Author Interview—Lisa Buie-Collard

Lisa's latest novel The Seventh Man released in January, and she was kind enough to stop by and answer a few of my questions. And now, on to the interview!

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Tell us a little about The Seventh Man.

Here is the blurb:

When a young writer is kidnapped by a man who can't be seen, her only hope of escape rests on the one London cop who believes in ghosts.

On a cold, white, before-Christmas day, an assassin completes a job only to be pursued by police. Dodging through crowded city streets, the assassin nabs a young woman for cover.

Celia Wight, a reclusive American writer is shopping between engagements during a book tour. When a knife is pressed against her back, she loses her tenuous grasp on her carefully controlled existence.

Assigned to the homicide case, Detective Alban Thain, of the Metropolitan Police, suspects an assassin he calls the Wraith. The problem is, only Thain believes the assassin exists. Disregarding the consequences, Thain, who is the only one who believes there is a connection between the murder and the kidnapping, will do whatever it takes to exploit the Wraith’s first and only mistake: the kidnapping of an innocent bystander—if she is innocent.

What was your inspiration for the story?

First it was my infatuations for the actors Sean Bean and John Hannah. If it ever made it to the big screen, it seemed like a movie they might actually do. Second, I read a story about the amount of CCTV (over 1 million) cameras used in the UK, more than in any other country thanks in part to the IRA. Here is one article similar to what I read: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/mar/02/cctv-cameras-watching-surveillance Third, I love mysteries. I love London. I love York. I wanted to write a mystery tied to those places.

Do you consider yourself a plotter or a pantser?

I used to be a pantser, but have moved into a land in between. I use an outline. I also use a check list once the first few drafts are done. That said, I also usually write a first draft in scenes and not in any order. Just as they come to me. Then I put them all together in order to see if what I have will work and where my holes are.

What are you currently working on?

A novel tentatively titled “Rain.”

Every relationship has its secrets, but is this one too big?

Annalyn and Jack meet in a Caribbean paradise and fall in love. After a whirlwind romance they decide to marry, but Annalyn discovers a dark and sinister lie that tears apart the life they’ve started.

Desperate to forget the agony of a past so well loved and so thoroughly destroyed, they each embark upon separate journeys to try and rebuild their shattered lives, loves and faiths.

But Annalyn and Jack can’t build their futures or make peace with the past until the lie that tore them apart is put to rest. Will facing the truth allow them to find the healing they each so desperately need, or will it only confirm that there are no second chances?

What are some books in your TBR (To Be Read) pile?

Oh boy, sure you want to open that pandora’s box?

I want to read some YA like Woven, co-authored by David P. King and Michael Jensen

Sudden Secrets and The Great Timelock Disaster by C. Lee McKenzie
The second in the series about Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Sci Fi; Dragon of the Stars by Alex J. Cavanaugh

Romances like,
Indiscreet by Mary Balogh
Laughing Hawk by Linda Katmarian
Anything by Kristi Gold

And we haven’t even gotten to the suspense or mysteries, of which there are more than too many.

And now for some fun questions! :)

Tell us something you hate doing. Why?

Marketing. I really LOVE to write. But I hate to market. It is hard. It takes up a lot of time and energy with results I can’t count on, yet. I must be very self motivated, as I must in writing. But writing gives me better, and faster, gratification.

Favorite day of the week?

Only one? Thursday. Because I like the exercise class I take that day, and it’s the day before Friday so it feels like a “pre-Friday” Friday! Also, usually I don’t go anywhere on that day.

What makes you unique?

My DNA? Ha ha. Seriously, I think if there is one thing that makes me unique, it might be my take on life and emotions. I’ve been called naïve before and probably will be again, but I pay attention to my “emotional” intelligence more, sometimes, than my brain. Besides that? You’d have to ask my husband, my kids and my mom.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

Hmmm… “That 70s Girl?” or 80s or 90s? I don’t know. I find it hard to think in terms of my entire life. I think the times we live in do define us to a point. I’ve just finished watching a program done in the UK that started in 1964 and follows 14 seven year-old children right up to present day. It’s called the “Up Series” and I found it fascinating. In the last installment they were 56. The next installment doesn’t come out for another three or four years. I’ll be looking for it.

If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why?

I’ve answered this question before and don’t remember what I said! But right now, I think I’d like to go to Australia. I’ve been to New Zealand and absolutely loved it. I would go again, but I have always wanted to see what the “down under” is really like, and I’d like to taste their beer!

Thanks so much, Lisa!

When a young writer is kidnapped by a man who can't be seen, her only hope of escape rests on the one London cop who believes in ghosts.

On a cold, white, before-Christmas day, an assassin completes a job only to be pursued by police. Dodging through crowded city streets, the assassin nabs a young woman for cover.

Celia Wight, a reclusive American writer is shopping between engagements during a book tour. When a knife is pressed against her back, she loses her tenuous grasp on her carefully controlled existence.

Assigned to the homicide case, Detective Alban Thain, of the Metropolitan Police, suspects an assassin he calls the Wraith. The problem is, only Thain believes the assassin exists. Disregarding the consequences, Thain, who is the only one who believes there is a connection between the murder and the kidnapping, will do whatever it takes to exploit the Wraith’s first and only mistake: the kidnapping of an innocent bystander—if she is innocent.

Available now in EBook and TreeBook (soft cover) on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RUE8GOG

About the Author:

Lisa is a mother, wife, sister, and daughter, has waited tables, been a dental assistant, teacher, journalist, gardener and architectural administrative assistant. She's traveled in Europe, New Zealand, and the US. French and English are her languages of preference, with a little Spanish on the side. She grew up in Florida, lived four years in Georgia before moving to Texas for eighteen years. For the moment, she once again lives in Georgia. She writes full time and has completed six novels.

Review: This gripping story of revenge, passion, and longing is no mere police procedural but an exciting page turner that will have you wondering, to the end, who will outwit whom. Not to be missed! Linda Ellis, The Editing Place

Photo credit: Steven Heddon

Links:

Facebook:  http://tinyurl.com/mo4rs6n

Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/m8paj8a

Twitter:  http://tinyurl.com/m8paj8a

Website: http://www.lisabuiecollard.com

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lisabuiecollard/

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/lisabuiecollard