Monday, December 9, 2013

No Matter the Circumstances...

Join me in a talk with Author Lynette Endicott.
When a high school writing assignment resulted in publication of an article in a youth magazine, at age 14, Lynette Endicott was hooked. Writing has always been part of her life; journaling, grants for work, or newsletters for non-profits where she worked have kept th
at alive.
She has been part of the Disability Rights movement since 1979, and continues to consult with organizations that serve people with disabilities.
Lynette grew up in Illinois, met her husband in Western Nebraska (they’ve been married since 1974), lived 25 years in Kansas where their daughter was born, and has been in Fresno, California since 2000. She has a son-in-law (who lives with her daughter nearby), and with the kids has rescued two dogs, three cats and a bird.
During the fun collaboration with Tami Dee, Lynette and Tami learned that they each owned a calico cat and a cockatiel — and both appear in the Time After Time Saga. Paula’s cat, Slainte’, appears in Animal Instinct and both a cat and a bird appear in Survival Instinct.
Shirley: Tell us about your heroine. Without sharing any spoilers, give our readers a hint about what makes her tick; why it's important to write a book about her; if she is strong or weak or otherwise, and how she might handle conflict.
Lynette: Eliza O'Malley is a teenager when her father returns from Wyoming territory to take her and her brother Allen away from Ireland and their mother to the wild West of America. She is based on my husband's great-grandmother. When my mother-in-law and I were conducting family genealogy research we found newspaper stories and other history which, combined with the stories she's heard first hand and her own recollections, helped us get to know the strong, successful woman that Eliza became.
 
Even though some of the story is fantasy (there is a time traveling enemy after all) the foundation of the story is the real life of our family's Eliza.
Shirley: Tell us what is most interesting thing about you
Lynette: My 6 year-old dog and I volunteer as a Therapy Dog team. Ollie is a Tail Waggin' Tutor and children read out loud to him to improve their reading.
Shirley: When you aren't using your creative juices to write, what do you do for fun?
Lynette: I have a large flower garden and a vegetable garden. This year we have a winter garden, and are still enjoying fresh salads. Fresno isn't as mild as southern California but we enjoy a much milder Winter than we've had anywhere else we've lived.
Shirley: As a writer, what do you put off doing?
Lynette: Oh, my. I put off sitting down to do the first draft of the story. I write the draft fairly quickly -- often in a week -- but it takes my full concentration to keep the story rolling. I enjoy letting the story rattle around in my mind with lots of optional directions and scenes -- and once I sit down to write they have to be more structured.
Shirley: What sort of message are you sending in your stories if any?
Lynette: No matter the circumstances we can prevail -- through love.
Shirley: What is your favorite type of book to read? What is your least favorite type of book to read?
Lynette:  I love reading almost anything. From historical to modern romance, from fantasy to science fiction to mystery to history to nature. I read it all.
Shirley: Please share a short blurb of the book you have out now that you hope to share with one of our readers and let us know where we can find you and your books.
Lynette: The third book in the Time After Time Saga, by Lynette Endicott and Tami Dee.
 
When Eliza O'Malley leaves Ireland for America her mother hopes and prays she will escape the heartache that was inherited with the Heartmark.
It was not to be. As she keeps house for her father and brothers, and holds the family together through Wyoming winter and a terrible tragedy, she is being watched by a neighbor who will do anything in her power to keep Eliza from her true love.
Shirley: Thank you for sharing with us at A Pen for Your Thoughts.
Please drop Lynette a note, and we will put you on the list for a free copy of her book. 
The name of our winner will be drawn at random from our entries. 
To visit with Lynette and read more about her books: 
Amazon Author page (for paperbacks of the Starting Over Series) http://www.amazon.com/Lynette-Endicott/e/B008E8P1AO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1384806342&sr=8-1
And from Desert Breeze Publsihing

Saturday, November 30, 2013

When Suspense is Up Your Alley



We are pleased to share author Marcy Dyer with you for the next few days.
 
Marcy G. Dyer is a Registered Nurse and suspense author. Like so many other writers, she began writing at a very young age, but never took herself seriously as a "real" writer until about ten years ago when she began taking courses and learning the craft of writing.
She currently has two novels from the Desert Winds Series available: Down & Out and Out for Blood.
In addition to writing, Marcy is a freelance editor. She does editing for individuals, Desert Breeze Publishing, and Prism Book Group.

Marcy is an alumnus of the Christian Writer's Guild and long-time member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She hosts a small critique group for ACFW and is involved in two other critique groups. For anyone seriously interested in becoming an author, she recommends a strong, diverse critique group to help authors hone crafts.

In addition to maintaining her website, http://www.marcydyer.com, Marcy hosts a blog to help those with autoimmune diseases. While many autoimmune diseases aren't visible, they still cause chronic pain and disability. If you would like more information, please visit http://ragimp.blogspot.com
As followers of Jesus Christ, Marcy and her family are active members of Crossroads Fellowship in Odessa, Texas. Sermons are carried live via the web at our online campus - http://crossroadsodessa.tv/ at the following times on Sundays - 9:30 & 11:00 and 5:00 & 7:00 central time.
 
Out for Blood
 
Dialysis nurse, Danielle Battershawn's life is turned upside down when her identical twin is murdered. As she strives to deal with yet another death, the killer sets his sights on eliminating her. Can handsome security consultant, Tyler Covington, keep her alive?
Excerpt

Under the cloak of darkness, the man donned latex gloves. He picked the lock on the back door to Janine's house and tiptoed over the threshold. The soft fragrance of her perfume permeated the air. Such a shame. Inquisitive mongrel. They could've shared an exciting time together, but she had to play buttinski and stick her beak into his business, cutting short their love affair. Anger threatened to engulf him, but he shook it off and turned his attention to his search.

In the living room, he pulled books off the shelves, thumbed through them, and overturned the bookcases. He slashed furniture cushions and dug through the foam, then ripped up the corners of the carpeting. As small as the drive was, the witch could've hidden it anywhere. He pulled her antique glassware off the fireplace and broke them open. Empty.

After he pulled pictures off the walls and slashed open the backs, he moved on to the air vents. He unscrewed each one, stuck his hand inside the duct, and felt around.

Cursing, the man moved from room to room, dumping out contents of cabinets, drawers, the dresser, and desk. He turned over the furniture and checked the backsides and underneath.

In the bathroom, he checked under the cabinets and behind the mirror. Where did the conniving broad hide the flash drive? He slashed her bed to ribbons, dug through the stuffing, and pulled out handfuls of the cotton batting, but found nothing.

He slammed his fist through the drywall. "Stupid witch." He composed himself and explored the entire house once again.

Slipping out the front door, he removed his latex gloves and stuffed them in his pocket. As he wove through the sprawling subdivision, he hummed the tune to "Death's Head."

Knowing Janine, she gave it to her sister for preservation. He would search Dani's house and, after he had the drive, he'd dispose of her. Doing away with both of the meddlesome twins would solve two problems for him. He allowed himself a smile at the thought of carousing with Dani before he got rid of her.
 
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Our thanks to Marcy Dyer for coming to visit here at A Pen for Your Thoughts and taking the time to share with us a little about her newest book. 
We hope over the holidays you will check it out yourself.
 
To read more about Marcy and her books drop by to see her at: