DEADLY DIARIES - C E Waterman - One Free Book

Welcome back, C E. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I’ve always loved mysteries. I started with Boxcar Children, then Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys, then Agatha Christie. Since I love to read them, it seemed only natural for me to write them.

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

When I had my kids and grandkids.

How has being published changed your life?

It made me believe that I am a real writer. The fact that someone thought my stories were good enough to put out there into the world has been a true blessing to me. It’s given me confidence to keep going.

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading a science fiction book called The Rook. It’s a fun book about people in the government with secret powers.

What is your current work in progress?

Another mystery in Pinion Creek, this one involves Tori and her twin sister Libby. There have been two murders, and the twins’ brother has been arrested for the crime.

What would be your dream vacation?

We’re actually going to Scotland in the spring. I can’t wait to see the green countryside, and all the things I read about in books.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

It’s sound advice to write what you know, so I chose a small town in the mountains of Colorado. I live in Colorado, and I patterned Pinion Creek off a mix between a real town called Estes Park, and a larger city like the one in Denver metro where I live.

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

Marilyn Hickey. I feel she has so much wisdom to impart, and I could listen to her for hours.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to play golf, eat out, and take walks in nature.

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

Finding time to write is difficult these days with a full time-plus job. It’s hard to switch my brain from the left analytical side that I need for my job to the right creative side. I’m not sure I’ve overcome it yet. Still working on it though!

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Keep learning. Go to every conference you can, read all the writing books you can get your hands on, and keep going even if it seems you aren’t getting anywhere. At the right time, God will bring it to pass if you don’t give up.

Very good advice. Tell us about the featured book.

Maggie Schreiber finds her Aunt Esther murdered in the quiet neighborhood of Pinon Heights. In order to deal with her loss, Maggie begins to read Aunt Esther's diaries, but before she gets far, most of the books are stolen. Then, her sister is attacked, and her house is set on fire. At the funeral, Esther's life was celebrated for her generosity and caring, but what was really going on with Aunt Esther? Can Maggie stay alive long enough to protect her sister and discover what secrets the diaries hold?

Please give us the first page of the book.

The body rested where she fell, and he stared at her, bile rising in his throat. Why wouldn’t she listen? In the adjoining room, a jagged piece of a china cup sported an unbroken pink rose, smirking up at him, taunting in its simplicity. He ground it under his heel, and wiped the dust on the rug. Everything had to be perfect, nothing could be left here to identify him. He itched to leave, jumping out of his skin, but haste now would prove disastrous.

A thud echoed through the house. He froze, his heartbeat elevating. Was someone upstairs? There couldn’t be. His palms began to sweat. Maybe it came from outside. If someone was up there, they would have peeked down the stairs by now, it was human nature. Which meant they could identify him. With a shaky hand he grabbed a knife, and started for the stairs. Only one way to be sure.

Footsteps tromped on the wooden front porch. He jumped, knocking against a chair. Cursing under his breath, he positioned the knife handle in his closed fist, an extension of his hand. Why hadn’t she told him she was expecting company? The visitor fumbled around until the doorbell rang. Maybe they’d go away. Or if someone was on the floor above, it would draw them out. Either way, he couldn’t risk any witnesses.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My blog, An Encouraging Word can be found at www.cewaterman.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/chriswaterman.547

Thank you, C E, for sharing this book with me and my blog readers. I love reading mysteries and suspense novels, too.

Readers, here are links to the book.

Deadly Diaries - Paperback
Deadly Diaries (Pinion Creek) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

HIGH DECEIT - CE Waterman - One Free Book

Welcome, CE. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I try to separate myself from my characters, but I haven’t been completely successful. It’s a goal to write characters that can be differentiated by the way they speak, even before you know who’s talking, but I haven’t quite accomplished it.

That is hard to do, but I’m also trying to perfect this, too. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I asked my brother if it was possible to kill someone with exhaust fumes while they were driving. There was a pause at the other end of the phone, and he said “Uh…Chris?”

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I was in my early thirties. I’ve always loved to read, and many times I would say, “This would be great if they would have just ….” Then one day I decided to try it. It’s not as easy as it looks!

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

I’m an eclectic reader, so I like most genres. I love mysteries, of course! But I also like thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, and good general fiction.

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

Not well, I’m afraid. Nobody ever said you have to be sane, did they? Is it a prerequisite for a writer? If so, I might be in trouble.

Actually, I think too much sanity will ruin a good writer. How do you choose your characters’ names?

I use the internet or a baby names book. I keep a list so I don’t use too many names with the same first initial, as that can be confusing, and I try to avoid using names of people I know. Unfortunately, I’ll be half way through the book and meet someone with the first name of my heroine!

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Getting published. It’s probably easy for some people, but it was a long process for me, with a lot of study and learning involved.

It’s hard for most people. It took me 8 years before my first book was published. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I would be a bird. I would love to fly in that beautiful blue sky and look down on the beauty of God’s creation.

What is your favorite food?

I love pasta. No wait, chocolate, or Mexican, or…

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

It scared me to think of other people reading it. I wanted them to, but sometimes it would nearly paralyze me. I ended up writing for me, and not letting what someone else might think worry me.

Tell us about the featured book.

High Deceit is about a woman whose husband has been shot in the line of duty. She then finds out he is a suspect in the murder of a young woman. Someone tries to kill him while in the hospital, and she must find out who they are before they succeed.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Cindy Carroll crept to the back entrance of the warehouse, grateful early morning darkness still covered her. The door squeaked a little, and she froze, holding her breath.

“Are you going to tell me why we had to show up here in the middle of the night?” The male voice increased as he and his friend drew closer.

“Yeah, the boss explained his whole plan to me over coffee and a pastry.”

“Funny, Lou.” The first man laughed.

Cindy released her breath and tiptoed toward the stairs. Moonlight streaming through high windows revealed broken glass and clutter waiting to scream her presence to the drug dealers outside.

On the mezzanine, she settled into deep shadows behind a rotting wooden banister. Something whispered at her shoulder. She stifled a shriek and swatted at it. A cobweb stuck to her fingers, and she wiped them on her jeans. The back door squeaked again, louder this time. A click produced a dim glow from a bulb dangling over the heads of the two men she’d slipped past in the parking lot. She backed a little and tried not to breathe as they moved into her line of sight. A large dark-haired man carried a black briefcase. His friend brushed something off his shoulder with a flick of his wrist. The hint of a cufflink...

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My blog, An Encouraging Word, can be found at www.cewaterman.com .

Facebook – www.facebook.com/chriswaterman.547

Thank you, CE, for sharing the book with me and my blog readers. I’m eager to read the rest of the story.

Readers, here are links to the book.

High Deceit - Paperback
High Deceit (Pinion Creek) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com