Thursday Christmas Reads–All I Want for Christmas is Johnny Rocker Dead! by Lillian Duncan

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All I Want for Christmas is Johnny Rocker Dead!, Christmas Read, Lillian Duncan, romantic suspense, Thursday Christmas Reads

 

Christmas is coming, and with that holiday season comes more Christmas romances. If you don’t now, I love Christmas and Christmas romances. So, to fill out the rest of the Thursdays this year, I’m hosting fellow authors and their Christmas novels. Today’s guest is Lillian Duncan with a different sort of Christmas story-a Romantic Suspense Christmas story. Welcome, Lillian.

 

            Murder, Mayhem & Christmas?

 

Murder, Mayhem & Christmas? Really?

On the surface, it may seem that murder and mayhem doesn’t necessarily go with Christmas, but I love weaving a Christmas story in with suspense and romance. Because of that I have several Christmas stories available—The Christmas Stalking; The Christmas Angel Thief; No Home for the Holidays; and A Christmas Stolen.

My latest Christmas novella is ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS JOHNNY ROCKER DEAD! How’s that for a title filled with murder, mayhem, & Christmas?

I won’t tell you the plot but I will tell you the story is about how much God loves each of us—no matter what we’ve done. And isn’t that what Christmas is really all about?

Speaking of Christmas, one of the things my husband and I do every Christmas is to clear out our enclosed porch and then we put up Christmas trees. Yes, I said trees as in many trees.

Last year, we had 14 or 15 trees up. In all sizes and shapes— even a snowman tree. We don’t have any young children or grandchildren around, but that doesn’t stop us from celebrating the season and honoring Jesus’s birthday.

Merry Christmas to all!

 

All I Want for Christmas is Johnny Rocker Dead!

By Lillian Duncan

Johnny Rocker believes he’s doesn’t need anyone or anything—especially God because after all he is a rock & roll god. When the floor beneath his feet crumbles—literally—he hurtles toward a different truth.

Since the death of Maddie’s family, she’s run from life and love and become the best bodyguard she can be. But, with God’s help, she’s ready to step out of her comfort zone and into a different life. When her boss asks—no begs—her to take on one last job, she finds it hard to refuse. Someone is trying to kill mega-star Johnny Rocker. It’s Maddie Cotton’s job to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Even under Maddie’s protection the threats continue. As Christmas approaches the danger escalates—someone doesn’t want Johnny Rocker to see the new year, and they are willing to kill Maddie as well. Johnny and Maddie will have to set aside their differences and learn to lean on each other and God if they want to see Christmas day.

EXCERPT:

 

I AM.

He ignored the voice. This was one of his favorite rooms in his mansion. Johnny Rocker’s gold and platinum records and posters—of him, of course—as well as old movie posters, decorated the walls. Because after all, it was the theater room. Music blared from every speaker in his mansion, including this room. His music, of course, because he was a rock and roll god.

I AM

Probably a trick of the acoustics.

I’m not losing it. Everything’s fine. He poured another drink and sat. His fingers ran across the buttery-soft, brown leather of the recliner. Nothing but the best for Johnny Rocker. Who’d have ever thought that poor little Zeb Walker would be sitting in his debt-free mansion? He could afford anything he wanted these days. The good life. He had it all.

People loved their rock and roll gods.

I AM

The door opened before Johnny could yell at the unseen voice. “Well if it ain’t Stan the Man.”

His manager of eight years glared. “What are you doing up here, Johnny? The party’s downstairs. Everyone keeps asking, ‘where’s Johnny?’”

“I know where they are, and that’s why I’m up here.”

“Very funny. Now get downstairs. The reason we’re having the party is so you can prove you’ve still got it.”

“I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I’m Johnny Rocker.”

“Let’s go, Johnny. Now.”

“That’s not my name.”

Stan rolled his eyes. “You’re in one of those moods again. Fine. I’ll call you Zeb if that makes you happy. So, Zeb. Downstairs. Now.”

“I don’t know when you became my boss.”

Stan grinned. “When I made you your first million.”

“Right behind you,” Zeb said, but Stan was already gone. Apparently even a rock and roll go—

I AM

He looked at the glass in his hand. No more of this if it made him hear voices. He walked toward the door.

BOOM!

What was that? The floor below him disappeared.

I AM, the voice said again as Zeb hurtled through the floor.

 

All I Want for Christmas is Johnny Rocker Dead! By Lillian Duncan

Release date: Nov. 27 (available now as a preorder)

AMAZON BUY LINK

 

About the Author:

Lillian Duncan…turning faith into fiction.

Even though her books cross genres, they have one thing in common, faith-based stories that show God’s love—and lots of action. OK—that’s two things. She believes in the power of words to change lives, especially God’s Word.

Tiaras & Tennis Shoes Blog: http://www.lillian-duncan.com/

Devotions from Puzzle House Blog: http://www.powerupwithgod.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lillian.k.duncan

 

 

Wednesday Writers—Trapped by Lillian Duncan

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Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Christian Romantic Suspense, giveaway, Lillian Duncan, Trapped

 

 

Wednesday Writers welcomes Lillian Duncan back to the blog with a post about her latest romantic suspense novel, Trapped,  and a giveaway. Welcome, Lillian!

 

BABY STEPS

 

TRAPPED is my latest romantic suspense novel—heavy on the suspense but enough romance to add to the enjoyment. Being a Christian Fiction novel, there’s always a spiritual message hidden in the pages of the story as well, and this one is no exception.

Angela Matthews had the perfect life until the day she’s kidnapped and trapped in a basement with a mad man. Even though she’s rescued, she remains trapped by the memories she can’t forget.

That’s true for so many of us. Even after the “bad situation” whatever that may be is resolved, we get stuck and can’t seem to move forward with our lives. Instead, we’re angry and bitter or maybe sad and fearful or most likely a combination of all of those negative emotions.

In the story, her rescuer discovers that Angela is indeed still trapped by her horrible experience. He’s had his own share of horrible as a Chicago policeman. Because of that, he reaches out to help Angela.

One of the mantras in the story is “baby steps.” So often we think we have to go from a sitting position to a full-out run or we are a failure. This story reminds us that’s not reality. Each baby step we take toward our goal is a win. Every win brings us closer to our ultimate victory!

But TRAPPED isn’t a self-help book, it’s a suspense novel. That means there’s lots of action, not to mention twists and turns that will keep you guessing who the bad guy is until the very end!

 

Giveaway:

Two is always better than one, especially when it comes to giveaways. So, to celebrate the release of TRAPPED, I’m having two different giveaways! One lucky winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card as well as a choice of one of my books (e-book only). Click Here to enter. Five more lucky winners on my website will win a $5 Amazon Gift Card. To enter, go to http://www.lillian-duncan.com/ and leave a comment under the TRAPPED Giveaway Post.

 

Trapped

By Lillian Duncan

Angelina Matthews has everything—riches, fame, and beauty—until the day she’s kidnapped and trapped in a basement with a madman, wearing only a stained t-shirt. The dirt is his—the blood is hers. Tormented and tortured, she cries out to God.

Help comes in the form of Nate Goodman.

When their paths cross months later, Nate discovers Angelina is still trapped—not in a basement but in the memories she can’t escape. Nate knows all about being trapped, and getting un-trapped. As an ex-Chicago cop he’s had his own demons to wrestle, but his faith helped him to move forward. He reaches out to Angelina whose paranoid delusions have her trapped still.

But are they delusions after all?

 

About the Author:

Lillian Duncan… turning faith into fiction.

Lillian is a multi-published author who lives in the middle of Ohio Amish country with her husband. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives—especially God’s Word.

She loves to write stories that entertain but also demonstrate God’s love for all of us. To learn more about her, visit http://www.lillian-duncan.com/ as well as her devotional blog at http://www.powerupwithgod.com/.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers–The David Years by Lillian Duncan

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Book excerpt from The DAvid Years, book giveaway, Lillian Duncan, Wednesday Writers, women's fiction

 

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is Lillian Duncan. She’s talking about life changes today, hers, yours and her characters. And she has a giveaway on her website. Welcome, Lillian!

 

Life Changes—The David Years

 

There’s an old saying—nothing in life is guaranteed but taxes and death! I think we have one other guarantee—life changes! And there’s not a whole lot we can do to stop that from happening most of the time.

The David Years, the second novel in the Puzzle House series, is all about life changes. In Puzzle House, Nia was anointed to become a healer. In The David Years, Nia graduates from high school and goes off to college.

Talk about life changes—that’s a big one for every young person

But big changes aren’t just for the young. Life changes whether we want it to or not. A new marriage. A baby. A divorce. A new job. Retirement. A major illness. A death of a loved one.

Some big changes are good and some or not so good. Either way, with each big change comes a season of learning. And that’s what The David Years is all about. Learning to do the best we can in whatever situations we find ourselves.

I was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors in 2012. They were not cancerous, but that didn’t stop them from wreaking havoc on my health and my life. I had to find my “new normal.” I not only had to learn to cope with the changes, but to learn to accept the new me. These have definitely been my David Years.

We all have our David Years—probably more than once in our lifetime—a time when we need God’s wisdom to help us adjust and thrive in the new circumstances we find ourselves—at any age.

So, whether your college years are long past or you’re experiencing them now, you’ll enjoy getting to know Nia better as she struggles to find her place in the world.

 

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate the release of The David Years, I’m having a giveaway. I’ll pick FIVE lucky winners to receive their choice of one my ebooks from comments left on my blog about The David Years.  To be entered in that giveaway, go to http://www.lillian-duncan.com/ then leave a comment under one of THE DAVID YEARS posts. EASY-PEASY! Winners will be picked on August 30^th!

THE DAVID YEARS

By Lillian Duncan

Nia looked at her aunt and asked, “So what am I ‘spose to do now?”

“Have you ever heard of King David from the Bible?”

“I guess.”

“There were a lot of years between the time David was anointed as the king and he actually became the king. It’s a time for you to grow in your relationship with God.”

“And then later I get to be king?” Nia giggled.

“I meant that figuratively not literally but these are your David Years.”

“My David Years. I like that.”

Nia Johnson has spent the past four years developing a closer relationship to God. She wants to believe she’s still anointed to become a healer at Puzzle House but as each year passes, she has more and more doubts.

Now that she’s graduated from high school and is an adult she is sure it’s time to take the mantle of healing Rachel passed to her so many years before. But the harder she tries, the more it eludes her.

EXCERPT from The David Years:

“Do you want to be a healer?” Rachel’s words echoed in Nia’s mind. The thought of helping others the way Rachel had helped her had seemed impossible until God’s presence filled the room. At the time, it had been amazing—miraculous. But now she was confused—and scared. There was no way she could do what Rachel did. She was only fifteen, how would she heal anyone?

Nia looked down, remembering the warmth, the tingling as Rachel held her hands and prayed with her. God had been in that room with them. God had given her the gift of healing. “I don’t think I can do it by myself.”

“You don’t have to do it by yourself, Nia. Rachel said puzzles are meant to be done together. That’s true for life as well. Have you ever heard of King David from the Bible?”

“Maybe.”

“That David became King David and did all sorts of amazing things for God. Anyway when David was a young boy, the prophet Samuel anointed him as the next king of Israel, but there were a lot of years between the time David was anointed as the king and he actually became the king. David was tested many times during those years. Those years were very important to David’s growth as a man so that he would be the king God wanted him to be when the time was right.”

“So what are you saying, Auntie?”

“I’m saying these are your David years, my sweet niece. It’s a time for you to learn and to grow in your relationship with God. So for now it’s time to live your life as a fifteen year old girl.”

“And then later I get to be king?” Nia giggled. “So you don’t think I need to be going out and healing anyone just yet?”

“Not yet, sweetie. It will happen when the time is right.”

“My David Years. I like that, Auntie.”

Want to read more? You can find The David Years at Amazon

About the Author:

Lillian Duncan… turning faith into fiction.

Lillian is a multi-published author who lives in the middle of Ohio Amish country with her husband and a menagerie of pets. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist for children, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.

Her goal is to write stories that entertain but also demonstrate God’s love for all of us. To learn more about her, visit http://www.lillian-duncan.com/. She also has a devotional blog at http://www.powerupwithgod.com/.

 

A Writer’s Garden with Lillian Duncan

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A Writer's Garden, Author Catherine Castle's garden blog, Deception, garden poetry, Lillian Duncan, Sisters by Choice series, tomatoes

 

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing gardens—aka their books.

Today’s guest is Lillian Duncan. Welcome, Lillian.

 

I’m not much of a gardener. Actually, who am I kidding? I’m not a gardener at all. I do, however, love the products that come out of a vegetable garden, especially tomatoes. In my world, I have five seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter, and TOMATO season! I wait all year for tomato season.

Ronny Gardening

 

Lucky for me, I’m married to a man who loves to garden. Unlike me, he loves to play in the dirt and do what it takes to grow those wonderful tomatoes along with a variety of other veggies. And, yes, he plants flowers for us as well.

 

 

 

 

 

So I’m not a gardener but I am a writer. I wrote a poem about The Master Gardener that is in my novel, Deception. Without further ado, here’s my poem:

 

The Master Gardener

 

I want a garden of peace and joy

where it matters not

if the sun shines,

if the rain falls,

if the wind blows.

My life is a rocky patch of dirt and soil

filled with pebbles of pain and problems,

filled with weeds of worry and grief,

filled with rocks of rebellion and wrongdoing.

Nothing good can grow in this rocky patch of mine.

But God is the Master Gardener.

He can change this rocky patch to a garden of peace and joy.

 

Let God till the dirt and soil.

He can change the weeds of worry to wisdom.

He can change the pebbles of pain to compassion.

He can change the rocks of rebellion to a spirit of submission.

 

God is the Master Gardener.

He can change that rocky patch to a garden of peace and joy.

 

Let the Holy Spirit sow the seeds.

He can plant the seeds of forgiveness, mercy and grace.

He can plant the seeds of goodness, kindness, and faithfulness.

He can plant the seeds of patience, tolerance, and self-control.

 

God is the Master Gardener.

He can change that rocky patch to a garden of peace and joy.

 

Let Jesus share the fruits of His labor.

He will give you guidance.

He will give you love and fellowship.

He will give you a friend who never leaves.

 

God is the Master Gardener.

He can change that rocky patch to a garden of peace and joy.

 

I found a garden of peace and joy

where it matters not

if the sun shines, the rain falls

or the wind blows.

 

God is the Master Gardener.

© Lillian Duncan Do not reproduce without express written consent from the author

 

Deception is the first in my Sisters By Choice series and features a set of estranged twins that couldn’t be more different from each other or so it seems. Patti is a go-by-the-rulebook type of person while Jamie is a “free spirit” or at least that’s the persona she portrays to the world. But Deception is the title of the book and that means there are more than a few surprises waiting as the story unfolds.

Amazon Link for DECEPTION

 

About the Gardener/Writer:

Lillian Duncan: stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem!

Lillian is a multi-published writer with several Amazon bestsellers. Lillian writes the types of books she loves to read—fast-paced suspense with a touch or two of sweet romance that demonstrates God’s love for all of us

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: http://www.lillianduncan.net/ or at Tiaras & Tennis Shoes, her personal blog at www.lillian-duncan.com. She also has a devotional blog at www.powerupwithGod.com.

 

 

 

 

A Groom for Mama Giveaway on Today’s Blog Tour Post

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A Groom for Mama, A Groom for Mama blog tour, A Groom for Mama excerpt, Catherine Castle author, free ebook offer, giveaway, June Foster, Lillian Duncan, nuptials

Today, at Lillian Duncan’s blog, Tiaras and Tennis Shoes-Celebrating Life, Love, Laughter and Books you’ll have a chance to read another excerpt from my sweet romantic comedy, A Groom for Mama, and I’m offering another free copy of the Ebook to one lucky commenter. If you want more on the book, and me, you can hop over to June Foster’s blog to see The Question Every Author Wants to Answer with, “Yes!”

To whet your appetite, here’s a snippet of the post at Tiaras and Tennis Shoes-Celebrating Life, Love, Laughter and Books.

Celebrating Life, Love, Laughter and Nuptials

There’s nothing more joyous than a wedding. The excitement of getting the engagement ring; finding the perfect wedding dress; choosing a venue; spending all that money; and of course, the bliss of two people, hopefully deep in love, starting a new life, full of happiness, expectation, and promise.

Unless, there’s a third and a fourth person in that mix—say a meddling Mama and an ex-boyfriend that you haven’t been able to forget. Then things can start to get a bit complicated. To read more and get entered for a free book, click here…

Wednesday Writers Welcomes Christian Romantic Suspense Author Lillian Duncan

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book excerpt, book trailer Game On, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Christian Romantic Suspense, Game On, Lillian Duncan

Today’s Wednesday Writers post is chocked full of goodies. Author Lillian Duncan will be talking about where she gets her ideas for her books. To celebrate the release of her Christian Romantic Suspense Game On she has a giveaway (follow the link below), and we’re being treated to a book trailer  and an excerpt. So lets get on to the goodies. Welcome Lillian!

Thanks, Catherine.

One of the questions I get asked often is how do I come up with my story ideas. My answer is usually the same. From all sorts of places. Sometimes, I come up with a premise, such as what would happen if a big city lawyer fell in love with a farmer? (Pursued)

Sometimes a scene just pops in my head from nowhere. Like when a woman receives a phone call from a young girl asking for her aunt and she knows it can’t be for her because she doesn’t have a niece. Or does she? (Deception)

Sometimes a story comes about because of characters from another story. Both Betrayed and Redemption happened because I wanted to know what happened after Deception.

My Deadly Communications series happened when my writing life crashed into my other life as a speech pathologist. The series features a speech pathologist who gets way too involved with her clients!

One time I even had a dream that inspired a story. (Birthright). So, like I said my story ideas can come from anywhere at any time. My latest book, GAME ON, is no exception. I got it from watching a TV talk show of all things. Of course, all I got from the show was a germ of an idea.

After that it’s all about creating the story. One of the things I do is ask myself a lot of questions. In Game On, I knew I wanted the two characters to have a past with each other. Then I had to ask myself questions why it hadn’t worked out with them back then and why it wouldn’t work out now.

That’s how I came up with the fact he was rich (still is) and she was poor (not so much now). Never a good start to a relationship. And as we all know the rich parents had to get involved because they don’t want their son to get involved with that girl from the other side of the tracks.

But so what? Time has a way of making all that less important. So, then I had to come up with a secret that would come between them now. And I did! And it’s a BIGGIE!

Then there was the obstacle of “real life.” He’s a politician who golfs with the president and she’s a private investigator who likes to wear jeans. After that it was time to sit down at the computer and see what happens!

To celebrate the release of GAME ON, I’m giving away a virtual basket of goodies at www.lillian-duncan.com that including Amazon gift cards. For all the details go to my blog, Tiaras & Tennis Shoes. Simply leave a comment on the blog post GAME ON at www.lillian-duncan.com and you’ll be entered.

And don’t forget to check out the book trailer for GAME ON at: YouTube

 GAME ON

BY Lillian Duncan

 

Politics is no game when a stalker nears and there’s nowhere to hide.

A run for the senate is just a step on the road to the White House for Congressman Lucas McMann. But his public profile has put him in the middle of a crazed gunman’s twisted game of stalking. If he wants to win the election and reclaim his life, he’ll need the help of the one person who’d rather leave their past behind them.

Private Investigator Nikki Kent knows how to dig up secrets and discover those who exist in the shadows. She should. She’s good at hiding secrets of her own. Can she risk her own discovery for someone so desperate for her help? For the first man who broke her heart?

With new-found faith, she’ll help Lucas search for the answers. But with the truth comes a danger they must face together.

GAME ON EXCERPT:

Lucan McMann walked down the street, pretending everything was normal. With his premature gray hair and his expensive suit , he looked the part of a senator even if he wasn’t one yet. And he never would be—if something didn’t change soon.

Scanning the area, his heart rate increased with every step. Only the strictest discipline kept him from breaking into a run. If he did that, then they’d know he knew.

He didn’t know why he’d been chosen to play the game. He didn’t know what they wanted. He didn’t even know who they were. There were many things he didn’t know about the game, but Lucas knew one thing. In the end, he would be the winner.

The situation was intolerable, possibly even dangerous.

As he forced his footsteps to slow, his gaze flitted from person to person. Was the young girl with spiked pink hair one of them? Or the older man dressed as a tourist? Or the well-dressed man pretending to be a businessman?

It could be any of them or all of them. They were everywhere. No matter where he went, he couldn’t get away from their prying eyes or their cameras. And now not even his home was safe. As they’d proven last week.

The Washington Monument towered over the city.

After all that he’d lost, his career was the only thing he had left. He’d never become the next US senator from North Carolina if he couldn’t stop them. There was no way he could focus on the upcoming election if these people kept hounding him.

It was part of the plan his father had mapped out years before. It had worked perfectly up to this point. First, local government, then the state. He’d been a US congressman for the past four years. Now it was time to move up to the Senate. Each step moved him closer to his ultimate goal—the White House.

President Lucas McMann? He wasn’t even sure how he felt about that anymore. But his father had wanted this so badly, Lucas owed it to his dad to at least try now that he’d passed.

Focusing on the well-known landmark, Lucas regained a little more control of his thoughts, his emotions, and his rationality.

To win this game, he needed a new plan—one to stop them. To end the game for good.

Want to read more? You can find Game On at PELICAN BOOK LINK:  AMAZON: VIDEO:

About the Author:

Lillian Duncan…Stories of faith mingled… with murder & mayhem.

Lillian is a multi-published author who lives in Ohio Amish country with her husband. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist for children, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.

Lillian writes the types of books she loves to read—fast-paced suspense and mystery with a touch of romance that demonstrates God’s love for all of us. To learn more about Lillian, you may visit her at www.lillianduncan.net or www.lillian-duncan.com. She also has a devotional blog at www.PowerUpWithGod.com.

 

 

Wednesday Writers Welcomes author Lillian Duncan

Tags

author interview with Lillian Duncan, book excerpt Deadly Communications, Deadly Communications, Inspirational Suspense, Lillian Duncan

 

Today Wednesday Writers welcomes mystery/suspense author Lillian Duncan. She’ll be telling us about her book Deadly Communications, and about herself. Lillian, please tell the readers about the book that is being showcased today.

 

DEADLY COMMUNICATIONS features Maven Morris, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who gets a little too involved with her clients. Okay, a lot too involved. When a client she’s working with leaves abruptly, Maven is suspicious and she won’t rest until she finds her.

 

How did you come up with the concept for this book?

I had a great time creating Maven Morris—a crime-fighting speech pathologist! In many ways, we are quite similar. I was a speech pathologist for more than 30 years! She’s short just like me, but not as short. She has Bell’s palsy, just like me. But we’re also different. I would never get myself into the trouble she gets herself into. I’m not very adventurous and would never get myself into that kind of situation!

I think all authors live a little vicariously through their characters. What is your next project?

I’m working on two more books in the Deadly Communications Series—Deadly Intent and Deadly Silence.

Oooh, Deadly Silence. I like it. So let’s talk about writing style. Are you a panster or a plotter? Linear or non-linear writer?

I am a definite pantser. I never know what’s going to happen on any given day when I sit down to write. There’s advantages and disadvantages to that. Sometimes nothing happens. And that means it’s time to go back and find the problem. Other times, I can’t write fast enough to get my thoughts out.

For the most part, I’m a linear writer. Though at times, I’ll skip around if I have certain scenes in my head. Then I’ll fill in the story to get to those parts of the story.

I tend to write in stages: dialogue first, then go back and put in the different layers—sensory, visceral, emotional, settings. What is does your writing process look like?

My writing looks much the same as yours. I’ll write a scene one day, then the next day as I revise I’ll add in more details. But even after the story’s finished, I do a few more run-throughs to specifically add emotional and sensory details.

What does your revision process look like?

I revise as I write. When I first start a story, I’ll go back to the beginning every day and rewrite until I get to the new scene. When that gets to be too much, then I just go back to the previous scene and go from there.

Sounds like we are a bit alike as writers. So, are you a procrastinator or do-it-now person?

It depends on the situation. If you’re talking about writing, I am not a procrastinator. Whether it’s blog postings for others or even for myself, I always do them in advance. If you’re talking about the rest of my life, then I’m a procrastinator. Whether it’s paying bills or vacuuming the floor, they can always wait…until after my writing!

I know writers are also readers. Have your reading (and writing) tastes evolved over the years? Do you still read the same genre of books you did as a teenager?

Most of my life, I’ve read a variety of genres, but my reading habits have changed some since becoming a published writer. Unfortunately, there’s only so much time in the day. So, now I read mostly in my genre of suspense and mystery because that’s what I enjoy the most.

What’s the book you are reading now?

I’m actually in the process of re-reading Terri Blackstock’s Last Light series. I loved them the first time around and am enjoying them just as much this time.

How often do you read non-fiction?

I usually have one or two non-fiction books that I’m reading at any given time. I read a bit of them now and then. But right now, I don’t have one I’m reading. I better get busy on that!

Let’s get personal. Do you have a day job? If so, what is it?

I was a speech pathologist in schools for thirty-four years, but retired in 2012 due to some health issues. I miss the students but not the paper work! Now, I’m a full-time writer which I’m loving more and more every day.

Hence your heroine’s career. They say write what you know. Even if you don’t write with music, what’s in your CD player right now?

Something of Chris Tomlin’s, I’m sure. I exercise to him most every morning. Though, now and then I’ll switch it up and listen to other praise music!

Speaking of exercising, writing is such a sedentary job. How do you keep in shape?

I’ve actually lost over 30 pounds this year and so has my husband! And that definitely means exercising. One of the things I’ve done is put an exercise machine in the middle of my office and I try to use it for a few minutes every hour or so to keep the metabolism moving

Wow, you must have a pretty big office. Congratulations on the weight loss. That’s hard to do. Exercise and weight loss are one of my New Year’s goals. I’m hoping it will balance out my love of sitting and watching movies.

Speaking of the movies, do you like to go to movies? If so, what was the most recent movie you’ve seen?

I love movies but we don’t go any longer since I’ve lost so much of my hearing due to my brain tumors. Now we wait for them to come out on DVDs and put on the close-captioning.

Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. We use closed caption when listening to BBC shows. It makes it so much easier to understand them.

It’s been a pleasure having you here today. As you say goodbye, can you leave the readers with an encapsulation of your life’s philosophy? (A quote, a Bible verse, a precept you live by or have tried to instill in your children?)

Our attitude determines much of who we are and what we will accomplish in life. In Proverbs 23:7 it says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” In other words, if we think we can do something, we can. If we don’t think we can, then we won’t

 

Deadly Communications

Improving communication skills is never easy. In this case, it could be murder!

Maven Morris is a speech-language pathologist on medical leave–or as she likes to put it: out to pasture. When she’s offered a lucrative position by one of the community’s most powerful men to help his traumatic-brain-injured daughter improve her communication skills, Maven discovers deadly secrets behind the iron gates of the mansion.

Now, she must find the courage to seek justice no matter who gets hurt–even if it’s her.

Excerpt from Chapter 1:

Moving through the woods, a sharp pain sliced through her terror. Her arm. It was too dark to see. Her fingers found the pain. Wetness. She must have scratched it on a branch, or maybe an old, rusty nail from a long-forgotten tree swing.

A noise. Someone was creeping through the darkness as they searched for her.

“Ella, come here. We aren’t going to hurt you.” A voice called out. “You need to come back. It’s not safe out here at night.” A voice she knew so well. A voice she trusted. A voice she loved.

Life would never be the same again.

She swiped away the tears.

She wanted to believe him, but he’d said they wouldn’t hurt the man either. He’d lied.

If they found her, she would be dead, too, just like the man. She couldn’t let them find her. But if she moved, they would hear her.

She searched the darkness for somewhere to hide, but there was no place. They were stronger and faster. They would overpower her. There was no way to get away from them, but she couldn’t simply stand here.

If they found her, she wouldn’t see the morning. The kneeling man no longer knelt. He’d collapsed on the ground, not moving. Was he still alive? She had to call 911 and get an ambulance to try to help the man. But first, she needed to leave. They would never let her call for an ambulance or the police.

The call to the police would have to wait until she found a safe place to hide. A safe place? No place would ever be safe after what she’d seen.

Not until they were behind bars. Not until they paid for what they’d done.

On hands and knees, she crawled through the trees and the bushes inch by inch, praying only she could hear the soft rustling sounds she created. Muscles tight with fear, she grew tired and laid her head on the ground. She forced her ragged breath to slow, her eyes closed. The horrible scene replaced the darkness once again.

His eyes—dark and soulless as the gun flashed silver, and then the man slumped over lifeless. No matter what he’d done, the dead man didn’t deserve that. It had been an execution, plain and simple.

She forced her eyes open. She couldn’t think about that now. She had to get away. Back on her knees, she crawled through the darkness as she wiped away tears. How could they have killed that man? She would never have believed it if she hadn’t seen it, and she would never forget it.

A different kind of noise reached her ears. Traffic. Traffic meant cars. Cars meant people. People meant help. Help meant they couldn’t kill her—at least not tonight.

It was her chance. Without hesitation, Ella jumped up and dashed towards the noises—towards safety. She wouldn’t live the way they wanted. She wasn’t a monster. She wouldn’t live with the monsters. No matter what.

“I hear her. This way.” His voice called out in the darkness. “Find her. Now.”

She ignored the voice and kept running towards the traffic—towards safety. Her heart pounded as she ran. She was unsure if it was from the exertion or the terror. How could she not have known? She should have known. Not that it mattered. The only thing that mattered was getting away from the monsters.

Monsters!

The trees thinned out and the noise from the traffic was louder now.

Turning towards the sounds, she ran down the hill and into the road.

Bright lights came towards her—too fast.

 

 

 

About the Author:

Lillian Duncan: stories of faith mingled… with murder & mayhem.

Lillian writes the types of books she loves to read—fast-paced mystery and suspense with a touch of romance that demonstrates God’s love for all of us. To learn more about Lillian and her books, you may visit her at www.lillianduncan.net or www.lillian-duncan.com.