BIO: Lillian Duncan … Stories of faith mingled … with
murder & mayhem.
Lillian is
a multi-published writer who writes the type of books she loves to
read—suspense with a touch of romance. 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. She also has a devotional blog at: www.PowerUpWithGod.com as well as her personal blog, Tiaras &
Tennis Shoes at www.lillian-duncan.com
Tell us about BETRAYED.
BETRAYED is the second book in my Sisters By Choice
series and released in January 2014. In DECEPTION (the first in the series),
there is a terrorist. I kept wondering what kind of woman could be married to a
terrorist and not know it.
BETRAYED is the answer to that question. It is Maria’s
story and her struggle to get past the betrayal of her husband and create a new
life for her daughter.
BACK COVER
COPY:
Witness
Protection Program claims they can keep anyone safe if only they follow the
rules so Maria follows the rules—every rule. She's given up everything—her
friends, her family, her past, even her name to ensure her daughter has a
future.
Reborn as
Veronica Minor in the sleepy little town of Sunberry ,
Ohio , she
struggles to rebuild their life amid the beauty of her flower shop. A life
where her daughter can have a happy, normal childhood. A life where her daughter
will never know that her father was a monster.
When a
child disappears, Veronica prays it has nothing to do with her past, but what
if she's wrong? Not knowing who to trust, she trusts no one ... and that's her
first mistake.
What’s the setting for BETRAYED?
Most of
the story takes place in or around a small fictional town in Ohio called Sunberry. Coincidentally, we
have a small town in Ohio
called Sunbury that is very similar to the fictional setting!
How did you come up with the title for BETRAYED?
It was an
obvious choice since Maria was betrayed by her husband so horribly. But as the
story continues, Maria begins to believe she’s been betrayed yet again. But by
whom?
Is BETRAYED the first book you published?
No, I’ve
published several others in the past few years, including DECEPTION and PURSUED
also published by Pelican Book Group along with a novella, THE CHRISTMAS
STALKING.
Why did you write BETRAYED?
I had
actually written much of Maria’s story in DECEPTION, but it was taken out of
that book. Maria wasn’t happy about that and begged me to write her story, so I
did.
What do you want readers to take away from
BETRAYED?
Bad things
happen to all of us. How we react to those things will determine the quality of
our future. We can make the choice to stay in the past and be angry and bitter,
but a much better choice would be to forgive and move on with our own life.
Does BETRAYED have a theme?
Beauty for
ashes is a phrase that comes up several times throughout the book and I
consider it the theme. It comes from Isaiah 61: 3. A second theme is about
honoring God with our choices and our actions even in the midst of a crisis.
What’s the Sisters by Choice series about?
This
series definitely has romance in it, but I also wanted to explore the strong
bonds that form between women—through blood or through the choices we make.
Each story focuses on a relationship between two women that becomes as
important to the story as the romantic plot.
DECEPTION was
the first in the series and it focused on the broken relationship of identical
twin sisters, Patti and Jamie. The lesson from DECEPTION was don’t waste time
arguing with those you love—you may not get a second chance to repair that
relationship.
In BETRAYED, it focuses on two strangers
bonding and becoming friends as they face a crisis together. One of the characters teaches Maria about how
to honor God by her actions even in the most horrible circumstances.
What is your writing process?
I am not
an outliner. I wish I were—it seems easier to me. But my mind doesn’t work that
way. I never know what is going to happen in my story on any given writing day.
It’s as if my mind is a movie screen and I watch that day’s events and then I
write it.
When I
start a new story I usually have a clear picture of the main character in mind
and what obstacle he/she will face, but anything goes after that. If I’m
writing and start to feel bored—then I kill someone or blow something up. And
that way it’s a surprise to me and to my readers.
Do you know who the bad guy is when you begin your
story?
Not
usually. Most of the time I have several characters who it might be and as the
story comes to a conclusion, I am surprised right along with my readers. BETRAYED was no exception. I wasn’t
sure who it was until the very end.
Many
people don’t think of murder mysteries and suspense novels as Christian
Fiction. What do you say to them?
I can
certainly understand their point of view. And for some readers my stories might
be a bit too graphic or edgy and that’s okay; I understand that. I would say my
readers are those who like traditional suspense and mystery novels but are
tired of all the explicit language and sex scenes that aren’t necessary to a
good story.
I don’t
promote or glorify violence in my stories and show characters experiencing the
natural consequences of their bad choices and bad actions. My characters are
usually on a spiritual journey as well—but some are further along than others.
Then what makes your stories Christian fiction?
My stories
always have an element of faith in them. How that plays out depends on the
individual plots of each specific story.
One more
word about Christian fiction: It has changed dramatically over the past ten
years. Other than erotica, readers can find their favorite genre as Christian fiction
as well as mainstream fiction. There are Christian fiction books out there for
every book lover—historical, romance, regency, science fiction, even horror
novels.
If BETRAYED becomes a movie who would you like
to see play your main characters?
Oh, I can
see Angelina Jolie playing Maria. In Deception, Maria was a bit of a wimp, but
life has changed her. She’s tough now—like Angelina. I think Mark Harmon,
better known as Gibbs on NCIS, would make the perfect male lead.
What are you working on now?
I have a
devotional blog POWER UP WITH GOD’S WORD: Secrets For a Better Life at: www.PowerUpWithGod.com. I was
diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors this past year and so many of the
devotions focus help others who are facing a crisis—physical or spiritual.
Along with
that, the third book in The Sisters By Choice series (REDEMPTION) is in the
process of rewriting. I’m also working on a new mystery novella series, DEADLY
COMMUNICATIONS. It features a crime-fighting speech pathologist. Having been a
speech pathologist for almost 35 years, this story was so much fun for me to
write.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
My website
is www.lillianduncan.net and I have
a devotional blog at www.PowerUpWithGod.com
My blog is TIARAS & TENNIS SHOES at www.lillian-duncan.com . I’m also on
Twitter as @LillianDuncan and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/lillian.k.duncan
Thank you, Lillian, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Betrayed
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8 comments:
Sounds interesting. I'd like to read Maria's story.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I enjoyed Lillian's fascinating interview and would love to win a copy of BETRAYED! Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Britney Adams, TX
BETRAYED sounds quite intense & certainly exciting.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Count me in for the draw, please... Maria's story sounds interesting. I'm glad she has her own book now.
(commenting from eastern Canada)
Sounds like a fascinating book. I too have wondered how the spouse of a terrorist/serial killer, etc., could be married and to that person and not know that something evil was going on.
Idaho koho143 (at) hotmail (dot) com
Thanks for your comments. I love hearing from readers like all of you.
This book/series sounds so good to me! I like romance but get tired of it, but when it's added to a mystery I'm in book heaven! I would love to read this series - thanks for the chance to win a copy!
kam110476 (at) gmail (dot) com
Oklahoma
Deception and Betrayed both sound very interesting. Thank you for the introduction if a "new to me" author.
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