Wednesday, June 25, 2014

"Covet" by Terri Herman-Poncé

INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY
Covet
(Past Life Series Book 2)
by Terri Herman-Poncé


Covet is the second book in the Past Life Series. Also available: In This Life.


Covet is currently on tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. The tour stops here today for my interview with the author and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.


Description
Everyone wants something.
Even if it belongs to someone else.
And some will destroy the very thing they want, just so no one else can have it.
Professional soldier David Bellotti's latest mission seems simple: steal the key card to a drug lord's compound so the empire can be infiltrated and destroyed. But when David discovers evidence of his lover Lottie’s possible infidelity, his mission turns personal. He searches for answers others would kill to keep buried and discovers a link to the past he's been trying hard to ignore.
Ancient lives, twelve thousand year old secrets, murder, and primal instincts lead David on a journey through past lives and present danger - all to save the woman he loves.
Find your way back through history, when hunter-gatherers roamed and David and Lottie's past incarnations began.


Excerpt
I blew out the entrance and took off, hustling through the panicked crowd. Another gun fired and police sirens sounded in the distance. I made a left down a small street then a right into an alley, jumping a garbage can, hurtling over a short wall, and disappearing into the neighborhood. If Galen didn't make it to our backup rendezvous point, I had to get to the safe house and that was five miles away. And right now, I had no idea if Galen and Lady in Blue were still alive.
I skidded past a corner, wondering if I should take the chance and call an alert into HQ, when I heard screeching tires. I backed up, pressed myself against a wall, and realized who it was. Galen in a Toyota. He threw open the passenger door and I jumped in, slamming the door shut as Galen jammed the gas pedal.
“You get it?” he asked, swerving through a turn then dropping our speed so we didn’t draw attention.
I nodded. “Is Lady in Blue okay?”
Galen hugged another turn. “She will be. She came to when the gunshots were fired.”
I blew out a sigh of relief. It wasn't the first time a distraction job had taken a bad turn, but it was still a worry. “And the cops?”
“All at the nightclub. But we will have to lose the car.” He used his cell phone and dialed our contact, making arrangements for cleanup.
I pulled out Sahin’s wallet and lifted the keycard. “Payday,” I said, holding it up.
“Mommie Dearest says we should leave the wallet and card with the car.” Galen disconnected the call. “They will pick it all up at the Starbucks near the safe house in ten minutes.”
I drew in a breath and held it, forcing my heart and my lungs to calm down. Another close call. I loved this stuff.
“You love this stuff way too much,” Galen said, glancing my way.
I had known Galen all of three months, and he was far too good at reading my mind already. I was trying to get my head wrapped around the fact that we were connected in a way that didn't make sense, but that didn't mean I had to like it. Ignoring him, I sank into the seat, letting the adrenalin wear off.
“Let’s see what else we’ve got on this guy.” Inside his wallet I found a black American Express, a MasterCard, and over five thousand Euros in the billfold. A picture was tucked in with his identification. I pulled it out and held it up to catch the light from passing street lamps.
It was a photo of the love of my life kissing another man.

Praise for the Book
"An amazing and fascinating storyline of suspense, mystery, betrayal, hatred and love." ~ The Reading Café
"This is going to be a really good series." ~ The Book Review
"Captivated by Terri Herman-Poncé's ability to create page-turning mysteries ... her plotting [is] positively Hitchcockian." ~ Deborah O'Neill Cordes, author of Dragon Dawn
"An absolute treat ... these are characters with a pulse." ~ Tara Mills, author of the Pelican Cay series
"Secrets, past lives, romance, and suspense ... so many turns in the story that I did not expect." ~ WiLoveBooks
"A paranormal without the usual suspects." ~ Romancebookworm
"What I love to read, suspending belief for the story, but seeing a realistic side to it; as if the characters were true flesh and blood human beings." ~ Winter Austin, author of the Degrees of Darkness series

Interview With the Author
Hi Terri, thanks for joining me today to discuss your new book, Covet.
For what age group do you recommend your book?
Hmm. I’d have to say adult. Most of my readers are in the 18+ range, but I’ve also had 16- and 17-year olds (and younger!) read them, too.
What sparked the idea for this book?
Well, after I finished writing In This Life (Book 1 of the Past Life Series), I grew infatuated with my male lead, David Bellotti. Okay, okay. Infatuated is an understatement. This uber-sexy character rocks my world. Anyway, when I was thinking about Book 2, it was obvious that David wanted his story told as well. In fact, readers have told me that they love how I write him, that he’s incredibly engaging - I guess that’s my passion for him coming through, because his voice is just SO strong in my head. So giving David his own story seemed the natural thing to do, and I wanted to see where his story would take me and, in truth, it really wrote itself.
So, which comes first? The character's story or the idea for the novel?
Wow. Tough question. For me, it’s probably a combination. I always have an idea of the characters (in fact, I live and breathe David and Lottie, my two main characters, every day), and usually a song will trigger a very vivid scene in my head, and it won’t let go. And that’s typically how my stories get started.
What was the hardest part to write in this book?
Sex scenes. From a man’s point of view. Yikes. Not only did I have to get into a specific male mindset, I also had to let go of the embarrassment factor in writing from it.
How do you hope this book affects its readers?
Well, I hope it makes readers think twice about primal instinct. See, David has to come to terms with a past life in Covet and rely on those primal instincts to save the woman he loves. And you so often hear stories about how modern man has lost his ability to rely on instinct when it’s really necessary. You know, like ignoring the bad feeling that crawls over your skin when you meet someone who just rubs you the wrong way. Well, that sensation is there for a reason, and I’m hoping Covet makes people realize there could be more to those feelings than you realize.
How long did it take you to write this book?
Oh man … I dunno. Eight months, maybe? Covet wrote itself, and that never, ever happens to me. David’s voice channeled through me so strong and true that the story set off on a course and just kept going.
What is your writing routine?
Believe it or not, I’m up during the week at 4:30am to take the train into downtown NYC for work. So I write then. And I write at night. And I’ve got post-its near the bed for those times when, at 3:00am, a scene barrels into my brain and it just HAS to be written down so I don’t forget it. Problem is, when I get up the next morning, it’s usually very hard to read what I’ve scribbled the night before in the dark!
How did you get your book published?
In This Life and Covet were originally published through a traditional publisher but I eventually got my rights back. So now they’re re-released under my name. It was a great learning experience from both ends, and one I wouldn’t trade.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
Oh. Another tough question. Because it’s not just one thing, you know? But mostly I’d say this: learn the craft, and practice, practice, practice. And when you think you’re good enough, learn the craft some more and practice, practice, practice. And write what you’re passionate about, not what’s hot or trendy. Otherwise, you’re selling out your writing soul.
Great advice, Terri. What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I love to watch the sun rise. There’s something about that golden orb breaking the horizon that’s both humbling and breathtaking. On the opposite spectrum, I love going to the beach at sunset in the summer with some red wine and cheese and crackers. And, most importantly, I adore hanging out with my friends, gathering by the fireplace or pool and dancing and singing to whatever’s on Pandora radio. Basically, just enjoying each other’s company.
Sounds good! What does your family think of your writing?
My husband and son ask me about my writing often, and offer lots of encouragement. And I have a niece who’s always asking for the next book so she can read it before anyone else does. Which reminds me … I probably owe her a book acknowledgement soon!
Please tell us a bit about your childhood.
I was always playing with friends, pretending to be characters from our favorite TV shows like Starsky & Hutch and The Partridge Family. I had a vivid imagination, even back then, but never really did anything with that imagination until I got older. (I was going to say not until I grew up, but I don’t think I’ve done that yet!)
Did you like reading when you were a child?
No … LOL
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I fell in love with Star Trek: The Next Generation and decided I wanted to write about the characters I loved in my own way. The rest, as the adage goes, is history.
Did your childhood experiences influence your writing?
You know what? Not at all. In fact, I don’t think any of my experiences influence my writing … except for the occasional mean person who becomes a character in my book who doesn’t always meet with a happy ending. J
Great revenge! Which writers have influenced you the most?
Robert Crais and Harlan Coben. Two masters, well and truly. I’ve read and re-read Crais so many times I’ve lost count.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Most often they ask about the next book, and if they can meet smoldering, sexy David Bellotti.
What can we look forward to from you in the future?
Well, I’m working on Book 3 of the Past Life Series now. Another David Bellotti book, and I’m having a blast writing him again! My hope, if all goes well, is that it’ll be available by the end of 2014.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by today, Terri. Best of luck with upcoming book.
Thanks so much for having me here! I enjoyed it very much!

About the Author
Terri looks for any opportunity to make stuff up. She thinks anything that can’t so easily be explained is worth an extra look and often makes a great story. She loves red wine, scotch, sunrises, Ancient Egypt, the beach - and a host of other stuff that would take too much real estate to talk about. The youngest of five children, Terri lives with her husband and son on Long Island. And, in her next life, if she hasn’t moved on to somewhere else, she wants to be an astronomer. Terri’s fascinated with the night skies almost as much as she’s fascinated with ancient Egypt.
Terri is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.


Giveaway
Terri will be awarding ebook copies of In This Life (Past Life Series Book 1) and Covet (Past Life Series Book 2) to a randomly chosen commenter at each tour stop and a Grand Prize of a $50 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. So, follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning (closes 27 June).


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