Meet Lynette Eason - Interview & Book Giveaway

Today I’m pleased to present debut author Lynette Eason. Her first book is Lethal Deception (Amazon Adventure Series #1) (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #90) Let’s meet Lynette!

THE BIO

Lynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. When she was sixteen, she lived in Paris, France for one month, then after graduation from college, returned to Europe for another month long visit to Germany, England, Amsterdam, Paris, Belgium, Prague, Czechoslovakia, and other exciting countries. Later, she moved to Spartanburg, SC to attend Converse College where she obtained her Masters degree in Education. During this time, she met the man she would marry—the boy next door!

She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America), FHL (Faith, Hope, and Love) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Lethal Deception is her first published work. River Of Secrets is book two and Holiday Illusion is the final book in the series. Look for it in November of 2008!

Lynette loves to ice skate, go bowling, walk on the beach, visit the mountains of Asheville, NC, watch American Idol, Law and Order, A & E channel, and surf the web. She is often found online and loves to talk writing with anyone who will listen. She gives God the glory for her giving her the talent and desire to spin stories that bring readers to the edge of their seat, but most importantly, to the throne of Christ.

THE INTERVIEW

JA: Congratulations on your debut novel, Lethal Deception, from Love Inspired Suspense. Tell us a little bit about it.
LE: That was a fun story to write, edit, revise, etc. Honestly, though, by the time the AA’s arrived, I was sick of it. I understand now why some authors actually shudder when you ask if they’ve read the story in final book form. Maybe one day. Anyway, I was sitting in the DMV (Dept. of Motor Vehicles) thinking what a jungle the place was when all of a sudden I just had characters popping into my brain, a story gelling, and voila…by the time they called my number, I had written the first chapter. I did a lot of research on the Amazon Jungle, read some fictional accounts with characters in the jungle, read nonfiction, etc. and just came up with the story. It’s just really hard to explain where my ideas come from. I have to give God credit for that.
The back cover reads:

Who wanted her dead?
Having rescued Cassidy McKnight from kidnappers in South America, Gabriel Sinclair thought his job was done. Not that the former NAVY SEAL could ever forget the brave, beautiful single mother. But when the danger followed her home, Gabe promised to protect her. Why anyone would want to kill Cassidy was a mystery. Was the motive related to the orphaned toddler Cassidy was raising, a sweet little girl who brought out the father figure in maverick Gabe? Or did a newly revealed family secret have killer consequences?

JA: Your hero, Gabriel Sinclair, is a Navy SEAL. Were you familiar with the SEALs before writing this book, or did you need to do a lot of research?
LE: No, I wasn’t too familiar. I’ve read a lot of stories with Navy Seals but I’ve never met one…ha. So, I did quite a bit of research online, read some book about SEALS, etc.

JA: What do you hope people take away when they finish reading your book?
LE: My goal, first and foremost is to tell a story the reader can’t put down. And through that story to present God in a way that makes the reader hunger to know more about Him. I desire that my writing glorify Him and for Him to be pleased. As long as He’s pleased, my editor will be pleased…ha. So, in summary, I hope people put the book down and go, “Wow, I’ve never thought about God like that before.” Or something along those lines.

JA: You used to be a Special Ed teacher. Was there anything about your former career that prepared you for the transition to published author?
LE: Does the endless paperwork count?? Seriously, no, not really, I guess unless you count the plethora of ideas that come at you during the school day.

JA: Like you, I’m a homeschool mom. How do you work writing time in around school time?
LE: It’s a constant juggling act. Seriously. My children and husband come first, of course. I do my best not to write when I should be spending time with them. Homeschooling is our first priority in the morning. After school, then lunch, I shoo my kids off to run off energy, play, etc. I set up my laptop where I can see them in the yard and I go to work. Of course, there are numerous interruptions, but I’m blessed with the ability to work through the confusion…ha. My kids also go to an after school/karate program twice a week which gives me several hours in the afternoon to write while they have fun with peers.

JA: What’s next for you in the writing arena?
LE: In September (I think) I sold my third manuscript to Harlequin. I sold on proposal, so had to write the thing after selling it. I just sent it in a few days after Christmas. It was the third in the series. The second, River of Secrets will be out in August and this third one in November. I sold my fourth to Steeple Hill called A Silent Terror and it will be out in March 2009. I also have a proposal on the table with Revell that I’m waiting to hear back on.

JA: What’s something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
LE: MOST people would be surprised to learn that I’m very hard of hearing. I wear hearing aids! When I have the hearing aids on, most people wouldn’t notice a thing, when I take them off, I’m DEAF!

JA: What do you read for fun?
LE: EVERYTHING! I love anything I can get my hands on. Of course, I read a lot of what I write, like Suspense, romance, etc, but I also love a good Chick Lit book. I’m not crazy about Science Fiction. I also think reading books on the craft of writing is fun. (I know, I’m weird…ha.) Brandilyn Collins and Dee Henderson are two of my favorites, but I have to tell you, Stephen James has emerged with an awesome thriller called The Pawn. I’ll definitely be looking for his next one.

JA: Last but not least, how can people keep up with your latest publishing news?
LE: I’m easy to find. I’m often online and you can email me at lynetteeason@lynetteeason.com or go to my website at www.lynetteeason.com and sign my guestbook. I’ll have all my latest info up on my website.

Thanks so much, Jennifer, for having me on your blog! I appreciate it so much. Have a blessed day!

Thank you, Lynette, and continued blessings on your writing journey!

WIN THE BOOK

Lethal Deception is in stores now, but you can win a copy here. Just leave a reply to this blog. The winner will be picked at random on February 23rd. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) Good luck!