Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group discussion

Getting to Know Cindy Gerard Session

Thank you so much for joining us for our two hour chat with Ms. Cindy Gerard, between 6-8 pm Pacific/8-10 pm Central/9-11 Eastern pm!

Introduction:

Along with category romance, Cindy has established herself very capably as a romantic suspense action writer. Her Bodyguard series made the New York Times list, and her Black Ops series puts her heroes firmly in the Dangerous Hero arena. Cindy's latest release, The Way Home, is available now and has been garnering excellent reviews on GoodReads, Amazon and B&N.


We are so excited that Ms. Gerard could take some time out of her busy schedule to chat with us tonight!

Please welcome Ms. Gerard to the Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group!

Cindy Gerard's website: http://www.cindygerard.com/

Giveaway:

Ms. Gerard is happy to offer a giveaway of two ebooks copies of When Somebody Loves You which is a two volume containing 2 complete novels from her backlist. The winners will be selected randomly and notified via private message. Please make sure to check back on this thread sometime between Saturday and Monday (November 16-18th).

Guidelines for Q&A Session:

1. Let’s remember that the author is giving us some of their valuable time, and treat them respectfully. No bashing, no slamming, no snarking. Any posts found to be disrespectful will be deleted.

2. Please remember that the best way to get questions answered is to ask them clearly, so the author understands exactly what it is you want to know.

3. Please ask your question in bold so that they stand out. All other chat should be kept in normal font.

4. If you have a question, check to make sure it hasn’t already been asked. We don’t want the author to have to repeat herself/himself and we don’t want you to feel like you’ve been ignored, either.

5. The winner of any books, bookmarks, or other items given away will be chosen by the author and any personal information should be exchanged in PMs. All decisions are final.

6. And the most important guideline of all - let’s have fun!

This thread will be open for members to post questions on Thursday, November 14th evening.

This thread is now open!

Hello Cindy, thank you for writing these amazing books.

After the One Eyed Jacks, what do you have planed in the romantic suspense genre?

Welcome, Cindy!

Who are some of your favorite writers and who influenced you in your own writing?

Welcome Cindy,

What is your favorite type of theme to write about and why? What genre are you interested in trying next?

Your most recent book, The Way Home, involved two separate storylines that eventually converge. How tough was it to manage having those individual stories develop in tandem so seamlessly and stay emotionally charged?

Nice to talk with you, Cindy! And great questions, ladies!

I am still reading your Black Ops, Inc series, moving toward One Eyed Jacks, can't wait to get to your lastest book!

Question:
While reading your books, I can't help but notice how different each characters are. Where do you find your inspiration for who they are and how they act? How did you make up these characters and how do you make them stay in character all through the book?

Welcome Cindy!!!

Are you a Plotter or Panster? What is your writing schedule/day like? Any advice for aspiring writers in the romantic suspense category?

Aly (Mircea) Basarab wrote: "Hello Cindy, thank you for writing these amazing books.

After the One Eyed Jacks, what do you have planed in the romantic suspense genre?"

Danielle The Book Huntress (Angels Weep For Goodreads) wrote: "This thread is now open!"

Hi Everyone. Thanks Danielle for inviting me to chat.
Aly - as for what's next after The One Eyed Jacks, I haven't thought that far ahead. I still have 2 complete books to write in the series. When those are done, then I can give some thought to where I go from here. thanks for asking!!

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "Welcome, Cindy!

Who are some of your favorite writers and who influenced you in your own writing?"
Hi Pamela. Oh, wow. I have a long list of favorite authors. I was introduced to romance via LaVryle Spencer's and Tom and Sharon Curtis's books. If you haven't read them =- see if you can find some of their work. They were amazing and I miss seeing new material from them. Sandra Brown - especially her early Historical romances were amazing. Honestly, I read everyone and every genre and tried to learn from them all.

Fil wrote: "Welcome Cindy,

What is your favorite type of theme to write about and why? What genre are you interested in trying next? "
Hi Fil. I'm not married to any particular theme. If the story and the characters work for me, I'm up for any kind of story. Wish I could be more specific. If guess if push came to shove, I love a good redemption story ... gotta love a hero who's in need to a good woman to show him the true path :o)

Jonetta wrote: "Your most recent book, The Way Home, involved two separate storylines that eventually converge. How tough was it to manage having those individual stories develop in tandem so seam..."
Hi Honetta. Good question. When I started writing The Way Home I knew I had bitten off quite a difficult task. The way I approached it from the 'craft' perspective was that I wrote all of Jess and Ty's story up until the two stories converged. I stopped there and then I wrote J.R. and Rabia's scenes. It helped me to stay in each story's tone and perspective to keep them completely straight. Then I dove tailed the scenes together until the point where the two stories merged. It actually worked quite well from a logistics point of view.

Cindy wrote: "... gotta love a hero who's in need to a good woman to show him the true path :o)"

**gigglesnort**

Jane wrote: "Nice to talk with you, Cindy! And great questions, ladies!

I am still reading your Black Ops, Inc series, moving toward One Eyed Jacks, can't wait to get to your lastest book!

Question:
While re..."
Hi Jane and wow, I don't know if I can articulate that answer other than to say that when I start a series, I have a very clear cute idea of the main character's in the first book. The other characters are added in that book more or less as vehicles to move the story along and to showcase the hero and heroine. However, I've found that even though those secondary characters were initially created to support the original story, they soon take on lives and personalities of their own and little by little this new personality evolves. And I can keep them straight because I live with these men and women 365/24/7 as I'm writing and plotting out each story.

Ki wrote: "Welcome Cindy!!!

Are you a Plotter or Panster? What is your writing schedule/day like? Any advice for aspiring writers in the romantic suspense category? "
Hi Ki
I'm a little bit of both - or maybe the correct way to put it is that I'm a LOT of both. I have to write an outline before I begin (or shortly after I've written the opening scene) so that I have a road map, so to speak, of where I need to go to get to my destination. That doesn't mean, however, that once I start following my 'map' that I don't stray off on a lot of side roads. :o) Often the most interesting experiences come from those little side trips so I always leave myself open to potential changes in my original plot. These characters often have minds of their own and it's their way or no way.:o)

Cindy wrote: "Fil wrote: "Welcome Cindy,

What is your favorite type of theme to write about and why? What genre are you interested in trying next? "
Hi Fil. I'm not married to any particular theme. If the s..."

Oh, that's a great theme!

Welcome Cindy! Thanks to everyone who dropped in to ask questions!

Thanks Danielle. Very happy to be here. I've been enjoying the questions so far and REALLY enjoying the reviews The Way Home has been receiving on GR's. Great place to be :o)

Hi Cindy! Love everyone of your books. I thought that The Way Home was a beautiful and I had to keep a tissue handy while I was reading it. So who is next in the One-Eyed Jack series?

Cindy wrote: "Jane wrote: "Nice to talk with you, Cindy! And great questions, ladies!

I am still reading your Black Ops, Inc series, moving toward One Eyed Jacks, can't wait to get to your lastest book!

Quest..."

Amazing! I love how your characters all seem to have a distinct personality.

How do you decide which character gets a story or when? Do you have a clearly plotted plan for each series?

Cindy wrote: "Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "Welcome, Cindy!

Who are some of your favorite writers and who influenced you in your own writing?"
Hi Pamela. Oh, wow. I have a long list of favorite authors. I was int..."

I have been reading since the 70s but I managed to miss both LaVryle Spencer and Tom and Sharon Curtis. I have read one of the Curtis' in recent years. I will definitely check them out. Thanks! Sandra Brown was a big favorite and I read many of her older books.

Are there any subjects/themes that are taboo for you to write?

Thank you for being here!!! I have two auto-buy Romantic Suspense authors - Pamela Clare and you - so this is a real thrill for me!

I don't have a question - okay, truth be told, I have a million questions but since there's not enough time to ask them all I just want to tell you that I loved The Way Home and appreciated a story that showed how caring and compassionate people in the Arab world can be, and not always terrorists blowing things up. Thank you for giving us that.

Now, get off GR and get back to writing! I don't care if you do still have an hour plus left for questions. WRITE, WOMAN, WRITE!

Another good question, Ali. Because I end up loving all the characters I create (they'll like my children - well, some of them :o) ) once they appear to me on the page, I start thinking about how I could create a story for them. It doesn't always happen but more often than not, it does. Then again, I often hear from my readers requesting so and so's story. That generally tells me I've got a winner :o)

How do you research the action scenes in your books, including hardware and tech?

Keri wrote: "Hi Cindy! Love everyone of your books. I thought that The Way Home was a beautiful and I had to keep a tissue handy while I was reading it. So who is next in the One-Eyed Jack series?"
Awe. that's sweet. I loved writing that book. It was very special to me too. I was very pleased that my publisher wanted me to write The Way Home as a bonus book in the OEJ series for Christmas. Now it's back to Cooper and Taggart. I'm writing Cooper's book now - Running Blind and will write Taggart's - Taking Fire after that.

Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to answer so many questions. I recently read The way Home and loved it to extremes. I have to say, when the BOI boys walked in and I realized that they were all going to have some type of involvement...you don't even know how stoked I was. I felt like I was catching up with old (sexy) friends. Their banter brought back great memories. So thank you for that.

So I guess my question is: Do you miss your characters when you move on from them? Are they so real to you, as they are to your readers, that you wonder what they're up to on occasion?

Cindy I am just reading Killing Time.. I love how you have involved the Black Ops guys with this One-Eyed Jack series.. I am about 1/2 way through it and I love, love love it.. I also have The Way Home on my tbr shelf and hope to get to it soon.. What is up next for us Cindy Gerard booklover?

Are there any subjects/themes that are taboo for you to write?

I wouldn't say there are any taboos as much as I have preferences of what I like to write. I love to write about tortured heroes, for one, strong women, for another and monogamy is important to me so I could never be comfortable writing a story where the H/H cheats or engages with multiple partners. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with those story lines, I'm merely saying I wouldn't be comfortable writing a story of that nature.

Danielle The Book Huntress (Angels Weep For Goodreads) wrote: "How do you research the action scenes in your books, including hardware and tech?"
I am fortunate enough to have some great military and former military contacts and a very good friend who once worked security in some pretty dicey areas of the world. He and I have many discussions and we've even gone shooting together.

UniquelyMoi ... So I Can Shine... wrote: "Thank you for being here!!! I have two auto-buy Romantic Suspense authors - Pamela Clare and you - so this is a real thrill for me!

I love Pam too - both as a writer and a person and I'm humbled to be in her company in your eyes.
And even a writer needs some time off every once in a while :o) thanks again for the props.

Hi Cindy!

I haven't read your books yet (I know, GASP!). Which one would you recommend to someone who is finding your books for the first time?

Thanks for being here!

Duchess said "Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to answer so many questions. I recently read The way Home and loved it to extremes. I have to say, when the BOI boys walked in and I realized that they were all going to have some type of involvement...you don't even know how stoked I was. I felt like I was catching up with old (sexy) friends. Their banter brought back great memories. So thank you for that.

So I guess my question is: Do you miss your characters when you move on from them? Are they so real to you, as they are to your readers, that you wonder what they're up to on occasion?"

Hi Duchess. I absolutely miss my characters when I finish writing their book, that's why I'm so happy that I get to bring them back in the next book - or the next. Ending a series is like saying good bye to family - and yes, I do wonder what they're up to ... another good reason to bring them back in a book and catch up with them. :o)

How do you decide what type of female character to pair with your hero of the moment?

where are my manners(*blush)! Hi Cindy

Kathleen said: "Cindy I am just reading Killing Time.. I love how you have involved the Black Ops guys with this One-Eyed Jack series.. I am about 1/2 way through it and I love, love love it.. I also have The Way Home on my tbr shelf and hope to get to it soon.. What is up next for us Cindy Gerard booklover?"

Killing Time was so much fun. Ever since Mike Brown showed up in With No Remorse (Luke Colter's story) I KNEW I had to write about him. And once his story came to light, I realized he had to have some partners in crime - hence, Cooper and Taggart. Their books will be next - Running Blind and Taking Fire.

Dorene: "Hi Cindy! I haven't read your books yet (I know, GASP!). Which one would you recommend to someone who is finding your books for the first time?

Thanks for being here!"

Hi Dorene. Thanks for stopping by and no worries. There are SO many books and SO little time :o)
As for which of my books to start with, they all stand alone so you'd be safe starting with any single book. I think it's more fun to read the series in order but in this case I'd rec that you start with Killing Time. It's the first book in my One-Eyed Jacks series. The Way Home is the second book - although it's really a bonus Christmas book - and strays a bit from what I usually write. Either one of those would be a good start. Hope you enjoy them.

Hi Cindy (et al. : )). I'm kind of 'just a lurker' but I wanted to thank you for participating. It's really interesting to read about these behind the scenes aspects, the writing process and so forth. Great thread.

Pat wrote: "How do you decide what type of female character to pair with your hero of the moment?

where are my manners(*blush)! Hi Cindy"

No worries. Hi Pat. As for your question, I'm a big believer in opposites attract. I'm also a big believer than not every heroine has to be a kick ass, GI Jane type of heroine. So I mix up the types. Sometimes I simply pair up 2 people because I know one will tick the other one off :o) Sometime I know a woman needs a particular kind of man to make her realize there's much more to her than she's ever given herself credit for and visa versa. It's kind of a crap shoot and most often it plays out as the story comes to light. It's one of the fun parts of writing. Figuring out what's going to happen with this person next and how they are going to grow.

Hi Cindy! I also loved The Way Home--it was a very emotional read. Love all your stuff.:)

Of all the books you've written, do you have a favorite couple?
I just loved Johnny Duane Reed and Crystal Debrowski and their whole exciting story!

Georgiana wrote: "Hi Cindy (et al. : )). I'm kind of 'just a lurker' but I wanted to thank you for participating. It's really interesting to read about these behind the scenes aspects, the writing process and so for..."

Dorene: "Hi Cindy! I haven't read your books yet (I know, GASP!). Which one would you recommend to someone who is finding your books for the first time?

Thanks for being here!"

Hi Dorene. Thanks for stopping by and no worries. There are SO many books and SO little time :o)
As for which of my books to start with, they all stand alone so you'd be safe starting with any single book. I think it's more fun to read the series in order but in this case I'd rec that you start with Killing Time. It's the first book in my One-Eyed Jacks series. The Way Home is the second book - although it's really a bonus Christmas book - and strays a bit from what I usually write. Either one of those would be a good start. Hope you enjoy them.

Thanks Georgiana and welcome.

Auntie wrote: "Hi Cindy! I also loved The Way Home--it was a very emotional read. Love all your stuff.:)

Of all the books you've written, do you have a favorite couple?
I just loved Johnny Duane Reed and Crystal debrowski and their whole exciting story!"

Hi Auntee. Thanks so much. I'm loving that my readers are loving The Way Home as it was a very special book for me to write.

As for a favorite couple: Which ever book I'm writing, THAT's my favorite couple :o) BUT having said that, Gabe and Jenna (Show No Mercy), Johnny D and Tink (Whisper No Lies), B.J. and Rafe (Risk No secrets) and Nolan and Jillian (To The Edge)are probably among my favorites. But then ... there's Mike and Eva, Sam and Abbie ... urge. I'd better stop or I'll list them all. :o)

I hope all of your questions are being answered. This forum is a little difficult for me to follow if I'm not right on top of each question. So, bump me again if I didn't answer because that was not my intention. :o)

Cindy wrote: "Hi Dorene. Thanks for stopping by and no worries. There are SO many books and SO little time :o)
As for which of my books to start with, they all stand alone so you'd be safe starting with any single book. I think it's more fun to read the series in order but in this case I'd rec that you start with Killing Time. It's the first book in my One-Eyed Jacks series. The Way Home is the second book - although it's really a bonus Christmas book - and strays a bit from what I usually write. Either one of those would be a good start. Hope you enjoy them. "

Perfect! I had been eying The Way Home so I think starting with both books will work for me :) Thankyou!

For me, Sam & Eva knocked Gabe & Jenna away from my top couples. Will there be more interaction with One-Eyed Jacks (love that name) and the BOI's?

Pat wrote: " For me, Sam & Eva knocked Gabe & Jenna away from my top couples. Will there be more interaction with One-Eyed Jacks (love that name) and the BOI's?"
Hi again Pat. I know you meant Mike and Eva :o) And they were a great couple. thanks.
Absolutely. The BOI's show up again in Running Blind - writing a scene with them in it right now as a matter of fact. Just can't seem to shake them :o)

Thanks for the save and yes I did LOL.
one more and I'll shut up.

I'm just starting on your older series Bodyguard. I'm sure you're a mother loving all of them, but does one of your series stand-out for you? Reminding you that you've got a lot of fans?

Pat wrote: "Thanks for the save and yes I did LOL.
one more and I'll shut up.

I'm just starting on your older series Bodyguard. I'm sure you're a mother loving all of them, but does one of your series stan..."

No worries, Pat. Ask away
Every series is special the Bodyguards is very special because To the Edge was my first single title sale, my first foray into romantic suspense and my awakening to the fact that i loved to write connecting books :o) Black Ops Inc was special because a guy by the name of Gabriel - the Archangel - Jones showed up OUT OF THE blue in that dark back alley in Buenos Aires (Into The Dark) and blew my sox off. I KNEW he had to have a book and when he took Dallas and Amy to the cantina and we met Johnny D and Sam Lang there - well, I was already thoroughly in lust with all 3 men. And of course, they had to have more team mates ... and then, as I said earlier, Mike - Primetime - Brown showed up in With No Remorse and === well, how's a woman supposed to resist THAT guy???
Ti.

UniquelyMoi was so correct that you and Pamela Clare are auto-buys and auto-recommends for me - I don't care if its the phone book you're updating.

Your characters are so vivid they take drool to a whole new level and move from book boyfriend to book husband category. I really like your answer to my last question and love that you are still so excited by the characters that excite us - your fans.