Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A DEADLY WILDERNESS - Kelly Irvin - Free Book


Welcome to my blog, Kelly. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

My characters are much braver and lead much more exciting lives. I think I’m living vicariously. I like what Donald Maass says about letting your characters do all the things you’d like to do, but have never had a chance or dared to do. What fun!

What is the quirkiest thing you’ve ever done?

During college, I spent three semesters at the University of Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica. My friend and I decided to return to Kansas overland through Central America by bus so we bought these enormous, red backpacks in which we carried everything we owned. We might as well have stamped “gringa” on our foreheads. Everyone saw us coming from Nicaragua to Mexico!

When did you first discover you were a writer?

Second or third grade, I think. My sister and I had a little newspaper we wrote and I always kept a diary. By junior high I was writing poems, plays, and short stories.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading?

My first love is a good mystery, but I love suspense novels as well. I read all my favorite ACFW inspirational writers but also am a big fan of mainstream writers such as Earlene Fowler, Diane Mott Davidson, and Marcia Mueller.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

Two books that are prequels to A Deadly Wilderness, that are now resting in peace in a drawer, although I’d love to see Mine to Avenge, which was a Genesis finalist, published as a prequel. The sequel to Wilderness, entitled No Child of Mine, is now ready to be submitted to my publisher for consideration. I also have a mainstream suspense novel The Dead Parent Society, which placed second in the Molly Contest, that I’m ready to market. Right now I’m working on my first romance, The Glove, and a romantic suspense novel set primarily in Laredo, Texas, which focuses on the problems the gun trade is causing the U.S. and Mexico.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Physically, I work out on the treadmill for at least 45 minutes every evening, seven days a week. I spend a lot of time in my car, sitting in traffic, so I listen to praise and worship music on the radio or CD player to remind me to stay grounded spiritually. I also rely on my Sunday school class to help me start every week on the right path.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Some come from the telephone book, others I see in the credits rolling on TV shows. My characters have pretty run-of-the-mill names, however. Like most of us real people.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

Besides raising two wonderful children and remaining married to my husband for twenty-one years? The publication of my first novel at age fifty-two. It’s been a long, hard road, and I’m proud of the perseverance that it took to keep writing at the crack of dawn every day before my “day job” kicks in.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

This turned out to be the hardest question for me to answer. I think I’d be a cat. Not exotic, but cats are really independent, yet loving, creatures. They might curl up with you one minute and then roam off all on their own the next. They seem content with their own company, but willing to share their perch on the back of the couch, too.

What is your favorite food?

Well, I’ve lost fifty pounds in the last two years so bread, cheese, all Mexican food, pasta, French fries, cheeseburgers, bagels with lots of cream cheese . . . just about anything fattening sounds wonderful to me.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Lack of time. At least that was my excuse. I work full-time, I have two teen-age children, I have a second job as a proofreader for two court reporters. Just finding the time to write is an on-going challenge. But I realized that I had to find the time to make my dream come true, even if that meant sacrificing. So I write at six-thirty in the morning, I carry my laptop to work with me and spend my lunch hour writing, I grab an hour in the evening, whenever possible. I carve out the time, period.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

First, grow a thick skin, then join a writing organization (like ACFW), get in a critique group, attend conferences, and continuously work to improve. Be humble. Above all else, never give up. Someone said the only writers who don’t get published are the ones who give up. That’s my mantra.


Tell us about the featured book.

A Deadly Wilderness is a story about greed and deceit and murder. But it’s also about having faith in second chances and in love. Here’s an excerpt from the flap copy:

An idyllic hike in a wilderness park turns deadly when Homicide Detective Ray Johnson tumbles into a ravine and lands on a corpse The victim’s ring finger has been severed, turning Ray’s misstep into a murder investigation. Ray’s determination to find the man’s killer leads him to the wealthiest enclaves in San Antonio. From there, it’s a surprisingly short trip to the city’s dark underbelly inhabited by drug cartel lieutenants and paid assassins and, ultimately, to death’s wide open doors.
A Deadly Wilderness is a romantic suspense novel that will take the reader along on a tumultuous journey as the consuming need for material wealth drives a deadly wedge among family members who haven’t learned when enough really is enough.

The journey ends where it began—in a deadly wilderness. Not everyone will survive the trip.
Please give us the first page of the book:

“Mom worries about everything.”

The irritation in Marco Acosta’s voice made Ray Johnson hide his smile. The boy sounded like an irritable old man, not an eight-year-old. Ray’s amusement faded as he contemplated the reasons Marco had grown up too fast. He edged his way up a narrow spot in the rocky trail and glanced back at Benny Garza. Marco’s foster cousin showed no sign he saw irony in Marco’s complaint. Benny’s mother was in prison, doing time on a drug charge. Marco was lucky to have a mother who cared so much.

“Your mother worries because she loves you.” Ray eased back and adjusted his sunglasses as a cluster of juniper gave way to an open space lit by the early morning sun. “It’s been a rough year for everyone.”

“She’s not going to let me go camping in Big Bend with you.” Marco’s breaths came in puffs between the words. The terrain became more tortuous and the path meandered along a deep ravine. “She doesn’t want me to spend the night away from home.”

Sweat rolled down Ray’s neck and soaked the back of his T-shirt. Susana’s reluctance to let Marco out of her sight was understandable. She’d lost so much already. “I’ll talk to her when we get back. I promise.”

Eyeing the ground to make sure he stayed on the trail, Ray tightened his stride to allow for the boys’ shorter legs. Marco raised a water bottle to his mouth and drank. His tennis shoe was untied. “You need to tie your shoe, Marco.” The police-officer-slash-Boy-Scout in Ray sprang to attention. His nerves hummed with the realization Marco wasn’t paying attention—to his shoe or the sudden jagged swerve in the path. “Watch where you’re going!”

Marco tripped over the shoelace and stumbled toward the ravine. The water bottle flew. His arms flapped.

Ray flung himself forward. His fingertips brushed the strap of Marco’s backpack. The boy glanced back, face startled, eyes wide, his lips a tight O. Then, he disappeared from sight. Ray teetered. The toe of his boot caught in the root of a cedar tree, halting his momentum a split second before gravity kicked in and the weight of his six-foot-four frame dragged him forward. He pitched headfirst into the narrow fissure.

He thrust his hands at bushes and branches but clutched only air. Tumbling, he smacked into rocks. Prickly pear and yucca scratched his face; branches punctured skin.

His head bounced like a soccer ball against the ground. Pain ping-ponged through his skull. He finally landed on his back, arms flung wide, his left foot twisted under his right leg. Noise still rang in his ears.

So much for a relaxing break from an endless parade of murder investigations.

Sounds intriguing. I'm hooked. How can readers find you the Internet?

At http://www.kellyirvin.com/ and I’m also on Facebook.

Thank you, Kelly, for spending this time with us.

Readers, here's a link where you can order the book. By using this link when you order, you'll be helping support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.


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/

29 comments:

apple blossom said...

Oh sounds good. Please include me. Thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot]com

Mark said...

Sounds good - I'd like to enter

Linda said...

Love good suspense. Please enter men. Thank you.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Wendy said...

Sounds interesting.
Thanks for the chance

Bruce Judisch said...

Great book; impressive author! I had the privilege of reviewing an advance copy of A Deadly Wilderness on my blog (www.brucejudisch.blogspot.com). Enjoyed it thoroughly.

Unknown said...

As one of Kelly's critique partners, I too had the privilege of reading A Deadly Wilderness.

Kelly, what a spine-tingling story you've woven. There's a certain chilling image involving a severed finger that I'll never get out of my mind. I can't wait till I have the final version so I can read it again.

Casey said...

Looks good! Please enter me. :)

Eileen Key said...

I've had the privilege to READ A Deadly Wilderness...and you won't want to miss it. Just don't begin the book late at night b/c you won't want to put it down.

Great interview, Kelly and Lena. Thanks!

Molly said...

I love the cover of the book and the interview! Please enter me!

Jo said...

Sounds like quite a good suspense story. Please add me.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Peg Brantley said...

A DEADLY WILDERNESS is one you don't want to miss.

Even though I read it in pieces as one of Kelly's critique partners, I'm excited to be able to read the entire, polished story.

Kelly and Lena . . . good job!

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the intervew. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

Donn Taylor said...

Excellent beginning for the novel--I'm hooked. Please enter me in the drawing. Also, Kelly, I checked your Web site and enjoyed your poetry. You have the true gift, too good to waste on a mere Web site. You should look toward publishing a book of poems.

Hope said...

Wow, sounds great! Please enter me!

Patricia PacJac Carroll said...

Good Interview! Sounds like a book I would like to read.

Anonymous said...

would enjoy reading this book...thanks for the opportunity.

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)Com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. This sounds like a great book. Blessings
tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com

Kelly Irvin said...

Thanks for the positive encouragement from everyone. Donn, your comments about the poetry appreciated too. It certainly has its own unique challenges, both in writing and publishing. I'd love to hear what some of you writers out there are working on as well.

mariska said...

i love to try a new author for me. please count me in !

G.R.I.T.S. said...

Please enter me, it's been awhile since I read a murder mystery type of book. I would love to add this to my group of reviews on my blog!

Rae

Andrea Schultz said...

I like the sound of this one! Please include me!

Blessings - Andrea

andrealschultz[at]gmail[dot]com

Please come visit my blog -
http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com

I review and give away books regularly, and would love to have you join me - and follow! Thanks!

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Sounds intriguing... please enter me!

Carla said...

Sounds like my kind of book.

Sherry Kuhn said...

This book sounds SO good! I must read it! Please enter me in the drawing.

Thank you,
Sherry
love2stitch@hotmail.com

Esther Wysong said...

Please enter me. Thanks! Esther
faith4u7(at)gmail(dot)com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I enjoy reading a good mystery story and would like to win this book.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Sounds so good! Please enter me. Thanks!!!
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net

Nancye said...

This sounds like an interesting book! Please sign me up.

http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com

Marla said...

This books has really caught my attention. Hope to win. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com