Writer Lillian Duncan On Reading

Lillian, welcome to Writers on Reading. Your novel book covers are soooo intense! I can’t wait to discover if your reading tastes are just as daring. So…when picking your next reading adventure does “murder and mayhem” draw you in as it does in your writing? Do you find one genre snags your attention more than others? Is there something special you seek when selecting your next reading adventure?

Even though I write suspense and mystery, I love to read in all genres, even horror and science fiction.

Those are also very intense genres. I can see you loving them! What was the most out-of-character book you’ve recently read, and what led to your choice?

I’m reading An American Gothic by Alice K. Arenz right now. It’s written in first person, something I’m not particularly fond of. In spite of that, I’m getting hooked into the story.

So special how a good story can draw a reader past their initial feelings. Your most recent suspense, Deadly Intent, released less than a month ago. Do you find time to read during the months you spend writing a book 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 keep my reading time and my writing time separate, so one has nothing to do with the other. In the past year, I’ve gone back and read all the Left Behind books as well as the Last Light series by Terri Blackstock.

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

I really got hooked into the Left Behind series. Even though I’d read them before, I

couldn’t put them down.

Nothing better than delving back into a favorite book—like returning to first love. Were you the kind of kid/teen who loved reading? Which novel do you first remember reading?

I never went anywhere without a book in my hand! I remember going on camping and fishing trips where I’d find a rock to sit on and read while everyone else was fishing! I think I was about ten or eleven when I read Gone With The Wind for the first time. Of course, I loved all the Nancy Drew books and Agatha Christie as well.

When did you know you wanted to write? Did any or multiple books influence this desire?

As much as I loved reading books, I didn’t start writing until I was forty. To me writers were like rock stars, and it never occurred to me that I could do it. But once it did, I was hooked!

Actually, the idea came to me when I wrote my own obituary as an exercise. I wrote down that I was a multi-published writer. It was a complete surprise to me, but when I read those words, I felt a surge of excitement. And I still have it.

Oh, Lillian, that is such a hoot! What a moment that must have been! With a cozy fall coming up,

what is on your to-read list? And what is your ideal autumn reading experience?

If I can find the time, I’d love to caught up on Terri Blackstock’s books, including Seaside and Distortion. I’d love to sit out on my deck with a nice warm fire with a cup of hot chocolate!

Sounds like the ideal autumn reading experience indeed! I hope you get an hour or two to enjoy it. Thanks so much for visiting and letting us get to know you better as a reader, Lillian! Folks, you can continue to connect with Lillian—and find out more about her books—at the links below.

BIO:

Lillian Duncan: stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem!

Lillian is a multi-published writer with several Amazon bestsellers, including The Christmas Stalking and Betrayed. Lillian writes the types of books she loves to read—fast-paced suspense with a touch or two of romance that demonstrates God’s love for all of us

Whether as an educator, a writer, or a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words

to transform lives, especially God’s Word.

To learn more about Lillian and her books, visit: www.lillianduncan.net. Tiaras & Tennis Shoes is her personal blog at www.lillian-duncan.com.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Deadly Intent

Amazon: http://buff.ly/1JobWTP

Pelican Books: http://buff.ly/1ifNiuX

Writer Ally Carter On Reading

Ally, welcome to Writers on Reading! Congratulations on your recent release, Hearts Undone—What an intense cover. I think I’m safe guessing you’re drawn to romance stories, not just writing, but in reading too. But what kind?

I’m all over the place with what I read. Sometimes I’m in the mood for light and funny. Most of the time I read suspense. That’s my go to genre. It must have romance in it as well. What do you look for when choosing your next reading adventure? That depends on my mood. Sometimes, I go for what someone recommends me or to a favorite author.

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

Outlander series! I’m not one for time travel romance. I saw a lot of people talking about the book and thought I’d give it a try.

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?

That’s been awhile since I’ve done that. It didn’t go well as I got totally sucked into the book. It was good.

Hearts Undone released weeks ago, did you have time to read during the months you spent working on it?

No I didn’t.

So did you treat yourself to a book when you handed this one off to your publisher?

I sure did. I have a book I’d been wanting to read on hold. I kept telling myself you get this done then you can read Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer.

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

The Tomb by Stephanie Landsem Why? The way she wove the story about Mary, Martha, and Lazarus was just amazing. The way she shows Jesus as a friend and caring. She gave another glimpse to us of Him. We see him joking and laughing. I just loved it!

Did a book recently make you, cry? The Tomb Stephanie Landsem. Sigh? The Govnerness and Mr Granville. Laugh or shiver? A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman. Actually that book had me doing all of these and also wanting to throw it across the room at parts. Stubborn men!

Laughing. Great reaction! Were you the kind of kid/teen who loved reading?

Yes! Which novel do you first remember reading? I don’t remember the names of them. I know they were my Granny’s romance stash.

Hah! That’s a great bit of insight! Thanks, Ally! So, when did you know you wanted to write?

That would have been about six years ago. I was stuck in the house with the kids due to a blizzard. We were all going a little crazy. I just finished reading Twilight. I’d written some before, but these characters came to me demanding I write. I sat down at the computer in between nap times for kids and making lunch and started to write.

Well, there's a fun and unique story! I guess that answers my next question. Did any or multiple books influence this desire?

Twilight.

Has any book stuck with you recently?

Redeeming Love.

I do remember that book. What created your lasting impressions?

It was the way she wove faith in along with passion and not going over the lines.

With autumn fast-approaching, what is on your cozy to-read list?

A Love Surrendered, Julie Lessman

The Awakening and The Gathering, K. E. Ganshert.

And what is your ideal fall reading experience?

In the recliner, with a cup of coffee, pumpkin spice to be exact. I don’t usually eat when reading.

Oooh, pumpkin spice coffee, autumn is here! I just tasted it. Is there a book you are looking forward to rereading?

All three of the ones above as I can’t choose!

If Shelby Johnson from Hearts Undone were to pick a book from today’s shelves, what do you think it would be? She would go for a Debbie Macomber book.

Quick answer! I’ll bet you nailed it too! Thanks for visiting, Ally, and letting us get to know you as a reader too! Folks, you can continue to connect with Ally, and find out more about her books, at the links below her bio.

BIO: Allyson writes Edgy Christian romance and suspense novels. In her books, readers will find emotionally stirring story lines, as well a compelling mixture of suspense and faith. She resides in Missouri with her loving husband and four wonderful children, and three cats. When not spending time with her family, you can find her knitting, and watching perhaps a few way too many suspense and reality television shows.

PURCHASE AND CONNECTION LINKS:

You can get a copy of Hearts Undone on eLectio Publishing and Amazon.

She can be found around the Internet at these places, website, blog, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Writer Janet Sketchley On Reading

Janet, welcome to Writers on Reading! I love your first book’s title, Heaven’s Prey. Are you drawn to suspense books, or what do you look for when choosing your next reading adventure?

Thanks, Deirdre. This is such a fun concept for a blog, because sharing our favorite books – and discovering new treasures – creates a special kind of wonder.

Okay, this is sad, but right now the way I choose what to read next is "what's been waiting longest in my to-read stash?" Because I have a lot of friends or contacts who are writers, I hear about lots of books, and I really need to catch up on what I have before buying more. (Easier said than done!)

It's the story or situation that first catches my interest, but it also has to have strong characters. Adventures are my favorite, contemporary suspense, science fiction or fantasy. Basically, I read fiction for fun, and I pick stories with happy endings, either Christian fiction or clean mainstream. I usually have a non-fiction book on the go too, on some aspect of spiritual growth.

Sounds like good reasons to pick books. What was the most out-of-character book you’ve recently read, and what led to your choice?

Right now I'm reading The Twelve Little Cakes, by Dominika Dery. It's a memoir of her childhood in Prague. I don't read memoirs very often, especially from someone who's a new name to me, but last year my husband and I took one of the Viking River Cruises in Europe and finished with a trip to Prague. My mother read this book and passed it on to me after our trip. I'm only half-way through, but I'm enjoying it.

Wow, what a lovely trip and a great reason to pick a book. 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?

Hey, as a writer, I actually agree with that statement. Covers are an important way of hinting at what's inside, both in content and quality, and they're the first point of contact with a new-to-me author. Maybe I've missed some amazing stories because of this, but if the cover looks poorly done, I move on. That's not to say the cover sells me on the book, but it gets me to read the back cover copy and decide from there. Once I know I like a certain author, the cover still matters for enjoyment, but it won't be a deciding factor in whether I read the book. The most recent book cover that's captured me is A Reluctant Assassin, by J.C. Morrows. I haven't read it yet, but I have high hopes.

Heaven's Prey definitely sells me on cover and title alone. So I know what you mean when you say you agree with judging a book by it's cover. Your third suspense book, Without Proof, is releasing in November. I’m wondering did you have time to read while working on these books? If so, what did you read? If not, did you treat yourself to a book when you handed this one off to your publisher?

"My name is Janet Sketchley, and I read too much." Is there a support group for me?

There were times during the writing when I definitely cut back on my intake, especially when I was discovering the plot and characters for my own books, but I somehow still read enough to post a book review each Monday on my blog. During the discovery stages, I chose novels in other genres so I wouldn't find them creeping into my own stories. I'm reading more science fiction and fantasy these days, and they were my go-to books. I'm actually my own publisher now, so when I sent the file for Without Proof off to my editor I had to put on my marketing hat and get right back to work.

Makes sense, and I have to cut in, um, actually, yes there are support groups. I’ve found a few that really make me…empowered to be read too much. Oh, you wanted ones to help you stop. Not helping there! So…back to the interview. What was the last book you absolutely couldn't put down? Why?

I'd have to say Cloak, by Timothy Zahn. It's a near-future techno-thriller with plenty of action, and a good, clean read. Why was it un-put-down-able? It's a strong story in its own right, but for me it also delivered a strong dose of nostalgia for the experiences I had reading thrillers in my teens, when yes, the stakes were high, but I could jump in, let my guard down, and enjoy the ride without fear of what I'd encounter. I need a strong sense of trust in the author for that, plus a story that's intense but that I can view with a bit of emotional distance, like a puzzle. (Not that I solved this one!)

Did a book recently make you laugh or cry?

As a testimony to the value of reading outside of our regular genres, The Twelve Little Cakes had me laughing out loud last night. It's not a funny book overall, but there's a hilarious anecdote. As for sadness, both Patrick W. Carr's A Draw of Kings and K.M. Weiland's Dreamlander had moments of great sacrifice and courage that tugged at my heart and may have generated a tear. (What is this? I write Christian suspense, and not one book I've mentioned so far fits this genre!)

Were you the kind of kid/teen who loved reading? Which novel do you first remember reading? (And do you still have a copy?)

I used to bring home 10-15 books from the library, against my parents' advice, but the books all went back on time – and having been read. I think the first book I remember reading was a Bobbsey Twins mystery. I remember sitting in the kitchen, spelling out the longer words to my mom for help. The first novel that really stayed with me is Anne of Green Gables, and yes, I still have a copy. The Bobbsey Twins are long gone, though.

You and I have to read Anne of Green Gables---anything else is practically grounds for treason. When did you know you wanted to write? Did any or multiple books influence this desire?

As a child I wanted to write, and I started a truly horrible imitation of Walter Farley's The Black Stallion. Then I got interested in romances, and made some equally bad attempts at those. I guess whatever genre I was reading at the time influenced me. It was science fiction by the time I hit creative writing assignments in school, and then I stopped writing for a while. It started again when I couldn't get the idea for Heaven's Prey out of my head.

With autumn fast-approaching, what is on your cozy to-read list? And what is your ideal fall reading experience?

I don't think I'll be reading much in September, because I'll be finalizing edits for Without Proof and getting it ready for November publication. In October I'm looking forward to a new Christian suspense from Lisa Harris, Vendetta, plus a few of the suspense novels waiting on my Kindle app. Clearly I need to find some balance, after reading mostly out of my genre this year. Ideal fall reading experience? A good novel, a tall cup of chai tea latte (maybe Pumpkin Spice, from David's Tea), and if the weather's turned chilly, a pair of fuzzy socks.

If Ruth from Heaven's Prey were to pick a book from today’s shelves, what do you think it would be?

Ruth's more of a non-fiction reader. I think she might go for Emily P. Freeman's new book, Simply Tuesday. It's about celebrating the small, ordinary moments. It's on my to-read list, and it may jump the queue instead of waiting, because the message is consistent with what I'm learning right now.

Sounds like a great book…and fun to know Ruth’s choice! Thanks for visiting with us, Janet. It was soooo fun to get to know you as a reader! Folks, you can continue to connect with Janet, and find out more about her books, at the following links!

Janet Sketchley lives in Atlantic Canada, where she writes Christian suspense novels and blogs about faith and books. She loves Jesus and her family, and enjoys reading, worship music, and tea. You can find Janet online at janetsketchley.ca, and fans of Christian suspense are invited to join her writing journey through her monthly newsletter: bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNews.

Buy links and bonus features: janetsketchley.ca/bookshelf/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JanetSketchley

Twitter: twitter.com/JanetSketchley

Amazon Author Central: www.amazon.com/author/janetsketchley

Pinterest: pinterest.com/janetsketchley/

Goodreads: goodreads.com/janetsketchley