Saturday, October 12, 2013

Cindy Gerard

The only thing Cindy had in mind when she started writing her first book was finishing it. The issue of actually selling it came much later. Only after she made that life-altering first sale did she realize that one book would never be enough. Now, over 20 books and numerous awards later, Cindy laughingly admits that she can barely remember life before...well, was there life before writing? Actually, yes there was, and still is. A professional career woman, Cindy is a trainer for the Iowa Department of Human Services, a position she states is both challenging and rewarding. "Human Services is a front-line, real-life event. Everything about the job is immediate, from serving families in crisis, to assisting staff with difficult situations, to meeting tension-fraught deadlines." Cindy's career has taught her much about the human condition, its frailties, its strengths, and its spirit. The evocative emotions that pour from the pages of her books are a reflection of some of her work experiences. Her writing celebrates life's richness and trials, offering a wide range of emotions — hope and elation, anger and indecision, laughter and, of course, love. And, according to her readers, her powerful love scenes run the gamut from steamy to tender to lusty to just plain fun. Cindy's writing has netted her spots on bestseller lists, numerous RT nominations and awards, the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, a National Reader's Choice Award and two RITA nominations. Between writing and working full time you wouldn't think Cindy would have much time for anything else. And while she does find her work and her writing rewarding, there does have to be more. Cindy has more. Much more. She is happily married to the perfect man. Tom's a cowboy, ladies! Yes, even Iowa has its share of that saddle-straddling, Wrangler-wearing species who love their horses almost as much as they love their women. As a matter of fact, recently a whole herd of Texans gathered at the Gerard "Ranch" to treat their little ones to real horseback rides. Go figure. Cindy has a passion for pink depression glass — she always has her eye out for the special piece to add to her collection. Cindy's down time often takes the form of the classic "busman's holiday." She loves to read and most of all, she loves to read at their summer place, a cabin in the woods on Lake Kabetogama in northern Minnesota. Both Tom and Cindy enjoy gardening and have recently expanded their annual beds into a perennial garden. Cindy says she can hardly wait for spring and the promise of all that reawakening and the colorful blooms. In addition to the horses, the Gerards have two dogs, Ellie and Boomer, who pretty much get anything they want. Tom and Cindy have one son, Kyle, who, after years of keeping them in suspense, found Eileen, the perfect woman.
Links: Website Goodreads Facebook Twitter

Interview

1. You work for the Iowa Department of Human Services, pardon my ignorance what does that entail? 
The Department of Human Services is the state agency responsible for administering goverment aid programs such as medicaid, food assistance and aid to families.  I worked first as a case worker, then as a policy specialist and finally as a trainer for new workers who were assigned cases.  It was a humbling, rewarding and often frustrating job as we dealt with families in need and in crisis situations.   

2. What was it about the idea of a bodyguard series that really held your attention and kept you writing about them?
The Bodyguard series came about shortly after 9/11 and the ensuing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.  I was in awe and in debt to our military and found myself wondering what these highly trained and specialized warriors did when they separated from the service.  I found that many of them ended up back in action either as private contractors, in law enforcement positions or working for or establishing their own security firms.  All of these brave men and women sacrificed (and continue to sacrifice) so much and the complexities of 'life' after combat was as intriguing then as it is now.  No one comes home from war unchanged, even if they escape physical injury.  It's these men and women who still intrigue and inspire me and who I write about in the follow up to the Bodyguard series, Black Ops, Inc. and my new series One-Eyed Jacks.

3. How do you think your writing has changed over the years?
My roots are in category romance.  I wrote for the Loveswept line and for Silhouette Desire before stepping out on the slippery slope of Single Title Romantic suspense.  I learned to delve deeply into my charactor's emotions writing category and brought that skill set with me to single title.  My books are bigger now, richer, and the plots are more layered and complex but my category background has enabled me to always remember that at the heart of every story - no matter how big it is - are the hearts of the hero and heroine.  Even the best story will bomb if you don't give your readers an emotionally satisfying hero and heroine to root for. 

4. You have written many books, been on the best seller lists and won awards, do you still get nervous when a new book comes out? Do you read the reviews of your books?
Simple answer: Yes and Yes!  I'm always nervous when a new title is released.  I'm particularly nervous about my October release, THE WAY HOME, which is my first hardcover and deals with very complex emotional issues as well as a suspenseful storyline.  As for reviews, I read them all.  Good, bad and ugly. :o)  They bouy me up and keep me humble :o)

5.  When you sit down to read a book, what genres do you like to read? What are some of your favorite books and authors?
Unfortunately I don't have much time to read for pleasure these days.  When I do, I generally read thrillers - Lee Child, Vince Flynn, Robert Gregory Browne, but I also love a good romance.  Debra Webb, Kylie Brant, Kristan Higgins, Laura Griffin ... those are just a very few on my favorites list.

6. What is your favorite comfort food?
Can't limit it to just one:  Chocolate, Cheetos, Pizza and Watermelon.  I could live happily forever on all 4 :o)

Books
Bodyguards Series
No assignment is too big, too difficult, or too dangerous for E.D.E.N. Inc., a West Palm Beach security firm. But in these novels of romance and suspense, when it comes to their own personal relationships, the forces of E.D.E.N., Inc. soon find themselves in deep water and sinking fast. These bodyguards will not only guard your body: they’ll steal your heart and fulfill your deepest desires. 
 To the Edge (Bodyguard, #1)To the Limit (Bodyguard, #2)To the Brink (Bodyguard, #3)Over the Line (Bodyguard, #4)Under the Wire (Bodyguard, #5)
Into the Dark (Bodyguard, #6)

Black Ops Inc.
This series follows The Bodyguard series by Cindy Gerard
 Show No Mercy (Black Ops, #1)Take No Prisoners (Black Ops, #2)Whisper No Lies (Black Ops, #3)Feel the Heat (Black Ops, #4)Risk No Secrets (Black Ops, #5)Leave No Trace (Black Ops, #5.5)With No Remorse (Black Ops, #6)Last Man Standing (Black Ops, #7)  
One Eyed Jacks Series
 Killing Time (One Eyed Jacks, #1)The Way Home 

Outlaw Hearts Series
 The Outlaw's Wife (Silhouette Desire, 1175)Marriage, Outlaw Style (Silhouette Desire, #1185)The Outlaw Jesse James  (Silhouette Desire, 1198) 

Northern Lights Series
 The Bride Wore Blue (Silhouette Desire, #1012)A Bride for Abel Greene (Silhouette Desire, #1052)A Bride for Crimson Falls (Sillouette Desire, #1076) 

Stand Alone
 The Librarian's Passionate KnightBreathless for the Bachelor (Texas Cattleman's Club: The Stolen Baby) (Silhouette Desire, #1564)Desert Heat: A NovellaA Convenient Proposition (Silhouette Desire, #1734)Between Midnight and MorningThe Secret Baby Bond (Dynasties: The Connellys) (Silhouette Desire, #1460)Lone Star Knight (Texas Cattleman's Club: Lone Star Jewels) (Silhouette Desire, #1353)The Bridal Arrangement Lone Star Prince (Texas Cattleman's Club) (Silhouette Desirem #1256)Tempting the Tycoon (Silhouette Desire, #1539)The Bluewater Affair (Silhouette Family Secrets, #4)The Cowboy Takes a Lady (Silouette Desire, #957)Storm of SeductionMan Around The House (Loveswept, #628)In His Loving Arms (Silhouette Desire, #1293)Into the Night (Loveswept, #708)Loveswept #2: Temptation from the Past and Slow BurnLucas: The LonerMaverick (Loveswept, #484)Perfect Double (Treasured Tales) (Loveswept, #660)Dream Tide (Fantasy Men) (Loveswept, #637)Slow BurnTemptation from the Past (Loveswept, #514)  


15 comments:

  1. no i havent had teh chance to read any of her books yet but they look good

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  2. I have read the bodyguard series I didn't know she had so many books. Looking forward to getting more of them.

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  3. Thanks for having me ladies. I'd like to say that while my upcoming release, THE WAY HOME (10-29-13) is a part of a series, it stands alone. You do not need to read any of the Bodyguard or Black Ops inc or One Eyed Jacks books to enjoy it but, you will meet several of the characters from the other books just as a little bonus.
    I'll check in on and off and be happy to answer any questions.. In the meantime, here's a link to an excerpt from THE WAY HOME
    http://www.cindygerard.com/excerpt_october2013.html

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    1. I haven't read any of your books yet, what book would you suggest I start with?

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  4. I've already read The Way Home and was pretty blown away. Now there's a group of us planning a buddy read of The Bodyguard and Black Ops Inc. series.

    Thanks for the interview.

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  5. Wow. thanks Jonetta. You must have received an early review copy. Did I see your review on Good reads?

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  6. I've read Show No Mercy, Killing Time, Take No Prisoners, and I have books 3-5 on my TBR list, that I won, but haven't gotten too :(
    I definitely need to read The Way Home!

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  7. NetGalley has The Way Home review copies available right now, if you have an account with them you can request a copy.

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  8. Do you have a favorite series or character that stays with you?

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  9. Hi Dii
    That's a tough question. I end up falling in love with all my heroes. Johnny Reed and Crystal Debrowski in Whisper No Lies were a really fun couple. I'll always be partial to the Body Guard series because it was my first but I think the BOI series stepped things up a notch. But I absolutely adore The Way Home which, as I said earlier, will be out Oct 29th. I really had to work my writing skills to pull that book together and I'm so pleased with the outcome.

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  10. I've read On the Edge and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more of the series.

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  11. thanks for the great giveaway

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  12. I've read all her bodyguard and Black ops series books. Both are really great series.

    Lisa B

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  13. Cindy! How many more books do you think you will write for the Black ops series and is there anything outside that series in the works.

    Lisa B

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  14. Sorry for the late response, Lisa. BOI is finished :o( But the new One-Eyed Jacks series takes off where the BOIs left off. so we already have Killing Time and soon The Way Home and at least 2 more books in that series - but one never knows :o) .

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