and released some readers may call me a hypocrite with my above statement. Caitlin Martel finds herself in a moment of weakness with no one to turn to but her gorgeous body guard, Chris Dobbs. They almost become intimate but Caitlin maintains her integrity and doesn’t break her marriage vows.

Reader’s Haven: Tell us about a typical day in your life as a writer.

Cindy:  This is the most difficult question for me to answer. I have an eight year old daughter and a thirteen year old son, with completely different school schedules. In summary, I get up at 4:30 a.m. to workout, pack lunches, get the kids off to school, then sit down at my computer. To get the momentum going, I re-read the last scene I wrote then tap-tap away at my computer. Some days that dreaded writer’s block rears its ugly head and I go back and do some edits which usually gives me a burst of inspiration. Thankfully my husband is the cook in the family, so while he’s cooking dinner I usually utilize that time to check correspondences and e-mails. In a nutshell, an author’s job is 24-7 and I never know when the results of a scene I’ve been struggling with resolve itself in my mind and the plot. On occasion I have woken up in the middle of the night to turn on my computer and at least get a draft of what came to mind in my slumber.

Reader’s Haven: Do your books have a common theme or are they all different?

Cindy:  So far they are all suspense and I can’t seem to create a character, major or minor role in the plot, without giving them some sort of mysterious background. Just the other day in editing Desperate Deceptions, I had every intention of scrapping a scene and character then Voila! Suddenly a burst of inspiration hit and this character now plays a pivotal role in the suspense and has earned a larger role in the plot.

I have some funny scenes in my books intertwined in the suspense and would like to write a comedy one day. I’m comfortable writing a few comic scenes here and there but not sure at this time if I could conjure up an entire comedy plot.

Reader’s Haven: How long does it take you to write and then edit a story?

Cindy:  Desperate Measures didn’t take me very long to write, I’d estimate three months. Obtaining a publishing contract took a year. Desperate Deceptions is taking much longer.  Since I’ve been through the editing process, the analytical side of my brain took over for a while.  I’ll explain what I mean in that statement a bit further.  I’ve received great reviews, know what the editor is going to look for as far as mistakes, and I began overanalyzing every word of the book.  To summarize, I found myself scared to death of failure.  I’ve gotten past this stage and have continued the plot.  The creative side of my brain is now connected directly to my fingers tips, by- passing the editing side, to write and create then edit when done.  Hey, maybe I have found a new invention!  Cardiac surgeons use the by-pass technology; I have the author/editor by-pass!  I wonder what those royalties would pay?  Just trying to be humorous here.

 
Reader’s Haven: Do you have to be alone to write?

Cindy:  Typically, yes I have to be alone to write with no distractions. However, there are occasions when a scene comes to mind and I drop everything to get those magic words down before I forget them. My family has gotten used to me now when I go into writers mode. Sometimes when working out a plot I pace the house, not only talking to myself but answering myself back. This gets embarrassing sometimes when my children have friends over. One day during this process, my eight year old daughter’s friend said to me, “Mrs. Cromer, could you speak English?” My daughter responded, “Oh, ignore my mom, she’s writing.” I laughed!

Reader’s Haven: How do you go about naming characters?

Cindy:  My characters names aren’t as important as the secrets and mysterious pasts I create for them. I do try to keep their names simple, traditionally spelled, and easy for the reader to pronounce.

Reader’s Haven: Is it easier to write about the characters if you find pictures of them before you write or do you write then find character pictures?

Cindy: I write and create the characters based on my imagination and their story in the book. Though when I finished Desperate Measures , I envisioned some actors playing the roles if the book were ever turned into a movie. Josh Duhamel could play Tomas Medina perfectly. Tomas, FBI Senior Special Agent, has some serious scenes with some comedy scenes as well. Sandra Bullock would be a great Caitlin Martel and Clint Eastwood as Lukas Bucklin. A few others include: Nick Holland-Robert Dinero, Drew Porter-Martin Lawrence, Jack Spencer-Nick Nolte, Scott Martel-Nicholas Cage. Oops, I’ve gotten off track and having dreams of grandeur again, reaching higher and higher to the next level. That would be a big production budget wouldn’t it?

Reader’s Haven: How do you pick locations for your stories?

Cindy:  I would never pick a location for my book that I hadn’t been to personally and be able to describe in detail to my readers. I chose St. Kitts as the location of Desperate Measures for a few reasons. One being that I love to read books about tropical locations. Second, I’ve been to many Caribbean Islands but St. Kitts is my favorite. My husband, son, daughter, and I go there at least once a year. In my book I also cover some historical facts about the island. Due to the developments in Desperate Measures most of the plot of my second book Desperate Deceptions takes place in New York City. My third book, the medical thriller, is still in the draft format and I don’t have a defined location yet. I’ve been to Europe, Belgium and France, so that may become an interesting location. For the sports related NFL mystery, that will have to take place somewhere in the United States. I live in Florida now but I’m originally from New Jersey. Miami might be a good choice or New Jersey/New York again. I could also cover the discrepancy of how the Jets and Giants are both called New York teams yet they play in the Meadowlands which is located in New Jersey. That would spark some controversy in the suspenseful plot, wouldn’t it?

Reader’s Haven: What are you working on now and what should readers be looking forward to from you in the future? 

Cindy: I am currently putting the finishing touches and edits to my second book, DESPERATE DECEPTIONS, and it involves more family drama and suspense. It is focused on the newly formed but strained relationship between Caitlin and her biological grandfather. It could be considered a sequel, but I have written it as a stand-alone and the reader won’t be lost if they haven’t read DESPERATE MEASURES. Of course, my goal is to propel the sales of my first book and make the reader want to read both. I have a third and fourth book in rough draft format that are completely different from the first two. They are mysteries but totally different characters and plots. One is a sports related mystery revolving around the NFL and the other is a medical thriller. Once I finish those two I would like to get back to a few of the characters I created in DESPERATE MEASURES, especially Tomas. I created him as a minor role to provide a bit of comic relief to the reader, but he took on a life of his own and I want to create his own story line. Barry Solerno also needs to be the main focus of a book. I have no idea where I came up with him, but he became my favorite character. Also, I a have children's book I've been dabbling with, no title yet, but this one shouldn't take me long to finish.

Below is a preview of what I envision on the back cover of Desperate Deceptions:

Lukas Bucklin has it all, money, wealth, power, and most importantly control; or so he thought. He has finally formed a bond with his granddaughter, Caitlin Spencer Martel, and intends to name her the heir of his empire worth billions.  On the eve of a board meeting he receives a threatening phone call.  The caller knows what he has done. He revises his will again.  He can’t make the announcement, not yet.  He has some loose ends to wrap up and flush out another devious loose cannon that is on a rampage to destroy his family and legacy.

Lukas flies Caitlin to New York City on his private Learjet for the board meeting.  He devastates her when he doesn’t acknowledge her as a viable board member nor his granddaughter.  She doesn’t know her grandfather is protecting her and he doesn’t know that she has her own agenda for the meeting.  She rises to the occasion and proves that she is Lukas Bucklin’s heir and unwittingly aligns herself with Lukas in the path of a revengeful greedy psychopath.

Lukas is forced to distance himself from everyone close to him, especially Caitlin.  She can never know the truth, no one can. It would be devastating and cause a rippling affect that would tear the family apart; the family Lukas strived to protect for decades.

Reader’s Haven: Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

Cindy: My web site is Cindy’sWriting Studio

Twitter: @CromerCindy

 

Desperate Measures is available at:

Amazon  Print or Kindle

eTreasuresPublishing   Print or e-book

Barnesand Noble Nook

VeroBeach Book Center Print 

Reader, I'll giveaway an eBook or signed copy (Winner's choice). You can enter through the Rafflecopter below. Rafflecopter will draw the winner. Good luck!

 Here's an interview with Lucas so the Readers can get to know him better.

Television Host: Thank you audience for tuning in. I have an exclusive interview with ‘The Lukas Bucklin’, a multi-billionaire with a take charge attitude. He has secrets, let’s see if we can get him to expose them!

Host: Mr. Bucklin, you look nervous. This interview is very informal and I’ll start out with an easy question. What’s your favorite food?

Lukas: What kind of question is that? I can afford any delicacy I want, delivered whenever I want. Caviar, lobster, you name it!

Host: Okay, so my attempt to ease into the interview back fired, I’ll get down to business and ask my next question. Who was your first girlfriend and how old were you when you met?

Lukas: I was seventeen when I met the love of my life and she is the mother of my son. I’ll leave it up to you to figure out who I mean. You’ll have to read it in Desperate Measures, the novel in which that damn author, Cindy something or other, chose to write my life story.

Host: You don’t want to talk about that book do you, so I’ll ask about your career. How long have you worked at your current job?

Lukas: Job? I don’t have a menial job! I’m the CEO and Chairman of the Board of my own company. I built an empire.

Host: What’s your greatest pet peeve with you Mother/Father? Why?

Lukas: My father was ruthless but a peon. Oh, he may have started a gourmet grocery store but I turned it into a national chain. That move on my part started the foundation on which I built Bucklin Enterprises.

Host: Mr. Bucklin, you looked lost in thought there for a moment. Could there be some truth in the saying, “Like Father Like Son?”

Lukas: Absolutley NOT!!

Lukas slams his fist on the table.

Host: Lukas, if you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be and why?

Lukas: HA! What kind of question is that? Anyone in their right mind would love to meet me. Didn’t you read what I did to protect…, Oh, well never mind that, you can read the story in Desperate Measures but I am a force to be reckoned with, let me tell you that!

Host: Who’s your favorite artist, singer, etc.?

Lukas: I don’t have time for such nonsense! I have secrets that I have to scramble to keep hidden. Desperate Deceptions, the next novel by that newbie author, is keeping me hopping and I can’t let my past catch up with me. So if you’ll excuse me I have to protect my family and…..

And an article I'd like to share with authors and readers:  

Technical Writing vs. fiction writing – The similarities and differences

As I scientist and executive I have written many research papers, laboratory procedures, safety manuals, and bid proposals. This doesn’t include the letters to regulatory agencies, statement of qualifications of myself and staff, client correspondences, and reports to the Board of Directors.

Many are misled and assume it was an easy transition into the mystery fiction writing arena. When I am asked about this topic I sometimes find myself bumbling for an answer and will try explain some of the similarities and differences.

Technical writing of, proposals, bids, and grants, are for the most part boiler plate. Once you have a template it just takes some tweaking to modify it to the specification of the project; focusing in detail on previous relevant projects and this is where some creative writing comes into play. At this juncture a first time author and a newly hired Ph.D scientist are attempting to delve into their careers. The author has to first write his/her manuscript, edit it numerous times then find an agent and publisher. The first step is that all important query letter to attract someone’s attention. The scientist has just graduated, received a job offer and salary but now must obtain grants and funding. 

At this stage the advantage leans toward the scientist who most likely has a research dissertation under their belt and platform for a research project worth funding and a base salary.

The author has no income pertaining to writing but strives to obtain a publisher and agent with the hope of a contract and possibly an advance.

Both the scientist and author wait in anticipation of positive news and have dreams of grandeur. One imagines receiving the Nobel Prize and the other envisions reaching the # 1 Best Sellers list. Each has to be patient and endure rejections but never give up.

Scientific research papers and a fiction manuscript also have some areas of comparison.  A scientist utilizes their area of expertise to produce a study and laboratory project. A detailed method and laboratory procedure with supplies and specific high tech equipment are outlined. The scientist hopes the results will support and prove the hypothesis resulting in a publication, copyright, or even a patent.

In writing a manuscript, an author has a draft and idea of the plot with some characters developed. They may or may not have an ending in mind at the beginning but are not bound by any guidelines and have free reign to create a story where their creative mind takes them. The scientist does not have much freedom to deviate from the specified procedure.

Most authors suffer some bouts of writers block. They stare at their computer screen, re-reading scene after scene, willing a burst of inspiration and creativity to burst through. A similar situation occurs with the scientist. The laboratory tests are under way and the paper cannot be written until all of the data is submitted and evaluated. The scientist is in a holding pattern.

In summary there are some parallels in fiction and scientific writing yet drastic contrasts. For me personally I can’t honestly say that my science background is what propelled me to embark on a career as a mystery/suspense author. The only co-relation I can make is that I created the protagonist of Desperate Measures, Caitlin Martel, utilizing my background to give her an interesting career. The rest of the plot was based on my wild imagination. As an avid reader I thought of a book I would like to read and the story took off from there. While writing my first book the plot of my second, Desperate Deceptions, formed.

I hope my somewhat technical dissertation above didn’t scare off any potential readers. I assure you I don’t use scientific jargon or acronyms that overwhelm the reader. In the scenes where some science is introduced there is some light comedy involved. One particular scene features Caitlin describing the testing her company, CSM Technologies, is involved with to the St. Kitts Chief of Police and the FBI. She suddenly realizes her audience is struggling to comprehend and their eyes are glazing over. She then recites what she needs to in simple layman’s terms.

Thank you for this opportunity. This is a fun blog. 
~Cindy~

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