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Showing posts with label Kim Cresswell. Show all posts

Getting to Know @KimCresswell (LETHAL JOURNEY) #Thriller #GoodReads #Fiction

9:30 AM | Labels: Kim Cresswell, Lethal Journey, Thriller

What is the most difficult part of the whole writing process?

I think the hardest part of the writing process for me is the amount of research needed to be as accurate as possible. Since REFLECTION is about cloning, I spent hundreds of hours reading about human cloning. I think I could replicate my dog at this point. <grin>

I mainly read romantic suspense, crime fiction, paranormal and thrillers. Some of my favorite authors are James Patterson, Michael Connelly, Patricia Cornwell, Iris Johansen and Kelly Armstrong.

What writer influences you the most?

Sidney Sheldon. As long as I can remember I’ve been a huge fan of Mr. Sheldon’s cinematic writing style. Master of the Game is one of my favorite novels. He certainly has influenced my writing over the years. In my opinion, Mr. Sheldon was one of the best story-telling ever.

If your book was made into a TV series or Movie, which actors would you like to see playing your characters?

I would choose Angelina Jolie to play feisty district attorney, Lauren Taylor and Ben Affeck would be perfect to play NYPD detective, Eric Brennen. For the part of mob boss, Gino Valdina, I would love to see Robert DeNiro play the role. How’s that for an all-star lineup?

What is your all-time favorite book?

My favorite book would have to be Waiting Wives: The Story of Schilling Manor, Home Front to the Vietnam War by Donna Moreau. “In 1964, as the first B-52s took flight in what would become America’s longest combat mission, an old Air Force base on the plains of Kansas became Schilling Manor — the only base ever to be set aside for the wives and children of soldiers assigned to Vietnam.” It’s an incredible story about determination, strength and love!

What three things do you think your readers would be surprised to know about you?

I’m a gamer chick! A gaming junkie. Have been since the ’80s. I’m a die-hard PC gamer and known to play first-person shooters (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3), adventure, fantasy and RPG’s (Role Playing Games). I put Smarties in my cottage cheese and I love old-school hip-hop. (Okay…the Smarties thing might gross a few people out! )

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Inspiration comes from many different places such as movies, conversations and experiences to name a few. Occasionally, an idea smacks me in the side of the head. Such is the case with a book I’m working on, a supernatural thriller. The idea came from a terrifying dream—the perfect scenario for the story’s villain, a serial killer. I watch the news, read the paper, and search the Internet looking for interesting stories that make me ask, “What if?”

Of all of the characters you have written, which has been your favorite? Why?

Great question! I admit it. I have a thing for villains. <evil grin> I would have to say, Nathan Shaw, the villain from my award-winning debut romantic thriller REFLECTION. Nathan is a billionaire bio-tech company owner obsessed with genetic perfection. He will do anything, and I mean anything, to keep his illegal human cloning project concealed from outsiders. He is the creepiest character I’ve had to pleasure to bring to life—at least so far and the most enjoyable to create.

Which character is your least favorite? Why?

I would have to say, Andrew West, a secondary character in REFLECTION because I had to get inside his head and think like a revenge-killer. He was one of my tougher characters to bring to life.

Where do get your ideas come from?

My ideas come from many places such as movies, conversations and experiences to name a few. Occasionally, an idea smacks me in the side of the head. Such is the case with another book I’m working on, a supernatural thriller series. The idea came from a terrifying dream—the perfect scenario for the story’s villain, a serial killer. I watch the news, read the paper, and search the Internet looking for interesting stories that make me ask the question, “What if?”

What is the best advice you have ever been given about writing?

Love your readers because without them you really don’t have much except for a bunch of words. They are the ones who fuel our writing.

What is your favorite dessert/food?

Oh, God! I love food! I am such a foodie! Cheesecake, chocolate, and seafood are on the top of my list…and French fries and…stop me please!

A killer lurks in the shadows of Hyde Park, New York…waiting.

Manhattan District Attorney, Lauren Taylor, is about to take on the most important case of her career, prosecuting Gino Valdina, acting mob boss of New York’s most influential crime syndicate.

For three decades, Gino Valdina has led New York’s Valdina crime family. Since his recent indictment for murder, the leadership of the family is in turmoil, appalled by the death of one of their own, Gino’s wife, Madelina. Without the support of the family behind him, Valdina will do anything to save himself.

But Lauren soon discovers, things aren’t always as they seem when she’s tossed into a mystery, a deadly conspiracy that reaches far beyond the criminal underworld and a journey into the past makes her a target…and anyone she’s ever loved.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre – Thriller

Rating – PG-18

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Connect with Kim Cresswell on Facebook and Twitter

Website http://kimberleycresswell.wordpress.com/

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Lethal Journey by Kim Cresswell @kimcresswell

8:45 AM | Labels: Book of the Day, Kim Cresswell

Chapter Three

Detective Eric Brennan sat at his usual table and sipped the night’s beverage of choice—a cola. In Chunkers Bar and Grill loud pointless chatter overpowered the ‘80s rock and roll band on stage.

The last week was a blur. Every waking hour he pounded the streets in search of his father’s killer.

Eric knew every detail of the shooters face, but not the kid’s name. He’d heard from one of his informant’s, the kid was a young tough-guy looking to be made—a “cugine” ready to make his mark into New York’s most influential crime network, the Valdina family. As part of his induction into the mob family, the asshole had already killed a low-life rival family member and Eric and his father were working the homicide case when they got a tip.

That steamy June evening had started like any typical bust. Within minutes after Eric and his father arrived at the warehouse, dozens of DEA agents secured the perimeter. Eric entered the warehouse first, his father followed. Amid the stench of mildew and dust, the first pop of an automatic echoed within the barren walls.

They were ambushed.

His father, a veteran with twenty-three years on the force never saw the shots coming. Eric threw his body against his father in hopes of shielding him. It was too late. Instead Eric witnessed his father’s face, the sickening whitish blue tint that came with death...

While Pete checked in with the precinct, Eric shifted in the chair. His left knee still burned where the bullet had grazed his leg. He rubbed the scar, a permanent reminder of a drug bust gone bad. Very bad.

“Hey, Brennan.” Pete threw a twenty-dollar bill on the table and downed the last swallow of his beer. “Come on. I think we got a lead.”

Outside on West 35th Street, a full moon peeked through the clouds. Jagged streaks of lightning ignited the sky as rain sprinkled against Eric’s leather jacket. He lit a cigarette and leaned against his white pick-up truck parked in front of Chunkers.

Pete smirked. “Man, I thought you quit.”