Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Review And Give Away for Mirrored Image by Alice K. Arenz

Another great interview and give away for the month of November. I want you to welcome Alice K. Arenz as a guest on my blog. Alice has written several cozy mysteries The Case of the Bouncing Grandma and The Case of the Mystified M.D.

Today we are going to be talking about Alice's latest book Mirrored Image, a romantic suspense. First let me tell you a little bit about Alice:

A.K. Arenz.jpg

2010 ACFW Carol Award winning author, Alice K. Arenz author of October 2010 suspense Mirrored Image has been writing since she was a child. Her earliest publication was in a small, family-owned newspaper where her articles, essays, and poems were frequently included. In the mid-90s, her writing earned her a stent with a well known New York literary agency, and although it failed to produce the hoped for results, her determination to become published eventually led her to Sheaf House Publishing.

Arenz also writes cozy mysteries under A. K. Arenz. The Case of the Bouncing Grandma,was a finalist in the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year contest. the second in the Bouncing Grandma Series, The Case of the Mystified M. D., won the 2010 ACFW Carol Award for mystery. She lives in Missouri with her husband and two Himalayan cats.

Mirrored Image Cover.jpg

Back Cover of Mirrored Image: Their faces were the same. Will their fates be as well. The uncanny resemblance between eccentric newspaper columnist Cassandra Chase and a murder victim gives Detective Jeff MacMichael's the haunting suspicion that there is a link between the two women. As he is increasingly drawn to Cassie, a rash of attacks leads him to conclude she was the murderer's real mark -- and to wonder if he can keep her alive.

My take: For those of you who have read my blog in the past you know that my favorite genre is mysteries. Out of the genre of mysteries cozies would be my favorite. Next and certainly not least would be romantic suspense. Just by reading the back cover of Mirrored Image you get a sense of tension and suspense. I think Alice did a wonderful job jumping from writing cozy mysteries to writing a fast-paced suspense. Anyone who decides to read Mirrored Image will not be disappointed.

Alice thank you so much for be a guest on Butterfly Journey.

1. I know you have written Christian Cozies in the past. What made you decide to try Suspense this time. Actually, I’d always written mystery/suspense. It was the cozies that were the “new” thing for me---and the one that got my foot in the door of Sheaf House.

2. How did you come up with your plot and your characters for "Mirrored Image"?

I don’t really have an answer for that other than God. I don’t consciously look for a plot or characters---I’m totally a seat-of-the-pants author. Um . . . that might be better explained as a listener/obeyer (is that a word?) writer. I’ve always felt that God – through the Holy Spirit – reveals bits and pieces of plot and character. After they rumble around in my head for a while, they start demanding to be let out. That’s when the writing starts – and the surprises.

I know that doesn’t answer your question, but it’s the way it happens for me.

3. What is your next novel about (and title)? An American Gothic

You told me there is a butterfly theme in your upcoming novel, can you tell us a little about this or will we just have to wait and see? I believe that butterflies are a very unique and wonderful creature. Beyond that, I wouldn’t want to spoil the story.

4. As an aspiring/struggling writer would you please give some advice to all of us with a goal of being published someday?

I always say that the best advice is to be sure this is really something you not only want to do, but that you truly feel that God is leading you to write. If the answer to both of these is “yes,” then go for it. Learn all you can, read everything in the genre(s) you want to write, attend conferences and meet authors and others waiting to be discovered, and pray. Above all, pray. It’s not an easy road. Even after you get published, there may be bumps and bruises along the way. But if this is where God is calling you to be, and you feel it deep inside, then never, ever give up. And you know what? I continue to remind myself of this every single day.


Now to enter the giveaway:

1. You must be a follower or sign up as a new follower. Also, this giveaway is limited to those living in the US. Please leave an email address.

2. Have you read sub-genres in mysteries such as cozies, romantic suspense, suspense, thriller, etc.

3. Visit Alice's website and check it out.

4. The contest will end on 11/28/2010.


HAPPY READING






18 comments:

  1. Hi Deborah,
    How are you? I hope your having a good day. I liked the interview, and I will check-out her site.
    I've got a new post, stop by if you get a chance.
    God bless,
    Michele Katherine

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  2. I'd love to win Alice's book. I'm a follower, visited her site, and have read all of the sub-genres at one time or another.

    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

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  3. Hi Deborah! :o) This was a great interview! I went to her site and want to congratulate her on her Carol award. I've read all the sub-genres. My favorite is romantic suspense, I think. lol :o)

    I think this book sounds wonderful and would love a chance to win it. You know how I feel about butterflies so I'm also intrigued by her next project. :o)

    I hope you and your daughter are doing well.

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  4. oops I forgot to mention I'm a follower.

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  5. Great interview. Congratulations Carol, looks like a great book.
    I have read some of each of the type of books...think I like it when there is some romance involved.
    I am a follower!

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  6. Interesting interview. I just checked out Alice's new website and it is neat. I have read all the sub genres. I like some romance involved.

    I'm a follower

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  7. Great advice to writers Alice. I haven't read much out of my genre lately. Shame on me! But just the title of this book is interesting enough to pick it up!
    Im a follower.
    jancline at ymail dot com

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  8. Hi, What a wonderful interview..I just read some reviews for your book and really want to read it. I read all the genre's I'm not picky. I do love a good mystery with romance. Is there any other kind?
    Im a follower.
    I loved your site Alice, I even bookmarked so i can keep coming back..
    heidijohnjeffATverizonDOTnet

    Blessings,
    Heidi

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  9. Great interview, awesome tips on writing.

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  10. I want to thank all of you for your wonderful comments! Good luck on the drawing!

    God Bless,
    Alice K. Arenz

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  11. Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Be sure to add your book reviews and/or giveaways to my weekend linky "Read a Book Lately". All family friendly books adult/kid or fiction/nonfiction are welcome.

    I'm following you back.
    Tina "The Book Lady"
    http://familyliteracyandyou.blogspot.com

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  12. I have read other sub-genre's - I like authors like Dee Henderson, Iris Johanson, George MacDonald & Tolkien. The depth to the writing is deep and difficult and at least with MacDonald & Tolkien I find myself rereading passages because I really have to focus to understand what I'm reading & to take in all the details. I like crime/romance mysteries so long as they aren't dirty or have tons of language (I just skip over that). Don't care for sappy stuff. The writing needs to be very descriptive, not in 1st person (somehow I seem to keep reading books in 1st person lately).

    I also went to Alice's blog - I'd love to read Mirrored Image. It sounds interesting.

    I forgot to leave my email in my last comment to you: contact(dot)thebooklady(at)gmail.com

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  13. a wonderful posting...thanks for the opportunity to read alice's latest novel...she has a great website, too. and i enjoy reading a variety of novels...

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  14. Alice,

    Thank you for visiting us here at Butterfly Journey. I love your cozies and "Mirrored Image" was a great suspense. Someone is going to have a great read with this one.
    Deborah M.

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  15. Would love to be entered in this giveaway:) Please enter me. I love a good mystery and this one sounds neat. Thanks!

    esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  16. Hi Alice, I love romance and suspense and your books seems to have both. Enjoyed your interview. Would love to win your book.

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway Deborah and for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  17. I have read many different sub genres of suspense...
    i am a new follower....martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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  18. I have always enjoyed reading romantic suspense. Would love to be entered to win Mirrored Image.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

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