Guest Interview - Deborah Ledford

Part Easten Band Cherokee, Deborah spent her summers growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina which is the setting for her suspense thriller novels and many of her short stories.

Book two of her Steven Hawk/Inola Walela thriller series, SNARE is The Hillerman Sky Award Finalist, nominated as Best Mystery that captures the landscape of the Southwest.

Classical music themed STACCATO is Book One of Deborah's series. Both books are published by Second Wind Publishing. The "STACCATO Book Trailer" is Now Showing on YouTube.

As well as a suspense thriller novelist, Deborah is also a three-time nominee for the Pushcart Prize. Her award-winning short stories appear in numerous print publications as well as literary and mystery anthologies.

What is the main premise of this book?  

SNARE is The Hillerman Sky Award Finalist about the journey of a female Native American pop music sensation about to embark on her first personal appearance. An altercation occurs during her concert and peril ensues. Here’s a brief synopsis: One rock star sensation. Two men from her past want her dead. Three others will risk everything to keep her safe. All are in peril. Who will be caught in a trap? SNARE: Revenge with a beat.

Who’s your favorite character in it?  

Although I love my main character, Deputy Steven Hawk, and rock star Katina Salvo was a blast to write, my favorite character is Katina’s Aunt Sylvie. I’m part Eastern Band Cherokee and the Native American elements in all of my works are very important to me. I spent a lot of time on the Taos Pueblo Indian reservation in New Mexico and the people of the pueblo continue to captivate me.

What projects are you currently working on? 

Book three of my Steven Hawk/Inola Walela thriller series is finished. Fingers are crossed that this novel will be released by year’s end. I’ve started a new multi-cultural thriller series that takes place entirely in Taos, NM. I’m also nearing mid-point on a Young Adult mystery that I’m very excited about.

Do you sleep in or get up early?  

My background is in the theatre, so I prefer to stay up very late.

Which do you use most for writing on, laptop or desktop?  

I only use a laptop. I type quite fast so have worn out a lot of keyboards. My latest is an Acer which I have hooked up to a 22” monitor and full size keyboard. I love the set up!

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?  

My desk is actually a dining room table. This allows me a lot of space to spread out my research materials and tabletop speakers so I can enjoy great music while I write. I’m also a professional content editor so I work on clients’ manuscripts early in the morning, and catch up on the necessary correspondences and a bit of social networking. I write in the afternoon—ideally after a refreshing nap. I’ve found that my words are best composed while I’m nearly comatose.

What are your thoughts on receiving book reviews - the good and the bad?

I’ve been very fortunate that SNARE has received stellar reviews. I’m so grateful for the reviewers who support independently published authors—without them helping to spread the word about our books we would have a very limited readership. 

What's your favorite quote?

 “A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So many possibilities.” From the stage play Sunday in the Park with George by Stephen Sondheim.

List 3 books you’ve just recently read and would recommend?

Iron House by John Hart—his Last Child remains one of my favorite books of all time. You’re Next by Gregg Hurwitz. Fallen by Karin Slaughter.

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

Erin Daniels would be the perfect Katina Salvo—she’s not Native American but she has the “look” I imagined when creating this character.

   

Angie Harmon as Aunt Sylvie—Angie is part Native American and I love her speaking voice. 

  

I’ve always envisioned Henry Simmons (NYPD Blue) as my lead character in the series, Deputy Steven Hawk

If you were to attend a St. Patrick’s Day Party, which one thing would you never leave behind and why?

A green derby – What’s not to love about a green hat?

Where can your readers stalk you?  

The first chapters of SNARE and STACCATO, as well as a few previously published short stories, are available at:

My website: http://www.deborahjledford.com/

Facebook Personal Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000454722747

Deborah’s Book Page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/STACCATO/246707792355

Twitter: @djledford