Writer Ada Brownell On Reading

Ada, welcome to Writers on Reading! Your historical romance, The Lady Fugitive, was chosen as one of three Laurel Award Finalists. You also have a YA fantasy and several nonfiction books. So I’m curious over what you read. Do you find one theme more repeatedly snags your attention as a read? Is there something special you seek when selecting your next reading adventure?

 

Christian historical romance is my favorite genre. I like a story with significant problems, urgent goals, and a spiritual take-away. Humor is an extra treat.

I don’t classify my YA book, Joe the Dreamer: The Castle and the Catapult, as fantasy, although the robots do have almost human capabilities. But that decision is left for readers, which range from mid-grade through adult, to decide. The creator of the guard robot said, “Why did I upload the whole dictionary into his system?”

I seldom read fantasy. In addition to fiction, I love biographies and inspirational books

such as, Your Legacy by Dr. James Dobson; The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson and Life to the Max by Max Lucado. I read it straight through.

I’d like to read The War Room; Oliver North’s The Jericho Sanction; and perhaps The Last Lion: Churchill.

What was the most out-of-character book you’ve recently read, and what led to your choice?

The Methuselah Project by Rick Barry. I chose it because I purchased his first book, Gunner’s Run, a World War II suspense that features a young pilot. I bought it for my grandsons, and I read it before I sent it. I’d identify the The Methuselah Project as speculative or fantasy, and I don’t usually read those. It’s full of suspense, great descriptions, and has a spiritual payload, however. It also is a World War II book.

Rick’s a fun book, and that’s a great recommendation! As a writer, you should know better, but as a reader, you know we all do it…so, when did you last “judge a book by the cover”? How did it work out?

I always judge a book by its cover, especially romance. If the cover depicts a couple in a tight embrace and kissing, I never read it. Although I like good clean love stories, there must something greater to capture and hold my attention.

I completely agree. Having published so many books do you find time to read during the months you spend writing or with deadlines ahead is it either/or for you? If so, what did you read

while working on your last book? If not, what did you read when you finished this one?

I almost always have fiction and nonfiction I’m going through. Fiction I complete fast. Nonfiction a little at a time so I can learn and retain. That’s the way I’m reading the Bible through now, and there is so much more in those Old Testament books than I expected. When you read through slowly, making notes, aw it’s deep and rewarding. I read every night to relax me before I go to sleep. It’s easy to read novels on my Kindle because it doesn’t disturb my husband. I read one or two novels a week and it helps clear work and worry from my brain.

What was the last book you absolutely couldn't put down? Why?

City of Angels by Tracie Peterson and James Scott Bell; and The River Girl’s Song. Both were full of suspense, making me want to read into the night.

Is there a book you are looking forward to rereading?

In His Steps.

If Jenny (antagonist/protagonist in one of your books) were to pick a book from today’s shelves, what do you think it would be?

Swept Away by Mary Connealy or Prairie Rose by Catherine Palmer. Jenny is an elocutionist, writes poetry and songs, but she still loves a good story. I’ve read Prairie Rose at least a half dozen times, loaned the book, a Prairie Rose triology, and now it’s gone. I probably will buy another.

Ada, I love that! I’d say you found a perfect fit for Jenny. Sorry you lost the book, but I’m sure someone else is enjoying it too. Thanks so much for visiting and letting us get to know you better as a reader, Ada! Folks, you can continue to connect with Ada—and find out more about her acclaimed The Lady Fugitive and other books!—at the links below.

BIO:

PURCHASE AND CONNECTION LINKS:

MEET ADA BROWNELL

Ada Brownell is a retired reporter for The Pueblo Chieftain who also has written for Christian publications since age 15. She is author of six books, two fiction and four nonfiction: The Lady Fugitive (historical romance); Joe the Dreamer: the Castle and the Catapult (Inspirational suspense fiction for all ages); Imagine the Future You (a motivational Bible study for youth and family worship); Swallowed by LIFE: Mysteries of Death, Resurrection and the Eternal (Evidence you are more than a body); Facts, Faith &Propaganda, (a book to sustain and strengthen faith in God); Confessions of a Pentecostal, (Listed by The Library Thing for many years as one of the 10 best books on Pentecostalism. Out of print but now available for Kindle.)

Ada still writes newspaper op-ed pieces, and articles for Christian publications.

Read the first chapter of The Lady Fugitive, a finalist in the Clash of the Titles Laurel Award, here: http://ow.ly/QzlIP Jenny Louise Parks escapes from the coal bin, and her abusive uncle, a judge, offers a handsome reward for her return. Will Jenny avoid the bounty hunters? Can she forgive the person who turns her in?

#Review The Lady Fugitive. You’ll laugh, bite your nails, wish you had a gun to help

Ada’s Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/adabrownell

Ada's Barnesandnoble.com Author Page http://ow.ly/PUWHO

Her blog: http://www.inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com

Writer Cynthia Hickey On Reading

Cynthia, welcome to Writers on Reading! With so many titles to your name it seems you’ve written almost every genre, but one abiding theme remains consistent: romance! So… I’m betting you read romance too. But I’d love to know if you find one theme more repeatedly snags your attention as a read? Is there something special you seek when selecting your next reading adventure?

 

I absolutely love romantic suspense. I love men who are real men, although flawed, and a story where true love is found regardless of danger.

Sounds like great reading to me! As a writer, you should know better, but as a reader, you know we all do it…so, when did you last “judge a book by the cover”? How did it work out?

If I don’t like the cover, I don’t pick up the book. If I do like the cover, I read the blurb, then flip through the pages to make my decision.

I think we all do that. Fun to hear you do too. Having published so many books do you find time to read during the months you spend writing or with deadlines ahead is it either/or for you? If so, what did you read while working on your last book? If not, what did you read when you finished this one?

I read every night before going to bed. To me…reading is as important as writing. The latest book I’m reading is a cozy mystery as I mentally prepare myself to write my final

book in the Nosy Neighbor series and begin a new series.

It looks like such a fun series! Did a book recently make you laugh/cry/sigh/shiver?

Staying true to my favorite genre, the last book that really made me gasp and recommend to others who like suspense was This Time You Lose by Chris Stralyn. On a sweeter note, I read everything Karen Witemeyer writes. She makes me laugh.

Hah! She is a hoot, no denying that! Were you the kind of kid/teen who loved reading?

Which novel do you first remember reading? The Black Stallion was my all time favorite. I have a signed letter and photograph from Walter Farley. After that, I owned the entire Nancy Drew series

After the interviews I've done, I think can say we all loved Nancy Drew---especially the suspense writers. With a cozy fall coming up, what is on your to-read list? And what is your ideal autumn reading experience?

I love curling up on the sofa, good book in hand, diet coke nearby, and silence to read.

Is there a book you are looking forward to rereading?

I have read all of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series multiple times. Not inspirational, but her characters are the best I’ve read.

If heroine in your Nosy Neighbor series were to pick a book from today’s shelves, what do you think it would be?

My Nosy Neighbor, heroine, Stormi Nelson, would be sure to pick up anything by James Patterson. Especially his Michael Bennett series.

How fun! Thanks so much for visiting and letting us get to know you better as a reader, Cynthia! Folks, you can continue to connect with Cynthia—and find out more about her many, many, many romance books!—at the links below.

BIO:

Multi-published and Amazon Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries and two novellas published through Barbour Publishing. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series, all of which stay in the top 50 of Amazon's ebooks for their genre. She has several historical romances releasing in 2013, 2014, 2015 through Harlequin's Heartsong Presents, and has sold more than 350,000 copies of her works.

PURCHASE AND CONNECTION LINKS:

www.cynthiahickey.com www.forgetmenotromances.com  www.takemeawaybooks.com Winged Publications - Where Your Stories Take Flight Amazon Bestselling Author

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cynthia-Hickey-151333448227549/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cynthiahickey

Writer Nike N. Chillemi On Reading

Nike, welcome to Writers On Reading. You’ve got quite a few novels to your name, but one theme seems to remain consistent. As a mystery writer, when you’re browsing for a book, do you find yourself most often drawn to that genre? Or do you need something in a lighter vein just to relax? What speaks to you as you pick your next reading experience?

By and large, I read crime fiction. It satisfies me when there is justice at the end of the story and those who stand for good are able to overcome evil. That’s what I’ve always favored when browsing for something curl up with. I love a good detective story and/or police procedural. I truly enjoy an author who knows the ins-and-outs of law enforcement. Lately, I’ve been drawn to espionage-thrillers. For me, a novel pulled right from newspaper headlines makes a terrific read.

Sounds good! So now that we know what you'd ready...If the protagonist(s) in your new release Deadly Designs were to pick a book from today’s shelves, what do you think it would be?

My hero, Deputy Lieutenant Dawson Hughes (on leave from his sheriff’s department to take a clandestine “special assignment” hunting terrorists who have kidnapped a little girl) has a book

with him while on the case. The Gold Of Exodus by Howard Blum was loaned to Dawson by his former Army drill sergeant. If I were to imagine what book was laying on his bedside table at home, it would have to be the latest thriller by David Baldacci. My tough and sassy heroine, private investigator Veronica “Ronnie” Ingels also has a book with her while on the case: The Reversal by Michael Connelly. She’s read all of his detective novels except that one and means to remedy that during those rare moments of down-time.

How perfect! Great fun in that answer. So...what was the last book you absolutely couldn’t put down? Why?

I stayed up late into the night reading One Night In Tehran by Luana Ehrlich. I couldn’t help wondering if the author had worked for the CIA at any time in her life. I’ve come to understand that Luana, who is a minister’s wife and former missionary, is a tireless researcher.

Sounds like she’s done great work to get that reaction from you. Do you find time to read during the months you spend writing a book? If so, what did you read while working on your last book?

During the writing of Deadly Designs I found it very difficult to read anything at all. The novel took much longer to write than expected. There was technical research (full-body bullet-proof shields, voice activated communications devices, and such) that took time and caused eye strain. Then I had this little thing called “real life” intruding. I’m packing up the house and will be moving to Florida in the next few months. Anyone who has moved from a home they’ve lived in for many years knows what an exhausting chore that is.

Yes, indeed. So we'll backtrack to less exhaustion with the next question: Were you the kind of kid/teen who loved reading? Which novel do you first remember reading?

I’ve always loved reading. As a child, my dad read to me and my brother before we went to bed. My fav book then was about a little boy, down south in the backwoods, who tries to save a wily coon from an ill-tempered and determined hunter. That long-ago middle grade novel was entitled Hie To The Hunter. There is another middle grade book out now with a similar name, but quite a different story. As a teen, I took on a reading challenge that I came to love. I read Tolstoy’s War And Peace, all 1020+ pages of it. I’m of a Slavic background, so the story left quite an impression on my young mind.

That’s very special, Nike! Thank you for sharing and good luck with your move. It was a delight to get to know more about you as a reader. Folks, you can continue to connect with Nike and find out more about her books at the links below.

Bio:

Like so many writers, Nike Chillemi started writing at a very young age. She still has the Crayola, fully illustrated book she penned (colored might be more accurate) as a little girl about her then off-the-chart love of horses. Today, you might call her a crime fictionista. Her passion is crime fiction. She likes her bad guys really bad and her good guys smarter and better.

Nike is the founding board member of the Grace Awards and is its Chair, a reader’s choice awards for excellence in Christian fiction. She has been a judge in the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 Carol Awards in the suspense, mystery, and romantic suspense categories; and an Inspy Awards 2010 judge in the Suspense/Thriller/Mystery category. Her four novel Sanctuary Point series, set in the mid-1940s has finaled, won an award, and garnered critical acclaim. HARMFUL INTENT released under the auspices of her own publishing company, Crime Fictionista Press, won in the Grace Awards 2014 Mystery/Thriller/Romantic Suspense/Historic Suspense category. Her new release is DEADLY DESIGNS. She has written book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and John 3:16 Marketing Network. http://nikechillemi.wordpress.com/

Purchase Link Deadly Designs (ebook Amazon) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0166HQUAE