Monday 22 October 2012

  

This Blog is the PART of: eBook and Book for Coffee Time

Bill of Human Wrongs by Cynthia Michaels

October 4, 2012


 October 24, 2012
New Interview!


INTRODUCING AUTHOR C. MICHAEL
   Interview by L.Leander
Author C. Michaels was kind enough to agree to do the first interview on my new L.Leander Reviews and Interviews blog.  I owe her a big thank you.  I had a great time reading the answers to the questions I sent Ms. Michaels and I think you will too.  This summer I read the book “Crosswords” by the author.  You can read the review here.  I loved the novel and Ms. Michael’s writing style.  I began the second in the series “No Fear” but she put out an entirely new book recently called “The Book Of Human Wrongs” and I immediately downloaded the Kindle version.  It has been very hard to put the book down, even to design this new site and post Ms. Michael’s interview.  I’m sorry to say that I am only fifty percent finished with the book, but you will be able to come back soon to read my review, as well as my review of No Fear!
Since I know Ms. Michaels personally, I find it hard to understand that she writes in the Suspense/Thrillers genre.  She is very nice, outgoing, and always eager to help a fellow author succeed.  There is absolutely no sign of the danger and suspense that lurks within the pages of her books.  I’d say that makes a great author and C. Michaels is one of my new favorites.
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR C. MICHAELS by L.Leander
  • What makes you stand out as a writer?
Perhaps it is my twists and turns with my storylines. It’s done all the time with other writers, but I tell ya… my characters really surprise me sometimes. I have had to get out of my chair and pace the floor at times saying to myself, “Where did that come from?”
  • What is your favorite type of reading material?
Surprise. I would say, a good thriller. The worst part of having learned what makes a good storyline, however, is now I find myself more finicky.  Both with books and movies… I will hear a good review about a movie so I watch it. Immediately, I see how it will play out, too predictable.  With books, I look for tricks, the rules we must, should follow, so when I read a book that misses these gems (rules), I’m tainted by my book snobbery. The good news, though, is that a well-written novel is a real gift.
  • If you could only pick one, who is your greatest influence?
Easy. My late husband. He began as a mentor for my career when I was new to teaching many years ago. He was tough, but that encouraged me to work hard.
Later, we became involved, and he became a different type of mentor. He taught me to enjoy every minute of life, literally. Once in a while, I slip and forget to “relish the moment”, but then I think of him, and remind myself to suck it up, maybe turn on some music, maybe even dance.
  • Where do you get your ideas for writing?
At first, I drew exclusively on my own experiences. Cross Roads, my first novel takes place in a small town in Idaho where I fished many years ago. Many of the characters are stolen personalities from folks I know. Funny, though. After I finished the story, my two favorite characters were totally manufactured in my head. That fact helped me feel more confident to just make stuff up.
NO FEAR! continues with the lives of the Cross Roads people, and while the storyline is completely fabricated, it does take place in the town where I live. So, in that respect, I was still drawing on my experiences to some extent.
It is my latest novel, Bill of Human Wrongs where I braved it by picking a subject I haven’t lived. It does, however, deal with a subject matter, US politics, that I find most interesting.
I seem to have a thing for injecting a small bit of fantasy into my novels so far. Just a bit, mind you. Maybe there is still some “kid” in me.
  • Are you a pantser or an outliner?
Both. I start with a strong premise, main characters, and an ending. The rest would be considered “pantser”.
  • Finish this sentence:  One thing very few people know about me is…
I’m shy.
  • If I had a choice, every day would include.
Walk on the beach with my dog (after coffee). Now, if you are allowing me to fantasize, I would say that I’d like my mom and daughters with their families to live near me. Then the daily walk on the beach would include them.
  • If you were stranded on a deserted island and could have Internet and a computer or a supply of paper and pens which would you choose?
Computer ~ I am a geek. Really, I am. Used to teach programming languages.
  • Do you hear voices?  What do they tell you?  What do you tell them?
Sure, I’m a writer. They don’t say much to me, they talk amongst themselves. But they let me hear their conversations, and have given me permission to use them in my books. I don’t tell them anything – they don’t need me. It’s me who needs them.
  • What is your very favorite part of being an author?  Your least favorite?
Best: Unleashing my imagination, so exciting when I move into the zone. Least: When, if I feel the book is taking a wrong turn I need to get away from the computer and begin thinking, planning. Another pacing experience, but in this case, a nervous experience.
  • Where did you grow up?
Washington state, where there is lots of salt water while having the mountains a short drive away. Pretty slick.
  • Describe your ideal vacation (the sky’s the limit)
I’m living it every day. I live in Mazatlan. Sounds like I’m bored, but that’s the way I feel now. Maybe it will wear off after a while. Ask me this question again in a few years.
  •  If you could be either, which would you choose – a dog or a cat?  Why?
My best friend is Rani. She’s a compassionate dog, perhaps the love we share is a perfect definition of love.
  • You are the co-host of CBS This Morning – who would you like to snag an interview with?
There are many, but right now, Tina Fey comes to mind. I would love to learn how her creative mind ticks.
  •  Tell us a little about your most recent protagonist?
Ah, that would be Claire Winslow. I really like this woman. Her life, at first glance, tells the reader that she’s a success. She is a US Senator; bright, and compassionate about working to pass laws to enhance women’s rights. I actually feel sorry for her when her world is turned upside down. She is faced with a difficult decision she must make when a Senate bill is to be voted on in a week. She’s the deciding vote for her Party. She knows it makes damaging changes to the Bill of Rights that could ruin lives, but also knows that her Party will make sure she is not re-elected if she doesn’t vote for it. The misery she goes through during the first days of this story is painful to watch. She is in her “hole”. A turn of events throws a curveball to her thinking, however, a secret so hard to believe, so terrible. Claire is able to crawl out of her misery, knowing what she must do, but not before coming to grips with the unimaginable knowledge she learns from a strange woman she meets in a coffee house, late in the night.
Thank you Ms. Michaels for your candor.  I’m sure our readers will enjoy hearing what makes you tick and once they read one of your books you should get a landslide of fan mail!  Readers, I am including the following links for you to check out Ms. Michaels books and other places you can find her on the Internet.  Please feel free to ask questions in the comment section below or leave feedback.

Tuesday 16 October 2012

This Blog is the PART of: eBook and Book for Coffee Time

Bill of Human Wrongs by Cynthia Michaels
October 4, 2012

Book Description

Claire Winslow has nightmares nearly every night, reliving the event when her sister killed a man, and then shot herself. The man had been a prominent CEO of an electronics company, a powerhouse citizen in their small town, her sister’s rapist.

Twenty years later, Claire Winslow, now a US Republican Senator from the state of Washington is an advocate for women’s rights. Her national platform gives her the power to be heard and make a difference in protecting women against unfair practices.

Claire is about to be tested.

Senate Bill 1257 is set to be released with only a week to read before the vote. This bill attempts to modify the constitution in a way that could change the future lives of not only women, but all non-white citizens in the country.

The Senate is dominated by the Republican Party. The authors of the bill have every Republican on board to sign the bill. Except for Claire Winslow.

And they need her vote.

This thriller leads us through the life of Claire Winslow during a time when the people around her will stop at nothing to win her vote. The bill is full of changes that Claire cannot vote for. But her re-election is coming up. Is she more help to women as a Senator? Does she keep her position by voting for this horrendous bill?

Then Claire meets Eve Hart.

Eve lives in a different world from Claire’s, a place that might be the creation of SB 1257. Eve could be a product, a futuristic outcome from this SB 1257.

Claire is having her nocturnal nightmares depicting the last moments of her sister’s life, her Party’s pressures, nasty tricks are taking a toll on her. There are only a few days left before the vote, when Claire learns something so dreadful, so unthinkable.

What will Claire do with this knowledge?




C. Michaels Biography

Release of third novel, Bill of Human Wrongs ~ on Amazon now:Click HERE!!!

This book explores the damage that could cause havoc if right-wing zealots were able to amend the Bill of Rights with their view of how the country should look and act.
The protagonist is a moderate Conservative, Senator Claire Winslow, who has moral issues with the writings in this bill but knows that if she doesn't vote for it, will lose her position in the fall when her Senate seat is up for re-election. It is her vote that will make the SB 1257 pass.
Meet Eve Hart,a product of the future that the bill effects. By means of an anomaly, the two meet, adding chaos to the Senator's thoughts. She can't change the past but can she change the future? And by that, does she vote for the bill and keep her position of power or vote against it knowing that she will not be re-elected?
The following is an excerpt from a conversation between Claire and an ink analyst, her friend who has just tested a newspaper that Eve gave Claire... a paper from Eve's world.
Claire took a chance that Tony would be done with his work. He answered his door with an odd expression. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her into his home, then stepped outside, and looked both directions, scanning the street to be sure that she wasn't followed.
"Tony, what is it? I've never seen you like this."
"Sit down, Claire. I have incredible news for you." His hands were shaking, his voice nervous. He went to the table where his section of the newspaper was and held it in his hands. "This is a miracle, Claire. Do you understand what you have? Tell me more about this Eve." His voice was excited, louder with each word that left his lips. "This is real, Claire!"
She sat, staring at him, speechless for some time.
Tony ran across the room and sat next to her, grabbing her hands. He was losing himself over his news, laughter came from deep within him, and then tears formed in his eyes. "I must meet her, Claire. She's a miracle. Think what we can learn from this woman!"
Conflicts between the different political figures are constant to the end, keeping the reader wondering how this debacle will end.
What is in store for the future? Will the doom and gloom that Eve Hart has to endure come to be? Or will Claire find a way to change Eve's destiny?
C. Michaels is from the Pacific NW but now lives in Mexico with her Chow Chow, Rani. In her previous life, she taught programming languages at a community college near Seattle, and later taught in the java programming group for Oracle Corp. She has always had a love for the arts, in both writing and painting, finding Mazatlan's Paradise the perfect place to work. Her books are character driven, and will easily draw you into their crazy zany world, a place where for some, there are no scruples or decency. And, as much as you may think you have things figured out, the twisty plots keep the guessing alive, in both Cross Roads and NO FEAR! These two books are part of an ongoing sequel, with an undetermined end in sight. However, each book is independent enough to enjoy out of sequential order.
Michaels is excited about the release of her new political thriller, Bill of Human Wrongs, now on available on Amazon.
Please visit www.cmichaelsbooks.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/cmichaelsbooks

Stephen Cody
5 of 5 stars false
Read in October, 2012

IMAGINE A POLITICAL THRILLER -- WRITTEN BY ROD SERLING!

United States Senator Claire Winslow is a character we could use more of in real life. She's a politician with morals, backbone, and strong sense of justice. She's plagued by her sister's murder suicide. Her sibling, unable to get justice, kills her rapist, a powerful industrialist, and turns the gun on herself. This changes the course of Claire's life, taking her into politics, an arena where she hopes she can aid other women.

Book is set in a crucial time in America's history. The Senate is set to take up a proposed constitutional amendment that will rewrite all of our fundamental guarantees. Religion, rather than law, will be supreme. Equal rights will be a thing of the past. Vigilante justice will be allowed to replace the rule of law. Claire struggles with the dilemma of siding with her party and voting for the measure or opposing it and risking her political future and the unspoken promises made to her sister.

The book interweaves the story of Eve, a wealthy housewife who is witness to a vigilant murder in her neighborhood. Eventually, the stories of Claire and Eve combine in a way that was unforseen. It left this reader smiling in amazement.

C. Michaels has a crisp writing style well suited to a political thriller genre. The pacing is effortless and the story unfolds masterfully.

I finished it in a single sitting. I could not put it down -- and neither will you.



Other books by Cynthia Michaels:



5.0 out of 5 stars
Murder in Mazatlan!
, February 1, 2012
By 
Linda Hartwell
  This review is from: NO FEAR! (Kindle Edition)

I live in Mazatlan and really enjoyed this fascinating tale set here. The author does a great job of describing the sites, sounds and traditions of my adopted home. I like how the author tackled the subject of regression and created a story that will appeal to the highly sceptical and the highly spiritual.

Reading about the happenings of the conference participants moves the story along quickly, while we wonder who is going to get hurt next by the men so set on revenge. The ending was satisfying as the bad guys and the good guys get their just deserts. Wait, not everyone ... I guess I'll have to wait for the next book.






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