Welcome, Cindy. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I enjoy reading books with strong, female characters. I guess it’s just easier for me to relate! So when I write, I tend to use some the same characteristics that I see in me, in my female protagonist. Sometimes those characteristics are good: confident, a leader. Sometimes, they are not as good: prideful, unwilling to allow anyone to help.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Quirky doesn’t really describe me or anything I’ve done. Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment or anecdote?
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I’ve always done well at writing, at least in school. Term papers, poems, those early years in elementary school when we wrote our own short stories. But I never even considered doing it until about four years ago. I had been on a Dani Pettry binge and those books gave me so many ideas. I happened to see a few posts on Pinterest about how to write your own book and it hit me, I could actually do that.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I tend to stick to the Christian side of suspense, but I have been known to lean into YA fantasy. I started out reading The Happy Hollisters as a child, so as long as it has a mystery or a twist to it, I’m hooked!
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
My husband and I teach the youth at our church and knowing we have to be prepared and ready to teach twice a week really keeps me in check. It’s so easy to step away from the Bible, to be too busy, too tired, too bored. But being involved in our church keeps my head down and my focus ready. As we do our best to lift up our students, it’s a wonderful reminder that we can be lifted up as well!
How do you choose your characters’ names?
I really like unique names and names that can have a shortened nick-name. I’m not much on pet names, so when the male protagonist uses a shortened name, to me, it conveys a level of intimacy and knowledge within their relationship.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Accomplishment- an act or instance of carrying into effect; fulfillment.
I would have to say, according to this definition, it would be the Genesis Contest with ACFW. I was a semifinalist in 2019 with this book, Hostage. To make it that far, it gave me a sense of accomplishment that the hours at the computer over the past several years, wasn’t a waste!
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I haven’t thought of something like this since grade school, not sure I really had an answer back then either! But when I think of being like an animal now, I think of Isaiah 40:31 - “But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.” Being high above this world, away from the chaos, hate and frenzy; yes, that’s where I would want to be.
I agree with you. What is your favorite food?
Seafood. More specific, lobster. I love lobster! But as a foodie, I’ll pretty much eat anything. I do think a big plus with the lobster is that you get to dip it in melted butter. I mean, what could be better?
My favorite food is lobster mac and cheese. But I've only eaten it a couple of times. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
When I first started writing, I had so many ideas. For the first year and a half, I didn’t stop and never felt like I couldn’t fill a page. I didn’t realize I had been saving up for so long! But after that, I bottomed out. I would start with an idea, knowing where I wanted to start and where I wanted to end. The problem was, I couldn’t fill the middle! The answer was pretty easy; read. Instead of staring at an empty screen, I would read. Three books or so a week and suddenly, I had ideas and scenarios filling my mind. The imaginative juices flowing, I was finally able to complete all those half-ideas and thoughts, forming them into a complete story line.
Tell us about the featured book.
Macy Packer is a strong-willed woman taken captive while
doing her best to protect a senator. Imprisoned, she leans on one of her fellow
inmates for support. After a harrowing escape and rescue mission, she finds herself
back on
Kane Bledsoe is soon healed and ready for life to become normal again. That is, until he finds the woman he met while in prison. It doesn’t take long before she’s in trouble once more and he steps in to help. But everything gets turned upside down as the threat becomes more than they can handle on their own.
Please give us the first page of the book.
“Get down!” Macy Packer shoved the senator to the ground and took cover. Gunfire erupted around them. Bullets ricocheted over her head, forcing her to wait before returning fire. Her com-link rang out with the voices of her five man crew, nearly deafening her, but over a short time, their voices faded. The outcome of the battle became clear. The smell of smoke stung at her eyes and throat. Fire engulfed their helo.
She yelled, “Get that bird here now!”
“Two minutes out.”
“Too long,” she muttered. Macy reloaded and rained another torrent of bullets, pushing back the insurgents making their way across the rooftop. She grabbed Senator Marstill and rolled him beneath her. He cried out and grabbed his head. “Don’t move.”
Ducking down, she snagged a Glock from a deceased friend, noting the blood seeping through his shirt and pooling around his body. There would be time to mourn later. Right now, she was intent on living through this day. A bullet tore past her shoulder as she stood to move the assailants back, firing and falling back to her position.
More! I want more! How can readers find you on the Internet?
My website is https://cindybonds.com/ and you can find my author page on Facebook @CindyBondsAuthor. Here is the link to purchase Hostage: https://scrivenings.link/hostagekindle
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