Monday, August 16, 2010

TOMORROW WE DIE - Shawn Grady - Free Book

Welcome back, Shawn Why do you write the kind of books you do?


I write emergency suspense right now because it ties closely into what I have done for a living for the past fourteen years. It provides a fertile ground of longstanding literary themes —death and resurrection, loss and redemption— Strong biblical principles that I’ve been able to weave into Tomorrow We Die and Through the Fire.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

I’ve known the Lord for as long as I can remember, so I don’t have a memory of a single conversion day. The joy of knowing him, the Day of the Lord as it were in my life has more of an epochal feel to it rather than a more finite sense. In that respect, being married for the past eleven years and having our family has been the happiest, most joy-filled time in my life.

How has being published changed your life?

Since the writing and publication of Through the Fire and Tomorrow We Die we’ve been much busier. We can’t put off writing because we have other things going on. Having signed a contract and being paid to write novels I now am obligated to deliver on a schedule. So that, while making me more prolific, also carries the burden of a greater workload. We endeavor to schedule well so we can protect our time as a couple and our time with family and friends and church.

What are you reading right now?

Havah by Tosca Lee, Ender in Exile by Orson Scott Card, By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson.

Wow, three books at once. I've only done two at a time. What is your current work in progress?

Falls Like Lightning. Here’s a peek at initial back cover copy:

When hotshot smokejumper Silas Kent gets his own fire crew, he thinks he’s achieved what he always wanted. But amid the largest lightning caused fire complex the west has seen in over a century, his team is quickly forced into service. Before he’s ready they’re in a plane over the Desolation Wilderness of the Sierra Nevada.

Experienced firefighting pilot Elle Westmore has been called up to fly jumper crews into the heart of the forest infernos. As a single mother of a six year old who is suffering from increasing and unexplainable seizures, her situation has grown complicated.

It doesn’t take long for things to go very wrong, very quickly. A suspicious engine explosion forces Elle to make an emergency landing in a mountain lake. Silas is able to parachute to safety, but soon discovers his crew can’t be trusted. They’re hiding something, and now Silas is on a race to save himself and Elle—both from the conflagration encircling them…and from a more dangerous threat. His own team.

We need to feature that book on the blog, too. What would be your dream vacation?

A month (minimum) in Europe, probably Paris or Dublin.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

So far I’ve stayed primarily with the Reno/Tahoe area, writing locales that I know well firsthand.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

My wife, of course. But if you mean like someone I haven’t met? I’d love to have Bono or Leif Enger over to our house for dinner.

You should have made brownie points with that answer. At least, you would have in my house. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I enjoy spending time in the outdoors with my family. Surfing when I can, snowboarding in the winter. We love to hike among other activities.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Plotting and structuring are great challenges. I do a lot of discussion with my wife during the plot development phase. Once we’ve established a solid framework for the story I find I’m able to progress quicker through the writing process.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Read great writers. Read established books on the craft. Attend writing conferences to network with other authors, agents, and editors.

 Tell us about the featured book.

Tomorrow We Die: Here’s a peek at the back cover copy:

Paramedic Jonathan Trestle has had a week of death. Every call seems to end up with someone flatlining until finally he is able to revive a disheveled patient long enough for the man to hand him a crumpled piece of paper and say, “Give this to Martin.” With the simple decision to honor a dying man’s last wish, Trestle soon finds himself snared in a mystery of murder and danger. His only clue is a scrap of paper covered with indecipherable dashes, but with his future, freedom, and life on the line, he must race for the truth before the Angel of Death comes calling for him.

Sounds really intersting. Please give us the first page of the book.

I’ll do more than that! The first two chapters, as they appear in print, are available to read at http://www.scribd.com/doc/34063278/Tomorrow-We-Die .

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love feedback from readers and endeavor to always get back to those who email. I can be found at http://www.shawngradybooks.com/  or at http://www.facebook.com/shawngradybooks .

Thank you, Shawn, for visiting with us again.
 
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.














Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

44 comments:

holdenj said...

Tomorrow we Die sounds very exciting, as does his work in progress about a fire jumper. Thanks!

Katrina said...

sounds right up my alley...thanks for the great giveaway!!!

Coolestmommy said...

Sounds thrilling. I'm sure I'll be up all night reading it. :)

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Stacielynn said...

WOW this book sounds awesome!
-stacie

Katie said...

Please enter me! Sounds very exciting!


God bless!

~Katie G.

Deanna said...

please enter me

Diane said...

Intense! Love the mystery and fast paced nature.

A J Hawke said...

Love a good mystery with an adventure. TOMORROW WE DIE by Shawn Grady sounds as if it fits the bill.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

A J Hawke

Debbie said...

All three novels look interesting. Hopefully I'll get a chance to read one soon. :) Please enter me in the giveaway.

--Debbie

Bluerose said...

I've had Tomorrow We Die on my want list since I heard about it. My husband has been an EMT for several years and will soon be a paramedic. He also shares the same name(even spelling) with the main character, so I've got to read this one!! :)

fredamans said...

Please enter me, I love a good mystery.

Bakersdozen said...

I would love to read this. Thanks for the interview and giveaway. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mark said...

I'd like to enter, thanks

Michelle V said...

I've been wanting this one, please enter me!

Shawn Grady said...

Thank you all for the very kind comments!
Bluerose- I hope your husband enjoys the read as well and God bless in his endeavors.

Anonymous said...

I love medical shows on TV and to read books with something to do with emergencies. My father was a doctor and I used to work for him for four years. During that time, there were several emergencies.People would come in the office because we were closer than the hospital.

CarolNWong(at)aol.com

Merry said...

I'd love to be entered for Shawn's newest book; Tomorrow We Die sounds great. Thanks!

Clayton said...

Thanks for blogging this interview. Great interview! Loved reading Through the Fire and can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Tomorrow we Die to begin reading!

grannyvon said...

I have never read about a paramedic before but would like to. This book sounds like a very thought probing book. I ususally do not use the work 'enjoy' with this type book, but I can't lay them down once I start it. I love reading supense fiction and praise God I don't have to put up with the dirty language like books now in the Christian catagory. Shawn Grady goes on my must read list as he is a new author for me. Hope I can win this one! ybutler@oppcatv.com

Linda Kish said...

This sounds really exciting. I hope I win!

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Sheila Deeth said...

Cool cover. Great title. Certainly sounds interesting.

Cindy W. said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your interview and Tomorrow We Die sounds like a great read. I have a medical background (Surgical Scrub Tech)myself and I have always enjoyed reading books that have a medical setting and if the book is a suspense or thriller all the better. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Shawn Grady said...

Loved reading all the comments! Best of luck for the win!
Cheers-
Shawn

Rachelle said...

The book sounds awesome! I love the cover too!

Julia M. Reffner said...

This book sounds excellent and its been on my to-read list.

Wendy said...

Sounds like a good book. I have added it to my tbr list.

Patsy said...

This sounds like an exciting book. As a volunteer firefighter would love to read this one. Thanks for giving away a copy

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

Anonymous said...

This book sounds wonderful! I would love to be entered to win.

Lee said...

Sounds like a great summer read, Thanks for another great giveaway!!

lee at fishdreams dot com

Kristen said...

Ohh!! This sound awesome!! Please enter me.

Desiree said...

I know I would really enjoy this book. Hope to win.

Edwina said...

I read Shawn's first book and loved it. Would really like to win this one!

edwina[dot]cowgill[at]yahoo[dot]com

Carol M said...

This sounds good! Please enter me. Thank you!

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

The book sounds really exciting I would love to read it!

dancealert at aol dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Pls count me in.
Thanks

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Jennifer said...

I enjoy reading mysteries, and this one sounds like a great book.

Holly Magnuson said...

Hey Lena! Catching up on my RSS feeds and this sounds like a great book! I would love the chance to win it.
Blessings
HollyMag

Holly Magnuson said...

Hey Lena! Catching up on my RSS feeds and this sounds like a great book! I would love the chance to win it.
Blessings
HollyMag

Joce said...

Sounds like a wonderful book~ Mrs. Turansky is so talented. Can't wait to p/u a copy! Thanks for the fun giveaway!

Pain SUX said...

Please count me in to win this one. Thanks.

~Steph
soklad@hotmail.com

peachykath said...

Please enter me in the drawing for this book. I work as a paramedic and always love reading mysteries involving the emergency professions. Thank you.

peachykath79[at]yahoo[dot]com

Megan said...

Nice interview, I love that Shawn works so closely with his wife!! I'd love to read his/their work!!

Naasom said...

This book sounds like a great story of action and suspense. Please enter me in this giveaway.

letrassantas at hotmaul dot com