Author Archives: Alicia Dean

From now until Sunday, April 1st at noon, CT, I am offering an edit for only $160.00, regardless of word count. Spots are limited, so contact me ASAP if you’re interested.

Edit includes a full detailed content edit, along with a ‘light’ proofread. Edits include, but are not limited to, continuity, opening in the right place, awkward or unclear wording, inconsistent characterization, point of view, telling vs showing, grammar, active vs passive voice, etc, and a basic copy edit/proofread. A majority of the errors will be corrected, but there is no guarantee that all will be.

Your book does not have to be complete to take advantage of this offer. If you pay the $160 now, your spot will be held.

I have 12 years experience as an editor with The Wild Rose Press and 6 years as a freelance editor.

To take advantage of this special, email me at Alicia@AliciaDean.com with the subject line: 160 – I will reply and send you a PayPal invoice. Once the invoice is paid, your spot will be secured. When the spots are full, I will reply with that information.

https://aliciadean.wordpress.com/editing-services/

Please help me welcome today’s guest,  James Austin McCormick…

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

I live in Manchester, UK, one of the rainiest places in a rainy country. I’m married with two daughters, no pets, and I teach at a college. I’ve been writing for over twenty years and prefer writing speculative fiction mainly.

Where did you get the idea for Dragon?

Dragon is science fiction and the title refers to a sentient craft the two protagonists fly around in. The novel began as a fantasy, with an elf, a barbarian and a ‘real’ (well, not real but you know what I mean) dragon. All three survived the change of genre when I re-worked it as science fiction but Dragon transformed into a space craft.

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

I love mixing genres and science fiction with a fantasy flavor worked very well for me.

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

I based the two main characters, Sillow, a neurotic, hyperactive and diminutive elf and Brok, a huge, surly and ill-tempered barbarian on the head, and assistant head, of my English department when I worked at a university in Taiwan.

What is the most difficult thing about writing a book?

The editing. For example, Dragon works as a series of seven- chapter stories, each one a stand-alone tale yet also continuing an overall story arc. I wanted each one to be as exciting and action packed as possible (the book has been both praised and criticized for this). To do this I had to heavily edit the manuscript, eventually taking out twenty thousand words which wasn’t an easy thing to do.

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

Getting the chemistry between the two main characters right. They are like the odd couple in space and constantly quarreling yet as the story continues a friendship begins to develop. It took a lot of time and effort to get this right (I hope).

What do you love that most people don’t like and wouldn’t understand why you do? I love narrow boating, getting on the English canals. Most of my friends think it’s incredibly boring but I love the peace, relaxation and sense of freedom when I do it. I sometimes fantasize about dropping out of society altogether and becoming a roamer of the waterways like an old friend of mine did.

What was your first job?

I was a butcher for seven years. During that time, I did academic courses in the evening. I left the job when I went to university. I’ve been a vegetarian ever since, I’m sure as a result of this first job.

What actors would you like in the main roles if your book were made into a movie? I’ve always seen Dragon as a CGI movie with Michael J. Fox voicing Sillow and Michael Dorn voicing Brok.

Would you rather have a bad review or no review?

No review I think. It all depends though, I’ve had some 3-star reviews that I think are fair and point out both good and bad points. Those are fine.

What is your favorite quote? 

Michel De Montaigne’s “My life has been full of terrible misfortunes most of which never happened.” It is funny but also makes us realize how much time we waste worrying. Eckhart Tolle should have included that quote in his amazing book The Power of Now.  However, my favorite movie line of all time is by the Tall Man from Phantasm 2, “You think that when you die you go to heaven. You come to us.”

Have you written any other books that are not published?

Not books but I have around twenty or so short stories, some of them I’m very proud of, which have yet to be published.

Your favorite Movie

I think I’d have to say the Phantasm series because I’ve watched them so many times, even now. As for why I like them, where to begin? In my opinion The Tall Man (Jebediah Morningside) is one of the most iconic horror villains of all time, the center of a cosmic, predatory web of evil, stealing the minds and bodies of its victims. Reggie Bannister meanwhile has just the right mix of comic fallibility and courage to make him a very likeable hero.

About the Author:

James Austin McCormick is a college lecturer from Manchester, England and his free time enjoy writing speculative fiction, mostly science fiction, horror and a little sword and sorcery fantasy. He is also a particular fan of classic Gothic and Victorian horror tales and is currently in the process of writing updated versions of these with a science fiction spin.

Find out more about James at:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJamesAustinMcCormick/

Twitter https://twitter.com/jimbomcc69

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9860555.James_Austin_McCormick

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/James-McCormick/e/B00F3F9SGY

Class Act Books http://www.classactbooks.com/index.php/our-authors/manufacturers/james-austin-mccormick

Blurb for Dragon:

As worlds conspire against each other, Gax, an insane warlord, stockpiles an arsenal of ancient technology in his attempt to rule known space.

Two ill matched and reluctant heroes stand in his way; Sillow, a neurotic and cowardly Sylvan and Brok, a surly and ill tempered Herkulun warrior. After a chance meeting in a seedy, mobster owned casino the two find their fates interlinked as they are propelled into a series of hair raising adventures that takes them from wanted smugglers to agents of a peace keeping alliance.

Excerpt:

Asmara was a small desert moon orbiting its gas giant parent at a distance just great enough to put it outside the planet’s radioactive reach. It was a cold, dusty little place, barely capable of supporting microbic life. Yet it did have one thing in its favor, its location.Asmara was in the gray zone, an area of space almost central to the six worlds. None dared lay claim to it and consequently it was free of all outside authority. That was why the crime syndicates built their Pleasure Dome there, and in the two decades after the Dark Age Wars it flourished.

It was here, at one of the casino tables, the last three players of a merciless card game studied their hands. Two of them, a human and a reptilian Tuolon, were far from happy, glaring angrily at the third player as he whistled out a tuneless melody. If Sillow had been human, he would have been judged to be no more than fourteen. He wasn’t; he was a Sylvan, and his childlike face and adolescent build were quite normal for his twenty-five years.

As he looked over his cards from beneath a shock of dark green hair, only his large eyes were visible. It was just as well, for his lips moved frantically as he mentally played through the possible scenarios.

Finally he gave a little nod and placed his cards face down. He took his cigar from the ashtray and began puffing heavily on it. The human, a skinny man with pockmarked features, ran a hand over two day’s stubble,

“Make your damn move,” he growled. “If you’ve got the goods, show them.”

Sillow shrugged. “Hey, give me a break Garrick,” he replied in his soft, musical voice. “You can’t rush something like this.”

He looked at his cards again, studying them as he blew smoke rings in the air. His little feet tapped all the while on the hard marble floor.

His fellow players regarded him with extreme irritation, and the human cameto the decision the Sylvan was playing mind games with them. The truth though was far different. Sillow was scared and was trying to decide how best to safely extricate himself and the credits he needed from his present circumstances.

Although he couldn’t say why, he was certain now the Tuolon was a professional assassin here to kill him. His would be killer even blewhis ship up to stop him escaping.

Since then the little Sylvan had been busy at the tables making the money he needed to get a freighter off the Dome. There was a royal summons to answer and he’d delayed too long already. The message was just one word, Suleiman.

“Okay, ready,” he finally announced. “You want to see this hand it’ll cost you…” he paused for effect, “six more credits.”

The human thought hard for a moment, shook his head then threw the chips into the pot in the middle of the table.

Buy Links:

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/674265

Paperback from the publisher’s website: http://www.classactbooks.com/component/virtuemart/science-fiction/dragon-396-detail?Itemid=0

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Jeremy Higley…

Hi Jeremy, thank you for joining me. Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?

My name is Jeremy. I was born in California, grew up in Alabama, and since then I’ve lived in Virginia, Colorado, and Arizona. Right now I live Flagstaff with a cat named Luna and a bird named Mango. Last May I finished my master’s degree in English Literature, and this coming May I’m getting married!

Where did you get the idea for The Dead Forsworn?

The Dead Forsworn is the second book in my Darksome Thorn series, and the main ideas were formed before I finished the first book, The Son of Dark. In this book I wanted to explore the cost of power, whether that power is something you want to have or something you’d rather avoid. I wanted to show how well-hidden some of the world’s greatest pain is, even in people you might think of as very open. Also, I wanted to take the concept of the technological singularity and find a way to employ it in a fantasy setting.

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

If you’ve read the first book, you’ll be happy to know that in the sequel a dragon is born, and one of the biggest mysteries regarding Morkin’s past is revealed. We have some new villains, and some familiar ones. Skel and Smyra grow into their own a bit, and develop some new and rather frightening powers. Also, and perhaps most importantly, the prophecy of the Darksome Thorn continues to unfold. This book will be more epic in scope, with narrative threads that explain some of the broader movements taking place in Duskain as the storm approaches. And yes, it will be longer than the first one.

What is the most difficult thing about writing a book?

Sitting down, turning off all the distractions, and letting my thoughts, hopes, and fears take over for a while.

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

I never trust my first idea to be original. If it’s the first thing that comes to mind, then of course someone else has thought of it before. I like to twist ideas a couple times, or dig a little deeper to find the idea behind the idea, before I’m willing to commit. Another solid approach, if you can’t dig it deeper or twist it tighter, is to simply take two ideas you like and smash them together. Like colliding particles in a particle accelerator, there’s always the hope of a new discovery.

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and do you like it?

I work the front desk for a county office here in Flagstaff. As I sometimes describe my job, I help people, and I help people help people.

What was your first job?

When I was 16 I worked as a tour operator for a children’s museum in Huntsville, Alabama. It was a great job, but I wish sometimes I could go back and do it over again. I was so shy and uncomfortable as a public speaker. Then again, if I didn’t have those shy and uncomfortable times, I wouldn’t have my better moments as a public speaker now.

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

Smyra, in all honesty, is an attempt on my part to understand those few bullies in my life whose abuse has really stuck with me. I wanted to take the time to write an abusive character, and hang around long enough to understand and even help my audience to appreciate her as a person. Despite all her bravado, Smyra is just as scared and uncertain as anyone else. I’ve actually come to admire her, and if you haven’t yet, just wait for the second book!

What do your friends and family think of your writing?

They’re very supportive. My father is very down-to-earth, but his biggest criticism of the first book was that it was too short. My mother called me the moment she finished the book to ask me what would happen next, and whether any of the characters she liked were going to die. My siblings are always trying to give me new ideas, or asking questions about the story and the world I hadn’t considered before. Also, my fiance is always ready to listen to me ramble on about the characters and the backstories I never get to explore fully and the bits of the world I haven’t been able to fit into the books yet. There’s still so much to explore in the land of Duskain!

How did you come up with the title? 

Each title in the series is based off an element of the prophecy written on the blade of the Darksome Thorn, a sword that reappears every thousand years. The prophecy on its blade changes each time, and is really more of a set of instructions on how to defeat the world’s greatest evil. The Son of Dark refers to Skel, and The Dead Forsworn refers to a character you’ve already met, but who hasn’t fulfilled his part of the prophecy yet. If I told you who it was, you’d know which of the main characters is/are going to die in this novel. [winky face]

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? 

I hope they find a message in my writing, but I don’t pretend to know what it will be. The message I’ve taken from it is that promises have a beauty to them all their own, a beauty born in the moment they’re made and the feelings and ideas they represent. Holding onto that promise and keeping it alive is considered noble, but even after the circumstances have changed and things have moved in a direction no one expected and most reasonable people would consider the original promise null and void, there is more than nobility in the keeping of a promise. There’s desperation, and blind faith, and an unwillingness to let the past go. But there is also beauty. It’s the kind of beauty that’s born more of hope than of craft, more of love than design. And it’s real.

Author Bio:

Jeremy Higley was born in California but now lives in Arizona. As of 2016 he’s a graduate student working on a master’s degree in English. He’s also an instructional aide at a local elementary school, a novelist, and a contributing editor for a nonprofit student success company called LifeBound.

Social Media:

Website: www.darksomethorn.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.higley.3?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/darksomethorn/

KinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-higley-93b0b418

Google+: https://plus.google.com/100303315189666735431

Blurb for Son of Dark (Book 1 of The Darksome Thorn): 

A thousand years ago, the wizards of the Nynsa  failed to follow the prophecy of the Darksome Thorn, and now the greatest evil of their time has survived into the next age.

Now, the Darksome Thorn has revealed a new prophecy, and the very evil they failed to kill is working to use that prophecy to his advantage.

Forces of evil run rampant in the land of Duskain. Ancient powers are stirring. A greater darkness is imminent…

…and Skel, the foster son of an elephant herder, finds himself caught in the middle of everything. Will Skel’s newly developing powers be a help or a hindrance…

EXCERPT:

Marga pointed to the south. Zar didn’t turn, but he heard a gasp of recognition from Skel.

“Aja-aja,” he said with concern. “Three of them, about two miles away.”

Zar sighed in trepidation. The aja-aja were rare, enormous snakes prowling the Eltar plains, preying on elephants and any herders foolish enough to attack them. They had three heads each and stocky, powerful bodies to match, and could grow to over forty feet long. They killed and then predigested their prey by spitting streams of corrosive poison from their mouths.

“The aja-aja will be no problem,” he bluffed, staring into Marga’s eyes. “I have two magic-users with me now, a wizard and a Phage. They’re perfectly capable of dispatching a few overgrown snakes.”

“If so, then I’ll simply have to wait longer to be reunited with my precious one,”

the Wyvern said, eyeing the flattened snake corpses around her.

Something inside Zar began to burn like a fuse at the words “precious one.”

“You knew her before, I presume,” he continued, his voice much quieter. “Before you kidnapped her, I mean, and took over her mind.”

“She was mine to take,” the Wyvern retorted through Marga’s lips. “She was always mine to take.”

The last words hissed from Marga’s mouth like a challenge. Zar’s fingers wrapped around his sword’s hilt. He wanted nothing more at this moment than a way to strike at his enemy, but the Wyvern was far, far away.

“If you want her,” Zar said, “you’ll have to kill me.”

“Too risky,” the Wyvern replied. “You crave nothing more than to die for her. To kill you might break my grip.”

“If you don’t kill me she will never truly be yours,” Zar said. He walked to within an arm’s length of her. “As long as there’s breath in me, I will always be fighting to free

her.”

“I’m sure you mean that,” the Wyvern said. “Once you’re dead, there’s nothing to stop me from singing her back to me.”

Buy Links:

Publishers Website: http://www.classactbooks.com/index.php/component/virtuemart/cat-young-adult/the-son-of-dark-tales-of-the-darksome-thorn-book-1-detail?Itemid=0

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Son-Dark-Darksome-Thorn-Book-ebook/dp/B01IG983XC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521723828&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Son+of+Dark+%28The+Darksome+Thorn+Book+1%29 

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Son-Dark-Darksome-Thorn-Book-ebook/dp/B01IG983XC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=U

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/650660

I’m happy to welcome Kenneth Gordon to my blog today. I’m afraid I owe him a huge apology. I was supposed to have him here Thursday, but with my travels and other things going on, I’m afraid I’ve neglected my blog guests.

Thank you for joining me today, Kenneth. Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?

I grew up in New Hampshire and still live here with my wife. My father is still alive, my mother died in 1991. We have two cats: an orange male named Frodo and a silver gray female named Zoe.

Where did you get the idea for In My Blood?

It’s a hint about the solution to the great plague.

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

All my books have been science fiction. It’s a genre that is very flexible and platform to say just about anything.

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

It all started when I tried to take Frodo outside (he’s an indoor cat) to take a lap around the yard. A big truck rumbled by and scared him. He tried to pull away, but I held him fast. Unfortunately, his claws did some damage to my shirt and myself. I had what looked like a reverse ‘N’ on my chest. That night I thought, maybe there is a plague on another world and emissaries were sent out to find the chosen one, which would bear this mark.

What is the most difficult thing about writing a book?

The hardest thing was to find someone to help me with the plague. I wanted to make sure it was plausible and the cure could possibly work. Like anyone would do, I tried to contact the CDC. They must have thought I was a nut, a potential terrorist or both. No one returned my calls. Finally a local HIV doctor helped me. She was instrumental in getting things right.

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

It’s like a mystery novel you must start with the solution and work backward. I had to create three separate cultures.

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and do you like it?

I’m a web designer, programmer, musician.

What was your first job?

Selling cards and giftwrap.

If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have 3 (inanimate) objects, what would they be?

A pot, fire starter, Bible.

What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with?

Les Stroud.

Your most prized material possession? Why?

My computer. I do almost everything on it.

Have you written any other books that are not published?

There are a few unfinished works. I hope to finish them and get them out there.

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

Depends on the story. In this case, I would have to say me and my imagination.

How did your interest in writing originate?

I’ve enjoyed it since high school when my English teacher gave us time to write in a journal. I was writing more fantasy at that time. I took creative writing on college, and did some short stories after college.

Your favorite…

Movie
Don’t have any one favorite, but among my favorites are: Back to The Future, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Arrival.

Music
Symphonic Metal is my favorite currently.

Place you’ve visited
Israel

Place you’d like to visit
Scotland

TV show from childhood
Superfriends

TV show from adulthood
Scorpion

Sports team
All the Boston Teams.

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television?
TV

About the Author:

Kenneth Gordon lives in Milford, NH. When he isn’t writing SciFi-infused horror novels, he plays PC games, electric and acoustic guitars, and drums. He also holds a brown belt in Kung Fu.
Ken has written five SciFi/Horror novels for Class Act Books: Dark City, Cadre of Vampires, Harmonic Convergence, In My Blood, and Dirus Sonus.

Learn more about Ken at:

Web Site: http://kennethgordonnovelist.com/
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/KennethGordonNovelist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KennethGordon69
Publisher’s website: http://www.classactbooks.com/index.php/our-authors/manufacturers/kenneth-gordon

Blurb for In My Blood:

If you discovered your blood could save an alien people from death at a great cost to you, what would you do?

Thomas Anderson, from New Hampshire, is just about to start his third year of pre-med at Emory University when he meets a strange little man.

Tom is whisked away to the whirlpool galaxy as he starts researching the plague and begins working towards a cure. Little does he know that the cure will cost him everything! He must decide if he is willing to give up his life for a people he doesn’t know on a world that is not his own.

Excerpt:

Thom walked out of the post office and down to the dining hall alone.

This was going to be his last dinner at school for a while, maybe a long while. He hoped the food was be memorable.

Salisbury steak was on the menu. He grimaced at the thought. He selected fried chicken, okra, hush puppies, corn bread, and some kind of greens mingled on the tray. It certainly wasn’t the healthiest, but it beat the alternative. Picking up a cup, he pushed it into the bay of his selected soda. No ice, it’s better that way.

Thom selected a table in the back and took a drink from the red plastic tumbler. He took one last, long look around, trying to take it all in and remember it. He wasn’t sure if he would ever see it again. The fountain had real Coke this time. He took another drink and started in on the chicken.

Just then, Kai showed up at the table.

“Can I talk with you?”

“Sure, have a seat.”

The alien sat down.

“Why aren’t you eating?”

“Would not eat that food within one thousand parsecs.”

“Not the healthiest, I know. What did you want to talk to me about?” A bolt of fear shot down Thom’s spine.

“Need to brief you on the task, Chosen One,” Kai said in hushed tones. “We have a great plague on our world. You will come and save us. It was prophesied.”

“Whoa, wait a minute…” Thom held up a hand as if to stop Kai’s words. “Hold on…back that bus up, beep…beep…beep. A plague? You can’t be serious. I’m in my junior year of premed. I’ve only had one class, one, in infectious disease. What makes you think I can save your people?”

He moved around in his seat and inched slightly away from Kai.

“Simple, you are the Chosen One.” Kai smiled with complete confidence.

“Maybe your prophets got it wrong. You know, if a prophet gets it wrong, then you don’t have to listen to them,” Thom denied it.

“The Prophets are never wrong. You are the Chosen One, you come help save our people. I wait long time, many emissaries were sent to many worlds, but I found you. Now, you come. Yes?”

“Alright, I’ll come. Still don’t think I’m qualified, but I’ll at least take a look and see. Okay?”

“Yes, yes. We meet at six AM outside your dorm. Then we fly home.”
Kai-min stood and left the table while Thom held his head in his hands.

What am I getting myself into? Thom, you are an idiot. How can I help these people? I’m not even a real doctor yet. I don’t have the experience, but now because my cat cut me up, I’m this ‘Chosen One’?

Buy Links:
Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/My-Blood-Kenneth-Gordon-ebook/dp/B072N8R9YQ/
Paperback: http://classactbooks.com/component/virtuemart/science-fic

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