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Friday, July 1, 2016

INTERVIEW OF CYNTHIA HICKEY





 
Multi-published and Amazon Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries and two novellas published through Barbour Publishing. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series, all of which stay in the top 50 of Amazon’s ebooks for their genre. She had several historical romances release through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents, and has sold over half a million copies of her works since 2013. She has taught a Continuing Education class at the 2015 American Christian Fiction Writers conference. You can find her on FB, twitter, and Goodreads, and is a contributor to Cozy Mystery Magazine blog and Suspense Sisters blog. She and her husband run the small press, Forget Me Not Romances, which includes some of the CBA’s best well-known authors. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs, two cats, three box turtles, and two Sulcata tortoises. She has seven grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”.

1. When did you discover your love for the written word? My mother said that, not having a Kindergarten close enough for me to attend as a child, that she taught me to read. I took to it easily and have always read above my level. Once I discovered the many worlds between the pages of a book, I was hooked.

2. When did you begin your writing career? I’ve made up stories for as long as I can remember, but it isn’t until a few years ago that I actually began to take the writing process seriously. My first novel, Fudge-Laced Felonies, was released through Barbour in 2007.

3. Tell us something that people may not know about you? I’ve been on television twice. Once on the backdrop of a weather report filmed on Petit Jean Mountain in Arkansas and another time when a documentary was being filmed at the Pickle Plant where I worked.

4. Where does the magic happen?
This cute little place holds everything I need, and almost everything means something personal. I have a dry erase board to schedule my next writing project, keep tabs on other writing jobs, and to list what I need to do at home.
The bulletin board holds websites addresses I visit on a regular basis and holds my favorite quote. It’s by Erma Bombeck and says, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’.”
There is a silk rose given to me by a student of the elementary school I used to work at. It sits in a mug that says, “What deadline?” Next to that is a frog tape dispenser, which to me means, Fully Rely On God. Holding an assortment of fun pencils and ink pens is a ceramic mug brought to me from Mexico by a cafeteria worker at the same elementary school. I have a pink fuzzy bird holding a plaque that states, “Do not start with me–you will not win” and a fuzzy angel flamingo pen, because who doesn’t want one of those?
On the wall is a framed Life magazine focusing on “Gone With the Wind” and a Newsweek “Elvis” edition. These are the two categories I collect. I love anything Elvis or Gone With the Wind.
To the left of the desk is a glass tank that holds two Sulcata tortoise hatchlings. On the floor at my feet are two dogs. Behind me is a wall of books: fiction, non-fiction, research. This is my world and I love it.

5. Do you have a secret desire that may not ever come true? I’ve always thought it would be a blast to be in a movie. Not a walk on character, but an actual main character. An insane person would be fun.

6. Do you have a favorite book? The one book I own that has stood the test of time is Gone With the Wind and Little Women. I still love them.

7. A favorite author? I’d have to say that in today’s market, I love Diana Gabaldon. Her Outlander characters are so rich, I feel as if I know them.

8. Do you have a favorite book that you’ve written? No, I can’t say that I do. I guess Fudge would be it if I had to pick, it being my first and all.


9. Any suggestions for pre-pubbed authors? Never, ever, give up. If you’re meant to be an author, you need to write as much as you need to breathe.

10. Tell us about your newest release. In Path to Nowhere (Shady Acres Mystery, book 2) Shelby Hart and her sidekick of quirky family members and friends are at it again! This time, no one in Shady Acres are what they seem. The seedy side of the community is revealed when a seemingly good girl's dirty lifestyle is revealed and someone kills her for her secrets. Wanting justice served for a woman no one deems worthy of spending too much time investigating her death, Shelby takes matters into her own hands. From a mystery maze to underground tunnels, Shelby and her family must catch a killer before they become the next victim. The book can be bought here.

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN BOOK ONE IN THE SERIES, BEWARE THE ORCHIDS.

25 comments:

  1. I enjoyed Cynthia's interview and I hope to read Path to Nowhere very soon. In the description it says 'This time, no one in Shady Acres are what they seem'. I am from a small community and this statement could be about us!! :-)
    Thanks for this chance to win
    Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Hello Ladies, good interview today,learned some things and some surprised me,I like the quote from Emma and plan to share. I am not sure if I have read this author but have seen you on fb....will have to check out your books,always happy to find a new to me author to read...

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  3. Great interview! I would love to read the story. Thank you for the opportunity. mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  4. Great interview! I would love to read the story. Thank you for the opportunity. mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  5. Love a good mystery. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom.

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  6. Thank you for the information in the interview as well as the chance to win the book! dawn dot nicol at gmail dot com

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  7. Great interview. I love it when Book one in a series is offered as a giveaway, especially if you haven't yet read any more in that series. So, sign me up for this giveaway, please.
    debsbunch777(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. I am looking forward to this series. Thank you! Kristie
    tklovenestataoldotcom

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  9. Thank you for a terrific interview! I love "getting to know" authors through interviews such as this. Thank you, Cynthia, for allowing us to peek into your world.

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  10. Loved the interview. The series sounds like a fun one! Julie (WI)

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  11. Thank you for the great post. Love all the post-its in your writing space.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  12. Great interview! I have a mug on my desk that says What Deadline too. Lynette Sowell gave me mine, I'm curious... did she give you yours too? Don't enter me in the contest, I already own this wonderful book :)

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  13. What a great interview! I always enjoy hearing how authors get started with their writing careers. It's so interesting!

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  14. good interview! Sounds like a great book!

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  15. What a fun and encouraging interview. I'm impressed with how organized your writing space is.
    Path to Nowhere sounds like a great story. I'm always intrigued by underground tunnels and secret passages.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Hope you do get to appear in a movie! Maybe even one made from one of your books! Wouldn't that be wide?
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  17. Great interview. Thanks for the giveaway.
    betsylu2@msn.com

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  18. I enjoyed this interview with Cynthia. Very interesting. Would love to win her book. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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  19. Thanks for the interview and giveaway! Sounds like a fun read!

    mo1202007ATyahooDOTcom

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  20. I've read a few of Cynthia's books, but haven't started on this series, yet. I would love to get started on it. Thank you for offering a copy of the first book. In case you would need my email, may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  21. Great interview and review. This is a new author and series to me and I would really enjoy reading.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. Great interview and review. This is a new author and series to me and I would really enjoy reading.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Dianne Casey is the winner! Congrats!

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