Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Guest Blogger, Cynthia Eden

Please join me in welcoming author Cynthia Eden who will be the special guest blogger here at Thoughts in Progress today as part of her virtual book tour.

Cynthia’s latest release is DEADLY FEAR (ISBN: 9780446559249) and thanks to Anna and the folks at the Hachette Book Group I have 5 copies of this book to giveaway. To enter the contest, send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com). Your subject line should read, “Win DEADLY FEAR.” Your message should include your name and mailing address. The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. Just so you know, I don’t share the mailing information or use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter for giveaway is 8 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday, Aug. 10.

Here’s a brief synopsis of the 416 page book: FBI Special Agent Monica Davenport has made a career out of profiling serial killers. But getting inside the twisted minds of the cruel and the sadistic has taken its toll: She's walled herself off from the world. Yet Monica can't ignore fellow agent Luke Dante, the only man who ever broke through her defenses.

Luke has the unique ability to put victims at ease . . . professionally, he and Monica made a perfect team. Now they're reunited to catch a murderer who uses his victims' deepest, darkest fears for sport - but their investigative skills aren't enough. Luke and Monica will have to face the secrets from their past, the ones that terrify them the most, if they are to have a future together.
But can they catch a killer whose weapon is . . .DEADLY FEAR


Cynthia joins us to talk about writing and the research she did for this book.

My first romantic suspense novel, DEADLY FEAR, required some pretty extensive research. Lucky for me, l love research. 

When it comes to researching my books, I tend to divide my research into several areas. First up, career research for my characters. Since both my hero and heroine are FBI agents in DEADLY FEAR, it was pretty easy to focus my research. I learned about FBI training, about the tough standards for the agents, and the behind-the-scenes stressors that an agent faces. It’s not all glamour and glory—and I tried to portray that in my Deadly books.

Then, it was time for some crime scene investigation. Thanks to CSI, readers are pretty crime scene savvy these days.  So I wanted to make sure all of my crime scene details were accurate—and that meant hitting the books. My research shelves are full of crime scene and evidence handbooks. I joke to my husband that I could get rid of a body and all blood evidence in twenty minutes (well, he thinks I’m joking—I’m not).

Next, it was time for one of the most challenging aspects of my research…getting into the mind of a serial killer. Monica Davenport, the heroine of DEADLY FEAR, is a profiler. So it’s her job to think like a killer. And since I was writing her character—yes, you guessed it, I had a crash course on profiling.  One of the psychology professors at my local university happens to be a very good friend of mine, and when I needed psych advice, she was my go-to-girl.  (I do pity the poor people who were seated next to us during some of our killer conversations at restaurants.) Aided with her input and the massive amount of information that is available on the Internet, I began to construct my killer.

Sure, he changed a bit along the way, but characters do that. They always evolve during the story.  The best-laid plans with characters can often go awry—or, go down a more interesting path than the one originally planned.

Research is one of the most interesting aspects of my job.  I know dozens of ways to dispose of a body, I know how to lead an arson investigation, and I know how to conduct a ghost hunt—all courtesy of research I’ve conducted for my books.  And I’m already looking forward to my next research adventure!

Is there any area that you’d like to research? Do you think you’d like hand’s on research (like going on a real ghost hunt…I did that a few weeks ago!) or would you prefer getting your information from books and the Internet? Thanks!

Cynthia, thanks for joining us today and sharing this. It’s always interesting to see how authors go about doing the various types of research needed to write a novel.


Cynthia’s website is www.cynthiaeden.com and she can also be found on twitter at www.twitter.com/cynthiaeden


23 comments:

  1. Sounds like an exciting read! (Shame I live in Europe though...)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mason - Thank you so much for hosting Cynthia.

    Cynthia - I really respect the way you carefully researched as you wrote. I like a solid core of authenticity in a book, and I think it's terrific that you've worked hard at that aspect of your writing. I wish you much success with Deadly Fear.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks so much for having me over today! It's a pleasure to be at Thoughts In Progress. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello, ladyfi! Thank you! (And I'm terribly jealous that you live in Europe--so beautiful!)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi, Margot! Thanks so much. Research is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. And I always learn some interesting new facts during the research process.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Cynthia, thanks so much for being here today. I always enjoy learning more about the writing process and how a book gets its start. Your research shows your dedication to a wonderful story.

    Hi all, thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I never thought about all the research that goes into a work of fiction - I guess that's why I'll never be an author. Great guest post!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Morning Cynthia!
    I think Deadly Fear looks great and really enjoyed today's interview. I think you're right, and tv shows like CSI make it even more important to get that research right! The readers know too many tricks now! I think doing historical research would be very interesting too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Cynthia, a friend of mine loves your paranormal novels and pointed me out to your romantic suspense novel since I prefer this genre and once I read the synopsis, I can't wait to read Deadly Fear.

    Since I do research as part of my job, I understand the thrill of searching all kinds of information and discovering those perfect gems that no one else has found.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I enjoy research. The biggest downside is that I get distracted by it and follow threads I really don't need, but enjoy :)

    Sounds like a terrific book!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you, Mason! I loved the topic that you picked for the blog--I'm always happy to talk research. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi, bermudaonion! Research is fun, though--truly!

    Morning back at you, holdenj! Readers do know too many tricks--they keep me on my toes!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hey, Dru! Oh, please tell your friend thank you for me! And thank YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I can't wait to read this book.It sounds fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for the insights! I hope you didn't traumitize the restaurant goers too much with your dinner discussions.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Glad to know the word is spreading about your great books! I'm also glad to know that so much research went into Deadly Fear, I really respect a writer who tries so hard to have details correct.
    Looking forward to reading Deadly Fear!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I was fortunate to include talking to those with real expereince in flying for my book.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mason thanks for sharing Cynthia.
    Gosh a ghost buster in our midst! LOL

    The book sounds great. A very interesting post, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi, Cynthia! Can't wait for this to be available on the kindle ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Happy Release Day, Cynthia.

    Hi Mason,
    Thanks for having Cynthia as a guest.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hey, Jemi! I get distracted, too!

    Thank you, elaing8!

    Karen, sounds like you’ve got some fun research ahead of you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. LOL, Caridad, I hope I didn’t!

    Oh, thank you, Brandy! 

    That’s great research, Alex!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Glynis, ghost-busting is so much fun! Thank you!

    Me, too, Ali! Should be soon!

    Thank you, Jane!
    Thanks for checking out my post, everyone!

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's post. Thanks for dropping by.