Guest blogger: Author Cynthia Eden and Kim Adams of SOS Aloha

Aloha to Cynthia Eden, DEADLY HEAT and DEADLY LIES

Mary Gramlich, The Reading Reviewer, has been on a reading frenzy, including Cynthia Eden's Deadly duo. She posted her reviews on her blogsite,

DEADLY HEAT, This book will light up the night with romance and scary suspense DEADLY LIES, When you have nothing left to fear what still scares you?

I invited Cynthia for a quickfire interview to accompany today's giveaway. From her bio, (Back in the day…) Cynthia graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Alabama where she studied Sociology (because people interest her) and Communication (because she likes to write about said people). Cynthia has worked as a college admissions counselor, a teacher, and as an editor. But now, Cynthia is thrilled to be spending her days making up stories. Kim: Did working as a counselor, teacher and editor improve your skills as a writer? Cynthia: I think all of those jobs have helped me—just in different ways. J Being a counselor helped me to better understand why people act the way they do (so this helped with character motivation). Being a teacher helped me to learn some intensive research techniques (history was my subject, so I was always digging around in the past!), And, finally, being an editor helped me to recognize plotting and pacing issues—it gave me the tools I needed to be able to approach my own work with a more objective eye. 

Coming June 20, 2011

Kim: You are a paranormal master venturing into romantic suspense with your Deadly series. What inspired the change in genre? What was the most rewarding and the most challenging? Cynthia: I noticed that when I wrote my paranormal stories, romantic suspense elements kept creeping into the tales. I didn’t just have demons in my paranormals; instead, I had serial killing demons. I had stalkers. I had detectives who were shifters and bounty hunters who were white tigers. Suspense elements just wouldn’t stay out of my stories! So, I decided I’d try my hand at writing a straight suspense (straight meaning none of my beloved paranormal creatures). The result of my experiment was DEADLY FEAR, my first Deadly book.

At first, it was very hard for me to keep those paranormal elements out of the book because I kept thinking, well, if my heroine had enhanced healing powers, this bullet wound wouldn’t hurt nearly as much…those paranormal characters tend to be more resilient than my human ones. J But after I made a hard mental adjustment, the characters clicked into place for me. The most rewarding part of writing my romantic suspense was having the ability to push myself. I like trying new things with my writing, and I really enjoyed crafting these suspense stories.

Kim: You include The Princess Bride, Romancing the Stone, and Pirates of the Caribbean on your list of favorite movies. Each has a strong heroine who takes charge of her life. I notice the same theme in your Deadly series - strong women in dangerous jobs. What real life women do you admire? Cynthia: My mom is at the top of my admiration list. I’ve got a brother with severe special needs and, during my whole life, I’ve watched her display amazing strength as she takes care of him—and everyone else around her! My real life is full of amazing women, and I feel lucky to know them. I have one friend who spends her days fighting for the environment and teaching kids about the wonder of their natural surroundings. I have another friend who lets me pick her Ph.D. brain anytime I want to create a killer profile for my books. Sure, my heroines might be strong, but I like to think the ladies I know in real life are even stronger. Thanks so much for interviewing me! It’s been a pleasure!

Mahalo, Cynthia, for joining us at SOS Aloha! In honor of Cynthia's Deadly duo, Mary is giving away her review copies of both books to one randomly selected commenter. But wait! Cynthia is sweetening the giveaway by offering another randomly selected commenter one book from her Deadly series - DEADLY FEAR, DEADLY HEAT, or DEADLY LIES - winner's choice! To enter the giveaway, 1. Leave a comment about Cynthia, her Deadly series, and a strong woman who inspires you. 2. This giveaway is open to US residents only. Comments are open through Saturday, March 5, to enter the giveaway. 3. If you are new to SOS Aloha, please make sure I know how to contact you. If your Blogger profile does not provide your email address, please send it to sos.america@yahoo.com. (I have several unclaimed prizes because I do know how to contact the winner). Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii