Book Nerd Interview
Lindsay Downs Bio
Now that I’m retired I am seriously considering moving from Connecticut to someplace in the Southwest but my love for the written word goes back to my childhood.
It was from my parents that I developed a love for books. My father, a medieval scholar, collected the works of Sir Walter Scott with The Lady of the Lake, then and now, my favorite. My mother collect Thomas Hardy. No comment on him.
When I was in high school I use to infuriate my English teachers by wanting to write my way, not the way they taught the class. Needless to say, I didn’t quietly rebel and usually won my argument.
Later when I started writing, with a focus toward being published, I remembered what I’d learned in school. All, that is, except for comma’s which I still can’t figure out.
After much trial and a lot of errors I developed my own, I sincerely hope, unique style or voice. Of course, my style now includes writing parts of my books in a POV which threw my editor for a loop until she realized that a collie was the hero of the stories.
Blog- www.murdersandmysteries.wordpress.com
LinkedIn- http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=tab_pro
Social Media
Lindsay Downs Interview
Tell us your latest news.
On February 23, 2012 my newest Emily Dahill Series book, A Body in the Attic, was released by my publisher, Astraea Press.
Where were you born and where do you call home?
I was born in Germantown, PA and now live in Meriden, CT.
What made you take the plunge and start writing?
I’ve always been interested in writing. It wasn’t until I read the same story multiple times that I decided it was time to give writing with the hope of publication a shot. By the way-the book I read was actually different books by different authors and they all sounded very similar. I knew that if I was going to make it in this business I had to find something that set me apart from the herd.
For those who are unfamiliar with your novel; Emily Dahill, how would you introduce it?
Emily is an Army brat. She started her military career as an MP then transitioned into the Criminal Investigation Division. But, not before sustaining life threatening injuries. It was during her recovery she met and was adopted by Dakota. All this can be found in the first book, Emily Dahill, CID Part 1.
If you could introduce Emily to any character from another book, who would it be and why?
I did introduce Emily to other characters from another, The Target Series that currently is in rewrite, in the Christmas story, A Dog Gone Christmas. In that novella I also introduced characters that will appear either in the Emily Dahill Series and or The Target Series.
Why do you feel you had to tell this story?
There are a great number of people in the USA and other countries that are familiar with the shows NCIS and NCIS:LA, both currently in production. And the JAG series, now in reruns. I wanted to have a series about the Army investigative unit.
Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
Currently I’m writing the follow-up to A Body in the Attic. This book will pick up right where the other ends. I’m also doing my edits to a second anthology and writing a novella for July 4th as my publisher does holiday themed books, which I think is great.
Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?
The only character that is based on someone I know is Dakota and he’s based on my late collie Kebi. I took a lot of Kebi’s traits, mannerisms along with the protectiveness of Kebi and write them into Dakota.
All the human characters are totally made up.
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?
As I mentioned A Body in the Attic in my most recent and to sum it up in 30 words is hard but here goes- Nothing is ever what it appears and the best way to solve a crime is to have the best people working with, that includes a collie because they ROCK.
What’s the most interesting comment you have received about your books?
This is taken directly from one of the reviews written about A Dog Gone Christmas:“…I suggested it to my son as soon as I finished reading it and he said, "Mom, that story made me cry. I loved it."
Again this is taken from one of the reviews but it seems to be a central point reviewers found with Emily Dahill, CID Part 1:…”Emily Dahill is a strong female protagonist”
Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?
Yes, when looking for a pet adopt from your nearest shelter or rescue organization.
What are 4 things you never leave home without?
Besides by driver license I make sure I’ve to my iPhone, Starbucks Gold Card, notepad and pen. Lastly, I check over the WIP to see where I am because frequently I find driving lets me think of where to take the story next.
List 3 of your all-time favorite books?
The last 3 books I read.
Favorite places to travel?
Over the horizon because I never know what I will find which I can integrate into a book.
Where can readers stalk you?
My blog- Murders and Mysteries
Facebook- Lindsay Downs
Twitter-@ldowns2966
LinkedIn-Lindsay Downs
Final Mission-After being seriously wounded in a copter crash in Iraq Sgt. Emily Dahill meets her new partner as she embarks on her new Army career as a CID agent. Who could this new partner be?
A Body in the Snow- Emily and her partner, Dakota, cross bullets with their most determined foe. Who will survive?
Right Place, Wrong Day-On leave to hang with friends Emily gets the surprise of her life.
Dog on Fishing-When it comes to knowing how to fish, and catch the big ones, never underestimate your partner. He might surprise you.
Lindsay Downs’ Emily Dahill CID Part One is an unsullied and creative story that serves as a great introduction to the series. The book is compiled of four stories. Three of them are short stories and one that is more of a series prequel. We first meet Sergeant Emily Dahill serving in the Middle East while she is transferring prisoners. The Black Hawk chopper she is in is shot down and nearly everyone aboard is killed. She develops a fear of helicopter until a collie puppy named Dakota comforts her. The story continues with Dahill and now an adult Dakota tracking down the “brown-haired man”, the same man who escaped the earlier hellacious chopper crash. The next two stories are lighter with Dahill and Dakota camping with friends filled with laughs and jokes.
The tales are written exceptionally well. The characters are vivid and full of life. It was interesting to read a POV of a collie. It puts a fresh twist into the stories. The way Downs described the special bond between Dahill and Dakota was remarkable. Her description with their interactions and Dahill’s thoughts yields to a feeling of closeness from their unique friendship. Downs’ way of giving full detailed descriptions without being too aggressive in words was brilliant. She gives us enough details that we can work with and still able to feel every moment of the action, emotions, and laughter.
Collectively, readers may find the stories to raise more questions than answers. Nevertheless, it is taking off to a fascinating start of an interesting series.
More Books by Lindsay Downs
When a call for paws goes out, five friends bring their collies without question to a friend’s house. They learn the collies are needed to help seven children with the grief of losing a parent in Iraq or Afghanistan. Now, with seven friends, four collie yearlings and their mother, they set out to help the children
Not far away a mother hopefully leads her seven puppies to safety from a man intent on selling them for illicit purposes.
By a miracle of fate the two mother collies find each other right before the man sells the puppies.
That Christmas morning will be one the children will remember all their lives and they are united with the puppies.
Special Agent Emily Dahill, Dakota along with her team of technicians are sent to Master Sergeant Annabelle Carlyle’s Victorian style house for what they think is a simple break-in. What they find however, turns out to be even more ominous and far reaching.
A secret passageway leads to a mysterious gunshot. When the prime suspect is cleared they still have no clue who the shooter is, or why. Could the shooter be the same individual who took a shot at Dakota?
Add into the mix the FBI and their unexpected involvement in the case.
Soon they learn the break-in had been a cover-up for a more nefarious crime. One that involves Emily’s nemesis, the brown-haired man, and millions of dollars being sent to terrorists.
Will they solve the case before the money disappears forever and more bodies turn up? Not even the inestimable Dakota is sure.
You can purchase Lindsay Downs Books at the following links below:
Buy links for Emily Dahill, CID Part 1-
To request an autograph on your kindle (my author page)
Buy links for A Dog Gone Christmas
To request an autograph on your kindle (my author page)
And now, The Giveaways.
Thank you Lindsay for making this giveaway possible.
3 Winners will receive one e-copy of Emily Dahil by Lindsay Downs.
1 Winner will receive one Emily Dahil Trading Cards by Lindsay Downs.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
10 comments:
Thanks for having me over here.
I'm scared of creepy crawlies. Also of losing my loved ones.
These were very perceptive interview questions. I enjoyed learning more about book and author ... and Dakota, of course.
Thank you for taking the time to share this lovely interview and giveaway opportunity with us today. Fire scares me, I guess it is good incentive to always carry a bottle of water LOL
I'm scared of needles and snakes!!!! Ugh!
www.goddess197829c@aol.com
Thank you for taking the time to do this giveaway :)
I'm scared of traffic accidents. They are so unpredictable :(
Thanks for the giveaway :)
I'm scared of clowns...
i am afraid of snake and spiders
but the book you have are great color and they stand out i would love to read and them blog on them for you if you let me
desi the blonde at msn dot con
Spiders!!! LOL
Something happening to my kids!
Post a Comment