Tena StetlerAuthor of Paranormal Romance/Suspense & Cozy Mysteries With Magic Spark!

Jan 2nd Welcome The Accidental Stranger Author C J Fosdick

Happy New Year!  Give a big welcome to C.J. Fosdick, author of The Accidental Stranger. Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick a Snicker-doodle and Gingerbread cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself.  Now let’s find out a little about CJ.  Thanks for joining us!

C.J.  tell us what  inspired you to be a writer?

Writing Journey:  My “genesis moment” began in 5^th grade. I won a writing contest and was an instant celebrity in Show and Tell, especially after I shared the candy I bought with my $5 prize. Years later I was feature editor of my high school paper and also wrote a teen column for a community paper in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Moving to Rochester, Minnesota as a young wife and new mother, I only had time to pursue writing freelance articles, short stories and the occasional newspaper feature for years. By the time our nest was empty, I was bursting with “novel” dreams.

Published Books: My new novel, The Accidental Stranger, will be released worldwide January 6, 2017. It is part of the Accidental Series that began with an award-winning debut, The Accidental Wife. With a grant, I did manage to edit, contribute to, and publish an anthology of Minnesota writers many years prior. Blossoms & Blizzards was a local success, still available on Amazon.

Favorite Book so far…might always be the last one I write. The Accidental Stranger was a particular challenge to meet with two POV’s, dual continent settings, two eras and a strong current of suspense. I’m loving the feedback on it so far. This novel is really about finding a place in life…and time, and how the transforming power of love is the greatest agent of all.

What you enjoy most about writing: Besides traveling to the sites I write about, I love the play and dialog between characters, and twisting the plot in unexpected knots. I also LOVE basking in the sunshine of great reviews and awards.

Ever had a character twist that surprises you?  I often have open discussions with my characters. My hubby thinks I’m talking to myself. I love unique plotting, but great characters drive stories.

Do you have a personal favorite?  I relate to my opinionated red-haired heroine and her green-eyed heroes. I am a redhead, my hubby has green eyes. Any novelist who denies projecting themselves in some of their work is not being honest. Attempting to steer clear of stereotypes, my least favorite characters are the hardest to write.

Favorite scenes to write so far?  Most often I sweat over all the scenes with conflict and romance, hoping to maximize dialog, tone, setting. I’m the fly on the wall in these scenes, absorbing emotion that hopefully infects my readers.

Recommendations to a stranger: Though each book in this series will stand alone, the lead characters will form a chain linking subsequent characters to subsequent stories. The Accidental Wife is the first link that starts the saga, but each novel will have scattered “refreshers” to clarify the genealogy. For instance, two of the characters in The Accidental Stranger will spin off as protagonists in book 3, The Accidental Heiress which takes place in Ireland.

Your favorite books to read? I was a huge fan of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, even before I met her at two writer conferences in Florida and Colorado. I’ve always loved reading great historical romances and mysteries: the late Kathleen Woodiwiss for romance, Michener and John Jakes for historical rides, Sue Grafton for mystery. When I’m not reading for research, I enjoy the late Winston Graham’s Poldark series which I started reading after viewing the beautiful Masterpiece series on TV. Graham combines it all with a special ear for character dialog and family twists.

TV shows & movies you enjoy?  All my favorite movies are visually huge in scenery, scope of history, adventure, romance and characterization. Think Gone With the Wind, Pride and Prejudice, Dances With Wolves. Current TV faves are Outlander, Poldark and The Vikings.

Lessons learned, Tips to offer other writers?  I took a survey at the Denver Conference of the U.S. Historical Novel Society and agreed with a lot of sound advice I collected. Read what you want to write. Join critique groups, workshops, writing classes. Write because you must, not because you think you can earn a living at it. Polish your work. Edit and re-edit. Develop a thick skin. The only way to fail is to quit. I might add that success will depend heavily on marketing skills and networking. Navigating online opportunities can be challenging. Bestselling authors usually ratio their time to 50% writing, 50% marketing.

Life as a writer in 10 words: Persistent tapping into novel dreams can spark high voltage success!

FREEBIES to Readers: My short bi-monthly newsletter contains giveaways, holiday news, excerpts, even the Jessica cookie recipes featured in the series from another era. (Alter-ego Jessica has a mischievous sweet tooth—e.g. Chocolate Kisses in The Accidental Stranger.) Subscribe at www.cjfosdick.com

Find out more about CJ below:

          See  Cj’s Website        Get  Cj’s Newsletter            Order   Cj’s Books          

 

Tell us a little about The Accidental Stranger.

Jessica Brewster is being watched…and things go missing from the remote Wyoming home she shares with her toddler. In a freak accident, she shoots the grizzled thief stalking her before she
recognizes the mesmerizing green eyes that belong to the only man she ever loved.  Has Mitch bridged time to find her? In a race to save his life and change hers forever, she takes him into her home and
heart. But his memory loss and puzzling clues curry doubt and danger.  Is he truly her son’s father or an irresistible stranger in her arms?

SNEAK PEEK INTO THE ACCIDENTAL STRANGER:

I screamed as the gun exploded in my hand and fell to the ground. The
bear moving toward Scout dropped, and I raced to scoop up my son
before he toppled into the icy stream. Cradling my whimpering child,
I ventured closer and could see at once that it was no bear I shot. A
man in a bearskin poncho lay on his side. A mass of dark matted hair
covered the side of his face that wasn’t blooming with blood,
running down his cheek, pooling in his ear and staining his thick
beard.

“Is he, is he dead?” I whispered.

Chuck fumbled for a pulse and we all started when the man groaned and
his eyes fluttered open.

Green! His eyes were green. The fear in them registered with me as
he searched our faces. When his eyes met mine, his jaw twitched. A
flash of memories washed over me and my heart began to thump wildly. I
set Scout down when my knees began to buckle and I thought I was going
to be sick. As I sagged in the snow, my bare fingers reached out to staunch the blood.

So red against the white snow. His eyes, so…green. Every shade
in a spectrum of emotion raced through me.  I knew only one man who owned those eyes.
Had he come back to me?

Did I shoot the only man I ever loved?

Oh my now that’s a sneak peek. Where can we find The Accidental Stranger?

Click HERE to order The Accidental Stranger on Amazon. Your order will be received—AND–pushes the novel UP the Amazon BEST SELLER CHART on Release Day—JANUARY 6th Prefer a print? Click on www.cjfosdick.com for BEST price!

It was wonderful having you with us today, CJ.  Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with The Accidental Stranger and all of your other books.

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog by Tena Stetler with 6 comments.