Friday, February 18, 2011

Dishing it up with Betty Sullivan La Pierre plus a giveaway!

Today I have the pleasure of having author Betty Sullivan LaPierre on my blog today. Not only has she taken the time for my Q&A, she also has been kind enough to raffle off a copy of “THE SILENT SCREAM to a lucky commenter.

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Betty Sullivan LaPierre now lives in Silicon Valley California and writes Mystery/Suspense/Thriller novels, which are published in digital format and print. Her Hawkman Mystery Series is developing quite a fan base. She’s also written two stand-alone mystery/thrillers and plans to continue writing. ‘BLACKOUT,’ Betty’s story about a bingo hall (of the Hawkman Series), ranked in the top ten of the P&E Reader’s Poll, and won the 2003 BLOODY DAGGER AWARD for best Mystery/Suspense. EuroReviews picked ‘THE DEADLY THORN’ (One of Betty’s stand alone thrillers) for their 2005 May Book of the Month.

JET: You’ve written twelve books in the Hawkman series, can you tell us about the latest?

BETTY: My twelfth book of the series is “SHADOWS IN THE NIGHT”. Tom Casey, Private Investigator, better known as Hawkman, was hired by George and Maggie Hampton to investigate the deaths of their friends living in Morning Glory Haven. The facility houses people capable of independent living, along with those who need twenty-four hour assistance. It baffled him to think someone would kill people who were in the last stages of their lives, and doubted the Hamptons, but as he delved into the case, he found out there were definitely murders taking place.

The Thirteenth in the Hawkman Series, “THE ARCHER” has just been published and is up at my site and my publisher’s for purchase. It’s about a young college woman, Laura King, who is being harassed on her cell phone, and the calls have escalated into vile and treacherous threats. Hawkman takes it upon himself to find out who’s tormenting her. It leads him into the world of archery.


JET: What drew you to crime thrillers?

BETTY: I’ve always enjoyed reading, and loved the plotting aspect of mysteries, even as a child. I never dreamed I’d take up writing, but with encouragement from my family, I finally tried my hand and love it.


JET: What’s been your most challenging hurdle on the road to publication?

BETTY: Being rejected over and over again by the big publishers. I finally got tired of putting out the money to send manuscripts and then get a ‘good, but not our thing’ comment stamped across the front page. There were times when I could tell the manuscript had not even been read. Very frustrating.


JET: What was your favorite moment in the journey?

BETTY: When I turned to e-publishing. I could see it would be the “wave of the future”. Then came the royalty checks....’How sweet it is...” and to know someone is actually reading your work and likes it.


JET: Which authors had the most influence over you growing up?

BETTY: Carolyn Keene. I loved the Nancy Drew mysteries and tried to read every one.

When I couldn’t find them, I’d go to the Hardy Boys Series by Franklin Dixon. I started reading mysteries at a very young age.


JET: When did you know you wanted to take the plunge into the writing world?

BETTY: After I wrote the first book, “THE ENEMY STALKS” where I introduced Hawkman, I couldn’t phantom not sharing the stories about him. He’s a fantastic man. That’s when I decided to take the plunge.


JET: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of book research? Most interesting fact you uncovered?

BETTY: I had to think about this, because I do so much of my research on the internet. However, when I first started researching, I remember being in the library when a young police officer came in. I grabbed him by the arm and said, “I need to talk to you.” I’m sure he thought I was going to report some lewd man exposing himself to children behind the shelves. When I started asking questions about his job, he almost breathed a sigh of relief.

As far as the most interesting fact I’ve uncovered was when I was writing “THE SILENT SCREAM”. I needed to know how to skin a large animal and cure the hide. I had no idea there were so many ways this could be done. A very fortunate finding as I needed a specific method and found it.


JET: Of all the novels and stories you’ve written - which one is your favorite? Why?

BETTY: My favorite is ‘THE SILENT SCREAM’. I graduated from college with a degree in Speech Therapy, with a speciality in the Deaf. I did my student teaching at a deaf school on the campus, Jane Brooks School for the Deaf. These children were taught to speak and were not allowed to use sign language. They were extraordinary, and what they accomplished was close to miraculous. When I started writing, I wanted to do a book about a deaf person. In “THE SILENT SCREAM’, Richard is my protagonist, a young deaf lad. Everyone who read the book fell in love with him, and I loved writing about Richard.


JET: Any advice (from a writer’s standpoint) for the novices out there?

BETTY: Research what it takes to write a book. It’s not easy. You need to know the genre and what is required. Once you’ve written your book, had it critiqued, edited, and polished to the best of your ability, then submit it to a publisher, either a big house or small house. In this day and time, I’d suggest an e-book publisher. Then wait to see what they think. If you’re turned down, go back to the drawing board and work on it some more. Never, never, never give up. Someone out there will like your story.


JET: All right - now that I’ve hammered you with the big questions, let’s tackle my favorite (and geeky) quick ten. . . starting with: Paper or Plastic?

BETTY: Both (prefer Paper)

JET: Steak or Tofu?

BETTY: Steak

JET: Beach or Mountains?

BETTY: Mountains

JET: Country or Rock-n-Roll?

BETTY: Country

JET: Leather or Lace?

BETTY: Lace

JET: Angels or Demons?

BETTY: Angels

JET: Paper or Digital?

BETTY: Both. I just received a Kindle for a gft, so this is up in the air as yet. ;-)

JET: Silent Film Classics or Cheesy B Rated Horror?

BETTY: Silent film Classics

JET: White Chocolate or Dark Chocolate?

BETTY: Dark Chocolate..yummy

JET: Coffee or Tea?

BETTY: Coffee (I like iced tea)


JET: Thank you for indulging me. Before we wrap this up, can you tell us what you're working on now? What's next?

BETTY: I’m working on #14 of the Hawkman Series. Just started, so I can’t reveal much. Other than it will involve Randy, a ten year old boy.

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat on my blog. Folks, you can find out more about Betty Sullivan LaPierre and her work at the following places: http://www.bettysullivanlapierre.com/


http://synergebooks.com/ebook_thearcher.html

http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/BettySullivanLaPierreeBooks.htm

Kindle version of Betty Sullivan LaPierre's books

Also for the Kindle version you can get at the above link.


It’s been a pleasure, and before I go, I’d like to give away a book to a lucky commenter. Once you’ve removed the blog, we’ll draw a name for the winner of “THE SILENT SCREAM”. So everyone be sure and put your e-mail address on your comment, so we can reach you.


Thanks for joining us today!

Next week I have sensational author of Impeding Justice - Mel Comley on tap.

Until then,
Ciao
JET

22 comments:

LMcLendon said...

Lucky #1, I hope. I really enjoyed the blog interview with Betty Sullivan LaPierre.
L L M 9 6 (at) A O L (dot) C O M

Joan Hall Hovey said...

Great cover for Silent Scream. And a fascinating interview. I feel like I know you a little better, Betty, and I already knew what a generous and good author you are. Don't miss this book, folks!

Theresa N. said...

Congratulations on #14 in the series!! It sounds as wonderful as the otheres.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Morgan Mandel said...

It's wonderful you cna write books for readers, and not what people say we should read.

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
morgan@morganmandel.com

JETaylor said...

Thanks for swinging by Betty!

Meljprincess said...

Hi, Betty! It's Mel. :-)
I love your books. I've read a few of them. I, too, read every Nancy Drew that was published back in the day. When I eat M&M's I think of those books because I used to eat them while reading. lol! Can't do that now.
I want to write a True Crime novel. I was getting my hair done one day and there was a police officer there. When I started to ask him a question he balked. He even said "Oh, here we go..." but I said "No. I am an aspiring writer and I'd like to know how I can speak to a prisoner." He was very rude to me so I blew his advice off. I later spoke to someone who told me to become pen pals with someone in jail and then I would get his point of view which was what I was after. OK, so now I'm balking. lol! What are your thoughts on this? It's nice to 'see' you today! I love the cover of TSS. Crossing my fingers, legs, and eyes so I'll win. lol!

Mel K.
Meljprincess AT aol DOT com

Amber Polo said...

Hi Betty,
I love your kitty cat. And I just knew you were a "lace" girl.
Amber
amber@amberpolo.com

Abigail-Madison Chase said...

Great interview

DARLA KIDDER said...

Hi Betty did you read any Nancy Drew books? I love reading those and books by Stephen King !
luckylady4163@yahoo.com

LuAnn said...

What a wonderful interview. I just loved the comprehensive questions and answers, as well as the quick one-word list!

I'm really looking forward to reading this book.

reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I too got hooked on mysteries at a young age. Interesting blog. Your books sound like must-reads.

Boots9k at wowway dot com

Unknown said...

I have loved reading Dad's collection of your books. Just finished Angels in Disguise....loved it!!!
A lot of what Jennifer went through with her cancer reminded me of Mom. She too, like Jennifer, is an Angel.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Thanks Aunt Betty!!!
Jeri
jeriellen59@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I love the cat on the cover of "Silent Scream" Is it important to the plot?

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com.

Anonymous said...

I also love the cover with the cat best.

Thanks for the interesting interview.

I read about the blog on Dorothy-L so if I am the happy winner ask for me there. I don't like to list my address out on a blog.

hotcha12 said...

HI BETTY, SORRY I'M LATE! IT WAS A BEAUTIFULL DAY HERE IN LOW 70'S AND LOTS OF SUN. NOW I KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU! WOW, 14 HUH, I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS ONE!

hotcha12 said...

DANG MY MANNERS! HI JT!
LINDA B

Betty Sullivan La Pierre said...

Thought I'd better clarify some of the questions about the cover of 'THE SILENT SCREAM'. This cat is not your innocent kitty. It's a mountain lion (or cougar), and plays a role in the story.

You'll have to read it to find out...;-)

Hugs, Betty Sullivan La Pierre

Anonymous said...

Just finished The Deadly Thorn. Very good, liked it.

Forgot that you majored in Speech theraphy.

Bill

Heavenly81969 said...

Hi Betty this is CG (Sharon) using my gmail blog account. I totally reccommend everyone read the hawkman series it is FANTASTIC and I am ordering the #13 and soon as #14-15-16 etcetc is to print I will order those also.
Deadly Thorn is a good read also but I am SO hooked on hawkman.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for giving a long interesting interview on this blog.
I admire you for doing a lot of research before writing a book.

Helen Kiker
hdkiker@comcast.net

Pat R. said...

The interview was very informative. This is a series I was not familiar with until today but I think is one that I would very much enjoy.

JETaylor said...

And the winner is...

Helen Kiker! Congratulations Helen. Betty will be in touch.

Thank you all for stopping in and commenting. I hope you swing by again!

JET