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Friday, February 26, 2016

Interview with Lynette Eason

By Marji Laine
I'm so delighted to chat with best-selling Christian suspense author, Lynette Eason. Her latest, Always Watching, is brand new and already sparking a huge buzz. And for good reason. Make sure you check out my review coming out next Monday! And enter for a chance to win a free copy. Keep reading!

Lynette, thanks so much for visiting at Suspense Sisters! I have to tell you, I opened it to just get a little taste before turning out the light and had trouble putting it down!
Obviously, that makes me glad to hear! LOL. It means I’ve done my job. :)

Where does your story seed start? Characters? Setting? Or some twist on a news story?
Usually, I get the idea for the story first. Just a glimmer of something. Like “what if there were a team of female bodyguards who went into business together, and they all had some time of law enforcement background?” Then I think, “Who would these women be?” And then I start putting together their backgrounds. Before too long, the story starts coming together for the first one, then the second and so on.

Your stories are so vivid.
Thank you!

The action, characters, setting all take on life. Do the words flow that way on first draft or do you use a lens for that when you revise?
For the most part, they do come on the first draft. I can write anywhere from three to six books in a year, so I don’t have a whole lot of time to edit. I get the story down as best I can and then send it off to my beta readers. Fortunately, they’re both in law enforcement, and they both have an interest in writing. That helps tremendously as they catch some line/copy edit things as well as correcting my police procedural stuff when it needs it. Of course, as I’m working through the story, I’m editing, or I’ll go back and add details as they occur to me, especially red herrings, etc. but when I’m done with the story, I’m pretty much done. At least until my copy editor gets ahold of it.

Lol! What would you say was the strangest thing you came across while you wrote this story? (Detail from research, scene that you dreamed up, maybe something you experienced that inspired an event?) 
I don’t know that I really came across a strange thing. Does it count that I think it’s strange that my brain even comes up with what it does? LOL. I think when I was writing Always Watching, I had a few friends who were going through the adoption process. I worked adoption into the story, and I think it came out great. It’s not a big part of the story, but it does affect my heroine to a large degree.

I know Always Watching is the first of a series. What characters are involved who will return, and who is the star of book #2? Is there a backstory in one of your characters that you’re tempted to flesh out?
All of the major characters in book #1 will return. Book #2 is Katie Singleton’s story. I introduce a new hero, Daniel Matthews, who I think readers will fall in love with. I also go a little deeper into the backstories of the characters who will show in books #3 and #4. Book #3 deals with Maddy McKay, who is fully healed from her harrowing ordeal, and Quinn Holcombe, the surly detective that I hope readers have come to love in spite of his grouchiness. I just turned their story in and think readers will love it. I’m now working on Haley Callaghan and trying to get to know her a little bit before dropping her into the middle of trouble.

I can't wait! Here's a little more about Always Watching from the Amazon summary of the book:
The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have more than just skill and prowess in common--they're also all women. When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians in order to protect his son.
But when Wade's bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap. Olivia's skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade's stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him. Olivia has the feeling that she's next on the list. And to complicate things even further, she realizes that her heart may be in as much danger as her client.
Bestselling author and fan favorite Lynette Eason drops readers right into the action in this fast-paced new series with a unique twist. Readers will love these strong female characters who put it all on the line to save lives.
Want a copy of Always Watching for yourself? You know you do! Leave a comment (make sure you include you EMAIL) and share your vision of a bodyguard. Have you had experience with one? Or maybe simply your impression of what they should be like!

29 comments:

  1. I would love to win a copy. I have never had a personal experience with a bodyguard or known one for that matter. I guess, in my imagination, I always think of them as really big guys (linebackers or some other really big football player). I am intrigued by the thought of women being bodyguards. Thanks for this opportunity. steveandellengray(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  2. Just LOVE Always Watching! It's full of twists and great characters. Quinn, though grouchy as he seems is competent and a great ally to the ladies at Elite Guardians. Can't wait for the other books in the series!

    I already have a copy. Just stopping by to say hello. Thanks!

    Annie

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  3. I haven't had a personal experiencee but my perception of a bodyguard will always be the character that Kevin Costner portrayed in The Bodyguard.
    I look forward to reading Always Watching. Thanks for this chance to win.
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. I have not interacted with a body guard, but, my father was a Sheriff and I always felt that he was protecting me.. Then I worked as a dispatcher for the Sheriff's office~ Hmmm, then, I was a guard of bodies! LOL,I would love to read this book..
    dkstevensne AToutlook[dot] com

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  5. My husband retired to keep our first grandchild while the parents worked. That really surprised me since he never wanted to change diapers when ours were small. He kept being called a nanny or a babysitter and that didn't sit well with him. He said it wasn't manly. So he started calling himself her personal body guard. My daughter even had him a shirt monogrammed with "Aisley's Personal Bodyguard".
    Would love to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity.
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. angelachesnut246@gmail.com would love to win.

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  7. I haven't had any personal experience with bodyguards, but I always picture the President's secret service when I think of them. Like others that have commented, I am really intrigued by the idea of women bodyguards. Lynette is one of my very favorite suspense authors and I am really excited about her latest series. Thanks so much for the interview and the giveaway!!

    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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  8. Great interview and a wonderful giveaway. I don't think I have ever considered what a bodyguard should be like. I suppose if I had to have on, I would like to think they would be in the background but always close enough to talk to if needed.
    bettimace at gmail dot com

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  9. Enjoyed the interview. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.

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  10. Marji and Lynette--thanks for a great interview. Looking forward to reading Always Watching. (No need to enter me in the giveaway...I have my copy already).

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  11. Never had a body guard. Wouldn't mind a muscular handsome ready to 'take you down' kinda guy. 😊Not really! who cares what they look like as long as they can get the job done!
    anne at Rightler dot com
    Thank you for sharing.

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  12. Interesting question! I have not had a bodyguard or known somebody with one. A bodyguard should ideally be Christian, with Christian principles, seeking God for help to be alert, strong - whatever any situation might require. Thank you for the interview and chance to win! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

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  13. I have never met any bodyguards. Great interview and thanks for the giveaway!
    pj4824(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  14. I've never met a real bodyguard, to my knowledge. when I think of one, I always think of Kevin Costner in the movie, The Bodyguard.
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. My all time favorite author!! Can't wait to read. Thanks, Kristie
    tklovenest (at) [aol] . {com}

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  16. I have never been around any bodyguards. My automatic thought would be for them to be men but since I was in the military it doesn't surprise me for there to be women bodyguards. I would love to read this story about women bodyguards. fishingjan[at]aol[dot]com

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  17. A great post thank you. I have no experience with bodyguards. I would expect them to be fiercely loyal, even if that loyalty has been bought.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  18. I have not had personal experience, but imagine really big intimidating guys. Love your books! So looking forward to reading this one!
    mo1202007ATyahooDOTcom

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  19. Would love to win this book - sounds like a the beginning of a great series. I have only read about bodyguards and have no personal experience, but imagine one to be loyal to the person he or she is protecting.
    betsylu2@msn.com

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  20. Thanks everyone for stopping by! I'm loving reading all of your comments!

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  21. My only experience with bodyguards have been between the pages of a book, lol, but a storyline with them is always intriguing. I'm a Lynette Eason fan and would love to read Always Watching. Thanks for the giveaway! tracey14567 at gmail dot com

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  22. A body gueard protects one from harm even putting himself(body} in harm's way for the one he is protecting. dixiegran@gmail.com

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  23. Lynette, I am so excited about your newest book "Always Watching"! I saw a FB post of the cover video and it sure was interesting to get a glimpse of how it was made.

    My idea of a body guard is a big guy all decked out in body armor & weapons. Someone who looks fierce & can intimidate someone by just looking at them. Someone I'd not want to meet in a dark alley, lol! Thankfully, I've never had any personal experience with a body guard. Just like police officers, I respect them as they have an important job to do & put their own lives on the line for others!

    Thank you for the author interview & chance to win your book!
    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. I just found out yesterday that I won a copy of this on another blog. So please take my name out of the contest :-) Best of the draw everyone!

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  24. I've never had any experience with body guards before. And hopefully I'll never need one! :D
    Love your books! Really hope I win!
    gracelz1(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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  25. My biggest problem with Lynette Eason's books is that I often lose sleep because they are hard to put down :) but I would love to read another one! I think bodyguards are a fascinating group of people as they willing put themselves in "possible" harms way for another person. I believe it takes a very special type of person
    Jking23(at)kent(dot)edu

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  26. Thanks everyone!! So glad you want to read the book! I appreciate all of your wonderful comments. :)

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  27. Of course I haven't had an experience with a bodyguard (except for my husband):) But I have always pictured them good looking and built like a weight lifter with lots of muscle. spotts06(at)comcast(dot)net

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  28. Lynette, last but not least, I want to thank you for sharing this wonderful interview. Your responses made me think about my own writing. Something sparked, I have a romantic suspense in the works and I volunteer for my local Sheriff's Office. Perhaps, I can find a reader/critique person there.

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