challenges – Life of Cri.me

12 words with Angela Marsons

Posted on December 13, 2015February 7, 2016 by J

Recently racking up her 1,000,000th book sale since Silent Scream was first published in February, Angela Marsons is the author of the DI Kim Stone crime thrillers, set in ‘The Black Country’ at the heart of the West Midlands.

Brought up in a series of foster homes, Kim is a no nonsense copper, determined to get to the bottom of every crime she comes across, whatever the cost, or the consequences.

Today on LifeOfCri.me, Angela takes on our 12 word challenge.

Rules

Answers should be complete sentences, and completed in no more than 12 words (unless otherwise stated)

Contractions count. It’s = 2 words.

LOC: Your latest book Lost Girls is the third in your series featuring DI Kim Stone, what can you tell us about it?

AM: It is a kidnapping drama that evolves into an auction for life.

LOC: As a fellow biker, I’m intrigued that you’ve made Kim more than just a motorcycle rider, but a true “petrol-head” repairing and re-building motorcycles, what was behind this?

AM: She needed an interesting hobby that suited her inquisitive, puzzle solving personality.

LOC: How would you describe your writing process?

AM: The first draft is for me to write what I want fearlessly.

LOC: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learnt in your writing career?

AM: That my gut is the most reliable organ in my body.

LOC: What’s the best book you’ve read this year (title & author not in word count) and why?

AM: A Sister’s Promise by Renita D’Silva. It is beautifully written and took me on an unforgettable journey.

LOC: Describe your perfect day

AM: There would be coffee, crisps, notepads, pencils and sunshine. And more coffee.

and finally just for laughs……

LOC: Thanks to author Matt Hilton you have just woken up to find yourself on stage in front of the judges of Britain’s Got Talent, with a waffle maker, a hamster and a kilt. What do you do?

AM: Wear the kilt and waffle the hamster. Not really, obviously. Love hamsters.

Published by Bookouture, all three Kim Stone thrillers are available now, and to keep up with Angela, you can find her on Twitter @writeangie

12 Words, Author Q&A's, Guest Posts

12 Words with Matt Hilton

Posted on November 10, 2015May 16, 2016 by J

Matt Hilton quit his career as a police officer with Cumbria Constabulary to pursue his love of writing tight, cinematic American-style thrillers. He is the author of the highly successful, 10 strong Joe Hunter thriller series, which includes such titles as Dead Men’s Dust, Cut and Run, Blood and Ashes, No Going Back, The Lawless Kind and The Devil’s Anvil

His latest novel Blood Tracks Introduces private investigator Tess Grey and Southern renegade ex-con Nicolas ‘Po’ Villere in the first of a brand-new series of fast-paced action thrillers.

Today on LifeOfCri.me, Matt takes on our 12 word challenge.

Rules

Answers should be complete sentences, and completed in no more than 12 words (unless otherwise stated)

Contractions count. It’s = 2 words.

LOC: You’ve just released your latest novel Blood Tracks, what can you tell us about it?

MH: It has a female lead, who is not Joe Hunter in tights.

LOC: What was behind your decision to take a break from your serial character Joe Hunter and begin a new series?

MH: To exercise my creativity and extend my commercial viability to female readers.

LOC: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your writing career?

MH: Winning over readers who complain Hunter isn’t Lee Child/Jack Reacher.

LOC: What’s the best book you’ve read this year (title & author not in word count) and why?

MH: “No One Gets Out Alive” by Adam Neville was intense and spooky and I do love a good scary story.

LOC: Describe your perfect getaway

MH: A log cabin in the Scottish highlands, preferably near a remote loch.

LOC: What is the strangest sentence you have written/read this week (limit does not apply)

MH: From my WIP: “Nicolas, I’m just shy of three hundred and fifty pounds, me; if I wore high heels I’d end up nailed to the sidewalk for the duration.”

and finally just for laughs……

LOC: Thanks to author C.L.Taylor you have just woken up to find yourself on stage in front of the judges of Britain’s Got Talent, with just a sledge, a grappling hook and some fish bones. What do you do? (12 words – minimum of one item.)

MH: Throw on furs; sit on the sledge singing White Fang the musical.

Blogging

A Book A Day, Sunday Wrap Up #3

Posted on October 19, 2014October 25, 2014 by J

M is For

Missing You by Harlan Coben, master of fast paced novels where the hidden pasts of ordinary people come back to haunt them with a killer twist at the end. Guaranteed thrillers.

N is For

Natural Causes by James Oswald. First of the so far four strong Inspector McLean series, fabulous reads that keep getting better and better. Carefully pictured here with what James calls a Heilan Coo cushion, because when he’s not writing he breeds these handsome cows.

O is For

On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle, if you like a good coffee and your crime a little cosier, head over to this coffee shop mystery series.

P is For

Payback by Kimberley Chambers. Welcome to the East End of London, where even your family doesn’t always have your back…

Q is For

Quentin Bates. Author of the Icelandic based novels featuring Officer Gunnhilder. Frozen Out is the first in this series atmospheric, dark and intricately plotted masterpieces.

R is For

Reykjavik Nights by Arnaldur Indridason. Another Icelandic based series, the 10th of Indridasons books to be translated into English sees us going back to the roots of my favourite damaged detective, Erlendur.

S is For

Sorrow Bound by David Mark. The third dark outing for DS Aector McAvoy.

Blogging

Book 100

Posted on October 16, 2014October 19, 2014 by J

Almost a month later than reaching the same target in 2013 I’ve just finished reading Crooked Herring by L C Tyler.

Which means I’ve finally reached the end of my 100th book of the year. It’s going to be tight if I’m going to beat last year’s target of 130 books read. … ;(

Blogging

A Book A Day, Sunday Wrap Up #2

Posted on October 12, 2014October 13, 2014 by J

F is For

Flesh House by Stuart MacBride. Flesh House is the fourth book in the Logan McRae series and is the pivotal point where a good character becomes a great character. It’s dark, gruesome and you’ll never look at bacon the same way again.

G is For

The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly. Mickey Haller Book 5. The latest installment of just one of Michael Connelly’s fabulous series. If you love legal thrillers with a great twist, get into these.

H is For

Hostage by Kristina Ohlsson, I haven’t read this one yet but with its plot of a plane in flight being taken by force and being held for ransom it’s one I’m keen to read.

I is For

In The Dark by Mark Billingham. In The Dark was the first standalone novel that Billngham wrote after taking a break in his Tom Thorne series of novels. Since then however, main character Helen Weeks has appeared more often, crossing over and enhancing the Thorne books.

J is For

Joyland by Stephen King. I’ve only ever read one Stephen King novel, which was Mr Mercedes. I’m now moving on to try a few more recently adding this one to my TBR pile.

K is For

Kind of Cruel by Sophie Hannah. Always dark, detailed, and extremely well plotted, Sophie Hannah’s books are a guaranteed riveting read.

L is For

Long Way Home by Eva Dolan. Way too many good friends have told me this is brilliant. One day soon, I hope, I’ll get to find out…

Blogging

A book a day, Sunday wrap up #1

Posted on October 5, 2014October 5, 2014 by J

A is for….

A Song For The Dying by Stuart MacBride. The second in the Ash Henderson series, this is a gritty, gripping tale that you won’t want to put down.

B is for….

Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes. High up in my To Be Read pile, I’m really keen to get to this one as it looks fabulous.

C is for….

Cut Out by Fergus McNeill. Book 3 in his series featuring DI Graham Harland, Cut Out had me up until the early hours of the morning determined to get it finished.

D is for….

Dead Men’s Dust by Matt Hilton. If you are a fan of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher or Robert Crais’ Elvis Cole & Joe Pike then you will love Matt Hilton. Dead Men’s Dust introduces us to Joe Hunter, a fabulous character who’s still going from strength to strength a fabulous 9 books later.

E is for….

Entry Island by Peter May. Shortlisted for the Specsavers Crime Thriller Book Club Award 2014, this is another book that has recently moved higher up my To Be Read pile.

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