Interview with Author Linda Burson & New Release: The Agreement

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Linda Burson…

Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?

Originally from Pennsylvania, I moved around for a few years until I settled in Connecticut with my husband and two daughters. We have a white Lhasa Apso who is 16 years old that we’ve had since he was a puppy. Other than my cute dog, we are now empty nesters. My daughters live on their own and have full-time careers. I retired from a business I had so I could concentrate on writing books full time.

Where did you get the idea for your series/book?

I named the series after my protagonist, Marcy. However, each book has its own title as well. The Agreement is the fourth book in the Marcy Series. This title comes from an important conclusion in this novel.

Why did you choose this genre (is it something you’ve written in before)?

I mostly concentrate on writing romantic thriller/suspense novels because I enjoy reading those types of novels. When I first started my Marcy series, however, I didn’t think about genre specifically. I just kept writing chapter after chapter. It’s when I started researching genres that I realized it fell into this category.

Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book, the characters, title, process, etc, you’d like to share?

The idea for the story is not a typical one. I saw a story one day about how there are men with multiple wives. Of course this is also a typical situation in certain religions as well as in Arab countries. I thought, “Why is it always this way? What about a woman who has multiple husbands? Why does it always have to be the other way? Women can be in love with more than one man. It’s true, women never had the same options as men, but this is the 21^st century. If women want to ‘marry’ more than one man, it’s their right and choice. The decision is theirs.”

That was the basic concept. My protagonist, Marcy, is in love with two men and she can’t choose between them. As the story continues, it delves into reasons why she feels the way she does—why she needs and desires these men in her life and how much love she has to give. You learn about her emotional issues due to past traumas. Additionally, it focuses on her flaws as well as her strengths and how important her family is to her.

What is the most difficult thing about writing a book?

Having the time to sit and concentrate and focus on just the story. Everyone has different needs while writing. I, personally, need quiet and alone time. Once-in-a-while, I’ll listen to music, but if I do, it has to be older music.

What was the most difficult thing about this one in particular?

Are there any tricks, habits or superstitions you have when creating a story?

I don’t have any particular tricks, or superstitions, but I don’t like to be interrupted while I’m writing. If I’m in the zone, per se, I have to continue. I feel like I lose my flow if I have to stop to go to an appointment. I’d rather make sure I have the entire day for writing. That doesn’t mean I may write the entire day, but I prefer to have the time available.

What book have you read that you wish you had written?

That’s an interesting question. There are many fantastic books that have been published over the years. I suppose I could choose one that has made millions of dollars once it became a movie. Instead though, I believe I would choose most of the mysteries written by Agatha Christie. I love her murder mysteries. I think they were creative, entertaining, thrilling and brilliant.

What do you dislike that most people wouldn’t understand?

Yogurt. I dislike Yogurt with a passion. Many people don’t understand that. I also don’t care for sour cream, cream cheese and mustard and mayonnaise. Though, I do like certain cole slaws, not many, but a few. People definitely don’t understand that.

Do you collect anything?

Postcards.  I purchase a postcard from everywhere I travel.

What was your first job?

My very first job I had was when I was eleven years old. My mother worked for a catering company. She would take me along with her and her boss would pay me $1.00 per hour. It was a lot of work for $1.00 an hour, but it was money. The best part was at the end of the night…we would get a tip from the host/hostess and that could be as much as $5.00 or $10.00 for the five to eight hour shift.

What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?

I would definitely have more writing time if I stopped going to the gym three times per week. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be as healthy and fit as I could be. I also wouldn’t lose the weight I want to lose.

What do you want readers to come away with after they read your book?

The feeling that they were entertained during the course of reading the novel. That they felt moved during the sad parts, and maybe had a chuckle or two at other parts. Hopefully, they understood some of the deeper meaning I may be hinting at in the story.

Would you rather have a bad review or no review?

No one wants a bad review; however, the more reviews we receive; the better it is for the author. I don’t believe, on a one to five scale, that anyone deserves a one or two star review unless the writing is that poor, meaning that there aren’t complete sentences, or there are spelling errors and the story isn’t consistent. If the editing is that poor, most likely the author edited it themselves and didn’t hire a professional. On the average, even if the book I’ve read isn’t one of my favorites, if it is well-written and makes sense, it deserves a three-star review with comments that are constructive and not completely personal.

Your most prized material possession? Why?

That would be all the photos I have. There are old pictures that I collected from my parent’s home of my great grandparents, grandparents, etc. Plus all the photos of my children over the years. These are all definitely my most prized possession. These cannot be replaced.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?

I feel all characters have some of me in them and some of other people I know. They are not written specifically about anyone I know. I try to have each character branch off into their own person even if I begin writing them as a familiar personality.

Your favorite…

Movie – I have many favorite movies, but to choose only one, I’ll say Moonstruck.

Music – Most songs from mid twentieth century (1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s)

Place you’ve visited – Hawaii

Place you’d like to visit – New Zealand

TV show from childhood – The Dick Van Dyke Show

Sports team – Grew up being a huge Pirates fan back when baseball was the way baseball should be. Now, I don’t have the same passion for sports.

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television? I love board games when I’m playing them with my kids.

Thank you…I enjoyed getting to know you! Please tell us about your book.

Blurb for The Agreement, Book 4 in the Marcy series:

After the perfect honeymoon, Brad and Marcy return to reality to begin their new life together. Unfortunately, Brad and Marcy’s wedded bliss runs into complications. Brad seems distant and cold, and Marcy is confused by his unexpected behavior.

When Marcy goes into labor, Brad is by her side. Later, Marcy confronts Brad about their crumbling marriage and decides it may be better for them to separate. Brad begs Marcy to reconsider, pleading with her not to leave.

For now, Marcy agrees to stay put with their son. Brad and Marcy reconcile. Brad forms a surprising and unexpected friendship which changes the course of their lives.

Excerpt from The Agreement:

We go to find Brad. He’s talking to his brothers. I walk up behind him, wrap my arms around his waist, and kiss his back. He turns his head, sees it’s me, and puts his arms around mine.

Matt says, “I’m glad this brother of mine finally got smart and asked you to marry him. I was thinking I might have to step in and see if you’d like to switch brothers.”

“The best gifts in life are worth the wait,” Brad says squeezing my arms, then picking them up and bringing me around to the side of him so he can kiss my head.

“You always say the most wonderful things to me,” I convey.

“Well, if you two are going to get mushy, I’m leaving. Come on, Ryan. Brad’s making us look bad. Good thing Kelsey and Samantha are in the other room.”

Dave comments to Brad, “You know, Brad, you and your brothers aren’t that different from LM, JJ, Elb, and me. You have that good, bad, fun, and serious sides that we all have. I can see you understand the way it was and is between us. So I owe you an apology. I suppose it’s difficult for us now, with Liam not being here, considering how we feel about Marcy. We want to be a part of her life. Her life now includes you. It’s unfortunate you and Liam were in love with the same woman. If it weren’t for that, you and he would’ve probably been good friends; but then again, if it wasn’t for the two of you loving the same woman, none of us would’ve ever met.”

“If it wasn’t for Liam, Dave, I would’ve never met Marcy,” Brad answers. “She probably wouldn’t be here now, which means none of us would have her in our lives. I’m aware she’s here now because of his heroic actions all those years ago. To be honest, he may have been competition to me for her heart, but I can’t fault the guy for that. I understand him being in love with her. I may be slightly sensitive when it comes to him, but that’s only because I know she’s in love with him as well. I still blame myself for letting her go in the first place. If I hadn’t, their relationship wouldn’t have started. I don’t dislike Liam. He loved Marcy, I love Marcy, I like all of you guys, Marcy loves all of you and you’re all friends with Liam. I’m aware he was a great guy, which means I don’t mind hearing stories about him. What makes me annoyed and uncomfortable is when everyone else acts like they’re uncomfortable talking about him in front of me. He was a part of all your lives, and whether I like it or not, he was a part of Marcy’s life. I won’t deny it and pretend it didn’t happen. Besides, I can’t deny her relationship with him. Thebaby she’s carrying might be his. What kind of a person would I be if I try to deny his existence in her life, and this baby is his and not mine?”

“I said it before and I’ll say it again; you’re a hell of a man, Brad. And if Liam were here right now, I’d tell him so. I’d be happy to tell him you’re an honorable man and

Marcy’s in good hands.” Dave puts his hand out for Brad to shake. “Brad, if you’ll accept, I’d be proud and honored to call you friend.”

“I do accept and thank you. That means a lot to me.”

They start talking about sports, and that’s when I excuse myself.

 

About the Author:

Linda is an author from Connecticut.

After years of writing and editing for others, raising a family, and over twenty years of running her own businesses, Linda decided to tackle her first fiction novel entitled Rage, which began as a single book. Eventually, the novel became a trilogy, and finally a much longer series. All the books are a part of The Marcy Series, a romantic suspense series. There are currently six novels in the series.

In 2016, Linda was named one of the Top Ten Authors of that year by Preditors & Editors Readers Poll. Her novel The Agreement, (Book 4 of the Marcy series), was chosen as one of the Top Ten Thriller novels of the year also. In 2017, her novel Caught in a Lie (Book 7 in the Marcy series) placed second in Best Cover Artwork from Preditors & Editors Readers Poll. Her romantic suspense novel The Colors of My Life, also was a Top Ten Finisher in the Thriller Division that year.,

 

Find out more about Linda at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lbursonbooks/?fref=ts

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/lindajeanburson

Website is lindaburson.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2258525.Linda_Burson

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Burson/e/B016SOB3S4

Twitter: @lindaburson23

 

 

 

 

Buy Links:

The Agreement: https://www.amazon.com/Agreement-Marcy-Book-4-ebook/dp/B01IG982NS/

Paperback also available at the publisher’s website: www.classactbooks.com