It’s that time of the year again – time to be thinking of warm places, beaches, sun tans, getting a new tattoo, and adult beverages! It spring time! Time for spring break.
This month I’m hosting my very first guest blogger, author and good friend, Loucinda McGary, otherwise known as Aunty Cindy from Aunty Cindy Explains it all www.auntycindy.blogspot.com. Aunty Cindy and I will take you on a virtual spring break to Mexico! We hope you enjoy the ride.
Cindy is a chapter mate of mine at the Sacramento Valley Rose writers group. She writes contemporary romance with paranormal elements set in exotic locales. Her interesting characters quite often have unique talents.
She recently took the plunge into the world of Indie publishing, with her novelette, The Sidhe Princess, a prequel to her debut novel, The Wild Sight. Today we will be talking about her latest release, High Seas Deception.
Everyone who visits today can take advantage of this coupon offer of $1.05 (35%) off the already incredibly low price of $2.99 toward the purchase of High Seas Deception from SmashWords. Use coupon code UT63X when you order (expires March 10th). One lucky visitor will receive a certificate for a free download (Amazon, B&N or SmashWords). But you must leave a comment to qualify.
High Seas Deception is a story of intrigue and suspense set aboard a cruise ship. Cindy is no stranger to cruising the oceans of our great planet. In January she completed her 22nd cruise. Her frequent voyages to foreign lands provide much fodder for her stories. High Seas Deception is no exception.
Without further ado, let’s get on board ship, have a celebratory drink (make mine a double) and chat with Aunty Cindy:
Hello, Aunty and welcome to my blog. I’m very honored to have you as my very first guest blogger.
Cindy: Thanks a bunch, Patricia! I’m tickled PINK to be the first guest on your wonderful blog and I appreciate the opportunity to talk about my newest release, High Seas Deception. But I’ll also be happy to answer questions about any of my other works, or writing and publishing in general.
High Seas Deception takes place on the Mexican Riviera, the west coast of Mexico. Why did you choose Mexico for the location instead of someplace in the Caribbean or the Bahamas?
Cindy: You know that old saying “write what you know?” Well, that was the case in me choosing the Mexican Riviera as the setting for High Seas Deception. As you and most of my friends know, I’ve been on twenty-two cruises to date. Fifteen of those have been to the Mexican Riviera. But never fear, I will be setting future books in the series in the Caribbean and other great cruise locations (I’ve actually never been to the Bahamas, yet)!
High Seas Deception involves another of your famous Irish heroes. Why Irish?
Cindy: Two words — cute accent. But seriously, being Irish myself, I’ve always had a preference for dark haired, blue-eyed lads (think Pierce Brosnan), and my readers seem to enjoy them too. However, my current work-in-progress (WIP) will have a non-Irish hero. I hope readers will enjoy his story just as much as my Irish lads.
In HSD your heroine works security on the ship. Why did you choose a security guard role instead of a more glamorous cocktail waitress or cruise director position?
Cindy: My hero, Malone has a blatant disregard for rules if those rules hamper his objectives. The end definitely justifies the means as far as he is concerned. I thought it would be fun to match him up with a woman who has a great sense of justice and following the law. Skylar turned out to be a good foil for Malone, and they both learned and grew from being with the other.
Again, in future books I’ll have characters with more “glamorous” cruise ship jobs. Matter of fact, the heroine of my WIP is Skylar’s roommate and assistant cruise director, Avery Knox.
The plot revolves around a “package” that your Irishman is trying to intercept before it reaches Los Angeles. What can you tell us about this “package” and why someone is trying to smuggle it into LA?
Cindy: Without giving away any too many spoilers, “the Irishman” (as Malone is called) is a mercenary with a reputation for being both ruthless and deadly. He’s a bit of a James Bond type who is adept at extricating himself from dangerous situations.
There is a smuggling ring on board the cruise ship Intrepid that serves as a ‘middleman’ in transporting illegal things between Mexico and California. Malone is hired by a third party to retrieve a package which could prove lethal in the wrong hands. Of course, the problem is that almost everyone is “the wrong hands” and they all would like to possess the contents of that package.
So, veering away from the book for a moment, of all of the cruises you’ve taken, where has been the most interesting place you’ve visited and why?
Cindy: They have all been fun and interesting in their own ways. I’d say one of the most interesting places I visited was last September on cruise #20. We sailed out of New Orleans and visited Belize, Honduras, and the east coast of Mexico. We took this cruise specifically to see Mayan ruins, and we toured a fabulous site outside of Belize City called Altun Ha.
If you ever have a chance to visit this area, do not miss the Mayan ruins! They are spectacular. Here’s one of my pictures from my visit.
Thank you, Cindy. It’s always a pleasure to hear about your travel adventures and your books. What can we look forward to following HSD?
Cindy: Right now, I’m working hard on Book 2 in the Adventure Cruise Line series. The tentative title is His Reluctant Bodyguard and features Avery Knox from High Seas Deception as the heroine. I hope to have the story completed and the book available online by the end of the summer. This will be a real challenge, so please keep your fingers crossed and good thoughts coming my way to help me achieve this ambitious goal. I know I can count on you, Patricia, to offer encouragement and well-placed threats along the way!
It was a pleasure having you as my guest. Good luck with the next project and have fun on your next high seas journey. If folks want to know more about you and/or your books where can then go on line for that information?
Cindy: I’ve just revamped my website, so I’d love for everyone to pop over there and tell me what you think, http://www.loucindamcgary.com
I also have my own personal blog at: www.auntycindy.blogspot.com/
And you can find me on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/loucinda.mcgary
and Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/LoucindaMcGary
I love hearing from readers and other writers, and heck, ANYBODY! So please pop on by and say hi.
Don’t forget to enter the following coupon code UT63X when ordering your copy of High Seas Deception from SmashWords only.
So tell me readers, Aunty Cindy is partial to Irish heroes; what types of heroes do you like to read/write about? Where’s your favorite beach vacation spot?
Word of the day: Exonumia
Fun fact about me: When I was a freshman in high school I could run a mile in less than six minutes.
Irish hero and cruising–sounds great!! Oh and 22 cruises? Wow. That sounds awesome–lately all I can think about is being somewhere warm.
Love the interview Patricia!
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Hey colleen, thanks for stopping by. I was late to the party because I was on the Lido deck sipping a frosty brew by the pool.
I’m glad you got to get away a little bit this morning on my blog. Always nice to see your smiling face.
Patricia
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Thanks for dropping by, Coleen!
We do most of our cruising when it is cold and rainy at home. It’s sooo nice to get away, and Mexico is beautiful this time of year.
AC
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Waving Aunty Cindy and Patricia. You know how much I love your stories, Cindy. Wishing the best for this one, too. The way things are going with cruises these days, you should have plenty of fodder for future stories.
I am not a beach person so can only say I love to stand on the rocks and watch out over the Bodega Bay area, but it is usually cold and windy. I will enjoy cruises through your words. 🙂
As far as my type of hero, I am afraid that is too obvious to all my friends. He is tall, sexy, speaks with a Scottish accent and a thief – he stole my heart a long time ago.
Have fun on Patricia’s wonderful blog today. 🙂
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Well if it isn’t the lovely, Paisley. So glad you come come by this morning. What a great snowy day to get away too. Mexico is nice this time of year, if you stay in the safe places.
Aunty Cindy will for sure discuss the dark side of Mexico in her books I’m sure. Cruising is usually pretty safe, but anywhere warm for spring break is nice.
Thanks for stopping by.
Patricia
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Hello Darlin’ Paisley!
Thank you again for being such a loyal fan! I think Bodega Bay is beautiful too. Maybe not today…
As for your hero, the lad has an IRISH last name even if he was born and raised in Scotland. 😉 But then ANY Celt will do! LOL!
AC
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Wonderful blog, ladies!! An Irish hero—I’m in!! Your book sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Appreciate you stopping by Jennifer!
Patricia has a lovely blog and did a GREAT job with the pictures… MMMM, Pierce Brosnan… Oh wait! A couple of those pictures are actually mine. 😉 Me and my Yorkie Unholy Terrier, and the Pyramid of the Sun God at Altun Ha. The pyramid is actually OLDER than I am! LOL!
Hope you enjoy High Seas Deception,
AC
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Hi Jennifer. Thanks for cruising with us today. The buffet’s always open on the Promade deck and my blog never closes either.
I hope you’ll check out Cindy’s books. They are all very good.
Patricia
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Loucinda McGary is the only fiction author I read.
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Hi Nancy!
Thanx for dropping by and for your friendship and support. I appreciate it more than I can say!
Cindy
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Well, Nancy, if you had to pick just one, you sure picked a good one!
Thanks for sailing with us today and supporting me and Aunty Cindy. I hope you enjoyed your cruise.
Patricia
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LOL Patricia! I love hearing from anybody! *still laughing*
You crack me up! And I’ve missed you! How are you girl? Glad to see you’re back! And what a great interview! Like the setting and Irishmen. Well I’m Irish, that’s why! LOL! But it sounds like a fun book to read.
Thanks to you both! 🙂
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Hi Karen!
Well, I’m afraid it is true — we Irish love to talk to anyone! If you’ve been lucky enough (like me) to visit the Emerald Isle, then you know that they are some of the friendliest people on the planet!
Thanks for popping by and I hope you enjoy High Seas Deception.
AC
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Hi, Karen. See, I’m still here. I was just busy packing for this adventure so I couldn’t come visiting as much as I’d like.
Thanks for your support. I hope you enjoyed today little spring break away from the every day rigors!
Next time I’ll order us cosmos in the martini bar!
If you get a chance, take advantage of this coupon offer as Aunty Cindy is an incredible writer and her Irish heros are yummy!
Patricia
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Whooo hooo, Patricia and Cindy! Great interview! Sorry I’m coming by so late, but Thursdays are usually my DDJ (dreadful day job), but since I’ve retired I tend 3 yo Emma that day. Guess it should be DDEJ!
I love, love, love Irish heroes and Cindy captures them so wonderfully well! She gets the accent, the expression, the syntax and makes them come alive. I’ve had the pleasure of reading “High Seas Deception” in draft so I can tell you Malone’s one great Irish hero!
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I know you put the polish on Cindy’s shine!
Thanks for stopping by, Jo. Always good to see my chaptermates.
And you’re never late to my blog. My blog never closes so stopo by any time. (How was my comma use?)
Patricia
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Hi Jo!
(Aunty waves madly at her fabulous CP!)
I knew you were tending Miss Emma today so appreciate that you were able to get here at all. 😉
Thank you for your kind words about my work, I couldn’t do it half so well without your eagle-eye! And so glad you enjoyed Malone. 🙂
AC
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LOL, Patricia, glad you weren’t late because you were doing something frivilous and fun (giggle).
Man, I think I really need one of Aunty Cindy’s cruises. Maybe I’ll stow away in her luggage next time.
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Oooooh, a stow away! Great concept for one of Cindy’s books!
I’ll be at the pool tomorrow too, right after the martini demonstration in the piazza! It’s a must see!
Patricia
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Me too, Paisley! Bodega Bay, heck anywhere along the northern California coastline is wildly beautiful, and although I love the sun, it doesn’t love me so much anymore, so I just stare at the waves and the tides and gulls.
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hey there didnt even know there was a cruise taking place I you cooked this up, well I love you my wife even if you don’t take me on cruises anymore. Cindy good luck on your book, while I think a handsome overaged slightly overweight hero would be a better choice.
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Well my darling husband you did manage to find your way on board this little voyage after all didn’t you?
And you are handsome, the perfect age, and my hero. Now let’s hit the gym before joining the cha cha class on the Aloha deck!
Patricia
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Thanks for the good wishes, Corey!
Handsome, overaged, and slightly overweight sounds like great hero material to me! 😉 Try not to hurt yourself during the dance class, then you and my DH can go to the climbing wall (his favorite thing).
AC
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I love a good Irish accent, so that’s a big plus for your hero 😉
I’ve never been on a cruise, so if you hadn’t told me that “security officer” was a less glamorous job, I wouldn’t have known. I think almost any job on a cruise ship would be glamorous, out on the ocean, traveling the world 🙂
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Hi Marcy!
So glad you could join us on our “virtual” cruise! From what I’ve seen, most cruise security officers have to deal with a lot of drunks. Definitely not glamorous, but then neither are the room stewards who clean all the cabins every day. They do a TERRIFIC job, however, and are almost always friendly and smiling.
I hope you enjoy my Irish hero, Malone. He is very much an Irish charmer. 😉
AC
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Hi Marcy, thanks for sailing with us!
If you ever get the chance to cruise, go for it! It’s amazing. Unfortunately, I’d avoid most places in Western Mexico any more because of escalating violence, but you’re totally safe on this virtual cruise.
Cheers!
Patricia
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Every time I hear Cindy is going on another cruise, I get a teeny bit jealous and a whole lot excited for her. What a way to spend your vacations! To answer your question, I love Irish heroes and I love Cindy’s writing. The next book sounds like it’s going to be another terrific read! Thanks for sharing!
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Hi Suzanne!
(Aunty waves madly at her lovely chaptermate!)
Thanks for stopping by and for your wonderful endorsement of my writing. I appreciate your support so much!
Cruising is indeed a wonderful way to spend a vacation. I hope you’ll get to go on one some day soon. 😉
AC
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Hi Suzanne! Thanks for being a stowaway on our virtual cruise.
Aunty Cindy always has such great stories to share with her following her cruises and her books are always such fun to read!
Looks like Irish heros are very popular.
Patricia
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Wow! I am super late to this party. Sorry my, um, situation held me up. I am in awe of the number of cruises Cindy has been on. That is fabulous! And writing about Irish men, yummy. We recently went on a Mexican Rivera cruise. Nothing as amazing as seeing the Mayan ruins, though. That’s still on my to-do list. Really enjoyed the interview. Thank you ladies!
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Hi Debra,
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed your Mexican Riviera cruise. I’m sure I’ll be going back at least once before the year is over. 😉 I really LOVE those cruises.
AC
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Hi Debra. Thanks for stopping by and posting a comment. Readers do love the Irish heros don’t they? I guess Aunty Cindy is on to something there.
Good luck getting to the ruins! I’m hoping to see them on my “real” cruise in June.
Patricia
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Congratulations to our lucky winner – Karen McFarland!
I know you’re enjoy Aunty Cindy’s book. Thanks for being a loyal follower.
And thank you Aunty Cindy for being my guest and donating the book.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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