Please welcome my guest,Author CJ Bahr.
First published in Marion Zimmer
Bradley's "Sword & Sorceress" anthology, C J was bitten by
the writer's bug and hasn't stopped since. The Wild Rose Press published
her award-winning first novel, "Walking Through Fire"— a Scottish
ghost romance. She is currently working on the fourth book in the interconnected
standalone series, The Fire Chronicles, as well as a new Urban Fantasy starring
a kick-ass Time Enforcer.
When her pen isn't scribing, you
can find her busily cutting and tracking music for film and
television. With over thirty years of music editing experience, her
credits range from "Northern Exposure" and "The Muppets
Christmas Carol", to "The Kill Point", "The
Following", and ABC’s hit comedy, "The Middle".
In her downtime, you’ll find her
curled up with a cup of tea, her cats and a great book in Tarzana, California.
Now on to the Interview:
Tell
us something about yourself both writing and non-writing related.
I
write to movie/tv soundtracks, nothing with lyrics. It’s like I score the
scenes I’m writing. So, for instance, if creating an action scene I might
listen to “The Italian Job” or “The Transformers”. This habit comes from my day
job as a music editor for film and television. I help put music into shows
working closely with composers, producers and directors.
Do
you have a writing routine or ritual that you do before you start writing?
No
routine for me. As I am a panster and not a plotter, so goes my writing. I
really should get more structured, it would probably make me much more
productive. But what I do when I do start writing, is open up my iTunes and
select the music for the scenes of the day.
Why
do you write in the genre/sub-genre that you do?Any
plans in the future to write in a different one?
I write paranormal romance, supernatural
suspense and fantasy. When reading I like to escape, so I like to give the same
to my readers, giving them a little magic with a dark taste. I started reading
contemporary Billionaire romances and find them fun. Maybe one day I’ll try my
hand in that genre.
How
do you stay motivated when writer’s block hits or your muse won’t cooperate?
Writer’s block sucks. I find sometimes jumping to another WIP or think of other
ideas for novels, gets me out of a rut. And if the blinking cursor on a blank
page gets me crazy, I’ll go old school and write with pen and paper. Sometime
changing it up, gets my brain going.
What’s
the strangest thing you’ve ever done in the name of research?
My
supernatural suspense, Valley Fever,
the showdown takes place at a nuclear power plant. Since there’s an old plant
south of me, I tried to get a personal tour, but no joy. Even if the San Onofre
Nuclear Power Plant isn’t functioning, the security still is!
What’s
the best writing advice you were ever given?
Never
give up and always keep writing. My first sale happened in my 20’s. I didn’t
sell again until my late 40’s. Now I have six books to my name. Don’t let your
dream die. You can do it.
What
do you like to do in your leisure time?
Read.
I’m a total bookworm. Also, being from Southern California, there’s ton of
things to do with friends—the Hollywood Bowl, the beach, mountains for hiking
and of course, the wineries.
Tell
us about your current or upcoming release in a couple of sentences.
My
most recent release is Redeemed By Fire,
which is the third book in my Fire
Chronicles series. The seven book series are stand alones, so you can leap
into the fire at any time. Redeemed By
Fire is a paranormal romance set in contemporary New Orleans, with a
supernatural serial killer stalking the streets of the French Quarter.
Can
you tell us a little about your next project?
Currently
I’m plotting book 4 in The Fire
Chronicles, while finishing the first book in a new series starring a
kick-ass female time cop.
Anything
else you’d like readers to know?
Please
consider leaving reviews for the books you read. It doesn’t have to be a
missive. It could be a simple single sentence. Reviews help readers find new
authors and keep writers writing.
Blurb:
Cassanne Thomas returns to New
Orleans to start her life over and becomes the target of a supernatural serial
killer. Escaping her close call with death, Casi is the only witness to the
crime and finds herself placed in protected custody by a handsome Cajun detective.
But with her dark, troubled past, trusting the police is the last thing she
wants to do.
Detective Lucas Avery, the top
homicide detective in NOLA, is unaware of the supernatural world surrounding
him. With the killer stalking the streets, he vows to shield the beautiful,
enigmatic, Casi with his life while fighting his growing attraction to her.
He's been burned before.
Danger chases Lucas and Casi from
the streets of the French Quarter to the wilds of the bayou. Will they be able
to stop a monster, straight out of a nightmare or become victims themselves?
Excerpt:
Casi
screamed and covered her ears, though too late. The loud boom made her ears
ring. Who was shooting at them? She tried to see, but Luc’s weight had her
effectively pinned. Squealing tires along with a string of Cajun curses from
Luc, had Casi guessing the shooter had fled.
Luc
holstered his weapon when Casi spotted the blood dripping off his arm.
“Oh
my God!” She pushed at him. “Let me up. You’re hurt. You’re bleeding!”
Luc
rolled off her and did as she asked, while gripping his thigh with both hands.
Her gaze left his arm drawn to the blood oozing out between his fingers. The
thigh wound appeared much more serious. She tugged her phone out and quickly
dialed 911. But before it connected, Luc’s bloody fingers grabbed her phone and
disconnected the call.
“We
can’t call this in.” Luc exhaled harshly and gritted his teeth as once again,
he applied pressure to his leg.
“You’re
shot. You’re bleeding from multiple places. We need an ambulance!”
He
shook his head. “Can’t. We need to leave. Now.”
Wow, that's a great excerpt, don't you think? You can pick up a copy by clicking on the universal buy link below.
Universal Buy
Links: https://www.cjbahr.com/books/
Social Media Links:
Website/Newsletter: https://cjbahr.com
Twitter: @cjbahr https://twitter.com/cjbahr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bahrcj
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjbahr.author/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9828572.C_J_Bahr
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/c-j-bahr
Amazon Author: https://tinyurl.com/y7jmpqdg
