CRITICAL IMPACT INTERVIEW

Today we're welcoming Deputy Sheriff Stu McCabe , the hero of CRITICAL IMPACT by Linda Hall and out in October.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.


1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I've been a deputy sheriff here a few years, and mostly, I tell you, Whisper Lake is quite a quiet place to work. We're quite rural and located on the beautiful shores of Whisper Lake in Maine. And so when the order came down that the three communities around Whisper Lake were going to take part in a mock disaster. These happen all the time and personally, I've been involved in three. Maybe you've had one in your community - it's when the community stage a 'mock disaster' and the police, the hospital, Search and Rescue, EMTs - we're all involved. It's excellent practice to see how well our services are coordinated. This one was to be a 'bomb' in City Hall. Well, no one could have predicted that this 'fake' bomb would turn into a 'real' bomb, and that people would be killed! I was right there - right on the scene, eating a hot dog of all things, when the building blew.

2. So, during the book you met Anna Barker Tell us a bit about her. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

I'd met her at one of the planning sessions. No, let me back up a bit. I didn't meet her then. Seen her? Yes! But there were so many of us who came to those planning meetings that we didn't formally meet. Okay, let me back up even a bit further. When I saw her at the meeting drinking a cup of coffee, let's face it, she looked way out of my league. Boy, that was for sure!

Her job on the committee was to do the make up on the actors who were playing the 'victims'. It was her job to make up facials wounds and compound fractures look real. Little did anyone realize that Anna would end up with 'real' facial wounds and a compound fracture of her wrist.

And that's when I met her - when that building blew, with her trapped underneath it. I was first on the scene. I'd looked up just in time to see her stand right next to the building, when it blew up. I don't know what happened to my hot dog, I must have dropped it, because my sole focus was on getting her out!

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

Strengths? Physically I would say I'm pretty strong. I'm kind of into extreme sports, mountain biking on steep trails, rappelling, climbing - just about anything like that. But, I know, that's not the question you are asking, is it? As for personal strengths, I like to think I'm loyal. Once I make up my mind to do something, I'll do it. As for weaknesses, maybe I'm a bit too impulsive. Sometimes I do things first and think later.

4. What scares you?

Not a lot. :) Oh, you didn't mean physically, right? Not a lot scares me on a physical level, which is a good thing because I'm a cop, but I guess what scares me on the inside is way worse. I'm afraid of being hurt again, the fear of being close. My wife died in a bomb accident in Iraq. She was in the military. And so to be where that bomb blew, I don't know, something happened to me - I knew I had to get that girl out.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That I could trust more. That I wouldn't hold back, I know it's because of what happened to my wife. And so I hold people away - all people, even the people I work for.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

Pretty shaky, I would say. I didn't understand how God could love me on the one hand, and then have my wife die on the other.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

Much better. I'm much closer to God at the end. And I have Anna to thank for that. We grew pretty close during the course of the book - but it wasn't always a steady growth of a relationship. She had a bunch of issues to work through too. Turns out she'd been pretty hurt in her life, too. We had a lot to work through, but by the end of the story, both of us realized that God loves us. I guess that's the main thing we learned - that God loves us.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
Isaiah 40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

This verse means a lot to both Anna and me. Both of us have had to learn to 'wait'.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Pancakes with real maple syrup. As for why? I don't know. I just like them.


Thank you Linda for sharing Sheriff McCabe with us today. Can't wait to read this exciting story!

FEATURED BOOK: CRITICAL IMPACT BY LINDA HALL

The bomb wasn't supposed to be real. But the mock-disaster explosion to test emergency procedures killed two people in a small Maine town. And all evidence points to shy makeup artist Anna Barker as the prime suspect. When Deputy Sheriff Stu McCabe is assigned to investigate the case, Anna hopes he'll prove her innocent. But with a harrowing past of his own, Stu seems to trust no one. Something that might save both their lives when the real killer plans to make critical impact—again.

ON THIN ICE INTERVIEW

Today we're welcoming Anna Barker, the heroine of ON Thin Ice, April, 2010.

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.


1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I wasn't prepared for the adventure I did have - being right there when the bomb went off. I was hoping for a little peace when I came home to Maine from California - a place I did NOT fit into. I also came home not interested in any kind of romance either. I was so hurt by a man out in California and what I really needed, or thought I needed, was a bit of peace in Maine. Just me in the little rented cottage trying to put the pieces of my life back together again, and then teaching by day.

I guess I forgot to tell you. I'm an esthetician, which means I am a makeup artist, and teach esthetics at the local community college. I went out to California to seek my fame and fortune in movie make-up, but all I got was hurt.

Back home in Maine when the opportunity came up to volunteer on the Whisper Lake mock disaster team(It would be my job to make the 'victims' look as real as possible), I jumped at it.It was my job to make the victims' 'wounds' look as real as possible.

2. So, during the book you met Deputy Stu McCabe Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

My first impression? Extreme gratitude. When the mock disaster turned into a real one and I was pinned under a foot of rubble, his was the first face I saw. Love? I almost think I knew that right from the beginning. Although I wouldn't admit it to myself. He came to see me every day in the hospital, always asking questions about what I saw or heard. It got so that I looked forward to him coming. But I still had a journey before I would even admit that to myself.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

I love makeup and hair and all the rest of those 'girlie' things. But maybe that's not your question exactly. I guess my greatest skill is also my weakness. I tend to trust people too much. I tend to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. That's okay when people deserve the benefit of the doubt, but it's not okay when they don't. My biggest weakness is being able to tell the difference.

4. What scares you?

Losing the ability to work. I had the biggest scare during On Thin Ice. My right hand was badly broken and I'm right handed. It made me realize just how much I rely on my hands to work - to do anything, actually. It was quite a lesson.


5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would be less fearful.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

I think I was pretty angry at God. I had basically quit my job in Maine in order to go after my Hollywood dream. I thought this was what God wanted me to do. But that whole thing ended up in disaster, and then when I came home and couldn't work because my hand was injured I didn't know what to think. Other than I was angry at my life in general, and so mad at God.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

By the end of the story I realized that God loves me and that He has loved me all along. I have learned so much during the course of this book.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
The verse is very significant to me. Isaiah 40:1 reads - 'They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary. they shall walk and not faint.'
When my hand was injured this verse began to mean a lot to me, because all I felt like I was doing was waiting. The first time I tried to eat soup with my left hand I spilled it all down the front of me. That made me burst into tears, because I suddenly realized that there were so many things I couldn't do, and wouldn't be able to do for a long time. That, plus what I went through before I moved back to Maine really made me feel like all I was doing was waiting. By the end of the book, I realized that God loved me. I learned many lessons while I 'waited.'

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

I think ice cream - because I like it.


Wow, this sounds great! Thank you Linda for sharing Anna with us.

STORM WARNING INTERVIEW

Today we're welcoming Nori Edwards, the heroine of Storm Warning by Linda Hall (January 2010) Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

I guess I have! Thanks for noticing.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

My husband of many years passed away two years ago leaving me a widow with teenage twin daughter to raise. That was such hard time for all of us. After almost two years, I decided I needed to make a change. I sold our house in the city and bought a so-called 'resort' on a lake in Maine. I say 'so-called' because maybe I didn't check it out as thoroughly as I should have. It required a lot of repair work! And wouldn't you know it, I couldn't find anyone to come and work on my place, which was literally falling down around me! And that's how I met Steve - well, actually it was a bit more involved than that. I was out kayaking and got caught in a storm. Steve Baylor literally rescued me from bashing into my own dock. And I guess that's where the whole thing began: the romance, the mystery, the "ghosts" even.

2. So, during the book you met Steve Baylor. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Well, first of all he is big! That was the first thing I saw when he was standing on the dock at my cabin. He's six foot five and weighs - well, let's just say he's not the kind go guy you want to meet in a dark alley if he's not on your side! He's incredibly strong. He used to be a cop - well, even more than cop, he used to be a sort of spy. Well, really I have not too much of an idea of what he used to be. He doesn't talk about that a lot.

When did I know it was love? Although I probably wouldn't admit it, I think I knew it was love when I saw him standing there on my dock. I don't know - there was just something about him. And then when I hired him to fix up my cabins, my admiration for him just grew and grew.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

I'm an artist, so I guess you could say that is a skill that I have. Technically, I'm a muralist. People hire me to paint murals on the sides of buildings.

My greatest weakness I guess is fear. I'm a bit of a pessimist and sometimes it's difficult for me to trust.

4. What scares you?

Not being in control scares me. And when my first husband died, I felt so out of control. I never want to feel that way again.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would be less afraid of showing people my art. I know that sounds strange coming from someone who paints humongous pictures on the sides of buildings, but it's true! I'm very self-conscious about my art. I'm timid to tell people I'm an artist. I would be more self-confident if I could.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

I was pretty mad at God for letting my first husband die. I was mad at God for taking away all that was familiar to me.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

I realize that God loves me and wants the best for me. I'm not 'mad' at him any more.


8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
The verse at the beginning of my story is Psalm 90:1 - 'Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.'

When my first husband died it felt like my house was not my home any more. There was nothing I could do to turn it into my home any more. Nothing felt familiar and 'home' to me. I was searching for a 'home'.

It took me until the end of the book to realize that God is my 'home.'

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

I would be cheesecake. Don't ask me why. It just jumped into my head when I read the question. Maybe it's because I love cheesecake.


Great story, Linda! Thank you for shairng Nori with us today.

Shadows on the River Interview

Today we're welcoming Ally Roarke, the heroine of SHADOWS ON THE RIVER By Linda Hall, April '09 Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.


1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

My name is Ally Roarke and I'm a boat designer by profession. I've got a degree in Marine Engineering Technology from Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada. As you probably can tell, I grew up around water and love boats. As for the suspenseful situation I found myself in - well, that's something I certainly didn't plan and didn't ask for or want. And if I could go back to that time when I was fourteen and erase that horrible day from the calendar, I would.

But, there's no erasing the video, is there?

When I was fourteen I watched a boy from my church push my best friend off a bridge to her death. No one believed me when I told them what I saw. It was so hard for me for so long. Finally, I was able to put it out of my mind.

And then twenty-five years later the person who did this found his way back into my life.

So, that's where I am at the beginning of my story - SHADOWS ON THE RIVER.

2. So, during the book you met Mark Bishop. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Mark and I were work friends before anything serious developed between us. He is smart, capable, an excellent boat designer in his own right. It was difficult for me to have any kind of serious relationship with any guy. I was a single mom and my daughter is profoundly deaf. Any men I happened to date, and there weren't a lot - took one look at my life situation and said, "bye bye." No one wanted to be sadled with a disabled daughter, but that word really bugs me because deaf people aren't disabled.

Maybe the turning point was when Mark met my daughter for the first time. Instead of running from her, or looking to me for guidance, he bent right down to her level and tried talking with her, with me as the sign language interpreter. It was so neat to see. Although, I didn't admit it at the time, I think that's when I fell in love with him.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

I'm an excellent boat technician and designer, but on the flip side, I think that's my biggest weakness. I've had this little racing sailboat design in my mind and on paper since my university days. And I'm afraid it's no good. I'm afraid to show it to people. In other words, I'm afraid to put it "out there."

4. What scares you?

That my daughter will need me and I won't be there for her. That what happened to me when I was younger, will happen to her. I would do anything to keep her safe.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My reticence, my fear of trying anything new.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

Oh, I was pretty mad at God. Wouldn't you be? I had gone through something so horrible when I was younger, because not only did it affect me, but it affected my parents as well. Suddenly, I was the "girl who tells lies," or the "girl who makes up stories." It affected my father's business and we eventually had to move. I'm not kidding. It was that bad.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

It's been a real growth experience for me. Mark has helped me a lot. I am happy to say that God and I are friends once more. Yes, I had been through a horrible experience, but I had let it turn me into a bitter, withdrawn woman, because, oh yes, I forgot to mention this - My daughter's father was a jerk, and walked out on me before Maddie was even born! So, yes, I was pretty bitter. I had a lot to learn about forgiveness.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.
The scripture is from Matthew 18:21-22. This is the passage where Peter is asking how many times we should forgive people. "Seven times?" Peter asks. Jesus answers and says, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy seven times." Which means - there should be no end to our forgiveness. I've also learned that forgiveness is not for the other person, it's for the forgiver. That was a lesson I had to learn.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Maybe cheesecake? I'm not sure why I said that - it was just the first thing that popped into my head.

Cheesecake works for me. This sounds like a rollercoaster ride of a story. Can't wait. Thanks for sharing Ally with us.