Marja McGraw- Twelve Question Tuesday

Today I am excited to welcome Marja McGraw to Twelve Question Tuesday.

1.  Please tell me the three most important things people should know about you.
I’m a klutz. If you see me coming, give me plenty of room. I’ll go out of my way to stick up for what I believe in. I talk a good game, but I don’t really have a lot of self-confidence, so please be kind. 

2.  Are you a dog person or a cat person?
I’m definitely a dog person. We have two Yellow Labrador Retrievers, and they’re outstanding dogs, although they don’t always listen too well. I’ve had dogs most of my adult life and adored each of them for different reasons. I had a miniature toy poodle once who actually saved my daughter and I from an intruder who cut the phone lines and tried to break into the house during the night. (Short version of the story.)

3.  Tea or coffee?
Definitely tea. I love the smell of coffee in the morning, but I’ve never developed a taste for it.

4.  Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs, or commando? 
LOL None of the above. I’m a girl, after all. 

5.  What was the first thing you ever wrote?
A story for creative writing class in middle school, or as we called it, Jr. High School. A teacher in another class read it aloud to her students and I was shocked, but smiled all the way home from school that day. It was about a dog. There’s that Dog Person coming out in me again. Then I grew up and wrote a terrible book called, Summer’s Ghost. Never published it, but I used the title in another book I wrote.

6.  When did you finally decide to call yourself a writer?
When my first book was published. I don’t like pushy people, and yet I’m pushy because it’s the first thing I tell people about myself. Almost without fail they ask if I write children’s books. Um, no, mysteries. I guess I need a new, grittier look or something. Maybe if I spike my hair?

7.  Which of your works are you most proud to have written?
That’s a tough question. I guess I’d have to say Old Murders Never Die (which is about being stranded in a ghost town). No, on second thought it might be They Call Me Ace (funny stuff). Then again, it might be What Are the Odds? which is my current WIP. I guess they all hold a special place in my heart.

8.  What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?
I was quite young I moved into a new apartment. When I walked into the kitchen and stepped on the tile, blood squirted up around the edges. I had horrible visions of a dead body buried under the floor. I ran to a neighbor’s apartment and she ran back with me. She, too, thought it was blood. We were about to call the police when someone else showed up, and it turned out it was rust from a water leak. Oh, brother! Was I ever embarrassed!

And then there was a stalker situation. Oh, and facing a rattle snake up front and personal. Watching the police walk through my home with guns drawn after someone broke in. You could only see their silhouettes through the shades. Hmm. I’ve got a bunch of scariest moments. Then there was the guy who cut the phone lines. The scariest is one I don’t talk about.

Is it any wonder I chose to write mysteries?

 9.  How did you end up getting published?
Persistence and determination. I’m nothing, if not tenacious. Sometimes that can be considered a fault, but in this case it paid off. Writing a readable book didn’t hurt, either.

10.  Would you be food or fighter if the zombie apocalypse were to happen?
I’m laughing over this question. I’d definitely be a fighter, once I got over the shock of seeing a real live zombie. Guess I should rethink my wording. Real live zombie?

11.  What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
I’m not really a very exciting person, so that’s another tough question. I don’t know if it’s daring, but when I worked in law enforcement I once had to search a ladies room for a bomb, with no training. (Many years ago when things were different.) Daring? I’m terrified of flying, so every time I get on an airplane I’m doing something daring.

12.  Would you rather be rich or famous--and you could only have one-- and why?  The fame would be based on something good, not something like being the best serial killer or anything like that.
I’d rather be famous. That would mean people are reading my books. I can’t imagine what it would be like for my name to be a household word. (Can you tell I’m all about books?)

Holli, Thank you for inviting me to visit your site today. Your questions were a lot of fun.

FROM THE WRITER:
 
BLURB:

The Bogey Man – A Sandi Webster Mystery (recently re-released)
Imagine you’re a young female P.I., it’s the early morning hours and you’re watching the motel room of an errant husband. The angry wife shows up and blows your cover, and the husband comes after you. Now imagine Humphrey Bogart comes to your rescue – but the actor has been dead since 1957.

Website:          http://www.marjamcgraw.com/

Blog:               http://blog.marjamcgraw.com/ (Updated weekly)

Amazon:          http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_8?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=marja%20mcgraw&sprefix=marja+mc%2Cstripbooks%2C212&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Amarja%20mcgraw

Jeana Gartshore-Thompson: Twelve Question Tuesday

Today I am excited to welcome Jeana Gartshore-Thompson to Twelve Question Tuesday.  I have changed some of the questions a bit for Jeana since she is on the promotion side of things at Oak Tree Press. 

1.  Please tell me the three most important things people should know about you.
I try to turn everything that happens to me into a humorous situation. Laughing is the best medicine in any situation! I am always trying to bring a smile to someone’s day, you just never know when someone really needs that! Life is an adventure, mine just happens to be a crazy adventure!

I am very determined to provide for my family, I have four part-time jobs. Besides being the public relations manager for Oak Tree Press, you can find me in bright pink coveralls and an orange safety vest doing patrol at one of our local schools and am a recess teacher too! As well as transporting a small group of kids to a local daycare after school. Most days I don’t know if I am coming or going. But I Love each and every one of my jobs, they are all rewarding in their own way.

There is nothing I won’t try or give help with. This still amazes my boyfriend, Steven Lomprez! I am not a girly girl, I will be out helping fix a vehicle or digging dirt what ever needs done I am there doing it! But I am the worlds biggest Clutz! I can fall over literally nothing! 

Once, I went to get a hand saw that was hanging to high up in the garage, I decided to get a broom to get it down, the saw slipped down the handle on the broom and cut my hand. The same day Steve asked me to put a ear of corn on the squirrel feeder, I pushed it on and the screw went into my hand. What did Steve do? He laughed at me! Bad things happen, you can’t stop that but you just need to find the humor in it!

2.  Are you a dog person or a cat person? 
I am both, we actually have a dachshund named Dashin (that is how I pronounced a dachshund). We also have 2 older female cats, Nibbles and Sassy (Sassy is a blue tip Siamese) We also have two Big Oscar fish and a pet squirrel, Roo that I rescued as a baby. I am a huge animal lover!

3.  Tea or coffee? 
Definitely Tea! I love the smell of coffee but hate the taste! I am a huge fan of hot chocolate in the winter too! Especially when I am on the crosswalk, crossing kids!

4.  Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs, or commando? (Either what you prefer or what you prefer on others.)
I like boxer briefs on guys! However anyone that read Billie, my boss’s interview would 
know that my guy prefers commando! 

5.  If you could be anyone else for one day, who would it be and why? (You can’t be Mrs. Channing Tatum because I have claimed that one already.) 
Believe it or not I wouldn’t want to be anyone else, I am very comfortable in my own skin! Many of my friends think I am a fruit loop in a world of Cheerios!   I am a little wild and crazy but I do my own thing and enjoy this wonderful thing we call life everyday. I simply dance to the beat of my own drum!

6.  How did you end up at Oak Tree Press?
Well this is quite a long story, however I will try to give the shortest version possible. I had actually gone through my second divorce. I had not worked in 9 years. I sat here wondering how I was going to provide for my children, my father had called me and told me about an ad he read in our local paper. I immediately sent a letter to Billie Johnson, the publisher of Oak Tree Press. We met for lunch and she hired me on the spot. We actually hit it off so well that we are very good friends, I seriously miss her since her move back to California.

7.  What is your favorite book of all time and why?
I would have to say “The Scarlet Letter”  I am not sure exactly why but the story had always stuck with me. 

8.  What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?
Probably the huge spider I just witnessed staring at me on my floor! I hate spiders!

9.  If you won the lottery, would you share the wealth or change your name and go into hiding?
I think I would share my wealth, I really like brightening some ones day, and giving gifts!


10.  Would you be food or fighter if the zombie apocalypse were to happen? 
I would definitely be a fighter! I can be very stubborn, I hear. I am do not give up easily at all! I certainly do not go down without a good fight!

11.  What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
Laughing at my boyfriend, Steve when I paid my children to smash raw eggs on his bald head! Was so funny I could not help myself! If you know him you know he is over 6 foot tall, I am a mere 5 foot. I would say that qualifies as the most daring thing I have done.

12.  Would you rather be rich or famous--and you could only have one-- and why?  The fame would be based on something good, not something like being the best serial killer or anything like that. 
Rich! Who in their right mind would not want to be rich? I would more than likely share my wealth though!
MY BIO:

Jeana Gartshore-Thompson is a life long resident of Taylorville, Illinois. and a single mother to three beautiful children, April (26), Jesse (16)and Benjamin(10). Jeana has a step-daughter from her previous marriage, Brittany who is attending SIUE, studying to be a special education teacher. Jeana and her children were blessed to have her wonderful boyfriend, Steven Lomprez enter their lives in 2011. He has two children Travis and Kim that add to the large family. Jeana is also a caregiver to her oldest , April, who has Cerebral Palsy.  Before coming onto Oak Tree Press' staff , she ran and operated her own in-home Daycare for 10+ years. When Jeana is not dedicating herself to Oak Tree or her children, she loves to enjoy the outdoors with her boyfriend Steve. Jeana and Steve 'adopted' many plants from Billie Johnson's garden during OTP's re-location to California, and they report the bloomers are thriving.

My websites

You can visit our website at  www.oaktreebooks.com

Or visit our blog at  http://otpblog.blogspot.com/

I am on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/jeana.thompson.12
 
Oak Tree Press Authors at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oak-Tree-Press-Authors/210979042259140

Oak Tree Press on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/oaktreebooks

Sara Rose Salih- Twelve Question Tuesday

Today I am excited to welcome Sara Rose Salih to Twelve Question Tuesday.

1.  Please tell me the three most important things people should know about you. 
I’ve been writing since I can remember, whether it was short stories, songs lyrics, poetry, novels or journaling. Writing has always been my number one passion. Besides writing, music is a very important part of my life; I don’t go more than a few hours without enjoying the tunes on my iPod. Lastly, I’m obsessed with everything teen! I still listen to boy bands, get a new pair of Chucks every fall, and love to capture that frenzied, fun and emotional window of time between childhood and adulthood in my writing.

2.  Are you a dog person or a cat person?
I am most definitely a dog lady for life.

3.  Tea or coffee?
I love caffeine in general, but if I had to choose I’d probably say tea. 

4.  Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs, or commando?
Boxer-briefs is always a safe happy medium.

5.  What was the first thing you ever wrote?
A “song” called “I was a Kid” when I was 4 years old. Hah! It had some super deep lyrics.

6.  When did you finally decide to call yourself a writer?
I’ve always referred to myself as a writer, but I suppose I didn’t really feel like one until I decided to write my first book in 2011. 

7.  Which of your works are you most proud to have written?
Right now, my first book Tales of a Sevie.

8.  What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?
I’m sure I’ve got something much better but what comes to mind today is a childhood birthday party. When I was about 6 years old my dad dressed up as a witch for my party. It was suppose to be fun. My friends and I all had water balloons to throw at the “evil witch.” One of the girls ended up being so terrified she ran through our sliding glass door. It was a bloody mess and she had to get stitches. We were all pretty horrified; I can’t even imagine how she felt.

9.  How did you end up getting published?
I decided to self-publish my first book.

10.  Would you be food or fighter if the zombie apocalypse were to happen?
I’m not going to lie, probably food.

11.  What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
I was once dared to go to a public pool in a boy bathing suit. I was like 9, but still. The best part was it was late July and I failed to notice the tan lines from my bathing suit top. I also didn’t exactly have a buzz cut. People totally knew, it was pretty embarrassing. I was very fortunate to have my best friend do it with me. I keep bringing up my childhood in this interview…*yikes*.

12.  Would you rather be rich or famous--and you could only have one-- and why?  The fame would be based on something good, not something like being the best serial killer or anything like that.
I would rather be famous or “well-known” (that sounds a bit more humble, right?) I would rather be known for my work without being financially successful, than wealthy without a good well-known cause.

FROM THE WRITER:

It’s the first day of junior high school. Imagine yourself lost, overwhelmed by new people (especially cute boys), scared of strict teachers, and nervous over the sudden changes from the comforts of elementary school. That’s the situation that hysterical Christina, scattered Daisy, and self-conscious Mallory find themselves in as they enter the intimidating new world of junior high school. Without the use of modern day technology (e.g. cell phones), the girls release their concerns in the form of handwritten notes to their fourth bestie, Summer. Discover the pressures they face, boys they date, laughs they share, and obstacles they overcome as they survive their first year of junior high in Tales of a Sevie, the first book in the new series, Life As We Note It.

Find out more about me at:

http://sararosesalih.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SaraRoseSalih

https://twitter.com/SaraRoseSalih

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sara-rose-salih/59/6a8/a14


Purchase my book at www.Amazon.com

Michael A. Black: Twelve Question Tuesday

Today I am pleased to welcome Michael A. Black to Twelve Question Tuesday.

1.  Please tell me the three most important things people should know about you.
I’ll steal that line from the old Bill Murray movie by saying that “chicks dig me because I seldom wear underwear, and when I do it’s usually something really wild.” Seriously, I’m a very private person, it takes a while to get to know me, and I like to help people.

2.  Are you a dog person or a cat person?
I’m both, actually. I’ve had a variety of both dogs and cats as pets and companions, but at present I only have cats. Dogs require more attention and I’m not in a position where I could give one the care it needs. Cats are more independent and are more adaptable to my current life.

3.  Tea or coffee?
Again, I like both. Coffee in the morning is preferable, but there’s nothing like a cup of tea in the afternoon to relax and contemplate the day. 

4.  Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs, or commando? (Either what you prefer or what you prefer on others.)
Commando? Hey, I’m not that absent-minded. I wear briefs. 

5.  What was the first thing you ever wrote?
I wrote my first short story in the sixth grade. It was a mystery with a private eye hero and a crooked cop for the villain. I kept badgering the teacher to let me write something other

than the “What I did on my summer vacation” type essay, and she told me one fateful Friday that I could write a story as long as I read it front of the class on the following Monday. I labored all weekend and finished it. After proudly reading it aloud in class the teacher summoned me to her desk, took the story, and scribbled D—Poor work across the top in flowing red script. “Don’t ever try this again,” she said. I was crushed, but little did I know that it was to foreshadow my entire writing career to come. I got my first assignment, deadline, and rejection all in the space of a couple days.

6.  When did you finally decide to call yourself a writer?
After I got my first rejection slip—I just didn’t call myself a published writer.

7.  Which of your works are you most proud to have written?
I’m proud of all of them, but perhaps the one that meant the most to me was an article I wrote on preventing police suicides called “Darkness, Come Take My Hand.” I wrote it in the hope that it would acquaint people with the danger signs of someone contemplating taking his own life as my ex-partner on the force did. I was the last person to talk with him and missed all the clues.

8.  What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?

There have been a lot of them. Getting shot at wasn’t as scary at the time as it was afterward, thinking about it. Most of the time I didn’t think about the danger when it was happening. I almost got dumped over a second story railing during a fight with a big ex-con I was trying to arrest, but once again, I can’t recall feeling fear until after it was over.

9.  How did you end up getting published?  
After about ten years of getting rejection slips, I decided to attend conferences and go to author signings to get advice on what I was doing wrong. It was a matter of getting through the University of Hard Knocks. I got one story back from a magazine with a few words scribbled on the return envelope: Close, but no cigar. Too long. Try again. I immediately revised and tightened up the story and sent it off again. It was accepted and became my first published work.

10.  Would you be food or fighter if the zombie apocalypse were to happen?
I hate zombies. I’d mow through them like they were dead. Oh wait, they’re supposed to be, aren’t they. Actually, I would call Brad Pitt.

11.  What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
The fine line between daring and stupid is sometimes hard to discern. I’d have to say it’s between using both hands to pull myself up on top of a roof where a bad guy was holding a gun, to wrestling a razor blade out of the hand of a 300 pound mental patient in a small washroom of a half-way house.

12.  Would you rather be rich or famous--and you could only have one-- and why?  The fame would be based on something good, not something like being the best serial killer or anything like that.
I’d rather be rich. Then I could buy my own fame. 

FROM THE WRITER

My most recent novel is Sleeping Dragons, which is a Mack Bolan Executioner novel. The Executioner series was begun in the late 1960s by author Don Pendleton, but has evolving and continued to this day. Although Pendleton passed away in 1995, the publisher, Gold Eagle (Harlequin) has continued the series with several new authors. In Sleeping Dragons Bolan is sent to Hong Kong to investigate the “accidental death” of a CIA agent and finds that some Libyan terrorists are trying to acquire a devastating binary nerve gas, known as the Sleeping Dragons, from the Chinese gangsters and military. Bolan must face an array of Triad goons as well as PLA soldiers in his effort to keep the gas from being used in Tripoli as an international humanitarian mission, led by a beautiful female movie star, is about to begin.

Website: www.MichaelABlack.com

Blog: The Ladykillers Blog (http://www.theladykillers.typepad.com/)

You may purchase my works from any bookstore, Amazon.com, or directly from publishers Oak Tree Press (www.oaktreebooks.com/Shop OTP) and Crossroad Press (www.crossroadpress.com). I also have a new e-book, Dark Haven, available on Amazon.com. I also have three audio books available on Amazon or directly from www.booksinmotion.com

BIO:
Michael A. Black is the author of 20 books and over 100 short stories and articles. He has a BA in English from Northern Illinois University and a MFA in Fiction Writing from Columbia College Chicago. He was a decorated police officer in the south suburbs of Chicago for over thirty years and was awarded the Cook County Medal of Merit for his police service before his retirement in 2011. His most current books are Sleeping Dragons in the Mack Bolan Executioner Series and Pope’s Last Case and Other Stories.

Sunny Frazier- Twelve Question Tuesday

Today I welcome Sunny Frazier to Twelve Question Tuesday. 

1.  Please tell me the three most important things people should know about you.
I served my country during the Viet Nam war (Navy).
I have been doing astrology for 43 years.
I worked 11 years with an undercover narcotics team. 

2.  Are you a dog person or a cat person?

With 12 cats currently in residence, I think it's safe to say I'm a feline person.

3.  Tea or coffee?
Tea. English or Irish Breakfast tea.

4.  Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs, or commando? (Either what you prefer or what you prefer on others.)
Do granny panties count? So comfy.

5.  What was the first thing you ever wrote?
A story my older sister needed for a class assignment. She cheated--and then became a nun.

6.  When did you finally decide to call yourself a writer?
When I got my own column in the high school newspaper. I was the editor of the Tiger's Voice.

7.  Which of your works are you most proud to have written?
A children's book that has yet to be published.

8.  What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?
I nearly got thrown into prison in Haiti for taking a photo of the armory. The people in the Iron Market rioted and got me out of there.

9.  How did you end up getting published?
Two friends and I collected our prize winning short stories and co-published with Fithian Press. The book is calleld "Valley Fever: Where Murder Is Contagious."

10.  Would you be food or fighter if the zombie apocalypse were to happen?
I'd be food.

11.  What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
Ran across the tarmac, barricaded the luggage door of a plane in Bogota, kicked a Colombian guard while my friend searched for our baggage with our passports and had to turn myself in to the JAG at my Navy base in Puerto Rico. We were NOT smuggling cocaine or emeralds. Total misunderstanding.

12.  Would you rather be rich or famous--and you could only have one-- and why?  The fame would be based on something good, not something like being the best serial killer or anything like that.
Famous. Nobody cares if you're rich when you die.

FROM THE WRITER:

A Snitch In Time, the third book in the Christy Bristol Astrology Mysteries, explores the possibility of using astrology to profile a serial killer. The book will be out around Thanksgiving and will be available on Amazon.

http://www.sunnyfrazier.com

John R. Lindermuth- Twelve Question Tuesday

Today I welcome John R. Lindermuth to Twelve Question Tuesday.

1.  Please tell me the three most important things people should know about you.   
JRL: I’m curious about everything. I’m not fond of change, but adaptable. And I’m patient. 

2.  Are you a dog person or a cat person?
JRL: Definitely dog.

3.  Tea or coffee?
JRL: I’ll drink both, but coffee (black and strong) is preferred.

4.  Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs, or commando? (Either what you prefer or what you prefer on others.)
JRL: Briefs, please.

5.  What was the first thing you ever wrote?
JRL: Aside from my name? I started drawing stories as soon as I could hold a pencil. When I’d accumulated some words, I started adding captions. Then at some point (pre-high school—I’m so ancient I can’t recall exactly when) I got the itch to emulate some of my favorite writers and began doing stories without pictures.

 6.  When did you finally decide to call yourself a writer?
JRL: Though I was already writing, my initial goal was to be either (or both) an artist and archaeologist. When our mutual uncle drafted me he didn’t need any artists and sent me to journalism school. That led to my becoming a newspaper reporter and later an editor. Stories and books were accumulating and I started seeking publication. A reporter is a writer. Somehow it didn’t actually feel official until that first magazine acceptance.

7.  Which of your works are you most proud to have written?
JRL: Writers love all their children. But one I especially favor is Watch The Hour, a historical novel about a police officer sworn to protect property of mine owners in the 1870s. His job makes him the enemy of Irish workers and he’s in love with an Irish lass.

8.  What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?
JRL: Visiting the DMZ in Korea.

9.  How did you end up getting published?
JRL: Perseverance.

10.  Would you be food or fighter if the zombie apocalypse were to happen?JRL: I don’t believe in zombies, so I’d probably end up as food.

11.  What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
JRL: Raising children as a single parent.

12.  Would you rather be rich or famous--and you could only have one-- and why?  The fame would be based on something good, not something like being the best serial killer or anything like that.
JRL: If I were rich I’d only buy more books or make more visits to Mexico and other favorite places. I think I’d prefer the type of fame that comes with having done something people respect.

BY THE WRITER

Sooner Than Gold:

Sylvester Tilghman, sheriff of Arahpot, Jordan County, Pennsylvania, has a murder victim with too many enemies.
 
There’s Claude Kessler, who is found standing with a knife in his hand over the body of Willis Petry. There’s Rachel Webber, Petry’s surly teen-aged stepdaughter, who admits an act intended to cause him harm. Then there’s the band of gypsies who claim Petry is the goryo who stole one of their young women.

Website: http://www.jrlindermuth.net

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/author/jrlindermuth

Blog: http://jrlindermuth.blogspot.com

Jackie Taylor Zortman- Twelve Question Tuesday

 Today I welcome Jackie Taylor Zortman to Twelve Question Tuesday.

1.  Please tell me the three most important things people should know about you.
I’m the wife of a 42-year veteran retired cop, a mother/grandmother with 3 kids/6 grandkids (one deceased) and I live in the Colorado high country.

2.  Are you a dog person or a cat person?
I used to be both, but as I’ve “matured”, we only have one Siamese cat named Kichai.

3.  Tea or coffee?
Just one cup of black coffee a day, first thing in the morning.

4.  Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs, or commando? (Either what you prefer or what you prefer on others.)
Since I don’t wear guy underwear, I like briefs on my hubby. 

5.  What was the first thing you ever wrote? 
A poem called “Inside the Pewter Box”. 

6.  When did you finally decide to call yourself a writer?
When I became a pretty regular writer for the journal called “Spouses of Police Officers”, back in the 90s.  After that, I had numerous articles and short stories published over the years, as well as being a contributing author to several anthologies, including the one presently on the market “Felons, Flames & Ambulance Rides.  I have two chapters in that.

7.  Which of your works are you most proud to have written?
My book “We Are Different Now” that came out on June 2, 2013.

8.  What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?
Having the county coroner come to the door at 6:30 a.m. on July 5, 2010 to tell us that there had been an accident and our 21-year-old grandson had been killed when he fell 100 feet off a mountain ledge.  He died instantly from a skull fracture.
 
9.  How did you end up getting published?
With my book, an author friend who had reviewed my manuscript mentioned two possible publishers and they both accepted it.  So, I just decided that the first one that got a contract to me would be the one I signed with.  That is Oak Tree Press.  But my very first story that was published was in the Journal of the Colorado Police Protective Association, again back in the 90s.

10.  Would you be food or fighter if the zombie apocalypse were to happen?
I would have to fight as hard as I could, which is probably pretty tenuous.  I’m taking care of my post-surgical husband at the moment and he feels great, but I ache from head to toe.

11.  What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
Nice try, but that will never go on the internet.   How about this instead?  I was in the patrol car with my husband one night when he was chief when a routine patrol suddenly turned into a high speed chase.  I was terrified because we live in the mountains with curvy ledges that drop into deep canyons and rivers and we were going 96 mph.  I just kept quiet and held a death grip on the seat.  I’ve never wanted to do that again and that was 20+ years ago.

12.  Would you rather be rich or famous--and you could only have one-- and why?  The fame would be based on something good, not something like being the best serial killer or anything like that.
Fame as an author would be wonderful because they are the ones who make the big bucks and it would be great to have publishing houses anxious for your next manuscript.  However, that probably isn’t realistic at this point in time.  I do live in a small town where everybody knows what time you take your bath, so I’m sure the whole town is aware of my book. If not, my marketing skills really need honing.  So, in lieu of fame, I’ll pick being rich because it would make life so much easier in this day and age.
FROM THE AUTHOR:

WE ARE DIFFERENT NOW – Jackie Taylor Zortman
Pete died beside the river in the pitch black of night after falling 100 feet to the rock-strewn canyon floor.  It took three seconds and he died instantly from a skull fracture. He was only 21-years-old and the apple of his maternal grandmother’s eye.  Come with me on my journey through death on the mountain.  Read the true story of what has been revealed to us since we lost this young man with an angelic face and who was born possessing an old soul.

E-mail:  jtzortman@ouraynet.com

My blog:  http://jtzortman.wordpress.com

Buy my books at:  www.BN.com, www.amazon.com & www.shopOTPbooks.com

Marilyn Meredith- Twelve Question Tuesday

Today I welcome Marilyn Meredith to Twelve Question Tuesday.  

1.  Please tell me the three most important things people should know about you. 
I have a big family, my five children gave me eighteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grands and I enjoy being with them all. Writing is my passion. I’ve published thirty-five books, mostly mysteries.

2.  Are you a dog person or a cat person?
I’m a cat person. We have two inside cats, brothers, Butch and Sundance. Because my husband feeds all strays, we have too many outside cats. We live in the country and strangers think it’s okay to dump off the cats they don’t want. It isn’t okay.
 
3.  Tea or coffee?
My favorite is Chai latte which I can make at home. But when I’m out and about I adore McDonald’s vanilla flavored iced coffee.
 
4.  Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs, or commando? (Either what you prefer or what you prefer on others.) 
Since I don’t wear them, I don’t really care. I’m at the stage in life when it comes to anything I put on my body it has to be comfortable.
 
5.  What was the first thing you ever wrote?
The very first story I put on paper was in pictures. It was my own version of Our Gal Sunday, a radio soap opera my mother listened too. I didn’t know how to write words yet. When I was a bit older and able to read and write, I wrote an illustrated story about fairies that I actually sent to a publisher. It was rejected of course, but nicely.

6.  When did you finally decide to call yourself a writer?
Probably not as soon as I should have.  When I was in grammar school, I wrote plays for the neighborhood kids to perform in. In middle school I wrote and illustrated a teen magazine which I sold for a nickel to my friends. When my own kids were in school, I was the PTA newsletter editor for four years and wrote plays for my Camp Fire Girls. Though I wrote some short stories and two full-length novels that did not go anywhere, it wasn’t until I wrote and rewrote a 500 page historical family saga (that eventually got published) that I thought of myself as a real writer.
 
7.  Which of your works are you most proud to have written?

I always think my latest book is the best one. I’ve been proud of all of my published works, but I keep learning so I think each one is better than the last. So, that means Spirit Shapes, my latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery is my best. But I recently finished my next Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel, Murder in the Worst Degree, is the best.
 
8.  What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?
Most of the scariest things happened when I was a kid. I went off on my own far too often without telling anyone where I was going so things could’ve been even scarier. I’ve been lost in a neighborhood I didn’t know, had a man try to molest me on a streetcar—hit him with a heavy book and he got jumped off the streetcar, when I went inside my house when no one was home, discovered an intruder, while babysitting someone tried to break in, and I could go on, but won’t.
 
9.  How did you end up getting published? 
When my historical saga was finished I sent off to one publisher after another (this was long ago when you sent the typewritten manuscript off in a box with another box inside with a return address and postage), rewrote which also meant retyping (no computers back then) all 500 pages about every fifth rejection. I was nearing thirty rejections when I got an acceptance.  (And I’ve had plenty of rejections since then, but I’m not easily discouraged.)

10.  Would you be food or fighter if the zombie apocalypse were to happen?
I’d definitely be a fighter—I’d be fighting to protect my family.

11.  What is the most daring thing you have ever done? 
I was on my way to pick up my son from high school and when I drove by a local park, I saw four men carrying a young woman off. She was screaming and fighting.  I stopped the car, jumped out and went running toward the group, swinging my purse and yelling. The men dropped the girl and ran off and she ran in another direction. I got back in my old VW bus and went on to the school. As a mother, I was a fierce avenger of anyone in trouble. It wasn’t until I was a middle-aged grandmother, I realized I probably was neither strong enough or scary enough to take on bad guys by myself.
 
12.  Would you rather be rich or famous--and you could only have one-- and why?  The fame would be based on something good, not something like being the best serial killer or anything like that. 
Being recognized as a writer would be good. It is frustrating to pour so much of yourself into your work and not be known as a writer except by some of your peers and a few fans.
 
Blurb for Spirit Shapes: Ghost hunters stumble upon a murdered teen in a haunted house. Deputy Tempe Crabtree's investigation pulls her into a whirlwind of restless spirits, good and evil, intertwined with the past and the present, and demons and angels at war.

Bio: Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series. She borrows a lot from where she lives in the Southern Sierra for the town of Bear Creek and the surrounding area, including the nearby Tule River Indian Reservation. She does like to remind everyone that she is writing fiction. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and follow her blog at http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/
To order:

http://mundania.com/book.php?title=Spirit+Shapes
 
Also available on Amazon

Stephen Brayton- Twelve Question Tuesday

Today I welcome Stephen Brayton to Twelve Question Tuesday. 

1.  Please tell me the three most important things people should know about you.

I'm witty, lovable and romantic. Okay, so those are the attractive attributes for potential girlfriends. Actually, I don't know how important they might be to others, but I am a Fifth Degree Black Belt in takewondo. I'm also left-handed. (See, not too important in the bigger scheme of things.) The third thing...well, I guess I'll have to fall back on witty, lovable and romantic.

 2.  Are you a dog person or a cat person? 
I have a 13 pound cat. I'd love to have one of those Maine Coon monster cats. But of course, I love dogs, too. 

3.  Tea or coffee?

Definitely, without question, no regrets – tea. Who first decided to scam millions of people that bitter filtered dirt tastes good? 

4.  Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs, or commando? (Either what you prefer or what you prefer on others.)

Actually, I wear the boxer-briefs. 

5.  What was the first thing you ever wrote?

Other than my name? I wrote a short story about discipline. It was sort of an autobiographical story. I think my mother still has it somewhere. 

6.  When did you finally decide to call yourself a writer?I guess I've thought of myself a writer since I started writing. Short stories, journal entries, blog posts, novels. It's been a progression of writing projects. I think if you're writing, then you're a writer. You're an author when you have something published.

 
7.  Which of your works are you most proud to have written?

All of my published books. The first one because it was the first one. The second one because it was the first in the Mallory Petersen series. The third one because it was the first in print rather than just an eBook. 



8.  What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?

Talking to a pretty girl. Seriously, do you realize the heartache I suffer psyching myself up to ask  a girl for a date? Give me a wild car ride around a precarious mountain and I'll be okay. Give me standing on the edge of a thousand foot high cliff. No problem. Give me two muggers with knives. I can use my martial arts skills. Give me a pretty girl who I'd love to take out to dinner? Scared out of my mind. 

9.  How did you end up getting published?

Do you remember the scene in The Godfather with the horse's head in the producer's bed...Uh, in reality, I submitted two novels to four publishers after a Nashville writer's conference in 2009. A month later, three had rejected me. The fourth sent an email and accepted both books. In February of 2011, Night Shadows was published and later in October of the same year, Beta came out as an eBook. 

10.  Would you be food or fighter if the zombie apocalypse were to happen?

I'd fight as long as I could. Probably, I'd try to join up with a band of survivors who had heavy artillery. 

11.  What is the most daring thing you have ever done?

Didn't you read the answer to question 8? 

12.  Would you rather be rich or famous--and you could only have one-- and why?  The fame would be based on something good, not something like being the best serial killer or anything like that.

I think the answer would depend on the circumstances. Now, if we're referring to my books, I think fame would be good. Some people may think I'm stroking my ego or have a big head, but I want to be known in the literary world. I want people to enjoy my books. I want to go on a national tour and speak at colleges and books stores and conferences. I want to be the 'special guest' at Killer Nashville or Bouchercon. Beyond the ego boost, I think it would be fun. Plus, I'd get a chance to share my experience and knowledge and hopefully help other writers.

If we're talking in general, I have to go with rich. Because with money, I think I'd have more freedom to explore different areas of life. Travel, martial arts, as well as continue writing. Seriously, who likes working for a living? If you have the financial resources and you choose to work, fine, that's your choice. But to be financially set to have those choices is the way to go.

By the author:

 Alpha: On a rainy October morning, Mallory Petersen, private detective and martial artist, discovers the corpse of her boyfriend, Bobby Furillo, in front of her office in Des Moines. Bucking police authority and continually attacked by unknown adversaries, Mallory uncovers Bobby's devastating secrets. Each new revelation puts Mallory in deeper peril from powerful and dangerous people. And just what are those enigmatic RSVP cards that keep showing up in Mallory's mail?

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Stephen-L-Brayton/dp/1610091159/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380000142&sr=8-1&keywords=alpha%2C+brayton

Website: www.stephenbrayton.com

Blog: www.stephenbrayton.wordpress.com

Book review blog: www.braytonsbookbuzz.wordpress.com